Reviews Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg Rockhal October 28, 2024 |
Review by Daniel Hildebrand
,
It was a show, quite on the same level as Dusseldorf, until Bob delivered
a special version of "My Own Version Of You". After that, the whole energy
completely changed. Even the start was a bit unusual. Not only did it not
start until 8:30 pm, but Bob and the band were also a few minutes late.
The group dynamic of the band is worth mentioning in advance. When Bob is
happy after a successful song or solo, he almost always turns to Jim
Keltner and Tony Garnier. In general, he is in constant communication,
especially with Jim Keltner, and especially when things are going well.
About Bob Britt, he lets the songs go by nodding these days, and Doug
Lancio gets almost no attention from the master. Considering that Doug
and Bob Britt have been friends for a very long time, you can really
speak of a small group formation on stage, with Bob Britt and Doug Lancio
on one side, and the then the other three.
All Along The Watchtower
Things went the usual way. I like Bob's guitar licks these days. The last
line of Watchtower, with which Bob brings the song to a close can make or
break the impression for me. But today and yesterday it was really good.
It Ain't Me, Babe
Again, great guitar solo by Bob (D.) and long, great harmonica! Strongly
delivered with a clear voice! The first hint that this could go into a
good direction tonight.
I Contain Multitudes
After Doug Lancio's acoustic guitar intro, Bob almost missed the first
line, since he hard forgotten to take the mic out of it's stand. But he
did it, and delivered a beautiful rendition, and not even mumbled
"The Rolling Stones" this time, but sang/said it loud and clear.
False Prophet
He started the song standing next to Tony. He soon walked over to the
piano and delivered a pretty much same version as yesterday.
When I Paint My Masterpiece
He again started the song whilst standing far back on stage, right next
to Tony. Doug Lancio played a great solo, and Bob added a good dose of
harmonica afterwards. At the end, not for the last time, he turned to
Tony and Jim, laughing and satisfied.
"...turn my back to the world for a while - just a little while."
Black Rider
Strong as always, there is just not much to say about it. We got the
double-maybe again for the high moral grounds.
He introduced Doug Lancio after the song.
My Own Version Of You
The song started as usual, without really being about to become one of
the highlights of the evening. Bob slammed the mic down on the piano
again and couldn't keep up with the lyrics here and there.
Suddenly Bob found an aggressive, meditative phrasing pattern that
gradually added intensity to the song:
Two doors down, not that far to walk
I'll hear your footsteps, you won't have to knock
I'll bring someone to life, balance the scales
I'm not gonna get involved in any insignificant details
He carried it through to the end, and at the end he turns back to Jim
and Tony and all three laugh contentedly.
In my opinion, this song was kind of a turning point for the concert
today. From this point on, Bob's mood and energy increased
significantly, as the rest of the songs showed.
To Be Alone With You
Still intoxicated by the unexpected success of the previous song, Bob
step-danced almost as if floating on a cloud towards the center stage
while crooning the first lyrics. Similar to yesterday, the audience
was also clearly carried away today, at the latest when the rhythmic
acoustic guitar kicked in. Another highlight of the evening!
After the song, Tony Garnier was introduced: "Tony Garnier is on the
bass guitar... He know's what it's like to be alone with you."
Crossing The Rubicon
Once again a strong performance.
Jim Keltner was introduced after the song: "Jim Keltner on the drums...
Jim has crossed the Rubicon many times, like we all have to, sooner or
later."
Desolation Row
Almost frenetically celebrated by the audience. Once again the Einstein
verse. Great harmonica solos both before and after the last verse
(Received your letter...)! And a great piano solo before the last verse.
All in all, perhaps the strongest Desolation Row I've seen this fall.
Key West
There was the expected cheering during "Coming in from Luxembourg".
A lot of harp between the lines. During this song, I noticed quite well
how elegantly Bob sometimes lets the mic slide from one hand to the
other and then bends gracefully over the piano, at which he performed
the song standing up.
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
Slightly new arrangement. New lick by Bob Britt.
This time, he got the lyrics right at the beginning, but then messed
them up in the middle of the song.
