A Fistful of Tapes

by The Two Riders

Not the greatest night but there is a better-than-average stab at Shooting Star and also a second encore of the old Bob Seger tune, Get Out Of Denver. 

Great sound, good show.  It could not have started better – with a superb version of Cold Irons Bound.  Not long after Dylan rolls out an excellent and fully sustained rendition of Lonesome Day Blues.  And, wait for it, a delicious Under The Red Sky. 

Bit of a mixed bag but more highs than lows. She Belongs To Me is well done and most welcome.  High Water features some knockout piano work and Hollis Brown is excellent.  In between those two Dylan manages to truly murder Tears of Rage. 

Now a couple of outstanding Fall shows from 2002. 

One is lulled from the déjà vu of the show openers by song three when we are treated to the now ultra- rare Unbelievable and it is done so well.   Most Likely.. is super and is followed by a mean and moody Can’t Wait.  As ever, If Dogs Run Free hits the mark. 

Nothing out of the ordinary except for a spirited Ring Them Bells  and a solid-as-a-rock Things Have Changed. 

Not a very good show tonight.  Once more Unbvelievable is unveiled but this time it is tuneless and is quickly followed by a very poor vocal performance on I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight. Highway 61 goes on far too long and Summer Days is just so tired.  It is time for him to drop this number. 

Once again Cold Irons Bound serves as a great opener and is matched by Red Sky and a really tasty Not Dark Yet. 

Third night in a row and it’s a bit better tonight. Hollis Brown, though welcome, is a bit flat due to the now-limited range of Dylan’s voice and the lack of a tune anyway.  However, It Ain’t Me, Babe is great – very dynamic.  And there is a spot-on harp intro to Cat’s In The Well. 

First night of a new tour and a lot of Sixties stuff in the set-list.  Eight songs in tonight’s set date from that era but the standouts are from another time, namely I Believe In You  and Floater. 

To be continued…….  

Restless Farewell for now.

Mike and John