Bob Dylan 980822 in Melbourne, Australia

Subject: Melbourne August 22
From: Martin Edgar (medgar@labyrinth.net.au)
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 00:08:57 +1000

I'll let someone else post the set list, because I didn't write it down, but
here are the impressions of someone seeing Dylan for the very first time,
less than an hour after he left the stage.

He's not a very talkative bugger, is he?  Still, I was pleased to see that
he had dressed for the occasion.  Nice bow tie.

The band could be best described as "loose".

We got Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat to start us off, which rocked nicely.

Tonight I'll be Staying Here With You was faster and louder than I've ever
imagined it before.

Someone was out of tune in Simple Twist of Fate.  Don't know who, or even if
anyone noticed, but the problem seemed to go away after that.

Watching The River Flow was where Bob seemed to start enjoying himself,
mugging mercilessly at the audience, which he continued to do for the rest
of the show.  This number started off fast and got faster a couple of times.
Really good, even though not all the members of the band seemed to know
exactly when they were supposed to slow down for the big finish.  Nobody
seemed to mind a rather ragged ending.

I enjoyed Cold Irons Bound, but would have preferred a less full-on version
of Tangled up in Blue.

Don't Think Twice It's Alright was a highlight despite Bob missing one verse
and singing another one twice, but the biggest crowd reaction before the
encores was during My Back Pages, when Bob produced the harmonica, making us
wait a full minute before actually doing anything with it, then kicking off
into an extended jam with another ragged ending.

Towards the end we got Till I Fell In Love with You, It Ain't Me Babe, Love
Sick, a rousing singalong of Rainy Day Women and finally Blowin' In the
Wind.  I think I've missed a couple, too.

It's good to see that the band plays around with the songs, keeping them
fresh, but it is unusual to see an artist of this calibre making crucial
decisions about what to do with songs as he goes along.

A good concert, not a great one.



Subject: Re: Melbourne Saturday 22 August
From: Timothy Michael O'Leary (tmoleary@melbpc.org.au)
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1998 03:08:15 GMT

Refering to my notes, Your Honour, I recall I was going about my
lawful business when, on Sun, 23 Aug 1998 00:24:51 +1000, "Martin
Edgar" , from hereon refered to as *the
accused* wrote:
...

good review Martin.

Surprisingly, but pleasantly so,  the musical highlight of the night
was Lovesick, band sounded tight and fresh, bob authoritative and
strong and the mix wasnt muddy.

Bob has a tendency to wander off and get into the guitar a bit like a
kid on the bed in front of the mirror with the tennis racquet. Most of
the time this doesnt add much to the song, but is fascinating to
watch. Leaves the band wondering what hes up to - and me too.

Liked the little knee bends and occassional guitar hero moves.

I thought he had a pair of Addidas striped tracky dackies on at first,
but closer inspection revealed fancy tailored pants with a stripe. I
must say I did appreciate the little gamblers tie, went well with the
Mississippi boat frock coat thingo, and I do think a tie suits an
older man, dont you?

I was glad he didnt get carried away and try to emulate Patti Smith
and take his shoes and socks off. I was a bit worried about Patti -
she looked like sh needed a good feed - but she put in a spirited
perfomance - so i guess shes healthy enuff.


a good concert.

--
Tim O'Leary
tmoleary@melbpc.org.au
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~oleary/



Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1998 04:16:31 +1000
To: karlerik@monet.no
From: tricia.j@aardvark.apana.org.au (Patricia Jungwirth)
Subject: Cooking With Bob - Melbourne, 22 August 1998

Tonight's show was a blast! Some great changes to the setlist from last
night and - TA DA - did you notice something about that setlist? Right, NO
SILVIO! According to Carsten ("Mr Memory") this is the first full show since
March 1995 at which Silvio has not been played. The 'new order' with 'Can't
Wait' at #3 and 'Cold Irons Bound' at #6 worked wonderfully. My own theory
is that it's become obvious that the new songs off Time Out Of Mind are
getting such wonderful reactions that they can now be considered
"crowd-pleasers" and so 'Silvio' has moved out. Of course, if 'Silvio'
returns at the following shows that theory will be blown out of the water.

