lots of 'Bob on keyboard'

What about the rest of the Traveling Wilburys?

Why is that noted so much, has he actually been playing guitar lately, or something? The last couple times I've seen him, all he's ever done is play keys.

>What about the rest of the Traveling Wilburys?

is that an attempt at a joke ?

anyone know what time he hits the stage tonight?
Tix say doors open @ 6:30.

IIRC, he played guitar a bit at Jones Beach last summer. Two or three songs.

Bob only is playing keyboard these days, although I heard that it's not actually plugged into any amps so he's just pressing random keys. Also, most of those songs have WILL BERMAN on drums

bbbbboring.

Traveling Willburys are dead, at least some of them are.

He's been almost exclusively playing keyboards for a few years now, but about a year ago he started playing a handful on guitar again--usually right at the beginning. Doesn't appear he has been for the last several months though. It's a shame as he is a really excellent finger-picker.

And, of course he's plugged in 10:06, but it's true that at some venues the boards are very low in the mix . . . .

Does he play a keytar?

"bbbbboring."

Only if you're a complete fucking douchebag with no taste in music.

"Only if you're a complete fucking douchebag with no taste in music."

no, he/she is right. the music is incredible, brilliant, and timeless. but the live performance IS boring. i saw it last year, and i concur. sorry for being honest

This will be my first Dylan show, and I'm excited as hell to finally see him play live, no matter how crummy he sounds. Does he ever play If you see her, say hello, or Simple Twist Of Fate? Also, anyone know what time his set starts?

wait - so are doors really 630, and there is no opener? anyone know what time he's expected to be on stage? that's freakin early, no? thx!

ps - philly set list is pretty sweet.

He plays "Simple Twist" occasionally these days, but rushes through the lyrics in a staccato manner. Its not a particularly compelling take on the song.

at the philly show, the showtime was 8:00 and he was on stage at 8:05, so expect him on stage pretty close to 7 tonight.

i think the reason tonight's show is at 7 is neighborhood noise issues. summerstage is the same way i believe.

bobdylan.com lists it as an 8:00 show, so it won't be before that but yeah neighborhood concerns etc. suggest a fairly prompt start

that's too bad 11:28 - love the slower version on the 1975 rolling thunder bootleg. so great.

how long does he play?

2-2:15 usually

Although the bobdylan.com lists it at 8, everywhere else (including Ticketmaster) says 7 with doors at 6:30. So I'm not trusting the Dylan site, will be there by 7.

Curfew is 10, he's going on probably a little before 8. 730-745

tell tale signs (bootleg vol 8) out in october, looks fuckin sweet. "red river shore" is supposed to be a masterpiece he left off time out of mind

he'll be on at 8, playing fo two hours. i work for the promoter so i know what i'm talking about...believe me or not, whatevs.

For setlists, set times, and way more than you would ever want to know about Dylan go to http://expectingrain.com/. Amazing website.

Doors 6:30
Show 7:00

Hey BV, can anyone tell us if it's actually 8 or 7? This is important for us working yokels.

There were tickets available yesterday on ticketmaster.

Exchange at the Philly show:

A: He's playing Blowing in the Wind!
B: Really? When?
A: Right now!

Gives a sense of what the experience is like for the uninitiated.

I have a feeling that if you listen to 12:44, you'll miss an hour of the concert. The Celebrate Brooklyn web site and the tickets say 7, so I'm going to assume it starts at 7.

The set lists are a nice sampling of material from each phase of his career. Unfortunately, most reviews of his shows indicate that he does little more than mumble the lyrics to his songs and the arrangements are far from the studio versions. As a result, many fans of Bob leave disappointed.

My last live Dylan show, BTW, was November 22, 1975...Rolling Thunder Revue in Boston, with Bob in whiteface. I'm really old. Maybe brooklynvegan's oldest reader. Certainly the only one who doesn't go to shows where I have to stand for four hours.

all info says 7 pm. The new arrangment of "Tangled Up In Blue" is not great, but the versions of "Moonlight" and "It's Alright Ma" have been amazing. Philly was a longer show than he's been doing for most of 2008, so hopefully we might get another long show tonight. I'd be real happy to never hear "Blowin' in the Wind" or "Cats in the Well" again but he seems to get a kick out of it.

curfew at Prospect Park is 10:30/

7 or 8?? BV please preach the gospel. Gotta know definitively......

