Reviews

A light crowd showed up to see Dylan in Lewiston on Monday at the Central
Maine Civic Center, a reconditioned ice hockey arena where Casius Clay
beat Sonny Liston thirty some-odd years ago in a famous one round fight.
Most of the crowd seemed interested in getting seats, but plenty of
enthusiastic die-hards and the younger set crowded the floor in front of
the stage. Still there was plenty of room on the floor behind the sound
and light boards to move around.

This show was blocked much the same as the show he performed in Augusta
last year (November 99) with a half-dozen acoustic pieces followed by
roughly the same number in an electric set. After the formation they
alternated between electric and acoustic for the final seven songs. This
show had much of the energy that Dylan fans have grown accustomed to
seeing in recent years. He and the band seem to genuinely enjoy what
they’re up to each night. Dylan continues to bring a passion to his
performances which leaves fans with little reason to wonder why he
continues to tour. With all of its energy, this show seemed to my wife and
me a bit more mellow than either the Augusta show or the Portland show
from February 99.

There were a few highlights worth mentioning for those who couldn’t be
there. “To Ramona” was evocative and melodious, Larry’s mandolin adding a
nice touch weaving in and out of the piece. “It’s Alright Ma” was
tremendous. He had performed a very similar arrangement in Augusta last
year, but this rendition seemed more haunting. I think part of it is that
this arrangement has the feel in the guitar picking of “Hollis Brown”. In
addition the slower more deliberate tempo gives Bob the chance to really
nail all those end-of-verse rhymes. “Tangled” is always fun, and even
though Bob didn’t do a long stint on the harp, we did get several rounds
through at the end with Larry and Charlie really cutting loose around
Bob’s more limited guitar licks. Big crowd pleaser. “Soldier’s Grave” is
just great fun. Screw anyone that says Dylan can’t sing. Harmonies like
that don’t just happen by accident. I read somewhere in an earlier post
for this tour that someone didn’t really understand what the appeal of
this song was for Bob. But I think if you look at the kind of music he
recorded for “World Gone Wrong” and “Good as I Been to You” – going all
the way back to “Bob Dylan”, and the inspiration he has always had in
participating in the stream of American music, it’s pretty easy to see the
appeal. If you don’t have your copy of Harry Smith’s Anthology yet it’s
time to run, not walk, to your favorite music outlet to pick it up.
“Country Pie” – great opening electric piece, followed by a ripping
version of “God Knows”. “Tombstone” felt a lot like “Maggie’s Farm” the
whole way through (was that just me?), but it was awesome. How about that
reworked “Cold Irons”? Man that was terrific. I know it’s been mentioned a
few times in earlier posts, but my goodness that was just terrific. The
percussion was a dramatic contribution to the whole new feel. I guess
there’s no question for me about the highlight of the show. “Girl of the
North Country” stopped me cold in my tracks. Beautifully woven guitar work
by Larry and Charlie. Powerfully, sensitively, pleadingly sung by Dylan.
So amazing, so wonderful. It was one of the more brilliant performances in
any concert by any artist I’ve ever seen. I could listen to it over and
over and never get to the bottom of it.

i had the pleasure of attending several Dylan shows
this week.
some of my impressions of monday's show at the central
maine civic arena.
long lines to park and the line for the ticket window
looked like a mess fifteen minutes before show time.
inside, a small warm arena set up for hockey.  maine
crowds are always fun and friendly, the usual mix of
old timers and young folks, also a lot of families
tonight.  mellow happy celebratory vibes and little to
no security...

Duncan and Brady-
getting the train rolling along nicely

To Ramona-
beautiful mandolin intro, this is always a favorite
for me, Dylan is articulating every word and the band
is tight as usual

It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)-
after a cheer of recognition, the crowd offers quiet
attention, Dylan is fully on now, carefully offering
the lines- interesting and subtle adjustments to the
phrasing, always presenting new ways to explore the
lyrics, then Dylan takes his first guitar solo of the
night, a final interpretation....

Love Minus Zero/No Limit-
nice guitar intro, Larry Campbell makes no wrong move
that i can detect this week, he is really fitting in
to the lead role nicely:  never greedy, he seems to
love to jam with the others, almost always expressive
and creative solos...Dylan is vocally very melodic on
this one, and really putting life into each
word-'rambles' really rambles, 'hammer' hits like a
hammer...

Tangled Up in Blue-
i'm another fan who doesn't tire of Tangled, and this
version is probably my favorite of the four i caught
this week, featuring a cool guitar solo in which Dylan
takes the lead playing sliding chords as opposed to
single notes.  all the verses are clear (as they were
all night), Dylan takes another killer solo at the
end, the crowd is all the way with him, cheering his
dance steps, Dylan looks like he feels good, whips
around and grabs his harp to more cheers, then tells
the story once more building to a wailing final course
and finale. wow.

