Greetings from somewhere in Georgia, on my way from a fabulous show in Atlanta to the final show of Hot Bob Summer in Nashville, TN. I’m behind in my recaps, owing you Woodenville, WA, Chicago and Cincinnati. Well, in Woodenville I got terribly sick and missed the second show, Chicago I was devastated from getting I Shall Be Released, and Cincinnati too emotionally overwhelmed by how GOOD it was! But we’re back. Let’s dig right in.
The Venue
Hidden somewhere in the fancy part of Atlanta at a Equestrian facility where All The Tired Horses go, called “Chastain Horse Park,” there is a beautiful sunken amphitheater that actually reminded me of the Hollywood Bowl. Gorgeous facility, super friendly staff, reasonably priced food, short merch lines.
The Crowd
The crowd seemed like they were there for a good time, excited to see Bob Dylan and about a 50/50 split of folks who knew what to expect and folks who thought he would encore with Like A Rolling Stone. I was in the second row, Joel Paterson side, fantastic view of everything, cool people in front of me and next to me. Unfortunately I had the yappers behind me who talked THE ENTIRE TIME. Full disclosure, tickets in this section were, $231. I don’t know, that’s a VERY expensive conversation to have. Why even come to the show? One of the main problems with the prices of those seats up close is that the people that seem to be able to afford those tickets are not the people who are there to see a Bob Dylan concert. It’s frustrating.
The Setlist
Not the usual fare this time around, believe it or not! Dylan opened with Watching The River Flow, a welcome change, in my opinion. I like To Be Alone With You, but I’ve seen it a lot. It was nice to mix it up even if it was with something we’ve heard almost as much.
See above!
Every time I’ve seen Bob on this tour I am blown away by this arrangement and performance. I feel so lucky to get to hear it. Once again Joel adds SO much. You can see how free his up there now.
The one “crowd pleaser sing-a-long” song. Everyone loved it, everyone sang a long. I’ve heard this song many times over the years, including on the Outlaw Tour and it’s funny to me that this is the closest it is to the album arrangement. Why now? I don’t know but I love it.
Ok, I didn’t mean to bury the lede but this was a NEW arrangement! As I mentioned in my field report video, I haven’t been listening to the shows since Cincinnati, so I don’t know if this came earlier, but it was new to me! Whereas it has been pretty close to the album arrangement, now it’s still a 12 bar blues, but almost identical to Crossing The Rubicon. It’s now a march. In fact I even thought, “Did he just move Rubicon up in the set?” THIS is why I don’t mind that it’s a static setlist. It’s NOT the same performance every night.
One of the all time great songs from one of the all time great albums. Like MITLBC I feel so grateful I get to hear this. After years of Lovesick being the TOOM staple it’s amazing to have this one. Joel and Julian Lange did some really cool guitar work in this one. Bob is just letting them go!
6.I Can Tell (Samuel Smith, Ellas McDaniel)
This seems to be one of Dylan’s favorites on the set. He smiled a lot during it and letting (maybe encouraging?) Joel to play slide guitar on this one is so fun. Joel very casually and cooly, grabs the slide from his jacket pocket before his solo then drops it back in. A slick and smooth pro.
I’m always surprised at how engaging this song is. I think it’s an odd choice to pick for this set from Rough & Rowdy Ways, but I’m not mad about it. It definitely slows down the set and that’s fine. But what’s most interesting is it quietly becomes a guitar showcase of lick trading, and simultaneously an opportunity to focus on what Dylan is saying. What is he saying? I don’t know but Michael Glover Smith, Adam Selzer and I had a very interesting conversation, about a year ago, trying to figure it out. Check it out!
8.Share Your Love With Me (Alfred Braggs, Deadric Malone)
Dylan knows how to make a setlist. This isn’t the big come up after the seriousness of Black Rider but it’s “Light and it’s free.”
Spoiler alert: Even though we were in the land of Coca-Cola, he did not sing that line in the bridge. Too bad, missed opportunity for a cheap pop. Duncan Hume, pictured above told me a story about a time in Atlanta where he did do that with the expected results and it was great. Oh well.
It was very fun watching all the folks try to figure out what this was. I even caught a few people during the intro say, “Is this Putting On The Ritz?” Well yes, it is. But as soon as “Oh the streets of Rome” started there was a noticeable cheer from the crowd. The music breaks in this song turn into a serious jam, almost Phish-like. Joel and Julian’s fingers were dancing up and down their guitar necks. And then, the song seemed to stop. Everyone cheered and I wondered where the bridge was? Very dramatically, the band came in with a big flourish to “Sailin’ ‘round the world” and the song picked right up. A true highlight of the night for everyone on and off stage.
10.I’ll Make It All Up To You (Charlie Rich)
Cute, nice, sweet.
I have very much enjoyed the newish arrangement, I believe that started in the Spring, as a march. It makes sense thematically. I can almost picture the troops lining up to Cross the Rubicon. To my musical ears it did feel a little weird to have an identical arrangement with False Prophet. For me at least it took a little of the drama out but what do I know?! I did “WOOT” on the beat breaks but did not illicit a nod from Tony like in Cincinnati.
I have seen this song many many times over the years and especially in recent years. It’s great, I like it, but I’m good. I would much rather have Desolation Row. Have I said that before?
Oh boy, one of the great highlights of the Outlaw Tour that stayed. And thank Bob it did. There’s something nostalgic about this song that’s different than the nostolgia of his 60’s songs. Maybe it’s because I’m a 90’s kid, maybe because my kids like this song, I don’t know. While in the past Bob Britt and then Joel Paterson were playing the guitar solo almost exactly like Waddy Wachtel’s on the album, now Joel is playing SLIDE exactly like George Harrison!!!! It was GORGEOUS. And then to top it all off, Bob ended with a perfect harmonica solo (are those ever not perfect?)! Talk about nostalgia!
14.I’ve Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You
Beautiful, romantic, emotional. I love this song so much. Every time it feels like Bob is singing to US. I hope this never leaves the setlist.
Lots of fun lick trading and solos on this one. Give it a listen for sure
After the drama chasing this song for 20 years, not hearing it in Chicago and then getting the emotional “release” of it in Cincinnati, this was all bonus for me. I don’t feel the pressure to have to wish for it anymore, I just get it and I appreciate it. I can’t begin to express how passionately he sings this, how much fun the band is having playing it, and what it’s like to see the crowd react to every word and every note. I can’t help but flash to The Last Waltz, when I see it. I was watching Joel during the guitar solo and I swear my brain mapped Robbie Robertson right over him (complimentary). And then the harmonica solo to top it off is just heavenly. While I’ve said before that Every Grain Of Sand is the perfect song to end a Bob Dylan concert with, this song says, “hold my beer.” If I had to pick one song to be the last thing I ever heard it would be I Shall Be Released.
During and after a Bob Dylan show I just can’t help but think of “The Schuyler Sisters,” line from Hamilton, “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.” See you tomorrow in Nashville. Look for a report on Ray Padgett’s Substack, and enjoy listening to the show below!
Your Pal,
Henry
0:00
-1:22:12
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.