April 15th, we went to Tokyo to see the great Bob Dylan in concert at Tokyo Garden Theatre. Security was strict: no phones, cameras, video, and even no binoculars… It's hard to believe but Bob will be 82 years old next month. Amazingly, his voice sounds much better than it was ten years ago, when we saw him at Zepp Sapporo. The Tokyo concert was really a special evening...
In the live concert, Bob's musicians have more freedom than they have on the latest album, Rough and Rowdy Ways. The songs sound better live. No high technology, no smoke, no mirrors… Just six honest musicians playing their instruments.. No flashy guitar solos, no "look-at-me" moments.. Everything is designed to serve the songs. (You've got to serve somebody). Bob stands or sits at the piano, he doesn't play the guitar anymore.
The final song, Every Grain of Sand, is an older song first recorded in 1981. It was the perfect song to end the concert. The song sees Bob playing his harmonica, always a highlight for the audience. This is probably the last time Bob plays live in Japan; even Bob Dylan cannot be forever young. He is a unique artist. His songs have been the soundtrack to the lives of so many people. Brisco Steve says "Thank you Bob, for everything!"
