University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium hosts Bob Dylan November 6 2019

by Wayne T Laviolette

Bob Dylan and his band are nearing an end of an extensive Fall tour in which they visited venues at universities or university towns. There are a few dates left on the tour.

This is the first review by Wayne Laviolette, and he submitted as a reader of the site.

As a continuous fan of Bob Dylan I love the career arc of his poetry, storytelling, and musicality.   His singing voice was never clarion but his lyrics and passion were always meaningful and entertaining.  Hill Auditorium was the right venue for the right person, the chance to see a long-loved legend in an almost intimate setting, but something important missing that night, and it was  Mr. Dylan, himself.

The band was rocking with driving beats throughout the performance.  The music was unfamiliar to me, but the audience kept time.  I couldn’t discern the words Dylan sung; he was overshadowed by the loud volume of the band.  At times he appeared to shrink into the back of the stage when he was not playing the piano.   

Perhaps it was fatigue, as Dylan is on an extensive tour. The concert was cut about a half an hour short of what may have been expected.  After returning for a brief encore, Dylan received a respectful standing ovation and then he quietly left.  It was over.

Despite my personal disappointment in this concert, I am happy to have seen Bob Dylan in person.  My collection of his recordings is dearer to me now that I have had the opportunity to see The Man.

SET LIST:

Things Have Changed
It Ain’t Me, Babe
Highway 61 Revisited
Simple Twist of Fate
Can’t Wait
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Honest With Me
Tryin’ to Get to Heaven
Make You Feel My Love
Pay in Blood
Lenny Bruce
Early Roman Kings
Girl From the North Country
Not Dark Yet
Thunder on the Mountain
Soon After Midnight
Gotta Serve Somebody
Encore:
Ballad of a Thin Man
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry

This video is from the night prior:

From the video channel of Trista Green

TOUR DATES 2021:

7 NOV 2021Bloomington, Indiana IU Auditorium
9 NOV 2021Cincinnati, Ohio Procter & Gamble Hall
10 NOV 2021Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville Auditorium
12 NOV 2021Louisville, Kentucky Palace Theatre
13 NOV 2021Charleston, West Virginia Municipal Auditorium
15 NOV 2021Moon Township, Pennsylvania Robert Morris Univ. – UPMC Events Center
16 NOV 2021Hershey, Pennsylvania Hershey Theatre
19 NOV 2021New York, New York Beacon Theatre
20 NOV 2021New York, New York Beacon Theatre
21 NOV 2021New York, New York Beacon Theatre
23 NOV 2021Port Chester, New York Capitol Theatre
24 NOV 2021Port Chester, New York Capitol Theatre
26 NOV 2021Providence, Rhode Island Providence Performing Arts Center
27 NOV 2021Boston, Massachusetts Wang Theatre
29 NOV 2021Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Met
30 NOV 2021Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The Met
2 DEC 2021Washington, DC The Anthem

To submit an article an article or review, or to just say hello hit us at [email protected]

Also- check out the search feature in the upper right hand corner and search for your favorite artist, event, venue or genre. You’ll be surprised at what you find!

Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.