Bob Dylan 2012 Tour

July 7th was at his concert in Salzburg..

Well, what a great experience..again..( did not see him last year, but it was I think in 2008 the last concert I saw)

His Tour Band..excellent..as always looking like a reunion of "Southern train conductors"

Tony Garnier on bass and George Receli on drums keep the beat, whether reciting old Cash like locomotives reminding me of some early Memphis Sun Studios tracks, or opening into some semi acoustic dance hall lines, or letting it roll..

Stu Kimball and Charlie Sexton complement each other, Sexton, he may forgive me, but sounding his best when ever so often he "recites" some old well known Robertson licks...

Donnie Herron makes that pedal steel sound like an overdriven Tele from time to time and throws in delicate strings into acoustic sets..

Bob Dylan, well, sounds like he's got a voice again..sits there most of the time on the Grand Piano, obviously rightfully proud of his songs, without being pathetic and actually sings again, well croons at times, smiles quite a bit...pretty amazing...and treats all material with a lot of respect but also lots of humor..

personally out of the Salzburg set was quite impressed with "Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" and an amazing version of "Visions of Johanna"..

but everything was good...lots of young folks in the audience...and everybody started dancing sooner or later...that is how much "swing" there is this year's tour

And good old Bob Dylan, who finally turned as old as he had sounded when he was 21, is all young again..

great show...great music...great swing..and good Rock& Roll

Good to hear his Bobness' voice is better and he is singing again. Thanks for sharing. Got some pics?

sorry have no pics...

but here on youtube some footage from the days before in Germany..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV5xZMQhoCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehypBdgvAz4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azjoZtU5W7k&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVLlN6h0LXQ&feature=related

Thanks!

I'm seriously thinking about catching three Dylan shows next month and this weighs on the "go for it" side of the equation.

Love Bob, he sounds great on his Theme Time Radio Hour XM show. Good to hear he can still bring it live. I've only seen Bob live once, like 30 years ago, when he toured with Tom Petty. I should go see him again sometime.

Thx for the trip report.

I understand he's touring quite few shows with Knopfler....I'm thinking of grabbing some tix when they come through this way

I'm off to see Bob in Des Moines on Wed. Aug 22 . . . anyone else planning to attend?

I've seen Bob around 10 or 12 times I guess, starting in 1975. Haven't been going to his shows for a while though, as his voice was deteriorating after 2003 or so (please hold back your quips about how it was deteriorated from the start, etc., for anyone not fond of Bob's singing).

Looking forward to this one. My bud says he somehow got us 10th row center tickets purchasing online without trying to get any particular seats. Should be a lot of fun and am hoping for another great Bob show . . . (anyone remember his late 1995 shows with Patti Smith? Great stuff . . . .)

I think I'm going to be there. I have a ticket and a hotel reservation within walking distance of the venue, but there's some stuff going on that could prevent it...

I'm off to see Bob in Des Moines on Wed. Aug 22 . . . anyone else planning to attend?

I've seen Bob around 10 or 12 times I guess, starting in 1975. Haven't been going to his shows for a while though, as his voice was deteriorating after 2003 or so (please hold back your quips about how it was deteriorated from the start, etc., for anyone not fond of Bob's singing).

Looking forward to this one. My bud says he somehow got us 10th row center tickets purchasing online without trying to get any particular seats. Should be a lot of fun and am hoping for another great Bob show . . . (anyone remember his late 1995 shows with Patti Smith? Great stuff . . . .)

I'm off to see Bob in Des Moines on Wed. Aug 22 . . . anyone else planning to attend?

I've seen Bob around 10 or 12 times I guess, starting in 1975. Haven't been going to his shows for a while though, as his voice was deteriorating after 2003 or so (please hold back your quips about how it was deteriorated from the start, etc., for anyone not fond of Bob's singing).

Looking forward to this one. My bud says he somehow got us 10th row center tickets purchasing online without trying to get any particular seats. Should be a lot of fun and am hoping for another great Bob show . . . (anyone remember his late 1995 shows with Patti Smith? Great stuff . . . .)

