Dylan at the Palladium

Now even though it’s been over three weeks ago now, I still think I should write something about this. The “this” being finally seeing Mr. Bob Dylan and his Band at the Hollywood Palladium on October 14th. I had waffled a bit in going initially simply because of the cost as it’s a pretty penny to see living legends these days. I had also heard a wide variety of things about his live shows these days (both perceived “good” and “bad”) but I still went ahead and went because…well because I wasn’t sure when I would have another opportunity to see him because I don’t always catch wind of bands coming through town (yes, even I’m surprised by that.). So I got my ticket and anxiously waited for the night to arrive…

I had made tentative plans to meet up with my friend Jean-Paul, who told me about the show, as I like to go to things with people. I know, I’m the self-professed introvert who hates doing things by himself. I just don’t like doing things alone, I suppose. Anyway, I made it to the venue and had gotten there before JP so I bought myself a beer because I needed to do *something* while waiting. Was I just going to stare at the wall? Anyway, I ordered a Newcastle (big size) and didn’t realize it was, ohhhhhhh, a $14 beer until that price rolled out of the bartender’s mouth. I wasn’t going to be a jerk about it, so I paid up and waited by the door. This went on until I just finished up and then heard rumblings from the stage that the “opener” was coming out. I then though, “Well I suppose I’ll watch the opener while I wait for JP” and then the loudspeakers blared, “Please welcome Columbia Records recording artist…Bob Dylan!” WHOA…no opener! And it’s just after 8:30! My kind of start time. So needless to say I didn’t meet-up with JP before the show but when Bob comes to the stage, you listen.

Anyway, as for the set (oh and smrt guy here didn’t get his new album…until the day before) he definitely leaned towards tracks from the last three albums although there were a few older goodies along the way such as show opener “Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat”, “Highway 61 Revisited”, “Balled of a Thin Man, and “Like a Rolling Stone” Now even though I’m not at as familiar with the new tunes, I still liked them even though I would have liked to have heard more 60’s stuff but I’m sure he’s a tad sick of playing much of the songs from that period. It’s only natural and I don’t fault that or for doing things like changing arrangements around. Oh and I also really liked that he still does all of the harmonica bits and hasn’t relegated those duties to someone else so that was a treat.

Anyway, here’s a video montage of some of the songs from the show:





Of course since I stumbled into things when I did I was relegated to the back and being a short guy was not helpful. I also have this tendency to be stuck behind either the tall guy or the guy with a big hat…or both. Anyway, after the set, I finally bumped into JP and we have a few minutes to talk about the show so things worked out on that end.

Now did I enjoy the show? Yes, actually, even if I had to position myself just perfectly to see Bob’s head on stage and the fact I wasn’t too familiar with the set. I will admit that I enjoyed the Camera Obscura show from June muuuuuuuch more but I’m slightly obsessed with them and the ticket cost a quarter of Bob’s and I was only 20 feet away from Tracyanne for that one, but I digress. Anyway, it was good times and I’m glad I went.

Anyway, sorry for the fairly late posting on this, but with being sick for a week not long ago as well as the general business of my life recently, my time seems to be eaten up more quickly these days. We’ll see if another show pops out of nowhere this year and if so, I’ll be sure to report. Thanks for your patience, my fellow Dylan fan friends on this.