Bob Dylan and His Band

November 6, 2001

Van Andel Arena

Grand Rapids, MI

I was lucky enough to see Bob Dylan Tuesday night in Grand Rapids and it was the best show I have seen him perform yet (14th show since 1990). He is singing better than ever and the band is incredibly tight.

I left work early and took the 2 hour drive from Ypsilanti to Grand Rapids. I arrived there around 5 or so and went into the building to ask when they were opening the gates. The lady said 6:30. I asked where I should line up and wait and she said I could wait right there. So I camped out in front of the turnstyle, first in line. There were quite a few people waiting outside, but I guess they never bothered to ask if they could wait inside. I couldn't believe my luck as I was able to secure a front row, on the rail spot right in front of Larry Campbell with a perfect view of the stage. I could actually see Bob spitting as he sang and the dust on the strings of the guitars in the spotlight. I have been pretty close to Bob a few times, but not like this. I was a little worried about the sound because I was so close, but it turned out to be pretty good. I probably got a little more of Larry's guitar in the mix because his amp was aimed right at me, but the sound was crystal clear.

The band took the stage amid plumes of incense smoke and started into "Hummingbird". I think this is a song by Jimmy and Jack or some such obscure country duo. Nice harmonies from the band especially the intro where they were actually humming.

Next up was a rather tentative "Mr. Tambourine Man". I don’t think Bob had quite warmed up yet and he seemed to struggle with the words a bit. Granted, their about 8 million words in that song.

There was no tentativeness in "It’s Alright Ma, I’m only Bleeding. Larry played the "Wake Up Little Suzie" like riff while Bob really concentrated on the phrasing.

"This World Can’t Stand Long" is another little known Bluegrass tune that was a highlight of the set. The words are particularly appropriate these days. The high lonesome harmonies by the band were great. The basic message of the song is that this world can’t stand long because it’s too full of hate.

"Cry Awhile" marked the first appearance of what would be many tunes from Dylan’s new album, Love & Theft. Once again Bob proved why he is a great singer with his inventive and moving phrasing. It is not hard to believe that Bob is a big Sinatra fan when you listen to the way he phrases songs.

"Every Grain of Sand" was a nice surprise and Bob's only excursion into his neglected 80's song catalog. I think they have done it acoustic in recent years but this night it was electric. Bob nailed the words and played a great harp solo.

"Floater" is another Love & Theft tune and it was very well played and received by the crowd. It sounded very close to the album version, which is not surprising, since the same band played on the album.

A rollicking "Tombstone Blues" was next which was not a surprise since I heard Bob and the band soundchecking it while I waited in line (along with "Tears of Rage").

"Po’ Boy" was actually the debut performance, but is till tight and well played.

The highlight of the night for me was the little performed "John Brown" which was as gripping as any music I have ever seen live. "John Brown" is one of Dylan’s oldest tunes, written in the early sixties, but he did not actually record it until his live Unplugged album in 1994.

Next was a nice, but sort of normal "It’s all Over Now, Baby Blue". Still good to hear it though.

"Summer Days" is one of my favorite new songs and the live version was even better. The crowd seemed really into this one.

"Summer Days" was followed by another new tune, "Sugar Baby". This was the second highlight of the night. Dylan had the whole arena totally silent and at attention for this incredible reading that blows away the studio version. This song has to be one of Dylan’s finest ever in my book.

The regular set ended with two rocking numbers. First was "Drifter’s Escape" which was given a full-on, Jimi Hendrix-ish treatment that worked surprisingly well even though it sounded completely different than the studio version on John Wesley Harding. Great harp solo too.

"Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35" ended the regular set and even though I have seen Bob do this many times this was a great and tight version that was a crowd favorite. Bob also introduced the band during the middle of the song.

The band took a quick bow and left the stage, but returned pretty quickly and launched into a fine live version of "Lovesick" from Time Out of Mind. It is obvious how much the band loves playing this song and how much Bob loves singing it.

Next was "Like a Rolling Stone". When the crowded realized what it was they just exploded. This was a great version of an often-played song. The best I have seen Dylan sing this one yet.

The band picked up the acoustics again for a heartfelt and well executed "Forever Young" which had much of the crowd singing along.

"Honest With Me" was next and was the final Love and Theft tune. This song fits very well into this slot. The band rocked hard and Charlie Sexton was great on guitar.

The acoustic came out once again for the closing "Blowin’ in the Wind". I think the arrangement and harmonies on this one have really improved since Bob started doing this song regularly again in 1998 or so.

The band left the stage again very briefly, but returned for a great "All Along the Watchtower" which mirrors the Jimi Hendrix cover very closely. Bob sang all three verses and than came back and repeated the first verse, which I don’t think I have seen before. Probably my favorite version of this song that I have seen yet. The band took a quick bow and stared out at the crowd for a minute before leaving the stage for good.

Overall a great night of music and my favorite Dylan show yet. My great positioning helped, but the music was really incredible too. Every song was done well and even tunes that I have seen a lot lately were just a bit better and tighter last night like "Watchtower", "Rolling Stone" and "Blowing in the Wind". My luck continued when on the way out I ran into my friend Pam (Dangergirl) from Oregon who happened to be in the area to visit her family. I had no idea she was at the show and it is pretty coincidental that we ran into each other in a crowd of like 9,000 people.

I can’t wait to see him Friday in Detroit!