Bob Dylan Examiner notes from Boston show (Part two)

November 18, 9:19 AMBob Dylan ExaminerHarold Lepidus

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(continued)

Dylan once again moved to center stage for a pounding version of “Cold Irons Bound”. At first, Dylan’s stage presence and movements reminded me of Dean Martin, but that was soon replaced by images of Maurice Chevalier, Charles Aznavour, and Leonard Cohen. Dylan’s hands were animated as he sang, as Sexton played descending riffs on his guitar. Charlie played slide next to Dylan during his harp solo. Dylan played on bended knee, then smiled and posed for the crowd.

Between bursts of applause, you could hear a pin drop during “Not Dark Yet”. Dylan remained at center stage. Garnier physically pushed Sexton towards stage left at one point. Dylan played with the hair at the back of his neck after playing another emotional harp solo.

It was back to rocking for “Most Likely You Go Your Way”. Dylan was behind his keyboard, Kimball on acoustic. Sexton played the signature riff way up the neck of the guitar for part of the song. Charlie also moved next to Dylan during his keyboard solo.

An upright bass was brought out for Tony, Stu was on acoustic, Donnie was on viola, and Charlie was on a black-and-white Fender. Dylan was center stage, giving another emotional performance of “Forgetful Heart”, which was only hinted at on the studio version. Charlie was strumming his guitar strings without a pick. The emotional core of the song belonged to Garnier, coloring the performance by playing his bass with a bow.

“Highway 61 Revisited” rocked, of course. Dylan was back on keyboard, leaning back and having a great time. He seemed to be doing the fox trot, and striking poses, during the solos. Sexton played stinging solos, including running his fingers up and down the fret board imitating a slide guitar. Dylan played another keyboard solo, with Charlie right by his side. Recile really cooked on this one. At the end, Dylan flashed a big smile to his drummer.

“Nettie Moore” was another show stopper. Herron on viola, Kimball on acoustic, Sexton playing more solos on his knees.

Back to rocking. “Thunder On The Mountain” got the crowd going - the floor beneath me was vibrating. Sexton played a guitar that looked like it was spray painted silver. Charlie placed his guitar pick in his mouth and finger-picked his solos. Everyone on stage was smiling at one point or another. It sounded like Dylan changed a lyric to “All the ladies of Boston scrambling to get out of town”. Dylan stood behind his keyboard, legs spread apart. The song ended with Bob and Charlie both playing solos.

The final song of the main set was “Ballad Of A Thin Man”, with Dylan center stage once again. He used to refer to this one as his theme song, and it seems to have regained that stature. Dylan made this song seem new, snarling the lyrics with renewed vigor, with the occasional sarcastic smile for added effect. The only criticism was that it was the same truncated version he’s been doing for decades. It would have been nice to hear the complete song.

The band left the stage. Stage hands appeared, moving instruments around. The crowd in the back seemed more vocal than those up front.

“Like A Rolling Stone” started the encore, with Dylan again finding inspiration for a song he’s performed over 1700 times. The crowd was on its feet by this time. After introducing the band, it was a fun version of “Jolene”, from “Together through Life”. After sharing another joke with Donnie, it was time for “All Along The Watchtower”, a song he’s performed even more than “Rolling Stone”. He reinvented the song by rewriting the melody, starting high, then going low before going high again.

The entire band then stood at center stage. Dylan struck a pose for the crowd, and stood on his tippy-toes. He held out his hand, his eyes focused on the balcony. He held the mic stand with his hand for a moment, before leaving the stage. The lights came up at 9:40.

All in all, a great concert. Charlie Sexton really gave the show a much needed boost. Dylan does not even need to play guitar any more, since Sexton more than fills that role. Bob seems inspired, enjoying the current set up. I hope he spends more time just singing center stage. It seems to suit him at this point in his career.