Right from the kick-off tonight, with Leopard-skin Pill-box Hat, Bob seemed
to be having a lot of fun and looked very pleased with himself. Lots of
smiles, lots of dancing and sensational playing and singing. He looked very
elegant tonight, in black suit with black embroidered leaf pattern, white
satin shirt with some very fancy cufflinks, small black bow tie, the same
black boots as the last two shows, and definitely not a bad hair day. 

 I have to mention that my family were all mightily pleased with ourselves
too - last night's "wishlist" for tonight's show, one song each that we
really wanted to hear, which could be within reasonable expectation (ie, no
'Sign On The Window' or 'Abandoned Love') came up with the following:

Robert - Friend Of The Devil
Chloe - Don't Think Twice
Tricia - Simple Twist of Fate

When each of these was duly played we were all, shall I say, rather happy
and very, very surprised!

Again tonight, the stage rush occurred as soon as the lights went down,
before anyone had even appeared on stage. I guess this is a pretty
encouraging sign for the performers.

After Pill Box Hat we got a very good-humoured 'Tonight I'll Be Staying Here
With You' with delightfully "dylanesque" phrasing and vowel-twisting.

Can't Wait at #3 was perhaps the best of the three performances we've seen
this week. A real funk groove and again a vocal of enormous charm and
humour, this song was a big hit with the crowd, and rightly so.

The next song was the first of the Jungwirth Triple Whammy - an unexpected
and gorgeous Simple Twist Of Fate. A quiet, beautifully modulated vocal and
wonderful phrasing, this was the outstanding highlight of the night for me.
Simply couldn't ask for more, this one had it all.

Watching The River Flow was a romp, I really liked the playing on this one,
and pardon me for being boring, but the vocal was once again full of charm
and great good humour. Irresistable.

Cold Irons Bound at #6 and what a wonderful song this is to hear live. The
band shines on this, great bass riff and those choppy rhythms and sinuous
melody, everything meshing together perfectly, Dylan riding the momentum of
this dynamic song, spitting out what would seem to be the words of a soul in
torment with relish and verve belying the darkness of the subject. Simply great.

The acoustic set began with Robert's choice, Friend Of The Devil (who was
that man whooping and hollering? : } ), unfortunately no violin, but
nevetheless a treat, all the sweeter for being so unexpected. Can you guess
what the vocal was full of? Yep, charm and humour, a constant tonight.

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right was next, completing our trifecta. Despite
a little lyrical mix-up, seemingly compensated for by an extended guitar
jam, this was most enjoyable, very upbeat. Chloe was one very happy little
vegemite!

What can I say about Tangled Up In Blue? Except that I could happily see it
every night, complete with over the top guitar duels and plenty of
opportunities for strutting and mugging. Strong word-perfect vocal too. If
you're not taken in by this one, perhaps you take life too seriously? 
 
Okay, if you want serious the next song delivered in spades. My Back Pages
was another pleasant surprise, again a quiet and beautifully modulated vocal
performance of great subtlety and passion. Stately tempo, and the only
harmonica we got tonight, a lengthier outing than last night's two rather
cursory solos, providing a nice climax to this very well-performed,
heartfelt song which seemed most appropriate tonight.

The acoustic set ended with another gracious offering of Forever Young,
performed at least as well as the one given on Wednesday night. Beautiful.

A very funky 'Til I Fell In Love With You followed, ending the main set on a
triumphant note. 

A rather lengthy break, with the audience going bonkers, then back for
another terrific performance of Lovesick, initially not one of my favourites
from Time Out Of Mind but gaining so much with each performance I hear that
it's in danger of entering the All Time Favourites territory. In fact, it
might already be there. I now can't imagine a set without it. 

The usual Rainy Day Women #12 & 35, but again it was actually quite
enjoyable, or maybe I'm getting soft?

