What a weekend. Sunday to Lille...
So yes, I saw Bob Dylan in Lille. It wasn't "amazing", but we were fairly close to the stage and I got to see Bob rock the harmonica, met a Dutch guy who has followed Dylan for what appears to be a long time, and while I didn't get to ask Bobby if he remembered the 12 year old me (I met him with Jerry Garcia) - it was still a great weekend.
Mark Knopfler opened for Dylan with his band and let me just start by saying I was amazed. His voice is still in good shape and the little guitar riffs that made me air guitar to "Money For Nothin'" are still present in his new music. Not to mention one of his band - the guy who played the fiddle - could really play the fiddle.
What was disappointing is that the song I most wanted to hear, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" wasn't part of the set list for Lille, but he did play it in Paris. The other disappointing thing is how disappointed people were - they started leaving the concert around the time Dylan played "Jolene". It was so hot and crowded on the floor that I popped out to the WC (unfortunately just as he played "Like a Rolling Stone", and when I stopped outside for a ciggie I overheard all the disappointment.
Does Dylan sound like the other times I've seen him live? I forgot I also saw Dylan at the 1994 anniversary of Woodstock. But no, he doesn't sound like he sounded nearly 20 years ago. But he doesn't sound that bad either. Was I dissapointed, on some level yes. Mostly because Bob never once picked up the guitar. I knew there was a chance he might not be as good as before, but he was animated and seeing the poet and legend still loving music at 70 was well worth the fuss and cost of going to Lille to see him.
But let me leave you with this beautiful story. I met a Dutchman at the concert who told me if he took all the money he spent seeing Dylan over the years he could have bought a beautiful house, but he would rather have the music. From the other little stories he told (about the Swiss woman who jumped on stage and Bob let her sing harmony with him) the love was obvious. I hope one day he meets Dylan and gets to share those stories with the poet himself.
If one day I ever write a book and a fan were to tell me a story with their eyes full of the same light and emotion, I think well - I think it would be just about the greatest thing I could ever imagine hearing. That somehow something I put out into the world gave someone so much. That's the whole reason I want to be a writer.
If you're a fan of Dylan you should check out this website that was recommended to me by the same Dutch guy, www.boblinks.com that is run by a gentleman by the name of Bob Pagel.
And if you're the Dutch guy I met, you might remember us, and if so, please send me an email as we'd like to ask you a little "favour"! (lafemmeflaneuse@gmail.com).
So yes, I saw Bob Dylan in Lille. It wasn't "amazing", but we were fairly close to the stage and I got to see Bob rock the harmonica, met a Dutch guy who has followed Dylan for what appears to be a long time, and while I didn't get to ask Bobby if he remembered the 12 year old me (I met him with Jerry Garcia) - it was still a great weekend.
Mark Knopfler opened for Dylan with his band and let me just start by saying I was amazed. His voice is still in good shape and the little guitar riffs that made me air guitar to "Money For Nothin'" are still present in his new music. Not to mention one of his band - the guy who played the fiddle - could really play the fiddle.
What was disappointing is that the song I most wanted to hear, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" wasn't part of the set list for Lille, but he did play it in Paris. The other disappointing thing is how disappointed people were - they started leaving the concert around the time Dylan played "Jolene". It was so hot and crowded on the floor that I popped out to the WC (unfortunately just as he played "Like a Rolling Stone", and when I stopped outside for a ciggie I overheard all the disappointment.
Does Dylan sound like the other times I've seen him live? I forgot I also saw Dylan at the 1994 anniversary of Woodstock. But no, he doesn't sound like he sounded nearly 20 years ago. But he doesn't sound that bad either. Was I dissapointed, on some level yes. Mostly because Bob never once picked up the guitar. I knew there was a chance he might not be as good as before, but he was animated and seeing the poet and legend still loving music at 70 was well worth the fuss and cost of going to Lille to see him.
But let me leave you with this beautiful story. I met a Dutchman at the concert who told me if he took all the money he spent seeing Dylan over the years he could have bought a beautiful house, but he would rather have the music. From the other little stories he told (about the Swiss woman who jumped on stage and Bob let her sing harmony with him) the love was obvious. I hope one day he meets Dylan and gets to share those stories with the poet himself.
If one day I ever write a book and a fan were to tell me a story with their eyes full of the same light and emotion, I think well - I think it would be just about the greatest thing I could ever imagine hearing. That somehow something I put out into the world gave someone so much. That's the whole reason I want to be a writer.
If you're a fan of Dylan you should check out this website that was recommended to me by the same Dutch guy, www.boblinks.com that is run by a gentleman by the name of Bob Pagel.
And if you're the Dutch guy I met, you might remember us, and if so, please send me an email as we'd like to ask you a little "favour"! (lafemmeflaneuse@gmail.com).