We'll be at the next stop on the tour, Friday in Fort Wayne.

We've seen him twice. First time was 200(3?), opening for the Dead. He didn't seem to be too interested in being on stage - played keys only, sang unintelligibly. The second time was 2-3 years ago, and that was a far better show. Bob played some guitar and harp, took center stage for a couple songs, and smiled a little tiny bit on a couple of occasions.

I hope we get Bob II on Friday.

D.H.

Bob Dylan, well, sounds like he's got a voice again..

Oh?

I've been invited to LA to see him, with Knopfler I understand.

I've got to think seriously about going, if his voice is back! :grin:

Boris -

I highly suggest you go. I was amazed at how good his voice is again. Really good. Still, it's Dylan, and it's his later-in-life voice, not his youthful one, but he's back in the form he was showing back around 1995~2002. I quit going to his shows after 2004 or so, and it seems his voice kept deteriorating, but after last night I can definitely say that that is no longer the case.

The show was terrific. Bob playing baby grand piano most songs, jamming in a similar way as he had been doing on lead guitar starting in 1994. Yes, still wanking and noodling around with the instrument, but it was clear he was having a lot of fun. Lots of harp, with Bob center stage. Bob's vocals and instrument were in front in the mix, and the sound quality was great (we were up close in center, which may have helped).

I originally was going to skip this tour. But now I think I'll have to catch a few more shows. The one in LA is at hollywood bowl, which is a nice venue so long as you're not too far back (otherwise, bring the binoculars). I wish he was performing in more indoor venues, like last night. Oh well, minor issue compared to Bob's voice being back . . .

I'd suggest you go, too, Boris. I was at the show last night and really enjoyed it.

I don't think last night's show was quite as good as the previous two shows that I attended (in 2006 and 2010), but it was still an excellent show. The band he has now, even on it's worst night, is better than most bands on their best night--everyone in that band is a great player and the ensemble is greater than the sum of its parts.

I was surprised that Stu Kimball seemed to play a lot of the leads even though Dylan called him the rhythm guitarist and loved Donnie Herron on several instruments (pedal steel, lap steel, mandolin, violin and banjo). Dylan's piano playing was pretty cool and the mix was such that you could really tell what he was playing.

I had a thoroughly good time and am looking forward to seeing them again in November. I may even try to fit in a few more shows.

I'd be interested in hearing more of your impressions of the show, nvilletele.

I'd like to say one more time in case anyone didn't notice the first ten times I've said so that this is a great, great, GREAT band and well worth seeing if you get the chance.

Boris -

I highly suggest you go. I was amazed at how good his voice is again. Really good. Still, it's Dylan, and it's his later-in-life voice, not his youthful one, but he's back in the form he was showing back around 1995~2002. I quit going to his shows after 2004 or so, and it seems his voice kept deteriorating, but after last night I can definitely say that that is no longer the case.

The show was terrific. Bob playing baby grand piano most songs, jamming in a similar way as he had been doing on lead guitar starting in 1994. Yes, still wanking and noodling around with the instrument, but it was clear he was having a lot of fun. Lots of harp, with Bob center stage. Bob's vocals and instrument were in front in the mix, and the sound quality was great (we were up close in center, which may have helped).

I originally was going to skip this tour. But now I think I'll have to catch a few more shows. The one in LA is at hollywood bowl, which is a nice venue so long as you're not too far back (otherwise, bring the binoculars). I wish he was performing in more indoor venues, like last night. Oh well, minor issue compared to Bob's voice being back . . .

I was so stoked about the Dylan/Knophler tour until I found out that they dropped Ashville, NC. He used to always play there but not this time. So, it turns out that he isn't coming anywhere close. What's up, Bob!? No love for the South East?

Boris -

I highly suggest you go. I was amazed at how good his voice is again. Really good. Still, it's Dylan, and it's his later-in-life voice, not his youthful one, but he's back in the form he was showing back around 1995~2002. I quit going to his shows after 2004 or so, and it seems his voice kept deteriorating, but after last night I can definitely say that that is no longer the case.

