Tonight, if I'm counting correctly, was my 11th time seeing Bob. First show
at Mohegan Sun June 27th, 2007 - the last being November 7th, 2023 at the
Capitol in Port Chester. That Capitol show was amazing. The band was tight
and right. Bob was in great voice and played beautiful piano. The new
guitar players were in sync. And Jerry Pentecost was totally in the pocket
on drums. He seemed to be the special ingredient that allowed everyone in
the band to truly shine. I was GA and that show and Bob looked like he was
enjoying himself. Reading reviews around that time I recall a lot of praise
for his drumming.

Tonight at Bethel Woods I couldn't really tell what Bob's mood might have
been. I had lawn seats. Whatever it was, he did play great piano, harp, and
sang with conviction. But to me it seemed like him, and Tony, were working
harder than usual to carry the weight of the band. Mainly the issue is this
tour's addition of Jim Keltner on drums.

I understand that he's a legend in his own right, but tonight he was really
not in sync with the rest of the band. Of the many accounts I've read from
those that have played with Bob: you have to watch him like a hawk. I'm not
sure what Jim Keltner was looking at, but it couldn't have been Bob. It's a
shame, because his reputation is that of a great drummer, but I think his
presence tonight, and this tour in general, has put a real handicap on the
band. So many missed cues and out of time fills.

I hope people reading this don't think I'm being overly negative, but in
reading the other reviews and keeping up with videos of the previous Outlaw
shows, the drums have been consistently off.

I will always go to see Bob. And here's to the swift return of Jerry
Pentecost, too.

On the spur of the moment we decided to head up to Bethel to see Bobby for
the second time this tour having seen him at Jones Beach last week. This
time we were on the lawn as the show was sold out. And I mean sold out!
Only tickets available were resales. Luckily we got a pair at almost the
same price. In all my years of going to shows at Bethel I have never seen
it so crowded. Robert Plant and Allison Krause were great as always. Funny
how the crowd goes crazy when Plant does one of his Zeppelin wails. Sort
of like when Dylan plays the harmonica. Same set list but a new
arrangement on Ballad Of A Thin Man. After hearing the band make a mess of
it last week Dylan performed it mostly solo like he does Can't Wait. The
band only came on the last verse. I'll Be Your Baby also had a different
instrumental break. Highlights for us were Love Sick, Under The Red Sky,
Six Days and Soon After Midnight.  Guest appearance by Micky Rafael on
harmonica tonight on Simple Twist Of Fate. 
Worth the three hour drive? You bet!

'the air burns, I'm trying to think straight...'

On a sultry summer day/night, my wife (Jacqueline) and I made the 2-hour
drive to Bethel Woods Art Center in N.Y. Unfortunately for us, the air
conditioner in my Jeep died on the way, so by the time we got there we
were both overheated. We were never able to fully cool off, even after
sunset, and I could feel the heat emanating from my dancing body all night
long. I loved it, by my wife not so much.

This was the last of my four shows on this tour (#89), and Jacqueline's
3rd (#24). A solid show, and although Bob had to clear his throat several
times, he still sounded strong. Bob still seems vibrant and healthy. I'm
hoping for, and looking forward to, a late Fall US Tour.

This was our first time at Bethel Woods Art Center and we were very
impressed. Nice layout in a beautiful serene locale. Great sound and very
good sight lines, even from our seats on the far right side of the
amphitheater. Overall the crowd was attentive and energized. At one point
security ushered a woman down to the stage in front of us to take pictures
of Bob... I was told later it was Bob's daughter.

I thought Bob did wonderful versions of SHOOTING STAR and UNDER THE RED
SKY tonight. One of the highlights for me was the duo of EARLY ROMAN KINGS
with a very bluesy and ominous quality... almost like a funeral march...
and CAN'T WAIT which had a similar tempo/feel to me. The top highlight
though, was the trio of BALLAD OF A THIN MAN (slow and deliberate), SIMPLE
TWIST OF FATE (slow and deliberate) and I'LL BE YOUR BABY TONIGHT, which
starts slow and deliberate, rocks out, and ends slowly to finish the show.
Bob did not play as much harp as previous nights, but overall I thought he
played great harp when he did blow it. And I thought his piano playing was
excellent tonight and overall through the four shows I attended. It was a
very satisfying night, very little drama, and my wife and I got to dance
the night away. I hope to be able to do it again soon.

