Bob Dylan 's latest album, Tempest is released next week but he is yet to perform any of the tracks live. The album has already been hailed a critical success and has been awarded 10/10 in Uncut magazine. But whilst Dylan continues to tour relentlessly, having played over 2,000 gigs in 20 years, he is yet to perform any material from his 35th studio album in front of his fans.
His concert on Tuesday (September 4, 2012), saw him re-opening a refurbished theatre in Port Chester, which Associated Press describe as a "gritty village" 35 miles northeast of New York City. It was his 50th gig this year (he's scheduled to play 87) and rather than taking the opportunity to plug his latest studio album, Dylan instead transformed old hits like 'Highway 61 Revisited' into a boogie-woogie number and also dug deeper into his vast catalogue, for obscure numbers such as 'Tweedle Dee and Tweedle-Dum.' According to the report, the crowd were treated to Dylan "taking a microphone and prowling the stage like a Las Vegas showman."
He's always been one to defy expectations - from the time he was labeled 'Judas' for daring to use an electric guitar and his recent performances show the same stubborn determination to do things his own way, rather than bowing to the demands of his fans: "Dylan's voice is a haggard growl by now, and he sometimes barks his lyrics in ways that seem intentionally designed to avoid sing-a-longs." One thing he certainly doesn't seem willing to share with his fans, is his new material. There are still 37 performances planned this year; we're wondering when he's going to unleash them on his fans, at last?