Review

The Tempest Tour

'The Tempest' was Shakespeare's last work.  Let's hope this won't 
be our last Dylan concert. Rock and Roll comprised a metaphorical 
tempest, a revolution in music, and Dylan's musical heritage is a 
revolution in itself.  During this tour he gave his audiences a trip 
through the history of R&R, as well as a historical perspective of his 
own career: blues, folk, swing, waltz, love songs, laments and even 
rap. The bulk of the shows gave a peek of his favorites from this 
century, while the two Rome shows gave a view of the last - playing 
the songs from his shows during past years.

I had the pleasure of attending all three concerts in Berlin this year
and I was more impressed each evening. Once again 19 personas, or 
maybe fewer, or maybe only one, told their stories.  We heard from 
criminals, lovers, losers, winners; did we hear from Bob himself?  Things 
have changed since the last concert I saw in Berlin on July 2, 2012. 
This set list was set - but nobody seemed to mind.  I liked knowing 
what was coming next and by the third night I couldn't wait to hear 
again that series of songs. The guitar was packed away - sadly.  But 
Dylan's voice was uncharacteristically crystal clear and melodic, and 
even the songs I don't know so well, I could make out each word, 
even understanding the slight variations in some of the lyrics. 
(I'm not a groupie, I'm a fan).

Night three was impressive.  After pushing through the front door, 
a group of us got our perfect places in front of the stage.  Ms 
Freetickets to my left, and some fire-breathing dragon to my right.  
But once the music started, I could focus on the more important 
business at hand.  The band seemed really tight and, more so than 
the first two, seemed to be having fun.  Newer songs from 'Tempest' 
especially the back to back 'Soon After Midnight' and 'Long and 
Wasted Years' showed that the song and dance man before us is 
certainly not past his prime. The second set was a marvellous musical 
experience.  

We heard examples of his love songs, cowboy songs, folk songs and 
for the encoure, two important and relevant protest songs.  We only 
enjoy Dylan at high prices because of the record label slave holders. 
And after every show Dylan forces us to ask ourselves the same 
question - 'How many times must the cannon balls fly before they're 
forever banned?' and we answer with 'Businessmen, they drink my 
wine, plowmen dig my earth, none of them along the line know what 
any of it is worth."  If only they did. Only twice did he change the last 
song, to sing 'Roll on John.'  A fitting motif continued with 'rags on 
your back just like any other slave.' The slaveholders will rule the 
world; the artists will sing about it until someone notices.

And we all, old and young loved, enjoyed, 'geniesen', the most 
beautiful Dylan tour to date.