The band retreated, but didn't leave the stage, coming back for the now
standard (it seems) two acoustic encores. First up, a delightful It Ain't
Me, Babe, minus the cursory harmonica of last night but certainly not
lacking in charms. Plenty of mugging to the crowd on this well-received
classic, which didn't really "end" but segued into the final song, Blowin'
In The Wind. No surprises here, but nevertheless an excellent performance
with some great singing.

Again tonight we got a little dancing bow, not quite as 'Fred Astaire' as
last night but charmingly goofy. This was another great show, perhaps even
more enjoyable than last night. The houselights seemed to take a little
longer to come on and some were even hopeful of a third encore, but it was
not to be. We've had a wonderful week, with three shows each extraordinary
in it's way. So, wishing Carsten and some of the other lucky ones, who are
going on to Adelaide, a fond farewell and wistfully considering the two-week
break till our next show in Sydney, I can only say that the Melbourne 98
shows fulfilled many a dream, and I hope we don't have to wait another six
years! 

"What will we do tomorrow night?" asked Robert, "there's no Dylan show to go
to!"  Well, at least we'll be able to get some sleep now!

tricia



Subject: Melbourne - 22 August - Patti's Night
From: IronMan (TonyIremonger@access.net.au)
Date: 22 Aug 1998 17:21:31 -0700

Tonight was Patti's night.  Her set had been completely revised from
Friday's and was performed with all the raw passion and intensity that
had been missing the night before. The set list is below.  Not being
familiar with Patti's post "Wave" albums (must complete the collection
some time), I apologise if some of the song titles are wrong.

She walked on stage right on 8.00pm.  "Hello Everybody": and into
"People Have the Power".  At the end of the song she offered up the
following observation on the USA's bombing of Sudan and Afghanistan the
day before:

"Well, excuse me, it occurred to me, um, I haven't had to uh, sing that
song and feel uh, as much uh, dismay as I do tonight.  I'm away from my
country um - the President, who um, I don't care, you know, his personal
life is his own, but when he uh sends missiles to other countries he
should have consulted me first.  Since he hasn't, certainly as an
American citizen, I'll make it my duty to see what,  how,  you know, if
that was in any way possible the right thing to do.  I only bring this
up because while I was singing that song, I suddenly felt ashamed and
um, its not a really, its really a rough feeling and I just decided to
share it all with you lucky people."

"I am still an American Artist and I have no guilt!"

Then she launched into "Wicked Messenger" spitting the words out with
carefully measured vehemence.  The song seemed entirely appropriate - the
picture of Osama bin Laden which appeared on the front of that mornings
Herald Sun looked every bit the personification of the Wicked Messenger
but then sharing that page were the President and the Pope and the
wickedness of the messenger is all a matter of the ideology of the
recipient isn't it.

Next she put on her glasses and pulled out a book.  Up went the
binoculars and I recognised the black and white styled cover of City
Lights Press and the title "HOWL".  Over a droning guitar accompaniment
she began reciting; 'Holy, holy' holy, holy - ", Allen Ginsberg's
"Footnote to Hell" with a burning intensity.  "I'm sure you all remember
Allen Ginsberg - (The responses around me were along the lines of "nuh,
who's he" - the beat poets don't figure too much in the curriculum down
here - so no doubt Patti was hearing the same).  "You might have read
something about him when he passed away - In the Rolling Stone uh Swimsuit
Edition".

Sounding a little peeved, Patti sighed: What are we doing next, oh I'm
sorry I apologise.  Well I believe this sign can be seen somewhere in
your skies, I'm hoping on our journey with Bob that we will uh, get to
see the Southern Cross ourselves"

Afterwards:

"Well thank you - really glad to be here  We were here last night and if
any of you were here last night um, - really did the best that I could,
but I was um, a little nervous last night, slight, I was slightly self
conscious and uh, that just happens sometimes.  That doesn't say we
didn't try to do a good job its just, I'm just getting over my
nervousness, so, happens to us all."

Apology accepted Patti and I'm sorry for being less than understanding
before!

