Bob Dylan – Something Review

Artists who define an era as The Beatles and Bob Dylan did are recognised as contemporaries. They obviously worked during the same period, but marrying all these massive acts together as though it is normal to have one calendar year see the release of Blonde on Blonde, Revolver, Pet Sounds and Aftermath spins the brain a bit. Each feels in their own world entirely, and to hear them cross over from time to time is a real treat. Dylan is no stranger to the writings of George Harrison, the pair worked wonderfully together on The Traveling Wilburys supergroup and later showcases from Dylan paying tribute to the former Fab Four member are touching and effective. Something, then, a rare outing and tribute from the stage of New York City in 2002, is marvellous. 

Another Dylan deep cut to sink your teeth into and a video of it to go alongside a masterful approach to one of The Beatles’ best-ever singles. His performance here comes as Dylan could not attend Concert for George, a wonderful experience as legends took to the stage. Dylan marks this Abbey Road classic with the usual vigour and turn of form he experienced at the time. Those post-Time Out of Mind days are still lingering on during this performance and the result is a unique take on an exceptional piece of music. His rushed lyricisms as the band plays as straight a performance of the instrumental sections as possible gives it the Dylan flavour his fans would come to know and love when investing time in his live sets. 

Something provides a stellar reminder of how classic and important Charlie Sexton is to Dylan, either in the studio or live. Dylan’s nod to his longstanding guitarist to riff away on his own accord, to match the energy found in the interspersed and individual charted course of this lyrical dissolvement, is wonderful. Sexton is the real star of the show here not for how he changes the core of Something, but for how he matches the necessary vigour and style of the Harrison classic. This is a masterful cover of a great song, it is as simple as that. Dylan brings the tenderness and soulful spirit of this track right to the stage and does so with such sharp and charming ease. His pace changes are just part of his style – a transition which, the more it is listened to, the more comfortable it feels.  

Make no mistake, any artist who can step up to the weighty wisdom of Harrison and his late-game track from The Beatles is up for a fight. Even Dylan, who worked so closely with the Fab Four alumni over the decades, is fighting an uphill battle. Something proves a challenge for Dylan in all the right ways, a demanding performance which strikes a sincere chord and a grieving tone all in one while paying tribute to the late and great Harrison. It settles in nicely, the punchy instrumentals and the fine form provided by Dylan feel around for something special. This is not just a cover or tribute but a whole new working of a song which cemented Harrison as an all-time great songwriter. Doing it justice on the stage after his death is nigh on impossible, but a feat Dylan is capable of, and here is proof.