The Dylan Project

Fairport Convention at the Maddermarket Theatre, Norwich

Review published in the Eastern Daily Press, 1 December 2005

The Dylan Project

This autumn has seen a feast of Bob Dylan interest, reborn through a TV movie and the current tour by the legend himself.

For one night some of Fairport Convention dropped into Norwich to share songs from their latest album – all by Dylan.

Four middle aged guys on stage and lots more in the audience.

A piece of banter between songs went like this: “Back to the 60s…” “YES please” “It’s not easy living in this century”.

But you don’t have to have been raised on the original poetry of his lyrics, haunting vocals, acoustic versus electric and protest songs to appreciate what a giant Bob Dylan is in our culture.

The show was no nostalgia-fest. Well, it was. But the laid-back smoothness of the musicians, the closeness to Dylan’s vocals and the power of the material lifted it into the sublime.

Less tribute, more homage. Twenty one songs from across the decades barely scratched the surface of the Dylan catalogue.

Sweetheart Like You, I Want You, Subterranean Homesick Blues and Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat stood out as stars among classics.

If you missed the show, the album will be worth catching if you like country rock and Bob Dylan.