Something Is Happening Here

Jones Beach was the setting for my 56th Bob show. It was my first time at
the venue, and it is every bit as impressive and beautiful as billed. The
sound was excellent all night. My son and I arrived early, did some 
tailgating and socializing. We made sure to settle into our seats 
promptly for the start of Lucinda Williams' set. I was looking forward
to seeing her, and she did not disappoint, dedicating "Stolen Moments" 
to Tom Petty, paying homage to the King of the United States, and 
closing with a rollicking version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free 
World." 

We sat next to a Dead-lover, so when Wilco brought the house down with 
"Wave That Flag," my son and I felt compelled to make sure that he was 
going to be OK. It was touch and go for a moment . . . If you haven't 
seen Wilco, I can honestly say that you should. What a night of 
unfettered rock and roll!

Let's cut to the chase. Bob was unbelievable. If you checked any set 
lists and thought, "Well, should I?" stop yourself. Though some of the 
songs may catch your attention, the words in print don't do the show 
justice. This was the best Bob show I've seen in years. His singing was 
strong, and the band was rock solid. There were those who were not high 
on Jim Keltner on drums the last time around, and though I thought that 
some of the critics were too harsh, for this particular rendition of 
the sound that they appear to be going for, Anton Fig is outstanding. 
In fact, the majority of the arrangements seemed to be constructed 
around the interplay between his drums and Bob's piano.

Tony was very much in the background, and Lancio and Britt sandwiched 
Bob, who was center stage, looking directly at each other and Bob, 
providing master and nuanced support for whatever Bob was going for on 
any particular song. As to the staging, they set up as far in the back 
of the stage possible, with four background lights and the big screens 
turned off. Bob will be Bob.

The set list did not deviate from Virginia Beach, so I was very happy 
that I got "Highway 61." The opener "Gotta Serve Somebody" set the tone 
for the show, which I thought had more of an R&B feel to "any of the 
arrangements than has been the norm. For me, this created a nice flow 
within the songs and throughout the set list. For the first time ever, 
I didn't even take the opportunity to go to the bathroom or buy a beer 
during "Early Roman Kings."

Sometimes, Bob takes a song or two to find his voice, and maybe even 
tosses one to figure out what he wants to do. Not tonight. He was spot 
on from the get-go. The piano was featured prominently throughout, but 
never forced. "Desolation Row" was the highlight for me. While it has 
been before, this was a totally different experience. The interplay 
between Bob and Anton is not easy to describe here. The song had the 
feel of a freight train gradually building momentum trying to get to 
the next place, while Bob simultaneously created a surreal, 
sensational lyrical observation of what was happening in the moment. 
I can't imagine that I am describing it right, but it was fascinating. 

There was coherence to this show. It was markedly better than the last
time that the Outlaw Tour came to the area at Bethel Woods.

As a PS, Bob seemed to sing the hell out of his cover of "Share Your 
Love with Me." "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" again closed. I have 
heard this song electric and acoustic, as a rocker, forgiving, and 
damning, but I have never heard it like this—an interesting 
combination of methodical and reflective. There was some type of 
intent there, I believe, though only one person knows what that might
be.

We got out after that, skipping Willie, who we had seen before several 
times. We entered and exited the venue with ease, the entire night 
flowing seamlessly, mirroring perfectly how beautiful Bob's 
performance was from start to finish.

I don't know how he is holding up physically, but if there is any 
consistency whatsoever to what I experienced tonight, there is no 
reason that this should end anytime soon-God willing. 

Went out to Jones Beach, NY for the Outlaw music festival to see Bob Dylan
as part of the Outlaw music festival. In short, a great time.  We missed
the opener Waylon Payne (though we saw him as a big part of Willie
Nelson's closing set), but did see the rest of the bill. Lucinda
Williams had a fine band and delivered a solid set. I'm not familiar
with a lot of her material (there were more than a few fans in the
audience who seemed to know every song). Next up was Wilco, who put on an
excellent and eclectic set of music. They have a unique blend of rock,
alt-rock and folk-country, mixed with their own somewhat psychedelic and
unique sound. Highlights included "Impossible Germany" (with that long
Nels Cline jam) and that great Woody Guthrie co-write "California
Stars".  Their last song was a surprise blast, a happy birthday
shout-out to the late great Jerry Garcia (who was born this day Aug 1st)
with an energetic cover of 'US Blues' featuring Willie Nelson's long
time harmonica player Mickey Raphael.