I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You
During the first lines of the song, Bob has had enough of the constant
struggle with the microphone cable and sets out to sort it out once
and for all. Here I always find it amazing how well he can deliver
some songs by heart despite being distracted at times. Vocally,
perhaps the best "Made Up My Mind" that I remember on this tour. Lots
of power and strength in the voice.
Watching The River Flow
And up another level! At the beginning of the song, he lined up at the
back of Tony again and must have caught sight of his guitar. Because
next he ran over and played his guitar for several minutes before the
first line. Then there was a great piano solo also before the first
verse started. It's crazy to think how little this song gave me when
it was the opener, and how it's kicking in now! And it also fits
perfectly into the set at this point. To ring in the end as usual,
Dylan nods over to Britt, which he doesn't notice until a little late.
As Bob Britt then walks towards Keltner as usual and the band have
already heralded the end of River Flow, another
"PEOPLE DISAPPEARING EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK!"
aired through the hall, and the song was rolled out again at this
point. This improvisation always makes the shows so distinctive and
that's actually what I admire most about Bob: That he does what he
thinks is right (what he thinks is best) at the moment or what he
feels like doing.
Mother Of Muses
Here we were able to experience an almost Chaplinesque Dylan scene
like in the good old days. This time: Dylan and the piano stool. At
the beginning of Mother of Muses, he moved it from left to right,
from front to back and back again. Then he sat down for three seconds
before standing up again. Moved it again. A little puzzled and maybe
slightly worried, Tony took a few steps in his direction. When the
song was already over and the audience was clapping, Dylan played a
spontaneous harp solo to really bring the song to a close.
Goodbye Jimmy Reed
Not really the song of the evening. He started center stage then on
the way to the piano the lyrics were completely messed up. Typical
Dylan, totally in a harp mood, had to come up with something special
for Jimmy Reed too: It was kind of like:
Transparent woman SHORT HARP in a transparent dress SHORT HARP
Suits you well, SHORT HARP I must confess SHORT HARP
I'll break open your grapes, SHORT HARP I'll suck out the juice SHORT HARP
I need you SHORT HARP like my head needs a noose
He was once again so in harp fever that he forgot to take the harp
away from the microphone during the last verse. Tony was amused again
because you could also assume that Dylan might even do it extra at a
certain point. But then he did take it away for the last line of the song.
Every Grain Of Sand
Great as usual, Dylan and Britt playing perfectly together here.
That's it for me for now. I've seen 10 shows so far on this tour, and
now will have to wait for the London shows.
Review by Marc Hoffeld
,
Bob was in tha house!
It was the sixth time Bob performed in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and
I had the chance not to miss a single one of his shows over the decades.
Thanks to a good samaritan we (my brother, two friends and myself) got
tickets for the Rockhal VIP lounge with an great view on the stage. The
Rockhal is situated in the south of our small country with easy access
and was already host of many exceptional concerts during the last 20
years.
Maybe Bob also tried the mouthwatering pulled pork we got served as the
show began one half hour later than normal.
At 8:30 sharp, Mr. Dylan and his musicians entered the stage and started
the now fixed 2024 set with "All along the Watchtower". The sound was
excellent and Bob's voice clear and distinct. In my 30 or so Bob Dylan
concerts since 1984 this has not always been the case, to be honest.
As I missed the Brussels 2022 show due to Covid, I could fully
appreciate the "Rough And Rowdy Ways" songs for the first time live.
During the "Key West" lyrics : ... on that pirate radio station coming
out of Luxembourg and Budapest.. we felt the urge to scream like crazy.
We hope that the other 6500 spectators will forgive our little emotional
outburst.
Mr. Zimmerman was in a good mood. Standing a lot, playing the harp,
dancing, smiling and even bending his knees during "When I Paint My
Masterpiece".
For me the closing song "Every Grain of Sand" from the "Shot of Love"
album was THE highlight of the concert (among others):
"In the fury of the moment I can see the master's hand
In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand"
and then he was gone without a single word. What should he say? It would be
banal compared to his oeuvre!
May you live forever Mister Dylan!
Marc Hoffeld
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