Bob Dylan’s recent concerts have been scattershot affairs. Many nights are sublime, but on others he appears to be phoning it in, growling his way through old hits and leaving hardcore fans struggling to figure out even the title of the song. It’s anyone’s guess what changed over the past few months, but at the final performance of his five-night stand at New York’s Beacon Theatre – his amazing 91st show of the year – Dylan sounded magnificent. He was expressive, clear, articulate, intensely focused and visibly pleased. Without a doubt, it was the most enjoyable Dylan concert in recent memory.
