Bob Dylan 980824 in Adelaide, Australia

From: Carsten Wohlfeld
Subject: August 24, 1998 - Adelaide, Australia - a review
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 09:48:30 +0800

	Bob Dylan & Patti Smith
    Adelaide, Australia
	Adelaide Entertainment Center, August 24, 1998
	A review by Carsten Wohlfeld

After walking around Adelaide the whole day (interesting city, got a nice,
laidback vibe to it, but also lots of closed down stores if you walk along
the main streets), I was really looking forward to the show, as were 8,000
others, making the gig a near sell out. Matt Walker (guitar, harp, vocals)
and Ashley Davies (drums) from Melbourne opened with a very bluesy 25 minute
set, which was at times excellent, but rather boring to hear in a huge venue
like this. Patti came out at 8pm to open with "Power Have The Power",
followed by "Wicked Messenger". She talked less than the nights before and
she did play "Because The Night" and "Rock N Roll Nigger" again, but
basically played the same set as Melbourne 22/8. Great stuff!

Bob and his band came out at approx. 9.10pm only to launch into yet another:

	Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat

Which wasn't too bad tonight as Larry found some nice new guitar licks.

	Man In The Long Black Coat

Was outstanding. Musically perfect I haven't heard Bob sing this song better
in many moons. All in all was this a night that came close to perfection
even though one cruel thing was missing: Bob's interest in the whole thing.

	Cold Irons Bound

Solid version. Interestingly enough Bob decided to drop "Can't Wait",
despite the fact that it was so good at the last show.

	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight

Dreadful song, badly done. Bob just doesn't have the vocals range any more
to do this song properly. Somebody should tell him! Since they are not
giving out the cuesheets anymore it's hard to say what else we could've
gotten in this slot. Almost anything would've been better.

	I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)

The singing was much better on this one. A quite enjoyable version even
though I never particular liked the song. Solid is the word.

	Silvio

What a bummer! There it was again. Bob seemed to have trouble remembering
the words (hey, he hadn't done it in three days!!!) and all in all it was a
letdown.

	Don't Think Twice It's All Right (acoustic)

Crowdpleaser that was done quite nicely. Bob even got all the words right if
I remember correctly.

	Desolation Row (acoustic)

Yet another wonderful version of this terrific song, six verses, all sung
very sweet and gentle. Band doing a great job in the background.

	Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)
Different to the version from Melbourne and yet again quite nice actually.
The little guitar riff was sadly absent, but it was an enjoyable version
nevertheless.

	Forever Young (acoustic)

Was "Forever Young" which is to say that it was pretty good. Doesn't change
much from night to night, with the exception of the first Flinders Park
show.

	The Times They Are A-Changin' (acoustic)

Crowdpleaser on autopilot. As I mentioned before, the passion was absent
tonight and this was the perfect example for it. Band intros followed.

Til I Fell In Love With You

Yet another good version of a song that only changes slightly every night.



	(encore)
	Matchbox

A real surprise! No idea why they would want to do a Carl Perkins song in
Adelaide or on August 24 (any connection there?) but it was well done for a
debut (with this band anyways). Bob seemed to remember all the words and
when the chorus came along one nod to Larry was enough to make him and Bucky
join in for the chorus. My understanding is, that Bob did this song live
once before with Carl Perkins on vocals in about '94, but that this was the
first live version he actually sang on, right?

	Love Sick

Solid. Not much more to say about it.

	Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35

Tony once again attempted to sing backing vocals with Larry and Bucky.
Otherwise it was the same crappy singalong with the houselights on as ever.


	It Ain't Me Babe (acoustic)

No harp on this one which meant that he didn't touch the harmonicas all
evening. Nevertheless a solid version that was much loved by the audience.

	Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic)

Badly messed up start, so bad in fact that Tony couldn't help smiling. Bob's
voice was very shot during this song, he definitely could need a rest after
this one.

So.... All in all a solid show that was okay to watch but nothing magic or
really great happened. The other seven people who attemped to do the whole
tour "gave up" after this one, so our correspondent was actually the only
one apart from the bands who was to travel on to Western Australia and Perth
for a very special show: The 1,000 gig of the tour that started out as the
Neverending Tour in June 1988!!! See you there!

Carsten
Please reply to: happyjaq@confetti.ruhr.de
--
"we had to keep the stove on all night so the mice wouldn't freeze" 
(grant hart)



Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1998 09:10:30 +1000
From: "Nick Miller" (nmiller@worksafe.gov.au)
To: karlerik@monet.no
Subject: August 24, 1998

August 24, 1998 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre - some thoughts

It was great to see Dylan in Australia again.  Not so many surprises
this time - similar band and set list to 1992, but pity the concerts
are all in large indoor concrete centres not smaller theatres as in
92.

Patti Smith played a good opener and then suddenly in the dark Dylan
and the band were onstage around 9.15 pm.  After a few moments
fumbling around and getting some chords out the usual welcome to
Columbia recording artist Bob Dylan and we were off into a great
Leopard-skin pill box hat.  Incense blew across the stage.

The concert then went into two distinct halves.  The next five songs
were too loud, too fast, with a combination of a poor mix (too much
guitar, little voice) and little enthusiasm.  Maybe it was the cold
Dylan has, maybe a pretty silly piece in the local paper The
Advertiser that day titled "Keep 'em guessing" including this gem "
Whether he'll have a choir for back-up vocals is revealed on the
night."  The writer would have been disappointed as no choir turned up
in Adelaide.  This bracket included a woeful Man in a long black coat,
passable Cold irons bound and meandering Silvio.

Then they went acoustic and the mood changed - first a spine tingling
Don't think twice followed by Desolation Row - utterly brilliant and
all was forgiven!  Then an excellent Tangled up in blue and heart felt
Forever Young and Times are a-changin' before leaving for the first
time.

Dylan then reverted to the electric guitar and had a powerful mini set
with this time clear vocals and good mix, culminating in a rousing
Rainy day women - all the time his feet itching to do classic dance
moves.  Semi out again (we could see the acoustic return back stage)
and then a strong finish with It ain't me babe and Blowin' in the
wind.  His voice sounded great.

No talking except to introduce the band;  no harp either. The crowd
surge came pretty late in the concert.

From up high it was interesting watching the camps either side of the
stage, including a mysterious blonde haired woman amongst the guitars.

The concert got a good review the next day.  I look forward to seeing
Bob again in Sydney, to see how the set has developed and how the
endings are coming on!

The final word goes to our soon to be born baby who by all accounts
really danced hard all night!


Nick Miller
Sydney