"Breathing hard...don't know how much longer I can wait" - Dylan goes over the top with "Can't Wait"

I'm not sure what was happening that night, but Dylan appears to be having the time of his life hamming it up in this performance of "Can't Wait," recorded November 1, 1998, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. It's sure to bring a smile to your face!
I don't think I've ever seen Bob more animated on stage. His playful antics may seem at odds much of the time with the smoldering, plaintive lyrics and whole tenor of the song as released on "Time Out of Mind." But I'm not going to quibble about that - I have way too much fun watching this concert video version!
Many thanks, as well, to whoever handled the stage lighting that night, particularly on this number, as I don't think I've ever captured anywhere near as fine, detailed images of Dylan's eyes before as can be seen in this video.
As I've said before, Dylan has never had any real success with movie acting. Years ago, New York Times film critic Vincent Canby summed up his performance as the enigmatic character Alias in Sam Peckinpah's "Pat Garret & Billy the Kid" as apparently portraying some kind of "retarded hanger on." And although his co-starring performance as Billy Parker in 1987's "Hearts of Fire" wasn't universally panned, it's pretty stiff and more than a few people - including me - find it kind of difficult or at least uncomfortable to watch.
When performing music onstage, though, Dylan is an "actor extraordinaire." Whether conveying via his facial expressions and body language every nuance of thought and emotion in the songs he sings with detailed attention to every line and even each syllable; or taking the opportunity to play to the crowd and charm the audience with his winning exuberance and playful showmanship, Dylan often delivers what on the silver screen would be an Oscar-worthy performance.
Makes sense, then, that after winning his Academy Award for Best Song for "Things Have Changed" from "The Wonder Boys," he carried his Oscar with him everywhere on tour and had it near him on stage.

[@chavruta2000]

This captures exactly how I feel.

[@Piggy-Oink-Oink]

I was at this show. He actually signed an autograph at the end of the show as a woman handed down her program from the back of the stage.

[@gsabol44]

Fantastic

[@superfuzzymomma]

Never seen such amazing footage of a completely present and firing on all cylanders Dylan

[@ArturArtist]

Glad you’re enjoying it! I had no recollection by now of how “on” Dylan was that night until I dug out this footage while looking for my best capture of this song. It just knocked my socks off!

[@superfuzzymomma]

Being able to see Dylan singing up close and personal makes me think of Allen Ginsberg's assessment that, as a singer, Dylan is one with his breath,,, a column of air. Bob's a tremendous singer.

[@AMEER-114-]

As much as I despise Ginsberg... No person should be misquoted... That description is what Ginsberg attributed to Dylan ONLY in 1966 live performances SPECIFICALLY.... people who misrepresent words spoken by another shall find a penalty come upon them.

[@jnagarya519]

Ginsberg was a blowhard, a windbag, who spewed a lot of self-promoting nonsense. But there are people who'll accept it without a thought because he was presumed to be profound.

[@glynischapman3044]

Wow ! And Wow some more ! X

[@smallbutperfect]

Lovely Larry Campbell here too!

[@jqpitt]

I absolutely looooove Dylan's late 90s - early 2000s live period. Lively, animated and still playing guitar on stage with his best band 👍

[@delaroache]

The Cowboy Band era is my favorite too

[@jblo76]

💯% agree. Best live era. That riverboat Southern dandy image and those harmonies on the Stanley Brothers covers were incredible.

[@sharoneavenson3142]

The man has the blues on his bones! 🎸🎶🎤🥰💞👍🎉

[@MargaretAnn-ql1gt]

I love you song...babe you sing so great...

[@trudy5963]

So great. So fucking great.

[@CG-wl9ub]

Evan Goodrow, You are full with So Much Love. You Wholeheartedly, Carry Yourself With Such Beauty and a Lovely Grace That Other's Cannot Touch ...You Are Real. Until ~ Cara Jean' Baptiste

[@brendaaustin7606]

Amazing Bob happily singing and playing his guitar what a Genius Singer-Songwriter and Performer he is, I Love ❤ his voice and all the band all Brilliant musicians ❤.

[@cafernandez6491]

❤ prince another master peice..love this song❤

[@TheMattTempest]

Phenomenal video, great audio, genius artist.

[@ArturArtist]

Thanks - I’m glad to know you’re enjoying it!

[@mhairiwoods2337]

Great ‼️

[@artchem1]

Bob Dylan looks quite dapper. His new musical piece “ Can’t Wait”. Ah…. makes my heart a glow. ❤️🎸🎼🧡⭐️🧡❤️ Thank you for this most appealing video of Bob, ‘s Performance of “ Can’t Wait “ 🧡⭐️🧡⭐️❤️⭐️🧡⭐️❤️

[@robertn8423]

The facial expressions -- as he gets into character keeps me smiling throughout the song -- are priceless. Always amazing how he recalls all those great lyrics. You're the best Bob!

