July 1, 2007
Review by Theik
Bob and crew arrived on a very cool and slightly breezy afternoon - the
sunset splashed clouds were a highlight through his show. Jimmie V. played
an average set, both musicly and lengthwise, vacating the stage for a
prompt 8:05 start for Bob. The first five songs, with Bob playing
wonderful guitar, were fantastic, especially "To Ramona". The sound was
dialed in from the very first note: I have never heard such pristine sound
at a Bob show before. His vocals were clear and distinct, as was each
instrument. The shift to keyboard / organ was expected and the clarity of
the sound blissfully continued. As was noted in a local newspaper review,
the "Rollin'" "Girl of the North Country" combo was excellent, with "Girl"
possibly being the highlight of the whole night: wonderful arrangement and
unique phrasing from Bob. Also, the "Summer Days" "LARS" set closing combo
was very high energy and had the crowd right in tow. An amazing evening
for one and all . . . It slights any song to say one was better: band and
Bob were on a serious roll. Due to work considerations this show will be
my only one on this tour. I've heard glowing reports about some of the
earlier gigs but I can't honestly compare this show to those. I can say
that this was, especially from a sound system perspective, the best show
I've seen Bob do for quite some time. If the other shows are as strong,
this is certainly a way above average tour - one should go out of their
way to catch at least one show.
Theik
Review by Nancy
Even for Vermont it was a cool summer night with overcast sky. The crowd
was ebullient, though, knowing we were in for a special event. Bob Dylan
and his Band are in town! Jimmie Vaughn and his band took the stage as
the crowd seeped into the Fairgrounds. Those of us who arrived early to
see the opener were not disappointed by Jimmie Vaughn and his bluesy set.
Fine guitar playing, great drummer who looked like Uncle Fester and guest
singer Lou Ann Barton with a smokey voice that fit the tunes. I don't
skip Bob's opening acts - I think he gives it a lot of thought and brings
us more good music. But the pitch definitely rose along with the
anticipation once the roadies came on to set up for Bob and the band. A
nice touch for my sister and I was that the sound system played George
Harrison during the set change. We appreciated that nod to another of our
musical heroes. I had my fingers crossed that Dylan would open with
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat. The crowd went nuts when Bob and the Band came
out and swung into ... Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat! Fantastic version! And
it just got better from there. My sister and I have caught Bob on each of
his concert tours over the last few years and a couple of times back in
the day but we were especially blown away this time. A couple of special
treats for us were Girl from the North Country and Most Likely You'll Go
Your Way (And I'lll Go Mine). I have never heard a better band. They
show up dressed for work - no jeans and t-shirts for these professionals.
Bob and the Band look smashing in jackets, ties and hats and their
experience shows in the arrangements and tight performances. Bob delivers
his own lyrics without so much as a back up vocal but we love that special
rasp and he makes us pay attention with the new versions of the classics.
He clearly loves his current incarnation and so does the crowd. The
immediacy of the live music pumps the crowd and there is dancing at the
seats and in the aisles. The last four songs of the evening bring
everyone to their feet. Kick ass versions of Summer Days and LARS are
followed by the band leaving the stage to howls of appreciation and cheers
for an encore. Most bands would have nothing left after the set we have
just heard with the relevance of The Times They Are A-Changin', the energy
of Rollin' and Tumblin' and the emotion of When the Deal Goes Down to name
just a few. But we know they are coming back and keep cheering, clapping,
stomping and begging for more. They make their entrance, strap on the
guitars and take their places to thrill us with Thunder on the Mountain
and All Along the Watchtower. What can I say? If you're a Dylan person
(and who else would be reading this) you know how it feels to see Bob so
magnificent, redolent of the past but so firmly here, now, in the present
with arguably the best music he's ever made. Bob introduced the band but
those were the only words he spoke. After the final song they stood
together, flanking Bob in the middle of the stage for their nod to the
crowd's adulation. Bob looked like he might say something into the mike
that was next to him, and I always wish he would, but instead he raised a
hand, almost a wave, kind of a salute, definitely an acknowledgement that
we had shared "a whoppin' good time." PS My favorite fan - the woman in
the leopard-skin pillbox hat!
Review by Don Ely
I'd chosen this run of shows for my summer Bobtrip because it gave me
three distinct environments: the urban / suburban setting at Wantagh,
the legendary locale at Bethel, and the rural northern setting at Essex
Junction. After the last of the three Bob would head up into Canada
and I would close out my vacation by spending a night at my secret
hideaway in Brattleboro, Vermont; having a blast following the signs to
Secret Caverns in Cobleskill, New York; and touring Eastern State
Penetentiary on my first - ever visit to Philadelphia.
I'd spent too much time in the Catskills ( munching on REAL bagels
from the REAL Hebrew town of South Fallsburg, New York ) and so
didn't get to my hotel room until 7:30. Luckily the Champlain Valley
Exposition was just down the road apiece, and while I missed Jimmie's
entire set I didn't miss a note of Bob's. Champlain Valley is a multple -
use venue containing a variety of buildings much like a state fair.
Temperatures were mild in the region making for an optimum week to
travel, and on this evening were downright cool, giving the feel more
of a harvest festival. I stayed out of the beer garden and thus arrived
at my seat as Bob Dylan and His Band launched into a very raucous
"Leopard - skin Pill - box Hat". This song has never really been one of my
favorite Blonde On Blonde numbers, but this one just kicked ass and
was a welcome respite from the usual set openers. The audience was
seated on plastic folding chairs, and the stage was set under high, sunny
skies with mountains off to the east. Perfectly beautiful. I can only
imagine what it would be like seeing Bob at some of the outdoor stages
I've read about in the mountainous west. The first four songs in tonight's
set duplicated the same four last night at Bethel Woods. Maybe I was in
the " sweet spot " but the sound was superior to either of the previous
two venues, sharp as an ice pick and as clear as Mallett's Bay. Bob musta
been having fun on his guitar because instead of the standard four tunes
he gave us five on the strings! The bonus was a lovely "To Ramona",
and the band delivered it with panache before Bob shifted over to the
keyboard for a little "Rollin' And Tumblin'".
Seemingly often Bob likes to use his magic paintbrush to render "Girl Of
The North Country" for northern audiences, and this one was the finest
I've seen in some time. Performed in what I call the "music box"
arrangement of the past three years, it was eloquent and moving, as it
should be, not in any way awkward as some of the 2004 versions
tended towards. " Things Have Changed " still sounds good, but it's
signature riff has almost completely disappeared. The crowd loved every
minute of this show, which as usual ranged from young families to AARP
card carriers. The man in his forties on my left was as enthusiastic about
what he was seeing and hearing as was the man of about nineteen to
my right. And why not? Dylan was in great voice and the band was
cookin'! Dark clouds that threatened rain had settled over us but couldn't
threaten the band's exuberence in the least. Other selections to highlight
this wonderful night included a moody "Love Sick", a hard - rockin' "Most
Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)" (a personal favorite Blonde
On Blonde number), and a very strong " When The Deal Goes Down".
Even the ad infinitum "Summer Days" was a treat, and naturally had 'em
up and dancin'. A solid night's work from Our Man Bob and his crew,
putting a smile on every face that headed home.
So it was a brilliant run for me, an experience to whet my appetite for
the hometown Detroit gig ( Sterling Heights ), and then the Toledo Zoo,
another great place for concerts. Though originally I lamented the fact
of no ballpark tour this year, Bob's people have done an outstanding job
of choosing some really unique venues this time. Y'all have fun at the
show near you!
Don Ely
Rochester, MI
kingsnake78@hotmail.com
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