Bob Dylan Debuts ‘Crossing The Rubicon’ In Phoenix

Bob Dylan kicked off the second leg of his Rough And Rowdy Ways World Wide Tour 2021-2024 at the Arizona Federal Theatre in Phoenix on Thursday. Dylan delivered a set heavy on tunes from his 2020 album Rough And Rowdy Ways, including the debut of the LP’s “Crossing The Rubicon.”

Dylan launched his first concert of 2022 with a pair of older tunes beginning with “Watching The River Flow” and “Most Likely You’ll Go Your Way And I’ll Go Mine,” the latter from his landmark 1966 double LP Blonde On Blonde. Bob then turned to material from Rowdy Ways with “I Contain Multitudes,” “False Prophet,” “Black Rider” and “My Own Version Of You” with classics like “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” sprinkled in.

Dylan unveiled “Crossing The Rubicon” in the ninth slot of the 17-song set. “Crossing The Rubicon” is the second to last Rowdy Ways tune to see a live debut. The only song Bob has not played from the album is the nearly 17-minute lead single “Murder Most Foul.” After Nashville Skyline’s “To Be Alone With You,” Bob continued with material from his latest album in “Key West (Philosopher Pirate)” and “I’ve Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You” split by the classic “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

The sole cover of the evening came in the form of the Frank Sinatra popularized “Melancholy Mood,” which Dylan included on his 2016 American songbook tribute album Fallen Angels. Rowdy Ways’ “Mother Of Muses” and “Goodbye Jimmy Reed” came ahead of set closer, “Every Grain Of Sand,” off Dylan’s 1981 album Shot Of Love.

Ray Padgett shared audio of the show captured by Steve F. Find the audio link in the tweet below:

Today’s Newsletter Reader of the Day award goes to Steve F, who just emailed me the first tape of last night’s Dylan tour kickoff in Phoenix! Sharing here with his permission.

(MP3 only for now, bc his hotel wifi can’t handle lossless)https://t.co/6UyavW4kQJ

— Ray Padgett (@rayfp) March 4, 2022

Setlist

Source: JamBase.com