July 14, 2013
Review by Chris Colson
Last night I was lucky enough to catch up with Bob for the first time in
over a year and I couldn't be happier. It was my seventeenth Dylan show
and while my expectations weren't too high after seeing the never changing
set's this tour I must say I left happily surprised. My friends and I
arrived early in the afternoon to find a friendly scene in the lot and
were pleasantly surprised to be able to hear My Morning Jacket play a
solid thirty minute sound check that everyone in the lot could clearly
hear. My friends and I didn't enter until after the Richard Thompson Trio
but as soon as we arrived down in the pit we quickly realized we were in
for quite an evening. My Morning Jacket blazed through a solid set even
though Jim James was clearly fighting through the heat. He kept a towel
draped over his head for at least half of the set. Next up was Wilco and
they did not disappoint. They jammed through their set with multiple jams
and fan favorites including "I am Trying to Break Your Heart",
"California Stars" and "Via Chicago". For their final song they brought
out My Morning Jacket and Richard Thompson to join them on a cover of The
Beatles "Tomorrow Never Knows". It was one of those special moments that
you rarely get to experience outside of a festival setting. All of these
great musicians were on stage at once having a great time singing a cover.
When Bob finally took the stage I was afraid that he wouldn't be able to
live up to his opening acts. As his set began my fears appeared to be
realized as he simply seemed to be going through the motions through the
first half of his set. Half way though I turned around to see the crowd
and realized that over half of the pavilion had left while a majority of
the lawn patrons still remained. One had to ask oneself why everyone who
had paid there good money had decided that they were better off leaving
than hearing the rest of Bob. The quality of the music wasn't in question
but it was almost impossible to decipher Bob. As a veteran of the
Neverending Tour I was bit disappointed since I am used to Bob's vocal's
over the past decade and even by normal standards the vocal sound just
seemed a bit off. Luckily we only need to be patient. Bob finally hit his
stride by the tenth song and delivered a clear and impassioned version of
"A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall". The momentum continued to build for the next
four songs including an impassioned "Blind Willie McTell" and an
appropriately tender "Simple Twist of Fate". This run culminated with what
I considered a shocking cover of Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black
Lightning". While most people around me did not recognize this song at
all, and the rest seemed to be busy complaining that Bob didn't invited
Richard out to play it with him, I was experiencing euphoria. It seems
rare these days for Bob to cover someone unless they have recently or long
since passed. Considering Bob's own storied history with a motorcycle it
seemed not only appropriate but was sung with the conviction of an artist
who still cares about how he spends his time. It was clear that he was
enjoying himself while singing it. I suppose I should mention that
throughout his set Bob laid down some beautiful solo's on the harmonica,
But if you seen Bob enough before, you are spoiled enough to expect this.
As always, my life is better off after seeing Bob again...
Chris Colson
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Review by Bill Klos
Got the ticket for this show at 2am Sunday and was surprised it was
available in the pit area right up front. Definitely had to go (like a
sign from god or something) and it was the best seat (stand really) I ever
had at one of Bob's shows. Middle aged spontaneity could only get me
there by the time Wilco came on and it was AWESOME! I never really paid
much attention to them (kind of can't fit in all these new bands
sometimes) but in a matter of a few songs I was converted into a definite
fan of their music. The highlight of this band was the break down the door
performances by all the band members, plus Richard Thompson and pieces of
MMJ for "Tomorrow Never Knows" WOW! The guitar shoot outs, the crafty
lyrics that bring out the carnival sounds of the band and the awesome
rides they take you on are definitely why I go to live shows. I will be
buying this band on VINYL...you have to in order to possibly get all
that sound! I was truly astonished...unforgettable show! I wouldn't
compare these guys to anybody because they really seem to earn it all by
themselves, what a hard working band! SEE THIS BAND! And then Bob Dylan
came on! I do like this set list allot, the 1st three numbers set the
stage for what's to come and I think allot of care went into putting all
these songs like this. Duke's full bodied guitar is missed but Charlie
really belongs up there, especially with all the new songs, his signature
along with the Tony, George, Stu and Donnie are all over these new songs
and when they play them live....well they are fantastic! Duquesne Whistle
was a first time and tonight it was uplifting, along with She Belongs to
Me, Beyond Here Lies Nothin, Simple Twist of Fate and a real surprise of
1952 Vincent Black Lightening (no Richard Thompson, though). Always feel
sad and anxious when I hear TUIB and AHRAGF because if you really live
your life. you do, and, it probably will some day, but when? Things Have
Changed sounds and feels like this era's Positively 4th Street and I never
get tired of watching and hearing Bob sing this one, I really
believe him....leave him alone...he's cared enough already! All Along the
Watch Tower just rocks every time they play it but lately it seems like
they pull the plug out of the wall just when its about to go all
"Jimi" and I walk to the car each time thinking did we do something
wrong? Why couldn't Bob let the boys jam out before bedtime? But that's
part of the ride, when he jumps the track, he knows allot of us still
come back. But Blowin' in the Wind loses its effect and so does Ballad
of a Thin Man when they shut off Watch Tower too soon...we're just
getting the car keys and heading out and those songs suffer the deserved
treatment they used to get when Watch Tower was allowed to finish right.
It makes the band look like their in cages and it was really evident
tonight especially after Wilco wrecked the joint.
All in all this Americanarama was a brilliant idea from all that I
witnessed and just right for a hot, muggy Great lakes kind of day....I
became a new Wilco Fan and I remembered MMJ singing Going to Alcapulco in
I'm Not There and that was cool! Bob did not disappoint as
usual....definitely puts on the theater for all of us like a crazy
carnival but its subtle and a blast to see and hear each time....lets us
all know I gotta be me....very cool! Can't wait til the next time! P.S.
Masked and Anonymous would have been better without John Goddman...he
ruins things. But its priceless to see Bob react when he hugs him...check
it out.
Comments by Tim Mayer
ob...Bob’s sound men…somebody… please help! Sitting at the far left for
the show, I found it nearly impossible to hear Bob’s vocals. The sound for
the earlier bands had been excellent. This my 20+ Bob show and I know what
to expect. I have always believed that if you can’t hear Bob, you need to
move around a bit because somewhere in the venue you are going to find a
place where his vocals can be heard. I looked enviously over at my brother
in the center section Row O. Surely, he must be hearing a different show.
(He later reported the vocals were incomprehensible.) I didn’t move, I
simply cupped a hand behind my ear. Instantly, miraculously, I could hear
almost every word Bob was singing. What had been a muddy, frustrating
thing was transformed into a brilliant, idiosyncratic vocal tour de force.
Bob, in all his late career singing glory. The phrasing, the high and low
notes, the gruffness, the hoarseness, the sudden sweetness…it was
mesmerizing.
So can someone explain to me why the hell we can’t get these vocals mixed
so everyone can hear them?? In our group of 12 veteran concertgoers,
seated throughout the pavilion, NOBODY could hear Bob. I tried to convince
them they’d missed a masterful performance. I saw how hard Bob was
working, I heard how clever his line readings were. All for naught. Does
Bob know nobody can hear the great show he’s delivering?
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