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Bob Dylan 980131 in Atlantic City, NJ - Trump Taj Mahal


Subject: taj mahal
From: Peter Stone Brown (peterb@erols.com)
Date: Sun, 01 Feb 1998 02:35:14 -0500

Atlantic City, you know it's a crazy place the minute you see the lights from the 
Casinos on the bridge leading from the Atlantic City Expressway.  Nobody on the main 
street, Atlantic Avenue at all, just blocks and blocks of massage parlors and porno 
stores, just lots of cars and lots and lots of stretch limos, and some that were really 
stretched.  The Taj Mahal is gigantic, bright white with big red neon and inside 
immediately are one armed-bandits and a room with some type of game going on.  Had 
tickets waiting at the box office, long lines, ended up with not bad seats on the side, 
perfect to see Bob and Larry, not so good to see Tony and Bucky.  There was pretty good 
music I didn't recognize playing as we found our seats which was soon replaced by Hank 
Williams.  

Bob came out and was ready, on from the first note of "Sweet Marie," his 
voice amazingly strong and clear--in fact the sound throughout the night was rather 
impeccable, none of the we'll get it together by the third song stuff.  Bucky for once 
was coming through loud and clear, delivering some incredible steel on the second song 
"Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," puctuated by near-perfect country riffs from 
Larry.  As usual the two assholes who happened to sit behind me talked through every 
instrumental break.  Dylan was quite animated, not quite dancing, but certainly moving 
around, but it was his singing that truly dominated the show, easily surpassing the 
Saturday show I saw in NYC just two weeks ago.  There's some shows where he takes a few 
songs to warm up and some shows where he's on from the first note.  Tonight it was from 
the first note and he didn't stop.  And there's some shows where you think to yourself, 
yes that is Bob Dylan up there and there's some other shows where he's BOB DYLAN and 
tonight he was most definitely BOB DYLAN.  He kind of rushed through a cool, smoothly 
executed "Can't Wait," and then delivered a stunning, show-stealing "Just Like A Woman," 
more than warmed up, he played around with his phrasing, chopping off some lines, 
holding others, having fun, but extremely confident, on the last chorus adding "Yes you 
do," after each line.  Sylvio was its usual self, followed by a relaxed but solid 
"Cocaine," with Dylan riffing nicely on the guitar.  But for me the highlight of the 
acoustic set was an intense "Masters of War," with Bucky playing really spooky mandolin. 

 I started thinking how Dylan always seems to bring this out when the U.S. is on the 
verge of war to have my concentration broken by the assholes behind me.  They'd been 
silent for a while since one of them had left to get some beer, while the other one 
rolled a joint.  But now they were talking again and during the acoustic part!  So I had 
to turn around and say "Would you please be quiet," and they were so wrapped up in their 
conversation that they didn't notice until I said it louder.  Finally the guy looks at 
me and says "What?"  I repeated, "Could you be quiet, I'd like to HEAR the song."  
"Right on man," was the reply.  I was seriously wishing Luca Brasi would magically 
appear and put a think silken rope around his neck, just as Larry kicked off "Tangled." 
 The Trump security was having no stage rush on this one.  Million Miles came next with 
Dylan getting playful with his vocals again. After the line, "There's plenty of people 
who'll put me up for a day or too," he added "At least I hope they do."  He was equally 
playful for "Wheels On Fire," delivering an almost stacatto mem-O-ry on "memory serves 
you well," while the band was appropriate spooky.  Dylan then introduced the band 
without any jokes and into a rather soaring Highway 61.

" 'Till I Fell In Love With You," opened the encore set with Dylan taking off his guitar 
before the band stopped playing.  Returning, he pulled a nice surprise with "It Ain't Me 
Babe," repeating the "It ain't me you're looking for babe" line on each chorus.  The 
song was really going great until Bob started to practice his lead playing.  He hit the 
inevitable acoustic encore lead solo wrong note and it just kind of went downhill from 
there with him never really finding whatever it was he was trying to play.  He more than 
made up for it with a dynamic "Love Sick" with the band being astoundingly forceful on 
the little musical rise before each "Sick of Love."

The lights came on with the drum intro the usual closing song, and it was into the make 
believe world of bright lights and gamblers.  It wasn't the most incredible setlist 
(wouldn't have minded "Queen Jane"), but it was most definitely a great show.
