Concert Memories: Bob Dylan and Natalie Merchant, Cleveland, OH. 02/17/1999

 

Bob Dylan in Cleveland Ohio, 2/17/1999.  We had really just moved to Cleveland, and when I saw that Dylan would be playing WITH Natalie Merchant opening, I knew I had to see this one.  I had seen Bob a few years earlier in Evansville Indiana, and I remember that being a terrible show.  I probably wouldn't have given him another chance, but...  Natalie Merchant.

Well, he was about as good the second time as he was the first, in my opinion.  I don't think large sports venues are good for his music either....  but my times seeing him live have been forgettable.

We did enjoy Natalie.  Oddly, at this time in my life, it seemed we were catching Natalie in concert a lot.  Plus, her former band, 10,000 Maniacs, were playing around our area too...  it was great catching them so much.

As a side note, Natalie Merchant's solo band at this point included the former Wallflower's (Dylan's son's band) drummer.

We left the show feeling good though.  Even seeing Dylan on a bad night... well, you are still seeing Dylan.  You have bragging rights.  Plus, Natalie Merchant.

I did pick up a cool knock off concert short outside the venue (usually, those shirts were better than the official ones inside) and I still have it.  I have let some of my friends' kids raid my collection a time or two, but I have kept that shirt.