Live Dylan: Cardiff 2002

date: 2002-05-06

location: Cardiff Wales

boblink: http://bobsboots.com/CDs/cd-c06.html

opener: Humming Bird

personal favorites played: Tangled Up In Blue, Things Have Changed, Moonlight

Bob factor: This is one of those nights when Bob just wants to get through things. The performance isn’t bad, but he prominently features the trick he described in his Chronicles book of rushing up to the 3rd beat of the measure. We’re used to it, and apparently so is he. But in some places in this show, it gets in the way as he stumbles to keep his vocal in rhythm.

performance: This version of the band featured two highly competent sidemen, blues guitarist Charlie Sexton and multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell. They start out with an acoustic attack that is sharp and bright, if perhaps a little too neat. This runs into a very album-like 60s take on “It’s Alright Ma” that gives no hint of the blues burner it would become later in that summer. Whatever else might be wrong with the performance, punters certainly got their money’s worth. The program runs almost 2 and a half hours without resorting to filler from other shows.

recording: Another liberated bootleg. I’ve never figured out why all the soundboard recordings seem to come from Europe these days. Perhaps American venues have tighter security or something. Regardless, this one is in fabulous condition. The acoustic guitars are jarringly crisp at times, but everything is fairly well-balanced.

highlights: The early 80s song “Solid Rock” is a seldom heard gem. 2002 is the year when “Tangled Up In Blue” came to full fruition. “Wicked Messenger” is a nice rocker and a pleasant surprise.

lowlights: Back-to-back 7-minute versions of shelf stock “Positively 4th Street” and “Lonesome Day Blues” are a bit wearing, even if the sound and musicianship is top-notch. As much as I love “Visions Of Johanna” 9 minutes pushes even my patience.

decision: Another great show, in great quality.

June 9th, 2008 - Posted in Live Dylan | | 0 Comments

Yacko’s “guns”

So the other night the boys were practicing TaeKwonDo forms. Michael was trying to get Yacko to hold his arms out a little more. I told him to show us his muscles. He made his best body builder pose and said “I have big guns. They just aren’t loaded yet.”

June 5th, 2008 - Posted in Parentgeekness | | 0 Comments