-- 
"I was just too stubborn to ever be governed 
by enforced insanity."  --Bob Dylan
Peter Stone Brown 
e-mail: peterb@erols.com   http://songs.com/psb



Subject: DYLAN AT THE TAJ MAHAL From: Marvincat9 (marvincat9@aol.com) Date: 1 Feb 1998 16:30:30 GMT As a long time casino employee and an even longer time Dylan follower, I was concerned about the pairing at the Taj, where I'm currently employed. First of all, Dylan doens't play casino showrooms ever, with the possible exception of an outdoor show at Bally's a few years back, and one or two shows at Hard Rock in Las Vegas. Both of those are not traditional casino showrooms with traditional casino crowds. So last night was, in some ways, a first. I thought the Taj crowd might be quiet (stunned) and that Dylan's show might suffer accordingly. I was wrong on both counts, although the crowd's enthusiasm was more restrained than it is at venues filled 100% with Dylan lovers. I've seen six shows this year (Monmouth NJ, Holmdel NJ, Mann in Philly, Trocadero in Philly, Van and Bob in NYC and Taj) and this one had Dylan and the band into it from the very first note. I had pre-warned many friends that sometimes the first three or so songs were a little ragged, but not tonight. Dylan's phrasing and timing were impeccable, he enunciated every phrase, and he moved and mugged around the stage throughout. I can only wonder what the show would have been like if the crowd had been able to interact like it does at most venues. Dylan was dressed in what looked like a brown leather suit, but when the lights changed it glittered, so it must have been some type of material with glitter imbedded. Maybe this was his Elvis casino garb? He picked and fluffed and shook his hair throughout the show, like he had something in it. Peter Stone Brown's "taj mahal" on this site is right on target about the show. The setlist was nothing spectacular (if you see a lot of shows- it might be spectacular if you only get to go once). My highlights: Absolutely Sweet Marie- Perfect from first note to last and set the tone for the rest of the show. The importance of setting this tone, particularly for first-timers, can't be understated. Just Like A Woman- Stunning. The best version I've heard when he doesn't play the harmonica (which he didn't all night). This Wheel's On Fire- Very powerful, very beautiful. Til I Fell in Love With You, Lovesick- The new stuff gets stronger with every show, and he obviously throws himself into it. These songs are becoming some of the most powerful he does. Rainy Day Woman #12 & 35- Even this old chestnut got a strong treatment and left the crowd dancing, as usual. Finally, the sound at the Etess Arena is unparalleled, and that added to the strength of the show. All in all, it was a great night, and much better than I'd anticipated. Hopefully, He'll be back.
Please note that Peter's imagination may have got the best of him
in the following! Bob, please read this and ....zzzzFF
Subject: by the cold grey sea From: Peter Stone Brown (peterb@erols.com) Date: Sun, 01 Feb 1998 01:47:03 -0500 We knew we we're in for a special night when they rolled the organ onstage. Then Bob came out wearing, jeans, beatle boots, an old sports jacket and his black wayfarer shades accompanied by none other than Jim Dickinson on keyboards! A guitarless Bob blew one wailing note on the harp and they launched into an unbelievably rocking Black Crow Blues. As if that was surprise enough, the guitar roadie then brought out an ancient Gibson J-50 acoustic and Bob slipped on finger picks while the band watched him with the most caution they've displayed since 1991. Another roadie brought him a stool that was next to the monitor mixing board and he sat down and slowly began the lick to Highlands, and did the whole damn song. I pulled out the 45 I'd bought in a hock shop earlier that day and shot the three people talking behind me just in time to hear the restaurant verse. The song went on for over 20 minutes and he did all kinds of verses not on the album. My notebook with the setlist had fallen out of my hands onto the floor. At the very end after "it's good enough for now," he whipped out a slide and played the best slide solo he's played since "In My Time of Dyin'." At the song's end, the roadie brought him his regular Gibson acoustic and someone took the stool. Bob took off his shades, peered at the crowd and said, "We're really happy to be in a gamblin' town tonight," as Kemper kicked of a rockabilly train beat and Dylan strummed real fast like he does on the outtake of "That's All Right Mama," and played a frenzied two minute harp solo before singing, "Come around you rovin' gamblers and a story I will tell.... " "I think I'm going to have a heart attack, I can't believe he's doing 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Willie'," I said to my friend, a bluegrass singer by the name of Train, then it went into the "Ride Willie Ride" chorus with Larry and Bucky joining in, with Bucky providing a dazzling mandolin solo. Most of the audience didn't know what the hell was happening except for a few scattered hard-core rmd-ers who were writhing in ecstacy. The song ended with Bob with the harmonica holder once again