Bob Dylan 990912 in Lafayette, Louisiana

Subject: Review/Vent on Lafayette, Louisiana
From: DARKEYEZ 
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 02:28:27 -0000

Well, here's my review.  Drove from New Orleans and got there
mighty early...no one's here yet?????? Waited in the parking
lot....no one's doing anything???  Met a fellow Dylan fan parked
next to us and found out he lived right by us and his seats were
right by us....Went inside...show started late, 'bout 10-20
minutes.  "Good evening ladies and gentleman....".

Alright this is gonna be a blast! The place is HUGE and TALL, if
you looked up it looked like a bad Lenny Kravitz video.  Hardly
anyone there at all yet!!  Bob comes on, strobe lights
flashing...we wait...seems like the strobes were miscued...we
wait.  Finally THE MAN!! Launches into "I Am The Man, Thomas". 
Never heard this one before but it sounds good, reminds me of
"Roving Gambler".  I miss Bucky :-(.  Not many know this song
either so no one stands..AT ALL!  Goes into "Tambourine Man" and
it's beautiful but the vocal mic is way too loud.  C'mon Bob
let's hear some harp....nope.  No one still standing!!  Look to
my front and they're all buttondown-khaki, just came from the
office, middle-aged, etc...."To Ramona"...pretty but vocals still
too loud, a tapers nightmare.  Everyone still sits.  "Tangled Up
In Blue" the most spectacularly version I've heard to date!  The
drums come in rockin after the first verse and I wanna explode!!!
 Everyone still sits...so I sit.  No harp yet :-(.  Biggest
applause so far for TUIB.

Now for the electric set..."Watchtower" sets the place on fire,
Bob has a new way of holding his guitar.  I don't like it
particularly but hey what can I say, I'm partial to the "Holding
it like a gun at the hip" method.  This songs rocks, not the best
version but It'll do.  "Positively 4th St." comes along and Dylan
sings it beautifully!!  Very careful wording and phrasing.
Everyone still sits......SILVIO!!!!  This is rockin and rollin
all the way up the bayou!! Nobody's moving, nobody's standing or
dancing, it's like a friggin' movie theatre!!  I fell like I'm
gonna get sick!!  I dance though and that's all that matters :-).
 Nice version, loud and strong.  "Not Dark Yet" next, the most
beautiful version in the world, almost made me cry! Dylan was
eating his words and spitting them out with a sadness only he can
conjur up.  This was definitely the highlight of my night. 
Highway 61 is loud, rockin and everyone knows this one...but no
one's up dancing or anything!!  I could be wrong but....forget
it.  Encore 1: "Like A Rolling Stone".  Nice version, emphasis on
the "How Does It Feel" and everyone likes it.

It seems like everyone has superglue on their pants and the
security guards...Don't even get me started, grabbed my lady hard
on the arm...had actual cops parading up and down the isle!!! 
"It Ain't Me babe" was nice but NO HARP yet!!!  I guess if you
play somewhere where they all sit down ALL the time you seem to
think they're not interested so why bother?  This isn't England,
you've no need to be polite to the artists, get up, dance and do
what you want just be kind to your fellow man and not get in
anyone's way.

Then Simon comes out and everyone goes CRAZY!!! Oh, I think I
understand now....The Boxer...bad duetting, they should leave it
in the closet and on Self Portrait...."That'll Be The Day" was
listenable but I just don't think these two and this venue should
sing on the same stage together.  No offense Bob.  "Knockin" for
the finale.  Nice but they could leave out the "Like So Many
Times Before".  I liked the new ending of "I hear you knockin but
you can't come in" or something like that.

Anyway, all in all I'll go see Bob again but never in Lafayette, 
between the boring crowd and the cops in the isles I think I'll
stick to New Orleans and leave my seat for some fine person who
wants to pay $50 to sit and "watch a video".  Thanks for letting
me vent.

