Bob Dylan Concludes Rough and Rowdy Ways with Two Nights in Austin

Austin, Texas: The Final Stop for Bob Dylan’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways” Tour

Music legend Bob Dylan concluded his global “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour in style with two spectacular nights at ACL Live at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas. Over these two nights, Dylan demonstrated his unmatched artistic prowess, leaving his audience in awe with his unforgettable performances.

Electrifying Beginnings in Fort Lauderdale

The tour, which began in 2021, initially started on March 1 in Fort Lauderdale. A point of interest was when Bob Dylan surprised a female fan at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts who shouted a request during a fairly quiet moment. Instead of ignoring her, Dylan squinted, clearly hearing her plea, and started plinking chords reminiscent of Irving Berlin’s melody “Puttin’ on the Ritz” on his piano. However, the words were unmistakably Dylan’s, from the song, “When I Paint My Masterpiece” from 1971, which was not released on any studio album. That clever gag became a staple in his set for over a month and was performed until his final shows in Austin.

Two Triumphant Nights in Austin

The last two shows held at ACL Live at the Moody Theater were indeed memorable. This versions of “When I Paint My Masterpiece” received such a warm reception that Dylan had to signal the audience not to clap prematurely as he delivered his lines. It wasn’t all smooth-sailing though. During Friday’s performance, Dylan was visibly unhappy with one of his guitarists, resulting in the guitarist being replaced by Jimmie Vaughan for nine songs on the following night.

Aside from the minor setbacks, Dylan still managed to thrill his audience with his versatile performances. Vaughan shone with a spirited performance of “To Be Alone With You” from Nashville Skyline and brought a fiery passion to “Gotta Serve Somebody,” which was awarded the Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Male in 1979.

Intermingling of Old and New

The tour was named after Dylan’s 2020 album “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” his most recent original work and considered one of his best. Listeners were treated not just to original pieces, but also to a selection of covers beautifully tailored to the locations of the respective shows. This included Chuck Berry’s “Nadine” performed in St. Louis, Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me to the End of Love” in Montreal, and in Austin, a moving rendition of Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, and Jim Dickinson’s “Across the Borderline” originally penned for Willie Nelson.

An intriguing blend of his remarkable blues and ballads was displayed, showcasing Dylan’s late-career songs with mastery. Despite slight adversities, Dylan proved to still have the energy and artistic drive that has kept him at the top of the music world for more than six decades now. From “My Own Version of You,” a reincarnation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, to the distressing “Black Rider,” Dylan’s performances captured the essence of his latest album.

Concluding Remarks

From the poignant “I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You,” which opened with a glittering harmonica solo, to the hard-hitting “False Prophet,” Bob Dylan gave his everything to the audience on those two spectacular nights in Austin. At 83, Dylan has proven his place in the pantheon of music legends. As he prepares to celebrate his 84th birthday in May, one can only wait for the next chapter of his awe-inspiring career.