There have been numerous reports in the press this week that Bob Dylan was blocked by Chinese censors from playing "Blowin' in the Wind" or "The Times They Are A-Changin'" in Beijing or Shanghai. I don't want to underestimate the stupidity of the local propaganda bureau- this is a country where they throttle all Google image searches, regardless of subject matter, and tear out pages from the Lonely Planet, after all- but here's my frank take on the matter: I doubt it.
Reviewing the set lists from Beijing and Shanghai, every single song played (check here) was one featured on Dylan's fall tour last year. Neither "Blowin' in the Wind" nor "The Times They Are A-Changin'" were on the list of songs for that tour. Are we to suppose that Chinese censors were also reviewing set lists in Atlantic City and Foxwoods? I'm sorry some journalists haven't listened do Dylan's music much in the last 48 years but he has come out with few songs since the March on Washington and the absence of a song in concert does not automically signal the hands of the censors at work.
I am certain that a set list was sent to China for review- this seems an absolute requirement for high profile shows these days- but journalists shouldn't be running idle speculation as fact with regards to what set list was submitted.
"Blowin'" in the Wind" is hardly a taboo song in China these days, it can easily be found all over the Chinese net.
If Dylan's tour promoters confirm these songs were banned that's quite another story- but until then I'll treat this revelation as urban myth.
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A review of the Shanghai concert can be found here.
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