Bob Dylan's Bus

Here's a couple of pics of Bob Dylan's tour bus(es) parked outside of the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Monies, Iowa on August 22, 2012 in a no parking zone. Ha!

The concert was titled "Bob Dylan and His Band".  Frankly, it was a terrible concert. I regret taking my wife and son.  They were polite enough to say they enjoyed it.  However, my son said the people sitting next to him must not have liked it because they didn't applaude and left early.  The lone person sitting next to me also left early.  He did not recognize Dylan on stage and asked which one he was, I said he was the one appearing to be singing. The folks with the floor seats dutifully stood during the entire performance.

 I can barely understand his singing any more.  His lyrics are almost totally incomprehensible these days.  You must guess what song he is singing by hopefully matching snippets to a previous rendition that you are familar with. You're totally in the dark if you can't match it to a previous song. This is unforunate as what I liked about the early Bob Dylan was the clarity of his lyrics; the subtle phrasings.   Now he simply growls constantly in a hoarse choactic monotone. I wonder if the constant touring has permanently ruined his vocal chords.  Anyone that sounds that hoarse must have a severe constant sore throat.

He played the electric piano alot.  Kinda jammed with the band sometimes.  Played with one hand, standing, and sitting down.  Walked around blowing the harmonic, held a guitar occasionaly.  Stood and waved with his free hand.  Donned a white brim hat for the last song, more the ready to make his exit I suppose.

He never announces what he is going to play. Never thanks the crowd for applause. There is no warmup act, there is no intermission.  There is never more than a one song encore; even that is planned into the set list. Never any new songs. He introduced the members of the band prior to the last two numbers. Blowing in the Wind is what he closes with.  Now is that some kind of joke? That's what you get for $49.50.

I doubt that he would have any success at all if this is what he had sounded like his during all his career.  He is most certainly riding on his past reputation and accomplishments.  I plan to remember this concert the next time Dylan comes my way and take a pass. I don't even want to hear his upcoming new release "Tempest" that includes the offer of a Bob Dylan Harmonica.  I can't even imagine that this release can possibly have any redeeming merits except to make Bob Dylan more money. There are no Bob Dylan signature guitars that I am aware.  Maybe that is still to come.

Geez, the old geezer should just hang it up.  Give the World a break, Bob. Park the bus for good.

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