Bob Dylan 2001.03.xx in Melbourne
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Melbourne concert From: Paul Templeton templeton@one.net.au Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001 23:59:56 +1030 Hi all, Just been to Melbourne concert. First song Duncan and Brady. Next song a fantastic version (acoustic) of 'To Ramona'. One of the highlights was during 'Don't think twice it's alright' when during instrumental break in the middle of the song and at the end Dylan was playing harp and played part of the Australian folk song 'Once a jolly swagman', huge audience reaction, might have to be Australian to realise what that meant. Other highlights Things have changed, Hard rain, It ain't me babe. After reading the setlists for previous concerts I thought considering that the encore tends to be fairly similar that it might be a bit ho-hum but can assure you it was sensational. I thought before Watchtower that Charlie Sexton looked like he was about to really cut loose and he did. Fantastic versions of til I fell in love with you and love sick. Better than the 98 concert, nearly as good as the 92, will report from the Sydney concert. Regards, Temp
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Melbourne - Review From: Tony Iremonger accounts@austock.com.au Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 09:46:04 +1100 First up: I do not have a tape of this show. I have the flu and have been feeling like shit so I was pretty dosed up on those "Night and Day" cold and flu capsules last night - you know the ones that have warnings like "do not operate machinery". Well heed those warnings! I managed to "record" the entire show with the Pause button on my walkman in the pause position. Result: two very blank cassette tapes. I feel surprisingly calm and resigned about this. Part of the irony of trading CD-Rs is that in 7 1/2 months time I'll probably trade for a copy of this show with someone in Slovenia or Poland (Hi Artur!) or even Nova Scotia (Mary!). Anyway enough of that! I'm still trying to decide whether last night's concert was one of the best concerts I've ever been to in my life, or just the best concert since the last best concert I've ever been to or simply THE BEST concert I've ever been to. It was fantastic. There they go shuffling onto the stage in the dark, the immortal words are uttered: "Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen...." and we're straight into Duncan And Brady. And what a hoot it is. From where I was sitting (about half-way up the floor) the sound is perfect. Tony's got his little hat on and the big double-bass is bouncing along to the beat. Then comes To Ramona - which is an exquisite performance and something of a surprise reappearance. I am marveling at how crystal clear the sound of the instruments is - the guys at the mixing desk have really got this under control. The acoustic section ends with It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding - a song I once found tedious but have grown to love more and more as the years have gone by. The crowd whoops and hollers at all the pre-requisite places. The ghost of electricity starts to howl in our faces with the first of the TOOM songs on tonight's set: Til I Fell In Love With You. I am amazed at how much punch this band is packing tonight. The drums are going right through me. The whole place is filled with energy. Blind Willie McTell - you beauty! - I feel goose bumps all over. Is this emotion or is it just the flu. Whatever, I decide to savour it. God this is so good. The band seem to shuffle together, there's a bit of discussion and for a minute I think we're getting Maggies Farm but no, the words are different: "The sweet pretty things...Paul Revere's horse": Yeehah - Tombstone Blues. These guys are having fun tonight. More acoustic songs follow: Don't Think Twice contains a couple of nods to "Waltzing Matilda" (Australia's unofficial National Anthem). (For those of you who don't know it, the official one goes: "This is the Wattle, The emblem of our land, You can stick it in a bottle, Or hold it in your hand. Amen") There'd been a hard rain falling in Melbourne all day no doubt inspiring Dylans next choice of song. The lights change from purple to a green/grey. The performance is mesmerising. The acoustic section finishes with It Ain't Me Babe. Then, with the Oscars just a day away, we get a perfectly executed "Things Have Changed". This was the one song I wanted to hear tonight. I love this song. I'm wheelin those wheelbarrows right along with him. But the absolute highlight of tonight's show is next: a screaming jet engine rendition of "The Wicked Messenger" which has been well and truly reclaimed from Patti Smith's hands. It is amazing the electric masterpieces that have been formed from the bare acoustic bones of the John Wesley Harding album. The house lights come on (predictably) for Rainy Day Woman #12 & #35. If Bob's expecting a cliched rush to the stage, it just doesn't happen. Security have been working overtime keeping people in their seats. No one moves. Maybe Bob's disappointed. The lack of response from the crowd belies the inherent enthusiasm and appreciation for what's been going down tonight. We're loving this show but are transfixed. This is Dylan's one Melbourne performance and no one wants to miss a beat. The applause is deafening. After a few minutes Bob and Band return for the encore. 7 songs without a break. Seems more like a set than an encore. Love Sick, LARS, If Dogs Run Free... Then wham! All Along the Watchtower. Hendrix all over. Larry's at the Pedal Steel and it's really wailing. The band reassemble and there's some oohs and ahhs happening to a rearranged Knockin' On Heavens Door. How many more songs will there be: Highway 61 Revisited signals that this is very near the end but I can see the acoustic guitars being tuned off-stage so I know there's more coming - and there is - Blowin' in the Wind. The arrangement and harmonies so familiar from recent boots. I know it's over. Less familiar audients in my proximity are expecting a further encore. Hoping against hope I applaud along with them but it's no surprise when the house lights come on. I'm only seeing the one show this time around. I got my monies worth. No one could fault tonight's performance. This band know what they are doing and they seem to love doing it. The sound was fantastic. Dylan's voice in top form. Gone are the long rambling instrumental workouts. What we get is tight, punchy and to the point. Thanks Bob. Thanks Larry, Tony, Charlie, and David.
