Reviews

Stanhope, New Jersey

July 30, 2000

Waterloo Village


[Peter Stone Brown], [Brent Warren], [Vic Jones], [Mary]

Review by Peter Stone Brown



Dylan played Waterloo Village on September 10, 1988 in a tent.  It was
very strange.  I can't even remember if anyone opened.  I remember parking
somewhere along some weird road and hiking through woods in the dark to
get there.

In 2,000 things have changed somewhat.  On the way there we got into a
ten-mile traffic jam because of some hideous accident judging by what was
left of the cars which happened in a furious rainstorm.  Finally we got
there parking down some one-way road in a clearing in the woods, only to
find out we had to take a bus to the actual venue.  This proved to be a
major mistake.  The bus-driver some woman who could should but not think,
immediately told everyone that once on the bus we could not get off.
Everyone asked, how long is the trip.  Ten minutes maybe was the reply. 
The bus (a school bus) immediately got into a preposterous traffic backup.
 The driver had a radio connecting her to the other buses and someone
somewhere down the road.  The other drivers were letting people off.  Not
ours.  Some people opened up the emergency door and jumped out.  It got
worse and worse. Someone begged to be let off and a 400-pound gorilla in a
"Peace Keeper" t-shirt appeared and told him if he complained again, he'd
make sure he didn 't get into the show.  The person on the radio told the
bus driver to go into the other lane where immediately she ran into
oncoming traffic, and then she had to squeeze back into the lane, not easy
to do with a school bus.  Someone said, "Can we smoke?"  The bus driver
said, "Yes."  And several people started lighting up.  Someone said, "This
is illegal, you can 't smoke on a school bus.  The driver said, "When it's
not being used for school you can."  Someone else said, "I have asthma." 
"Put out the cigarettes," the bus driver screamed.  We passed a big lot. 
Someone said, "Pull in there and turn around." The bus driver refused. 
Someone else said, "I'm working for the opening band," I'm supposed to be
there right now.  The gorilla appeared again.  Ten minutes took 35 and
finally we got to this big, not quite muddy field under threatening skies.

Dylan's band took the stage at exactly 7:15.  Tony Garnier appeared to be
smoking a cigar.  Bob appeared looking like he just woke up and they went
into another fine version of "Duncan and Brady," after which Bob, flashing
a big smile said, "Thank you everybody in the great state of New Jersey,"
and played a very moving and strong, "Song To Woody."  "Desolation Row"
again took the number three spot, but did not quite have the push of the
previous shows, though Bob (perhaps considering the skies) emphasized "or
else EXPECTING RA-IN.  Larry took the fiddle for a good version of "My
Back Pages," with Bob mixing up the words: "My confusion led by confusion
boats," and then picked up the harp for an excellent solo.

The harp appeared again on "Tangled" (two harp songs in a row for those
who keep track of such things) and this time Dylan held onto his guitar
with one hand, holding the harp with the other almost getting down on his
knees.

It was back to "Country Pie" for the electric opener with both guitarists
in excellent form, but we quickly realized we could barely hear Charlie
Sexton. We were on Larry's side of the stage and for whatever reason
Dylan's soundmen emphasize Larry on his side of the stage and Charlie on
his side. The effect was like listening to a stereo album through one
speaker.  A concert is not a stereo album.  A lead guitarist should be
coming full force out of both speakers.

Larry took the bouzouki for "Blind Willie McTell," with Dylan singing
clearly, almost pausing before each line, taking a bit of care in getting
it right.  "Tombstone Blues" was next, but would've been a lot better if I
could've heard what Sexton was playing.  "I Don't Believe You" followed. 
It was okay, but I've never been particularly entranced by the beat Dylan
chooses for this song these days, or for the past 28 years actually. 
There are two electric versions of this song I love.  They happened ten
years apart a long time ago.  They pretty much defined how this song
should be done and nothing since has come close.

I was really hoping for "Wicked Messenger," but the rearranged "Cold Iron
Bounds" came next, followed by the now inevitable "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box
Hat."

The high point of the encores was a quite lovely "One Too Many Mornings"
with Larry on pedal steel playing a long introduction that left and Kevin
Reilly and I trying to figure out what it was going to turn into.

Overall, it was a very good show.  Dylan was absolutely on, and pretty
much appeared to be having a good time.  But it did not come near the
peaks of the previous night in Maryland.


"Where the angels' voices whisper to the souls of previous times."  --Bob
Dylan Peter Stone Brown e-mail: psb51@earthlink.net
http://store.yahoo.com/tangible-music/petstonbrowi.html

[TOP]

Review by Brent Warren



The last night of the US tour, good show pretty standard set list for the
last part of this tour with a couple of exceptions. The first being a
version of Blind Willie Mctell and the second an encore of One To Many
Mornings, Dylan and the band rocked and enjoyed themselves and provided a
fitting tour finale. At the end of the main set, after Leopard Skin
Pillbox hat all the band stood in formation with Dylan, hand on hips
staring into tyhe audience, looking as if he wanted to pick a fight with
someone!!!!!. Dylan did something I had never seen him do before in over
30 concerts, he was giving guitar picks and set list's to fans in the
front row, at the end of the show. Anyway I have the hotel booked in
Dublin for September so I look forward to that!

