Reviews

Broomfield, Colorado

1STBANK Center

October 30, 2012


[L.R.], [Zenarrow], [Brian Doyle]

Review by L.R.



Big yellow moon over the Rockies as we entered the 1st Bank Center in
Broomfield on Tuesday night. Enjoyed Mark's set but we were there for
Dylan. The moment two innocuous framed mirrors were carried on stage by a
bewildered looking young woman, who set one against an amp, center stage
and hung the other at a cockeyed angle on the end of Bob's keys, it was a
head's up that the Master had something new up his sleeve. Feng Shui for
the rail - might protect the rabid fans from themselves? Perhaps the
'fairy music" played by Knopfler and his band, sprinkled fairy dust on Bob
this night in Broomfield. He may not have played it, but he certainly had
a 'date with the fairy queen'. From the opening bars of I'll Be Your Baby
Tonight, to the first verse of Blowing In The Wind (our cue to head out
ahead of the crowd) Dylan did not falter.I've been blessed to see him many
times over many years and I can say without hesitation that Tuesday's show
in Colorado rests with the best. Bob was ON, the band is in a different
formation; they are sidelined now, with Tony clearly the leader of the
pack. Charlie seems somewhat leashed but the music is impeccable. Dylan
the arranger with Tony the executor have crafted a supremely well-oiled
machine.The constant touring has paid off. There is no better band on the
road. Love Minus Zero was sublime. John Brown showed Knopfler and his band
how Irish ballads are supposed to be performed (in that one moment, the
Master, center stage for this one, completely upstaged his disciple)
Rolling and Tumbling rocked - this song works well live with the band
kicking behind him. Bob played some great piano on Tuesday - very little
"plunk, plunk" going on - he also went heavy on the harp with several
transcendent moments.He was singing - there was no rapping - the voice was
in fine form with his masterful phrasing in full effect - he enunciated
beautifully - every word rang clear -  he wasn't fooling around. He
delivered! I've seen Bob bad - so bad I've walked out after five songs -
and I've seen Bob good. On Tuesday Bob was more than good. He was worthy
of his iconic status. My friend commented on his stamina. Nearing 72,
clearly nothing is stopping him! The remarkable body of work, the prolific
and creative energy that emanates from this man is such a gift to us all.
There were no Tempest songs played - he had covered the storm songs the
night before -   the standouts were Mississippi (exquisitely and
passionately delivered) and Ain't Talking, the epic Tempest  (the song) is
not - giving his all..." just walkin'..."

L.R.

[TOP]

Review by Zenarrow



While the lights were still on, I anxiously watched the left of the stage.
Right on cue Stu entered the stage whilst the lights still on. As the
lights turned off you could see the rest of the band enter and finally
Dylan. Still, hat in hand as the stage lights once again glowed while he
took his seat for the opener, I'll be your baby tonight. The entire band
in slick black attire, Bob sporting the white stripped black pants. The
night before the band adorn white jackets over black.  It took until the
3rd song where Bob started rocking and never looked back. Don't get me
wrong the first 2 songs awesome renditions of the classics. But at "Things
have Changed" I looked over at my brother at his first Dylan show and he
was wiping tears from his eye's. 

The slower songs are nice but the band itches for the rocking jams and I
believe these are the songs that make up for the best shows. I had kinda
figured it would be a rocking night as the night before they would
completely slay the audience with a rocking song, thinking that they could
have completely burn the house down with another thumper  instead a slower
ballad would sit the crowd right back down. Back and forth it went on
Monday. Trust me it was nice to listen to the deep lyrics of Trying to get
to Heaven,  It's all over now Baby Blue, and A Hard Rains gonna Fall. But
as I stated I think Bob and his band are at his best when rocking. I felt
that at times on Monday the band almost got lost while waiting to see
where Bob was going. I felt that Charlie and Stu were looking for cracks
to light up the stage but were snuffed out quickly by bob pounding on his
grand piano. It was clear that Bob was feeling these slower songs, but I
could find it hard to be a rock band trying to put in rock fillers to "A
Hard Rains Gonna Fall". 

Cut to the 30th show, as I said I felt we were in for a rocking setlist.
And it did just that, even the few songs that were of a slower paced the
band was very in tune to Bob and the songs were just right. Also, the
songs were very melodious. On John Brown I turned to my right to see my
wife now in full tears. As Dylan's lyrics were very clear and audible.
Songs were so well put together and his voice clear that my wife was
able to latch on to the lyrics.  These songs albeit slower were
choreographed and were perfectly timed and performed. 

As more rocking songs came I could see Charlie taking off on stretched
out notes. As well with Stu, they both seemed to be in tune with each
other and with Bob. As the night carried on Bob seemed to be in a much
better mood and it showed. Kicking up his leg on the grand. Interacting
with the audience with hand gestures.  The band was very able to grab
hold of where Bob was and take us on a long journey while Bob grabbed his
harp and completely blew the house down. Stretching out such tunes as
Ballad of a Thin Man and Ain't Talking into 8 to 10 minute jams. After 
Highway 61 Bob said the only words of the night, though 2 extra words
from the night before "Howdy Friends"  Before he introduced the band.  

Bob Was on fire and so was the Band. I love how they have taken these
songs and have chose to improvise in the middle of them. Just pure
jammin'. Definitely one of the best show if not the best show I have seen.
Dylan or any other concert.  So, for me what a great 2 nights the first
getting to hear some of my favorite ballads, my fav "Trying to get to
Heaven" to Tuesday night where I felt the band was magic and Bob and them
fed off each other all night. Reminded me of the show in Missoula in
August. Wow, I took my hat off after every number. I didn't hear Tweedle
Dee or Honest with me either nights but thought he would play both on
Tuesday, but did not need to.

