Reviews

The show in Indianapolis with the Dead got off to an 
inauspicious start.  As Dylan's standard theme music 
wound down into his introduction, the place was less 
than a third full.  Bob came out in an all-white 
outfit, complete with a satin shirt and a white 
kerchief-style tie complete with spangles.

He opened with Tombstone Blues, followed by the 
electric version of If You See Her.  The band was 
tight, but the show didn't seem to be as exciting as 
the set in Joliet a few days earlier.  To my ears, 
Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum was somewhat rote, but 
Things Have Changed picked things up a bit.

Things picked up quite a bit more with a knife-sharp 
version of Highway 61 and the new arrangement of 
Wicked Messenger with the drum breaks.

The highlight of the evening came next.  Dylan 
introduced Joan Osborne, and launched into a 
monumental version of Tears of Rage, trading each 
line with Osborne.  I had heard that this tune had 
been on earlier set lists, but I never thought I 
would hear it live - it sent chills down my spine.

After the song, Osborne hugged Dylan and seemed to 
be whispering something in his ear.  Bob responded 
with a semi-embrace, but seemed more interested in 
moving on with the set.

He closed out the show with great versions of Honest 
With Me and Summer Days, by which time the place was 
packed and grooving.  When the band gathered at the 
end of the regular set, Dylan stared out at the 
audience with a confident look on his face; he had 
showed them!  (And this might reinforce the idea 
that Dylan likes to play to different audiences - he 
sure won this crowd over.)

There was a long pause before an encore, with the 
crowd level rising and falling.  Just when it seemed 
like the band wouldn't return, Phil Lesh, the bass 
player for the Dead, who had been behind the band 
digging their show through most of Dylan's set, came 
out and started pumping his fist in the air, bring 
the noise to a frenzied level.  Dylan came back out 
and Lesh mockingly pointed him out to the stage, 
where he launched into Rainy Day Woman.  Lesh joined 
in on bass and Mickey Hart, one of the Dead's 
drummers, commandeered one of George's tom-toms to 
beat along.

Great, great show.  And Dylan came back out and 
played a sloppy version of Good Morning Little 
Schoolgirl (although it was great to hear Bob croak 
out "I'm a little schoolboy, too"), Ballad of a Thin 
Man (!) and Buddy Holly's Oh Boy(!!) with the Dead.  
When Bob left the stage after these numbers, he was 
laughing hard.

Hi everyone, I just got back from the show at Deer Creek. It was a wonderful 
Dylan show, chock full of suprises... This was my fifth Dylan show, and I 
attended it with my mom! We arrived and found our seats about a half hour 
before the show started, and I noted that Dylan's stage was set up, so we 
would see him before Hunter.  After playing the intro music for about five 
minutes, Dylan and the band took the stage. He was dressed in a white shirt, 
dull white pants, and white cowboy boots with black toes and heels. I was 
pretty far back in the pavilion, but someone nearby lent their binoculars, so 
I got a nice view throughout the show. After the intro, he ripped right into...

Tombstone Blues - This was a rocking version, Dylan sounded great from the 
beginning. I was a little disappointed not to hear Silvio, but once the 
feelings were overcome, I enjoyed the song a lot.

If You See Her Say Hello - This was my first time hearing this, and I
recognized some of the new lyrics right off. It was a good version, and 
Dylan's voice cracked a little throughout. I was ecstatic when he began to 
wail on the harp, and he did two or three solos during the song.

Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum - Always a good song to hear live, and we got a 
very nice version tonight. It was pretty straightforward throughout.

Things Have Changed - I love this song, and it took me a few seconds to
realize what it was. Bob sang a nice, soft version. I hadn't heard him do it 
on piano yet, and that was cool too.  His stagehand Tommy joined him on 
guitar for part of the song.

Highway 61 Revisited - By this time, some of the Deadheads had began to fill
in, and I think that this was one of the first that they recognized. It got 
some people on their feet, and Bob was pretty clear on it. One of the best 
to dance during the whole evening.

Bye and Bye - This was a very mellow version, and I had a chance to sit
back and relax. I would have rather heard something else in this spot, but 
I'm not going to complain.

The Wicked Messenger - Dylan and the band really rocked this one out. A
nice harp solo helped to make this a nice one to hear.

Tears of Rage - Definately the highlight of the evening for me. Dylan
invited Joan Osborne onto the stage, and she sang on the choruses along with 
Dylan. This was a beautiful rendition of a beautiful song. I felt very 
special to be hearing it. Bob also treated us to some harpwork. I would have 
paid the ticket price to hear this song alone. Tommy the stagehand jumped in 
about halfway through, and Dylan was all smiles at Joan as she took on the 
chorus.

Honest With Me - Bob and the boys cut right into this as soon as Joan left 
the stage, and they did an excellent job. It was a pretty typical version, 
but enjoyable nonetheless.

Summer Days - They did a wonderful job with this, as always. I think that 
Tommy the stagehand even got a solo during the jam. It really got the 
Deadheads moving. The band was in top form with their solos tonight.

Rainy Day Women #12&35 - This was exactly the encore that the Deadheads,
who pretty much packed the place by now, needed. Phil Lesh snuck around 
backstage and nestled in between Larry and Freddie. Near the end, Micky 
Hart appeared next to Phil with a tambourine. It was a fun song, and very
appropriate considering.

After a look at the crowd, Bob walked off the stage without a word. Thus
began the wait for him to return. After 3-4 songs in The Dead's set, he 
walked onstage, stepped up to the piano, and they tore into...

Good Mornin' Little Schoolgirl - This was rocking! It was so awesome to
hear Dylan belt out these lyrics. He and Weir sang together on the verses 
and choruses. Dylan did a little jamming on the piano, and all was good.

Ballad of a Thin Man - I recognized it from the very first notes, and I
became quite excited... It was awesome. Compared to last year's Dayton show 
where I heard it, I would say that tonight it was better. Dylan looked good 
on stage with the members of the Dead, and I was very glad to hear this.

Oh, Boy - Another rocker that Dylan and the Dead tore up. I was suprised
to hear Dylan do Buddy Holly, but he did it very well.

Tonight's show was awesome, it will definately be worth getting the
boot....