Coming Out Of Luxembourg!

My review about last night's show in Esch!

After my review yesterday for the Daily Dylan, I actually didn’t want to write another review directly at the next show, the day after. But so many things happened yesterday in Esch that it's worth listing them. (You can check out my review about the Düsseldorf show here!)

It was a show, quite on the same level as Düsseldorf, until Bob delivered a special version of “My Own Version Of You”. After that, the whole energy completely changed.

Even the start was a bit unusual. Not only did it not start until 8:30 pm, but Bob and the band were also a few minutes late.

The group dynamic of the band is worth mentioning in advance. When Bob is happy after a successful song or solo, he almost always turns to Jim Keltner and Tony Garnier. In general, he is in constant communication, especially with Jim Keltner, and especially when things are going well.

About Bob Britt, he lets the songs go by nodding these days, and Doug Lancio gets almost no attention from the master. Considering that Doug and Bob Britt have been friends for a very long time, you can really speak of a small group formation on stage, with Bob Britt and Doug Lancio on one side, and the then the other three.

All Along The Watchtower

Things went the usual way. I like Bob’s guitar licks these days. The last line of Watchtower, with which Bob brings the song to a close can make or break the impression for me. But today and yesterday it was really good.

It Ain’t Me, Babe

Again, great guitar solo by Bob (D.) and long, great harmonica! Strongly delivered with a clear voice! The first hint that this could go into a good direction tonight.

I Contain Multitudes

After Doug Lancio’s acoustic guitar intro, Bob >almost< missed the first line, since he hard forgotten to take the mic out of it’s stand. But he did it, and delivered a beautiful rendition, and not even mumbled “The Rolling Stones” this time, but sang/said it loud and clear.

False Prophet

He started the song standing next to Tony. He soon walked over to the piano and delivered a pretty much same version as yesterday.

When I Paint My Masterpiece

He again started the song whilst standing far back on stage, right next to Tony. Doug Lancio played a great solo, and Bob added a good dose of harmonica afterwards. At the end, not for the last time, he turned to Tony and Jim, laughing and satisfied.

“…turn my back to the world for a while - just a little while”

Black Rider

Strong as always, there is just not much to say about it. We got the double-maybe again for the high moral grounds.

He introduced Doug Lancio after the song.

My Own Version Of You

The song started as usual, without really being about to become one of the highlights of the evening. Bob slammed the mic down on the piano again and couldn't keep up with the lyrics here and there.

Suddenly Bob found an aggressive, meditative phrasing pattern that gradually added intensity to the song:

Two doors down, not that far to walk
I'll hear your footsteps, you won't have to knock
I'll bring someone to life, balance the scales
I'm not gonna get involved in any insignificant details

He carried it through to the end, and at the end he turns back to Jim and Tony and all three laugh contentedly.

In my opinion, this song was kind of a turning point for the concert today. From this point on, Bob's mood and energy increased significantly, as the rest of the songs showed.

To Be Alone With You

Still intoxicated by the unexpected success of the previous song, Bob step-danced almost as if floating on a cloud towards the center stage while crooning the first lyrics.

Similar to yesterday, the audience was also clearly carried away today, at the latest when the rhythmic acoustic guitar kicked in. Another highlight of the evening!

After the song, Tony Garnier was introduced: “Tony Garnier is on the bass guitar... He know's what it’s like to be alone with you.”

Crossing The Rubicon

Once again a strong performance.

Jim Keltner was introduced after the song: “Jim Keltner on the drums… Jim has crossed the Rubicon many times, like we all have to, sooner or later.”

Desolation Row

Almost frenetically celebrated by the audience. Once again the Einstein verse. Great harmonica solos both before and after the last verse (Received your letter...)! And a great piano solo before the last verse.

All in all, perhaps the strongest Desolation Row I've seen this fall.

Key West

There was the expected cheering during “Coming in from Luxembourg”. A lot of harp between the lines.

During this song, I noticed quite well how elegantly Bob sometimes lets the mic slide from one hand to the other and then bends gracefully over the piano, at which he performed the song standing up.

It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue

Slightly new arrangement. New lick by Bob Britt.

This time, he got the lyrics right at the beginning, but then messed them up in the middle of the song.

I’ve Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You

During the first lines of the song, Bob has had enough of the constant struggle with the microphone cable and sets out to sort it out once and for all. Here I always find it amazing how well he can deliver some songs by heart despite being distracted at times.

Vocally, perhaps the best “Made Up My Mind” that I remember on this tour. Lots of power and strength in the voice.

Watching The River Flow

And up another level!

At the beginning of the song, he lined up at the back of Tony again and must have caught sight of his guitar. Because next he ran over and played his guitar for several minutes before the first line. Then there was a great piano solo also before the first verse started.

It's crazy to think how little this song gave me when it was the opener, and how it's kicking in now! And it also fits perfectly into the set at this point.

To ring in the end as usual, Dylan nods over to Britt, which he doesn't notice until a little late. As Bob Britt then walks towards Keltner as usual and the band have already heralded the end of River Flow, another

“PEOPLE DISAPPEARING EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK!”

aired through the hall, and the song was rolled out again at this point.

This improvisation always makes the shows so distinctive and that's actually what I admire most about Bob: That he does what he thinks is right (what he thinks is best) at the moment or what he feels like doing.

Mother Of Muses

Here we were able to experience an almost Chaplinesque Dylan scene like in the good old days. This time: Dylan and the piano stool. At the beginning of Mother of Muses, he moved it from left to right, from front to back and back again. Then he sat down for three seconds before standing up again. Moved it again. A little puzzled and maybe slightly worried, Tony took a few steps in his direction.

When the song was already over and the audience was clapping, Dylan played a spontaneous harp solo to really bring the song to a close.

Goodbye Jimmy Reed

Not really the song of the evening. He started center stage then on the way to the piano the lyrics were completely messed up.

Typical Dylan, totally in a harp mood, had to come up with something special for Jimmy Reed too:

It was kind of like:

Transparent woman SHORT HARP in a transparent dress SHORT HARP
Suits you well, SHORT HARP I must confess SHORT HARP
I'll break open your grapes, SHORT HARP I'll suck out the juice SHORT HARP
I need you SHORT HARP like my head needs a noose

He was once again so in harp fever that he forgot to take the harp away from the microphone during the last verse. Tony was amused again because you could also assume that Dylan might even do it extra at a certain point. But then he did take it away for the last line of the song.

Every Grain Of Sand

Great as usual, Dylan and Britt playing perfectly together here.

That’s it for me for now. I’ve seen 10 shows so far on this tour, and now will have to wait for the London shows.

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