October 30, 2012
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.
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.
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