If the doors are at 6:30, how can they start a show at 7pm? I don't think they can expect to have 7000 people inside and ready for the start of the show in a half hour Especially an older crowd. Especially when they are checking everyone's bags, etc. The 7pm start time may have been listed in advance leaving the option open for an opener. I doubt they would give only a half hour for everyone to get in. Just my two cents.

That said, anyone know if there is an opener?

Both the Parks and Recreation web site and the Celebrate Brooklyn web site say 7 PM. If you want to show up at 8, that's your business.

There's no opener.

doors at 6:30, show at 8. he'll play for 2 hours, 15 minutes.

venue says 7, ticketmaster says 7. so maybe it's at 8!

I think he'll be at the entrance at 6:30 serenading people as they come in. When the last fan takes his seat it will have been a 2 hour set and it will be time to go . . though people can mill about until curfew if they wish.

the problem w/ his shows these days is NOT that the arrangements are different from the originals. when has dylan EVER played the songs live exactly as they are on the recordings? not in the 60's, not in the 70's, and he shouldn't start now.

no: the problem nowadays is that his "singing" is atrocious. and i'm saying this as someone who thinks that 60's/70's dylan, in all his different incarnations as a vocalist during those years, had a beautiful voice. and even when his voice started to deteriorate badly, in the early/mid-90's, he still sounded wonderful in his own weird way. but in the past few years... phew.

True 2:39, he's always toyed with arrangments. It's part of who he is. As for his voice: though yes is has deteriorated badly there are still moments when he uses it effectively (in context) and it can really shed light and send a shiver. I saw a Hattie Carroll not too long ago that captured all the power, rage and beauty albeit it in a way much more true to who he is now. It's for those few moments one shouuld go see him, and I think you agree that people who don't capture the momemnts, well, their loss . . . .

bv - please help with settime!!!!

"bv - please help with settime!!!!"

I'm being told Bob Dylan on at 8, no opener.

"Exchange at the Philly show:

A: He's playing Blowing in the Wind!
B: Really? When?
A: Right now!"

its funny cause its true

"Certainly the only one who doesn't go to shows where I have to stand for four hours."

what does that mean?

bv - who's better than you...thanks much.

not that anyone needs to confirm the almighty bv, but yes, i've been told by someone i know on staff show at 8 sharp. also told security lines might take a while tonight, its not a typical show for the park.

has anyone been opening for him? I haven't heard much about this... or is this somewhere on the thread and i missed it? (glasses glasses). I'm praying he plays Lay Lady Lay tonight in Brooklyn and also in CT this coming Friday... it seems he has it on the setlist sometimes, then takes it off... I have a bet with a friend that he'll play it. He played it all through Europe this summer, so maybe he's bored? I dunno....

As for bbbboring... I don't find Dylan boring, ever. I mean, to each his/her own, but he's different every time, subtle differences, but they make all the difference. The bottom line is, if you're bored, don't go. And if you're really bored, why even bother writing here? Seriously... i don't get that...

But whatever... not my point... Will you have Brooklyn setlist soon? If so, by tomorrow or later tonight?

Lemme know... am really curious....

Thanks, cheers, all best, etc

s.r.p.

ah, i see no opener. Thank you. That's actually good. I agree that his voice has deteriorated but is that really the case or has he just changed it again? He was always fond of using "different voices" (witness Nashville Skyline and the whole Lay Lady Lay period). I mean, after how many years of singing, it makes sense.... That said, I heard him sing the most beautiful rendition of "It's Not Dark Yet" several years ago in Pawtuckett, RI and also "Shelter From The Storm" and both were new takes to me, totally different from the original, esp. the latter, but excellent...

I just got back from the Prospect Park show. Dylans burnt out. The show was weak.

Just got back. I didn't have tickets but I figured it was worthwhile to go and listen. I've seen him 9 times before and while it's fun to watch him do his little dance moves, seeing Bob certainly isn't the most important part of the show for me.

