Review by Bert Samuels
I just got back frm the Fabulous Forum and thought I would share my
thought. The Forum hasnt been fabulous since Magic Johnson got out
of College. The place is an old barn of an arena and a horrible place to
see a concert - such a hassle to get there. All that aside - I went
because Bob Dylan was there.
It started with Kings of Leon. They are an energetic band playing a loud
and lively set. Not music for us older folks but not bad. The crowd
tonight was much younger than Monday in San Fran - and there were
actually some Leon fans in the audience. It was a good warm up for
Dylan though. They played a good set.
Bob opened with Maggie. OK - we all know everyone gets down on how
often he opens with Maggie. Its a traditional thing for me - he always
opens with Maggie when I see him live and it fits. I thought tonight's
rendition was better than most - energetic and the band is very tight.
Bob was into the show from the beginning.
He followed with Tom Thumb's Blues. I wanted this one and it was great.
Bob was vocals were good on this one. Next was High Water - and Bob's
growl returned. I was surprised how sweet he sang the whole show in San
Fran - no growling at all. Tonight was different. High Water isnt my
favorite and this was just an average performance.
Next was When the Deal Goes Down. Its a pretty tune and Bob did a nice
version. This will be a mainstay for a while and was good to see. Then
came the Tweedles. OK - I'm sick of this song and the growling was bad.
Give it a rest Bob.
Then it got good again. Tangled up in Blue is nice. When I heard them
do it Monday it was great to hear an old friend that hadnt been around
for a while. Tonight however was a great rocking version. I enjoyed it.
Stu does such a grea job with the main theme on acoustic guitar. Then
they played To Ramona. NICE!!!! Only heard this once before - 1995 in
Vegas - Great song, nice performance. Bob's vocals were clear and all
the lyrics were there. Its Alright Ma rocked tonight. Denny and Tony
were cooking on this one and Bob's growling really worked. Always a
favorite of mine.
They played Rollin' and Tumblin next. I dont like the song or the
version. It wasnt any better Monday. Time to replace this one with
Someday Baby. To make it up Bob followed with John Brown. Here's one
I havent heard live before and it was just superb. Bob nailed the vocals
and Donnie was great on the electric mandolin.
Then came Highway 61. This was the true high point. They filled the old
barn with lots of lound sweet rock music. Denny did a great lead guitar
and Bob's vocals again were perfect. I rocked hard on this one - my poor
back is feeling it now indeed.
I wanted to hear Nettie Moore and I got what I wanted. Such a nice sad,
sweet song that had everyone clapping along in a slow respectful Cadence.
I missed Working Man Blues from Monday's line up - but this was much
better.
And then came Summer Days and the new standard encore. Strange
version of Summer Days - they dropped the intense instrumental part from
the middle and it was very much missed. Thunder on the Mountain is a
great song. It is done well though tonight Bob dropped some of the verses
(No pork chops and pie and no I dont give a damn about your dreams.)
Rolling Stone and Watchtower - good solid versions to end a good show.
Bob was very animated tonight and the band was really good. Tony really
rocked with that bass guitar. This band is good - not Larry and Charlie
- but just as good in their own way.
It was a nice evening. The Forum was not the ideal Dylan Venue but Bob
made it work. I will cherish seeing hime twice this week (so far) and
now start counting down to Sunday in San Diego.
Bert Samuels
Encino, California
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