Saturday’s Bob Dylan Convention/John Green Day

Thanks to Phil Davis for his report on the sixth annual Bob Dylan Convention/John Green Day:

“John Green was an avid Bob Dylan fan, who collected recordings of shows, reviewed them for Freewheelin` and Isis magazines, then sent off copies to all who asked for them.

“In December 1999 John tragically passed away in his home town, Northampton. The Freewheelers decided to honour him by holding a John Green Day there each year. The first, in 2001, had Steve Gibbons playing two superb sets at the Moat House Hotel. Other acts who graced the stage in following years included Julie Felix and Carolyn Hester.

“The sixth convention, held on Saturday, attracted BBC World Service Correspondent Duncan Bartlett, world-renowned Dylan expert Michael Gray, Dylanesque, a couple of North Eastern musicians playing Bob tunes, Cold Overture (possibly the best act ever to come out of Rutland) and, as a bill-topper this year, Highway 61 Revisited, a Dylan tribute band fronted by Joel Gilbert.

“Remarkably, Highway 61 Revisited includes Rob Stoner and Scarlet Rivera, bass player and violinist respectively from Bob`s 1975/6 Rolling Thunder Revue tours. And the drummer is no less than Winston Watson, who played the 1991-96 Never Ending Tour.

“Joel`s band played well over two hours of non-stop Dylan, turning out, amongst the 25 or so songs, Hurricane, Isis, All Along The Watchtower (Winston`s drumming was sublime on this one) and a Rolling Thunder version of Maggie`s Farm. Scarlet played superbly. Stoner`s bass playing was complemented by the drummer, who I thought drove the band, and the rest of the crew all gave solid performances.

“They are touring the UK this week, and if they are near you, go see them.

“A great Saturday of entertainment, and my thanks go to the organisers who, once again, put on a day that John Green would have been proud of.”