DYLAN is beginning to look his age now, the hair is still curly but thinning and grey.

His shirt collar looks two sizes too big for him and he is wearing a tie with a dark suit.

He has always had a habit of starting his concerts with almost throw-away, unknown songs and this proved the case at Birmingham's NEC arena.

It wasn't until he started into the second song, The Times They Are A Changing that the audience really came to life.

The voice is all but gone now but the old Columbia slogan nobody sings Dylan like Dylan is as true today as it ever was.

His phrasing is still unique as he stretches a word or a line to breaking point, breathing new life into songs that are over 30 years old.

The first few songs are all done using acoustic instruments but it isn't long before the electric guitars appear and the tempo and temperature begin to rise.

Dylan is hunched over his stratocaster, belying his 59 years, his movements jerky, trading licks with Larry Campbell.

The majority of the set comes from the pre 1966 era with a few old favourites like Tangled Up in Blue and Forever Young making appearances.

Like A Rolling Stone brings the biggest cheer of the night: live, it is outstanding.

Other highlights include Highway 61 and Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat.

Rapturous applause brings him back for the obligatory encore and there is only one song he can finish with ...

Blowing In the Wind.

Released in May 1963, it is as relevant and powerful today as it ever was.

Dylan and the band, stand like statues for a while at the end of the song, soaking up the applause and then they are gone.

Not a word of goodbye, not even a note.

They have been on stage for just under two hours.

Another concert on the Never Ending Tour is over.

Somehow, you cannot help thinking how many more there can be.

Maybe the applause isn't really for the concert itself, as good as it was, but for the past, a memory revisited, a glimpse of a lost youth and for that alone it was worth the price of admission.