Bob Dylan 2001.04.27 in Knoxville
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: My Review of Knoxville From: Alan Sims alan@icx.net Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 02:48:13 GMT Hey Everybody, Now that I posted the paper's review, I'll post a few thoughts of my own. Duncan and Brady opened and it was ok. I just don't love the song, although I've felt for a long time that Bob and the band need about two songs to warm up and this one does as well as any for that. I worry that people will think he has lost it when he starts singing "Twinkle, twinkle little star." To Ramona followed and it was also in the ok category. I love the song, but thought this performance was less than stellar. Next came Desolation Row which was phenomenal. It was probably the best live version I've ever heard (ask Bill Parr, who was there and has heard many more than me, but this is what I thought, anyway). It was sweet, subdued, perfect. Tangled was good, but not necessarily great. Bob's picking was hardly audible where I was standing, though he did the usual noodling. By this time he was really cutting up with his dips and poses. Toward the end he played an extended harmonica solo which was very good. It was unfortunately the only harmonica of the night. Searching for a Soldier's Grave was ok. Stuck Inside of Mobile was very good. Nothing different about it, but I always love to hear it as I grew up in Mobile. Positively Fourth Street was good, but not special. A bit of muffed lyrics as usual, but not bad. Country Pie was very strong. I don't think the song deserves to stay in the set list based on its strength as a song, but it was fun. Not Dark Yet was other worldly! This is where Charlie Sexton's addition made a noticeable difference to me. The delicate work on his guitar made the song shimmer. Dylan's vocals were exceptional, with tremendous feeling and clarity. Cold Irons Bound was equally as good. Maybe the highlight of the night. It has a very different arrangement from last summer, with Dylan singing to quiet music during the verse and then an incredible wall of sound for the refrain. This was a crowd favorite. Rainy Day Women followed and I feared this was all we would get as this was a twin bill with the Black Crowes and it has been many years since I've heard this as anything other than a closer. Fortunately, this was not the case. It was actually well done, with a verse sang late, after much soloing ("ung and able" verse - my daughter laughed and said, "He got it right"). The encore (or second set) opened with a solid version of Things Have Changed. The Australian Oscar still rides on an amp to the rear of the stage. If Dogs Run Free was very good jazz in the opinion of a non-jazz aficionado. Very enjoyable. All Along the Watchtower was great and quite a crowd pleaser. I'm glad it's back. Knocking was excellent, excellent, excellent. Highway 61 was very good and Blowin' was just amazing. Random facts and observations: Chris Robinson and Kate Hudson were perched to the side of the stage enjoying most of the show. About 10,000 people were present. Some were there to see both, but the people around me, when asked, usually said they were there more for the Crowes or for Dylan. Thousands left after Dylan finished. There were high school girls all around me. I brought two of them: my daughter and her friend who are Dylan vets. There were many others. Also, there were very old fans who did not know the Crowes. I saw a group of about eight high school boys with matching Dylan shirts. When the Crowes finished they yelled for more Bob. I thought Bob looked healthy, though a man who said he was Bob's age, but had never seen him before, opined he looked unhealthy, so I don't know. He wore a black over-shirt/coat with black pants and white piping all over. I think the shirt was white and he wore a conventional tie with polka dots. One of a kind :-) I wondered how he can keep both Larry and Charlie happy with all the leads he takes and with the two of them competing for what's left. It just doesn't seem to be sustainable for me. I do think this line-up is as good as any he's ever had. I hope he records with them. That's it. I hope some of you find this interesting. I'll see you in Nashville! Peace, Alan in Knoxville