The last time I saw Dylan

Bob


Dalton, Georgia
NorthWest Georgia Trade & Convention Center
May 2, 2001

It was a fantastic show. Dylan sang every song with pure emotion on every syllable and he rocked the house. I am posting a review of the show from Adam Selzer at Expecting Rain.
Bob walked out a few seconds before the intro, and the band launched into a wicked Duncan and Brady. I'd expected Tambourine Man next, but when Larry grabbed his fiddle I knew we were in for "My Back Pages," and we got a great version, complete with harp. On into "Desolation Row," which was the same, rocked-up-but-still-acoustic arrangement it's been for some time now. Lots of neat vocal playing here. The electric started with a strong "Crash on the Levee," which was a joy to hear. The bass line was super cool. About midway through, I noticed that Bob had been taking all of the solos himself - Larry and Charlie weren't getting much. This continued all the way through, and the solos weren't just two notes. "Tell Me That It Isn't True" was presented very straightforward, with Bob playing the Actor. The vocals that were demanding and nervous at the sametime. ("I need you to tell me RIGHT NOW...but oh goodness, what if you say it's true??") "SIOMWTMBA" was a fun arrangement, with the guitar sound going all sorts of places. One minute it's this way, then it's that way, and then back to this way, and it's all seamless, and Bob is playing up the jokes in the vocals for all he's worth. The next acoustic song started out sounding like"Don't Think Twice," but then comes that first line,"Perhaps it's the color of the sun cut flat" and I about jump out of my skin. "Mama You've Been On MyMind!" (y'know. Don't Think Twice Part II). It was a straight-up, melodious performance, complete with a lovely,walkin-down-the-long-lonesome-road-kicking-a-stone-and-whistling sort of harp solo. There was a brief conference between songs (there was one between about all of the songs - I think they're up to something), and then "Fourth TimeAround!" Bob used the original tune, but the emphasis was on the story, sounded like he was saying "I've heard your version, but here's exactly how it happened." It went by quick, ending with somebody playing the sitar riff from "Norweigan Wood" (ha!) "Tangled" was it's usual fun self, and I figured that'd be the end of the acoustic set - but no! Theycame back for a fine "Searching For a Soldier's Grave," and man, oh man, can Larry and Charlie sing back up! "Standing in the Doorway" was similar to the album version, and just as powerful. But then came the song my roommate called The Coolest Thing He's Ever Heard. "Cold Irons Bound" ROCKED but HARD! It was close to, but not quite, the 2000 arrangement. Similar, but rocked even harder. He'd sing the chorus line once, with a bit of a meanness, then again, with even more bite, followed by a wicked guitar riff that kicked you in the brains. All the while there was a light show in the back, focusing on the shadows (first you'd see Bob's silhouette, then Larry's, then back toBob...with the lighting on the band never changing) all in sync with the music. AWESOME. "L-SPBH" was, after that, a little anti-climactic, but cool anyway, with band intros in the middle, with the band still playing. Reminded me, in a good way, of BB King. As I said, this is a shortened review, so I won't get into the encores, except to say that it was greatto notice the Oscar (the real one?) sitting on an amp behind Larry (My, he must be proud!), and the new arrangement of Knockin, with Larry and Charlie Oooh-oooh-oohing, led to the best version of "Knockin"I've ever heard.

Setlist
Duncan And Brady (acoustic)
My Back Pages (acoustic) (Bob on harp and Larry on fiddle)
Desolation Row (acoustic)
Down In The Flood
Tell Me That It Isn't True (Larry on pedal steel)
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Larry on acoustic guitar)
Mama, You Been On My Mind (acoustic) (Bob on harp)
Fourth Time Around (acoustic) (Larry on bouzouki and Charlie on electric guitar)
Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)
Searching For A Soldier's Grave (acoustic) (Larry on mandolin)(song by Johnnie Wright, Jim Anglin and Jack Anglin)
Standing In The Doorway
Cold Irons Bound
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
(1st encore)
Things Have Changed
Like A Rolling Stone
If Dogs Run Free (acoustic) (Larry and Charlie on electric guitars)
All Along The Watchtower (Larry on steel guitar)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door (acoustic) (Charlie on electric guitar)
Highway 61 Revisited
Blowin' In The Wind (acoustic)
(2nd encore)
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Larry on steel guitar)