[@localfindsaudio2296]

It is said he never used teleprompters/lyric cards when performing.

[@geraldoirineusaraiva5096]

EXCELENTE!!!!!!!

[@MargaretAnn-ql1gt]

I love this man!!!

[@bergsjo]

I can't wait to watch it again - thanks!

[@ArturArtist]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gringo557]

Thank you! Loving every minute of this! That lead guitar Larry plays right at the end is beautiful to see and hear.

[@dabo357]

Great performance!

[@chucktupa9393]

Saw Dylan with this band/tour in 1999 in Duluth Mn. It was outdoors at the lakeshore. Best concert i ever saw him. Paul Simon opened and they sang the sound of silence together when Dylan first came out on the stage.

[@jefkooper4290]

Oh hell yeah... dang, that's some great footage.

[@tinaspence6544]

love this man!!!

[@sjhow1767]

Always loved this song - but it definitely was dirge-like. Even loving it, it seemed depressing. But NOT THIS version! Upbeat, even while ending on a lower note. Bob seems much more relaxed and dialed in with this song. Thank you, thank you and thank you again - I love it! Just wish I could download it to keep it with mine.

[@trudyw4262]

Just what I needed this morning! Amazing

[@lauraeliot7199]

Beautiful video❤ Thank you for posting.

[@ArturArtist]

You’re VERY welcome. It’s a great pleasure to be able to share these with other fans. 😁💖

[@AMEER-114-]

I dont know how to accurately WORD it but... You just really and truly WRITE the MOST SATISFYING comments to go with your vids.

[@paulie56il]

Loved this and never seen him so animated! Bob's song about waiting for The Messiah to come done with animation that wish he'd displayed in many of his other concerts, especially the many that I had been too👍🎧😊😘!

[@angelasnide1106]

When he's in that mode I've thought he looked utterly in his head. Not so much performing but just with the music - that there's no separation between him and the song. If that makes sense

[@ArturArtist]

It makes ABSOLUTE sense to me, Angela. I’ve tried to describe the same numerous times when explaining what, to me, makes Bob such an amazing performer. Most entertainers and singers, even singer/songwriters, deliver a performance. But Dylan more often than not seems to disappear right into and “become” the song - as though he’s fully experiencing and inhabiting its singular reality and all the thoughts and feelings that are part of it in real time. There’s an “immediacy” to his performances, just the way you describe as there being no separation between the singer/musician and the song. It doesn’t matter if it’s his own song or a cover of someone else’s - he still in most cases has that special ability to to fully embody whatever song he’s performing. Not long ago I saw Bob commenting in an interview about what keeps him so attached to performing in front of audiences. To paraphrase, he said that nothing in life ever really turns out the way you want it to, it never fulfills your vision or expectations or delivers what you were hoping for. But on stage, you have the ability to create and make things come out just the way you want them to, the way you can never get them to turn in the real world. It’s an interesting insight, I think, into how and why he’s able to and does throw himself so completely into performing.

[@stephenvallely2428]

Impossibly Great.

[@0otee]

Be au ti ful; I saw 2 guitarmen and one of them also was a Sing- and Danceman❣️🌺🎶💃🕺💫🌷❣️🌺Thanks Carol Casper

[@ArturArtist]

You’re VERY welcome, Olga! 😄💕

[@targarosko]

BRAVO BEAUTIFUL WORK AND bOBBY ALWAYS SO FANTASTIC GOOD WEEK END AND THANKS AGAIN ♥♥♥

[@markusglaubit898]

His face is the Show area

[@joachimneumann7151]

Outstanding, thank you ❤️

[@Joshuatribe]

supreme -- much thanks

[@mario7frankielee]

thank youuuuuuuuuu ! the real boss🎉

[@jblnielsen]

Thanks - great❤

[@GRZsonya]

❤ 🎶🕊🎶🍾🥂🎶🌹

[@cathrinewinje5118]

GRATULERER MED DAGEN 🥳🎈🎂🎈🌹🌹💐#BobDylan 🥳🎈🌹🪄🎶🎵🥂

[@helenbostock2350]

You yes my wall hum you can overcome. No you are wrong you can and will so will I stay strong

[@helenbostock2350]

My faith has no limits sir. Understand please

[@cdmichal7033]

When was this Concert?

[@ArturArtist]

It was November 1, 1998 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. You can always find that information on my videos in the opening titles as well as in the full description that accompanies them. 🙂

[@marakaretsos5204]

🌲🎼🩷

[@cathrinewinje5118]

#2164karma

[@helenbostock2350]

The Scottish man said no favour. He did have the same colour skin. I thought it inspired me.

[@xw9476tw]

This performance is similar to the one with a towel in it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4GcooGOaNGUiq8

[@helenbostock2350]

You insult me and my family. You insult my faith and you don't give a dame. What respect should I show or share with you them.

[@jmichaelz]

Fuky as version. Go Bob.