The show was terrific. Bob playing baby grand piano most songs, jamming in a similar way as he had been doing on lead guitar starting in 1994. Yes, still wanking and noodling around with the instrument, but it was clear he was having a lot of fun. Lots of harp, with Bob center stage. Bob's vocals and instrument were in front in the mix, and the sound quality was great (we were up close in center, which may have helped).

I originally was going to skip this tour. But now I think I'll have to catch a few more shows. The one in LA is at hollywood bowl, which is a nice venue so long as you're not too far back (otherwise, bring the binoculars). I wish he was performing in more indoor venues, like last night. Oh well, minor issue compared to Bob's voice being back . . .

That's a relief - we're off to see him tonight at the minor league ballpark in Ft Wayne.

D.H.

Dylan did a good job last night. He was working hard to put his songs across, enunciating well and singing clearly. He even came to the front of the stage and sang to various parts of the crowd for a few numbers.

The set list was taken mostly from the 60's and the 00's, with a couple of Blood on the Tracks tunes.

Bob played piano almost exclusively, taking many of the solos. I would have preferred to hear a little more guitar from Charlie Sexton and Stu Kimball, I suppose. Charlie and Stu had a nice selection of guitars with them, including some older Teles and one Trussart that looked pretty familar from advertisements.

D.H.

I don't think last night's show was quite as good as the previous two shows that I attended (in 2006 and 2010), but it was still an excellent show.

There was a 2010 show you liked better? I quit catching Bob shows after 2004 or 2005, the shows were, frankly, haggard at best. I was listening to boots of the shows, and was generally not impressed. But with Bob, there can always be an off, or on, night, on any tour I guess.

I've seen Bob around 10 to 15 times, starting in 1975 (Rolling Thunder I). Last night, though not as rocking on all numbers perhaps, was equally as good as December 95 and some of the great shows of 96 and 97.


The band he has now, even on it's worst night, is better than most bands on their best night--everyone in that band is a great player and the ensemble is greater than the sum of its parts.

That's been the case for quite some time now, with Bob's bands. Great players, who know how to support as well as lead. Larry Campbell was great, sad he's no longer there (although he's doing lots of other great stuff).


I was surprised that Stu Kimball seemed to play a lot of the leads even though Dylan called him the rhythm guitarist and loved Donnie Herron on several instruments (pedal steel, lap steel, mandolin, violin and banjo). Dylan's piano playing was pretty cool and the mix was such that you could really tell what he was playing.

I was also surprised by the amount of lead playing Stu did. Charlie hardly played any lead at all. I'm a big fan of Charlie, but he looked real haggard and tired, if not completely beat, that night, didnt look at the crowd, kept just looking at his own hands while playing, rarely looking up. Wonder if he was under the weather (better that than some other reasons for looking haggard).


I had a thoroughly good time and am looking forward to seeing them again in November. I may even try to fit in a few more shows.

I felt the same. My bud is looking to get tix for Minneapolis and/or some other shows in November. I am thinking about maybe seeing the LA show, and maybe will truck out to see him when he plays San Diego (though not my favorite venue, especially when the wind blows in the direction that blows the surrounding cow stink into the open air area). Maybe some other show(s) as well. It will be killer when Knopfler is with him, as I understand Knopfler will be part of the band (but not completely sure - still possible they play separate sets - but this too will become apparent in time).


I'd be interested in hearing more of your impressions of the show, nvilletele.


Random thoughts/impressions of the show:

First, I thought sound quality was EXCELLENT, in my experience rare for a basketball arena, but I guess it depends on venue, and where you sit (actually, I stood for the whole show anyway, though I did have a seat. No one sat during the show in the center floor area where we were).

