The Never Ending Pool

I do think this has gotta be the best leg since the 2005 legs.

Ive been a passionate Dylan fan for a long time.Ive collected alot of shows etc like most here.
I have seen him in concert whenever hes been in the UK.Ive seen some wonderful performances .the 2000 shows were outstanding. Ive always loved Dylans guitar style especially his acoustic meanderings.I loved his vocals in 1995 I was blown away by his 1984 stuff especially his solo acoustic songs.
However I have to confess I didnt enjoy his last few concerts i attended . Dylan playing keyboard with his back to half his audience wasnt too appealing especially if like me I watched his back for 2 hours. I thought the band were ok but a big step down on the previous line up. Dylan now gives the impression of enjoying a jam with his band every night and sometimes he only ever looks at the audience in the line up at the end. Tickets cost alot of money. I have to confess that if he visits the uk again and he is playing the same way/ same format I wont go .I never thought id say that.
Dylan perhaps owes people like me nothing hes mabybe done enough and more. Hes a genious no doubt in my mind but Live shows have become a nightly moneyfest for him. When you think of what he could do if he really wanted too.Its such a shame he has not performed solo for so long .im afraid he simply disresects his audience now .

The organ can be highly detrimental to the songs, and listening to the tapes, I cant help but wonder how the same song would sound if he'd simply change the setting to piano. (Depending on where you stand at the show though, that can usually be avoided.) I'm not saying the organ should disappear completely, songs like Mobile for instance I feel benefit from the organ, but NOT every G-ddamn song!!!!
Also, he's upsinging again on Pos 4th St (cant remember which tape). I normally have no issues w/ his singing or his voice or anything, but this is VERY annoying.


Aside from that, I have nothing but good things to say about the tour. The comments that started Fall 07, about the band really "coming together", seem to really resonate now, especially compared to 06 and early 07 tapes. I could listen to Denny play scales all day, and I'm pretty sure he would find some way of making that interesting. I just really dig his playing. Donnie is almost criminally underused. I'm very excited he's playing banjo a bit more, but its almost like he's too hesitant and timid on the thing when it comes time to solo. He starts to, and then................
Go for it Donnie!

As for comparing anyone here to Koella... they are WORLDS apart, and thats a good thing. Koella might have been in the band, but his fingers didnt know it

likeatrain

I think in essence you have said best what the current situation is with Bob. You nailed the description of how his band works.

I suspect this bands finest hour will be seen as Modern Times. I know the music is (deliberately) pushed into the background somewhat to allow Bob's (surprisingly wonderful) vocals to shine but it still plays its part and adds flavour and character to the album. The consistent 40's/50's feel is conveyed perfectly throughout.