All of that has overshadowed the fact that Dylan is playing some of his loosest concerts in recent memory.
Hes also spotlighting obscure cover songs from the Fifties hes never previously played in concert.
The changes in the show arent limited to the song selections.
Bob Dylan has been performing one of his loosest sets in years on the Outlaw Music Festival Tour.Gary Miller/Getty Images
Drummer Jerry Pentecost left the band and was replaced by Dylans gospel-era bandmate Jim Keltner.
Pedal steel guitarist Donnie Heron also left the band after an 18-year stint.
(It should be noted that Keltner is 82, just 13 months younger than Dylan.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina is 80.
This is the summer of the octogenarian drummer.)
Its a slow, moving rendition of the ballad that allows Dylan to enunciate every word very clearly.
It also includes the first harmonica solo of the night, which gets the crowd cheering.
Like every song in the set, Shooting Star wasnt a hit and wont be recognized by casual fans.
This latest redo of Love Sick is slow and haunting.
But he didnt attempt Little Queenie until the kickoff of the Outlaw Tour.
It would be another 57 years before Dylan revisited Mr. Blue on the opening night of the Outlaw tour.
Its a tender rendition where Dylan has little accompaniment from his band until the first chorus hits.
The original recording features David Hidalgo from Los Lobos on accordion and Charlie Sexton on guitar.
On this tour, Britt takes the lead.
Accompaniment from the band is kept to a bare minimum.
The result is remarkably stark and powerful.
It just digs down really deep.
He brought it back into the mix this year.
Its one of the nightly highlights of the show.
It became a Never Ending Tour staple after that with over 480 live performances.
And we get Soon After Midnight over 480 times.
So, if you want to hear an oldie, punch it up on Spotify.
Its a devastating addition to the song.
Kick your shooooes off, Dylan sings.
Have no feaaaarrr/Bring that boootle/Overheeeere/Ill be…Ill be your baby toniiiiiiight.