-JM
http://marina.fortunecity.com/armada/355/



Subject: Lafayette, LA 9/12/99 brief review
From: "Colin J. Hulin" 
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 16:36:35 GMT

Hello rmd'ers -

Well, Lafayette was awesome.  Really cooking electric set, highlighted
by Positively 4th Street, Not Dark Yet, a short but solid Watchtower,
and a seering Highway 61.  Acoustic was equally fine - I Am the Man,
Thomas was nice to hear, Ramona sparkled, and Tangled was terrific,
even if it's becoming the new "Watchtower" as the
never-changing-song-slot.  Bob seemed tentative at the start of "It
Ain't Me Babe" during the encore, but it improved nicely.  No harp to
speak of, two really token attempts during It Ain't Me Babe and The
Boxer.  The Simon duets worked, sorta - highs and lows coming within
verses of the same song.  

The Simon set was surprisingly good, although I wasn't expected much
after the mangled, confused "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" opener.
Awful arrangement, I thought.  Things got better quickly, and as long
as he was doing uptempo numbers, stayed pretty sharp.  The unknown
acoustic numbers (2 or 3) dragged on painfully.  Biggest shock here
was - gasp! - a setlist change - w/ Paul recognizing his place of
performance w/ a rollicking "Standing on the Corner in Lafayette"
(don't know if that's the title, but it was a key phrase in the
chorus) right before the stirring "Sounds of Silence" closer ("Proof"
was omitted from the set).  Simon even brought out reinforcements for
the Lafayette number w/ three local musicians on sax, accordian, and
wash board.

Anyway, bottom line, another fabulous show ...

Colin



From: "Lindell/Gillett" 
To: 
Subject: Dylan in Lafayette
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 22:37:57 -0500     

     ¥ I Am The Man, Thomas (acoustic)      
     ¥ Mr. Tambourine Man (acoustic)      
     ¥ It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) (acoustic)      
     ¥ To Ramona (acoustic)      
     ¥ Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)      
     ¥ All Along The Watchtower      
     ¥ Positively 4th Street      
     ¥ Silvio      
     ¥ Not Dark Yet      
     ¥ Highway 61 Revisited 

 encores 

     ¥ Like A Rolling Stone      
     ¥ It Ain't Me, Babe (acoustic with Bob on harp)      
     ¥ The Boxer ( with Paul Simon, Bob on harp)      
     ¥ That'll Be The Day/The Wanderer (with Paul Simon)      
     ¥ Knockin' On Heaven's Door ( with Paul Simon 

Ê ÊNot a review, but a few thoughts after the  concert. Last time
I heard Dylan was in Malmš,  Sweden, last June. Since then I have
moved to Louisiana, U.S.A. and  this was my first Dylan concert
since then.  I had great expectations after last years  concert,
and Dylan didn't disappoint me this time either. Every now and
then I think about the dreadful concert 10 years ago, when he
played at ChristinehofÊ Castle, in the south of Sweden, So I know
bad  things can happen ( but even at that concert I did forgive
him, after the  encore, which was Give My love To Rose by Johnny
Cash).

But yesterday, in Lafayette, I do not think I have ever heard him
more  focused on what he was doing. Of course, when Dylan started
a lot of feelings ran through me, some of  them personal, but
most of them was because of the performer. I was overwhelmed,  to
say the least.

He started off with a song I never had heard before, and
continued with a  beautiful Mr. Tambourine Man, andÊ a greatÊ
It's Alright Ma. The audience of course responded  to the line
about The President who sometimes has to stand naked, andÊ he 
hasÊ been. A beautiful To Ramona followed. His band sounded great
so far. Tangled Up In Blue ...... a great version of a great
song, and I don't think  I ever heard it with the band before.
ThenÊ it was time to rock'n'roll.

The electric part of the show  soundedÊ great too. All Along the
Watchtower with a whining steel guitar  from Larry Campbell, made
me almost forget that it wasn't a cover of a Jimi Hendrix
classic. The slow version of Positively The 4th Street was sung
with  afterthought. As Oscar Wilde once wrote: "Revenge is a dish
that must be  served cold" I think he was right, and maybe Dylan
agrees with that. I was hoping to hear Not Dark Yet, my favourite
song from Time Out Of  Mind, and I wasn't let down. He made a
great version of it, biting off every syllable like onlyÊ  Dylan
in good shape can.