Two songs later it was "Dancing Barefoot" - one of my personal
favourites.  Patti started undressing - well at least she took her boots
off.  No one was doing too much dancing where I was sitting but there
was suddenly a lot more movement in the seats.

"This Dead City" was followed by a song with which I was unfamiliar.  It
started with Patti "playing" one of those bronze singing bowls (the type
of thing you can pick up in Kathmandu).  "Toward another he has
gone - .".  She stops with an exasperated sigh - "What's so fuckin' funny - 
alright, let's share it with your classmates - it's alright, you can
laugh, rue the day when you can no longer laugh..  alright lets get back
to business - ".  "Toward another he has gone - "  (What song, what album - 
can someone please let me know?)

The set finished with a kick-ass version of a Neil Young song "Keep on
Rockin' in the Free World".

An absolute stunner of a show.  And she's the support act.  Still no
duets with Bob.

Set List

People Have the Power
Wicked Messenger
Footnote to Hell
Southern Cross
Eat (?)
Dancing Barefoot
Dead City
Toward Another (?)
Rockin in the Free World



Subject: Re: Melbourne - 22 August -Notes scribbled in the dark.
From: "J.McBride" (jmb@BoM.GOV.AU)
Date: 22 Aug 1998 17:32:02 -0700

NOTES SCRIBBLED IN THE DARK:  Melbourne Park Saturday night 22 August 1998


Sitting in the auditorium, an air of expectancy -- most people chatting, a
few standing to stretch their legs.... It becomes dark, figures seen moving
on to the stage: Then the announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Would you
please Welcome... Columbia Recording Artist... Mr bob Dylan.

And it starts... Highly electric, long guitar riffs, good rocking version
of LEOPARD SKIN PILL BOX HAT, a strong rocking drum beat dominating the
song. Dylan is in a black suit, centre of a group of 5: three electric
guitars (including Dylan), drums, and keyboard.  Dylan is stock still,
leaning forward into the mike, holding his guitar.... On to TONIGHT I'LL BE
STAYING HERE WITH YOU...followed by CANT WAIT.  All good rocking versions.
Dylan is still motionless.. the sound though is crisp, clear, impeccable..
the band and arrangements are tight and perfect.

On to TWIST OF FATE.  This is the highlight so far. Its still electric, but
the arrangement is simple and uncomplicated .. His voice is smooth and
strong, and every word is sung (not spoken) crisply and clearly..He is
wanting us to understand every word this time around.... He belts out, in
that strong voice:  "...for anything but a simple twist of fate"....
Jeez..!!

He looks awful though.  He stoops slightly.  He moves in slow jerky
movements around the stage.. That is the physical appearance..but the voice
is the opposite.  Its so strong, so clear.

Then into a fast moving, fast beat version of WATCHING THE RIVER FLOW.The
music and the voice charge along at 1000 miles per hour; but still Dylan is
still,. Now he stands in a slight semi squat.  he looks so small and
wizened.. But the voice,.... its going from strength to strength,.. each
song it comes through clearer and stronger than the song before....
fantastic; and then the end of this song.....he starts to move.  He squats,
he leans and then he and his guitar play a long electric riff to end this
song.  The crowd goes berserk.

Dark again.. pitch black.. we can't see anything, and the electric guitars
begin to wail and to howl... we pick up what it is..the opening bars of
COLD IRONS BOUND.  A tour de force... He is still motionless, but the
melody is so strong, the voice, the guitars... Its as if he has grown to
ten feet tall. The whole stadium of how many thousand people are transfixed
and in the palm of his hand.  Its like 1966 in Manchester or Melbourne all
over again... For a moment it seems that Rock and Roll will rule the world.

The audience? During this song they are a true Melbourne audience. They are
still and quiet, intense looks of concentration on all their faces as they
absorb every nuance, their eyes transfixed on Dylan....No moving rocking,
standing or bopping here... It is concentration all around as the man on
stage holds us in his spell.

