Bob Dylan 2000.11.04 in Oxford, Ohio
From: "C+K Henry" henster@eurekanet.com To: webmaster@expectingrain.com Subject: Oxford Review Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2000 07:03:31 -0500 First of all, I admit to being a relative newbie on the scene. I'd seen Dylan back in the 80's a couple times, but didn't GET IT till I saw him in the fall of '97. I have seen him 16 times since then. My wife and I made the trek to Miami U from Athens, Oh - a 2 1/2 hr drive. We were anticipating a bad traffic situation due to the fact that we had been told it was "parent's weekend" at Miami and there had been a home football game that day also. But traffic wasn't too bad and we had some time to have a drink before heading down to Millet Hall. I had heard that Guster (?) was opening, but when we arrived it was to the mediocre bleating of one guy and a guitar. Nothing to speak of. Millet Hall is the largest venue on this tour, and it was more than half full. But this was definitely one of the strangest crowds I have seen at a Bob show. Many parents were in attendance along with their collegiate children, and many of them were probably there only because they had originally purchased Don Henley tix - who later cancelled his gig for this venue/this night. I saw someone use a Henley ticket to get in, so they must've been accepting those as well. I also saw the oldest attendee I think I've witnessed at a Bob show - this lady must've been 80 - at least. An interesting mix, to be sure. We found our seats to be particularly lousy and so headed for the back of the venue where we found plenty of room to hang out and stretch our legs.However, at this distance there was no hope of watching Bob's expressions - an aspect of a Bob show which I find particularly entertaining and intriguing. Oh well, at least we were there. The show begins: I Am the Man, Thomas: Suprising starter - I hadn't seen this one since Oxford last year. It was fun and energetic - wailing harmonies and all. Mr.Tambourine Man: Also suprising to me - a good version, though no harp and no match for this summer's Alpine version. Bob already was doing some twitchin' It's Alright Ma...: A first for me and very nice - Bob singing clearly and movin' around a bit.Didn't stress the naked president part enough. But hey, that's Bob. Chimes of Freedom: Kind of expected, but still very cool to hear. Suprisingly good crowd response. TUIB: The usual Searching for a Soldier's Grave: Why? Country Pie: I don't love this song, but loved this version. Great dueling guitar whizzes. Love Sick: A strange spot for this one - has he ever played it outside of the first encore spot before? A solid version. Stuck Inside of Mobile: They seemed to really stretch this one out and it rocked pretty hard. Not Dark Yet: An excellent version of a powerful song -a highlight, to be sure. I got goosebumps!! Wicked Messenger: I like this one - cool riff - harp solo too short - but hey, that's Bob. It rocked. Leopard Skin Pillbox-Hat: Never tooo excited to hear this one, but usually love it by the end.This didn't disappoint. THC: Got a great groove goin! Crowd seemed perplexed. LARS: Fucking great!! Even the parents could relate. Finally we start dancing. If Dogs Run Free: Was waiting for this one, even though I've never heard the song. It was very, very cool and the crowd was very appreciative, clapping along in unison throughout the song like someone snapping their fingers in a lounge in Vegas. I was trying to catch a shot of Bob laughing with the binoculars, but didn't see him crack a smile. Watchtower: Not too suprised, but pleasantly so. It rocked. Don't Think Twice: A suprise. A pleasant suprise. I love this song live and Bob did it right, once again. Hwy 61: Kinda tired of this, but blazing guitars swayed me by it's end. Blowin in the Wind: Kinda tired of this. A good show which I would have appreciated much more if a little closer to the stage - or a lot closer. Bob seemed to enjoy himself - twitchin', twisting, and mugging throughout. He looked healthy (through the binoculars) and kinda tan(?) to me and his hair was even alright. There were no real suprises in this show, but you just never know with Bob and I've learned that you just gotta accept what he gives and chances are it'll rock you, even if you've heard the friggin' song 20 times. I will continue to catch every show I can.
