Glasgow: "exhaustingly good"- Europe tour news (16)

Thanks to Jamie Black:

“Here is my review of the gig last night. And what a gig it was!

“Dylan at SECC 11/04/07 - You hear the scare stories about Dylan gigs, with even diehard fans warning you what to expect. My biggest worry was that he was going to just churn out the songs in a disinterested drawl, making the whole thing a token gesture for all concerned.

“But this gig surpassed even my childish excitement as he powered through some unexpected classics as well as relishing the fresh energy of Modern Times.

“One of the highlights of the show was his rendition of Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, which was as true to the ethos of H61 as you could ask. But he didn't pull any punches on his foray into Blonde on Blonde either, with some rousing harp playing on You Go Your Way And
I'll Go Mine, and uncompromising vocals on Stuck Inside of Mobile.

“A brilliant surprise came with the rendition of John Brown, this version staying true to its folky origins but gaining a dramatic grip on the audience with the help of Dylan's band.

“As I expected, songs from Modern Times were excellent live, and again all credit to the class and craftsmanship of the big man's fellow musicians. Rollin' and Tumblin' sticks out as an example of pure passionate power, but his delicate performances of Levee’s Gonna Break and Ain't Talkin' were nothing less than exquisite.

“To cut a very long story too short, Dylan was simply on his game last night. His vocals were perfectly delivered in almost every instance, capturing the unique drama and grasp of poetic performance that characterise the classics we know and love. The music was beautiful and uncompromising as Dylan took on joy, passion, love and murder to maximum cathartic effect.

“The whole thing was exhaustingly good.”