Bob Dylan 990630 in New York, New York
Subject: PHEONIX, 27 JUNE 1997: TAPE? VIDEO? From: RICHARD WEDDLE BioGraph@worldnet.att.net Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 20:27:14 +0000 Did anyone record this show? Dylan was in fine form last night. Of all the shows I've seen in 25 years, last night was my favorite Dylan concert. Even the electric set had an acoustic feel. Playing acoustic brings out the natural timbre of his voice. He doesn't have to shout or scream over the sound. He worked meticulously at the phrasing, trying to keep his voice in the lower register. His enunciation was elastic. When his voice lapsed into the high register, which it did sometimes, there was no enunciation at all, but hey, he tried real hard, and the audience loved it. He won them over right away. He took the stage at 7:40 and left at 9:12. Will buy or trade tapes. Richard Weddle
From: "Nick Miller" nickcmiller@worldnet.att.net To: karlerik@monet.no, billp61@earth.execpc.com Subject: Phoenix June 27, 1999 -- review "putting the radio in the refrigerator" This is the first time I'd seen Dylan in the US and some some 9 months since I'd seen him (with Patti Smith as support) in Australia where I'm from - but am currently living in Tucson, Ariziona. The Blockbuster Desert Sky is an impressive venue - right on the outskirts of Phoenix in the middle of no-where (glad I managed to find it!). Most of the seating is covered and there is an extensive lawn section at the back. I was at the back of the seats under the desert sky - the sun just fading and the near full moon and stars appearing as Dylan took the stage at 7.40 pm. From the sparse stage set-up plus double bass, and the alternating of who starts on this tour, I knew Dylan would be first up and had managed to get my mind around this but was pleased the segment with Paul Simon would be backed by Dylan's band. The crowd was mostly young with a healthy smattering of those a bit older. Unlike inside venues with the lights down and suddenly Dylan is on stage with our favourite announcement, it was nice to see Dylan and the band saunter on stage in the desert heat - Dylan wearing his usual formal attire. Everyone seemed in the mood for a good time and from the outset of "Cocaine Blues" we had a great night to remember. On the recent Australian tour the sound for the first half dozen or so songs wasn't great, but from the start in Phoenix the sound was chrystal clear as was Bob's diction. He also was hitting notes in all parts of his range making for a superb performance. Back to "Cocaine Blues" - this really got everyone in a great mood and rolled along nicely. Then a truly beautiful (slightly reworked) version of "Mr Tambourine Man" with a brief but well received and passable harp solo. Dylan then launched into a near perfect rendition of "Desolation Row" - I've heard it before but never have the words sounded so good and the music so transfixing. In fact rotating "Desolation Row" and "Highlands" in this number 3 spot would make for great concerts! They both tell a long and interesting tale with music that just wants to go on forever. From my seat Bob was a distant figure but he seemed to be having a great time, with more and more of his unique dancing (not quiet the right word - struts?) plus I could view him on one of the many huge screens on the back of the cover and to the sides of the stage - sometimes I'd look up and he'd be everywhere! Song three and the price of admission had been repaid 10 times over, but I better not ramble too much. Dylan then did a great version of "One too many mornings" with Larry playing slide guitar followed by "Tangled up in blue", which even if you've heard many times is ceratinly a crowd favourite and tonight like almost the whole performance lifted to near perfection. Then out with the electric guitars - except Charlie who joined a bit later - for a thumping "All along the watchtower" - Bob and Larry having a wild time with the change of pace, though tonight the band was certainly not loud (Paul Simon made the ears hurt a lot more). Then "Make you feel my love" which if you have to be picky was the weakest song on the night, but nonetheless enjoyable. The tempo picked right up for an inspiring and fun version of "Watching the river flow" - a real unexpected highlight. At some stage Bob told a joke! It took me by suprise and many others so it was the one thing I found hard to hear. He said he's been talking to Neil Young yesterday and the punch line was to put your radio in the refridgerator - I think in response to Neil asking if Bob has heard any cool music recently...no comment! Back to the show - with the sun well and truly down and the stars shining (I thought Bob might have played "Under a red sky" but not to be) he launched into my favourite song off "Time out of mind" and one I desperately wanted to hear live - "Not dark yet". The song live just makes all the words seem so much more real, and the music so much more potent, as is the case with many TOOM songs. Another real highlight and I hung on every word - especially the great way he sings of going to London and Paris. The band then cranked it up for a wild trip down "Highway 61" and after the obligatory walk off stage for an even more up-tempo and totally fired-up "Like a rolling stone". Then as only Dylan can do he slowed the music down, went acoustic but somehow intensified what was already an amazing night with an absolutely heart wrenching version of "Don't think twice, it's alright". I was simply emotionally blown away and totally in awe. During this Dylan did an extended harp solo which reminded me of the sound off "Real live". At just before 9pm and after 12 great songs Bob introduced the diminutive Paul Simon who seemed slightly uneasy next to the totally fired-up Bob. I had no preconception of how their duets would sound but from the begining of "Sounds of silence" was pleasantly surprised by how good it was - probably because Bob was dominating the sound and his band was playing back-up. They raced through "I walk the line/Blue moon" (in fact their duet only lasted some 15 minutes) before Larry picked up the fiddle and they did a really enjoyable "Knockin' on heaven's door." Apart from Bob's story about Neil, he said a few "Thanks ladies and Gentlmen" and "Thanks everybody" plus said during the band intros that Larry is one of the greatest guitarists in America. It seemed strange to sit and wait for Paul Simon after such an exhilarating hour and 35 minutes. I stayed for most of Paul Simon who was OK in a pretty clinical way, but anyone who needs three drummers...maybe that's why the tickets cost so much! (the venue was pretty full but certainly not to capacity). I just had to go and shake Simon's sound out of my head so I could relive Dylan's great night in Phoenix for a bit longer until the joys of parenthood shook me back to reality! This was certainly one of the best Dylan concerts I have seen since my first in 1978 and from the last time I saw him in Wollongong some 9 months ago - only 4 songs were the same (One too many mornings/Tanged UIB/Make you feel my love/LARS). Apologies for the length (and any Australian spellings too!) but hope it helps paint a little picture of the night which deserves to be remembered as a great night in the desert...and please contact if you have a tape. Nick Miller Tucson/Sydney nickcmiller@worldnet.att.net June 28, 1999
