November 24, 2019
Review by Laurette Maillet
My day starts in the rain. The streets of Williamsburg are flooded.
I walk one hour through the Hassidic area of Brooklyn looking for
the Art supplies store. Even the Lubavich are covering their hats with
plastic. I buy some canvases and paints to do more Bob Dylan portraits. It
is now my way to get tickets. After a moment of rest I decide to go to
Manhattan, where the fun is. By 4p.m. Bobby walks in for the soundcheck.
And I take a walk to ... Times Square. Too much rainy and cold for the
Park. Now it is 6.30p.m.. The crowd slowly comes for the show. As
yesterday I have in my hands some paintings, hoping to attract the
attention, when my two good friends from Australia say they have a ticket
for me. Woah! No struggle today! So we walk inside to admire the
decoration of the Beacon Theater. We chat with two other Bobcats (friends
of mine) and I move front right of the stage to check some empty seats
availability. By some kind of second miracle four seats are empty and will
be until the end. I am 4th row extreme right. This is a terrible seat for
the one show Fan. Impossible to see Bob when seated at the piano or even
center stage. I would never pay 400$ or more for those. But for
me....it's alright. I can see Bobby's face clearly when he stands at the
piano and when he moves front stage. I am in a good mood as I managed to
say hello to Barron in the afternoon and he answered me with a sweet
smile. Cool Barron! Ben (my good friend from France) wants to stand on the
side and dance but the security man will only allow him to do it on
"Highway 61". The Beacon security is cool but still vigilant. A girl, in
front, dancing on " Thunder" will be asked to sit down. Of course NO
photos. A couple of patrons are getting a warning but no one is thrown
out. They start a little late. An habit by now? Bobby's wearing a nice
white shirt and a medallion (Native American style) his "eternal white
stripes black pants" (should try something else?!) and white flat boots.
Those pants will be stuck in those boots for the entire show! Who cares?
"THC" has a muffled sound but "IAMB" is great. I see only Bobby's top
hair and I sing along. Ben is next to me for "H61". Powerful with a wild
reaction from the public. Bobby drinks a lot between the songs and has a
laugh with Donnie every time he is picking up his cup of...tea?! Maybe he
has a cold but his voice is clear. 'PIB" is loud and clear. My favorite
for this night. Charlie's guitar and Britt's guitar are in harmony and get
applause from the public. I get wild, stand up and dance on "T" . the
security man let me do it. Cool! Some more Fans on the left side are
dancing in the aisle. Bobby presents his musicians, with some jokes I
don't quite catch; Mentioning the bow from Charlie and the hat in the air
for Britt! Calming down on "SAM". Getting wild again on "GSS". It takes a
while before Bob and his Band appears again for the encore. An habit by
now as well. All standing in front for "Ballad". I focus on Bobby's
hands on his stratocaster. He is doing well. Maybe missing a cord, here
and there!? But certainly he is making mistakes on the lyrics. The last
verse is confused. The " train" is loud and the show is over. Weird
position but great for me. It might be the only time I'm able to see Bob
so close. I have the feeling I could come every night forever for that
show. But....tomorrow is off. Thanx to all the good people: from
Australia, France, Italy, Japan.... What Bob and the Band will do on their
free day? Me I know. Paint...my Masterpiece!
Review by Barry Gloffke
The second night of ten for Bob and the Boys at the Beacon Theatre
was much improved from the first night. A more upbeat crowd
(though, as usual, almost nobody dancing) and a better delivery from
Bob makes for a better show. The first half of the show was not as strong
as the second half, but only by degrees.
The tone was set immediately by Tony and Matt propelling THINGS HAVE
CHANGED with driving drum and bass lines. Nice piano for IT AIN'T ME, BABE
and hard rock for HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED (Bob sang all the lyrics this
time). Still trying to get the new/newer lyrics for SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE,
but this was the best version of the three I saw so far on this tour.
CAN'T WAIT was phenomenal. Great re-interpretation. WHEN I PAINT MY
MASTERPIECE was fantastic. Wonderful vocal inflections. Soft, quiet, with
the band kicking in late. HONEST WITH ME is driving honky tonk. TRYIN' TO
GET TO HEAVEN is sung with passion and becomes a crescendo of crashing
instruments as the songs progresses. PAY IN BLOOD is vengeful. Superb
guitar by Britt. You could hear a pin drop during LENNY BRUCE. Beautiful.
Bob sang this with such care it could make you weep. This song took the
concert up a notch. EARLY ROMAN KINGS bought the house down! Killer blues
and killer Bob delivering the goods. Tonight was the most exquisite take
on GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY. Lost love never again to be seen. Amazing
violin work by Donnie. A very atmospheric NOT DARK YET is a thrill. Echo,
echo, oh, oh, oh. Bob rocked the keys for THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN and the
band tore it up. SOON AFTER MIDNIGHT seemed to feature some additional
piano work at the songs conclusion. Very nice.
Bob had some nice intros for the band here.
Up and dance for the set finale GOTTA SEVRE SOMEBODY. Smokin'!
Bob made us wait a good five minutes before the encores.
BALLAD OF A THIN MAN rocked. Fantastic guitar work and great violin.
Then Bob takes it home with long vocal extensions on IT TAKES A LOT
TO LAUGH, IT TAKES A TRAIN TO CRY. 'When your train gets
looooooooossssttttt!!!
Bombs away! A great show! Eight more for Bob, seven more for me.
As usual, nice to see Ed before the show.
Kathleen, I'm glad you got to meet my girlfriend.
All the Bobcats... see you Tuesday.
Barry
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