around his neck trading off licks with Larry and Bucky. At the songs end, Dylan laughed and said, "This sure is a hell of a town. I haven't seen this many bright lights since San Francisco. I saw 150 card cames just outside this room. Here's one we haven't done for about 20 years, this is for all those people playin' cards," and began another high flying version of 'Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts,' that was unbelievably incredible until the jam at the end where Bob tried to play lead guitar and harp at the same time. The lights got real low, with the rest of the band in shadows and a sole spotlight on Bob. Kemper clicked his sticks together four times, hit the kick drum and Larry played an incredibly soulful reminiscent of Steve Cropper solo and Bob began singing a stunningly intense "Tryin' To Get To Heaven," remembering the two note harp solo, followed by an equally incredible "Cold Irons Bound," which got twice as amazing when they segued into Howling Wolf's "How Many More Years," in the middle before going back to the last verse. The invevitable "Sylvio" followed. Then the roadie brought back the Gibson and a very curious thing happened. All of the band left the stage except for Tony and Jim Dickenson. Dylan spoke again, "I was down in another gamblin' town, not too long ago, uh Washington DC. They've got some very strange people in Washington. This is for them. And slowly with the guitar in open E tuning, he began a slow, mournful "Idiot Wind," and when he got the "Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol," line he held the "tol" part as long as he could '66 style, the rest of the band snuck on stage and kicked in during the last verse. The guitar roadie appeared again and handed Bob a shining Gibson 12-string. At this point I was about 95 miles past eterninty as Kemper hit the drums with a crack almost as powerful as Mickey Jones' on the 9-minute "Like A Rolling Stone," and Kemper shot out the opening lick to "Caribbean Wind." The audience virtually exploded when he sang, "Atlantic City by the cold grey sea." Dylan introduced the band minus the usual Bucky jokes abd closed the set with a searing, " 'Till I Fell In Love With You," taking off his guitar and just standing there while the band finished the song. They returned a few minutes later of course and before they began to play, Dylan said, "This one's for Donald Trump," as Tony launched into a loud heavy blues riff that turned out to be "Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar." Once again the roadie brought out the acoustic, Larry picked up a fiddle, Tony the double-bass, and with Kemper brushing the drums, played an absolutely celestial "Restless Farewell." The lights went down, but you could see the band huddling near the monitor mixing console before they returned for "Love Sick," but it wasn't "Love Sick" at all, it was a triumphant "Changing of the Guard" with Bucky playing the sax part on the steel. The house lights came on with the band still on stage and I waited for the usual drum kick-off to Rainy Day Women, but Dylan had one more surprise in store, "We've got a special friend here tonight," he said, as the roadies brought out an extra mike stand, "drove 200 miles just to be here," Levon Helm walked out smoking a cigarette and holding an old Gibson mandolin, he and Larry looked at each other intently, then began a perfectly executed intro to a completely raucous, "Please Mrs. Henry." Levon, alternating verses with Dylan completely ignored his own mike during the choruses, sharing Bob's instead while Dylan was trying his very best not to crack up laughing. Then they were gone. We walked out into the bright lobby assaulted by one-armed bandits, dressed up people wearing fancy clothes, and 100 card games happening all at once. -- "I was just too stubborn to ever be governed by enforced insanity." --Bob Dylan Peter Stone Brown e-mail: peterb@erols.com http://songs.com/psb
Subject: 1-31 Atlantic City - another view From: Drayla (drayla@aol.com) Date: 1 Feb 1998 18:29:02 GMT Went to the taj mahal show...what a silly place that is. the casino, ac and all. strange place to see a show, albeit a convenient one. as i figured, tickets were available an hour b4 the show at the box office for 35 bucks, even tho when i called a few days b4 they said it was sold out. the arena holds about 5-6000? with steep risers I_I <--- like this. Blank space is the stage and seats on the floor in the middle. The place was packed tho not jammed like the Troc. I reckon being a Casino they gave out a lot of comps. The crowd was pretty well focused and there to see Bob. Strange that people are nearly giving away tickets outside a 1200 seat PhillyTroc show and yet a 5-6000 seat arena is filled up in AC. Could very well be the New York City people coming down. I spent the first half of the concert high in the risers on the left side. The sound was not especially good there and folks were chatting. Spent the rest of the show on the Floor in the Rear near center and the sound was Amazing there -- crystal clear. I really though Million Miles was the hi-lite of a basically average show. The band really got into this one and Bob creamed it vocally. Its nice to hear a song they havent shuffled thru 1200 times like silvio or tuib. This one was worth the trip. Band really cooked on hiway 61 and Til I Fell in love was wonderful too. Bob's vocal on Cocaine was also good. I was suprised the way people rave on the NG about Sweet Marie and Bob being sharp on the early numbers. I thought the band sounded a little ragged and scattered early on -- nothing compared to brimstone openers of Maggies Farm at the troc 6 weeks ago...then again maybe i was in an acoustic dead spot. All in all, a nice show at a wacky, tho comfortable venue. Are we spoiled or what here in the Northeast corridor :) {Bob dont read this line!!} regards -- Theo +++ to the gal from Colorado -- You dance real nice!! +++
