The legendary Bob Dylan comes to the Orpheum this Thursday night. Not one to be outdone by the likes of Lenny Kravitz (playing Music Fest the next day), Marilyn Manson (playing Minglewood the same night), or Dick Dale (playing the Hi-Tone on the same night), Dylan decided to join the party and make this one of the most memorable music weekends in recent history. You’ve got some decisions to make when it comes to planning your Thursday night, but seeing Dylan at a place like the Orpheum would never be a mistake.
Although Dylan has been written about roughly seven trillion different times, it’s important to remember that this is someone who shaped the face of American pop culture, folk rock, country music, and rock-and-roll. Some of his most legendary songs have taken on new forms when tackled by the likes of the 13th Floor Elevators or the Chocolate Watch Band, but the fact that you still know a Dylan song when you hear one is a testament to the strength of the man’s songwriting capability.
Dylan isn’t a stranger to Tennessee, and his album Nashville Skyline is almost required listening material when making that 200-mile drive east on I-40. Released in 1969 with Bob Johnston at the helm, Nashville Skyline saw Dylan fully submerged into country music, and the opening track that features Johnny Cash is almost like a competition for best vocal performance. Nashville Skyline is one of Dylan’s most “happy” albums, with no tales of political injustice.
With dozens of albums under his belt, it’s impossible to predict what Dylan and his band will play this Thursday, but no matter which era of his music he draws songs from, it’s sure to be an unforgettable performance. Tickets are still available.