The electric guitars are put away..Out comes a huge bass... Strong acoustic
strums of a familiar song and a familiar tune..FRIEND OF THE DEVIL...
Ah...so sweet. I can die now, a happy man..I've seen him sing "friend of
the devil.. Its just like on the bootlegs... wonderful/.

Then more acoustic..DONT THINK TWICE ITS ALRIGHT. He looks good.  Strong,
masterful, upright and tall. The keyboard guy (Bucky Baxter) is playing an
electrified mandolin (I think) ... he is tall , in a red coat and a hat,
bopping around on the edge of the stage, and we all sway along to this
classic... Did I say "Sway", we are rocking actually. Then still acoustic,
TANGLED UP IN BLUE.  Now he is leaning and whispering... the words are
slurred, not clear...He is bringing out the tune, not the words this
time...long bars of acoustic to bring out the strong melody...not my
favourite version...I'm starting to drift and dream as I listen... but
slowly.. the song picks up.. the voice gets stronger, and stronger,..he
howls out the line "tangled up...in... blue".  Its similar to the voice and
wail on the  original Bootleg Volumes 1 to 3 version of Willie McTell....
its that strong a voice...Its incredible. he's rocking now.. the band rocks
along....they are one, with the audience.  can it get any better than this?

Still acoustic..a simple clear strong guitar playing the first line of MY
BACK PAGES. We all gasp in recognition. Then the voice comes in, "Crimson
flames tied through my ears..."Its solid, strong, sweet,tuneful.. we all
sway along in a dream.... its tuneful relaxing...it seems we are getting a
breather from our tense, hypnotic night...and then..towards the end of the
song, he picks up the harp.. he puts it on, and it begins to wail..the
harmonica sound is loud and clear as it plays a whole verse.  The crowd
goes berserk.. the second time tonight. I think we just watched
Michelangelo painting the ceiling.

Still acoustic, FOREVER YOUNG.   Tight professional... Dylan and his lead
guitar are playing some very fancy guitar work through this song. Back to
the electric.  TILL I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU. It seems very electric, very
loud. The voice stands out over it all.. a deep voice a smooth one.. we
haven't heard much of the nasal whine tonight.

The band walks off...we clap we shout..they come back for the encore:

LOVE SICK. the live versions are fantastic. He is a skilled craftsman at
the height of his powers, and once more has us all spellbound.  That
introduction to this song sounds so sweet.
The lights come on, the whole auditorium is lit up, and they launch into a
classical rollicky version of RAINY DAY WOMEN...It seems we are supposed to
stand up and dance..Don't they know we don't do that sort of thing? We are
all in our forties now...we are  Melburnians.. It goes on, a few of us
stand, a few of us dance.... we dance, we clap along, we swing and sway..
it builds up stronger and louder, we sway some more...the song ends, and we
go berserk once more... the third time tonight.. the stadium erupts in a
roar of applause and cries and "thanks bobbies", and cries of "more!".. The
lights go out, the stage is lit up and we have another acoustic set.. IT
AINT ME BABE...I'm in heaven..Its wonderful. Then on to BLOWIN IN THE
WIND... the voice is clear and strong once more, the band sings along to
the chorus... we are all spellbound, hypnotised, addicted still...This
can't finish.  its not allowed to finish... a concert like this should go
on forever.

And then...the song ends...the band walks off..he's gone..We shuffle out
into the street, and begin the walk along next to the river back to our
cars. Its over.  He's in his fifties now....Maybe thats the last time we'll
ever see him.  He may never come to Melbourne again....

Ah....what a night.

     McBride



Subject: Re: Melbourne - 22 August -Notes scribbled in the dark.
From: Sam Campbell (sampl@ozemail.com.au)
Date: 23 Aug 1998 04:36:32 GMT

The sheer power of his set put false talk that being at the age of 57 this
man was finished.  His mastery of the live medium was amazing.  This is an
artist that does not have to jump around like a man half his age or depend
on such gimmicks as oversized video screens or gratuitous special effects
to keep the audience enthralled as the music holds your attention through
out.

