Kid`s Treat: ROADS THE MAN WALKED DOWN

Roads the man walked down

Folk used to be one of the country and other US ethnic hillbilly genres in the sixties. Well it could even remain there, if somewhat whimsical and arrogant guy called Robert Zimmerman suddenly appeared in New York, and after some time, the world started known him by the name Bob Dylan. As the years went by, the streets of Greenwich Village sounded same as his politically engaged Freewheelin ', and he got crowds of fans and followers. But as Dylan said the last word with acoustic folk, he enjoyed electric guitar tunes. Fans were surprised even as Dylan continued with love ballads and country. But even the remarks on his behalf and getting the raspberries failed to end the route, he was heading. His songs are still loud enough, his voice sharp enough, and his tour is never ending.

Dylan has stopped in Slovenia since for the fourth time since 1991. Over four thousand people joined together in Arena Stožice in Ljubljana. And as special the day was, it was also clear, this event is a different kind, when the stage was in complete darkness and the people sat in front of the hall. Visitors who are otherwise fighting for the first row at any cost, this time preferred to sit along and eat popcorn this time. Alright, the concert was not sold out, but just looking at the long-haired elder visitors, middle-aged couples and girls in black dresses with wreaths in their hair, were reminiscent of scenes of American folkies sitting in parks. Only now they were not singing We Shall overcome, but spent their time wondering whether Dylan may not get tired to prepare always new surprises. Finally, his logo disappeared and after a strike on the gong small man with a huge white hat took slow steps on the stage. As he found his place in front of one of the four microphones, he slightly started humming Things Have Changed. In the moment when the crowd began to shout his name and started prepairing their cameras, Dylan did not respond at all. But his guards did. Filming or photography was strictly prohibited. Yet a number of times due to flash use, security guards pull their flashlights into the open. They did not succeed, only the visitors in the first rows were blinded by the light most of time. Dylan's lighting, was the complete opposite and more reminiscent of a theater performance. The venue was surrounded by curtains, the stage used to be filled with soft light due to the small wall lights, but otherwise equipment, which included microphones, guitars, drums and piano was nothing similar to what large stage spectacle names similar size and mileage, as Dylan usually use. It was more intimate, more club-like. The only decoration on the stage was a small bust. Five-member accompanying band sat on bar stools, but Dylan spent most of the time standing in the middle of the stage in front of his microphones and reciting his poems. With every minute, it was quieter in the hall and the concert became increasingly emotional yet without sleazy flirtation with the audience. Moreover, Dylan's unclear pronunciation, broken rhythm and changed forms of the songs caused confusion amongst visitors and so only half of them realized big hits actually, such as Tangled Up in Blue. It seemed as if Dylan devoted to walk down his entire musical career once again and with each step he was more away from initial folk with whom, he grappled to its beginnings. Here and there he took time for harmonica and proved he still sounds enough melodic and melancholic, as in the past. When he performed She Belongs to Me he even sat by the piano. No one was surprised at electric guitar on stage this time, but Dylan did success by selecting songs. After the sad and unrelated verses of Sinatra´s Fool to want you and As leaves fall down, it was clear that he did not only take part in his own musical path, but he summed up almost the entire American music history.When he bared his soul and took some rest backstage, he returned with new image. And so did his songs. With High Water and Simple Twist of Fate he took a bigger step to the very American way of country and did not miss out even blues heritage. He sat by piano once again and hit the floor in Forgetful heart rhytm.  Montand´s Autumn Leaves was a proof of Dylan´s ballads, appearing strong and somewhat crude, but can apply nostalgic tunes with note of romance. Spirit in the Water, intertwined Dylan´s virtuoso variations on piano and guitar parts, later turned into Scarlet Rown, then Soon After Midnight, followed by Long and Waisted Years, which changed the whole atmosphere in way more relaxed. But seniors could expect that 74-year old ex-folkie would not depart untill pulling the rabbit out of the hat. Those, who barely followed the program, full of not exactly greatest hits, were bored. Still others were confused. Meanwhile Dylan made an end to the dilemmas, he at the same time met all of them. With well-known lyrics and completely opposite form of original version of the song, Blowin´ in the wind made some even more kindled, well the others broke the code only after the second stanza. The grand finale was accompained with Love Sick, when the lights went out and the great Dylan walked off stage without a word.