Bob Dylan Live by Robbie Shead

Thomand Park, Limerick, July 4, Bob Dylan and his band arrive in town to wrap up the latest leg of his “never ending” tour.

The stage was set up in the centre of the pitch facing the right hand side seating area, and rows of flags reached out from either side of the stage, hugging the crowd, creating a surprisingly intimate setting in the large arena. Opening performances from a local Limerick band, The Last Days of Death Country, Alabama 3, the exciting and enigmatic Seasick Steve and David Gray, started the proceedings nicely. But there was only one man I came to Limerick to see tonight.

As the intro started there were sounds of excitement and anticipation ‘blowin in the (almost gale force) wind’. Out marched the band, taking their positions like a well-rehearsed firing squad fully intent on shooting every one of us down. Unfortunately the opener didn’t seem to have that desired effect: it was an almost half-hearted attempt of ‘Leopard Skin Pill-Box Hat’, a song which on other nights has lived up to and even outshone the fantastic Blonde on Blonde version. But tonight it seemed to just fall flat. He followed this up with a nice but again nothing to write home about version of ‘Lay, Lady, Lay’, coming out centre stage and wielding his guitar. The next song, ‘Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues’, was a nice surprise and picked up the pace a bit. Dylan began to loosen up and really get into his stride pulling off a number of those 2 or 3 note licks he can use to such great effect.

It was on the next song however I felt a change coming on. ‘Just Like a Woman’, although perhaps a little overused at this stage is always a favourite among concert-goers and tonight was no exception. It was breathtaking. And looking behind me up at the 15,000 strong crowd singing along to Bob was something that had to be witnessed to be believed.

‘Beyond Here Lies Nothing’ followed, a relatively new song that has already morphed itself into something beyond anyone’s expectations. Donnie really added to the sound with some subtle trumpet playing. ‘Tangled up in Blue’ had a nice arrangement Bob as usual starting the song off pretty much on his own, with a predictable but still stunning explosion on the second verse. ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’’ did just that, causing a nice stir among the crowd, with a couple just to the side of me managing a jive in the limited space available.

Next up was a trio from Time Out of Mind: a beautiful ‘Tryin’ To Get to Heaven’, a stomping ‘Cold Irons Bound’, and a first for me (and a personal favorite of mine) ‘Love Sick’. Ever since I heard the live version of this at the Grammys, I have been in awe of its brilliance! It is soft and yet biting, intense yet unassuming. It has to be one of Bob’s best, and the performance tonight only heightened this for me.

Again ‘Highway 61’ was brilliantly performed, as was ‘Thunder on the Mountain’, proving how tight the band are, and the added bonus of Charlie being back on this tour – displaying such command over the guitar whilst darting back and forth and bending down on his knees like someone looking for lost change – was clear to see.

Another crowd-pleaser was the tender ‘Workingman’s Blues # 2’. Quite true to the original, it had the crowd singing and swaying along. Of course in pure Bob style he threw in a few lyric changes, and phrasing differences on the chorus, just to keep us on our toes.

‘Ballad of Thin Man’ was last up and tonight it was more like the ballet of a thin man. Dylan standing out centre-stage, and making hand gestures like a circus ring leader. It was just spectacular. Another favorite of mine, it was one of the best performances of this song I have ever witnessed. Powerful, dramatic, just the way the song was made to be played.

As the explosion of ‘Ballad’ ended, Bob and the band shuffled off stage, to the roar of the crowd. The lights went dark and the roar settled to a hum. People started talking among themselves until, finally, they were back on the stage, the lights came up and the crowd cheered to the familiar chord progression of ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ – another song Bob plays almost every night of his career, but still manages to put so much into it, that it remains fresh.

He followed that up with the fantastic ‘I Feel a Change Comin’ On’ and ‘Jolene’, two really great new songs that sit comfortably at the table next to the greats of Rolling Stone and ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’, the last of the four encores tonight. With its gentle current arrangement ‘Blowing in the Wind’ combined Bob’s great phrasing with an addictive riff played by Donnie on the violin.

All in all it was another great gig by Bob. They managed to storm through the swirling winds in Limerick to put on an amazing show. Bob Dylan of 2010 may not be the folk troubadour of the 60’s, the travelling wordsmith of the 70’s, or the born again gospel singing Christian of the 80’s. What he is, is a man who has weathered the test of time, and come out on top. You can hear it in his voice, see it in his face, but most importantly feel it in his music.

He may not be to everyone’s taste, but I wouldn’t change him if I could, you know what they say, man, it’s all good!