Bob Dylan in Cincinnati

Bob Dylan in Cincinnati brings together Graley Herren’s book, related essays, and critical discussion of Dylan’s performances in the city, from his 1965 Taft Theatre appearance through later touring eras.

Close readings of songs, arrangements, and setlists sit alongside the histories of Cincinnati venues and the events surrounding particular concerts. For example, an analysis of Dylan’s 2001 Cintas Center performance places it amid post-September 11 anxiety and local unrest. The subject shows how a musician’s changing live interpretations can be understood through the places, histories, and musical traditions that meet at each performance.