| Reviews Eugene, Oregon Cuthbert Amphitheater June 6, 2026 |
Review by David Harper
Nestled in rolling pasture and thick trees by the river, in sweet old
Eugene, the Cuthbert Theatre in Alton Baker Park presented a package well
worth that I-5 drive from Portland.Missed the show here. No way would we
let this tour slip on by.For openers the John Doe Trio thumped and wailed
very well. Not familiar with his music but we enjoyed the energy and
sound. Lucinda Williams was next and in the best form of the three shows
we caught in Oregon. Sharing the stage with Mr. Bob has to be a kick.To
me, and it seemed, everyone, Lu owned the night. Her singing was clear and
full powered. She really is a tremendous voice for the time we're in.
Eugene loved her. Among the set of solid hits she kicked it off with Car
Wheels On A Gravel Road then Drunken Angel, You Can't Rule Me,
Righteously, Foolishness, love that, and from the new album the title song
The Worlds Gone Wrong. Wraps up with Neil's Rocking In The Free
World. Lucinda walks with careful steps and didn't play guitar. A stroke
will do that but this tough mama showed nothing frail about her singing. A
strong woman of heart and soul. And now, the best of the best, white
hooded Bob in shades and shadows, think he had shades, from our 7th row
you couldn't see much with guitar player and music stand blocking. Sure
could hear it though. In good voice here tonight. Actually really nice.
Gentle and straight. Lovely piano the whole show. This June evening with
fair skies, we find a kinder, gentler performer. Easy to like. We've
heard Dylan fierce, magnificent, stunning and just amazing, even on a
rough night. Now we take it calm and easy. Even the hooks, the rockers,
just mostly rolled. And very well played. Since we were a stones throw
from the Willamette River it may have rightly prompted Watching The River
Flow back to open.Our audience, well balanced, young and old, filled the
grounds. There were times the older ones seemed bewildered even as they
applaud. Helps to know the material. Every song rolled through smooth,
sincere and, mostly, mellow. He's 85 we'll be 86 in a couple weeks.
Sounded fine and right to me. My wife, Gail, the Canadian, 72, says "Yup".
Crowd really fell into the Charlie Rich cover I'll Make It Up To You. It
was damn good. Another standout was Share Your Love. Up there with Van or
Blue Bland. Oh yes, Manuel and The Band did one too. We can see why our
best singers love this song.Another highlight for all of us, believe it or
not, was Under The Red Sky. We recall when some critics didn't get this
one. They should hear it again. Crossing The Rubicon was great, as
always. Soon After Midnight was another delight in the set. Glad it's
still on tour. Sounds good and contains a lot. The closer was a perfectly
placed surprise.. I Shall Be Released. Something about this was unusually
sad. It could bring tears to anyone really listening. The were some
problems losing lines and volume but Bob seemed quite emotional. We choked
up a bit right then. Wife as well. A special moment we won't forget. Do we
ever complain? Not much but we lean into the songs and begin to notice,
like some others, here and there, words and phrases, drop and disappear
off mic. Maybe the hoody, cool as it looks, contributes to this. Not sure.
Maybe Lu could straighten him out there. She never blurred or dropped a
single line. Anyway, we love this artist. It was an engaging and positive
vibe all night. So good to see Bob Dylan down by the river. It's been a
long and wonderful trip.
David Harper
Porttand, Oregon
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