Bob Dylan recently played a sold-out doubleheader at Chateau Ste.

Michelle, marking his first solo appearances in the Seattle area since 2022.

This engagement offered local fans a chance to see the legendary artist without the need for an overnight stay, unlike his previous appearances at the Outlaw Music Festival at the Gorge Amphitheatre.

The concerts were part of Dylan's current tour leg, following his 85th birthday last month.

The initial moments of Saturday's performance at the Woodinville winery presented a brief challenge.

After a topical set from alt-country artist Lucinda Williams, Dylan opened with "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere," a rarity from The Band era.

Fan accounts suggest this song hadn't been performed in over a decade, and its delivery was reportedly hampered by rocky vocals.

However, Dylan quickly regained his stride, improving significantly by the second song, "To Be Alone with You" from his 1969 album *Nashville Skyline*, and delivering an "utterly superb" rendition of "Forgetful Heart" as the third number.

For those familiar with the modern **Bob Dylan** live experience, the expectation is not always a faithful reproduction of his greatest hits.

Instead, the reward often lies in appreciating the breadth of his extensive catalog and his willingness to rearrange classic tracks.

On Saturday, "When I Paint My Masterpiece" was notably reworked into a "sly, slinky" number, showcasing Dylan's piano work alongside the guitars and his distinct vocals.

Other selections included deep cuts from his work with The Band, such as "Baby, Won't You Be My Baby," and a less faithful, flickering rendition of "All Along the Watchtower."

Dylan's four-piece backing band played a crucial role in shaping the evening's sound, providing varied moods for the songs.

They created a "groovy, saucy framework" for "Love Sick" and smoothed "I Contain Multitudes," allowing Dylan's voice to shine after its initial struggles.

The nearly 90-minute set concluded with "Crossing the Rubicon," one of two songs from his 2020 album *Rough and Rowdy Ways*, bringing the evening to a rather understated close.

Despite some minor critiques regarding the set's ending, the concert delivered an evening of timeless songs from a singular artist.