July 27, 2009

Did you know Bob Dylan played the Barrymore Theater here in Madison for 3 days last month?

It was all quite secret:
The rock icon hid in plain view for three days and nights inside the Atwood Avenue venue, rehearsing his summer show from 10 a.m. to about 8 p.m. on June 28, 29 and 30....

According to [house manager ] Lucy, for a while one night, the theater's bank of four front doors were wide open to Atwood Avenue. This allowed a full Bob Dylan rehearsal to spill out toward the patio diners at Monty's Blue Plate Diner. Imagine finishing your meatloaf sandwich and vanilla malt that night. "Hey! The Dylan thing sounds good over there!"
Ah! I didn't know Dylan was in town. I've seen many great and not so great concerts at the Barrymore over the years, but there wasn't any way to get into that theater when Bob was in town. But if he was here, he had to stay somewhere. Where? Did he walk our streets? How cool it would have been to pass by him. Would I even recognize the old man? If I did, I'd stare straight ahead and try so hard to stay right. Like the red rose of summer that blooms in the day, time passes slowly and fades away.

16 comments:

chickelit said...

I'm surprised he didn't look you up.

Naked Surfer said...

" .. And keep your eyes open,
the chance won't come again .."

Meade said...

No one recognized him 'cause he had on his Bob Dylan mask.

AlgonquinS said...

It Ain't Me Professor
by
AlgonquinS and Bob Dylan.

Blows on harmonica: ♪ ♫

Go 'way from my window,
Leave at your own chosen speed.
I'm not the one you want, Professor,
Why don't you try Meade,
You say you're lookin' for someone
And that's why a wear a mask,
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong,
Someone to open each and every door,
But it ain't me, Professor,
No, no, no, it ain't me, Professor,
It ain't me you're lookin' for, Professor,
That's why you need Meade.

Blows on harmonica: ♪ ♫

I'll be here all week, make sure you tip the waitresses.

Fred4Pres said...

Talking about folk singers, I will never again listen to this song again the same way after this.

H/T: Instapundit

chickelit said...

Don't try this either Fred.

Elliott A said...

Mr. Zimmerman was at an outdoor show in Norfolk this weekend, also unannounced. Maybe it's easier to come and go if no one is looking for you.

Meade said...

You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall off your new Trek comfort bike,
To identify wildflowers for you constantly
An' to come each time you email,
A lover for your blog an' nothing more,
But it ain't meade, babe,
No, no, no, it ain't meade, babe,
It ain't meade you're lookin' for, babe.

The Crack Emcee said...

My roommate took me sailing today and, on the way, we had the radio on and a BD song came on - one of his newer ones - and I remarked how much I like the way his voice has changed. Not just the tonal quality but his phrasing (he's much, much better at it now).

I truly don't think I would've made it through my divorce, with my connection to music intact, without his version of "Rollin' and Tumblin'".

Just an amazing artist.

So says The Macho Response

kentuckyliz said...

you probably got a photo of him at the farmer's market but he was incognito and all you noticed was his shorts, ugly legs, and black socks with his sandals.

Chase said...

#1) Meade - incredible and brilliant!


#2) Dylan comes to Madison - BORRRIIIIING!!!!!

BJM said...

Elliot:

Maybe it's easier to come and go if no one is looking for you.

"Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously"

-Absolutely Sweet Marie

Amexpat said...

Meade wrote: "No one recognized him 'cause he had on his Bob Dylan mask."

My favorite Dylan mask is the one where he presents himself as being free of guile and deception. Just a simple soul with a direct connection to the unadorned truth.

Everybody's wearing a disguise
To hide what they've got left behind their eyes.
But me, I can't cover what I am
Wherever the children go I'll follow them.

Amexpat said...

Althouse wrote;
"Did he walk our streets? How cool it would have been to pass by him ... If I did, I'd stare straight ahead and try so hard to stay right."

That could be tricky.
People see me all the time and they just can't remember how to act

You could offer up an innocuous,
"How are you?" "Good luck"
and if Bob is in a bad mood get repaid with a scornful;
Yes, I wish that for just one time
You could stand inside my shoes
You'd know what a drag it is
To see you


Or if Bob was randy this could happen;

Feel like falling in love with the first woman I meet
Putting her in a wheel barrow and wheeling her down the street

AlgonquinS said...

Very good, Meade. Some day I'll teach you how to play the harmonica.

Blows on harmonica: ♪ ♫

George M. Spencer said...

Saw Bob two nights ago in Durham.

He was very old. Very.

Wrinkly photos here