Night two of my two day Dylan fest brought me to the Sonnentag Center in
Eau Claire Wisconsin.  The Saturday night crowd was quieter than the night
before, rapt with attention and in awe of the performance, and perhaps
some at times unfamiliar with the new material.  Case in point, Bob's
recitation of My Own Version of You. Bob's words, almost hollered,
similar to a hell and brimstone preacher, with a little Screamin Jay
Hawkins thrown in, could clearly be heard describing his search for the
necessary body parts, all while playing like Leon Russell, Liberace and
John the Apostle. The performance, the seventh tune of the night,  is
haunting and scary, belted out by a mad scientist behind a baby grand
piano.  The small college basketball venue and a well behaved crowd
allowed the listener to hear the lyrics understandably flow from Bob's
lips. Bob surprisingly engaged in some in-between song banter, however it
occurred during applause, making it difficult to make out precise quotes. 
Upon completion of Key West,  Bob casually mentioned that he wrote the
song after a recent visit to the island, and during band introductions, he
asked Doug Lancio if he had played with Alice Cooper and quizzed Bob Britt
about his musical resume. On occasion, Doug and Tony Garnier, who both
were positioned to Bob's right, would take a couple steps closer to Bob,
forming a small human triangle, trading piano, bass and guitar licks.  The
band seemed especially tight during When I Paint My Masterpiece, Bob
bellowing that rather than meeting Bontecelli's niece, he would be doing
his laundry and scraping off the grease, at his hotel room.  Everything
will be "so doggone beautiful," after Bob paints his Masterpiece. 
Like the night before, a highlight for me was Desolation Row, appreciating
Bob's harp, in addition to the drum and piano interplay.  Every Grain of
Sand ended the night. The mad scientist on My Own Version of You, was now
the gentle pastor, sending his flock back into the world.  A little more
piano and a great harmonica solo, and a standing ovation.  This ends my
two day Dylan pilgrimage.   If only I could go on the Green Bay, but the
baton is now passed to those fans who will see Rough and Rowdy Bob on the
next stop.

David Connor

The evening sky grew dark, and the gymnasium was dimly lighted. A festive
and contemplative crowd gathered and waited for the show to begin. The
venue was unique for this leg of the Rough & Rowdy Ways tour in a few
ways, the first was the second floor windows that overlooked the Chippewa
River (which made Watching the River Flow even more fun) and second was a
Hoosiers-effect from the bleachers and wooden gymnasium floor. The setting
felt like there could be a quick transition from a concert to a graduation
ceremony.

Bob and the band arrived on stage and hit right into "I'll Be Your
Baby Tonight". We had an incredible vantage point to watch as Bob
wrapped up the first song, turned promptly on his piano bench, picked up a
guitar and played lead to open up "It Ain't Me Babe". The warm glow
from the antique stage equipment set the vibe in the brand new gym &
helped create an iconic silhouette of Dylan's profile with fussed up
hair as he played guitar with his back turned to the crowd. Wow!

The show seemed to reach its high water mark halfway through as Anton Fig
kicked off a driving version of "Desolation Row". Bob was incredible
each time he picked up the harmonica. The band came to a quiet pause and
Bob took over on an incredibly fine and fair version of "Key West". As
the song concluded, standing at the piano plunking the keys in black sport
coat and white shirt loosely buttoned, Bob shared with the crowd. "I
wrote that at Ernest Hemingway's house. They let me sleep in it. I got up
in the morning and I wrote that song - way down in ...Key West." And
then trailed down the keyboard as the band kicked off a bluesy and more
rollicking "Watching the River Flow". The sold out crowd of 5,000 was
silent as Bob delivered a moving "It Ain't Me Babe" with precision
on the harp. After a few more tracks from the incredible Rough & Rowdy
Ways album, he sent the crowd off into the night with the knowing gained
from "Every Grain of Sand". Bob was off-stage just as quick as he
came, phones were unlocked and the motor coaches were pulling out of the
lot toward Green Bay.

Other highlights included a chilling version of "My Own Version of
You" and an usual echo added to Bob's voice as he whispered "Black
Rider"..."black rider"..."black rider"...filling the cavernous
space.

Dan Wylde