On to Bob-well, before I talk about Bob Dylan, I should mention the
headliner, Willie Nelson- this was only the second time I've seen Willie
live (first being at least 20 years ago) and it was fantastic- at the age
of 92(!) Willie is still a strong guitar player, singer, and presence. He
and his intimate band (just himself, Waylon Payne on guitar and additional
vocals, Mickey Rapheal on harmonica, and a bassist and drummer) tore thru
probably 20 songs at least in their one-hour set. They covered many Willie
Nelson classics, and classics of the American songbook (Georgia on my
mind, me and bobby mcgee, will the circle go unbroken, etc.) as well a
poignant new song "Last leaf on the tree"- kind of Willie's "Not
dark yet".(and just as affecting).

Ok, on to Bob. This was my first Bob Dylan show since seeing him earlier
this year start off his touring year in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with another
'Rough and rowdy ways' show. (and I think about my 82nd Bob Dylan show
overall) Interesting that, compared to my Tulsa 2025 show, this Outlaw
show had only two songs in common (watchtower and desolation).

Bob's show started out strong and got stronger and stronger. This was
the most accessible and fun version of "Serve Somebody" I've seen
him do perhaps since seeing him do it way way back in 1980 on the gospel
tour. Gone is the recent 'pulseless arrangement'  a solid though
not overpowering midtempo groove is back. The first cover of the evening,
I can Tell, is a first-rate blues shouter and Bob did a great job with it.
A dramatic Forgetful Heart was next, and then another cover. All the 
five (!) covers were well done, with careful and respectful singing and a 
great country-blues vibe to most of them. Its almost like Bob has a new 
album of covers out that he's touring with, and there seemed to be a 
common theme thru them all. Love lost, love found, the highs and lows of 
life, and a certain hard-won country wisdom, perhaps?

Its thrilling to hear a song like "To Ramona", played more then 60
years since it was written, delivered this tenderly and meaningfully. 
Next up was one of the few slightly disappointments, a somewhat generic
run thru the blues of "early roman kings". It's a bit of a momentum
killer for me, and no one in the crowd seemed to react to the "my bell
still rings" (trying to remember did he even sing that verse?) From
there, a fine "under the red sky" (which I saw him do at last year's
Outlaw show at Garden State Arts Center (or whatever they're now calling
it- it was a very good show last year, but not as great as this one at
Jones Beach, I think). After another fine cover, it was the 'new'
version of Watchtower- as effective an arrangement of it as he's ever
done, and I'm a bit surprised it didn't get the audience standing more
on its feet.  Next up was a big highlight for me, one of those
'pulseless arrangement' versions of "Till I fell in love with
you"- the vocal phrasing was free, outrageous, and exciting, and the
band played some serious mojo behind it all- a fantastic creation that I
wish was professionally recorded, mixed and released for all of us to
enjoy forever.  This is 21st century Bob, sounding not quite like anything
he's sounded like before.

Next stop "Desolation Row", and a fine on-edge version it was. Love
the vibe and again that elastic and expressive vocal delivery served the
song so well. (I do wish he'd do a few more verses, but hey, ya get what
ya get). "Love sick" was powerful and dramatic, as it should be.
Another short and fine cover, and then a spooky and riveting take on
"Blind Willie McTell". I was a little disappointed that next he chose
at this show not to do "Positively 4th St" (as he had been doing at a few
shows earlier in the week) but instead did a crowd-pleasing blast of
"Highway 61" - which is still a great song, now 60 years old!. An unusual
cover of "searching for a soldier's grave" was next, sounding nothing
like his version from the Larry-Charlie band of the late 90's.  One of
the best things was saved for last, a fascinating and stunning
rearrangement of "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right". He snuck in some
advanced jazz chords in there, somehow, (someone should figure out what
combo of flat-9s, augmented and diminished chords he has somehow
alchemized into this old "it used to go like that, now it goes like
this" folkie standard of his). And again, here's an original song of
his written 62 years ago, and given a fresh approach that still serves
the song yet goes places he's never quite gone before.

And with that, it was over (Bob's set, that is, Willie's followed and
I already talked about that). And off into the night we went, back to New
York City (and yes, I do believe I've had ... great time!)