I found a spot at the back fence that was right behind where the center back row was. I was a little upset that the Celebrate Brooklyn folks decided to put a green tarp around the fence. I have never seen it done before at the free or pay shows (correct me if I'm wrong) and I wasn't exactly thrilled that the money I've donated in the past at their free shows may have funded this needless barrier. The show was sold out, I'm not sure what they were trying to say.

The sound wasn't amazing outside even right at the fence but it was still okay. I hope it sounded dramatically better for the folks inside. When planes flew overhead (this happened at least a dozen times) you couldn't hear the music. Girl from the North Country sounded fantastic.

I made my exit during the encore and found myself getting pushed around by various police/security staff who kept telling me where I couldn't walk. Somehow I ended up right next to the path that Bob and the band had to walk through to get to the buses. This happened right as I arrived. It was really cool. Bob and a small group walked past to round of applause from the 40 of us who were there he waved and then rode away. That unexpected end to the night was for lack of a better word neat.

11:34's comment is typifies the reactions some have to a Dylan show. Many expect faithful reproductions of studio versions of Dylan's greatest hits and are disappointed. The guy is 67 years old and has assembled a fabulous band to support him. They rocked, played respectable blues and country.
Dylan's approach to his music is highly experimental: apparently, the songs change from night to night. His encore versions of "like a rolling stone" and "Blowin' in the Wind" were crowd pleasers, but virtually unrecognizable as compared to the originals. I was seldom bored.

If we're gonna bring age into the equation than why come Lou Reed, a 65-year-old former heroin addict, can still bring the thunder while Dylan only comes with a wimper?

Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again. I'd pay for a ticket just to hear that track live.

Great steel guitar parts, but VERY croaky Bob...things got a little more swinging as the night wore on, but I think (after seeing him 4 times in the last 5 years), I'll wait awhile til I rush off to see him again anytime soon. Dude's still got it on record, but do all his melodies, old & new, have to be simplified into blues stomps on stage? He's just about jumped the proverbial shark for me as a live act.

obviously he's not in top physical condition these days. people were glad just to see him, including me, but no, it wasn't a good Dylan show. his keyboard was definitely plugged in--nice organ solos during "it's alright ma." great "masters of war" but "girl from the north country" was embarrassing and the "modern times" songs are too hard for him to sing, since he doesn't have the voice he had in 2006. I like "beyond the horizon" but the band couldn't play it and he couldn't sing it.

show was great; his voice warmed up as did the band after about 5-6 songs. the last batch of songs were amazing. he even danced a little.

a truly great show. Dylan is still a master. I don't know what these idiots above are talking about. Were they at the same show? The one at Prospect Park? Dylan's voice was great, the band was top notch, everyone was having a great time on stage and in the audience. Just a really magical summer night. "masters of war", "the levee’s gonna break", "john brown", "it's alright ma" were all amazing. even the creepy version of "lay lady lay" was pretty kickin'.

i hadn't seen him in almost 10 years and was a little nervous, but all my doubts were washed away when he busted out the first few notes of "rainy day woman"... and I really don't even like that song. but last night, it was just great.

I thought the show was solid. His voice was inconsistent, but he improved as the night went on. While it certainly wasn't the best Dylan performance I've seen, it had some really great moments and was overall pretty enjoyable. And "John Brown" was so good it was staggering.

Brooklyn, New York
Prospect Park Bandshell

August 12, 2008

1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel)
2. Lay, Lady, Lay (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on pedal steel, Stu on acoustic guitar)
3. Lonesome Day Blues (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel)
4. Girl Of The North Country
(Bob on keyboard and harp, Donnie on pedal steel, Stu on acoustic guitar, Tony on standup bass)
5. The Levee's Gonna Break
(Bob on keyboard, Donnie on electric mandolin, Tony on standup bass)
6. Spirit On The Water
(Bob on keyboard and harp, Donnie on pedal steel, Tony on standup bass)
7. Honest With Me (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel)
8. John Brown (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on banjo, Tony on standup bass)
9. Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel)
10. Beyond The Horizon
(Bob on keyboard, Donnie on pedal steel, Tony on standup bass)
11. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
(Bob on keyboard, Donnie on banjo, Tony on standup bass)
12. Nettie Moore (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on viola, Stu on acoustic guitar)
13. Summer Days (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on pedal steel, Tony on standup bass)
14. Masters Of War
(Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel, Stu on acoustic guitar, Tony on standup bass)

