Dylan

The fact that Amanda posted pictures, videos and a complete description of the "So You Think You Can Dance Show" and has made nary a peep about the Bob Dylan show we went to last Tuesday probably says more about the concert than anything I could write. The fact that Amanda fell asleep during it probably says even more.

Despite Amanda's silence on the issue, I actually enjoyed the concert quite a bit. Sure Bob Dylan's voice now sounds more like Boris Karloff doing a Bob Dylan impression after having eaten a sheet of sand paper than classic Bob Dylan, but if you want to hear good voices, you go to the Opera. Dylan's band was great, he bounced around a little during his songs and he even pointed at the audience once, acknowledging our existence (Dylan is well known for interacting very little with the audience...it makes him mysterious). Dylan also played one of my five favorite Dylan songs, "It Ain't Me Babe," although it took me a minute or two to figure out what he was actually singing.

As an added bonus, Elvis Costello opened for Bob and played a solo set on his acoustic guitar. His voice sounded great and the use of the acoustic guitar added another dimension to some of his already great songs. I don't think my parents knew any of his songs, but they both seemed to enjoy him.

The highlight of the show, however, was when our whole section of the audience (we were near the back) had to scream at a guy to sit down because he was blocking everyone's view. Normally, I don't think you should ever tell anyone to sit down at a concert, but he was the ONLY person standing in the whole section (and since it was a Dylan show, there were a lot of old hippies who needed to sit). I realize that a story about telling someone to sit down isn't very interesting, but this guy was one of those people you see at concerts that can't control their bodies. They have to bob and gyrate along to every beat. In fact, this guy even threw in a few air guitars and drum hits with his dance. What's the deal with those people? After we (and by "we" I mean a lot of other people in the audience) shouted him down, he flipped all of us the bird, and walked to another section of the auditorium. Although it was a bit offensive, we all appreciated it, since it was more interaction that we got from Dylan all night.

All in all it was a fun night. Even though it wasn't the greatest concert I've been to, everyone needs to see Bob Dylan at least once. He is one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and you never know how much longer he will be touring.

Of course, it was nothing compared to "So You Think You Can Dance."