Mike Skliar

We have seen Bob at Jones Beach every time he's played there starting
with two nights in 1988. The venue has changed over the years adding an
upper deck, VIP sections, upgraded concourse. There used to be a moat in
front of the stage but no more. Missed the opening act but Lucinda was
great as always. Last saw Wilco with the Americanarama Tour however many
years ago that was. I don't think there is a band that sounds more
different live then on record. Live they are fantastic. On record a little
bland for me. Now on to Bob. I thought it was an uneven set though Bob was
in great voice the entire show. Early Roman Kings, Red Sky, Love Sick,
Highway 61 were all played true to the original arrangements and were
great. Serve Somebody, Till I Fell, Ramona, Forgetful Heart and Don't
Think Twice didn't fare as well with new arrangements. In between were
Watchtower, Desolation Row and Blind Willie. The new arrangements worked
but were not improvements over the originals. The covers were all
enjoyable and as previously on the NET Dylan seemed to put quite an effort
in singing them. I thought I Can Tell was the highlight of the entire
night. The Jones Beach crowd is usually quite an obnoxious bunch, talking
throughput, taking selfies, watching the show through their phones instead
of listening. When the screens went dark there was a bit of confusion and
anger. But it forced the crowd to be very attentive to Bob, cheering
each harmonica break and actually listening. Note to the asshole behind
me. The guy standing up three rows ahead of you can't hear you!

Our hero was back in NY on a beautiful summer night... 'one summer day, 
he came passing by'.

Traffic was lighter than expected on a Friday afternoon making it an easy
45min. drive for my wife, Jacqueline, and I, to the venue on the water. As
usual, Jones Beach Theater offers a beautiful backdrop. The night was cool
and dry with a gorgeous sky. We relaxed in the parking lot while Lucinda
Williams and Wilco played. We entered the venue as the last Wilco song
started... a cool cover of the GRATEFUL DEAD'S U.S. BLUES! The crowd was
loving it!

Bob and the Boys took stage shortly after 8pm and put on a great show.
Bob's voice was strong, his harp playing phenomenal and his piano playing
exquisite. He leaned into many vocals tonight, extending and accentuating
to great effect. Although our sight line was limited (6th row) because of
a curtain near the stage to hide Willie Nelson when he went on... we were
only able to see the two Bob's... Dylan and Britt. But that was more than
enough. Mr. Britt had many chances to showcase his talents tonight as
there were several mini-jams sprinkled in throughout the evening. I
thought the cover songs were especially well done tonight... the first
couple being wicked rock-a-billy and the other three more tender in
treatment. Many of Bob's originals were treated with a softness that was
very emotional and heartfelt. It was very moving at times. FORGETFUL
HEART was one of the highlights for me as was the finally, DON'T THINK
TWICE, IT'S ALL RIGHT.

We also got to hear two originals we had never seen live... TO RAMONA
(sweet and lilting) and BLIND WILLIE McTELL (spellbinding version). Those
two tunes, the re-worked originals and the covers being new to our ears
made this a very eclectic concert. Although I always prefer a rocking
show, I have to admit I was pleased with the overall vibe of the concert.
Bob was so good on piano that at one point I said to Jacqueline, 'is he
using a player piano'? I don't know how he keeps getting better, but he
does. And the harp... oh boy!... it pierced the evening night with
wonderful sonics.

Icing on the cake was getting to see the guys (sans Dylan) walk past me on
the way off the stage after the show. I said 'good show' to Doug and Anton
as they hurried by. Then I said the same to Bob Britt... he turned and
thanked me. Then for the coup de grace, Tony was last to leave, I said
'Tony, you were great in Williamsport, but you were better tonight. He
stopped, looked at me, came over to me and tapped me twice on my arm to
thank me... very cool!

That's another wrap on another Dylan adventure. My 91st show and
Jacqueline's 26th show.

I'll leave on this note. Going to a Bob Dylan show is a spiritual thing
for me. The crowd, the aura, the anticipation, the songs, the Bobcats, the
unknown... each time is a high I cannot get any other way. It is as close
as I can get to a religious experience without going to church. I always
look forward to the next sermon/show from Bob.

This was one of the rare concerts where I did not see any Bobcats.
But we did see my wife's sister and her friend Katie. Katie has a friend
who works at the venue... they had front row center seats! Lucky Bob
kittens!

Next stop for me and the wife, Hartford, Ct.
Don't you miss it!