Searching for a Soldiers Grave-
great three part vocal harmonies and super tight
country waltz from the band, these guys are really
onto some good stuff and they know it, now the
acoustics get put away and right into

Country Pie-
to me a great addition to the set these past couple
tours, perfect kicker to the electric portion of the
show, Dylan seems to be having fun, big eyes and
questioning eyebrows, then furrowed squint, head
cocked and maybe the gleam of a wicked smile.  killer
dueling guitars from Sexton and Campbell for the big
finish

God Knows-
slow building blues mortality vibe, Dylan looks like
he means it, rasping with feeling 'god knows you'll be
takin' nothin when you go....', this tune builds to a
hard driving blues shuffle ending

Positively Fourth Street-
always a treat for me, this time the laid back tempo
and relaxed delivery speaks to me of bitterness
tempered by time; whimsical, sad and even a little
funny, after the verses Dylan offers up another tasty
guitar solo, restating the issue in song.  crowd is
with him all the way

Tombstone Blues-
bright country two-step feel counterpoints the
underlying  menacing vibe, Dylan seems to call for an
extra long jam after the lyrics, nice to hear, i don't
miss hearing it every night

Trying to Get to Heaven-
interesting new take, colorful chords and Dylan has
kept my favorite little change in the chorus, seemed
to work better then the other night in Boston, i
expect that this is getting better the more they play
it, crowd really quiet and appreciative for the most
part

Cold Irons Bound-
this has been a consistent highlight for me this time
around, powerful psychedelic arrangement, Dylan's
vocals are adamant , firm , with more than a little
glimpse of the trickster, the band is tight as hell,
really smokin', and Dylan yells 'Yeahhh' after the
final 'cold irons bound' line

Band intros-
i won't try to wax much further on this incredible
ensemble, just to note the amazing range of styles
they seem to master individually and as a group, from
far out rock and roll to bluegrass and blues that even
purists' could appreciate.
also a quick word for David Kemper, truly one of the
'finest players in the country' that i've had the
pleasure to hear

Cats in the Well-
takes us out strong and dancing...

can't get enough of the Pose, i think it's great and i
love watching the crowd (and in effect myself mirrored
in them) almost as much as watching the Man for those
few moments, then they leave the stage after almost 75
minutes before returning for

Things Have Changed-
interesting newish tune very tight now after getting
worked out so much this year, lyrics remind me of
other recent tunes

Like a Rolling Stone-
again, my favorite version this week, maybe it's cause
we're rolling towards the end of my last show for now,
but the lyrics and delivery seemed especially powerful
tonight, offered as a wake up call, or even maybe a
way out of self delusion to any who might want to
hear....

If Dogs Run Free-
acoustic jazz vibes, maybe a speakeasy or juke joint,
another expressive delivery, Dylan seems to dig the
question, and so do the rest of us, a little group
ponder on what could be...

Love Sick-
great rendition, musically flawless, a bold but matter
of fact statement of self on display...

North Country Girl-
images of a light from a warm country house on a cold
crisp snowy maine night....again the crowd is quiet
and into the music for the acoustic tunes allowing
Dylan and the band to play and sing very softly and
expressively, another quirky and masterful guitar solo
from Dylan, he steps and dips, nods and bobs, and we
reward his effort...cold air on my face and ears and
the warmth of the fire inside....

Highway 61-
fire the engine back up, it's almost time to hit the
road again, soon a well oiled machine is deep in it's
stride, lots of good faces from Dylan, always blase as
he delivers the killer line, working out the blues one
last time for a room full of happy mainers.

Blowin in the Wind-
a great way to leave us, Dylan offers the big
question, do with it what you will, goose bump
sing-a-long on the final chorus

once more we all face each other, then Bob Dylan and
his Band are gone after just under 2 hours of some of
the finest words and music i've found

finally, it was without a doubt a wonderful and at
times transcendent night, Dylan literally barely
missed a word all night, and as you have no doubt
noticed by now i thought the band was wonderful.  if
you can be in new jersey or maryland this week don't
miss it, you're in for a treat...
much thanks to Bill Pagel for his work and service,
and, as always, thank you Mr. Dylan!

Three days after the event, I catch myself smiling constantly at the
memory of an extraordinary performance. I've seen Bob around 20 times,
mostly in Maine, and this performance has to rank up there in the top
three. (Seeing him after his heart problem a few years ago on a beautiful
summer evening outside at a New Hampshire ski area was probably the tops,
if only because I was just thrilled that he was still with us.) This
particular venue is not what you would call inspiring (a dank, dark,
airless sort of place that you knew would not contribute anything positive
acoustically). I watched the crowd come in while waiting for a friend and
was struck by just how broad a group is attracted to Bob and his music.
Several years ago in Bangor, I thought the diverse audience was unlike I
had every seen at a concert. I am usually accompanied by my 18 year old
son and we have had many, many memorable evenings together listening to
Dylan in person but Jared is half a world away this fall and I was on my
own, but with friends. The highlight for me were several songs I had never
heard in concert: Country Pie and Girl of the North Country. These were
outstanding renditions of beautiful and haunting tunes. Tangled shifted
into another gear about half way through and took the crowd along with
it.. The next song, Searching for a Soldier's Grave, broke the momentum
built by Tangled but was nice in its own right ( I just wish it had come a
song earlier). Positively 4th Street was nailed, definitely the best
version I have ever heard live. Tryin' to Get to Heaven was of a different
world than the studio cut but done masterfully. The band seemed to be on a
mission with Cold Irons; a tune that nearly took my breath away. What
struck me more than anything is how Bob keeps going and going and going.
His willingness to play in out of the way places (and believe, Lewiston
definitely makes the top of that list) and stay in touch with his legion
of fans in Maine is extraordinary. He is truly the last troubadour and his
fans in Maine know and appreciate this. He did not play Forever Young but
all of us hope he'll live those lyrics for years to come. Thank you Bob
for such great memories. There are many people smiling today as we recall
a gem of a performance Monday night.