Now that the touring year has finished, what are people's thoughts? I have to confess that after the Spring tour, which was so well taped, I have only listened to the rest of the year in bits and pieces.Perhaps the Crystal Cats have spoilt me in terms of sound quality but I keep going back to them and in Particular, Wembley I and Paris. Bob's voice seems to have gone into something of a decline from around June on although this has partly been compensated for by some interesting returns on the setlist front (Big Girl, the Jack White material) and a phenomenal improvement in the band and in particular, Mr. Denny Freeman. Well done sir, this has been your year.
Yep-late June to be exact. When he started the tour up again state side. It may have been the recordings but my feeling from the samples I've heard was that the vocal had disimproved from the european shows. Not by much mind,just a tad. Heard little of the Australia/New Zealand tour but even the much vaunted last gig of that leg from Aukland disappointed me (vocally) somewhat.The real deterioration came during the last leg (although hope springs eternal-did I detect an improvement in the last couple of weeks?)
I could not name a show of the year 2007, although I listened to more or less all that have been up on dime. The shows are too uneven, there are some songs well played and (during the spring tour) even well sung. But then again during the next song he looses control over his voice, barks, croaks, falls into the breathless staccato-style etc.
The last show I really enjoyed from start to finish was Dublin I in 2005 - indeed a "Show of the year". For 2006 I only made a "best of" sampler what is all I really need from that year - and it will be the same for 2007.
So I could only name a performance of the year, what would be It's alright ma from the first London show. That rearrangement was great! That he dropped it's propelling electric guitar part, got Stu back to acoustic again just to made the song another laid back bluesrock-tune was a strange thing imo...
i must admit that i didn't hear a lot of full shows from 2007. The only show i regularly listen to is brussels from the euro spring tour. I was there and it was a great show then and the recording only confirms this.
bob's voice was really good that night, it reminds me a lot of how his voice was in 2003.
Dublin II from 05 was my gig of that particular year Thin Man. I personally was preferred it to the first one (was present for both). And You're right about Brussels Admin, that was a good show (very well recorded)-suoerb Wheel's On Fire...
Just thought of two non european shows this year that I liked very much in their entirety- Florence, MA (beautiful Des Row and Shelter in particular) and the first Nashville show (please let a better recording surface....)
And what do people think was song of the year? I'd probably go for You're a Big Girl Now or Ain't Talkin' (which continues to grow and shine-Denny's licks have added great colour to the song as the year has progressed)
QUOTE: i must admit that i didn't hear a lot of full shows from 2007. The only show i regularly listen to is brussels from the euro spring tour. I was there and it was a great show then and the recording only confirms this.
bob's voice was really good that night, it reminds me a lot of how his voice was in 2003.
Just Like Tom Thumb`s Blues from Brussels is outstanding
Yep-that's a good Tom THumb from Brussels but I give the edge to the Wembley I version which really builds up a head of steam-in fact Bob cuts Denny off halfway through a searing solo!
The June 26 Florence, MA show at the Pines outdoor theatre was amazing. The set list was superb, including Every Grain of Sand, Shelter from the Storm- bob did such a stirring rendition - almost a waltz, Cry Awhile & more. The setting was beautiful and Bob and the band were inspired. I'll always remember the beautiful pine trees looming on each side of the stage as the almost full moon rose above as bob sang. It was so intimate - just like sitting on someone's lawn enjoying the wonderful music in a miraculous setting. Being surrounded by Expecting Rain friends after a fine barbecue together before the concert made it extra-extra special.
Can't wait till 2008. Please Bob, come back to the Pines.
My current favorite show is the one from Louisville, KY, October 17, as each and every song - "Ain't Talkin'" as well as "Highway 61" - has a liveliness and directness to it that upholds and enforces my interest throughout. I can't think of any other show that comes close.
QUOTE: The June 26 Florence, MA show at the Pines outdoor theatre was amazing. The set list was superb, including Every Grain of Sand, Shelter from the Storm- bob did such a stirring rendition - almost a waltz, Cry Awhile & more. The setting was beautiful and Bob and the band were inspired. I'll always remember the beautiful pine trees looming on each side of the stage as the almost full moon rose above as bob sang. It was so intimate - just like sitting on someone's lawn enjoying the wonderful music in a miraculous setting. Being surrounded by Expecting Rain friends after a fine barbecue together before the concert made it extra-extra special.
Can't wait till 2008. Please Bob, come back to the Pines.
I'm not as big a fan of this show as most, but your description of the experience was perfect. Seeing Dylan in that venue was an unforgettable experience.
Message Board 
