Reviews

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Heineken Music Hall

April 11, 2009


[Howard Weiner], [Peter van Emden]

Review by Howard Weiner



Round two at Heineken Music Hall was ragged early on. A short sloppy
Maggie’s Farm was followed by a Mr. Tambourine which was enjoyable, but
would have been better if the lyrics weren’t butchered. Man in the Long
Black Coat caught me off guard, especially the swampy shuffling
arrangement that ended with a sublime fadeout. The Cowboy Band donned
black suits with shiny black leather jackets for the occasion. Dylan
looked like the leader of a ragtime band with his white top hat, matching
suit and black striped tie. It was a larger, more enthusiastic audience
than the night before, though both shows were sold out. On both nights
extra tickets were available at the box office, I was the chief
beneficiary of the pre show tickets on both nights. Dylan and his band
wreaked havoc with a savage “When the Levee Breaks.” Levee is more
explosive each time they play it – a battering ram of a jam. The
performance continued with some an impressive trifecta: “When the Deal
Goes Down” – “Things Have Changed” – “The Lonesome Death of
Hattie Carroll.” The crowd roared its approval for Hattie. The surprise
of the night was a supercharged macho jaunt through “Tough Mama.”
Dylan adlibbed “Tough Mama, put your arms around me wide like a circle
around the sun…Tough Mama, must be time to get on the road again.”
“Working Man Blues” was so great the night before, Dylan did it again,
wouldn’t mind seeing it once tonight. “I can live on rice and
beans.” Glorious sun rained down on Amsterdam during the afternoon
hours, every citizen poured out into the streets packing cafes and picking
tulips and just walking around. After several pints and an intensive
coffee shop session, I stood outside a church and listened to the clanging
of the bells at 3PM. I think I could live in this city for a few months.
Anyway, the reason I’ve gone off on this little rant is that the daily
pleasure I experienced began to take its toll on me. I could barely stand
for the remainder of the concert – my ability to review the rest of the
show was severely hampered. After dutifully remaining for the show’s
entirety, I took the Metro back to Hotel Linda, hiked up the stairs and
engaged in some rejuvenating sleep. Looking forward to the funky finale
tonight. 

Howard Weiner 
www.visionsofdylan.blogspot.com    

[TOP]

Review by Peter van Emden



Meeting the Master

I want to describe how i have experienced this concert, not the single
songs (see the setlist). This concert was a special meeting: the audience
with Bob via his music and his live presence, almost a mystical
experience. This Man who wants to be himself and express himself, pure,
modesty, creative, authentic, honest, real and with truth is recognized by
the audience as a high values and gives (maybe unconsciously) a deep
resonance in themselves.

The nice music is the expression of more then just only tones.
The poetical texts can reach and move my hart directly.
The intention of this man is so pure.

It was a meeting and also a honour to this great and unique artist, the
audience was carefully listening with a lot of respect to this Master.

The Man who is able to change again and again,as a mysterious dynamic
process, like live is itself. He ask from older fans to be flexible and to
travel to new areas as the times are continiuously changing! And younger
fans are impressed by his original sound and performance.

Bob had built up so many credits during almost 50 years.
He gave such a lot and the audience seems to come to express him their
love and gratefulness for him, also in a modest way, but pure and real.

And so it was a very nice meeting with nice music, I enjoyed it very much!

Thank you so much Bob!

Peter van Emden
www.pro-muse.nl

[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