April 19, 2011
Review by Darren M.
No going through the motions like in Perth the other night - if Bob can top this
show on the rest of the tour I will be suprised
Strong opening on "Gotta Change" promised a good show. "Senor" was beyond belief
- front and centre with harp, strong vocals, arm waving - you know the stuff.
"I'll be your Baby" and "Simple Twist" featured some beautiful guitar by Bob. I
haven't seen him play this well in years - he seemed really comfortable and
happy. The end of "Simple Twist" still seems to be unresolved with the band just
looking at each other not knowing quite what to do.
He nailed "Hard Rain" and "Highwater" and just when you thought it couldn't get
any better he threw out "Trying to get to heaven" - it really was something
else.
"Tangled" was slightly faster than Perth and faultless. Even I was impressed by
HW61 (so sick of it) - the band just pounded it out before launching into a
perfect "Thin Man". Charlie was let loose on "Rolling Stone" and Tony played
this Rickenbacker bass that really punched through
As in Perth we only received a "Thank You friends" before the band
introductions. The "Dylan Eye" backdrop only appeared for the encore and there
is still no sign of the video projection - maybe in Melbourne.
All in all a spectacular show
For those who care - Bob had on his blue and white polka dot shirt and Charlie
didn't wear a hat.
Review by Ian Fry
B.B King & character full Band was support. Fine vocals but guitar well past
prime. 85 years old - could you expect more? Got a poignant standing ovation for
his history and aura.
To Bob...
1. A motoring 'Gonna Change'. 'The sun is shining' - rasp glorious vocals
2. A delicious 'Senor'. 'This place don't make sense to me no more!' - great
vocals! 3. Light 'n bright 'Baby Tonight' 4. A chugging 'Beyond Here'. What a
deliverin' band! 5. Highly charged 'Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum'. Bob in fine
voice! 6. Exquisite, languorous rendition of 'Simple Twist Of Fate'. A
highlight! 7. A charged 'Levee' - Bob rasp barking the lyrics 8. Excellent 'Hard
Rain' to mid song swap to a (what sounds to me) fairground rhythm - why not! 9.
'High Water' - a highlight. Raucous vocals - cool! 10. Folksy 'Trying To Get',
raspiest song of the night 11. Swinging 'n rockin' 'Jolene' 12. Tight 'n
wonderful 'TANGLED UP In Blue' - superb! A highlight! 13. A charged jammin'
'Highway 61' - phew! 14. Glorious 'Ballad of a Thin Man' - great clarity to the
vocals... 'DO 'YA MISTER JONES!' Encore: 15. Sparkling 'n sparking 'Like A
Rolling Stone' 16. Chugging 'n wonderful 'Watchtower'
'Thankyou friends - I want to introduce the band right now'...'Charlie Sexton
playing on the electric GEETAR' Bob pronounces GEETAR like no one else!
17. Heartfelt 'n playful 'Forever Young' - sweet, poignant, beautiful
Post song the band assembles and stand together in the glow of response...
So, lots of highlights, not least (for me), being up close for the first 6 songs
and encores. Bob dancin' the whole time, me too! - in spirit and glee!
Now, how do I get one of those stand next to the stage possies next time he
comes?
Review by Paul H.
A very solid performance from Bob and from the band. The voice was strong
from the opening line of "Gonna Change My Way of Thinking "; no warm-up
song this time.
Bob's guitar was commendable - very little of the same-notes repetition
evident during his previous visit to our shores.
Wincing up into the overhead lighting, he really worked the harp all night.
Made "Tangled Up in Blue" very special.
As always he's reworking songs like crazy and most came off very well.
"Senor" sounded like he really wanted to overturn those tables; "Trying to
Get to
Heaven" and especially "Hard Rain" were highlights.
The new theme for many deliveries appears to be something between a
military march and a carnival organ tune. He kept Tony on his toes and
for the most part it worked except for an occasional "are we there yet?"
ending.
Charlie is being given some stage room and more solo time this time around
(thanks Bob) and he makes the most of it. Almost as many guitars as solos.
What was that metallic telecaster-body thing?
No surprise to find "Like a Rolling Stone" and "All Along the Watchtower" in
the encore and Bob maintained the strong delivery. The show ended with
a wonderful version of "Forever Young" with Bob moving back to the stage
mic for one more harp solo.
The stand-and-stare acknowledgement to the clearly appreciative audience
and it was over.
The only detraction from a wonderful night was the stage-rushers from the
back of the room that the auditorium management had clearly no intention
of trying to curtail, even from the moment the lights dimmed. Which meant
that the front row had to stand and peer around heads, then the second etc.
Still, the performance of Bob and his troupe was such that even these
inconsiderate pseudo-fans could not spoil the night for the rest of us.
Can't wait for Byron Bay.
Paul H
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