Bob Dylan’s concert for the blind
September 25th, 2007 by Helen Herbst in Music newsThis past Saturday, when presented with the choice either to “Pump It Up” at Gwinnett or be felt up at the Girl Talk show at MJQ Concourse, the decision was easy: I went to the show I had tickets to. That the former required less physical movement and featured Elvis The-Love-of-My-Life Costello along with Bob Oh-My-God-That’s-Bob-Dylan Dylan also played a major factor.
Gwinnett Center has great sound, and the performances were stellar. If I were blind, it would have been, for me, a fabulous show. But this is what my $49.50 (not including service charge) bought me:
(Photo by Michael Ruther)
This is Bob Dylan and his band during the encore. Bob’s the one in the hat.
And just imagine Elvis Costello (solo, for the first time in 12 years) in the same space. One tiny British man serenaded 13,000 with an acoustic guitar that, from my seat a quarter-mile away, was smaller than the beer in my hand.
As for Dylan, do I think he’s over-the-hill? Do I think he’s past his prime? Musically, no. I couldn’t determine anything else without binoculars ($10 by the merch table).
I know large venues such as the Arena at Gwinnett Center are necessary, especially for such big acts. But sometimes, when I pay to see a band, I want to see a band.
September 26th, 2007 at 5:23 am
I know how you feel, back in 1984 I travelled to London to see Dylan, at the end Joan Baez came on stage and joined in the fun. Days later we discovered it was Chrissie Hinde. Like you say, just dots in the distance, could be anyone
September 26th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Elvis Costello is Irish not British
September 26th, 2007 at 10:30 am
correction – Elvis Costello IS British – apologies
September 26th, 2007 at 11:33 am
How cruel to make me doubt myself.
But Accidents Will Happen.