Review

Bergen, Norway
Nygaardsparken
June 26, 2001


[Kristian Baardsen], [Amund Børdahl]

Review by Kristian Baardsen



The show opened rather lame with a so-so version of Roving Gambler, and
then "I- guess-this-is-what-the-masses-want" versions of Masters of war
and It ain't me babe. To be fair, the versions were not directly lame, but
they sounded rather "another-day-on-the-job"like. Then he played a nicely
arranged, but not that well played, version of Maggie's farm. It seemed
like I would have to accept a rather mediocre show this sunny evening,
even though a quite good You ain't goin' nowhere did lift the show
somewhat. But then something happened. Dylan caught fire. Or something.
Gotta serve somebody was wonderfully played in the later rocking
arrangement. Dylan was definitely ON, and now he seemed to enjoy being on
the stage, and playing this peculiar song. Girl from the north country was
warm and tender, with some beautiful harmonica playing. The second
higlight of the evening (after Serve somebody) was Visions of Johanna, and
after It's allright, Ma, he played great, powerful versions of Dignity
(didn't he express "land of the midnight sun" in a peculiar way?) and The
Wicked Messenger. The latter my personal moment of the show. Powerful,
rocking... GREAT! Dylan tried some kind of guitar solo, Charlie smiled
couragely to him, and then he picked up the harmonica and blew a great
solo (as he usually does during this song). Then Leopard-skin pillbox hat.
The encores opened badly with a messed-up opening of Love Sick, partly
Dylan's fault, since he started singing on the wrong places. Like a
rolling stone was well played, and so were If dogs run free - indeed. All
along the watchtower and I shall be released were highlights among the
encores, then Highway 61 and Blowin'...Dylan went of the stage, but
returned for Rainy day women. Hadn't thought I would enjoy this as much as
I did. A varied show, but the last part of it definitely made up for the
rather mediocre first songs. 

Kristian

[TOP]

Review by Amund Børdahl



All these people that you mention, yes I know them they're quite lame.
Dylan was magnificent in Nygaardsparken from the very first moment: Roving
Gambler was a highlight (fantastic sound, precise delivery), so was
Masters of War and on it went. But of course, you can't expect all of the
people listening to him for two hours to be on his level all of the time;
in fact, you can't expect that from anyone. You have to concentrate as
hard as he does, which is impossible not being in his shoes. Newspapers
the day after: great enthusiasm, nice photos, positive reviews, as well as
the usual crap (can't sing, no charisma, ueven, local noble nonentities
telling us he is important because he is a legend etc.etc.) but who cares,
all is phony. Among twenty highlights, I point to three: Gotta Serve
Somebody, It's Allright, Ma and The Wicked Messenger. I had been looking
forward to Things Have Changed, I knew that Highlands and/or In the Garden
was to ask for too much, I know he cannot play all of his songs in two
hours; we had You ain't going nowhere, Dignity, Visions of Johanna... so
the sun's not yellow, it's chicken! 

[TOP]

page by Bill Pagel
billp61@execpc.com

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