Subject: Re: by the cold grey sea From: Sadiejane (sadiejane@folly.org) Date: Tue, 03 Feb 1998 11:12:51 -0800 Peter Stone Brown wrote: > > damn song. I pulled out the 45 I'd bought in a hock shop earlier that > day and shot the three people talking behind me just in time to hear the > restaurant verse. I have begun to favor tranquilizer darts which I bought off an aboriginal Indian last time I safariid in Central Australia. The nicest thing about them is that when you are discharging these little, painless darts you don't disturb those around you because they are completey soundless! Tapers in particular are beginning to inquire about importing them in large quantities. They are small, completely natural (no metal or man made materials at all) and can be worn in the breast pocket of a shirt or jacket...or even behind the ear! Apparently the after effects for the victom are very mild too - within seconds of being innoculated the loud and barking audience member falls into a deep sleep and awakes about 90 minutes later feeling as though they've had one too many. When I was still using a 45 I had to get a silencer for it or my taping friends wouldn't sit near me. Nothing worse than the sound of a gun firing during Hattie Carroll or Masters of War. Silencers helped - but even then, I've found the dart to be even quieter :+} nice review though - really felt that I was really there! xx sadie
Subject: Review of Atlantic City - only 1560 words this time :-) From: Stasia (A_Karel@ACAD.FANDM.EDU) Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 03:43:50 -0400 Oh wow. Just got back from AC and am I pumped! Okay, before I begin the actual review, let me say that due to map confusion, we arrived late - in the middle of "Can't Wait". While I'm disappointed that I didn't get to hear "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You", it didn't ruin the show for me (and I've heard Sweet Marie 3 other times so that was okay too). So my friends and I literally ran from the parking garage to the will call/box office, and, thanks to my analysis of the previous setlists, I knew that Bob was doing the 3rd song. I had heard "Just Like A Woman" in August, but it was so much better tonight. Also included great footwork by Bob. Let me take a minute to explain the seating arrangements. Had we actually sat in the seats listed on the tickets, the night would have been much different. I had waited a while to buy the tickets, so our "seats" were in section L, row N, blah, blah....but we never went near that area. As we walked in, we saw lots of empty seats in the first row of the elevated area, and parked ourselves down behind and just to the left of the soundboard. Pros and cons to this situation: we were never bothered by ushers or people looking for their seats; but, there was A LOT of audience traffic that would occasionally block our view of the stage; the seats gave us a great opportunity to take part in the stage rush at the end of the show. Okay back to the music. "Silvio" was expected of course, and Bob was just groovin'. The two people I was with had never seen Dylan; one of them knew the Greatest Hits 1,2,3, and TOOM; the other knew TOOM and some other stuff I'd lent him. Oh and now the acoustic set. The same anticipation as I'd had in NYC. And we were greeted with "Cocaine Blues". Got to hear this twice in August, but quite happy to hear it again. However, this time it wasn't quite as moving as I remember it being - but it was a "true acoustic" number, with David using those cool feathered drumsticks to mute the sound. "Masters Of War" was a definite highlight for me; have never heard it live and fully enjoyed every moment of it. Bob's voice was very clear and a bit cynical sounding - but that made it so great. I also noticed it had a rather strange upbeat quality to it, but as soon as I noted this, I realized that Bucky was using the mandolin - obviously the reason behind the cool sound. This time I payed attention during "Tangled Up In Blue" (perhaps you remember my NYC review). And the verses were in order, except that he skipped the 5th! You know, the one about her lighting a burner on the stove (someone else mentioned hearing this same discrepancy). I got treated to my favorite lighting technique - the one with golden hues that puts their shadows on the back wall. Also, Bob did indeed sing "truck drivers wives". "Million Miles" was expected and was very nice, except that he skipped my favorite verse ("rock me pretty