The final numbers, Highway 61, and the encoresLike A Rolling
Stone And It  Ain't Me Babe was a worthy ending of the concert.
On the last one we even got  some harmonca, but it seemed to be
just for the sake of it. Just a few notes at  the end. After
that, he introduced Paul Simon to us, and smiled once more, yes 
we got a few smiles, and they endedÊ the set with three numbers.

A great  show. As a bonus we even got some zydeco-music during
Pauls Simon's encores, but  that is a nother story. Ê

Kind regards Ê Bengt Lindell Welsh, Louisiana Ê Ê



Subject: Re: Review/Vent on Lafayette, Louisiana
From: Brother Bristone 
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1999 15:38:47 -0700

Hello,
    I had an incredible evening last night in Lafayette.  
Of course I was there to see Bob, and of course I was upset 
that the audience wasn't more into Bob's set, but what can 
we do except enjoy the show as it's given to us.  I had an 
aisle seat on the last (27th) row of the front¢er floor 
section (001); the next row behind me was at least ten 
behind me.  So I stood for the entire Dylan set, without 
any authorities telling me to sit (though they did tell me 
I had to stand in front of my seat - & not in the aisle).  
I did take a sitting break for Not Dark Yet (it seemed 
appropriate and it tends to kindle a 'bad trippy' feeling). 
    So I was fortunate to be 'seated' where I was.  But 
didn't you take advantage of the Highway 61 Stagerush?  I 
was watching for it, and sure enough they allowed us 
between the front row and the stage; so we were 5 feet from 
the stage from Highway 61 thru the encore and the duets.  
The crowd was slow to realize it, and it had become sardine-
ish by the end of the duets, but after that I was going to 
sit down anyhow.  Being that close made the night for me, 
especially when i once heard the seated people near the 
front complaining, when it was the 'authorities' who 
allowed us to stand there.
    No matter who complains, there were definitely people 
thoroughly enjoying Bob's set, including myself 
especially!  And I cannot express enough how appreciative I 
am that Bob keeps touring for us.  I will go listen to him 
anytime he comes near me to play!  Thanks for allowing the 
stagerush, whoever you are!!!

enjoy the music,
    Brian

  

Date: 22 Sep 1999 15:25:00 +0100
From: happyjaq@confetti.ruhr.de (Carsten Wohlfeld)
Subject: september 12, 1999 - lafayette, la - a review

        Bob Dylan
        Lafayette, LA, September 12, 1999
        Cajundome
        A Review by Carsten Wohlfeld


I arrived in Lafayette after a more than 12 hour busride from Memphis, but  
even though I expected to be completely out of it I still managed to find  
a decent and cheap motel room and then went straight to the venue which is  
just a couple of miles outside of the center of town. Well, Lafayette is a  
pretty small town anyways. I liked the Dome though, probably the nicest  
venue I've seen Bob perform in since the Australian shows last year. Just  
looked like the right place for a good show. They sold about 9,000 out of  
13,000 or so tickets I guess, it clearly wasn't a sell out, but the place  
didn't look empty either. Bob started 20 mins. late at around 7.50

        I Am The Man Thomas (acoustic)

As fast and good as the previous nights. I would've given my right arm  
(well, almost) to hear "Hallelujah I'm Ready (To Go)" but it wasn't to be.  
It actually took them quite a while to get on stage, usually they only  
have the strobe lights on for 10 secs. or so, tonight it was about 30  
secs. I could see the band discussing *something* backstage. I was hoping  
they would discuss what to do first, but I guess it was something else  
after all.

        Mr. Tambourine Man (acoustic)

No harp today, but a lot of jangly guitar solos by Bob. Surprisingly they  
were quite good, too.

