Reviews

Halifax, Nova Scotia
Metro Centre
August 6, 2002


[Randy Lister], [Earl Rutledge]

Review by Randy Lister



My wife and I drove down to the show on a foggy, rainy but warm
Halifax summer evening. Mother Nature provided the rolling thunder review
during the day. We  met some friends at the Argyle Grill and had some
snack and drinks. My brother and his wife were in attendance. For years I
have been playing Dylan tunes for them and they have not been all that
interested. They both love music and we have a lot of common tastes but we
just never saw eye to eye with Dylan. I had been trying to rev them up for
the show since we picked up the tickets two months ago. When I met them at
the Argyle they were in the spirit of the moment and ready to have a good
time. We ran down the street through the rain drops to the packed Metro
Centre to catch the show. I love the laid back, easy going East Coast
mentality. I lived in Ontario for several years and the security thugs at
concerts were oppressive with menacing looks, body searches and generally
rude and intimidating. In Halifax someone tears your ticket, smiles and
urges you to "Enjoy the show." I love it here!!! Another couple of drinks
and we settled into our seats just after Bob stepped on stage and played
the first notes. Dylan's voice was a bit creaky to start off but after the
third song when they swapped the acoustic guitars for electric the band
was in full rocking swing and so was Bob's voice. Leaning into the mike
with one knee cocked spitting the lyrics at us. The predictably mixed
crowd was educated in all things Bob and acknowledged the choruses and
solos with great applause. I could see that Bob was getting energy from
the crowd reaction responding with lots of looks, hip swings and guitar
posing. When the band played Tangled Up in Blue they really hit their
stride and made the us all aware of what we were in for. I have seen this
song played 5-6 times live and it never really had an impact on me until
last night. The extended instrumental portion nearing the end with the
three guitars trading licks and Charlie leaning over to Bob edging him on
to push it further had me mesmerized. Another highlight was Masters of
War. The 3 guitar attack was shining - breathing extraordinary life into
this masterpiece. Larry's soloing had Charlie and Bob trading poses and
icy licks. Not to be outdone Bob stole the show at times playing lead.  He
was " on " tonight. After introducing the band at the end of the main set
Bob said "If there is a better band playing out there, I don't know of
it." It would be hard to argue that point. The smooth jazzy bassline laid
down by Tony held it all together. When he plugged in it drove the sound.
The drumming fills were exceptional, On Masters of War I thought the kit
was going to fall over, ala Keith Moon. The band returned for four songs
in the encore finishing off with AATWT. A scorching rendition showcasing
once again that 3 guitar wall of sound. Charlie was duckwalking, nearly on
his knees as it finished off. That was the song I wanted to hear cap off
the night and it happened for me. WOW. We met our friends back at the
Argyle after the show and we all agreed that it was a show not to have
missed. My brother and his wife loved it. Two new Dylan believers were
born late last night in this foggy coastal city. My brother exclaimed " It
Rocked! " Celebratory drinks all around and a toast to Bob. What a night!
Great seats! ( Thanks to the Metro Centre booking Agent ) Cheers Mate!!
Great band! Great show!  This was my sixth Dylan concert. There have been
some forgettable ones over the years but last night he shined, Not Fade
Away. Thanks Bob, you troubador, you rolling stone. Don't stop rolling.

Randy Lister

[TOP]

Review by Earl Rutledge



An entourage of 10 friends and family, ranging in age from 18 to 72 made 
the drive through a driving summer thunder and lightning storm to Halifax
for the 7:30 p.m. show. For some this was a first time opportunity and for
others another chance to experience an old friend in concert. Indeed, my 
daughter and her best friend were attending as a compulsory right of 
passage before they begin their university careers this fall. Parents must 
take the responsibility for the proper education of their children seriously!

The concert was excellent but in the interest of brevity, I will confine my 
remarks to the high points in my opinion.

Anyone studying the set list cannot help but notice that Dylan opened the 
Canadian leg of his tour with Señor (Tales of Yankee Power) which is a first 
on the tour and a beautiful violin by Larry helped make this a highlight of
the show for me.

Blind Willie McTell was another treat. The band was really doing a moving 
version of this gem, but Dylan’s observation that "Nobody sings the blues 
like Blind Willie McTell" was proven wrong as it was followed by a
modern blues standard – Lonesome Day Blues. The band had the building rocking 
with a blues romp and Dylan demonstrated his power as a blues man in 2002. 
This personal favorite from L&T had me flashing back to H61 or BoB.

My young companions remarked that the most powerful and clear lyric they 
experienced in the evening was Masters of War. This song was performed 
acoustically and Bob was clearly passionate in his delivery of this Bush
era protest comment.

Forever Young was a very nice surprise and much appreciated by the audience 
but was followed by Summer Days – WOW! I do not think I have ever heard Dylan 
or any band show such skill and force in a live rendition (including even the 
Who when the original four were alive). The bass and rhythm section carried 
the song while the 3 guitars wailed the melody - the best of the show hands 
down! 

Drifter’s Escape completely had me fooled in this electric arrangement until 
I could grab a lyric in the second verse. This updated treatment of an old 
friend was great. Dylan introduced the band during a rocking Rainy Day Women 
#12 & 35 and stated that "if there is a better band playing today, I have not 
heard them". The crowd clearly agreed.

The encore had the crowd going wild with Like a Rolling Stone, and Honest with 
Me. Dylan kicked off an acoustic version of Blowing in the Wind with a beautiful 
extended harmonica solo. The final song was All Along the Watchtower, a driving 
no holds barred version which left Dylan sitting for a moment in front of the
drum kit as the song ended. While the crowd cheered for quite some time after 
the band left the stage, it was clear that it was done in appreciation and not 
to get them back again. We knew that Dylan could never top the encore we had 
just experienced. 

[TOP]

page by Bill Pagel
billp61@execpc.com

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