September 8, 2012
Review by CSK
Towards the end of a long tour, on the verge of an incredible album release, 50 years
into an all time great artistic career - certainly Bob would have every reason to be
bored, uninspired or tired and go through the motions on September 8, 2012 at the
somewhat less than ideal venue of the Mohegan Sun Arena. Prospects of such an
event nearly had led me to skip this concert and this tour, especially with Tempest
being such a strong album, and knowing Bob wouldn't play a song from it, not wanting
anyone's first listen to be any but the album versions. But this would be a special night.
Opening with You Ain't Going Nowhere, Bob on electric guitar at center stage, he
wouldn't touch the organ at all this evening - first time since when? And when has he
ever opened with this classic? Followed up by Tom Thumb's, this served as a very solid,
double guitar opening that was not one of your usual throwaways by any means. Part
two of this gem saw Bob move to the Grand Piano, where he would spend most of the
night providing lead excellent chops, starting with the oft repeated duo of Things Have
Changed & Tangled - both worked very well, with Tangled especially successful. Overall,
we were very much 4-4 out of the box.
This was followed by Part 3 - the trifecta of Summer Days, Not Dark Yet & Jolene - an
upbeat, summer end song with sprightly jam sequences, followed by Bob's only center
stage non-Guitar/Piano performance, and it was very much a command one, remorseful,
ending with a great harp solo, followed by the once again upbeat joyful celebration of
Jolene. Make that 7 for 7.
Another trifecta follows - an astounding Hattie Carroll, Visions of Johanna sandwich - both
of those songs nailed to perfection with Bob finding new Piano grooves & riding them
with successful, commanding vocals, High Water in the middle solidly bridging the two
classics, and the best Visions I've seen in a long time, maybe ever. 10-10. I've seen
Bob over 50 times, actually I've lost count, and I don't ever recall him staying on such
a high for basically an entire concert - this was really quite something.
The last two possible variables provides another upbeat number - Highway 61 - I like
where this song is now, almost a high power jam band interlude, followed by Simple
Twist moves Bob back to the guitar, which he really nails on this one.
Then the end sequence, while repeating night after night, each was truly excellent this
evening - Thunder was a smooth exciting groove, Thin Man they toned down the echo
a bit, which made it better, and Bob repeated a verse on the way back to the ivories,
where he found a sweet groove. Rolling Stone & Watchtower were both excellent
versions of the sort of rendition Bob's been playing lately - Rolling Stone featured a false
ending, which still worked though. Blowin' was excellent as well.
Don't know what else to say really, but this was in many ways perfection personified - and
in a casino arena, and with every reason to not be stoked, Bob was.
On the way home, during my 45 minute ride, passed Bob's bus - there he was, a legend,
soon to be rejoiced once more for Tempest - not going that fast on a rainy
night - heading to another joint. How lucky we all are.
Review by Howard Weiner
What a week! On Sunday Dylan was scintillating in
Bethel Woods, and on Tuesday he christened the reopening of the historic
Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. By a simple twist, I was the first
customer through the door at 6:30. It was also the day I first heard The
Tempest, Dylan's latest, and without a doubt one of his greatest. I rolled
up to the Mohegan Sun expecting a routine night at the end of a memorable
tour, but I got more than I bargained for.
The lights went out and contrary to the other shows, Dylan was center
stage, plugged in. The band was strumming, and I dreamed they were playing
"You Ain't Going Nowhere." it knew couldn't be, but it was. Dylan
unleashed leads like lightning, and Just Like Tom Thumbs followed. I'd be
going back to New York city content.
Dylan played piano during a dazzling "Things Have Changed." What
makes this man tick? Tuesday he's playing this and "Tanged Up in
Blue" on guitar," and tonight, things have changed. Both tunes seemed
improved with Bob banging away at the keys.
Summer Days was a great call in the five hole, but I got caught up in a
ticket fiasco. Mohegan Sun"s security staff hassled me for sitting in the
wrong seat . Lecherous and treacherous, they were as awful as the buffet
I'd consumed earlier. Anyway, I found a better seat for "Not Dark
Yet."This was everything we dream of in a performance. Dylan sang
attentively, ad-libbing emotional growls on the journey.
"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll captured the mood of the day. You
who philosophizedisgrace and criticize all fears, bury the rag deep in
your face, no is the time for your tears. After two lame political
conventions that offered little hope, those words stuck Ike glue.
The lackluster crowd came to life. Tony Garnier was shuffling around in
back of the stage to Bob's harp solo. This band is really something. They
create the right arrangements, on demand, in-the-moment.
"High Water" and "Visions of Johanna" were solid again,
it's a pleasure to hear and see Donnie pluck the banjo on his platform.