Then again it could have been the fact that I was in the 7th row on the
floor Tuesday, as Monday I was Up Stage right behind Dylan where I was
surrounded by people huffing on Oxygen machines instead of joints. Monday
Night,  7 out of 10. Tuesday 10/10. What an incredible two nights.

These shows are just plain classy, from the simple lighting, how the
lights drop off after each number then turn back on only when the next
song starts. Dylan only speaks to introduce his band. The band comes out
after the set and then after the encore. Just stands there, a true badass
cowboy band. Dressed in all matching suits. The lights stay out after the
encore only to keep the audience in the arena as Bob get's to his bus and
leaves while people are cheering for more inside. To the buses themselves
from top to bottom spotless. The tires cleaned jet black as Bob leaves the
show as cool as Lucifer. 

[TOP]

Review by Brian Doyle



First, grand Kudos for Mark Knopfler and his band for a two solid nights
of absolute mastering of tight and arranged songs that could not be
surpassed in intricacy and balance. Bob and his band could glean some
appropriate appreciative assessments of what is entailed to border on
brilliance! I am going to start for forgiving Bob for his omission of my
newly favored classic, “I don’t believe you” and thanks for mixing the set
list from last night and rendering a completely acceptable and well
received tonight! I enjoyed seeing Bob both nights but without question he
was more into the Halloween spirit this evening. I do hope Al Santos is
well, he is looking a little thin, and we sorely miss the introductions we
grew so fondly of. It seems a little strange at this point to just see Stu
amble on to the stage and hesitate just a moment until the fellow cast
members catch up and the diminutive Bob gathers behind the nicely polished
Yamaha baby grand for a little tinkling of the ivories. I was heartened to
hear Bob croon the words for “I’ll be your baby tonight" carefully clearly
recited and pronounced and immediately swagger into a heart felt rendition
of “love minus zero”. The girls beads and Oscar statue stood prominent as
Bob took the stage ala song and dance for “Things have changed” and just
for a minute juxtaposed a faint throwback to the Michael Douglas video
sans the script playback of his history making and all powerful
soundtrack. “Tangled up in blue” is quite tangled and lyrics are
reassembled and rewritten much to the agreement of your humble narrator.
Outstanding and just as powerful as 1974 and ultimately far more
fulfilling the endearing and careful blend of voice and poetry meld
perfectly. Out of nowhere, Bob bangs the drum with a splendid rendition of
“Rollin’ and Tumblin’ and spins the audience into audio nirvana and hints
of greater and more powerful things to come. I am personally treated to
another favorite, “Visions of Johanna”, and gladly revisit the ghosts of
electricity in a comfy Broomfield, Colorado auditorium that bends in
favor. Bob spirits off a great “John Brown”, aptly reminding me of the
great “Johnny got his gun” it seems to borrow from, and then a fantastic
“Mississippi” is flowing through the place and Bob is suddenly and clearly
in total command of both piano and voice and forceful in both vigor and
clarity. “Highway 61” seems dedicated to the people who deny that Bob is
still the pinnacle of Rock and Roll and even at his advanced age fully
capable of churning out the ultimate clinchers and winning over even the
most skeptical. “Ain’t talking” is a wonderful response and fully
mesmerizing. Of course Bob has to do his favorite, “Thunder on the
mountain”, but though it is not a masterpiece as he might imagine it’s
palatable enough to engage his audience so even after a 1000 appearances I
can still appreciate the driving force it could instill. It misses me on
some levels. “Ballad of a thin Man” is a staple these days but am not
complaining in the least.” Like a rolling stone” assures the crowd that
though they have been treated to a myriad of rearrangements there is still
the power that Bob unleashed back in the day to be reckoned with. Bob has
really stepped up the piano and it is out front and the core to almost
every song this evening and “All along the watchtower” is not an
exception. Sometimes he has been off key but mostly right there and very
impressive Mr. Dylan. Bob seems slightly more animated tonight as he takes
curtain call for a few and only to return with a very savory “Blowing in
the wind” that concludes a very resounding performance by the man and for
his seemingly incorruptible legions of followers and frolickers. I am
delighted with the energy that still pours forth and certainly
appreciative that the poet has not lost a thing as he pours onward. There
is certainly a tempest forming on his refusal to play new material but I
will surmise that he just does not feel comfortable memorizing the lyrics
and rehearsing the material so we will patiently for his mental faculties
to catch up! We can respect that Mr. Dylan chooses not to fornicate his
material until he is able to craft them into a tender and appreciative
thrusting of love and respect. The band really is more in the background
and lowered in the mix but it all seems to work very nicely. Colorado has
always been a special place for Bob and I might add Jakob his beloved son
really blew the doors down at the Ogden Theater just a scant week past.
(And played new material with reckless abandonment as he has all summer) I
may someday reminisce on the hallowed show at the auditorium in 1965 in
Denver and shed light on the cancelled the show in Salt Lake after Bob’s
Hard rain in Fort Collins but let’s just say for now there is much history
of Bob in Colorado that he could explore in future editions of
“Chronicles” and I could gladly fill in the memory banks. Thanks Bob for
another Colorado classic and further proof that this is the Mile High city
despite the ramblings of Jack and on the road. Can’t wait for the next
one! It was most excellent to see friends from as far away as Fort Wayne
to as close to minutes from the venue and we all had a great time. God
bless Bob! 

[TOP]

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