Date: December 16, 1997

Leg: Post-Odelay Gigs

Venue: El Rey Theatre

City: Los Angeles

State: California

Country: United States

Notes:
Bob Dylan had a resurgence in popularity and on the music scene in 1997 with his album Time Out Of Mind. His tour brought him to Los Angeles, to the small El Rey, for five shows. He asked a different artist to open each night, and Beck did the first night.

His opening set was performed entirely solo acoustic, he sat on a stool and played some of his low-key acoustic stuff. Most interestingly, he dropped a couple of new unheard songs like "Sing It Again" and "Nobody's Fault." Three months later, Beck would go in and record Mutations--and this set provided some guidance: "Cold Brains" and "Dead Melodies" were rescued as well.

This was my 3rd Beck concert; as a Dylan fan as well, it was all terribly exciting and memorable. I remember Beck being slightly ill, but sounding confident. Dylan fans can be tough, but I think they took to him (much like the Johnny Cash concert Beck did in 1995).

Banjo: Beck Hansen
Guitar (Acoustic): Beck Hansen
Harmonica: Beck Hansen
Headliner: Bob Dylan
Vocals: Beck Hansen

Recorded: Yes

Source: Audience