(encore)
15. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on pedal steel)
16. Thunder On The Mountain
(Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel, Stu on acoustic guitar)
17. Blowin' In The Wind
(Bob on keyboard and harp, Donnie on violin, Stu on acoustic guitar)

The crowd was not much into the "Modern Times" songs and frankly, neither was I. But the live version of "Nettie Moore", with the lights down and the band really cooking, was amazing. I went home and listened to the version on Modern Times; didn't seem like the same song at all. Meanwhile, the altered versions of well-known songs? Girl from the North Country was odd but pleasing, Like A Rolling Stone was fabulous due to the great guitar, and the honky-tonk version of Blowing in the Wind? Hilarious and great.

Bottom line--you gotta take whatever Bob wants to serve on any given night-- it's always changing.

As for the age comments, Leonard Cohen is in his 70s and plays 3 hour sets now... I've heard he is still fabulous live.

I am seeing Dylan in Jersey this week. Never seen him live and grateful to be going to a show.

It was an extremely off show. Dylan took too long to get warmed up. I was in the front of the reserved section and people just started sitting down and waiting for the show to get good. The place was packed with hardcore fans who, I think, genuinely wanted to like it and have a good time, but it just really wasn't a very good show. The encore was the best part and at three songs long, that says a lot. I think Dylan should retire from the stage soon, lest people end up remembering him as a stiff old man in a silly hat.

I listened outside, and thought the show sounded very good. Heavy on the new blues stuff. "Lonesome Day" kicked azz!

Listening outside the venue is considered stealing music. Dont let the RIAA catch you.

I have to agree with Paula P. It's always a pleasure to see Bob, just on principle, but that doesn't mean it's always a great show. Much like the Dead, he has his off nights, and he has his on nights. I did not think last night's show was "on" for him, or the band for that matter. The first several songs really sounded like they were mailing it in. I was particularly unimpressed with the guitar playing, truth be told. They could really use Larry Campbell back in the mix to shake things up.

That said, it was a treat to see Bob walking to his bus outside the park.

To 11:43pm: Why are you whining about the tarp that was erected to block people (like yourself) from watching the show for free? I find it ironic that a past donor is complaining about Celebrate Brooklyn's efforts to block cheapskates seeing freebies. Who cares if they haven't done it before? I'm glad they started now! And why do you feel entitled to have watched this show for free, just because you've donated to Celebrate Brooklyn in the past? This wasn't one of the free shows. There were still tickets needed for this event. Why didn't you just buy one, if you love Bob Dylan & Prospect Park so much? Just because it sold out doesn't mean that past donors would be allowed in for free.

I found myself laughing halfway through the show. Just could not believe how bad it was. The band, the new arrangements of songs, the emptiness that is now Bob Dylan, his ridiculous vocal delivery, acting like he was playing keys, hiding in the mix with the band. I mean, no one was leading the group...it sounded like a crap wedding band. And he literally gives you NOTHING. Sure he's old, but the vibe that he gives off is indifferent, and almost embarrassed. which would make sense given the sound. Not to be harsh, but he really did himself a disservice by not ODing in the 70's...and I like him.

^

ok buddy.

was my first time seeing him. wasn't expecting much, only went because i felt like had to see him at least once.

was a mixed bag. voice got better as the concert went on some really good (highway 61, Nettie Moore, John Brown. most of the Modern Times/Love Theft stuff) and some really bad (Rainy Day, It's Alright Ma, Masters of War, Beyond the Horizon)

i just don't understand why he would play songs like It's Alright Ma & Beyond the Horizon in such terrible arrangements that do such disservice to the songs. it's like he guts the songs because he's bob dylan and he can.

"it's like he guts the songs because he's bob dylan and he can."

yes, he is, and he can.

"Why didn't you just buy one, if you love Bob Dylan & Prospect Park so much? Just because it sold out doesn't mean that past donors would be allowed in for free."

Maybe he didn't buy one because it was sold out, dipshit.

^^

He could have bought one before it sold out. This wasn't exactly a private, invite-only show. Ticketmaster put them back on sale earlier this week, too. And there was always Craigslist, dipshit.

