Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration

Live, or on pay-per-view TV, this two-CD celebration of rock’s most idosyncratic Great Man was at least an intriguing personality parade. But as an album, the enterprise sags. Some of the stars simply ape Dylan’s manner: John Mellencamp is the most convincing, George Harrison the least. Others, like Johnny Cash, sing pleasantly enough, but never touch the guts of the music. A few, including Tracy Chapman and Neil Young, manage extraordinary performances, staying true to Dylan while remaining utterly themselves. As for Dylan himself, he just sounds bored. C+