Reviews

     If you are attending a concert at Riverfront Amphitheatre,
make sure you leave your religious pamphlets at home.  There is
a huge sign in the parking lot listing all the items which
are not permitted. One of them is missle (sic) like objects.
    This amusing spelling error was symbolic of the oppressive
atmosphere in the Riverfront Amphitheatre parking lot,
a striking contrast with last night's Deadhead festival outside
Sandstone. Here there were no signs of the tailgate parties,
or roving Daiquiri vendors. No doubt this was because of the
numerous police officers on motorized mini-bikes who seemed to pop
up every few minutes.  
     There were long queues at the admission booths.  Since we had
arrived about 6:30, this was a concern since we expected Bob 
to be on stage shortly after 7.
    The long lines were due to the fact that every patron,
(including your corespondent) was frisked by one of several
women at the gate.  She did not object to anything I was
carrying (although I did have a small booklet - sort of 
Missal-like!) so I entered without a hassle.  My travelling
buddy Edwin and I were in our third row centre seats by
7:15.

     We were very excited about the concert in St. Louis, because
we were lucky enough to have third row centre seats.  We 
knew this would be a special night on our three day excursion
to the Mid-west to follow Bob Dylan.
    However, we could not have foreseen our good luck. ONe of the
venue security staff informed us that Bob's people wanted to have
the first three rows of people to be standing at the rail, 
sort of like general admission.  Edwin and I quickly moved up,
and I parked my self right at the rail, where I stayed for the 
duration.
      The excitement built as the familiar smell of incense drifted
around us.  Bob was soon introduced, and the band opened with the
same few songs as he has been playing lately:

Oh Babe, It Ain't No Lie and To Ramona, which was nicer
than last night, with clearer enunciation. Third was 
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright. Bob sang this one softly,
almost purring out the words.

    Tangled Up In Blue again featured a harmonica solo,
with positive response from the audience. This song, although
played frequently, continues to please both those who have
seen a lot of shows, and newcomers to Bob's live performances.

    Searching For A Soldiers Grave followed. Bob clearly takes
this song seriously, singing carefully and with feeling.
It does not get much reaction (since it is such a serious song,
I suppose) but does get good applause at the end.

    "..love that Country Pie!" as Bob sings.  I love this
song, and watching Bob play it. He is enjoying this whimsical
song.  Charlie Sexton did some amazing electric guitar picking
on this one.  Bob is really letting this talented guitar player
shine.
     After Country Pie, Bob approached the microphone. He 
said "I played St. Louis in 1959. IT was a place called
'The Laughing Buddha'. I want to dedicate that last song
to that particular place.". 
      I suppose the year is an exaggeration, but was there
really a folk club called the Laughing Buddha?
    Next up was "..Memphis Blues..".  Bob really started to get
more animated now, singing the lyrics with expression, 
winking at people in the audience, and playing some
fine lead guitar.
     This led into the only real surprise tonight, 
"Simple Twist of Fate".  Arching eyebrows, and
flashes of smiles to highlight certain lyrics in
this one.
    Drifters Escape was the highlight of the show for
me.  The song really rocks, and includes a great
harmonica solo.  It is great to see Bob re-interpreting
songs from his back catalogue this way.         
     During the band intros, Bob delivered a
David Kemper joke: "David was going to be a 
doctor, but he did note have any patience".
        Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat was the last song
before the encore.  Things Have Changed, Like a Rolling
Stone and Forever Young for an encore, with
Highway 61 as a bit of an afterthought. The band members
were waiting for the word from Bob, before I saw him 
mouth "Highway" to Tony..
     Rollicking good song, as usual.  Afterwards, Bob
and the boys stood at attention, while the crowd gave
a rousing ovation, and another show is history.

Martin Abela
St. Louis, Missouri
July 9, 2000

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO- bob dylan played his second best concert that i have
seen in my life. it was the fourth time to see him for me. the best show i
saw was in dayton, oh where i am from. i drove from fayetteville, ar and
my folks came in from dayton to see bob on saturday night. man, what a
show! dylan, who's 59, moved around of stage like an 80 year old charlie
chaplin all the while playing the crowd with his band. his band "wiggle
wiggle" may be the best since "the band". they are so tight it's no even
funny. dylan is really lucky to have charlie sexton, who ten years ago,
was a prodigy on the guitar. he still is. i thought that drifter's escape
was awesome! i've never heard it played that way but dylan made the song
come alive. i was hoping for a few more songs off of time our of mind but
dylan dug deep into his bluegrass roots with a few songs. highway 61
revisited was unbelievable at the end. my dad and i were wanting that and
it rocked!! st. louis is a great place to see a show except for the fact
off all the white brutal middle class cops and security people that
insisted on doing a full body search before we entered the show. we didn't
stay or lesh, becuase he's no dylan! thanks..... Dan Taylor Fayetteville,
Ar dstaylo@comp.uark.edu