Subject: Dylan 101 article - finally - Real Dylan content, kinda long !! From: Michele Simpson cybersis@home.com Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2000 03:32:37 GMT Hi, after a short delay, I have received permission from the author of this article to post it here for all to read, its light, and fun too. If anyone is interested, I can email them this article as a Word document, nicely formated etc. As posted in The Miami Student Amusement, November 2, 2000 issue.......(Oxford) Reproduced with permission from the author Dylan 101 Bobby's back in Oxford again and we've got all the necessary tips for properly viewing the legend. By Tripp Barry It is mind-blowing that one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Bob Dylan, is coming to our little town of Oxford again. What's worse is that the student body isn't nearly as excited as they should be. It came to my attention this year that the majority of Miami Students were not prepared to host the royal highness of folk. I had been a bit naive thinking that everyone would receive the show the same way I would. Anyhow, I've put together a few things that will help the novice Dylan fan fully grasp what is really one of the best shows around. Get over his voice: Rather than listen to his voice, hear the prose in his songs. Examine the dialogue, don't critique it. The only thing that has kept Dylan from being the single greatest artist of rock'n'roll is the misunderstanding surrounding his voice. Many people who have heard him privately in the '60's said he had a terrific voice, later comparing it with a young Billy Joel. His love of Woody Guthrie induced the twang, over the years, his voice has grown a bit scratchy, but it still carries the power of a veteran blues man. Let's face it, "Like a Rolling Stone" would sound terrible if Robert Plant or Eddie Vedder sang it. A Bob Dylan show is no longer just rock'n'roll: Over the years the man has progressed from folk to country to rock, infusing different elements into his music every step of the way. Today, he plays the blues more than anything else. The music seems better suited for a smoky jazz club than Millett Hall. The music, however, is able to overcome the large venue. Realize this man changed music forever: Had he not caught his big break with legendary producer John Hammond, Sr. we would still be listening to "Love Me Do" and other sugary pop hits. Jimi Hendrix adored him, Paul Simon envied him and John Lennon wanted to be him. Rumors say that while lighting The Beatle's first joint, Dylan told Lennon that the whole world was listening, but he was saying nothing, causing Lennon to leave the room in near tears. Though just a rumor, this sends out a powerful message about his true aura. This man has so many good songs he doesn't need to cover anybody else's work: In the countless shows I've seen, I can only recall him playing a handful of covers, one being "Friend of the Devil" by the Grateful Dead. Why is this such a big deal? The fact that this man has an arsenal of songs that people would like to hear and can't be fit into one concert sometimes lends people to be unhappy after a show. This is a testament to Dylan's skill at songwriting. While you're watching him perform on stage, just think that this man wrote all of these classic songs himself; you hear them everywhere, especially being covered by everyone else in the music business today. These songs are his and always will be, even if you believe Dave Matthews wrote "All Along the Watchtower." Don't expect to hear "Hurricane": A favorite song among most high school and college students, this one has been in Dylan retirement for over 10 years. The chances are slim to none that Bobby will pull out the epic saga about Ruben Carter, but who knows, with the movie starring the award winning Denzel Washington now out on video, you might get lucky. The playing of this song, however, requires eight musicians, and Dylan has just five on this leg of the tour. Consider yourself lucky to see Dylan in person: A couple of years ago, Dylan was battling a viral heart infection, from which he was never supposed to recover. As he nears the age of 60 today, fresh from a miraculous recovery, he can still bring the house down. I can't imagine any kind of energy at all when I am 59, but obviously Dylan still has it. Many people think he is too old, but they obviously cannot appreciate the finer things in life that get better with age. Don't get upset if you don't recognize the song: Like many other great artists, Dylan has changed the way he plays his songs to match his personal change. Some people don't like change, which is fine; Foghat will come to town sooner or later. For the rest of us, Dylan offers a fresh approach to classic music. I have yet to hear him sing any song the same way twice. Wait until the lights come on at the end of the show: This may sound like a no brainer to some. The first time I saw Dylan, he played four encores, and I've heard he has played more than that in the recent past. His endurance and energy are uncanny for a veteran musician; he plays longer than most young artists today. Also, he saves some of his best songs for last. If you leave early, you may miss "Tangled up in Blue" or "Visions of Johanna." This is his second show in a little over a year here, and with no disrespect to Oxford, we should be honoured that he has again decided to descend on this tiny little college town. Bob Dylan isn't just a musician; he is part of American history. As one reporter once noted, "Blowin' in the Wind" may be the only song remembered from the '60's in 100 years. No other entertainer has had the impact on the world that he has. He is more than a cultural icon; he is a national treasure.
