I’ve been saying this for 20 years and no one has listened yet.
I’ll only see Dylan live when The Traveling Wilburys reunite.
Hell, the way he looks and sounds these days, I’m surprised he doesn’t get mistaken for a bum.
Dylan? Never cared for his music.
Joni Mitchell, OTOH, is a true artist…
That will be right after the Beatles reunite.
As a Dylan fan I find it much easier to participate in a Dylan sucks thread than to hear Joni Mitchell called an artist. Does she dab in watercolors?
It’s difficult. On one hand, saying nothing to your paying audience is aloof and rude, but on the other, so is “HELLO (checks note on back of guitar) SPRINGFIELD!”.
I’m still a fan of, “Hello. I’m Johnny Cash.” That guy worked the crowd just right.
It is funny though that Johnny Cash, during his Folsom and/or San Quentin shows, asks for requests from the audience and then proceeds to play something completely different.
Never been a Dylan fan, not at all. His early stuff just annoys me. The only Dylan song I have on my iPod is “Things Have Changed,” from the Wonder Boys soundtrack (which is a kickass song - maybe the exception that proves the rule).
If I never see him in concert it’ll be too soon.
Yup, he sucks. I saw him about 3 years ago. I saw him touring with the dead in 1987 and he was just OK back then.
According to Wikipedia, he played the first half of his set on electric guitar on the European spring 2007 tour. He didn’t touch a guitar when I last saw him. Just like everybody else, I had a real hard time figuring out which songs he was actually performing.
I saw him about 20 years ago and he sucked. Without exagerration, I believe that he only played one chord for the entire concert.
My experience through about a dozen shows during the late 80s and early 90s was that every second time I went to a Dylan concert it was awful. I lost track of whether I’m due for a good show or a wretched one so I won’t be buying tickets any time soon. I still identify myself as a fan, though.
At the time I was seeing these concerts tickets were $15 - $20 for good seats. $65 is more than I’m willing to gamble on having a crappy time.
I’m a huge fan and I have seen him 7 in concert times in the last 30 years.
Each and every time he has sucked.
mm
I read his memoirs and I apologize that I have no cite lined up. At one point he mentions when he learned how to economize his effort when singing and that enabled him to continue playing every night. I remember a giant “A-HA!!” appearing in my brain at that point.
I guess he could really prolong his career by never showing up at all. But would it matter? And would anyone really notice?
Maybe someone should mention this to him. I have a friend who slavishly attends all Dylan concerts in the southeast although I have got him to admit they are no good. He claims this past one in ATL will be the last.
It’s so strange that his recent albums are the best in 30 years (or so)
OK, basically, the trick here is, the next time you feel the urge to go see Bob Dylan, go see the new Star Trek film instead. Next time, switch off. Repeat as needed. 
Is this just a means of achieving a more economically responsible disappointment?