Reviews
Prague, The Czech Republic
O2 universum

October 4, 2024

[Rechi van Lehen], [Angela Zamparelli], [Sergi Fabregat]

Review by Rechi van Lehen


"Expect the unexpected!"
I had high expectations when Bob came to Europe for the fall tour,
although after the first posters it was clear that there was a return of
the Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour and that meant 9 songs were "set".
Nevertheless, after the many surprises from the summer, I was hoping that
something would change with the non-RARW songs. And I really wasn't
disappointed here! In many of his songs, the musical intro is so changed
that you can only tell what he is playing by looking at the lyrics. Not so
tonight in Prague: after the first measure, cheers from the audience - All
Along The Watchtower, an intro as striking as Deep Purple's Smoke On The
Water! And on to the next classic: In the first "No, no, no" he sings
from top to bottom and contrary to his statement: it is him, "it is you
we are looking for"! Then the first RARW song: I Contain Multitudes. I
won't go into every song here, just this: the change in the band creates a
different sound. Even before the show you could see Jim Keltner's green
drums and there was no replacement for Donnie Herron. Yes: in Black Rider
Bob Britt played a kind of banjo like Donnie used to play in High Water,
interestingly enough he sat in a chair. The song was orchestrated
extremely slowly, with the dominant banjo it seemed to me similar to the
indescribable sadness of a Portuguese Fado. There are three more great
surprises to come, but I don't need to list them, that's what the setlist
is for. It was a great evening that leaves you wanting more. One more
thing: even though many people may feel differently, I still like the RARW
songs, they contain some of the most beautiful sentences Dylan has ever
written. And musically he still has surprises in store, which shows: "he
contains multitudes"!

Rechi van Lehen

[TOP]

Review by Angela Zamparelli


"There must be some way out of here" an incendiary start. And we set
off in search of that way out. That path that we'll be looking for all
night, that we continue to look for after Bobby says goodbye to you at the
end and you go home. And then "It Ain't Me, Babe", his voice coming
out of the microphone and flooding the room like a wave, a deep,
unexpected voice that could hardly be more touching and true*.* I can't
forget the wonder of "Shadow Kingdom", that ray of light in the
pandemic, with Bob singing with his hand on his heart. And tonight this
"Universum", with 4500 seats, has a greater intimacy than the Bon Bon
cafe ballroom.

Since the last time I saw the Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour in Lucca "Black
Rider" has blossomed, I love the ethereal and dusty grace of his singing
while he drives us unsafely and generously through this narrow path. The
splendor of his saying "Let all your earthly thoughts be a prayer". I
fall under the spell. I can just be joyful at what is happening after. The
Spanish Stairs filled of the brilliant chords mixing Puttin' on the Ritz
melody. The beauty parlors full of sailors and we are sailors who sail in
the beauty of "Desolation Row"! What a great Band in a new lineup!
With the great Jim Keltner on drums (he who went for audition with Bob,
they made him listen "Slow Train Coming" and he started crying!). The
room resonates with this dancing music, full of different, festive sounds,
where in some chords it seems to me there is an anticipation of "very
Grain of Sand". A waterfall of bliss. "It's All Over Now, Baby
Blue" and "I've Made Up My Mind to Give Myself to You": I feel
those songs as the heart, a hug. When these two songs arrive we have just
crossed the Rubicon, then we arrived in "Key West". Yet the search is
still infinitely long and Bob's voice becomes more thin, so moving, still
searching while he whispers to the Muse "I've grown so tired of
chasing lies". And then comes "Dignity". I'm deeply touched by
this song. I know how precious is to Bob. I'm so grateful he has decided
to share it with us at this new beginning of the RARW. So subtle,
powerful, full of grace. I feel in the song a prayer, a promise, a
neverending quest. For me the greatest revelation of this evening. So
moving and human.

I listen to "Every Grain of Sand" trying to stop time because I know
it will be the last song*.* Every grain of Bob is in here, his whole life
is there filling the scene of joy and purity, which leaves you with a
smile on your face and tears in your eyes as you leave the room looking
for the gaze of someone to share this happiness.

Angela Zamparelli
Genoa - Italy

[TOP]

Review by Sergi Fabregat


All the exhaustion, all the endless endeavours, all the sacrifices,
everything vanishes the second Bob Dylan hits the stage. God Almighty,
he's missed his own shows more than any of us but he has used the Outlaw
to invigorate them, purify them, simplify them, relearn them.

All the emotions felt during such string of sung thoughts are very
difficult to articulate, but the moment I've felt something has changed
was 'False Prophet': Bob was phrasing with his breath, from deep down,
trying different approaches and inflections from his own lungs.

The band, this trimmed down, back to basics band, has reacted immediately
and played with the heartbeats of this breathed rhythms, and it has been
mesmerizing to witness. From then on, I've had a feeling of total focus
and connection, of a daring loose Bob, confident of his core.

When this happens, the perfect finished plan is indistinguishable from the
fury of the moment, it doesn't matter if all this is a pattern or a
perpetual movement, when "turn back the years" is followed by an allegro
'Desolation Row' it is what it is, use your sense(s)!

For me it's all about the back and forth between the phrasing (super
expressive, challenging, confrontational, really funny lots of times!) and
the music's reaction to it. This unpredictable tension is everything to
me, this void within which you can see dignity. Tomorrow, MORE.

Very special and literally fun show, Bob reacting to his own words
constantly, I've do it with lots of laughter and some tears. After
'Desolation Row' I've needed some time to recover, and then he plays
'Dignity'?! Incredible, everchanging 'Key West' and a 'Made Up My Mind'
that had tons of echos.

Loved that he has finally ended up blending R&RW with some of his other
greatest songs. I pray this is the way.

[TOP]

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