What I'm saying is, don't whine about not being able to freeload just because you missed out on getting tickets.

The tarp around the fence has been up in past years for pay-concerts.

10:55 sounds very bitter & cranky. You probably eat dry toast for breakfast. God forbid if someone wants to listen in from beyond the perimeter to hear Bob Dylan's voice echo through the park. How does it personally affect you anyway? Get a grip.

And if you like the tarp idea so much maybe you should wrap yourself up in one. Snugly. With a rope. In the east river.

11:43am: You're a cheap bastard. And I love how you told me I should end my life because I questioned someone's complaints about listening to a Bob Dylan concert. YOU should get a grip.

It was merely a suggestion of how you might build a boat that could sweep you away from the city that perturbs you so.

I hate BrooklynVegan's comments section.

then don't come here douche...

They didn't do 'One Headlight?' Ooops, sorry...wrong Dylan...

"I hate BrooklynVegan's comments section."

we hate you too

"no, he/she is right. the music is incredible, brilliant, and timeless. but the live performance IS boring. i saw it last year, and i concur. sorry for being honest"

Either he had an off night, or perhaps it's you that's boring, and not the performance.

Let's keep up the insults & the death threats, people! This is fun!

I don't understand how it could be an "off night". It was my first Dylan show ever I'll admit, but there wasn't even a spark of something that would lead one to believe that it could ever be "on". Please, someone who claims that it was "off" but "knows better", and saw last nights show explain themselves. What went wrong?!?!

an off night. but still fun, for hardcore Dylan fans like me anyway--most of the people around me left during the extremely boring stretch from "Honest With Me" to "Nettie Moore."

if this is the only Dylan show you see, you could've done much worse. But if you saw the Charlie Sexton/Larry Campbell band a few years ago, you had to notice how weak the new band is, and the song selection was poor, one of his weaker 2008 set lists.

He got MUCH better in the final 5 songs. He just wasn't ready to go on at showtime, frankly. But "Masters of War," "LIke a Rolling Stone" and "Summer Days" made it worthwhile. That's when he started showing off and dancing around and strutting like the asshole Dylan I love.

i see. thx

yeah I dunno ... I think I missed the boat on this one.

My first (and last Dylan concert)

Glad I went (checked off the list), but it's much better to spend money on his recorded works. Or pay money to hear him speak , not sing... scratch that ...his banter last night was classic Dylan.

The music and Dylan's performace was reeeeally bad. But i have to say the more I sat there and forced myself to continue to pay close attention, the more felt my self falling into a Dylan Gibberish induced trance. Is that the magic of a Dylan show?

I am not well versed in Bob Dylan (just the classics really...I love them) so I'm speaking purely from the perspecive of a musician, concert goer, and music listener.

I really wanted to like this show, but it really sucked and I laugh out loud several times.

an "on night" for Dylan: an eccentric selection of songs, some classic and some obscure, played in loose and unpredictable arrangements, with blues guitar, steel guitar, gruff croaky vocals, with clever sneering and strong choruses. Dylan nods his head and twitches around and looks cool. The band looks scared of him. Hard to define but it rocks.

He usually turns it up for NYC. If you can find the Madison Square Garden show from 11/19/01, or the 2004 Beacon shows, those would define an "on night" for Dylan in New York.

last night was an off night. The big giveaway was that he was too tired to sing the choruses, so the usual crowd-killers got deflated. On a good night, "Like a Rolling Stone" sounds like "how does it FEEL," not "huh dah fee."

^^^
Priceless, and so true. The last time I saw him was at the Beacon in '04 with Merle Haggard and that show sounded great. Last night was laughable in comparison.

"his banter last night was classic Dylan."

Banter? There was no banter whatsoever. He didn't say a single word to the audience until the band introductions immediately before the last song.

Well it's too bad then, cause I could never force myself to pay money (prob a lot) again for something that has even the slightest chance of ending up the way last night did. Sorry Bob.

"man, i really wish the dodgers hadn't moved from brooklyn"

so was great. his voice was in and out but whatever. i've seen him much worse, they were killing it the whole second half. he was having fun too.

that was having fun? ew.