Bob Dylan 980121 in New York, New York - Madison Square Garden - The Theater
Address: 7th Ave. & 32nd St.
Capacity 5610
Double bill with Van Morrison
Ticket prices: $75.00 and $45.00
Subject: Magician closes in NYC
From: rob johnson (rajshaman@worldnet.att.net)
Date: 22 Jan 1998 18:18:40 GMT
So hot! The last Dylan show of the week at MSG was unbelievable. It
reminds me of Muhammad Ali's advice to young fighters to show their best in
the last round. Of course Dylan is beyond judgement but he finished like a
gunslinger and you could see his smile as he blew the smoke from his
barrell and put away his gun at the end of Wednesday night's set.
I saw all 5 shows and had some mixed impressions. NOT ONE BIT OF WED. WAS
WEAK. His voice and the band were scorching. Every number went down
hard. Crowd was spellbound.
Opened with Absolutely Sweet Marie and it was just a little tighter and
more on than the other nights. Silvio was awesome and Larry Campbell
nailed it on guitar. He did not overplay all night yet when he got the nod
from Dylan he opened fire. Times they are a Changin and Mr Tambourine Man
were great acoustic numbers and the staple of Tangled Up in Blue got it
going tonite like every night. Million Miles was haunting and Till I Fell
In Love with You, very blues. Highway 61 took the roof off of the
building. The energy was unbelieveable. Only thing comparable on Tuesday
was the beautiful gentle ntensity of Hard Rain. Wednesday just got it
on. I hope we see a boot made of this show.
For me it was a Paul Williams(Crawdaddy) kind of night. I just had to sit
there and enjoy that this guy and his art visited the planet when I could
experience it. The man and his band gave us a gift at whatever price.
I took a friend who owns an independent record shop. He goes to shows
all over all the time. He called this morning and left a message.
"Thanks Rob, that was the best show I have seen anywhere in 3 to 4 years.
Now I know why people name their kids after this guy. My wife told me
that when I woke up this morning I had been talking in my sleep. She told
me I said over and over, "This can't be Dylan. THis can't be Dylan"
It was and it is.
Subject: Dylan@the Garden 1/21/98
From: VCushny@AOL.COM
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 1998 12:53:35 EST
Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com)
X-Mailer: Inet_Mail_Out (IMOv11)
Keeping with the pattern of alternating nights (just like the Dylan/Santana
shows in '92) Van opened this show. Talk about contrasts: Van's set was very
mellow - Bob rocked the roof right off the building; most of Van's songs had
a jazzy feel to them - Bob's electric offerings very mostly straight ahead
rock and roll; Van's presentation was very slick (too slick for my taste) and
over-rehearsed down to the very last note - Bob had much more of an "anything
can happen/garage band/improvisational jamming" approach to his songs; Van was
bathed in a clear white spotlight for most of his show - Bob was shrouded in
smoke and incense. Bob joined Van's band for just one song, Blue Suede Shoes,
which they dedicated to the memory of recently deceased Carl Perkins; Van did
not join Bob's band for any tunes. Van also covered It's a Man's World and
dedicated it to James Brown who is battling cancer. All-in-all Van seems to
have gotten over his stage frieght and was much improved from the last time I
saw him 10 years ago; he put on a nice show - too nice and too polished for my
taste.
Bob and his band were unbelievably hot, just sizziling all night long.
Regardless of whether they played electric or acoustic, Bob and Larry played
off each others leads each trying to out do the other in between verses and on
extended jams after they finished the lyrics with the pedal steel twanging all
the while in the backround. Bob broke out 3 songs for the first time in '98
(and, ipso facto, for the first time of his 5 night Garden run): Man in the
Long Black Coat, Shelter from the Storm & Mr. Tambourine Man. From TOOM he
played Cold Irons Bound (with a spacey, mystical beginning), Million Miles
(with a real blues/shuffle feel), 'Til I fell in Love with You, and Love Sick,
all of which have evolved nicely since the last time I heard them at Irving
Plaza 6+ weeks ago. Silvio rocked like never before, Highway 61 Revisited was
heavily influenced by Johnny Winter's rendition during Bob Fest in '92, and
Bob and Larry just wailed on their guitars during Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.
People finally got up and danced during Tangled Up In Blue and stayed
standing and dancing for the rest of the show-at least where I was down front
(Hey now! This is a Rock and Roll concert, not a symphony or the opera).
