November 3, 2012
Review by Marty Traynor
Naturally, the question on the minds of diehard fans entering the Century
Link Center was whether Dylan would perform songs from Tempest. Nope.
Having gotten that out of the way, let's turn to the show we did see
rather than the songs we did not.
The opener, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" was encouraging, with a nice
country swing feel and sweet pedal steel work from Donnie Herron. Then
Mark Knopfler joined for the next four songs, playing very nicely as sideman
after his very fine and well-received opening set. "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'"
was the first highlight. The interplay between Dylan's piano and Knopfler's
guitar was great to hear. Then a stately, stylish "Every Grain of Sand'
provided a second highlight, though Dylan's inability to carry a melody was
evident as he talk-crooned the lyrics.
Then "The Levee's Gonna Break", an up tempo number you'd expect to
bring up the energy after a great slow song, was…not energetic. It
seemed to go on forever, Finally, during the second instrumental break,
Charlie sexton seemed to awaken and this inspired Dylan to pick up the
pace to the end. Then a very fine arrangement of "Blind Willie McTell"
furnished another highlight. Dylan stood in center stage for this one
(thankfully, no piano - this was not a good night on the ivories IMO) and
played some nice harp, including some great interplay with Sexton. Donnie
Herron's banjo was the anchor.
The closing few songs bore no surprises. The best of them was "Ballad of
a Thin Man" and the worst was "Thunder on the Mountain" which really
needs to cede its spot in the line up to "Duquesne Whistle". During
"All Along the Watchtower" it came to me that Dylan is trying to play
guitar solos on his piano, and it doesn't work very well.
Overall, there were some highlights as noted, but this was not a
contender for show of the year.
Observations:
I thought the crowd was definitely small compared to my expectations - there
were about 3,500 in attendance according to reports and there were about
twice as many empty seats. The crowd was also relatively sedate, much less
boisterous that a normal Saturday night crowd.
Dylan lets Knopfler play his guitar more up front in the mix than he allows his
own guitarists, often wasting their talents while he plays endless piano runs.
When Knopfler plays, Charlie Sexton in particular seems to be underused.
Dylan's harp work is solid and has a sensibility to melody which seems lost in
most of his piano playing and singing.
Slower songs seemed fine - "Visions of Johanna" was nice, for example, but
then songs like "Highway 61", while competent, were not at the level I have
seen many times before.
Review by Bob Hughes
50 years of Bob concerts where I have seen the truly awful and the truly
great. Having seen him 4 times in the last 2 years I am familiar with the
band line up and seeing Bob on piano. Others will comment in more detail
on the set list.
From the 4th row I had a good view and last nights show was mediocre at
best. Pedestrian for most of the time that never really stirred the crowd.
There were highlights with Levees Gonna break and Willie Mctell.
But Highway 61 usually guaranteed to bring the crowd to its feet missed the
mark and by the time we got to LARS and Watchtower we were in the land
of the uninspired which was a shame because Bob was singing, holding
notes, no upsinging and you could hear every word.
But something has changed and been lost in the band dynamic. Stu Kimball
was the star last night taking the lead but Charlie Sexton was a lost soul,
relegated to the side line, playing mostly rhythm guitar and often not
even doing that well. Even Tony Garnier seemed lackluster and somewhere
else. Maybe 3 consecutive nights of shows up to Omaha has taken its toll
but it was more than that. There was a tension on stage and not a good
tension. Maybe the appearance of Freddie Koella earlier in the tour is a
portent of coming changes.
Bob Hughes
Review by Laurette Maillet
I take a night Greyhound bus to Omaha from Denver. Reaching the town at
5:45 a.m. I wait until daylight in the station before taking a walk downtown. I
find the Century Link Center and check in a EconoLodge Hotel. A bit expensive
but I don't have much choice, there is no Youth Hostel here. It's a University
town. In the late afternoon I take a walk downtown. Nothing is moving in
here. Few people in the streets, stores are closed, I can't even find a marker
to buy food and drink. It seems like a Sunday but we are Saturday. I return
to my room to be ready for the show.
