November 7, 2010
Review by Mark Rock
It did have the feel of just another day on the road for Bob - which it
was. He played the basketball arena at the University of Pittsburgh. Overall
his band played every tune just fine and generally seemed to be enjoying
themselves. The Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat opener was great - the man still has
fun with the lyrics after 44 years. Then a few songs where his voice
descended into the rocks and gravel. Rollin and Tumblin was dead on Chicago
blues. Tangled was great. Bob center stage with the harp mic in his right hand
and harp in his left. He gestured with his open arms - sort of a modern day
Al Jolson - and pointed with his harp hand to emphasize certain lines. He
did skip a few verses. High Water was apocalyptic as always. They hit their
stride with Blind Willie McTell. Bob gesturing nicely center stage -
pulling on his tie to emphasize certain lines. His harp playing took you down
along the train tracks late at night. Highway rocked. Workingman's was the
best sung of the evening. Even the kids in the audience were hanging on
every word - nice applause. Thin Man is still scary - sort of like an old black
and white thriller with Bob inviting you to look into the fun house
mirrors. I almost didn't think they were coming back for an encore. The
applause
ended almost right after each song - and even after a solid 45 minute ending
the crowd appeared tired. Jolene and a routine LARS sent us home. When
Bob introduced Stu he mentioned something about Pittsburgh I could not make
out - is he from there? George Recile was awesome the entire evening. That
man knows how to do all sorts of nifty double times and starts and stops to
propel the songs along, He stays out of the way - yet is the heart of each
song. Bob wore a black suit white shirt and bolo tie with a white flat top
hat. My estimate - there were a good 5000 in attendance. Only annoyance was
security coming up to people taking pictures and threatening to take their
cameras. It didn't bother Elvis - but those were different times.
Mark Rock
Review by Daniel Chester
Leopard-Skin: nice little lead-off hitter
Baby Blue: nice to hear especially guitar work
Baby Tonight: maybe not as laconic as would like, a tasty pairing with 'Baby
Blue'
Just Like: done well, had a little sing-along aspect
Rollin' and Tumblin': toward the concession stand
Tangled: incredibly cool arrangement/version, song of the night
Highwater: not exceptional, did feature some pickin' sounds
Tryin' to Get: not overly familiar with, not offensive
Summer Days: swung a little bit, nice Sexton guitar with some Basie organ
blasts
Blind Willie: always well played, tonight really well, sweet harp
Highway: upgraded from Akron, decent guitar/organ interplay, still needing a
Johnny Winter-like vibration
Workingman's: wonderfully wrought, second best moment
Thunder: fairly enegetic, sung well
Thin Man: cool soundscape, cool harmonica, upheld it's anchor role tonight
Jolene: again, out of all the possibilities.some crisp guitar work though
Like A: between functional and inspirational, crowd enjoyed
Overall, a 'Workingman's' show. No transcendence, on the other hand some
exquisitely crafted singing and harmonica playing, band was focused and
energetic, think they were getting close the last few numbers to how the
lead guitar should sound in this line-up/mix with these songs. Really like
when the organ sounds Count-like. Grateful for the experience
Review by Don Ely
It was a great week for travel! I was prepared to be plagued by rain or even
snow driving across the mountains and valleys of Appalachia in November, but it
was sunny throughout the trip and warm enough on occasion that I had to rip the
flannel from my back and chuck it into the back of the car. The first show was
sunday, November 7 in Pittsburgh, and I got into town early enough to visit a
favorite record shop, Paul's CD's in the Bloomfield neighborhood. They stock a
nice selection of international musics, and among other things I picked up some
cool 1970's Nigerian selections on the Soundways label. From there it was a
short drive to the Oakland district where I parked for $5 at the Soldiers and
Sailors garage just a few blocks from the venue. This was an excellent deal
because I had a lot of time to kill prior to showtime, and my car remained there
until after Bob played his last note. I had landed smack in the middle of the
University of Pittsburgh campus, it's academic buildings and residence halls,
and students abounded. I walked up and down the local streets seeking out
interesting shops, but there were primarily eating places and stores selling
Pitt merchandise...lots of those. I managed to while away the hours at a Mexican
restaurant and at Starbucks. One thing about this city, some they call it
Steeltown, but I call it the Cardiovascular City, dominated by hillsides and
long climbs to the top. I would put money on the idea that overall
Pittsburghians are healthier than many US citizens. In keeping with this theme
it was uphill all the way to the Petersen Events Center, and further still to
the entrance gates. As for the show, Bob Dylan and His Band never came down,
giving the assembled a flawless two hours of some of the world's greatest songs.
It was what I would consider to be a perfect show, 2010-style, slick and
professional and worthy of official release. The blues " Leopard-skin Pill-box
Hat " led the night off, then " It's All Over Now, Baby Blue " and " I'll Be
Your Baby Tonight ", both sounding better than I remember, the latter less
obviously country than renditions of a few years ago. American audiences still
don't really seem to get the singalong potential of " Just Like A Woman ", but
that's ok. " Tryin' To Get To Heaven " was especially strong, and was a number
I'd hoped for on this tour.
" Blind Willie McTell " was good enough to make even Blind Willie tap his toes
in his grave down outside of Thomson, Georgia! Throughout the evening the
craftsmen on stage plied their trade with maximum effectiveness and seamless
results, a performance so engaging I really can't recall many highs or lows, and
a friendly and appreciative audience brought the experience full circle. Kudos
also go to the staff at the Petersen Center, who handle a concert crowd with
aplomb.
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