Hey. It’s me. I’ll be telling you my thoughts on the March 18, 2024 Bob Dylan concert from the “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour. I’ll also share a video clip of someone with me who talks about seeing Bob Dylan for the first time.
This was my third time seeing a show from Bob Dylan’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour, which began in 2021. It’s always an experience unlike any other. It takes on a special meaning that seems to go beyond being just “entertainment.” There is certainly some of that, but for the people who go see Bob Dylan, it’s a chance to reconnect with certain parts of themselves that they don’t always access.
I’d never been to Fayetteville, North Carolina. The venue was close to a friend of mine: a charming pal called Robert McCready, who is also a writer. A little detour had caused a delay, but my hunger was real. A chance to scarf down food at Taco Bell put us in touch with a man intent on robbing us. We all live on the boulevard of crime once in a while. But, crisis averted.
Dylan performed at the Crown Theatre
The Crown Theatre is a pleasant venue from the 1960s that seats about 2,400 people. I prefer antiquated over modern when it comes to live shows. I’m told the theater will close down next year to make way for something new. I wondered if this was the only time Bob Dylan would perform there.
Bob Dylan hasn’t been too pleased with the ubiquity of cell phones. They sure can put a damper on having a meaningful evening. This time would be different. Everyone’s phones were locked in a pouch. Maybe some don’t like it, but I felt it’s for our own good.
There was a mad rush as the ushers announced one minute until the doors would close. Then 30 seconds. Even 15 seconds. I realized we weren’t going to make it for the first song. But, hey. We were still alive and had our wallets and tickets.
Once inside, we settled in the especially dark room where we would focus on the words and melodies for the next almost two hours.
A lot of Bob Dylan fans have some kind of tradition they follow when going to his shows. I read about guy named “Philm” who said for him it’s going to Waffle House after the concert. My tradition began by talking to strangers after the show to find out what they thought. I met a very eccentric guy in Augusta, Georgia who came all the way from Sweden to see the show.
A Dylan first-timer shares his thoughts with me
That’s morphed into the practice of bringing someone with me who has never seen Bob Dylan before. Robert McCready was the one this time, so let’s see a little video clip of Robert telling me what stood out to him this time. Watch his observations in the video.
Thanks for the observations, Robert.
Lots of songs from “Rough and Rowdy Ways”
Compared to the other shows I saw from the “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour, it seemed there was a lighter approach. Or who knows, maybe I just perceived it that way. It looked like Dylan was having fun. One thing I like is that it sounded like Bob’s vocals were brought forward in the mix.
Bob’s piano playing was more rollicking, and the band seemed more jubilant, although the setlist was roughly the same. Dylan has been playing more songs from “Rough and Rowdy Ways” than from any other source. They did nine songs from that album.
There were a few highlights: “Black Rider” and “My Own Version of You,” seemed to segue into one another. These songs are eerie and I like them more and more. There were two great changes in the show. For one, the addition of the Johnny Cash song “Big River,” and an infectious, revamped version of “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” Although the words remained the same, the melody sounded like it was replaced with Irving Berlin’s “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and had a samba feel.
The band continues to feature Doug Lancio and Bob Britt on guitars, and the faithful Donnie Herron who is approaching 20 years with the band on lap steel and pedal steel. The new addition was Jerry Pentecost on drums. You should look him up. Of course, longtime bassist (since 1989) Tony Garnier played great and added interesting elements, which could be said of the whole band. They complement Bob perfectly. The band helps keep the shows fresh and interesting.
After the concert, we headed down to Florence, South Carolina where we recorded the conversation about the concert. I liked Robert’s takes.
The lyrics are the star
I was glad Robert mentioned the lyrics. I’ve felt that although Bob Dylan composes out-of-this-world melodies, he’s known for his lyrics. I found myself focusing on the words like never before. They’re almost like the star of the show.
Learning the lyrics, I could anticipate each line and feel a sense of satisfaction with their delivery. Songs like “I Contain Multitudes” and “Crossing the Rubicon” welcome repeated listening and new interpretations by Bob and the band can color your own understanding of the songs.
As Robert mentioned, all of the shows on the “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” tour end with “Every Grain of Sand.” Is there any song that comes close, save hymns? When I think of the three shows I’ve seen from this tour, I vividly recall the evocative delivery of those final lines before he leaves the stage: “I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man, Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.”
Unreal. No matter what your religious persuasion is, it’s hard to not be affected by it.
There will be more tour dates across the Southeast into April. Then this summer he’ll hit the road with Willie Nelson and other legends. More innovations are undoubtedly in store. Until then, I’ll sit with my memories from Fayetteville.
