Bob Dylan

Southampton Guildhall

Friday, October 30

BOB DYLAN, one of the greatest singer-songwriters, played a stunning show in Southampton last night.

Standing beneath six huge art-deco spotlights and with his long-serving band around him, the legendary folk-rock singer performed two lightning 50 minutes sets as part of his famous Never Ending Tour.

The Guildhall is no stranger to musical greats, but it was still an astonishing sight to see Spanish hat wearing Dylan walk out on to the simply lit stage.

The singer, 74, is still writing and arranging outstanding new music, releasing an album almost every three years.

He opened with the brilliant song Things have Changed, which won him an academy award in 2000, before launching into She Belongs to Me and Beyond Here Lies Nothing.

It’s rare to hear the early hits these days so despite being the fiftieth anniversary of his groundbreaking album Highway 61 Revisited there was little time for any old numbers, but there was one exception.

As part of a two song encore the singer performed an enthusiastic country music inspired version of Blowin’ in the Wind. It thrilled the sold out venue.

Meanwhile, tunes from this year’s number one album, Shadows in the Night, a collection of covers of songs by Frank Sinatra and others, were also big hits on the night. Bob Dylan is an accomplished laid back crooner.

A man of few words Dylan spoke once to his adoring fans at the end of the first half. He seemed genuinely pleased to be in Southampton.

Earlier in the evening a terrific Dylan lookalike busker entertained the queuing crowds outside on the Guildhall steps before the prompt 7.30pm start.

Dylan, who famously played the Isle of Wight festival in 1969, expertly moved between singing, mouth organ and, most spectacularly of all, piano throughout the show. The rest of the band took care of guitar, drums, violin and even double bass.

This was a brilliantly polished performance covering almost every musical taste possible. The legendary singer is still at the top of his game.

By Richard Derbyshire