October 18, 2014
Review by Steve Rostkoski
The crowd was more restless this evening and security pounced on anyone
even thinking of taking out their cell phone. Even though I don't think
people should be using their phones during concerts, it was annoying to
have audience members and security walking back and forth in front of me
all night. Despite the tight security, I decided to run down to the front
of the stage during the "Blowin' in the Wind" encore. Nobody stopped me,
so I ended up about ten feet away from Dylan as he was at the piano. I've
never had the opportunity to get so close at a Dylan show, so this was a
nice little bonus.
I was amazed at how dim the onstage lighting was. Even close up, it was
still somewhat difficult to see the onstage action in any detail (and not
just because I wasn't wearing my glasses). The current lighting setup is a
stripped down version of what I saw in 2012. Old-time theatrical
spotlights on stands bathe the stage in a warm yellow glow, but even the
addition of four large spots suspended above the stage don't seem to
provide any extra illumination. Maybe Dylan's lighting will eventually be
pared down to a single bare lightbulb.
Will the third night be the wild card? I doubt it, but we'll see.
Steve Rostkoski
Review by Doug Wilber
It was exactly the same song list as the night before, but the guy sitting
next to me who had been to both shows said Saturday was looser and Bob
and the band were more engaged. As the local press said, one pays just
for the privilege to be in the same room as Bob Dylan, and then you take
yer chances. We lucked out, as is often the case.
Comments about the dim stage lighting are valid, but might miss the point.
They were no big spotlights from the back of the hall, the colors on stage
were mostly black and gold, subtle and subdued, but the separation between
the stage and the audience was considerably less than usual. I sat near the
rear on the main floor, and with occasional use of binoculars, I could see
what I wanted. Dylan and the band seemed like they were in the same room
as we were. From youtube, it looks like this lighting has been around a
while. Most of the band was dressed in black; Bob was more visible in a
beige suit and classy beige fur hat.
"Long and Wasted Years" as the last song (before the encore) ended the second
set on a dramatic high point. The lighting, the music, and Dylan's delivery
of his high poetry were striking and convincing. His stagecraft is first
rate, and he's been working on it. The songlist, mostly recent 21st-century
songs with well-chosen ones from the past, all are consistent with the strong
themes in "Long and Wasted Years." It's a fine song list and a powerful show.
A few particular memories: Dylan played with the lyric of "Simple Twist of
Fate" as he has often done, and got in a killer rhyme with the title line and
"back in '58" to cheers of recognition. I hope some recordings surface with
all the good lines of this version audible. Dylan did a fine job on harp on
"Simple Twist of Fate" as well as a few other older songs: "She Belongs to
Me," "Tangled Up In Blue," and "Blowing in the WInd." Is Dylan the only one
performing songs in 3/4 and 6/8 these days? "Waiting For You" and "Soon
After Midnight" swung.
Doug Wilber
Seattle
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