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Wonder Boy Bob Dylan By Richard von Busack These days, the talent of artists rarely equals their gift for connivance. Bob Dylan, who just turned 60, played games of identity long before the divas of today were celebrated for their ability to reinvent themselves. His local appearance follows his Oscar win for the best song "Things Have Changed" and two separate biographies published this year, books that merely deepened his mystery. Here's only part of the enigma: Dylan had the best lyrics in the last 50 years of pop music, yet he was simple enough to subscribe, for a time, to fundamentalist Christian doom-saying. His careerism was ruthless, yet rebuked the business-drunk American in terms that can make even the most politically correct man feel like a trembling little sell-out. Today, on the arena circuit, Dylan is a glad entertainer, fun, facile; coasting along on an extroadinary legacy of work. The main reason to see him in concert is to be able to tell your grandchildren you saw the man once. October 12; Compaq Center, San Jose. Critics' Picks: Belle and Sebastian, Björk, Bridge School Benefit, Nick Cave, dredg CD Release, Bob Dylan, Janet Jackson, Ozma, Pledge of Allegiance Tour, ResFest2001, Sex Mob, SoFA Street Fair, Watcha Tour , Weezer Fall Music: A high performance guide to Bay Area concerts. Venue Finder: Auditoriums, halls, wineries and clubs. [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]