Another year has gone by in an accelerating tempo, bringing both misery and joy. To be hopeful on behalf of humanity seems to be more and more challenging. There are wars and rumors of wars, there are fires raging in all meanings of the word, and some of us are lucky enough to still be counting our blessings, arriving in a new year, once again.
When it comes to Dylan, the trains of thoughts and songs and media attention seem to never end. I read this article about the possibility of 2025 to be an extra strong year for Bob Dylan, due to the interest and spin-offs of the film.
2024 was the 40th Year Anniversary for my first time being at a Bob Dylan show, in Gothenburg, June 9th in 1984. I thought it maybe should be my only chance to see him live, then again, 2024, became the year when I saw him the 200th time, the last night in Royal Albert Hall, still able to impress and surprise me, after all these years.
The tour schedule makes most artists program seem not so impressive. Dylan even delivering a complete break from the Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour in summer, before coming back with one of the strongest legs of the whole tour since 2021. Still, the year of touring opened with a spirited Dylan in Florida in March, continuing through a couple of states until he reached Austin, Texas in the beginning of April.
Spring Tour – RRW.
Thank to OldHenryLee for distributing Bennyboy’s best of from the Spring Tour: “Like The Motion of the Sea” – Dylan in the mood for some great covers, both Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, Ry Cooder and more.
Summer Tour – Outlaw Music Festival.
The same couple teamed up for the Summer Tour Compilation: “Let The Bird Sing”. Really something completely different from RRW Tour, starting in Alpharetta, Georgia, not repeating one song from Spring. Lots of covers and a deeper dive into Dylan’s own catalogue than the last years. This was of course the Outlaw Music Festival, through the Summer including both John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Robert Plant & Allison Krauss and more. Mickey Raphael’s harmonica on “Simple Twist of Fate” a really nice surprise when it first arrived. Elvin Bishop showed up one night, playing guitar on “Early Roman Kings”, as Jimmy Vaughan showed up in Austin, playing on several songs. Dylan played Hank Williams again, this time the great Cold, Cold Heart, also recorded in studio a lifetime ago, released on Springtime in New York.
A spectacular version of Desolation Row made us wonder what really was happening in there, later accepting there might have been a plan after all.
Live 1974 Recordings.
Then, in September there was another deep dive into the archives, celebrating 50 Years since the groundbreaking tour with The Band, a first since the tour with almost the same guys in 1966. Another treasure chest of songs, arrangements and variations. Here’s my little post about it: Power, Pride & Joy – Bob Dylan & The Band, The 1974 Live Recordings. For you who want a song-by-song-guide I’d strongly recommend Ray Padgett’s great listening-guide to this great box set: A Show-By-Show Listening Guide to Bob Dylan’s Massive ‘1974 Live Recordings’ Box Set.
NB! Third Man Records Vinyl Set with hand-picked tracks from the box was easily as great as announced. The one I’ve played the most.
Fall Tour – RRW.
Would there be another leg of the tour after the Summer Tour ended, and would it be in US or Europe? Many of us hoped for another Europe Tour, even if I thought Dylan gave his last farewell to London in 2022, after the wonderful shows at The Palladium. To get the tickets were a pritty nerve-wrecking business, but luckily I got fine tickets to both Paris and Royal Albert Hall in London. Five great shows, though with some variations, as I’ve tried to describe in the following posts. To see the last three shows from the fourth row was really a blessing, also because of Dylan’s commanding presence in each one of them, leaving no doubt about who was in charge, developing some of the songs and arrangements from night to night.
“I’ve Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You” – Bob Dylan in Paris, 25th of October, 2024.
Some great compilations were shared also from this fabulous leg of the tour from the team of you know who, among them a best of: Restless & Rowdy Days – and several volumes with more great performances from whart seem like an unstoppable force-of-nature.
A Complete Unknown?
The end of 2024 and start of 2025, Dylan-wise, has of course been totally dominated by reports, speculations, then reviews and essays about James Mangold’s movie “A Complete Unknown”, with Dylan himself involved and gives his thumbs up for the project. Whether that improves the film I don’t know. Still I think positive about a new generation getting another possibility to get to know this unique artist. I never would expect this or any film to dive deeper into the enigma of Dylan, nor expose any major finds in the story of him. Personally I think the listing of wrongs and rights of the movie isn’t so interesting – it never was a documentary. I’m looking forward to see it in a few weeks. The Reagan Movie doesn’t look that interesting, but Dylan was also involved in this one….
More Masterpieces to Come?
When Dylan and his band left the stage for the last night in Royal Albert Hall, there were no signs of an artist or a band leaving the stage for the last time, even if the Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour always was said to get to the end in 2024. There might be more shows to come, of course, there are several rumors of shows in 2025. New releases – maybe? So just let’s see. We never know. Dylan might not be “A Complete Unknown”, but we never know his next move, mostly not foolish. He is keeping us at our toes, like his band, and we’re still just lucky to be alive at the same time as the artist.
Johnny Borgan
Johnny B. 
Great writing Johnny – as always ! Happy New Year- see you in Tulsa I hope
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Thanks, Johnny, for the writing ! Someone in the crowd in one recording of last year kept shouting “He’s gonna stay! He’s goona stay!” He will!!
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Thank you, Richard!
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Thanks Johnny always a great read. My first concert was Blackbushe UK. 1978….and privileged to see Bob in Wolverhampton UK, on the last tour….
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