baby..."). But, Bob made up for it by doing that ad lib (already mentioned by someone) after the "I know a lot of people who've put me up for a day or two" line - he added "hope I do". Then, at the end of this song, he fixed his hair - ran his hands through; seemed like a rather cute thing to do. "This Wheel's On Fire" is a song that I barely know, although I was able to figure it out quickly enough. And I really like this song now; esp. that line about your memory serving you well. I forgot that Bob would be introducing the band, and was a little surprised when he said, "Thanks everybody". No special lines added to the band members names - but they all waved, esp. Larry, who made a wide, sweeping type. Oh yeah, as he was finishing up the intros - I guess right between Bucky and Tony - Bob ran his hands through his hair again - this gives an extra casual feeling I think. "Highway 61 Revisited" was next and really rocked. Not much to say about it, I think that instrumentally it was better in August, but better vocally this time. Bob was very quick to leave the stage after this song - possibly taking off his guitar as the rest of them were playing the last notes. The encores: "Til I Fell In Love With You". I was really expecting him to do Rolling Stone, and was quite surprised to hear the tell-tale opening of a TOOM song. I had really wanted to hear this song and was pleased. An interesting observement - but it could just be me: when he sang the "junk's piling up" line, it looked like he gestured to the equipement behind him; he definitely moved his arm, but whether it meant anything I don't know. Cool purple lighting on this song too. Now for "It Ain't Me Babe". I must confess, however, that when he started singing, I thought for some reason that it was Don't Think Twice, going so far as to write it down as such in my notes! This song seemed extraordinarily long; Bucky was on mandolin again - I really like the quality that this produces. Bob fixes his hair again - perhaps it was sweat that was bothering him? He bowed twice when finished. "Love Sick". This was so very much better than when I heard it in NYC. The band seemed more together, and the vocals were definitely stronger. Interesting observation: in the line "walking with visions of you in my head", he omitted "visions of". Smelled pot. Deep red lights end the song - very nice. Ooh, and now for the other highlight of the evening. What, you might ask, RDW a highlight?? Well, fear not. Tonight I participated in my very first stage rush, although it didn't really seem like one to me - but I guess that's what a whole bunch of people going up towards the stage is called. While I didn't get closer than 50 ft., this is the closest I've ever been to Bob and it was just amazing. As odd as this may sound, I was close enough to see the curvature of his nose (of which I personally like). But it was really cool and I was rather amused by the look on Bob's face throughout this song - we got 3/4 of a smile at one point; other than that hard to explain, as it wasn't really a frown, but also not a look of disbelief. But it was a look that is pure Bob. At the end of the song it really touched me to see how gently/sweetly Bob placed his guitar back into its case. However, after doing this, he looked a little confused - didn't leave the stage right away, kind of hovered, maybe looking out at the audience with that same undescribable look on his face. Now that show was over, the quest was to figure out what the 2nd song had been and to try and get a cue sheet. I wasn't really sure about how to get a cue sheet, because it looked like anyone who tried was yelled at by Security. So I started asking different people about the 2nd song (after "Can't Wait" I had asked the girl behind me, who could only describe it as "an old one"). And you know, no one could remember what it was! I must have asked at least 6 different people, but no luck. Then I saw a lady get handed a cue sheet - it looked like the roadie knew who she was; so I went over to get a peek at what it said for #2. But, as it happened, Bob had decided not to follow the sheet, which said Lay Lady Lay/If Not For You. Okay, at the time I was satisfied, but actually not completely because it was time for my next quest. And that was to get myself one of those nifty ski caps that say "Don't think twice...." on them. I made my way up to the souvenir stand and at first didn't see them. Then I saw one hanging up, but didn't see any piles of them anywhere. So I quickly asked the guy if there were any left and to my relief he said "there's one left" and goes to the board and unpinned it. Getting this hat was the perfect ending to this evening - it totally made up for missing the first two songs. (And I'm going to wear it every day!) Whoa have I written a lot. Imagine what my grades would be like if I could write papers with this much enthusiasm! Oh yes, just felt that I should mention that on the way home, I discovered the music of Pink Floyd -- although it was immediately apparent that they will never be able to match Bob in my mind. Now all I have to do is wait 3 weeks. Stasia "Meet me at the border late tonight." (BD, "Tough Mama")

January Setlists Tour