May 1, 2019
Review by Laurette Maillet
Porto May 1.I arrived the day before.Checked in a fancy hotel( for my
standard) as I am sharing a room with I.I am the first one to arrive at
the hotel.As I don't manage to figure out how to take a shower....I will
take a bath.I relax and walk the path to the Coliseu Porto ; a sort of
theater with the entrance right on a main street like in Barcelona.That
will be a change from all the sport Arenas. I believe it fits a lot better
the " modern" Bobby:a comfy theater with a respectful public.We go to bed
early. Sleep well.May 1.Early morning rise for a good buffet
breakfast.First good meal for a while for me.I enjoy.Then we split ; I.
will go her way and I'll go mine.I will walk the streets of Porto in
solitude though not alone for the streets ( with names I can't pronounce)
are packed with tourists.I check the back entrance of the Coliseu. The
buses are parked on the streets. Bob will have to step in his bus from a
car.There is a First May demonstration in the downtown area and the r
streets are blocked to the traffic.Bob and the Band will arrive 1 hour late.
Maybe too late for the sound check.Anyway Bob steps out of a dark car,
hoodied with his Blue/green sweater, a white windbreaker on the top and
Jeans which seem to be way too big for his skinny legs.He hops in his bus
undisturbed. I NEVER mention my presence to him. It feels incredible to
see that HUGE/little man just being dressed casual and trotting away.I go
back to my hotel, 2 blocks away to be ready for the show.That "uncounter"
with Bob completely changed my mood. I am in a much better spirit now. I
am confident I will find a ticket.1 hour later 3 young men approach me
and hand me a ticket. They speak a perfect English but are from
Porto.They ask me if I am a real Fan and if I will not sell that
ticket.Of course I am REAL fan!.I propose to walk inside with them. They
are so kind to take me all the way to my seat; on the floor, row 23, seat 6.
On the side of the piano.Stravinsky music intro and George back
on his "Boom boom" to notice the Band and Bob to take their
space.Immediately there is a standing ovation from the public. The
atmosphere is hot.After "highway 61" it is obvious that the audiance is
a well educated Bob Dylan crowd.The clapping is almost natural for the
beginning of each song but stops as soon as Bob starts
singing.Applauding at the end is always when George beats his last
beat.Woah!What a great public!Bob feels it and he is definitely looking
towards the public.He will move center stage after almost each song and
will pose ( in the dark) before moving back to the piano.His voice is
clear and more powerful. I can feel his happiness. He is enjoying
himself.I am still not enthusiastic on "honest with you" and " trying to
get to heaven" but this is MY problem.Anything else is a Perl.They don't
leave the stage after "serve somebody" which might be a sign of his good
humour.The last song is a WONDER! BOB moves center stage , pose for
quite a while and....send a real kiss to the audience.The bow .... And
off he goes.For the many followers on that Tour this show was 1 of the
best if not THE best.Thanks to the beautifull public reaction!I love
Porto and Portugal. I certainly will come back on vacations one
day.Thank you all the good people in Porto.Thanks Bobby.Thanx the
Security guards who didn't stop me to watch Bob stepping in his
bus.Thanx the crew people.Thanx the Band.I hope you enjoyed Porto
as much as I did.See ya all in Sevilla!
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