Bob's lyrics have always been incomperable, but pre-'87 the music that
surrounded those lyrics was sometimes less than inspirational. No doubt in my
mind that Bob has made a concerted effort to improve the quality of his music
and his band since he toured with Jerry and the boyz in '87. As a result his
shows have steadily improved over the last decade and Bob is obveasly enjoying
himself like never before on stage - he often flashes a knowing smile to Larry
as they are swapping leads as if to say "Wow! are you hearing what I'm
hearing?" Last night Jerry's influence was shining down from heaven, and Bob
just glowed in it!
Van
"I don't know how it all got started, I don't know what they do with their
lives"
Subject: Thoughts on MSG (long)
From: Zoner13 (zoner13@aol.com)
Date: 22 Jan 1998 22:41:57 GMT
Well, I've had the great fortune of seeing a full "residency" this week -- five
shows. This was a special treat. Not only to see so much great music, but to
see the subtle differences from Dylan night after night. (And in doing so --
getting a more accurate reflection of where he is right now. It's easier to be
objective when you've seen several in a row -- it helps to identify the truly
inspired from the mediocre.)
My gut reaction is Sunday night was the best show -- both in terms of setlist
and performance. To hear such an energetic Desolation, followed by It's All
Over Now -- was worth the price of admission. ("When you asked me how I was
doin' -- Is that supposed to be some kinda JOKE?")
But Friday and Saturday (and even Wednesday) aren't far behind.
John Brown on Friday is one of those great gifts -- one of the reasons (I
think) he keeps going -- and we keep coming. Words can't really describe it
(let's hope the tapes do) -- but to hear Dylan singing (with almost no backing)
-- in an entirely new (to me) arrangment -- in short, swirling bursts: "John
Brown went of to WAR, to fight on a forEIGN shore..." And the boys barely
filling in the gaps. When Dylan is "naked" like this -- he is forced to really
open up and sing. (He always sings better on the accoustic songs -- probably
because he can't hide behind those guitars. See Highway, versions 1 - 2000.)
Or One Too Many Mornings. Here's one of those "perfect" Dylan vehicles -- not
only a great song -- but one that I love to hear on ANY night these days, along
with Back Pages, or Queen Jane (no dice), or Shelter (Wed!). Dylan really
sings his heart out. Why not 6 accoustic songs?! It's such a great part of
the night -- where Dylan really communicates. Hattie Carrol on Sat. Another
great example. The crowd really comes alive, and Dylan feeds off it. Even
Tangled moved me every night. Maybe because that was the official stage rush
time -- and Dylan had another surge of adrenaline. (I always complain about
seeing Tangled in the setlists, but I never mind when I'm there -- I still
enjoy that classic riff and Dylan's wordplay. Whereas Highway61's just gotta
go.)
As for the new songs, Cold Irons Bound is the real deal. (that smoke coming
off the stage!) All that feedback building and building...and then Tony
busting in with that bass -- you've gotta be there. I always liked that song
on the CD, but now I think I REALLY know what it's about. (Listen to all those
duelling guitars, and Dylan screaming -- "I'm beginning to hear voices, and no
one's around." The guy's losing his mind. Everything's chaos.) Of course,
let's hope this song's isn't too autobiographical!
Not Dark Yet, as they say, ain't there, but "it's gettin' there." Needs some
more play. Twice wasn't enough. And where the hell is Standing in the
Doorway?! Both could take the place of Tell I Fell In Love...which, to me, is
only a so-so closer. And the crowd doesn't seem to be that into Million Miles.
I think Standing In the Doorway could try a few nights there. Or Tryin to Get
to Heaven. (After Tangled -- the opening words of Million Miles sends too many
people to the bathroom)
LoveSick is really great. It's funny to hear this as an encore. (These are
supposed to be the rockin' hits, right?) But I've seen nothing but great
versions of this. Dylan really concentrating on the vocals. No slurring.
"I'd give anything to...be with yooouuuu." Now I got it.
Not that these shows are flawless. They certainly weren't. Tuesday, for me,
seemed to be the weakest show. Maybe from
where I was sitting in the nosebleeds? But I didn't see that furious drive
from over the weekend, that was there again on Wed. Those tapes ain't gonna
show you this: those facial expressions! That dancing! Certainly, for Dylan,
this was a VERY energetic effort on display. Extraordinary enjoyment on
display.
But, on all nights, there are certainly points of the show that move me less
than others. Silvio. I think it's played. And, of course, the closer. (It
is discouraging after song 10 -- when you know there is probably only 1
"surprise" left -- what he'll do for the accoustic encore.)
