Mick Hartley

I haven't seen Dylan live for for…ooh, years. Reports from his never-ending tour are generally not good.

Here's Stefano Moroni's excellent quality (but strange angle!) video from Friday's show in Stockholm (via Expecting Rain). The song – you might have difficulty guessing – is the beautiful To Ramona. (I posted Sinead Lohan's version here on the occasion of Bob's 70th birthday.) Nothing wrong with the musicianship: that's Mark Knopfler on guitar. But wait for Dylan's vocal to come in at the minute mark. Jesus. 

I'm not one of those who think Dylan can't sing. Or couldn't sing. His voice is part of the deal; part of the genius. Nobody sings Dylan like Dylan. But this is ridiculous. 

Here's a breathless review (the top one) from a fan, but even she has to admit "I got the feeling that he wanted to be somewhere else".

Why on earth does he bother? It's like he's doing some kind of penance….but for what?