TV REVIEW : Dylan Enjoys Himself on ‘MTV Unplugged’

Be prepared for a shock when you tune in Bob Dylan’s “MTV Unplugged,” which debuts on the cable music channel tonight. From the opening chords of “All Along the Watchtower” through the concluding “Like a Rolling Stone,” the poet of his generation looks--gasp!--as if he’s actually enjoying himself.

Dylan on the tube in past efforts has been a dicey proposition. His 1976 “Hard Rain” network concert special left many fans scratching heads over the sloppy performances and careless filming. Then there was the 1991 Grammy Awards appearance--some people still haven’t figured out what song he was doing--and on David Letterman’s 10th anniversary show in 1992, Dylan squirmed like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Even on his own televised tribute concert two years ago he seemed ill at ease, as other guest stars stole the show.

Here, though, he finally seems to have settled into comfortable elder bard-dom. There’s a nonchalantness to this appearance, with little sense of past aloofness--not counting the dark shades he wears throughout.

And rather than reconstructing (or deconstructing) his catalogue, as has been his standard M.O. for the past two decades, Dylan and a crack five-piece band build upon, and in some cases revitalize, classic folk-rock arrangements. “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” given a firm vocal touch by Dylan, remains timeless, while “Rainy Day Women 12 & 35” is as frisky as ever--no pandering to the MTV generation; just confident, folkie simplicity. Dylan finally enunciating his lyrics like he cares again is all the revelation needed.

Simplicity is also the watchword for the direction, with the now-familiar “Unplugged” style of perfectly timed cuts between close-ups, group shots and swooping boom camera moves, serving quite well.

In the end, Dylan opens up a step further: First, there’s the botched start to “Like a Rolling Stone,” with Dylan lightheartedly telling the studio audience that the band got ahead of him. And then, after finishing the song, he removes the sunglasses, flashes a mischievous grin and slaps hands with a few up-front fans. It’s a genuinely warm--and telegenic--finale.

* “MTV Unplugged” with Bob Dylan premieres at 8 tonight on MTV.