Bob Dylan 2001.08.16 in Wichita
Newsgroups: rec.music.dylan Subject: Wichita Review From: Rib O'flavin sendithere@att.net Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2001 16:40:17 GMT Organization: Sons of the Lonesome Dredger First off, let me say that I don't think of these shows in terms of writing a review and don't take notes on every song or anything, but since this stuff has kinda dried up on here, I thought I'd say a little something. This building is round, and is split up into three different halls, and Bob played the largest one, around 5,000 seats, and every seat there was pretty good, but the balcony was only about a quarter of the way full, thanks in part to the lack of airplay in any of these markets until the day of the show, and then it may not start until around three o'clock, all these radio stations are so set on playing for this phantom listener that doesn't exist, you'd think they would figure this out, but apparently they're not as smart as even I give 'em credit for. But as far as this hall was concerned, it was really set up pretty good sound and seat wise, except for the fact that there was no room in front of the stage. There was maybe one-and-a-half feet between the first row and the wall in front of the stage, so no one could come up front, except those two girls who've been at every show dancing like they're on acid or something. What's you're story, if you read this, tell me how you ever got here and why you don't bring something with you to drink, you wanted a drink from me a couple times, and I told you no, that's who I am, and I hope you're both having fun. On to the show. The show was really good, this band is incredible, and these harmonies on heavens door and i shall be released are great. I'm not going into all the songs, they've all been done well, and everybody has their favorites, but Moma You Been On My Mind is one of mine, and this song has really grown with age, and really strikes a nerve in me every time. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue needs some changes, I think. But, anyway, Bob was in a very good mood, wore his gray suit tonight, did his Chuck Berry moves during Pillbox Hat, and that's another thing, this was the most reserved crowd I've seen, basically everyone sat the whole time, they were very appreciative, but too laid back, lots of teenagers with their parents, so that may explain some of the calmness, hard to rock 'n roll in front of mom and dad. I didn't see one person smoke, anything, except the two girls previously mentioned, this must of been Republican Night at the Dylan Show, but, that's cool too. So, anyway, this show was very good, not as fun as the fair shows, because they have a completely different atmosphere, but still a lot of fun. I haven't seen any mention of this, maybe no one from here was there, but, Bob signed autographs after the show, and was very friendly. You always here how he doesn't care about his fans, but you don't often hear about the good things. What about the banana nut bread girl who walked all the way to the bus, which was like two hundred feet from the building, Bob may have signed you're shirt a little earlier, I figured you'd be on here for sure. So, there we go, I hope you weren't too bored with this, and if you were, you're probably not reading this. Good-bye and Good luck
From: "john jameson" jmjesq@ionet.net To: webmaster@expectingrain.com Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 13:29:15 -0500 Subject: wichita kansas bob show 16 august 2001 so having attended the oklahoma city bob show wedsnesday night, and having a great time, since i live equidistant between okc and wichita, i figured what the heck, i'll go ahead and drive up to wichita and see bob again thursday night. it turned out to be a good decision because the show was radically different and just as enjoyable as wednesday's. okc was at the zoo amphitheatre, which is an outdoor venue selling beer with lots of smoking.Êa fun place to see a show. the crowd at okcÊseemed much younger than wichita, probably because the venue is known as a great place to go in the summer for entertainment. bob looked resplendant in okc in his black suit and string tie, with those great white and black boots.ÊÊi love the way he stands with his left leg forward and bent. lots of leg action with the music. he wears his guitar up high and with the suit had a little bit of a buddy holly look about him. in wichita bob was wearing a what looked like a silver-grey silk suit and looked great. by fashioning a little sign requesting a floor ticket i had been able to quickly score a 10th row center aisle ticket from a nice college couple fromÊkansas univ. about three hours away. absolutely a great seat, and with my little binocs couldÊenjoy all of bob's facial expressions. they really are entertaining to watch. when he first came on i went up the aisle to about 5 feet from bob and enjoyed his opening number. that was great until the kinda cranky security guy cleared the aisle. he kept it clear all the way to the encore. hey, this is rock and roll, ease up a little. the whole venue in wichita was a little of a shock compared to okc. it was in a strange little auditorium, about 5000 seats, full except for the top balcony. they kept brightÊlights on until the show began, and it kinda reminded me of a school assembly. bob started a little slow but warmed up and seemed to be enjoying himself. i enjoyedÊ"everything is broken", visions of johanna" and "masters of war" especially. hisÊgreat acoustic "DTT its alright" from the night before was not repeated and that showed me that each show does have its own charm and appeal. same with "maggie's farm" from weds. the "TOOM" songs were great tonight also. duringÊ"ls pillbox hat" band introductions, bob introduced the drummer as "the original wichita lineman". the encore sounded particularly good, and "BITW"ÊWASÊa good closer tonight.ÊÊ all in all, a nice show. since i was thinking about a trip to vegas... why not next weekend to see bob's show at the hard rock hotel on friday the 24th? i'll have to seriously consider it. john jameson