Reviews

Indianapolis, Indiana

Murat Theatre

October 31, 2010


[Charles Cicirella], [Steven Zubel]

Review by Charles Cicirella



Queen Jane In The Perfect Image of Bob Dylan – Indianapolis, IN 10/31/10

Ann Arbor was for me (and my driver) ho-hum even though many whose
opinion I trust enjoyed it profusely. Kalamazoo most definitely brought
the energy to another level while in Chicago it was as if Bob gathered
us all into a rocket ship and took us for the ride of our lives. I swear
there were numerous times during the Chicago séance/performance that I
felt myself leaving the Earth for parts unknown. High grade future
perfect indeed!

I felt the sound in Indy was by far the best – now I am basing that on
where I was sitting obviously because I have heard quite a different
story from some others. Too much booming bass in the mix was one of the
complaints and this is what I actually found to be the case for me in
Ann Arbor. Indy though Bob's every word could be heard and perfectly
understood. And yes Queen Jane was a definite highlight and not only
because it hasn't been performed in quite some time, but more because
it was not at all a throw away version. Imagine Bob standing center
stage clutching only his harp and delivering this tune like he’d been
gearing up for this moment for centuries and who knows maybe he had
been. Chicago was for me the show so far from the six I am seeing, but
Indy was also at such a very determined and true level in the heart of
Conrad’s darkness. 

Charles Cicirella

[TOP]

Review by Steven Zubel



First, let me thank Bill for operating this web site and all of those who  
have sent in reviews over the years. It has made going to a Bob Dylan show  
a richer experience for me.
 
This was my sixth Dylan show and it was one of the best. Last year I  was 
lucky enough to see Bob on both the 4th of July and Halloween. So, it had  
been exactly a year since I saw Bob and the band. But I could tell from the  
previous reviews, I was in for a good time.  
 
The Murat theater was a great place to experience Bob, the  sound was mixed 
just right. You could hear Bob's voice above the  instruments. He also sang 
clear enough to be easily understood. 
 
1. Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat - Bob was on the keyboard. Probably the  odds 
on favorite to start the show. Not one of my favorite Dylan songs, but it  
was still great to hear it in person.  
 
2. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right - Bob played guitar and he was  even 
smiling as his guitar riffs rose above the mix. 
 
3. Beyond Here Lies Nothin' - Bob played guitar and the "light show"  
started on the curtain behind the band. The scene was the skyline of a  city, 
maybe in Mexico or the American Southwest.
 
4. Queen Jane Approximately - Bob played harp on this. He  really did put 
his heart into it. 
 
5. The Levee's Gonna Break - This is the first time I've heard  Bob's 
keyboard playing way up in the mix. The "light show' switched to what  looked 
like clouds. 
 
6. Simple Twist of Fate - Bob on guitar again and his playing  could 
clearly be heard.
 
7. Cold Irons Bound -  This was driven by the  drumbeat. Similar to, but 
not as good as, the "Masked and Anonymous"  version. The scene on the curtain 
appeared to be a leg of the Eiffel Tower,  superimposed on a factory 
interior or an old time European train  station. Bob was center stage on harp.
 
8. If You Ever Go to Houston - Bob went back to the keyboards for this  
number, while what appeared to be hills were silhouetted in the  background.
 
9. High Water (For Charlie Patton) - Bob took center stage with harp  and 
the background scene shifted to rain. 
 
10. Trying to Get to Heaven - Bob played both keyboards and harp. In  back 
of band the picture looked like beams of sunlight coming  through the 
clouds. 
 
11. Highway 61 -  Bob stayed on the keyboards.
 
12. Tangled Up in Blue- A favorite of mine, but Bob skipped the middle  
three verses, (fishing boat, topless bar, Italian poet). At the end of the 
song,  the curtain showed a man and a woman walking away. 
 
13. Thunder on the Mountain - Bob and the band were not just going  through 
the motions on this one. They were "on." Bob even had a keyboard  solo. 
 
14. Ballad of a Thin Man. -  The overhead lights dimmed and the  footlights 
came up, appropriate for Halloween. Bob played harp center  stage, you 
could tell he was enjoying himself on this one.This is one of the  highlights of
the show. 
 
15. Jolene -  This was very similar to the recorded version. 
 
16. Like a Rolling Stone -  This is the best live version I've heard  of 
this one. Bob and the band weren't  "phoning this one in." 
 
17. All Along the Watchtower - Not one of my favorites. Yes, the  band 
"rocked" on this one. But, if I never hear it again live, that's fine  with me.
The best thing about this one was it meant we heard 17 not 16  songs.
 
While, Bob's instruments could be heard and he even had some solos, it was  
not his best night for harp playing.
 
There were two other light show effects, but I don't remember what songs  
they were with. One was a scene of either: a diner, a railroad  passenger 
car, or a bus. The other was the over head, live action, shot of  the band. 
This was the best effect of all.  
 
As others have written, "don't  you miss it!" It was a great show  filled 
with honest music. All in all, it was a fine way to spend  Halloween.  

Steven Zubel

[TOP]

Click Here
to return to the
Main Page

page by Bill Pagel
billp61@execpc.com

Current
Tour Guide
Older
Tour Guides
Bob Links
Page
Songs
Performed
Set Lists
by Date
Set Lists
by Location
Cue
Sheets