**Updated Oct 26** The show last night was fantastic. We had great seats and enjoyed the show with a bunch of good friends. I’ve heard rather lukewarm reviews from people who have seen Dylan perform, so while my hopes were high, my expectations weren’t. Dylan and “His Band” did not disappoint. In front of a very enthusiastic crown, they rocked out and crooned out retooled old radio favs as well as lots of newer, less known, but more modern and relevant songs from recent albums. The band was very tight. This is certainly Bob’s deal though - some of the players have been with him for decades, but are still clearly hired hands, looking to him for all musical cues. In fact most of the band actually faces Dylan from across the stage. He is in this way, kind of alone and isolated on stage, but able to interact and direct the band and the songs. It was an interesting set up. The ONLY disappointment for me was that Bob did not pick up a guitar all night, choosing to remain behind his keyboard for most songs, venturing with his harp out to a lone mic for a few others. Is there some health issue keeping him from playing guitar? I aim to find out. Anyway, we all enjoyed the show fully. I never really expected I’d get to see Dylan perform live, and likely wouldn’t have traveled to a major center to see him play a larger venue. But to see this legend play within walking distance of my house?… awesome.
I was watching the Grammy Awards back in 1998. That night, Bob Dylan performed his excellent “Love Sick”. A little into the song a semi-naked dude came outta nowhere and started a spastic dance beside Bob, the words Soy Bomb on his bare chest. Bob and the band played on, Soy Bomb boy was removed after a while (off camera), and the song was finished. It was unclear at the time what the story was - was Soy Bomb boy part of the show or some crackpot that has somehow made it on stage? Bob was pretty cool about whole thing, but at about the 23 second mark of the video below his brief “WTF?” look gives it away.
In fact, I found out today, a decade later that indeed Soy Bomb boy did sneak on. He was hired as a background dancer. He also considered himself a deconstructive, “moron” artist. Somehow he figured because Dylan was a bit of a rebel himself he likely wouldn’t mind a little performance art during his song.
Apparently Soy Bomb was mistaken as the DVD cut that was later produced of the same performance makes a point of cutting the whole thing out.
Anyway, the reason I thought to look this whole thing us is that in about 4 hours Bob Dylan hits the stage here in Kamloops. Yeah, that’s what I said too! But it’s true and we’ll be there.
