Reviews

I started to write a review for this show when I got home last night, but I 
realized pretty quick that I was too drunk to write anything that would 
make any sense to anybody.  So I'm writing now, with 16 hours of reflection, 
about one incredible show.

Unfortunately I arrived at the show 15 minutes late.  It is the first Bob 
show that I have been to where he actually started the show at the time 
printed on the ticket.  Anyway, I missed the first two songs, and was trying 
to find my seat in the darkness of the BU Armory, while Its Alright Ma rocked 
the place.  In my drunkenness and in the confusion as to where I was supposed 
to be sitting, I didn't even noticed Bob's phrasing of the best-suited line 
in that song for the past week's events.  In my first attempt to review this 
show, I ranted about an encounter I had with an extremely rude BU usher at 
this point in the show.  In my now sober state, I'm gonna leave that out of 
this review, because its not worth wasting my energy.

Tomorrow is Along Time was a highlight of the show for me.  I was worried 
that since Bob was playing to an all-college aged audience that he would be 
playing a greatest hits type set, and I wouldn't get to see anything I've 
never seen before.  However, he played a lot of tunes that I've never seen 
before, and this was one of them.  It was a very good performance of a song 
that I've actually been listening to quite often lately.

Tangled was Tangled.  However, the audience reaction to this song made it 
one of the best versions I've seen or heard (the grand ballad excluded - 
just kidding).

Searching for A Soldier's Grave closed out the acoustic set.  I would be 
inclined to think it might take the wind out of the audience and the band 
being played between Tangled and the electric set, but it didn't.  Very good 
performance of song I've never heard before.

Country Pie, Standing In the Doorway, Maggie's Farm, and Trying to Get to 
Heaven: three more I've never seen him play before and one old favorite.  
Country Pie was a good rocker to start of the electric set.  All three 
guitarist tearing it up with two Teles' and a Strat.  I had missed Bob when 
he came around last summer, so I had missed his performances of this song.  
However, I assume the arrangements were probably pretty similar.  Standing 
in the Doorway was good, Maggie's Farm tore up and was loud, and Trying to 
Get to Heaven was good, with a new arrangement.   As I said before, I was 
highly buzzed (ok, drunk off my ass) last night, so I really didn't notice 
much of a difference in this new version, although I think if I hear a tape 
of the show I would hear it a little differently.

Cold Irons Bound was arranged differently from the past versions I've seen 
(1-23-98, Fleet Center, and 12-9-97, Avalon, the post-TOOM, almost album 
versions).  A much better song now, and another highlight.

Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat always seems to sound the same, but that's not a 
bad thing.  A good, long jam out, and a perfect end for the electric set. 
Around this time I made my way forward, all the way up to the first row, 
and took my spot about 30-40 feet to Bob's right where I would watch the rest 
of the show.  I was close enough to see Bob's facial expressions throughout 
the encore.  I did not see the moustache he has been rumored to be sporting 
these days. 

On to the Encore.  I knew exactly what he was gonna play here (except 
Watchtower), and for some reason I found it necessary to yell out the title 
of each song before the band started playing.  I hope I didn't piss off 
anybody around me.  By the time Bob got to I Shall Be Released, and I shouted 
out the title before he started playing, this girl in front of me said, "wow, 
you must be his biggest fan."  Hardly.

At my prime location just East of Bob, I watched an awesome encore.  Things 
Have Changed was real good.  Like a Rolling Stone may be the best performance 
I have seen live, although that could be a result of the crowd reaction.  I 
couldn't wait to see If Dogs Run Free, and it was a surprisingly good 
performance.  However, I am embarrassed to say that I did not even notice 
the fact that another musician took the stage and played violin, on this 
performance, or on I Shall Be Released.  Watchtower and Highway 61 both 
rocked the place.  When Bob started playing Blowin in the Wind, I knew he 
was just about done, and I made my way back to my seat where the rest of my 
friends were still standing.

Considering the make-up of the audience, I was surprised by their overall 
reaction to the show.  The audience was extremely loud, or at least seemed 
to be from where I was standing.  Bob got a pretty good ovation at the end 
of the show, and you could tell everyone present really enjoyed the show.

All things said this was an excellent show, and I feel privileged to be one 
of 4500 who were allowed to attend this show.  I know my non-BU, Bob-fan, 
friends were upset when they found out this was going to be a BU-only show, 
and they should be, they missed a great show.  The performances were really 
tight, and I'm starting to really like this band.  Every song sounded great, 
and there were absolutely no low points all night long.

Can't Wait for Lowell tonight.

Erik Curtis

My daughter got me a ticket to see Bob at the BU Armory for my birthday 
through one of her many connections.  Why is it that a 21-year old has more 
connections than I do?  It was a "private" performance for BU undergraduates. 
and a few lucky others)

The best part was that the tickets were 12th row center. (Best seats I ever 
had to any concert and close enough to see the expressions on Bob's face)  
The worst part was I went alone.  I like to chat and found that the college 
undergrads surrounding me were not very interested in chatting with me.  
(No big deal)

The Armory proved to be a great place for a concert.  BU has its act together.  
Easy to get in and out - assigned seats - wide rows between seats for spacious 
dancing and in the absence of beer, free bottled water and popcorn.  A college 
crowd is the greatest group to enjoy a concert with - no worries about 
blocking someone's view behind you.  They were on their feet dancing, joyful, 
free, and loving Bob.  And he feed off their joy (I did too.)

To Ramona  brought me right back to Sacred Heart dances in high school.  Slow, 
dreamy and sensuous.  "…Your magnetic movements still capture the minutes I'm 
in…"  No matter how many times I hear Tangled, it still gets me.  Standing in 
the Doorway - "Everyday your memory grows dimmer.  It doesn't haunt me like 
it did before."  Great rendition.  Now one can capture the feeling of 
unforgettable love like Bob can.  Maggie's Farm -  Here Bob and the band 
really loosened up.  The crowd loved it and Bob started looking around and 
laughing.  Leopard Skin - fun and bluesy.  Everyone was having a great time.  
Bob and Charlie (??? The one with the long hair) and Tony were laughing and 
jammin'. Larry (short hair) was sullen but man he can play and he sure is 
purty to look at.

A guest violinist from Berklee played on  If Dogs Run Free and I Shall Be 
Released which gave the songs an extra punch.  Beautiful harmonies.

Like A Rolling Stone, Highway 61 and Blowin' all well received.
Final notes - Great concert, appreciative crowd, Bob and the band loose and 
easy.  Band was smokin' - really tight.  I keep reading about Bob's three 
note guitar solos.  He did more than that.  No big highlight or punch though  
- You know when Bob delivers a song or line in such a way that it grabs you 
and stays with you for a few days.

Final note - hats off to BU who brought Bob in and provided free tickets for 
their undergraduates.  A college that provides that kind of learning 
experience to their students is allright.