Thanks to Matt Innes for the following review: Bournemouth 1st October Bob came on looking a little stilted, but the venue was so small, and the response from the audience so good, that he was soon into the swing of the set. Absolutely Sweet Marie warked up quickly, and Man in the Long Black Coat was well delivered, a personal favourite which I've been waiting eight years to hear him play. Tough Mama packed a punch, as was to be expected, and the rhythm section, to my mind, has improved immensely since the last tour I saw in England (Brixton '95). Bass particularly held Tough Mama together, seemed to be driving it fiercly from country rock to the Armeggedon feel of Down in the Flood form previous gigs. Enough of that. The real treats started coming thick and fast. You ain't going nowhere was sublime - as other reviewers have said, it has become almost lecherous, ans the final harmony was the sweetest thing I've heard in a while. Nostalgia aside, there was almost the Basmement Tapes feel lingering on the new album. You had to be there. Really. A brisk Silvio followed, not a personal favourite, but Bob did seem to start moving a little more, and was well warmed up for the acoustic part. I haven't heard the version of Cocaine Blues before, but this really blew me away, his voice back to mid-seventies standard, real commitment ot the song, and, again beautiful, workmanlike harmonies. Bliss. Tangled was good, if not as perfect as the Wembley version (see separate review). Tambourine man was sweet, but with a little more edge than previous Never Ending Tour version. The next revelation was Stuck Inside, which was punched out in as close to Blond on Blonde form as I've heard - the drums were absolutely spot on. The song roared towards the chorus with an energy I have never heard before. Absolute dynamite, and one of a few truly special moments in the show - you could close your eyes and just get lost in the song (Honestly!). Blind Willie McTell needs little said about it - a great sing, rephrased musically, with a straighter, less reverential intent, played live the only way it could be, and a little bit of history for any fan. Highway 61 rocked, to nearly as great effect as Stuck Inside, before the encores came. Standard, with a great Don't Think, and the most fantastic Love Sick -a whole section of the crowd cheered the opening chords - better timing in this than later performances on the tour. The usual #12/35 jam, and Bob, soaked in sweat, left. The whole venue was up and cheering (they don't do this much in Bournemouth!), 15-55 year olds, Bobcats, mums, dad St. John's Ambulance, everyone. He just turned up and knocked the whole place off of its feet. Tapes (please!) may show the performance was technically down on '95's tour, but the sheer expectation of the crowd made it a fantastic evening. Matt Innes
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