Our indefatigable roving correspondent and good friend Russ caught a second Dylan show last night, in Beantown, Massachusetts, and shares his impressions below:

Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat: a raucous opening and Bob was into it from the start. Lots of dance moves and grins tonight.

Girl From the North Country: a beautiful and tender delivery. Bob on guitar and Stu playing acoustic guitar that stood out among the onstruments. Stu is more active and involved since Charlie Sexton came aboard. Everyone seems to be more animated.

Beyond Here Lies Nothin’: Donnie’s trumpet was low in the mix, and there ends any criticism of this performance. Bob really got shaking on this one, nodding to the band again and again while bending and doing that thing with his boots like he’s stomping out a cockroach.

Just Like a Woman: the band excels here…so tight. Bob waits until the very last possible second to sing “…just like a woman.” The crowd doesn’t take the bait and lets him sing all of it by himself. That seemed to amuse Bob the first time through the chorus. His grin said, “C’mon, try to sing along!”

High Water: center stage with harp and special harp mic. These are the moments in the show where you can’t look away for a second, lest you miss the vaudevillian (as my buddy, Kenny, calls it) splender…Bob motioning with both hands…pointing, palms outstretched, balled in a fist, pressed against his breast…they’re always moving, expressing. What a performer.

I Feel a Change Comin’ On: This lived up to the hype of being RWB’s favorite dancing tune. Great organ by Bob. It’s a blast to hear his unique playing style and to watch him lean over it…it looks like he’s ready to pounce.

Cold Irons Bound: again, center stage with mic, and I’m mesmerized, blown away by the arrangement…all the moving parts, not only of the band leader, but his band. This song highlights everyone at the same time, if you know what I mean. The harp scorches every time he plays it…so great to hear him take the notes anywhere he likes.

Spirit on the Water: the keyboards lead the way and the singing is filled with joy.

Honest With Me: the best version I have ever heard. This is a keeper when sung and played this way. I haven’t loved the performances in the past, but tonight it was funked up a bit and sung deliberately.

Workingman Blues #2: he starts out at the keyboards but soon shuffles around to the mic at center and delivers a soulful rendition. There’s a lot to convey here and Bob’s not going to let you miss a word of it.

Highway 61: a blast…and Stu gets much of the credit all night for carrying much of the load.

Ain’t Talkin: another song that Bob wants you to hear loud and clear. His rasp is graveyard serious here and the crowd was captivated.

Thunder on the Mountain: sung fast and with many smiles from Bob. He’s looking for “some tough sonsabitches!”

Ballad of a Thin Man: any fan should hope to witness this live. Bob’s bark is enough to knock you out of your seat. He emphasizes and enjoys the line, “next time you come around, please….telephone!”

The encore was excellent…definitely not a good idea to head for the parking lot.

Like a Rolling Stone: a great reading.

(Band Intros, Charlie acts surprised, mouth agape looking back at the audience in disbelief, when Tony is introduced…as in “you mean, THE Tony Garnier?!!!”)

Jolene: he belts it out and they’re dancing in the aisles.

All Along the Watchtower: rocking but also tidy…no long jam here, but it’s also not necessary since we know “the hour’s getting late.”

Look at that setlist…new vs. old songs…this guy is amazing.

Great stuff. Thanks again to Russ for the sparkling reportage.

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