But I was VERY pleased that he changed about 6 songs a night -- making a total
of 40 or so different songs played. That's amazing. I don't think any other
musician gives that much work over such a short span. That's why to see Dylan
only once is such a disservice to yourself (if you can go to more).
I've seen him 15 times now -- 10 in the last year. It's amazing how much the
experience "snowballs" -- when you compare not only the music to the "original"
on the albums -- but to recent shows. Comparing Shelter from this week to '94
was really interesting. Same with Tangled and and You're a Big Girl Now. This
is an addictive hobby we have. The more you go, the more you HAVE to go!
(help!)
(One more thing: No. I didn't tape these shows.
Everybody else and their dog did -- so they're out there. But I'd love to
someday make my own "best of" from this week -- and play My Back Pages next to
Hattie Carrol next to John Brown next to Desolation Row...Well, you get the
point.)
Take care,
Zoner
Subject: notes from the garden...
From: Christine Consolvo (consolvo@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 1998 21:52:13 GMT
Well, the five shows at Madison Square Garden were, in a word,
phenomenal.... Bob is on top of the world and at the peak of his game.
He took great care in not duplicating the songs (other than the five
constant slots) until the last night when a couple of songs were
redone. The sheer excitement of knowing we would be seeing 5 nights
in such a wonderful place...New York City...I love it! And seeing his
name continually popping up on that grand marquee on 7th Avenue
(right along with the Rolling Stones), well, it almost felt like I was
dreaming. I stood watching it for quite some time until it occurred to
me I might seem like the perfect target for a purse-snatching. :-) I
can't begin to describe all the happenings at these shows, but I'll
try to hit the highlights...
Friday night...
Security at the theater was next to non-existant which was a treat in
itself. This place is a class act. As I was shown to my seat the first
evening I was greeted by black-suited men (Terrance became my friend
before all was said and done :-) with trays of plastic cups holding
champagne with a strawberry garnish for sale. Piper Sonoma Brut it
was...and very good!
This was my first time to witness Not Dark Yet live. It is, and looks
like it will continue to be, my favorite song on the new album. It's
one that, for months (and to this day), I most times can't let go by
without another immediate listening. Repeat, repeat, repeat. I can't
imagine how many times I've actually heard it, so when it became
obvious that I was seeing it live my heart skipped a beat. He sang the
lyrics with a voice so full of emotion and sung in a loud whisper
....they almost stuck in his throat. He paused longer between the words
"it's not dark ye-et", as he took a breath, "but it's gettin'
theeeeeere" as he slowly released it...... Positively one of those
moments to file away with all the others of this class. One Too Many
Mornings, while I always enjoy it and it appears Bob does too, was
another emotion-filled rendition that could just about bring a person
to tears. I sat wondering how he can make it more impassioned with
each outing without simply breaking down himself... Then came that new
(to me, at least) version of John Brown. The first two or three verses
were done with very spare emphasis on the accompaniment, then became
more full-blown for the rest. Truly, to me, it didn't exactly work
musically, but something different, especially in a song I love so
much, is always welcome. It was obvious they had been working on it
and were unsure of the outcome. They all kept glancing at one another
for reassurance particularly during the first part.
Someone had suggested we meet at a place called Penn Bar (being across
the street from Penn Station) before and after the show and it was a
great place. Right by the back exit of the theater, not too big, not
too noisy....just right. The only Dylan on the cd juke box was
Greatest Hits I, but we made do with all the other selections.
Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Allman Brothers, The
Who...The owner told me the bar was the first to be opened after the
war in 1947. I need to send him a copy of Time Out of Mind. Every pub
should have the Album of the Year 1997 on their jukebox.....
Saturday night...
We had heard that Bob would be opening tonight...and that he might
play with the Stones during Van's set. We set about scoping out inside
entrances to the Garden from the Theater and talked about trying to
get a cheap scalped ticket after the Stones set began. We did find the
elevator used to go from one place to the other, but of course you
needed a pass or laminate to be allowed on. And since the face value
for good Stones tix was $300, no cheap ones were to be found. So we
went on our way hoping that the rumor was correct and that we weren't
missing out on a Bob/Van duet during Van's show. Later, on Wednesday
night, one of the security staff told me what he saw happen that night
between Bob and the Stones upstairs. He said the Stones had been
trying to connect with Dylan for a rehearsal of Like A Rolling Stone,
but that they had not heard back. When Dylan went upstairs that night
before the Stones took the stage, Mick said to him that he didn't care
about the lack of rehearsal and to please come on with them "cold".
