April 10, 2009
Review by Howard Weiner
Barely avoiding the pounding hail, I filed into the Heineken Music Hall.
It’s a fine venue with a scuffed up dance floor and plenty of room to
flop around. Long bars surrounded the perimeter – each attendee had his
or her own bartender. There were even some Human Heinekens - a pair of
young men selling brew with mini-kegs strapped to their backs. Anything
goes in Amsterdam, times are tough, this is the place where the weird go
to get stranger. Well almost anything goes, a no smoking sign was flashed
upon the wall. “When I Paint My Masterpiece” was gold in the second spot.
Bob’s down-singing thing is back - his vocal inflections grumbling into a
powerful rumble. Looking spiffy, the maestro was dressed in black with
matching green shirt and tie. I thought of Garcia and Danko during
“Masterpiece.” I don’t wish I was back in the land of Coca-cola just yet,
but I might after 72 hours more of debauchery. The European flavor
continued with a fine “Boots of Spanish Leather.” The Bob Dylan Show’s
changing black backdrop was tasteful. “Rolled and Tumbled” sounded a
little out of whack and “Po Boy” barely recovered, though I was excited
to see “Po Boy” for the first since it was debuted on 4-30-05. “Working
Man Blues” shined, Dylan vocals were on for this recession special. Bob
continued to flaunt his recent masterpieces with a stomping “High Water.”
Donnie strummed some banjo as Tony and George thundered and rattled
the arena all night. The axe men were competent and supportive, but
they didn’t sparkle on anything. “Love Sick” was a gift – the Red Light
District Special, the beat was pounded with gritty precision – catapulting
into another bone rattling ride down “Highway 61.” The mystical roll of
fate continued with “Nettie Moore.” My friends, that portion of the
concert was delicious. However, there seemed to be a lot of talking in
the crowd. “Summer Days” was hot and “Like a Rolling Stone” was
mundane. The crowd was lame, mustering meager enthusiasm to bring
Bob back for the encore. I actually enjoyed “Spirit on the Water” in its
new spot as second encore. Jet lagged and emotionally exhausted, I
headed straight back to Hotel Linda, where I will be hunkered-down for
this three night run. There’s three steep flights of stairs leading to my
room, a highway to hell. If anyone wants to visit, you have to sign a
medical waiver before you start hiking up the stairs, and you may cough
up a spleen before you get there. My reward once I get there is a 6x8
foot room with a cot size bed, dirty red carpet and enough dust for a
Woody Guthrie ballad. I did get some much needed sleep, though.
It’s a new morning and Bob’s just begun leaving his greasy trail.
Howard Weiner
www.visionsofdylan.blogspot.com
Review by Judith Lallier
After two shows in Paris, we were ready for higher watt amp show and Bob
delivered. Being seated and among very reserved French persons for two
nights brought out everyones wild side on stage and the fans let Bob know
it was appreciated ! Opening with my favorite Leopard Pill Box Hat was
perfection, and then backed up by second song When I Paint My Masterpiece
which is just what it was. But the third spot - a wide open Watching The
River Flow with Bob wielding his guitar like a young man again was a
highlight. Boots of Spanish Leather was a great version and my husband
and I loved it - but to our humor escaped many of our neighbors !! Rolling
and Tumbling' kept the group rocking on stage and the floor - Po'Boy
shined so much better than in Paris - Honest With Me was strong and clear
but then a true highlight - Working Mans Blues blew us out of the water -
WOW - High Water was great, Love Sick and 61 were smooth and then Nettie
Moore showed her face again after being absent for a few shows. Summer
Days and Rolling Stone rounded out the set - with standard encores
Watchtower, Spirit and Blowin' in the Wind. It was a night I will never
forget - So till tomorrow - Goodnight !!!
Judith Lallier
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