In Australia to promote his hit album ‘Modern Times’, the living legend of folk-rock Bob Dylan began his Aussie tour at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, amidst an audience of not-so-young fans, all present to hear his unique music that has spanned almost five decades.

Dressed in a dark suit and wide-brimmed hat, Dylan and his five piece band featuring Denny Freeman on lead guitar, Tony Garnier on bass and Donnie Herron on violin and guitar, made their way on stage in a laid-back manner to an appreciative audience; the crowd then sat back intently as Dylan immediately took up his guitar and presented the wonderful Cat’s In The Well followed by It Ain’t Me, Babe and the laidback bluesy tune Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues. His 66 year old voice is still able to carry him through his songs, with an ever-present hoarseness and mumbling sound that makes it distinctive. He’s not the kind of singer that moves about the stage – just a mild swaying action during each song and the odd smile. After he sang Lay Lady Lay he replaced his guitar and switched to playing the keyboard standing up, not sitting, and followed with the bluesy number Rollin’ and Tumblin’, which had the fans joining in.

When The Deal Goes Down and The Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll were major highlights of the night that included skillful harmonica playing and unforgettable guitar skills from Denny Freeman. The powerful Highway 61 Revisited, modified version of Tangled Up In Blue and Nettie Moore all showed the rough and rugged talents of this accomplished performer. As the show continued it seemed Dylan became more relaxed and moved his hips more frequently whilst his laid-back sound spread throughout the venue. The show ended with the lively Summer Days and slower Ballad Of A Thin Man – a rousing encore of Thunder On The Mountain and the classic All Along The Watchtower had the appreciative audience loudly applauding the great talents of Dylan and his band.