Really appreciate being enlightened about Lucinda Williams' experience. I found her set really powerful. It's also encouraging to read your willingness to support the life experience and art of artists from our era and see them as they really are, not as shadows of their former selves. Thank you, Toni.
I was also at the highly anticipated (for me!) July 6 concert, partly in homage to the seminal role he played in my development. I was upended at the age of 16, when I heard my first Bob Dylan song, 'The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.' And yet, today, I'm blown away by the beauty and power of many of the love songs - an example is one I've recently been listening to, 'Make You Feel My Love.' I'm pleased that he's still singing these songs, as he did the other night. I must admit that I was frustrated and disappointed at not being able to see his face, but I was happily able to surrender myself to the magic of the concert.
It gives me an extra jolt of pleasure that you were in the audience! We were in section 206, row R...actually excellent seats but, of course, you still couldn't see him. Your use of the word surrender resonates for me. It was very meaningful to be there with Frank and Isaac, carrying on the tradition.
Very few can compare with the Dylan of yore. But Minnesota’s native son was silent in the wake of Black Lives Matter and the ICE Killings in his own state. Quiet about the despot wannabe on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. And a fundraiser for Hasids (Lubavitch) who are Republicans, Messianists and supporters of Isr@el’s violence in G@za
It's an age-old question. How much does an artist owe his/her public? What are the responsibilities of that artist to align with enlightened political positions? The older I get, the more I feel resistant to wanting people to be something they're not. I want him to be the best possible Dylan.
Two legends! Agree with you. How do aging artists feel about themselves, and how do they want to present themselves if they are compelled to perform? Lucinda Williams was transparent when she had a stroke several years ago. Not every artist might be so open. She survived! And despite physical damage (her left side), her voice is intact. We'll celebrate her, Dylan, and every other artist from our era still willing to get out on the stage. Viva!
Thank you. We are log, no longer getting old, and when I see musicians from my youth I am forever shocked that they too, are old. The women’s music scene, Chris Williamson and others, still play, but the originals are older. I saw Judy Collins a few years go and wish she had gone out with more of a bang. I also think that seeing our old icons harkens back to what now may be ‘the good ole days’. We keep on keeping’ on.
I'm shocked, too, but seeing Dylan enriched my sense of myself at 80. It wasn't an experience of nostalgia for me. More a sweep across all that has happened up to and including the now.
Really appreciate being enlightened about Lucinda Williams' experience. I found her set really powerful. It's also encouraging to read your willingness to support the life experience and art of artists from our era and see them as they really are, not as shadows of their former selves. Thank you, Toni.
Witness is at the heart of it. That's exactly how I felt about seeing him up there in the white hoodie. His experience felt very real to me.
Wow. Thank you so much for this compassionate seeing and sharing. We all hope for witness to who we are, not who others want us to be 🧡
I was also at the highly anticipated (for me!) July 6 concert, partly in homage to the seminal role he played in my development. I was upended at the age of 16, when I heard my first Bob Dylan song, 'The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll.' And yet, today, I'm blown away by the beauty and power of many of the love songs - an example is one I've recently been listening to, 'Make You Feel My Love.' I'm pleased that he's still singing these songs, as he did the other night. I must admit that I was frustrated and disappointed at not being able to see his face, but I was happily able to surrender myself to the magic of the concert.
It gives me an extra jolt of pleasure that you were in the audience! We were in section 206, row R...actually excellent seats but, of course, you still couldn't see him. Your use of the word surrender resonates for me. It was very meaningful to be there with Frank and Isaac, carrying on the tradition.
Very few can compare with the Dylan of yore. But Minnesota’s native son was silent in the wake of Black Lives Matter and the ICE Killings in his own state. Quiet about the despot wannabe on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. And a fundraiser for Hasids (Lubavitch) who are Republicans, Messianists and supporters of Isr@el’s violence in G@za
It's an age-old question. How much does an artist owe his/her public? What are the responsibilities of that artist to align with enlightened political positions? The older I get, the more I feel resistant to wanting people to be something they're not. I want him to be the best possible Dylan.
Two legends! Agree with you. How do aging artists feel about themselves, and how do they want to present themselves if they are compelled to perform? Lucinda Williams was transparent when she had a stroke several years ago. Not every artist might be so open. She survived! And despite physical damage (her left side), her voice is intact. We'll celebrate her, Dylan, and every other artist from our era still willing to get out on the stage. Viva!
Palpable raw nostalgia; Bob would probably like to read your piece, though I think he relishes thinking that he'll always be misunderstood.
I rather doubt that he gives it much thought. What a life he's had! Can you imagine being the witness to sixty-five years of Americana?
Perceptive as always, Susie. Thanks.
Thanks, Bryan. The concert gave me a lot to think about.
Thank you. We are log, no longer getting old, and when I see musicians from my youth I am forever shocked that they too, are old. The women’s music scene, Chris Williamson and others, still play, but the originals are older. I saw Judy Collins a few years go and wish she had gone out with more of a bang. I also think that seeing our old icons harkens back to what now may be ‘the good ole days’. We keep on keeping’ on.
I'm shocked, too, but seeing Dylan enriched my sense of myself at 80. It wasn't an experience of nostalgia for me. More a sweep across all that has happened up to and including the now.
Meant old…not log. Hate editing after I have hit send.
This creates a bridge between writer, subject and reader. Touching and true, and says something instructive about anger changing.
Many thanks, Gene. Would like to hear more about "anger changing." Not sure what you mean.