Review

The first thing I'd like to say is that Mesker Amphitheatre is a wonderful venue.
However, it's past time for thinking that concert-goers are going to be kept 
from taking pictures by security. Cell phones have made that impossible, and 
I am ready to start a petition to end harassment from security. I was not 
taking pictures, but seeing people being hassled all around me it was a slight 
distraction.  

Also, speaking of illicit concert activities, I think that except for the show I 
attended last night, I may take a break from downloading current Bob 
Never-Ending-Tour concerts. I have lost all ability to be objective in listening 
to them. Being at the concert is another story. Bob sounded great most of 
the time, and while the band is a tad tame it is very tasteful. Denny Freeman 
really played some sweet solos and the only problem with the sound was 
that Donnie Herron was inaudible most of the time. 

Cutting to the chase, my Bobsister Terri and I had great seats only 8 rows 
back and appropriately elevated so that we were eye-level with Bob. I had 
noticed that the setlists had become downright chaotic recently compared 
to the rut it seemed like Bob had been for a few years, since Modern Times 
was released anyway. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat is one of several in the 
opening slot rotation and it was very fun and a blast to see Bob on the guitar. 
For me, the highlight of the first half of the show was "Not Dark Yet" and the 
vocal performance was indeed very dark with Bob at his growlin' best. 
"Summer Days" was, for me, a segue to the rest of the show, a fun song
in between the heavy hitters.

For song 8 Bob went Gospel on us with a lovely performance of "I Believe in 
You" that really made me feel lucky, a seldom heard song that was new for 
me as far as witnessing a performance in person. Then he went into a 
powerful "It's Alright, Ma" in what seemed at the time like a 1-2 punch that 
Bob wouldn't be able to top for the rest of the show, and if the remainder 
had been lame I woulda still been happy. And sure enough, these two were 
followed by what all the people in my group agreed was the evening's only 
clunker, "Beyond the Horizon" although it had it's moments.

Happily, the next 3 numbers were as good as it gets. I had been complaining 
on the ride over that "Highway 61" had seemed to lose it's ferocity over the 
years, but I had to eat those words midway through! It really rocked. Then 
Bob absolutely pulled the plug on my heart with "Blind Willie McTell" and 
followed that with a tension-filled "I Don't Believe You," which was the second 
first-timer of the night for me and I was also quick to realize that he played 
"I Believe in You" and "I Don't Believe You" in the same show. 

I enjoyed Nettie Moore and Thunder on the Mountain but, and I can't speak for 
Bob on this, I had shot my wad at this point. When the main set was over, a 
security guard came by saying that the front was open, which gave me a new 
energy burst and we hurried down in time to catch Like a Rolling Stone and 
"Watchtower" from up-close for a tremendously fun ending to a wonderful 
night. Thanks, Bob.

From The Laughing Buddha (Rod Peck)
http://groups.myspace.com/skilletforksocietyofdylanologists

Just a short review.  The show was so great!  Bob souonded good, and was
in a great mood, dancing, smiling and doing a lot of knee bends and
stretches.  Was the first time I'd heard I Believe in You, one of my all
time favorites in a LONG time.  Nettie Moore, Leopardskin Pillbox Hat and
Blind Willie McTell were highlights.  

The Mesker is a nice little outdoor venue. Parking was close, facilities
were abundant and clean, the crowd was pretty well behaved. The security
was polite.  The beer was $3, which is totally acceptable, and the view of
the stage was pretty good from everywhere in the house.  I still wish Bob
would face the audience a little more because I was on the backside
tonight, but a wonderful show experience.

Tami French