For sure, Bob is not the most talkitive of artists.  The only words that he
said on stage without singing was an introduction of his band.  Let us say
he does not need to explain anything. 

I did not know the names of all the songs on the night, nor during the
songs of which I did know the titles did I understand all the words.  But
if you just want perfect performances of the old chestnuts you want then go
out and buy the albums.  You come to concerts to see Bob Dylan perform. 
The way in which he reinterprets his own material allows a celebration, not
regurgitation of an amazing past. 

This was my first time seeing Bob Dylan live, an experience I will always
cherish.  Hopefully it will not be his last visit to Melbourne nor
Australia.

sam

p.s. highlight for me was Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (first sighting of
Bob), and My Back Pages (amazing).  Don't Think Twice and Tangled Up in
Blue in the same set, I must have died and gone to heavan!!



Subject: Melbourne Tennis Centre - 22 August 1998
From: IronMan (TonyIremonger@access.net.au)
Date: 23 Aug 1998 03:27:06 -0700

Just to add a couple more observations to the otherwise excellent
reviews of this concert already provided by John McBride and Tricia
Jungwirth (our resident fashion editor). (I'll be sure to pay particular
attention to his attire tomorrow night in Adelaide since I know that
Tricia won't be at that one).

As Dylan began to sing the song I wondered if there was some hidden
meaning in his delivery of "I should've quit this town this morning/But
it was more than I could do".  It might just have been the clarity of
his enunciation...

Watching the River Flow was a hoot.  This song chugged along like a
rattling old steam train.  I loved the laid back drumming.  It was great
fun.

On my scribbled set list, I see that I put an asterix against Tangled.
That means I must have particularly liked it (I'll need to listen to the
tape again) but from memory the instrumental break was pretty good.

My Back Pages was a treat too, with Bob blowing a decent harp solo.

Bob started bang on 9.15 and finished bang on 11.00.  I got the
impression that they had to be out of there because the encores were
almost perfunctory and there was no break between the first and what
should've been the second encore.

As for the missing Silvio - well I missed it.  I used to hate it but
it's really started to grow on me lately.  Funny thing is, it always
puts me in mind of David Bowie's Golden Years - its the line about being
in the back of the car that does it every time.  And having the lights
come up for RDW is a tad tedious but never mind.

He may never pass this way again but what an experience Melbourne
audiences have had.  3 nights and (unless I counted wrong) 32 different
songs!

Thanks for the memories Bob.

Tony Iremonger
Melbourne, Australia



From: Carsten Wohlfeld
Subject: August 22, 1998 - Melbourne, Australia - a review
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998 09:48:23 +0800

Bob Dylan & Patti Smith
	Melbourne, Australia
	Flinders Park, August 22, 1998
	A review by Carsten Wohlfeld

After spending the day at Hanging Rock (big thanks to the Jungwirth family
for taking me there!) it was time for the third and final show in Melbourne.
Almost a sell out with approx. 11,500 people attending. Deborah Conway
opened again with what I believe was the same set she did the night before.
Patti and her crew came out a couple of minutes earlier this time around and
I have to say she ruled the world :-) After opening with "Power Have The
Power" we got some comments on the recent US bombing and how she thought
Clinton was doing the completely wrong thing. Nice one. She Obviously had
thought about last night's comments ("what do you usually have in this
venue - kangaroo boxing" she had asked the first night) as well and
apologized for her behavior: "I've been pretty nervous last night". Nice one
again. "People Have The Power" was followed by a storming "Wicked
Messenger" - by that time lots of people were at the rail already. She did
surprisingly few greatest hits tonight, "Summer Cannibals" and "Dancing
Barefoot" were the exceptions, the latter saw Patti taking off her boots and
socks again). She only did three songs that she already had played the night
before: "Beneath The Southern Cross" (which she had opened with the first
night, not as I mentioned incorrectly, "Howl"), "Dead City" and the storming
"Rockin' In The Free World", which once again was better than any version
I've heard Neil Young do. A great, great 55 minute set!


