Bob Dylan – Tulsa, OK (03/25/25)

No, I’m not sharing a recording of this show (though you can already find one over at Expecting Rain). But I wanted to talk about it anyway.

Yesterday was my birthday. Bob Dylan, one of my all-time favorite artists came to town on my birthday. That would have made a great birthday present.

When the show was announced I was super excited. I missed him the last time he came to town because my in-laws were arriving that very night for a visit and it felt rude to not be here when they arrived.

I vowed to never miss him again. He is 83 after all and as much as I don’t want to think about it, he probably doesn’t have that many more tours left in him.

I am a stupid, stupid man. When tickets went on sale I was busy at work so I put off buying them. I don’t think he sold out last time so I figured he wouldn’t sell out this time.

Ah, but here’s the thing. When the Tulsa show was announced there were no other shows scheduled. We weren’t sure if he was ever going to tour again. Add to that the fact that the Bob Dylan Center is in Tulsa a buzz began that this might be a special show. Maybe Bob was finally going to recognize the center (I don’t think he’s ever even visited the place). Maybe there would be special guests. That turned out not to be true, but I think the buzz made people buy tickets like mad.

It sold out. I did not get a ticket.

There are worse things in life, but that is definitely a disappointment. I couldn’t help but follow the setlist and read the reviews. The big news was that Anton Fig took over the drumming position. He’s played with everyone from Warren Zevon to B.B. King to Cyndi Lauper but may be best known for his role in David Letterman’s house band. He also played on a couple of Bob records and was the drummer for Bob Fest.

The setlist remained pretty much the same as it was on his last tour. Interestingly he took a fifteen-minute break after the 8th song. It will be curious to see if that continues through the tour. Reviews have been very good and I’m excited to sit down with the recording sometime soon.

1. All Along the Watchtower (Bob on guitar and baby grand piano)
2. It Ain’t Me, Babe (Bob on guitar and baby grand piano)
3. I Contain Multitudes (Bob on baby grand piano)
4. False Prophet (Bob on baby grand piano)
5. When I Paint My Masterpiece (Bob on baby grand piano and harp,
   Tony on standup bass)
6. Black Rider (Bob on baby grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
7. My Own Version of You (Bob on baby grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
8. To Be Alone with You (Bob on baby grand piano, Tony on standup bass,
   Bob Britt on acoustic guitar)
   
   15 minute break
   
9. Crossing the Rubicon (Bob on baby grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
10. Desolation Row (Bob on baby grand piano, Tony on standup bass)
11. Key West (Philosopher Pirate) (Bob on baby grand piano,
    Tony on standup bass)
12. Watching the River Flow (Bob on baby grand piano)
13. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Bob on baby grand piano,
    Tony on standup bass)
14. I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You
    (Bob on baby grand piano and harp, Tony on standup bass)
15. Mother of Muses (Bob on baby grand piano and brief harp at very beginning,
    Tony on standup bass)
16. band introduction
17. Goodbye Jimmy Reed (Bob on baby grand piano)
18. Every Grain of Sand (Bob on baby grand piano and harp)

Band Members
Bob Dylan – guitar, piano, harp
Tony Garnier – electric and standup bass
Anton Fig – drums
Bob Britt – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Doug Lancio – acoustic guitar, electric guitar