[TOP]

Review by Vic Jones



The forecast of rain was there all day long and I
packed all the rain gear just in case.  Not even the
threat would dampen spirits, however.  Upon arrival at
the concert site, I realized that it was indeed a
special day:  orderly people, cops being more than
hospitable (hell, many were drinking with the fans!),
a nice mellow crowd tired from being on the road and
following this great act around.  After spotting some
fans without tickets and giving them the hook-up, I
headed in and just kept on walking and walking 'till I
could walk no further and I was plenty close to the
stage, found some nice people to hang with and the
show began.  I tell you, it was so nice being so close
and seeing the faces of Bob and the boys - so full of
expression they were.  Sure, it seems the ladies love
Charlie and Tony has an uncanny resemblence to a
moustached mid-70's Paul Simon.  But eyes were all
attentative to our genius-legend-friend Bob.  He sure
was having a fine time:  smiling; laughing; raising
and lowering his eyebrows; a smirk here and there;
open searching eyes looking for something out in the
audience; closed searching eyes looking for something
inside; crouching down while giving his all to hit
those sweet harp sounds; a hand gesture now and then
to conduct the band; the still standing dignity before
and after the encore; and, yes, his fingers performing
some great soloing work on his guitar.  He even made
time to sneak some comment about New Jersey between
the first two songs; not sure exactly what it was he
said, but the look of sarcasm spoke volumes.  Needless
to say (but I will anyway because it really can't be
said enough), the music is AWESOME.  I can not think
of one off-moment the whole show other than the many
moments I wished for some song Bob would play but did
not come around to.  (Hey, there's always the next
show I guess.)  In particular,  Cold Irons Bound, One
Too Many Mornings, and I Don't Belive You were all
surprises and well executed.  That guy Charlie sure
can play folks - the man was spankin' on some nice
harmonics during I Don't Belive You and did his best
Hendrix-jive thang going into Cold Irons Bound, which
by the way was portrayed in an even darker light than
on the studio version.  Duncan and Brady is a great
opener and Country Pie is perfect for getting the
electric set going.  A beautiful performance ... now I
am thinking of going to europe to catch some shows
there?!?!  Anybody in for the ride?  We love ya Bob!!!!		

[TOP]

Review by Mary



	The Waterloo venue was suprisingly mellow and perfect for the type of 
show we were about to witness.  But first, it was as though, We (the 
audience) had to stake a temperary claim.  Some larger claims than others.  
In front of us was a very friendly buddha man, reminding me of the waterpipe 
tokin caterpillar in Alice in wonderland.  He needed a good chunk of 
realestate.  That was good for us, since I'm short , I didn't have to jump 
up and down to see what was happening.  It was nice just sitting there for 
a few hours before the show, spending some quality time with my zig-zag man, 
showin him some of the fun things I can do with the tankie tee shirt I 
bought at yesterdays show.

	"Duncan and Brady" was excellent today.  Dave remembered that it on the 
New Riders 2nd album, "Powerglide".

	"Song to Woody "seemed to be appropriate for New Jersy.  I could tell 
from here on in, it was going to be an intimate show in a big field in the 
middle of no where.

	"Desolation Row"sounded just right.  I was glad to hear it again.  Yes, 
Stanhope, the circus was in town.  

	"My back pages" just made my mouth drop.  THAT HARP!!!  Now you know 
when Bob makes it sound like the cicada's singin to each other, it's almost 
as though he sayin' "Watch out kids!"

	"Tangled up in Blue" as I said yesterday, I never get tired of it.  I 
listen to it often.

	"Searching for a Soldiers grave" was shared nicely with all the players.  
This band is so loose, and very tight at the same time. Bob was right when 
he said, "These are some of the finest player in the land".

	"Country Pie" is where I just let loose.  It could be because we live 
in the country.  I think I heard boots instead of goose.

	"Blind Willie McTell" was a nice surpise to add to the night.  I love 
that line, " I',m staring out the window, of the St, James hotel".

	"Tombstone Blues" was rockin'!  The buddha was dancin' all over his 
blanket.  This show out of this world!

	"She acts like we never met" surpised me too.  The gals just love this 
one.  And yes, the skirts were swayin.

	"Cold Irons Bound"  spooked me again, today.  The dew held down the 
sound down like a ceiling.  I felt the chill up my spine.

	Before the show started, I notice the chick in the front with her 
Leopard skin pillbox hat as though she was tellin' Bob she wanted to hear 
it.  He listens.
	The statuesque stance they do it very cool.  

	It's funny that "The times they are a changin'" seem to be a prelude 
to "Things have change". 

	 "Like a rollin stone" was hot!  What a great band.  What a lucky girl 
I am to be her today.

	"One too many mornings" sound great.  It also sounds like Bob is ready 
to go home, but that harp.  OOOOH!!

	"Highway 61".  I just love when he goes around and around the way he 
does that little thing.  I was tryin to catch that riff when he goes to 
the zone.  

	This has been one of the best weekends I have survived.  I'll be looking 
forward, till he comes around again.   I must admit, I didn't keep track of 
the set list.  I just wanted to have a good time today.  Thanks to those 
who did.  Thanks Bob, for a great time!

Mary

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