Jakob Dylan going solo, tour dates 08, Q&A

From expectingrain - on Jakob at the Barbican

Jakob Dylan, Barbican, London
By Richard Clayton

Published: July 26 2010 23:41 | Last updated: July 26 2010 23:41

Like many sons, Jakob Dylan took up his father’s trade. But his father is Bob Dylan, and carving his own reputation has taken trouble and time.

In the 1990s, he fronted The Wallflowers, a heritage rock band that enjoyed reasonable success in America. It was only two years ago that he went solo – and acoustic. Seeing Things was an album of quiet authority and genuine craftsmanship; now he’s followed it with a tasteful, T Bone Burnett-produced ensemble record, Women & Country.

At 40, his vocal resemblance to his pa – that gruff nasal drawl – is more pronounced live than on record. Under a khaki-coloured hat, Dylan looked a natural for keeping cards close to his chest. The instinctive wariness is understandable, yet you long for him to show a creative hunger – as his support act, the nonsensically underrated British artist David Ford, did so potently.

“Nothing But the Whole Wide World” began with an intriguingly eerie ambience, emanating from Jon Rauhouse’s pedal steel. Yet the next few songs became increasingly soporific, despite the best efforts of Kelly Hogan, chipping in with her harmonies, and Paul Rigby’s discreet ripples of guitar. For a while, it looked as if the evening’s most striking feature would be the double bassist’s vast, grey, 19th-century beard.

Things changed, however, during “Three Marlenas”, one of the best-known Wallflowers tracks, cast here as a heartland rocker with silver-polished spurs. Dylan visibly loosened, seeming to remember he was the entertainer not the self-effacing session guy.

The highlight was “Will It Grow”: as Dylan opened his throat and really sang, he sounded most like his own man. “Lend a Hand” ended the set, swinging to the off beat like a chain gang that knows how to handle its tools.

Nobody expects him to match his dad – who ever will? – but Dylan the Younger has paid his dues to the songwriters’ guild. Oh that he’d give out more often.

"son of bob" talks about the album on the bbc's the strand' radio programme.

the short interview starts at 19 mins approx.

[www.bbc.co.uk]

i had no idea kelly hogan had a woman leg!

Quote:

jackobob
i had no idea kelly hogan had a woman leg!

my mistake, karen.

the band are called three legs

not just the two girl singers.