Bob was playing piano breaks much in the way he used to do on guitar, or perhaps even like his vocal phrasing . . . just a tad off the beat, at times, intentionally. I think he is still learning on piano, at least getting more and more into a groove that suits him and that he feels comfortable with. It really does remind me of 1994, when he started playing lead guitar, he'd noodle around a bit until he felt comfortable, then play more and more lead. I got a similar feel with him at the baby grand.

I'd seen him before where he just played keyboards mainly, but for whatever reason those occasions left me cold. This time did not.

He was smiling, dancing, happy. His mood was infectious . . . the crowd felt and did the same.

I didnt think I was gonna care for the new arrangement of Tangled Up in Blue that he has been doing lately, but I ended up liking it a lot. Plus he's gone back to some lyrics from (what I've read is a) 1984 re-write of the song. (see http://www.examiner.com/article/two-tour-debuts-as-bob-dylan-plays-des-moines-iowa-tangled-84-revived). One of his best songs ever, of course.

I enjoyed the seats we got for the des moines show, but I miss the 90s when he was playing smaller venues, with general admission. Though standing on line for hours is never fun, I miss being able to pay very reasonable amounts and end up front row center, with only sore legs as the downside.

I dont really know how much I like Stu on lead . . . sometimes his playing didnt seem to mesh as well as I recall Larry's, Charlie's, JJ's, doing. But still nothing to really complain about here.

Highlights of the show for me were Highway 61, Things Have Changed, Visions of Johanna (he played VoJ!!!! - that alone is worth the price of admission), Thin Man, and of course Watchtower. But loved it all.

Now gotta see about getting tix for a couple or few more shows, with Knopfler.

Dylan did a good job last night. He was working hard to put his songs across, enunciating well and singing clearly. He even came to the front of the stage and sang to various parts of the crowd for a few numbers.

The set list was taken mostly from the 60's and the 00's, with a couple of Blood on the Tracks tunes.

Bob played piano almost exclusively, taking many of the solos. I would have preferred to hear a little more guitar from Charlie Sexton and Stu Kimball, I suppose. Charlie and Stu had a nice selection of guitars with them, including some older Teles and one Trussart that looked pretty familar from advertisements.

D.H.

After seeing Charlie, I just gotta get me a black double bound 62 tele . . . . loved the look of that one (mine is sunburst).

I think he had two Trussarts - one tele and one LP style. All of Charlie's guitars looked killer though . . . Stu was mainly playing gibsons, though I think he played tele on one number.

Stu played a LOT at the Des Moines show, including a lot of solos. But yes, Bob always likes to be the center of attention at his shows, on his songs. Lots of piano breaks/solos from Bob, occasionally missing but mostly on. (His misses are part of what makes it Bob). And I expect he will be getting better at every show, as he has done in the past with his lead guitar playing.

There was a 2010 show you liked better? I quit catching Bob shows after 2004 or 2005, the shows were, frankly, haggard at best. I was listening to boots of the shows, and was generally not impressed. But with Bob, there can always be an off, or on, night, on any tour I guess.

Yes, it was at a minor league ballpark with The Dough Rollers and John Mellencamp opening and just after Charlie Sexton re-joined the band. He really fired Dylan up on an oppressively hot night and it was a great, great performance.

I was also surprised by the amount of lead playing Stu did. Charlie hardly played any lead at all. I'm a big fan of Charlie, but he looked real haggard and tired, if not completely beat, that night, didnt look at the crowd, kept just looking at his own hands while playing, rarely looking up. Wonder if he was under the weather (better that than some other reasons for looking haggard).

Yeah, I was watching with binoculars and he looked tired and frustrated. Charlie is a great player and I hope this was just an off night for him. He still played decent rhythm, but he's a superlative lead player when he's on his game, up there with the best Dylan has ever played with, IMHO, including Mike Bloomfield and Robbie Robertson.


First, I thought sound quality was EXCELLENT, in my experience rare for a basketball arena, but I guess it depends on venue, and where you sit (actually, I stood for the whole show anyway, though I did have a seat. No one sat during the show in the center floor area where we were).

