REVIEW:

The Dylan Project: The Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness

Mix five great musicians and the music of Bob Dylan and you've got the recipe for a superb gig.

These guys might all be getting on a bit (lead singer Steve Gibbons is 74) but they have bags of experience and the skill to put on an excellent show.

Gibbons' intonation is perfect, able to capture the husky voice of Dylan in his later career but also sounding uncannily like the singer-songwriter in his 1960s pomp.

Gibbons was accompanied by PJ Wright (slide and electric guitars, pedal steel), Gerry Conway (drums and percussion), Phil Bond (keyboards) and Fairport Convention's Dave Pegg (bass).

Self-deprecating but ultimately professional, they put on a terrific performance, featuring songs such as I Want You, Don't Think Twice, It's Alright and Man in The Long Black Coat from my favourite Dylan album, Oh Mercy!

Highlights for me were a blistering Highway 61 and a funky version of Gotta Serve Somebody. We were also treated to Handle With Care, the Traveling Wilburys' song which featured Dylan on backing vocals.

Andrew Thomas