Bob finished with the same five classics, but "Thunder" and "Thin Man"
raged. Real swagger. When Bob sang "You have many contacts among the
lumberjacks," he stopped in his tracks, and then darted over to the piano
and began the bridge again The vocal echo was thick, heavy, and hilarious.
Mind-blowing. It was a joyous night in Dylanville. The expected and
unexpected were enjoyed equally .
The next tour is near. Cherish The Tempest.
Howard Weiner
Tangled Up in Tunes: Ballad of a Dylanhead
http://www.tangledupintunes.com
Review by Jason Polanski
As a Connecticut resident, I've seen Bob a few times now at the Mohegan
Sun Arena, however, originally planned to avoid this show based on past
experience. Bob's concerts are like religious experiences to me, however
this venue has always suffered from poor atmosphere. Anyway, I gained some
"comp" tickets from a friend and there I was, back at Mohegan. The
experience can be summed up in two ways. First the crowd lived up to
expectations. They all sat down and cheered politely and never really got
into it until the end, when Bob played LIKE A ROLLING STONE and ALL ALONG
THE WATCHTOWER. And yes, those songs were great celebrations, but clearly
and as always, the only way to really get the casino crowd to show some
life or reaction to the music. On the other hand, Bob threw in some great
performances that brought hard core fans like myself to at least desire to
get out of my chair and dance, however, I sat politely, hoping my back and
legs wouldn't get sore from the lack of circulation caused by lack of
movement.
Bob opened with YOU AIN'T GOIN NOWHERE, on guitar. The performance was a
huge surprise to those who follow the setlists and maybe even a last
minute decision by Bob. It sounded a bit unrehearsed. Bob actually started
singing the chorus first, seemed to have forgotten the first verse. It did
feature some cool guitar solos and Bob trying to give it energy by
throwing in some "yeahs" between the "Ooh wees" and the "ride me highs".
And riding high, he followed the song up with the one song I wanted to
hear the most, JUST LIKE TOM THUMBS BLUES. Again, more guitar solos and an
aggressive vocal. The concert was in full motion early with this one.
The third song was THINGS HAVE CHANGED. What struck me about this is why I
can justify seeing Bob on multiple dates. Three shows on this tour, and
three completely different instrumental approaches. In Indianapolis, Bob
sang center stage and played harmonica. In Port Chester, I saw him perform
this on guitar. Tonight, the grand piano. By the end, he was banging out a
1-2-3 riff on the keys and to the point where he sang "locked in tight"
and "out of range" in harmony with the riff. Very powerful.
Now the highlight of the show, however, turned out to be NOT DARK YET. I
think anyone in love with Bob's modern songs would agree. I think even the
dude who danced up and down the aisle during "Rolling Stone" might even
agree. And a shout out to the hippie dancer girl in section 15 who danced
so intensely to BLOWIN IN THE WIND. She might even have agreed. During
"Not Dark Yet", Bob truly brought out all of the emotions of the song,
positively nailing the line about what it was he came here to get away
from. And he played a mostly one note harmonica solo that reminded me of
some of his greatest from the 90's. Very dramatic. Even a sort of standing
ovation from the crowd after this one.
As far as all the performances, I won't do a blow by blow review, but it
should be noted that the other two songs that really stood out to me were
SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE and BALLAD OF A THIN MAN. On "Simple Twist", he
played two great guitar solos, the second one kind of done in reverse. A
lot of guitar players like to build their solos to a peak or climax but
Dylan kind of started at the climax and worked his way down to subtle base
notes. I was struck by how much that approach brought us closer to the
song. It remarkably set up the last verse perfectly. And on "Thin Man",
it started with him doing a weird dance (strut?) around the stage and
finished with a truly weird piano solo. As weird as Mr. Jones himself.
Anyways, I appreciate the tickets, thank the Mohegan Sun for their
hospitality, thank Bob for some great shows this summer, look forward to
the new album being played live this fall, and hope that the patrons of
the casino find some time for some physical activity so they remain as
healthy as our 71 year old "hero".
Jason Polanski
Comments by J. Zimm
Bob and his band were in fine form tonight. Having seen him over 50 times
I'd give this show a 6 out of 10. The highlights were Hattie Carroll and
Visions of Johanna. The lowlight had to be the new arrangement for
Highway 61. Ballad of a Thin Man had an unusual moment where Bob sang
the bridge (you have many contacts..) at center stage and then moved to
the keyboard and began the bridge again. There were a few stumbles and
repeated lyrics. Hard to say if Bob was intentionally repeating things or
losing his place. Looking forward to the Mark Knopfler shows.??
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