After all, he had *written* the song! But Dylan politely declined
saying simply, "No. It's *your* stage." Someone said at the bar later
on Saturday that Mick had announced that Bob Dylan was there, but was
unable to come out and play, and said to tell everyone "hello"! My
personal opinion was that Bob just didn't care to hang around such a
long time until his "scheduled" appearance...Like A Rolling Stone
being far into the Stones' set.
Tonight was the night he played Tomorrow Is A Long Time. I had
certainly hoped for this but was not ready for the reality of the
occurrence. I was thrown into a sensory overload.
I can't see my reflection in the waters,
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain,
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps,
Or remember the sound of my own name...............
This was teetering on the edge of being simply too much to handle.
Again, I sat thanking God that this wasn't a dream and wiping four
large tears of joy and desolation from my chin. Written 35 very short
years ago, by a relatively unknown songwriter at the tender age of
22...it's almost unimaginable. I was reminded of my question posed to
this group not long ago. Just what would life be like without the
prolific output of this man? I shudder to think....... Then to follow
this with Hattie Carroll and (soon) Tears of Rage...my my....
Sunday night...
We had been warned by the powers that be not to miss Van's set
tonight. He delivered another solid show and midway through introduced
none other than Bob Dylan! A microphone had been set up for Bob's
(lone) use, but he chose to share Van's mic which made this visual
even more special. I was not familiar with the song they performed,
More and More, but was happy to know that tonight I would see the
regular 16 songs by Bob. :-) I'm not sure what started Bob to
smiling and laughing during the song, but it sure was nice to see!
Perhaps an inside joke with the horn player, who Bob seemed friendly
with, or just the awkwardness of singing such intimate lyrics into the
same mic with another man. If they had looked too serious as they sang
this together, well.... At any rate it came off very successfully, but
way too short and Bob left and gave the stage back to Van alone.
Bob's band just gets better and better....When they started into
Desolation Row it was quite a thrill. He sang the lyrics with nary a
hitch and, again, with great nuance. He seems to come equipped each
night with fresh intonations and expressions making every performance
unique unto itself. How many performers can accomplish this? How many
would even try....and with Mr. Dylan it is so utterly effortless.
These concerts manifest a showman at the pinnacle of his game....
ahhhhh...he's so much younger now...and loving it!
I should mention the pride and cockiness with which he performs his
new songs. These could be the true highlights each night. He's like a
proud Papa displaying his newborn babe...very heartwarming.
Monday (day off)...
The untimely death of rock 'n' roll great Carl Perkins is announced.
Poor Bob. How must it feel to have friends falling all around you?
Tuesday night...
There was much discussion about a possible tribute to the late Mr.
Perkins. Most people assumed if any would occur that it would be the
great song Matchbox, since Carl performed it onstage with Dylan when
he played his (now) hometown of Jackson, Tennessee back in 1994 and it
has shown up (unplayed) on cue sheets a few times. As it turned out,
no acknowledgement was made that night.
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall...another first for me. When they started
into it, I was happy thinking it would be Times Changin', but was
elated when it turned out to be Hard Rain! What could be better???
Another 35-year-old song as fresh as the day it was penned. This song
brings about so many pictures of sorrow...throwing them all into the
vast world of hopelessness and the futility of life. As the lights
shown on that curly-headed person who wrote such an extraordinary song
at an age when most young men are strictly concerned with much less
weighty issues.....I couldn't help but reflect on the times that made
it important to him...and that he had likely written it in the very
town where he was now singing it with such world-weariness...three and
a half decades later. He *has* been ten thousand miles in the mouth of
a graveyard...and come back again...all the better for the experience.
I believe this was the night that, during Rainy Day Women, he sang:
I would not feel so all alone
WHY?
Everybody must get stoned
YEAH!
Then he burst into laughter. He had cracked himself up...along with
the rest of us. The show then came emotionally full circle. :-)
Wednesday night...
Van again opened this night, so we stood around in the lower lobby
where we could hear all that was going on with Van without having to
sit through it. (I like Van all right, but 5 nights would have been
way too much for me) Just as I decided Bob would not be sharing the
stage with him, Van announced his arrival. I ran down a flight of
steps to stand between the soundboard and the last row of the 100
section...dead center and out of the way of others' sight lines. The
theater was thrown into a vacuum as everyone took a breath and held
it. What a surprise to hear them launch into Blue Suede Shoes!!!!!
