October 19, 2011
Review by Wouter Demuyt
I’d been looking forward to the evening, as it was the first time I’d see
either Knopfler or Dylan live.
Mark Knopfler started at 8 o’clock sharp, playing a selection of songs taken
mostly from his solo catalogue, and featuring one new song called Privateering.
He played an atmospheric set – with lots of Celtic folk influences – in his
relaxed but virtuoso way. Brothers In Arms was the highlight of his concert and
after finishing with Speedway At Nazareth the crowd demanded an encore: So Far
Away. Knopfler and his 8 piece band got a standing ovation after a too short 75
minute concert.
Next was the great man himself. He seemed to be in fine form.
The opening song – as on previous occasions – was Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat.
Dylan played three songs from Time Out Of Mind, which were all delivered
passionately. Love Sick sounded less fatalistic than the studio version, and had
a hopeful feel to it. Later on Not Dark Yet was declaimed more than it was sung,
but in such an impressive manner that it was one of the best moments of the
evening. Can’t Wait was tight and strong. It was nice to see Bob playing
guitar on Tom Thumb’s Blues. There was a bizarre upbeat waltzy version of A
Hard Rain, with Bob playing cheerful phrases on the organ. One of four songs
from its eponymous album, Highway 61 had the band producing an intense and solid
sound. The drummer was especially great on this one. It was nice to see the
interaction between Dylan and his band here. Bob sang beautifully and clearly on
Forgetful Heart. Summer Days and Thunder On The Mountain featured rockabilly
style playing from the band, suiting the former song better than the latter,
which was played rather too hastily to my taste. Ballad Of A Thin Man was the
apotheosis of the concert. Sound effects creating an echo of Dylan’s voice,
and lighting that made for a dark and threatening atmosphere all emphasized
Bob’s harrowing performance. What a stage persona! Dylan plays his weathered
voice in grand fashion. The evening ended with All Along The Watchtower, in a
version that really rocked; and of course Like A Rolling Stone, during which
lots of people left their seats to gather at the front of the stage to bellow
along, yours truly reaching the first row to get a sight of Dylan up close. Two
people tried to jump onto the stage, only to be dragged off it by security. They
had no bad intentions towards Bob, though, they just got carried away a bit
(figuratively ŕnd literally). The crowd roared out for an encore, but it was
not to be. Bob greeted the ecstatic audience once more and then he left the
stage.
I left for home a happy man...
Wouter Demuyt
Belgium
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