        It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

Well, as much as I'm always hoping for changes in the setlist, this is one  
of the few songs I don't mind hearing every night. Already the roar from  
the crowd when Larry starts the song is worth it. I think David missed a  
change at some point tonight and Bob turned back to him and made a gesture  
that seemed to say: "Hey man, let's go, speed it up a little."

        To Ramona (acoustic)

I usually don't like any waltz they do, but tonight I even liked this one.  
Bob seemed to have a great time too as he was *dancing*. Larry on mandolin  
and he even got to play a few solos showing that he's not only a better  
pedal steel player than Bucky, but better on the mandolin, too.

        Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)

Wow! Pretty fast tonight, not as playful as before, some good phrasing  
though. Bob seems to care a lot more about the lyrics rather than the  
music on most of his song these days and this was a fine example.

        All Along The Watchtower

was "Watchtower", which is still pretty darn good.

        Positively 4th Street

was the song that completely made the night for me. Very slow, with a  
*gorgeous* pedal steel solo intro by Larry. Bob's singing was great too.  
Magdeburg '96 revisited, with less solos though. Except for a short solo  
brteak before the last verse it was a very lyric-orientated version (cf.  
"Tangled")

        Silvio

was "Silvio" and sort of a let down after that amazing "4th Street".

        Not Dark Yet

Larry had the guitar in hands that he usually only plays on "Feel My Love"  
and "Trying To Get To Heaven" both of which would have been a welcome  
change, but then he had to switch back to his old axe as Bob decided that  
he rather would want to do this song again. Nothing wrong with that, it  
was a lovely as every night, but if we really need to hear it EVERY SINGLE  
NIGHT is a different matter. Band intros followed.

        Highway 61 Revistited

featured Larry on stand-up lap steel, Charlie on lead guitar and the first  
real stage rush on this leg of the tour (well, since Nashville anyways).  
The show seemed to improve due to the rush, Bob had a great time and the  
song seemed to go on longer than the previous nights.


        (encore)
        Like A Rolling Stone

was "Rolling Stone"

        It Ain't Me Babe (acoustic)

Good version that featured the nice very slow and long ending. And just  
about as David was ready to end the song Bob realized that he hadn't  
played harp all night, so he quickly grabbed one and gave us a very short  
harmonica solo... Then he introduced Mr. Simon and even clapped himself  
when the short guy came on stage.

        The Boxer (with Paul Simon)

The band was a bit better on this song compared to the dreadful version in  
Noblesville, but it still wasn't all that special. Bob on harp.

        That'll Be The Day / The Wanderer (with Paul Simon)

Bob seemed to feel more comfortable doing the Buddy Holly song compared to  
the "Simon sings the first word of every line and I try to follow"  
versions of "I Walk The Line". It was another last minute change as well  
as Larry already had the fiddle in his hands to do "I Walk The Line". I  
couldn't really see it from my seat, but I don't think that Larry was too  
happy about all the changes, especially since he seems to be in the same  
position now that Bucky used to be in: Bob, Tony, David and Charlie  
discuss the setlist change and Larry - standing or sitting too far away  
from them - basically notices the change when the others start the song.  
It just looks weird.

        Knockin' On Heaven's Door (with Paul Simon)

I prefer this arrangement to the reggae version they do when Simon is  
opening, though tonight it was a pretty average version. I hear you  
knockin' but you can't come in, try again tomorrow and I'll let you in" -  
is that really what they are singing. I sincerely hope I just misheard  
that...

A side note: At one point of the show Bob apparently turned to Charlie  
looking very angry and Charlie tried to hide behind Tony. Don't know what  
happened there and I didn't even see it from my relatively bad seat, but  
that's what happened as people were telling  me the next day. A great  
show, probaly the best one I've seen in years when you just consider the  
quality of the performance itself. On to Austin...

carsten wohlfeld
--
http://localhost.ruhr.de/users/happyjaq
"i wish i was special - i'm just like you" (the cardigans)