For the first time in decades, Bob Dylan is back on stage with a new album. The 81-year-old music icon is in Amsterdam for two performances around Rough and Rowdy Ways, which was released in 2020. Dutch critics embrace his new records, but are also critical of Dylan’s performance.
By our entertainment editorsde Volkskrant – 3 stars
“Dylan is apparently just as fond of this album as its critics. And it is therefore a joy in advance that Dylan focuses on a new album during his performances for the first time in about forty years. to do with two flaws.”
“First of all, the songs with which the new work is interrupted. The fact that Dylan chooses to mainly use songs from the years 1969-1971 is part of his always enigmatic repertoire selection. To Be Alone With You as a connection between the two perhaps most beautiful songs of Rough and Rowdy Ways (Crossing the Rubicon and Key West (Philosopher Pirate) ) is a sin, just like the somewhat affected I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight that precedes this trio of songs.”
“This brings us to the biggest shortcoming: Dylan’s piano playing. He hasn’t played the guitar for years. But the way he hammers the same chords on his piano in all songs is just as nice. But in the end it comes at the expense of the subtlety that are right. characterizes new work.”
Read the full review here
AD – 3 stars
“Whatever Dylan takes for his audience, he is averse to frills. There is no photo or video camera in AFAS Live. So also no video screens with which fans are served in the back of the room. Quite a handicap for them, since his piano Dylan is largely hidden from view all evening.”
“Telephones are not allowed to be used – the devices are sealed in a special case on arrival – and there is no decoration whatsoever on the stage. Six men stand and sit on a stage in front of an immensely high curtain, that’s it. That is more than pure concert experience may seem old-fashioned, it actually feels very nice.”
“The backing band is perfectly fine. The five are fully at the service of their boss, there is no room for solos. They operate almost cautiously, apparently afraid to offend Dylan. As a result, the playing pleasure never shines through. they make the evening musically, by lovingly disguising the shortcomings of their leader as the musically weakest link.”
Read the full review here
Het Parool – gives no stars
“Would it have to do with old age that Dylan uses a fixed set list during his current tour? In the past, even his accompanists did not know what he was going to do at his concerts.”
“Despite that fixed program, it is sometimes quite a mess on stage. Dylan then just messes around on his piano, while his four-piece band also doesn’t seem to be fully focused. But there are plenty of moments that make up for that. Especially the songs by Rough and Rowdy Ways be inspired.”
“Beautiful is for example I Contain Multititudeswith a text featuring a whole series of celebrities: from Anne Frank and Indiana Jones to ‘them British bad boysthe Rolling Stones. And also very beautiful, also from that last album: My Own Version of Youin which the music steers in the direction of Tom Waits (talking about raw voices).”
Read the full review here
Eerder
.