July 8, 2007
Review by Mike Cogan
I'll start with the positive: The sound at Casino Rama
is amazing, but it still is a casino and many people
only passed through the show for a song or two. The
fellow next to me said, "screw this, I'm going
gambling," after shelter from the storm -I guess
pumping a slot machine is really appealing to some
people.
But it was sad to see so many people with "player
passes" float on through as if they had taken a wrong
turn at the baccarat tables and ended up in a Bob
Dylan concert. This combined with the drive from
Toronto and the nightmare of a drive home made the
evening a challenge...
That being said the first half of the show was
probably as good as it could get on this tour, It
Ain't Me was good, Shelter From the Storm and I
Believe In You were bang on.
I saw Bob in Ottawa on Thursday evening and had good
seats. I have read reviews and complaints about
security but I think it should be remembered that
these are mostly volunteers who really want to avoid
any major incident and that's it (Casino Rama was the
first Bob concert where I couldn't have a beer or
smell pot during the show). In Ottawa I was more
concerned with the total lack of sound quality and
bass that over-powered everything else. I will say
that the Masters of War in Ottawa had a much higher
fever than at Rama as did It's Alright Ma, but again
I think Bob realized during Saturdays's sound check
that his voice would be clear above all other noise in
the Rama room and he really had a chance to sing some
very demanding tunes including a very nice Nettie
Moore.
I am sorry to say that I liked the 2000 era band
better along with several of those earlier
orchestrations. There was such a wide range of play
with those songs, last night confirmed what I thought
after Ottawa, many songs that most frequently appear
on this tour's set lists are loosing their distinctive
qualities. Songs that I usually enjoy, Summer Days,
Highway 61, Leopard Skin..., just don't seem to be
moving beyond show fillers this tour, again I think
that it is not Bob, I think the band just doesn't have
a feel for the music like Charlie, David and Larry
did. I cite the guitar solo during Like A Rolling
Stone, it sounded almost like a good bar tribute band.
I am sure Denny has all the talent in the world but
maybe this isn't his his kind of show. I also wonder
if George maybe a little heavy for some of the tunes
-he started Masters of War very harshly and Bob even
gave a look over to make sure things would settle
down.
All and all I'll say that it was a very good show even
considering the shortcomings of Casino Rama. I think
the last time I heard Bob's voice so clearly was
Berlin 2000. The set list was very good, much better
than Ottawa (but this is a matter of preference). I
just hope for a more rounded band that can really
bring back the distinction that each song had only a
few years ago.
Mike Cogan
Review by Christopher Smith
I won't go on and on about every detail but I will say this...
SIMPLY AMAZING! I attended both nights in Orillia but the
second night (my 36th show) was truly inspiring. Bob
delivered a beautiful "I Believe In You" which silenced the
crowd and turned the non-believers into Bob-Fans immediately
(of 5000 seats 2500 were comped). All night he played and
sang crisp and clean and very clear and the band was definately
"on"! Another highlight was a slow but sweet "Shelter From
The Storm" and the strong, hard-edged "Masters Of War"
that followed later on, was intense and tight...again silencing
the crowd and then lifting them up from their seats to
give an enormous applause. Of course the older songs are
brilliant, but I must stress that one of the true highlights of
the night and of both of the shows was "Nettie Moore".
I believe it is an instant classic. Bob weaved delicate vocals
throughout the night but this was as perfect and as beautiful
as they come. The band was tight, the music was right and
once again Bob Dylan gave us a wonderful night!
Christopher Smith
Welland, Ontario
Review by John Levesque
Bob's two Casino Rama shows were a true doubleheader: Of the 16 songs he
played on the second night, only six were repeats from the night before.
We had second row centre seats for both shows and frankly doubted that Bob
and the band could possibly top the first show. As happens so often with
Bob, he completely defied our expectations: He and the band delivered a
second show that was an absolute privilege to hear and see.
Bob was loose and having a great time, striking vintage poses at the
keyboard and grinning at the band members while running through a
roller-coaster set that was virtually a highlight from start to finish.
It's hard to imagine any show of Bob's that could cover a wider range of
emotional and musical states: From Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat to I Believe
in You; from 'Til I Fell in Love With You to Shelter form the Storm; from
I'll be Your Baby Tonight to Masters of War. Oh yeah, and let's not forget
the perennial showstopper, Nettie Moore (featuring a brilliant solo and
fills by Denny Freeman who was on fire all evening), a blistering The
Levee's Gonna Break and, before many of us had even settled into the
evening, It Ain't Me Babe. The audience was with him every step of the
way.
Two of the most memorable moments from this night of highlights were the
stunning new arrangement of Shelter from The Storm that adds poignancy to
the original, and the sheer spectacle of Like A Rolling Stone fully
restored to its monumental glory. Bob actually sang the chorus, and the
band backed him with tremendous intensity. When you couple this amazing
resurrection of that old warhorse with the brilliant new version of
Blowin' in the Wind with which he closed the first Casino Rama show, you
realize what a magician Bob is.
Bob and the Cowboy Band have hit a mid-year peak. Here's hoping somebody
got the two Casino Rama shows on tape.
John Levesque
Review by Chuck Owen
Well all I can say is that Dylan still has the magic, after seeing both
concerts in Orillia ON this weekend. On Sunday morning I was stopped by a
woman and she said that because I was wearing a Dylan T shirt if I went to
the concert last night. She said that some friends of hers went and said
that it was terrible.
Well I said I don't know how they could say that when Dylan has one of the
best backup band in the business, I've been going to Dylan concerts since
1974, and I said to her that Dylan mixes his set list with a rather nice
mixture of his classic songs with his new tunes off of Modern Times, like
playing "Lay Lady Lay" then following that nugget with "Rollin' And
Tumblin'" and then playing a great set list from "Just Like A Woman" to
"Spirit ON The Water"
I said to this woman that sure alot of people started heading for the
exits right after the second song "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" and
then I said its pretty clear that these were not Dylan fans but roving
gamblers, that would rather lose their money then witness a true living
legend perform for them. Then I said to her if you like Dylan then go to
the concert tonight you wont be disapointed.
And Sunday's concert was equally spectacular, Dylan mixed his set list
again rather well. I really enjoyed "It Aint Me Babe" followed by "I'll Be
Your Baby Tonight" and "Shelter From The Storm" was a great addition,
because outside there was a terrific thunderstorm.
I really enjoyed both nights in the north country with Dylan, and I'm
happy to see that Dylan is still on top of his game. Bob keep that "Never
Ending Tour" going and keep on Rollin' and Tumblin' and I'm looking
forward to seeing that tour swing by again Bob, thanks for a very
memorable weekend.
Chuck Owen
Welland ON
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