OOOOH! How I wish I was here...
(Dylans' outdoor concert at Mesker Amphitheatre
Sunday August 24 at 8:00 PM)

EVANSVILLE, IN.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2008/aug/25/no-headline---26a0x_bob_dyl...

Crowd energized by Bob Dylan's mix of new and old
By KATE DARBY
Courier & Press correspondent
Originally published 12:52 a.m., August 25, 2008
Updated 12:52 a.m., August 25, 2008

True to form, right at 8 p.m., Dylan took the stage in all black with his band. Though he started the night on the guitar, by the second song, he'd switched to keyboards, where he stayed for the rest of the concert.

His characteristically nasal voice was more clear — and gruff — than usual, giving older songs such as "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" a different kind of grittiness and depth than the 1965 recording reveals. The song felt familiar, and the audience responded well.

He played a fair spread of new and old material, and Dylan fans sang and danced to classics such as "Hard Rain" and "It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding," and used the time during his newer songs such as "Nettie Moore" to socialize.

The audience was as diverse as Dylan's playlist, which was evident not only in the ages of the people attending, but also on their T-shirts. Dylan's influence is so widespread and absolute that people in the audience were wearing everything from Neil Young tour shirts to Metallica.

Though much of the show was trademark Dylan — there was no talking between songs, and there were harmonica solos — there were some surprises as well.

"I Believe In You," a gospel song originally recorded on "Slow Train Coming," was a departure from his normal setlist. It was, however, well-received, and Dylan seemed to enjoy playing it.

The encore seemed to be the most unifying moment of the night, however; "Like a Rolling Stone" and "All Along The Watchtower" are two of the most well-known songs in American music, and it was fun to see everyone in the park dancing, singing or just sitting and enjoying the music.

Bob Dylan has worn so many titles throughout his career that it is difficult to describe him: a songwriter, pacifist, folk singer, rock star — and legend. Sunday's show revealed, however, that first and foremost, he is a man whose greatest success is his ability to connect with people on a basic human level. Though the lyrics are sometimes hard to understand through his voice, people leaving the concert seemed genuinely rejuvenated.

http://www.robertstadium.com/