Again, they shared the mic and this time Bob had strapped on a guitar
but played it very little. This beat Matchbox by a mile! Again, he was
smiling and enjoying himself and the song took on a life of it's own.
He tapped those toes to beat the band and I only regretted that he
hadn't WORN some shoes of blue suede. :-) I know that Carl was
smiling down on this performance from his lofty vantage point.....
Just thought I'd mention it...
Christine
Subject: New York City, NY 21 January 1998 - a review
From: Carsten Wohlfeld (happyjaq@confetti.ruhr.de)
Date: 31 Jan 1998 19:21:00 +0100
Bob Dylan
New York City, NY 21 January 1998
Madison Square garden - The Paramount Theater
A Review by Carsten Wohlfeld
The last NYC night saw yet another Bob/Van duet, this time "Blue Suede
Shoes" as a tribute to the late Carl Perkins. Apparently they decided to
do it on very short notice, because Bob's amp was only brought to the
stage seconds before Van started his set and when Bob finally arrived 2/3
through Morrison's set, he couldn't find his Strat (or his roadie to hand
it too him), so Bob played Brian Kennedy's acoustic guitar (and very badly
I might add). A duet fun too *watch* at least. It was closet to 10pm (they
started later and later every evening), when Bob and his band took the
stage.
Absolutely Sweet Marie
Great singing from the start on, and a very intense performance, but this
was just the beginning...
Man In The Long Black Coat
Another very intense and beautful performance of this stunning song with
Bob finding great new phrasings here and there.
Cold Irons Bound
Best version all week due to Bob's nice vocals tonight. Really smoking!
Shelter From The Storm
The only semi-surprising song all evening, performed beautifully in an
arrangement that differed considerably to the one of the JJ-era (last time
I heard this song was summer '96). Bob forgot the start to one of the
verses and an additional solo graced it's place in the song :-) At first I
thought this song was Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready", cause they
used the same guitar riff during the intro. (I guess it's the same chords
anyways...)
Silvio
Ear-shattering rock-workout. If I ever heard a great version of this song,
it was tonight. Amazingly good solos from Larry and Bob, who was literally
on the floor doing his strange kind of dancing.
The Times They Are A-Changin' (acoustic)
Yet again, no surprise to hear this, but Bob's voice was still stunnigly
good as were his guitar solos, so I didn't mind to hear this old warhorse
again.
Mr. Tambourine Man (acoustic)
Nearby perfect rendition of this quite dreadful song. "Roving Gambler",
the cuesheet's alternate, unfortunately went unplayed. Instead of an
"experimental" last night (I wasn't the only one hoping for "I & I"), Bob
gave us a safe greatest hits set. If his voice wouldn't have been so
strong all night, I probably would've hated the show. So it was till quite
good.
Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)
The stage rush happened again during this song, making Bob laugh out loud
at one point. The performance was solid, but nothing spectacular.
Million Miles
Another solid version with great singing.
Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
Same arrangement as a few days ago of course, but the fire and drama was
sadly missing. The band intros follow, Larry "all the way from New York
City" and on bass "gourmet cook Tony Garnier... he's really cooking on
that bass!" Guess Bob read's the New York Times?! Or did Tony showed him
the article (which funnily enough, was almost bigger than the Dylan review
a few days earlier!!!)
'Til I Fell In Love With You
Bob learned his lesson from Van and left the stage close to the end of the
song - while the band was still playing - to thunderous applause. Another
solid song with good singing behind him.
(encore)
Highway 61 Revisited
While I would've prefered the cuesheet's alternate "Ballad Of A Thin Man"
(for the first time in quite a while it was not listed as "Mr Jones",
gossip fans!) this version was still cooking. Gumbo 61 Revisited :-)
Don't Think Twice It's Allright (acoustic)
Not on the cuesheet and a bit of a surprise to hear it two nights in a
row, but the version was as beautiful as the rest of the songs tonight.
Absolutely no exceptions!
Lovesick
Nicely done once again and a song I won't get tired of too soon.
Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35
Best version by a million miles Bob finally attempted to reinvent this
song a bit and his all new phrasing sounded pretty exciting. Made the
horrid song almost enjoyable :-)
And that's it! After five NYC shows I was very happy about the specacular
performances Bob delivered, even though I would've liked some more
surpring songs ˆ la El Rey. But there were still two shows of the Bob/Van
mini tour to go of course. If you will, join me again soon for my two
Boston reviews. Until then, thanks for reading!
--
carsten wohlfeld
"i'm caught in a trap and i can't get out cause i love you so much, baby!"
(elvis presley)
