October 8, 2008
Review by Dan Horning
The Oncenter in Syracuse is really the same old Syracuse War Memorial now
named after a bank. Modern times indeed. I got there late and missed all
but Elvis's last song before I reached my 2nd row seat. I passed George
outside on the sidewalk getting off a bus and told him as I passed "love
your drumming," as I tend to be a fast talkin mumbler, he said "what?"
and I said it again, and he gave me a smile neither of us breaking stride.
guess that made up for missing Amos and Elvis. The Show was a great one &
the crowd was with them all the way, They delivered the goods all night
long, It was one of those nights where the whole show was so good its hard
to pick a song or 2 as "highlights" Leopard Skin pillbox hat" started
off strong,It aint me babe, reminded me how special Bob really is, and how
being a Bobcat is kind of a weird obsession,( but a good one) Next up
was "I'll be your baby 2night," I really enjoy this song, and it was good
to hear in that sequence after being told "it aint me babe." I can always
relate to "Positively.4th St." which sounded great with the new to my
ears arrangement . The phrasing, rhythm and unique Blues jamming on
"Levees Gonna Break" got everybody bopping. Bob does such funky key's it
just kills me.The show kept movin with Bob singing a little bit of
these"Working Man Blues #2" ifor us in that old war memorial. It sounded
great Bob's voice was so clear and the words seemed as relevant as
anything is these days. "Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis
Blues.".....again was played/sung great by all involved..and the...yes it
was "Visions of Johanna" I would have been satisfied if the show ended
there! (not happy) Definately one of my personal favorites!A real sweet
version of this rare gem. WE got rocked out with Honest with Me, I always
liked this song even when it was played every night for years. Those well
rehearsed musical breaks in there now are so cool!! Mellowed out with
"Spirit on the Water" I especially like the line about high on the hill
you can carrying all my thoughts with you.I like high places, and Bob was
bring me to many of them on this night. WE rocked some more goin down
Highway 61 as only Bob can drive it! Next thing I knew the world had
turned to Black before my eyes! What can i say....Help? WE rocked some
more for Summer Days, and I was so happy to rock even more for the
"Ballad of a Thin Man" Something was happening in Syracuse,and Bob was
what it is, no doubt Mr. Jones. Like all good things, there ended the main
set. There were some people in the front row who kept getting up and
leaving,several times throughout the show. For the encores they were gone,
and I copped front row for the last 2 numbers which only capped off
perfectly an already increadible night. I had gone to Albany on Sat, and
on the day off stopped into Herkimer NY on the way to Syracuse to dig the
famous and powerful Herkimer "diamond" crystals. I had a nice one in my
hand as I leaned on the rail for the encores, and was holding the crystal
in my fingers, I caught a glimpse of Dylans main bodyguard, I think they
call him Barron behind Stu's area. I was trying to send out love vibes to
everyone, and really digging being there when suddenly Barron, shined a
flashlight on me, It hink he must have seen the crystal and wanted to know
what was it was. I held it up a little, and he turned off his
flashlight.Tony saw and we had a little kinda laugh it seemed like to me
anyways. I felt truly blessed to be there , oh yeah Thunder rocked too,
and finally how does it feel?? Fuckin Great tonight!!!!
Peace to all from
Schenectady Dan
Review by David N. DeVries
Amos Lee was really good--tight band, great voice, engaging songs.
Elvis Costello was on fire. I suspect that much of his patter is now
canned, but it is politically astute (the patter, that is) and his singing
and playing were like few performances I've seen. Just a guy with an
acoustic guitar (amped, to be sure, to deafening levels) and he had us on
our feet throughout his nearly one hour set--canny sampling in the midst
of his own songs from John Lennon, Dylan himself, the Who and Van
Morrison. Really spectacular. And I have to believe that the power of
Elvis punched Dylan up a notch.
Dylan. He sang Visions of Johanna, a song I haven't heard in concert
often, and he sang it in a new arrangement, but the words were there,
sparkling and clear. All through his set he sang with passion, as much
passion as his torn voice can muster. He is rewriting songs,
again--Workingman's Blues has at least one new verse, and he has
rearranged the chorus in a really compelling way. He even tacked on new
bits to Ballad of a Thin Man. I gather from the reviews here that he
isn't 'on' every night of this tour, though in most of the reports even
those shows where he starts slow, build. But he came out last night, like
Elvis, on fire. And his band matched him. I know many here have lamented
the changing guitarists over the last few years. But last night's
ensemble playing was stunning. Denny Freeman didn't solo in the style of
other lead guitarists--not white-hot playing mowing down everything in its
way. Instead he wove beautifully melodic lines against and within the
chord structures in ways that made many of the songs shimmer. It was a
wonder to behold.
Thanks,
David N. DeVries
Review by Dan Murray
Dylan and his Cowboy Band delivered a beautifully paced set in Syracuse.
Old songs and new blended into a seamless, timeless reinvention of melody
and memory and emotion. The band rocked, swung, floated, and filled in the
songs with many instrumental colors. Visions of Johanna was the
centerpiece of a spirited night, Bob playing a lot of sweet, emotive
harmonica on this masterpiece and throughout the gig. Positively 4th
Street was gentle in its brutal instruction. Workingman's Blues was
gorgeous. Highway 61 put the hammer down. Spirit on the Water waltzed with
the audience. Nettie Moore was like a prayer. Like A Rolling Stone burst
open in brilliant, liberating chords. The show had a deep, heartfelt
lyricism. And the opening acts, Amos Lee and Elvis Costello, were equally
passionate.
Comments by Ralf
As if intensely concentrating, serenading a newly found love even, Bob
Dylan's concert from 10/08 in Syracuse, N.Y. developed from a mellow,
relaxed set to faster and generally rockier numbers, however delivered
with the same clarity.
Some shows are about distortion and juxtaposition. Some are seemingly
about Stu's staccato rhythm, some are about other musical details. And,
after all, it's also work, a job, and therefore not always equally fun.
At least from my perspective, though, last night was about the voice as
instrument, pure and largely unaltered, and I went home elated for it, as
it couldn't have suited my mood any better.
Ralf
Review by Garry Pappin
Amos Lee provided an entertaining opening act, and like other reviewers
have noted, there are similarities with Dave Matthews (to some not
necessarily a good thing). The Syracuse crowd provided enthusiastic
feedback and encouragement that genuinely seemed appreciated by the band.
Elvis Costello was amazing - commanding the stage with his presence, and
attacking guitar and vocals with equal parts intensity, or sensitivity
when needed. Besides the much loved older songs that he played, Wake Me
Up was outstanding and especially the call and answer chorus, which
included a borrowed line from John Lennon, "Well, I don't wanna be a
soldier mama, I don't wanna die". Many subtle and not so subtle political
references throughout - the protest song lives on.
This Bob Dylan concert seemed to take a while to get going as the first
few songs were very laid back, but picked up with The Levee's Gonna Break,
again with Visions of Johanna, and finally peaking with magical moments
during Ballad of a Thin Man (especially the long harmonica finale).
Acoustics in the old War Memorial Arena were very good, and the fans were
very into it - long, loud sustained applause after all songs. A nice
relaxed venue, with beer and coolers readily available in the arena
hallways. The encore included the now standard Thunder on the Mountain,
and to everyone's satisfaction, an energetic and powerfully delivered Like
a Rolling Stone.
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