As an addendum, I thought Jim Keltner was out of synch with the Bob and
the Band on more than one occasion during the four shows I saw. The never
ending search for a drummer continues.

I would be remiss if I did not mention Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and
the great show they put on, once again. They meld wonderfully together. I
loved every one of their shows.

We also finally got to see Willie Nelson, and although we only stayed for
a handful of songs, it was good to see/hear him.
Plant/Dylan/Nelson... one night, three legends. Fantastic.

I did not see any familiar Bobcats, but I did meet two cool cats from
Queens, NY. Hello to Charles and John... aka Honky Tonk Queens. I will see
you guys on July 27th at Gottscheer Hall.

As for the rest of you Bobcats... enjoy the balance of the tour... don't
you miss it!

The dancing cowboy from NYC

It was my first time at Bethel Woods, site of the original Woodstock festivities, 
which is a great facility in a beautiful setting.  It was a hot, muggy evening 
that began to cool about halfway through the Robert Plant and Alison Krauss set.

I arrived in time to hear the last couple of Celisse songs.  Fun blues tunes.  
Plant and Krauss were outstanding.  Bob came on a bit early at 8:03 p.m.  Not 
sure if that is standard, or will be standard, but perhaps be prepared just in 
case.

I had held off buying tickets to make sure I wasn't going to see the same Rough 
and Rowdy Ways set list.  I enjoyed those concerts, but I wasn't up for a third 
time seeing the same show.  I went to boblinks after the first show, and check, 
tickets were secured.  As for tonight, there were no surprises to the set list 
from the recent Outlaw shows.

Highway 61 Revisited got things off to a strong start.  I love Shooting Star, 
was looking forward to it, and enjoyed it.  It was the first number of many in 
which he played harp - always a fan favorite.  Love Sick is not my favorite, but 
I am sure there are those who like it, and, of course the Little Queenie cover 
was a hit for the most part as soon as people heard the first guitar lick.

After that, things slowed to crawl almost immediately.  I am not sure about 
those in the reserved seats, but in the lawn seats where I was, people lost 
interest pretty quickly.  I cannot explain Bob's fascination with Early Roman 
Kings, a procession of talk-singing following by the same blues riff repeatedly 
for hours, seemingly.  Can't Wait dragged on with no real impact.  Around this 
time, I said to myself, "Well, he must be thinking he threw us a bone with 
Highway 61, so what else could we possibly, reasonably expect.  Would more fun 
be too much to ask?"  One of the more unimpressive versions of Things Have 
Changed I have heard followed soon after, and, by then, many had checked out.

Bob got it back a little with Stella Blue.  He sang with true conviction, and 
the band blistered the culmination of Ballad of a Thin Man, showing that the 
potential for an excellent show was there.  For the vast majority of the show, 
they tinkered delicately behind Bob during the verses to ensure that his voice 
and piano were prominent, and dominated what the audience heard.  And, the 
vocals were clear, and, on most songs, the singing very good.  It was not the 
sound, singing, or the band that was problematic - it was the set list.

I was looking forward to Simple Twist of Fate, one of my favorites, which was 
very good, with some interesting tweaks on the lyrics.  Mickey Raphael's guest 
harmonica on this song may have been the highlight of the night.  Absolutely 
phenomenal.  The closer, I'll Be Your Baby, Tonight, was well-received.  It 
was similar to the Rough and Rowdy Ways version, with a tender opening 
transitioning into a rocking finish.  With few exceptions, I must ask, where 
was this band all night?!

I can't deny that I enjoyed parts of the concert, but the words that came to 
mind as I was processing the show on my way out of the venue were, "Wasted 
opportunity."  An 83-year old legend in good form, on a beautiful evening, in 
a sold-out classic venue, with a strong band . . . it just seemed like there 
was the potential for so much more.  I was on my 52nd show, but on my way to 
my car, the Joe DiMaggio line came to me.  "There is always some kid who might 
be seeing me for the first time.  I owe him my best."  It just so happens, the 
person sitting next to me, was seeing him for the first time.

Dave Moyer