Bob and his band came out at 9.20pm, to start a set which was slightly
shorter than last night's (around 100 minutes), with:

	Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat

Bad choice of song, but Bob was already having a great time. Tonight he
didn't need his usual four songs to warm up. It rocked.

	Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You

Yet another of his lesser songs... solid version with lotsa smiles. It
could've gone all horribly wrong from here, but it didn't cause they
followed it with:

	Can't Wait

Which was finally getting really funky again. Bob's delivery was very
energetic and he was putting a lot into the singing. Haven't heard him do
this song so well in quite a while. He was singing it directly to a girl in
the front row, maybe that's why?

	Simple Twist Of Fate

11,999 people loved it to death, I thought that he had to struggle with the
words a bit too much and that kinda weakened the performance as a whole. The
singing was very passionate and sweet at times, but when had to think about
the words too hard, he forgot about the delivery...

	Watching The River Flow

Another chance for the band to show that not only Bob, but all five on stage
were in fine form tonight. Wonderful Larry solo that saved the usually quite
dreadful song. Very country-ish, yet rocking.


	Cold Irons Bound

Way above average. Bob's singing was very strong, the phrasing was new and
at times funny. Tony smiled all the way through it. Maybe cause he knew that
they weren't gonna do the #6 "Silvio'? When they put away the electric
guitars after this song, that was actually the highlight of the night for
me. Just the plain fact that after more than three fucking long years they
finally had dropped "Silvio" made me very happy. But they made me even
happier a few seconds later with:

	Friend Of The Devil (acoustic)

No violin unfortunately, but a very nice version of this rarely performed
gem. Bob messed up the lyrics at one point I believe but it hardly mattered.
Larry and Bucky delivered some heartbreaking backing vocals.

	Don't Think Twice It's All Right (acoustic)

Before the Jungwirth family had told everybody which songs they would love
to hear tonight. Eight songs in, all three of them actually got their dream
song, which I thought was pretty amazing. Yet another song where Bob messed
up the lyrics, but he didn't seem to acre. He actually even smiled when he
sang the "... a child I'm told" line twice. Larry put in the great little
solo that I first heard him do in Dijon,


	Tangled Up In Blue (acoustic)

Staggeringly good version, very imaginative phrasing (most interesting
variations since the "storm-all-the-way-through-it" versions from New York
in early '98) and Bob even invented a little added guitar riff to start off
the solo. That little thing sounded to me like a church bell and was either
fitting in perfectly or totally outta place. Can't decide.

	My Back Pages (acoustic)

Solid version. The harp solo at the end was - as Tricia put it after the
show - 150,000 times better than the harmonica stuff the night before.

	Forever Young (acoustic)

Much better than on Friday night. Even the ending was better, even though
the band is struggling hard to get most of the endings right. Often reminds
me of Bob's famous line from Toad's Place - "we're working on the endings
tonight."

Til I Fell In Love With You

Was solid. Bob introduced the band after this song, while the guys were
almost leaving the stage. Strange.

	(encore)
	Love Sick

Once again a very good version. Fortunately there's very little left of the
rushed versions from Europe and it's finally going back to reaching old
heights.

	Rainy Day Women Nos. 12 & 35

Was boring as ever. Only remarkable thing: Tony joined in on backing vocals,
attempting to sing into Bucky's mic. Just goes to show how much they all
enjoyed themselves tonight.

	It Ain't Me Babe (acoustic)

Solid. No harp solo tonight.

	Blowin" In The Wind (acoustic)

Okay version that somehow seems to be out of place after "Ain't Me Babe"
though. Oh well..

All in all the best of the three Melbourne shows... If he keeps up this
pace, we definitely have something to look forward to on this tour! Thanks
for reading and thanks once more to Stephen and Tricia and her family for
making my stay more than just enjoyable! See you in Adelaide!

Carsten
Please reply to: happyjaq@confetti.ruhr.de
--
"we had to keep the stove on all night so the mice wouldn't freeze" 
(grant hart)