Expecting Rain

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have you played him the hated '60s records?

Oh heavens, no! I love my son. I'd never subject him to what I went through. I did sing the songs from Under the Red Sky to him when he was little and I've played Budakon, Dylan & the Dead for him. He heard most of the mid '70s stuff to the present.

Yes. Some people are just not going to get it. Better they just not try.

So far, I've typically been very hesitant to encourage people to go see Bob live because most of the people I hang out with are around my age (early to mid 20's) and they are far less likely to "get it".

However my recent trip to BA has changed my sentiments somewhat. I met/observed a lot of the younger people in the crowd and they all seemed genuinely pleased with the shows. For example on 04/27, I was seated to the right of a young lady who had travelled all the way from Bolivia to see her first Dylan gig. We chatted before the show and she was so excited to see Bob aka her idol and quite understandably was overflowing with emotion and all these grand expectations. I feared she was setting herself up for disappointment and I debated to myself whether I should try to put a damper on things. But I didn't.

Outcome? The night in her own words, exceeded her expectations! She left the Gran Rex with goosebumps and was craving for more of his "live material"!!! If you listen to my recording from that show, you can hear her screaming "Woooooo!!!!" and "Bravo!!!!!" in the left channel all night long. It was really cute!

I totally understand people not appreciating the "new" voice -- that is, anything after basically 1990. I don't have that much sympathy for people who are "shocked" that he doesn't sound like he did in the 1960s, considering he's released many records in the last twenty years -- critically acclaimed to boot -- and he sounds EXACTLY LIKE THAT.

For the most part, Dylan has almost always sounded in concert very similar to his most recent album.

And ever since Under the Red Sky, he's pretty much sounded ragged, hoarse, and shattered -- just like in concert. Of course, once you get *used* to that voice, you might just learn to love it.

But you can't say he didn't warn ya.

Honestly... I love his music to death, but I haven't seen him live and I don't think I will either, even if he happens to play in my part of the world. I don't like the raspy, rough voice, and don't care for ModBob whatsoever. Judging by video recordings of his recent concerts, it just wouldn't be something I'd enjoy.

Gunfighter, i'm not okay with this. a man of your caliber. you own it to the person to go and see him once. or at least to make the effort. no recording or video does the experience justice. and you may not like the experience, this is true. but so what. think about what this man has given you and done for you. think about how many years you may say...i never took the opportunity to see him, when he was around....

I think you'll change your mind if you go see him. It's an amazing experience, every time!

I've never told anyone specifically not to go see Dylan or not to listen to Dylan. But I have quickly turned him off a few times when my wife walked in.

Bennyboy, you make me miss LJ a little less

I am forbidden to play Dylan when I hang out on my sister's porch. I've given up trying. I've requested a ban on Billy Joel in retaliation But no, I've never steered anyone away from Dylan. Live or otherwise

Not true, my friend. I've been going to see Bob since the late 70s. His live voice has had more than one change over the years. I also think it depended on the type of material he was performing at any point in time. He wouldn't/couldn't perform a lot of what he did 20 years ago. I'm okay with that.

i often close ER windows when she gets home as if it was a porn site!

I tell everyone I know not to go when there is a club show booked and I don't have my ticket yet.

good point!

Am I nuts to enjoy to listen Dylan alive than the studios albums?
So, for me to see Dylan on stage is kind of glory!!!

^^
No, that's perfectly alright. Live is the best.

I think people should discover and get into Dylan from personal interest, by themselves. It's quite impossible to actually turn someone into Dylan fan, sometimes I feel it's almost like something you're born with, it's either in your veins or it isn't. My girlfriend's heard Visions of Johanna (and LaRS, plus some others) and she just doesn't care for it, and I understand it.

I will never forget when my niece asked me about what I was listening to. It was LARS from self-portrait and I put her my phones. Her face shined and she said: Again, please!!!!
She was 07 years old.

I've seen Dylan 5 times, 3 of those times i took along people who were blank slates re: Bob Dylan and they were converted (by which, i can say I am certain they each legally bought Dylan recordings subsequent to the show).

I hadn't tried to convert them. Frankly I undersold LiveBob and in all three cases feared my companion would not want to stay for the whole show. I need not have feared.

But the last time this happened with me was 1997. I don't think i could stand to try it now. If i see Bob Live again, I don't want to stress myself out fretting about whether somebody other than me is digging it. So, if a nonfan asked if they could go along with me to a show, i might say "no. not with me"