The capacity of the venue is 16000. I doubt that will be sold out. I walk to
the venue side by side with a Mark Knopfler Fan. We exchange. Arriving at the
CenturyLink Center I spot Stu outside. I want to shake hands with him when I
realize I'm wearing gloves. I take them off and he gives me a hand shake. I
doubt he recognizes me. But it's nice anyway. I find myself a ticket for 20$,
up on the side.
For Mark I take an empty seat above the stage. I have a good view of the
Band and I can move my body without disturbing anyone. The audience is
reacting warmly. Mark is happy - or seems -. Hard to tell with him. Easier with
Bob who doesn't hide his feelings when he's mad or happy.
At the intermission I move down the floor section.
I stay by the sound board for there is hardly an empty seat in the front.
Bob is on, dressed as usual; hat on, black suit - pants with white straps- white
or black shirt, black boots. That the clolours on this tour;Black and White.
"I'll be your Baby tonight". Yes Bobby, happily!
Mark is on stage for the second song; "to Ramona". I sing along and I don't
believe Bobby will mind since he can't hear me. He will skip one verse as usual.
"Things have changed" with again Mark on stage. Bobby seems truly happy. So
far - from where I stand - he looks really young. Even more fit than Mark who
starts to be round and 'banding over'. Bob is straight and class with his suit.
"Tangled up in blue" with Mark always here and one song I recognize
immediately; "Beyond here lies nothing". An incredible interpretation since Mark
is on fire. The dialogue between the guitar and the piano will add what was
lacking when it was only Bob on piano. The hit of the night. I'm having my
"Shot of Love". Bob knows. At the end he will say "Thank you Mark" and will
add "this was Mark Knopfler on guitar".
A sweet melody on piano and Bob starts "In the time of my confession ...
" Whoa! "Every grain of sand". So sweet!
"The levee's gonna break" powerful, the venue is on fire, people up and
dancing.
I hear Donnie tuning his banjo. "John Brown"? "High water"?
Bob picks up his harmonica and I hear the first notes of "Blind Willie Mc Tell".
For the first time on that Tour.
I'm in heaven. I forget about all my troubles and communicate with Bob, over
there on stage. So far but so close to my heart tonight. It's like I sing - every
single word I phrase - with him, I breath with him, I move with him, I blow in
that harmonica with him.
Even if the rest of the show is something I know by heart it's not important
now for that's what I want tonight; be part of it.
"Highway 61" is powerful. Stu is putting all his energy in that electric guitar.
"Vision of Johanna" will water down the fire. The audience will listen with
respect, seating down for Bob is on the piano, almost invisible.
"Thunder on the mountain" put the public up again. I see the first rows
dancing and moving in rhythm.
"Ballad of a thin Man" more theatrical than ever. Even though I heard that
song so many times on stage, tonight it's like brand new. The echo and the
lights behind are moving me in another dimension. A Chagall painting coming
alive.
A the first notes of "Like a rolling stone" a huge roar echos around the walls of
the venue. No one is seated anymore. I have some hard time seeing Bobby.
But I know he's there, his body twisted strangely in front of his Grand piano.
A "thank you friends, I will present you my Band right now" and Bob introduces
his musicians one by one.
Then the first notes of "All along the watch tower" incredibly powerful. Stu is
adding a lot to that song.
Bob trots to center stage for his final bow. He looks happy, facing the crowd
all up for a standing ovation.
Minutes later Bob and the Band are back for a sweet " Blowing in the wind".
It seems that the venue is balancing softly in that wind, all up for an homage
to that incredible ARTIST.
An incredible performance. My Bobby is back!
Thank you Bobby Dylan. I'm not gonna say I Love you - for you won't believe
me -. I will say What an ARTIST I have so much admiration for!
See you in Madison!
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