Review by Russell Leete
I have been going to Bob shows every chance I could for over 30 years,
probably somewhere between 40 and 50 shows total. I very nearly did not
go to this show after seeing him last on the Outlaws Festival tour last
year. The sound was well below standard at that show, Bob was literally
hidden from sight for the entirety of the show, his voice was strained and
emotionless, and he seemed to have no connection to the audience. It is
not hyperbole to say that he was completely hidden for the entirety of the
show last year, the stage lights were off and a weird topiary lighted
sculpture obscured his face the entire time. I decided it was too
disappointing and depressing to continue to go to shows if they were to be
like this, and resigned myself to the idea that that would be my last time
seeing him.
I am so glad that I abandoned last year's oath never to see him again.
This show was complete redemption. Bob's voice was stronger, clearer, and
more emotive than I have heard it in years. He seemed to be genuinely
having fun. The arrangements and accompanyment was paired back in a way
that highlighted the strength of his voice. Although Bob elected to hide
behind his trademark hoodie, and apparently requested that the megatrons
(that had been on for the opening acts) be turned off, this did not
detract from the show. Although the stage lights were dimmed, he was
clearly visible, and his body language and limited views of his face
displayed how much he continues to enjoy to perform (on a good night.) I
am not going to begrudge Bob his idiosyncrasies, he has earned the right
to don the hoodie with pride, but being able to see him again was so
uplifting.
No real surprises on the set list song choices, and very few misses. I
felt like the covers (I Can Tell, Share Your Love, I'll Make It all Up to
You) were among the weaker points in the performance, but that opinion is
strongly colored by the fact that I would simply prefer originals in their
place. I generally look at the covers in his sets as interesting glimpses
into Bob's eclectic musical tastes, and the majority of the value in those
performances is from those insights rather than their musical merit, and
these were no exception. The remainder of the set list, from the first
notes of To Be Alone With You to the last notes of the night that echoed
across the harbor (while Bob was likely already on the bus) were all joy.
Standouts included standards like It Aint Me Babe and I Shall Be Released
and a moving rendition of Crossing the Rubicon. Man in the Long Black
Coat started a little rough, but rallied to a solid performance that
showcased his unique musical timing, phrasing, and storytelling chops.
It is sometimes hard to pinpoint what differentiates a stellar Bob
performance from a mediocre one, particularly for folks who have not had
the opportunity to see him much. I was compelled to write this review
because I overheard a number of folks commenting that they did not think
that this was a good performance, the songs all sounded the same, he didnt
play his hits, ect. This show was a quinticential modern Bob performance,
and I am grateful to have gotten to see it. Any given show can be a hit
or a miss, but this is the type of show that will motivate me to keep
coming back for as long as Bob keeps touring, for the hope of another like
this.
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