Bob Dylan Wrecked My Christmas
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving I had the chance to hear one of my all time musical heroes, Bob Dylan, live in concert for the first time. It was an interesting experience attending his performance after so many years of listening to his recorded work because every song performed that evening was “re-imagined.” That’s a nice way of saying you couldn’t figure out what tune it was until he hit the hook of the chorus. I knew this would be the case going into the concert but thought, “Those who weren’t able to catch it right away clearly weren’t serious fans of Mr. Dylan.” Let’s be honest, there are Dylan fans and then there are Dylan fans. I pitch my tent in the second camp and still there I was sitting with 2,000+ guests slowly figuring out what he was playing.
The concert became more and more fascinating as each song quietly revealed itself to the listener, like a child unwrapping a present. The audience repeatedly had this realization, through each song, where they found their musical bearings. The closest thing I can liken it to would be running into an old friend you’ve lost touch with in an airport, in a different city from the one you live, on the way to place you’ve never been. Dylan’s concert created that sense of surprise, confusion, familiarity, and warmth for two hours.
Driving home from Washington, DC that evening, I thought about that sense of the unfamiliar with the familiar. The delight audience members felt when they figured out just what it was they were enjoying and then, it wrecked my Christmas song.
So, here’s my holiday greeting to you (Click here). Much like Bob’s concert, the familiar hook of the song “Silent Night” will emerge but you’ll have to wait for it.
Here’s a hint:
Wishing you and those closest to you Happy Holidays & New Year!
