Bob Dylan - Judas or A God

How does it feel

To be on your own

With no direction home

Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone?

So lets be honest
I have seen Bob Dylan a couple of times within the last 10 years. Firstly at the Phoenix Festival and also at Glastonbury. It has to be said, that on both occasions as a live performer, he has been a big disappointment.
No clarity on vocals, poor stage presence, and No communication with his audience.
But now having always appreciated his recorded music, and song writing. I sat down to watch all 3½ hours of Martin Scorsese's excellent Documentary;

"No Direction Home"

What an excellent film.

I certainly feel that I'm in tune with him and his persona.
The "RockDoc." including footage from Murray Lerner's film Festival, documenting performances at the 1963, 1964 and 1965 Newport Folk Festivals; previously unreleased

out-takes from D.A. Pennebaker's famed 1967 documentary Don't Look Back; and interviews with Allen Ginsberg, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Maria Muldaur and many others, was superb.
I am now a born again Dylan fan. Especially the Woody Guthrie period.

I am now looking forward to October, when both these DVD's become available

on Play.com ( Nice 'n' cheap for us UK buyers)

So now you decide is he a Judas, or a God.

My Eleanor Gigs ( a potted history)

With apology's to Graham (see THE SHED) Ashmore. I thought I'd also list the gigs I've seen Ireland's finest singer song writer Eleanor McEvoy

As I mentioned in a previous blog I first stumbled upon Eleanor in 1994 at my first Glastonbury festival it was June 26th @ 4:30 on a hot Sunday afternoon. It was the start of the Britpop era. I'd just been moshing at the NME Stage watching Tiny Monroe, & Echobelly (with the luscious Sonya Aurora Madan) and had time to kill before the late, great, Johnny Cash performed on the Pyramid Stage.
So there I was taking a break from the sun, when this Lass came on stage with her band. Two things I can remember are that Mike Scott quested with her and the catchy lines from one of her songs

"All I need is just a piece of your time And a bottle of Beaujolais wine"

And that was that.

I did buy the album a couple of weeks later, but I had no idea I was to see or hear of her again.

Now fast forward to 2003. In the intervening years I got myself a PC, got on line absentmindedly typed Eleanor's name into Google, joined the Followers list, and purchased "Snapshots, and "What's following me" Through the site I saw that she was playing down my neck of the woods. (Well 35 miles south) in Topsham, Devon. A quaint village on the outskirts of Exeter. I knew it was easy to get there but how about getting home, as a non-driver it ain't easy. But the gig is in a Hotel. Problem solved. The gig on Saturday February 15th was in the Malt House of the Globe Hotel. This was the "Yola" tour with Brian Connor on keyboards. Eleanor and Brian had a certain chemistry that made the evening. Got chatting to them both in the Hotel bar afterwards.and over breakfast.

I think you could say I was hooked.

The following week it was the Hi-Fi show at the Marriott Hotel in Bristol. With Friends Rob & Amy Howlett. Eleanor was there to pick up the record of the year for Yola, and played 2 x 25 minute slots. Was able to purchase Yola on Vinyl, and get it signed. Eleanor remembered me. Think I'm becoming a Groupie. Her word not mine
The next time was with Cousin James and his girlfriend Sophie at the Half Moon Pub in Putney, London. On St Patrick's Night 2004. A Fantastic Night with Good company, plenty of Guinness and great music supplied by Eleanor and Brian. Good chin-wag with both afterwards. Stayed with James that night in Stevenage. An extremely late night. Especially as I was at work in Taunton the next day.

June 2004 The Arc. Trowbridge, Wiltshire an Art Centre Theatre was the next venue as part of the Village Pump Festival. My mate Jon Doel came up with me. No Brian at this gig. Just Eleanor, Guitar and Fiddle. Great acoustics but not the greatest atmosphere a bit staid. You felt if you tapped your feet you'd be frowned upon. But at least I've introduced another person to her music.

Now the sixth encounter on 25 January 2005 was one of the best. A triple bill with Eleanor on 2nd with Homespun headlining. Arrived in Worcester and found my cheap B&B. Then ticket in hand headed in to town. As it was Burns Night I went to the local pub to have Haggis, Neeps & Tatties.

Blow me. Sat at next table are Dave Rothery and Sam Brown from Homespun. The Marrs Bar was only a short walk away, Nobody on door and I could hear familiar music playing Eleanor doing her sound check. Excellent just walked in to say Hi. And was greeted like a friend. First band was the Jayne Powell band Eleanor was excellent that night. Pity I was on my own. Thankfully I had company during Sam and Dave's set, the lass herself. And I think we both loved the set with their quirky numbers. Enjoyed the informal after show milling about just general chit chat. Attempted to act as roadie afterwards. Then back to the B&B having been to the best gig I'd been to in some time.

Now I'm not a political animal, certainly not a socialist, or an ardent unionist. So a Trade Union Rally would normally leave me cold. Until today.
When the website says Eleanor, & Billy Bragg are playing only 50 miles from your front door, you just have to be there. The TUC summer festival was the next gig on 17th July 2005 in Tolpuddle, Dorset.
Gorgeous weather, the stage set outside adjacent to the Martyrs Museum. Found a space on the grass. Eleanor sitting with her daughter Sarah Jane, no more than 6' away. Was introduced to her partner Mick. Nice fella.

Was able to tell both that the next time I'd see her will be in her home town of Dublin. Enjoyed the rest of the music, some political speeches, and soaked up the sun.

Then just under 5 weeks later it was to Ireland to see one special night.

See my previous posting.

I Will no doubt be updating this post shortly, because on 16th October, it's back to the Marrs Bar.

postscript: and I did go to the Worcester Gig along with Murray from Cheltenham, met up with Graham & Jenifer. It was a super evening, even got a name check during the set.

Check out the review in the Shed Extention