Who is Bob Dylan?

hi, random voxxer here. He'll be playing stuff off of his new album, but you may hear Tambourine Man. Can't say if his shows are boring or not. If he get's all folkie, yea, but he has been known to put on some good electric shows.
I put some Dylan on my Vox so you can hear something before you go. My more favorite and more popular tracks that he might throw in.
we can't all know everything, right?

Sing along? Not much chance of that. I have been to concerts where about halfway through a song I (and many others) finally figure out which one it is. Bob is prone to mumble. His live arrangements and interpretations are often not at all like the popular versions.

All of that said, the most magical concert I have ever been to was Bob at the Greek Theatre. I'll be seeing him on Tuesday.

Yeah, well I guess I'm the only old fart here who can't imagine why you'd have heard of Bob Dylan. He was a big name and all that, but he was really Seriously Sixties (as in 1960's).

My favorite of his is "Like a Rolling Stone"

He grew up in Minnesota in a small town who was astounded that just because he could play pretty much every instrument he ran across that he actually had talent. He was considered a troublemaker because he riled up the students. (There's a documentary about him somewhere, and when they interview the principal of his high school.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Dylan
http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/dylan.html

You really shouldn't miss the concert.

Like a Rolling Stone
-----------------------------

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn't you?
People'd call, say, "Beware doll, you're bound to fall"
You thought they were all kiddin' you
You used to laugh about
Everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud
Now you don't seem so proud
About having to be scrounging for your next meal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp, but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal?

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

You never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all kinds of precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring, you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now, he calls you, you can't refuse
When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now, you got no secrets to conceal.

How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

At first I thought you were pulling our legs, then I remembered you're a Dolphins fan... so, yeah.

My wife saw him back about 10-12 years ago and said it was the one of the worst concerts she'd ever attended (Assembly Hall, Champaign, IL). She said the opening band rocked, but I don't remember the name. Arrested Development? I can't remember. I stayed home from that one. Assembly Hall is one of the worst possible places to see live music. Bob's not one of my favorites, but I respect what he's done in terms of influence and all. OTOH, he may have decided to save his energy for a Chicago performance, and put little into the Chambana one.

PantsParty, Jimi covered "All Along the Watchtower" after Dylan wrote and recorded it. The two versions are about as different as the two performers.

I can't really vouch for the authenticity of this site but http://www.bjorner.com/Covers.htm says there have been close to 6000 cover versions of his songs. My favourite Dylan tunes are "times they are a changing," which gives me the shivers sometimes and "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right."

this is really..shocking that you don't know who he is..he's an icon. but, i'm glad you're looking into him and taking an interest :)

I went to a Dylan concert in 2000 (maybe). I remember he played a good mix of old and new and it was very smoky. You know, that hippy kind of smoke, so be prepared for lots of people with the munchies.

Bob Dylan was covered by U2 - twice! - that's how big of a deal he is. He collaborated with Johnny Cash, and many others.

My favorite song of his is Union Sundown

As people have said, if you're not already a fan you may not have the best time at the concert. Know that you're lucky, though; he is playing in my city tonight and I can't afford to go, and he's one of my favorite artists... I console myself by knowing that he never plays my favorite songs live.
Have fun! (or try to, anyways.)

I took my stepson Henry to a Dylan concert in 2001 when Henry was 11. Henry's idea of concerts up until this was hot, sweaty, shows in the park or at a street festival. The Bob Dylan concert was in an arena and Henry took advantage of a seat with armrests and soft pretzels. About halfway through the show, Henry leans over and says "Hey, this guy is pretty good!"

I think that it can be hit or miss, but if you go in to it with an open attitude (and maybe take advantage of a soft pretzel or two), it will be a fun night.

...

This should help: http://www.kottke.org/remainder/06/10/12004.html

Dylan is a Listen To, not a Look At show. I went to see him at the Hammersmith Arena, and spent most of the time looking at a load of denim-clad backsides. I refused to stand, the music ain't dance to, and much as I love and revere Dylan, I did not want to spend 2 hrs standing just to see him sitting on his chair, playing his guitar and singing. Good gig even so.

There's proof of 12 years of Catholic school education! While I definitely meant to write "enunciation," it's true that Bob's interest in the Annunciation was waned, as well. His born-again Christian phase was in the late 70s-early 80s (Slow Train Coming, Saved, Shot of Love).