No single American artist possesses the impact or endurance as Bob Dylan, who for nearly seven decades, served as a muse for practically every singer/songwriter on earth, while selling 100 million records, amassing ten Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, Golden Globe, Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award, Pulitzer Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Prize in Literature, the first for a musician.

Though the Duluth, Minnesota native could very easily rest on such laurels or quite justifiably retire at 84-years-old, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer refuses to do either, instead adventurously forging forward in the studio and on stage, including the seemingly never-ending “Rough And Rowdy Ways” World Wide Tour centered around the long-player of the same name.

The “Voice of a Generation” and beyond, now further immortalized in the biopic “A Complete Unknown,” could’ve easily sold out any venue in the area on multiple occasions, yet choose the especially intimate Genesee Theatre for a one-night stand and perhaps became the leading Waukegan venue’s most legendary guest in its already illustrious history.

Despite attendees having to place their phones in locked Yondr pouches before entering the seating area, it was nonetheless an evening forever etched in everyone’s memories, which found a keyboard-playing Dylan and four flexible musicians intently facing their boss to address a bulk of the newer selections, alongside sonically or topically similar older tracks.

It’s common knowledge the enigmatic entertainer doesn’t indulge in much nostalgia and usually doesn’t perform previous selections the way they were originally recorded, but those artistic decisions didn’t stop faithful from reveling in the organic and ambitious nature of this once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

“To Be Alone With You” introduced 90 spellbinding minutes, dimly illuminated by a handful of lightbulbs screwed into stands set against white curtains, putting the emphasis on the beige hoodie-wearing Dylan’s immediately recognizable gravely voice that’s only deepened with dramatics and theatrics as he’s aged.

Those qualities appeared even more apparent during conversational approaches to “Man In The Long Black Coat” and the iconic “All Along The Watchtower,” enhanced by some extra aggression sparked by The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s incendiary cover.

Dylan’s distinctive delivery and the power of his pen remained equally potent throughout the recent likes of “I Contain Multitudes,” “False Prophet,” “Black Rider,” plus “Love Sick” was another latter day masterpiece straight out of the textbook for troubadours.

A cover Bo Diddley’s “I Can’t Tell” shifted the mood towards the blues and complimented “Crossing The Rubicon,” prior to “When I Paint My Masterpiece” and “Forgetful Heart” resuming the roots-oriented tones.

The easygoing swing of “Soon After Midnight,” Eddie Cochran’s rocker “Nervous Breakdown” and the harmonica-accented “Every Grain Of Sand” capped off this exclusive Genesee engagement in spine-chilling fashion, each finding Dylan as poetic, profound and thought-provoking as ever.

For additional information on Bob Dylan, visit BobDylan.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Howie Mandel (Apr. 4); Glenn Miller Orchestra (Apr. 9); Smokey Robinson (Apr. 10); Andrew Dice Clay and Jon Lovitz (Apr. 11); Eaglemania (Apr. 12); Arrival From Sweden (Apr. 16); Rick Springfield (Apr. 17); World Ballet Company: “Cinderella” (Apr. 19); Los Lonely Boys (Apr. 23); Yächtley Crëw (May 7); LeAnn Rimes (May 8); Rod The Show (May 9); The Lovin’ Spoonful, Terry Sylvester and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (May 14); The Psychedelic Furs (May 15); Terry Fator (May 29); Lee Brice (Jun. 5); Tommy James & The Shondells (Jun. 6); The Wailin’ Jennys (Jun. 12) and AVTT/PTTN (Jun. 20). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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