To state the obvious Bob Dylan is an icon of music. A solid argument could be made that he is the greatest songwriter in modern music history. When he hit in the 60s he hit like few others. Starting as the young hope of folk music he morphed into a giant of rock music. In 1966 he toured the UK and controversially, to some, his gigs would start with acoustic songs before he brought his band onstage for a supercharged electric show. For some traditional fans they felt he was betraying them. 'Judas' was even yelled at him once on stage for going 'electric'. One show became iconic, a performance at London's Royal Albert Hall. He did perform there but ironically the famous bootleg was actually recorded in Manchester. Either way it became a legendary show. So in 2022 the great Cat Power performed the show in full at the Royal Albert Hall. Then she was invited to Vivid to do the same. So it transpired, that Wednesday night at the Sydney Opera House we witnessed said event and it was truly special.

Cat Power has been an Indie great for many years. Chan Marshall's voice is as good as it gets. So what a pleasure it was to hear her cover Dylan. She stayed true to his music. Of course her voice is different so still adds another layer, but the renditions were faithful. Seven acoustic songs opened with Chan aided by an acoustic guitar player. 'Visions of Johanna' is one of my favourite Dylan songs so that was a definite highlight. As good as the acoustic songs were I think I loved the electric section even more. Eight wonderful songs with a great full band. The songs swooned and ached with glory. I just love that classic 60s sound, especially the organ sound. Closing with 'Like a Rolling Stone's capped a great night indeed.     

Set List
She Belongs To Me
4th Time Around
Visions of Johanna
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
Desolation Row
Just Like a Woman
Mr Tambourine Man
Tell Me, Momma
I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Have Never Met)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
One Too Many Mornings
Ballad of a Thin Man
Like a Rolling Stone