I actually moved up off the floor after a few songs, I just can't stand that long, I need to either be walking or sitting. The sound was great everywhere; I think it's because Dylan's sound people are as good as his band.

Highlights of the show for me were Highway 61, Things Have Changed, Visions of Johanna (he played VoJ!!!! - that alone is worth the price of admission), Thin Man, and of course Watchtower. But loved it all.

Hearing Visions of Johanna live was one of the things I've always wanted to do, but don't recall it being featured in any shows before Wednesday's. I didn't care for the delay used in Ballad of a Thin Man, but Bob sure seemed to enjoy it (he was laughing between verses).

Now gotta see about getting tix for a couple or few more shows, with Knopfler.

Me, too, I'm pretty certain about Omaha in November and I may try to make it to Minneapolis and maybe one or two more. This band is so good and it's Bob Dylan. Does it get any better.

Thanks for the reviews nvilletele and Dave.

He played here in Ft. Wayne last night but I missed the concert :(

For those of you who have seen this tour, do you know what these two were playing?

I saw Charlie play a couple of Trussarts (Tele and LP types), a black Mosrite or clone with gold hardware, a blonde Strat with lipstick pickups, a Gretsch White Falcon and, maybe, a non-reverse Firebird.

Stu had a '52-reissue Tele (or one that looked like it), a blonde Strat, a Gibson ES-175 and a J-45.

I also didn't recognize the dual P-90 Strat that Dylan played.

Does anyone have better info on the instruments?

TIA

For those of you who have seen this tour, do you know what these two were playing?

I saw Charlie play a couple of Trussarts (Tele and LP types), a black Mosrite or clone - a Fano, maybe? with gold hardware, a blonde Strat with lipstick pickups, a Gretsch White Falcon and, maybe, a non-reverse Firebird. older Tele, double-bound

Stu had a '52-reissue Tele (or one that looked like it), a blonde Strat, a Gibson ES-175 and a J-45.

I also didn't recognize the dual P-90 Strat that Dylan played.

Does anyone have better info on the instruments?

TIA

I saw the ones highlighted above, plus, I think the one in the photo below.

D.H.

http://www.jamestrussart.com/assets/artists/charlie_sexton.jpg

I saw the ones highlighted above, plus, I think the one in the photo below.

D.H.

http://www.jamestrussart.com/assets/artists/charlie_sexton.jpg

Yes, he played that one in Des Moines. I mis-remembered when I earlier said the other Trussart was an LP style.

Thanks, Dave and nvilletele! You guys are right, and I just thought I remembered an LP-style guitar, too. Maybe I was thinking of Charlie's Zemaitis from other shows I've seen. I recognize that second Trussart now.

I wish I knew what the guitar that I described as a non-reverse Firebird is: it was white with black binding and I don't recall ever having seen a Firebird with binding.

It was definitely a bit different sound that I've heard from Dylan's band than previous shows--a bit more Gibson and a bit more overdrive than I'm used to.

Thanks again.

You blokes should count yourselves lucky.

His Bobness last passed our way 5 years ago. Before that, 10 years back and before that 20 years - and on two occasions punters got the full on surly, grumpy, mumbly Bob. Even on the last visit, he barely uttered a word, but that was offset by a set list packed with the best.

You blokes should count yourselves lucky.

His Bobness last passed our way 5 years ago. Before that, 10 years back and before that 20 years - and on two occasions punters got the full on surly, grumpy, mumbly Bob. Even on the last visit, he barely uttered a word, but that was offset by a set list packed with the best.


Now don't get me wrong - Bob still doesn't talk to the audience. He's just more involved with putting the songs across.

His usual stage patter these days consists of something along the lines of "Good evening, friends", followed by band intros, then the last song of the set.

D.H.

I gather that's the standard operating procedure - friends have attended all 3 gigs here. It must hurt worse when he gets the band to phone in the songs for him as well.

Originally posted by Dave Hicks

Now don't get me wrong - Bob still doesn't talk to the audience. He's just more involved with putting the songs across.

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