We took the A Train to See Bob Dylan Last Night

We left the house about 6:15 and took the #7 train to Times Square. We walked underground to 8th avenue and picked up the A train. Lee, the subway enthusiast in the family" was excited since this was the first time he ever took the A train. We got off at 175th Street and walked a block to the United Palace Theater. As you can tell from the linked web site, it was a very ornate theater. Most of the people in the audience were in their 30s or 40s who were not born when Dylan was in his prime in the 1960s. I ran into Richard Kearney, a librarian I know at William Paterson University. I knew from Facebook communications that he would be there. The ticket said the show would begin at 8:00, and it actually began at 8:15 which seemed unusual. There were many latecomers who had to find their seats after the concert began. I just can not understand why people leave their seats in the middle of an expensive concert to buy overpriced beer. There must be plenty of bars to go after the concert. Below is the set list from http://www.boblinks.com . Someone in the audience phones Bill Pagel minutes after the concert with the set list:


1.
Gotta Serve Somebody(Bob on harp center stage - no keyboard, Stu and Denny on stage for all songs)
2.
The Times They Are A-Changin' (Bob on harp)
3.
The Levee's Gonna Break (Donnie on electric mandolin)
4.
Tomorrow Is A Long Time (Bob on guitar)
5.
Things Have Changed (Donnie on violin)
6.
Desolation Row (Donnie on electric mandolin)
7.
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) (Donnie on banjo)
8.
Beyond The Horizon
9.
'Til I Fell In Love With You (Bob on harp)
10.
Make You Feel My Love
11.
Honest With Me
12.
Spirit On The Water
13.
Highway 61 Revisited
14.
Ain't Talkin' (Donnie on viola)
15.
Thunder On The Mountain



(encore)
16.
Like A Rolling Stone
17.
All Along The Watchtower
18.
Blowin' In The Wind (Bob on guitar, Donnie on violin)

Dylan very often slurs his word when he sings, so it often takes a while for me to make out the song, especially the newer ones. This was the first time in several concerts that I have been where Dylan played the guitar. I just loved the harmonica solos.

Dylan has toured almost continously since 1992 with breaks duing the holiday season. Last night's concert is the last in this leg of what is known as "The Never Ending Tour." In 2008 we saw Dylan twice, but you never know when he could stop touring since he is 67 years old. Perhaps he will collaborate with Paul McCartney in the months to come.