July 18, 2011
Review by Keith Little
This was my twentieth Bob Dylan concert. I know there are folks who read these
pages that see that many shows on one tour, but I’m still proud of my
“20,” and think I deserve some kind of badge or something. But, on with the
show…
The standard introductory announcement began about 2 minutes after 8:00, during
which the house lights went from full on to dark. Much of the crowd was caught
off guard; still standing and chatting at show time. Bob seemed to be happy (by
Bob standards); not necessarily smiling between songs, but between verses.
During the band intros, he introduced drummer George Recile as “Gorgeous
George,” which cracked up bass player Tony Garnier. Although Dylan has gotten
over his past habit of rushing through songs, tonight he seemed particularly
relaxed and willing to take his time. His keyboard playing was evident in the
mix, and surprisingly accomplished. The members of the band kept a keen eye on
Bob – suggesting that he still likes to change things around during a song
with little warning to them.
The show opened with “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat,” a crowd-pleasing nod to
Bob’s golden early years. “It Ain’t Me, Babe” continued the salute to
the Sixties. Moving forward in time, and to the center of the stage, Dylan
rocked out with “Things Have Changed” – and the audience loved it. He
kept a harmonica in hand during this song, but never played it. That happened
often – as if he doesn’t know when the urge to play will come. Donnie
Herron played pedal steel guitar (as he did for most of the show) during “If
You Ever Go to Houston,” and contributed to the song’s enjoyable lazy
country shuffle feel. Bob strapped on the electric guitar for the first time
for “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’.” He stayed standing in the middle of the
stage, but without guitar, for a much-appreciated and relaxed “Tangled Up in
Blue.” Bob again donned his guitar for a spirited “Tweedle Dee & Tweedle
Dum.” Remaining center stage, but again losing the guitar, he launched into
“Sugar Baby.” This time he played his still-held harp for a few seconds at
the end of the song, after finishing the last vocal.
A spirited “Summer Days” had the crowd on it’s feet – and the security
guards still attempting to chase dancing concert-goers back to their seats.
Next came “Desolation Row.” We got seven of the original 10 verses. When
was the last time Dylan performed all 10 verses – on the record? It’s great
to hear Bob still toying with the phrasing of his songs – one of his lesser
celebrated talents. The crowd was back on its feet for a relaxed, but driving,
“Highway 61 Revisited.” Bob then put his guitar back on for the third and
last time of the night and played “Simple Twist of Fate.” This artist is
not known for “giving his audience what they want,” but his song selection
tonight sure pleased the audience. The build up to “Thunder on the
Mountain” got the crowd’s attention. Perhaps I’m wrong, but I don’t
think his work of the last decade is as well-known to his general fans as his
older material. None-the-less, the crowd was willing to listen to everything
he played! To close out the concert proper, Bob moved to center-stage and sang
“Ballad of a Thin Man.” The audience knew this one! And loved it. The
song had an echo effect placed over it, which seemed unnecessary; but was
interesting. We also got a great harmonica accompaniment. And then the band
was gone.
After a couple of minutes of cheering, the band returned for the encore. This
began with the crowd-favorite, “Like a Rolling Stone.” Again Bob changed
his phrasing during this song. Then he spoke for the only time during the night
with, “Thank you everybody,” and continued with band introductions. He and
the band rocked hard, as usual, on “All Along the Watchtower.” This song,
it seems to me, gets the most consistently varied arrangements and this held
true tonight. Oddly enough, I noticed Dylan kept the back of his left hand
pressed against his hip with his elbow protruding during the intro and other
parts of this song, even as he played keyboards with his right hand. Was he
fighting a pain in his hand, or was he striking a “sassy” pose?? I don’t
know.
So far, other USA shows of this tour featured “Blowing in the Wind” for the
last number. We didn’t get that. Didn’t we clap enough? Did his hand
hurt? Didn’t Bob like us? Does he STILL hold a grudge for the excessive
booing during his two 1979 “born again” shows in Tempe?!! I don’t know.
But I do know that I left knowing that we’d seen a great show.
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