Bob Dylan club gig at Berns in Stockholm March 22nd 2009

Maybe some of you remember I had the fantastic opportunity to see Bob Dylan in a club gig in Stockholm in 2007? Last night, against all possible odds (and in under two years time) I again (!) got the chance to see Bob Dylan play a club gig!

As the first gig on this tour, Dylan had decided he wanted to play in a little club, and had chosen Berns in Stockholm as the venue for this. Berns is in my eyes a very suiting place to see Bob Dylan, not just because it’s small but also because it’s a nice place with a great ambience.

A picture of Bob Dylan at Berns in Stockholm, taken by Anders LarssonPicture by Anders Larsson

Comparing this gig to the previous club gig he did in Stockholm, I would like to say that yesterday was a bit better. Dylan seemed very happy and really into his playing, and, lo and behold, he actually spoke to and thanked the audience! And it feels so good seeing him glad and liking what he does. 🙂

I’ve never been a Dylan fanatic, rather someone who really likes some of his stuff and then I’m fairly neutral about the rest of it. So, last night, during some songs it felt like: “Yeah, well, this is ok, but it sounds a bit like the previous one”, but at other times, and this is really when it blows you away, it is true magic we’re witnessing. Occasionally, I also get the feeling that I’m not worthy to stand there, that there are so many Dylan lovers who deserve to get a chance like this.

Another thing that really made it into a fantastic evening was him playing the song “Things Have Changed”, which I really like. Any song, and I mean any song containing these lyrics is a great song:

I used to care, but things have changed

Set list

These were the songs he played:

Regular set

  • Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine)
  • Señor (Tales of Yankee Power)
  • I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
  • Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again
  • Tryin’ To Get to Heaven
  • Things Have Changed
  • Watching the River Flow
  • Blind Willie McTell
  • I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
  • I Believe In You
  • Honest With Me
  • Billy 4
  • Summer Days
  • All Along The Watchtower

Extras

  • Cry A While
  • Like A Rolling Stone
  • Forever Young

Personal highlights were Things Have Changed, Blind Willie McTell and All Along the Watchtower, but I’m sure other people would have chosen other songs. And just imagine if the tired Like A Rolling Stone had been exchanged with Hurricane? 🙂

Looking at the set list from the club gig in 2007, maybe that was better overall, though.

 

PS. If you were there and have pictures and/or video to share, let me know and I can link to it from here.

5 Comments

  • inthealley says:

    Referring to your remark ‘Occasionally, I also get the feeling that I’m not worthy to stand there, that there are so many Dylan lovers who deserve to get a chance like this’ ……

    I agree with you, and not even occasionally. Your presence deprives someone who really does care of an opportunity, and you clearly know little about his music. Give it to someone who does next time!!

    Oh, and Bob almost always thanks his audience – I should know because I listen to the tapes ….

  • Robert Nyman says:

    inthealley,

    In general, it was a humble remark, as opposed to your comment. Who has the right to decide who gets to listen to someone's music? When are you a "true" fan?

    When you have heard enough tapes? Bought enough records?

    I'm sick of such an elitistic attitude, and really, if the "true" fans cared enough they would be in line enough time to get a ticket for themselves.

    And having seen Bob a number of times, I would say it really depends whether he will thank his audience or not.

  • Ed Spencer says:

    I wonder if he did Watchtower last as a salute to Battlestar.

    Probably.

  • M says:

    Your kind friend who suggested you give up your ticket to a true fan next time sounds like one of the unfortunate hardcore fans, who believe they have a right to a place in the front row above anyone fractionally less obsessed with Bob than they are. I and many of my friends have encountered such folks at the 50+ Bob shows I've seen, and I must say they often have this holier than thou attitude

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Ed,

    Well, yeah… Maybe not. 🙂

    M,

    Yes, it's a bit sad when people don't think other people deserve the same experience, or look down on other people.

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