From: "georgina hone" ghone@hotmail.com To: karlerik@monet.no Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 01:04:34 Melbourne last night- was a brilliant concert, no need to say much more than already said, but had to put in a thankyou to the powers that be for the inclusion of Blind Willie McTell- this is one of the highlights of my music listening life. That song, on the bootleg series, with Bob playing piano and Mark Knopfler playing guitar, is one that never ceases to move- it is superb, can be listened to over and over again without ever failing to amaze, and how Bob never released it is beyond me. So, to hear it, without the piano, but with those fabulous guitar gods giving it a new going over, is close to heaven, and came from nowhere as the least expected song of the tour. And another rousing thanks for Knocking on Heavens Door. And after my comments about not letting it rip on the guitars just when things are hotting up (in Adelaide), they let it rip in Melbourne, and Highway 61 became the get down dance song of the night. Only problem was, security was so pedantic, people were afraid to stand up. Get that-Ęthe crowd did not stand for a single song. Wierd. Bob seemed to enjoy playing, he gets really into his music, is concentrating on that guitar avidly, and is producing some gorgeous sounds, with those other dudes of course. The harp solo was as good as you could wish for, took us to the heights with one extremely long note, and brought us back down with classy blues cool. These guys have GOT to turn up by surprise at Byron. Before I'm 59. Another high point- the crowd waiting outside afterwards for Bob to emerge from the Centre- thousands lining the mezzanine overlooking the carpark, 11pm, expectant air, complete silence. I had to go and don't know if he ever came out or not, he might have already left, but the reverent silence as if not to scare a rabbit, was fantastic. Thanks Bob, you are IT.
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Melbourne - Review From: Peter Allen pda@melbpc.org.au Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 03:38:31 GMT Great review, Tony, and spot on! One of the best concerts I've had the privilege of attending. For the first time, in my experience, the Rod Laver Arena didn't sound like what it is - a tennis court! Far better than 1998 IMHO. The sound was crystal clear and balanced, delicate at the appropriate times, a punchy thunderous wall at others. Bob's vocal was up front with every word audible - and what quality singing, rich in vocal inflection and nuance, with deep bass resonance balanced against a sweet midrange. I guess highs aren't attempted anymore, but he seems to be in total control of his voice. Particular highlights for me - To Ramona, Things Have Changed, The Wicked Messenger. Wicked was the word for the last song - I didn't think that Patti's searing January '97 Melbourne performance would be easily matched. But it was all strong. Blind Willie McTell made up for missing Highlands in Adelaide, although perhaps high expectations blunted my response a little. Highway 61 Revisited could not erase memories of that hurricane in the Mercury Lounge in '98, but hearing the current version of Blowin' In The Wind live was a great treat, despite being well known from last year's bootlegs. Let's hope someone got a recording! Cheers, Peter
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Re: Melbourne - Review From: Patricia Jungwirth tricia.j@aardvark.net.au Date: 21 Mar 2001 21:23:47 -0800 Good review, Tony. Sorry about the flu, I've got a vicious throat infection so was pretty dosed up myself last night. Herbal & pharmaceutical. >If Bob's expecting a cliched rush to the stage, it just doesn't happen. >Security have been working overtime keeping people in their seats. No >one moves. Maybe Bob's disappointed. The lack of response from the >crowd belies the inherent enthusiasm and appreciation for what's been >going down tonight. This is a bit misleading. There were people standing at the rail throughout the show - I was one of them! Front and centre, from go to whoa. Security was very odd though, and the reaction of those in the seats behind verged on the violent, and was at times very distracting. There were a great many more people standing at the rail for the encore set than before, because security had by then just about given up their ridiculous attempts to get people back to their seats. The front row of seats being about 2 feet behind the rail didn't help. Tricia "I wish I was on some Australian mountain range I got no reason to be there but I imagine it would be some kinda change... " -Bob Dylan, 'Outlaw Blues' -January 1965 ***tricia.j@aardvark.net.au Blonde On Blonde: Bob Dylan in Melbourne, 1966: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hills/5581/ http://www.allexperts.com/displayExpert.asp?Expert=1806
