indy81 Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 With the less-than-sellout crowds at most of the stops thus far, I guess maybe a lot of people aren't being enticed by the concept of AmericanaramA, but I, for one, appreciate the effort being put in by MMJ, Wilco and yes, even Dylan to make this thing at least a somewhat unique event each night when they easily could have just gone through the motions. It's funny; when I first heard of AmericanaramA, I thought it would be a home run in terms of attendance. I thought, what Wilco or MMJ fan doesn't love Dylan? And what Dylan fan wouldn't be impressed by Wilco or MMJ? But reading this board and the Dylan board, I'm disappointed to see that there isn't as much crossover among the different fan bases as I had hoped. But even the weird mix within the audience hasn't kept the bands from enjoying themselves, obviously. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 She Belongs to Me and Hard Rain were also the highlights when I saw him in Tampa and Atlanta.How did the songs with Jeff and Jim sound? Cinnamon Girl was well done, they seemed to be having fun and it was the set closer. And a guitar fest, as you'd imagine. Vocally I could hear Jim and Jeff better on Oh What A Beautiful City, which was...well, beautiful! And seemed like a fitting tribute to Woody, even tho it's a Seeger tune. (someone here mentioned it was Woody's bday this past Sunday...so that's how I interpreted it) I can't say I was hugely impressed with Blowin' In The Wind, either as a collaboration or a finale. But I think that's down to Dylan's complete overhaul of the song, which only his band members seemed familiar with. Overall - I know it's a lot of work, but it would be nice to see these performers doing a bit more "real Americana" stuff in these shows (traditional folk, gospel, early blues, maybe some ragtime). The Seeger song was wonderful, but when the boys left it to the crowd to sing the chorus, hardly anyone knew the words. People need to hear more of this music. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 It's funny; when I first heard of AmericanaramA, I thought it would be a home run in terms of attendance. I thought, what Wilco or MMJ fan doesn't love Dylan? And what Dylan fan wouldn't be impressed by Wilco or MMJ? But reading this board and the Dylan board, I'm disappointed to see that there isn't as much crossover among the different fan bases as I had hoped. I don't know, I've been pretty impressed with all the good comments about Wilco on the expectingrain.com reviews. Here are a few snippets that made me smile. Next up was Wilco and they did not disappoint. They jammed through their set with multiple jams and fan favorites including "I am Trying to Break Your Heart", "California Stars" and "Via Chicago". For their final song they brought out My Morning Jacket and Richard Thompson to join them on a cover of The Beatles "Tomorrow Never Knows". It was one of those special moments that you rarely get to experience outside of a festival setting. All of these great musicians were on stage at once having a great time singing a cover. Wilco was outstanding, especially their country numbers...that's the best country I've heard since Levon Helm's last 4 or 5 years after Larry left Bob's band. Shortly after I arrived, I was treated with Wilco hopping on stage. Tweedy and company did a very good job. Playing fan favorites and mixing up their playlist to keep their show fresh. Next up ( I love this gig! ) were Belleville, Illinois' finest, the fabulous Wilco. I am a little more familiar with Wilco, mainly their work with Billy Bragg putting music to new Woody Guthrie Songs. I'm not too familiar with their other work, though I did recognize at least on Woody Guthrie cover. They are a great band, and had more variety in their set than My Morning Jacket. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fourfeathers Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Last night was FANTASTIC! A bit of awkwardness when I got up to dance in the pit during Wilco and MMJ and was told to sit down repeatedly. I just bounced over to the "groove zone" and boogied with some others, so kudos to you if those people are 'round here! If anyone has an extra poster, I would happily purchase one for a premium. Please let me know and hopefully we can work something out! Thanks kindly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheSunCaughtFire Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Nice! I was hoping somebody got a shot when Dylan was blowing the harmonica between Jeff and Jim at the end there. Must have a been a thrill for those guys. Bob introduced them by saying something like, "Now we're gonna bring up some people who were here before." And then said "Jeff Tweedy" and "Jim James," which was kind of weird just to hear him say those names. (Then again, given how little Dylan has said during most shows recently, it's a little jarring to hear him say anything.) Truth be told, I don't know how much either Jeff or Jim added to Blowin' In The Wind but they were singing nice backing vocals (and both playing acoustic guitar) on Oh, What A Beautiful City! Incidentally, I should correct myself regarding that song; it's an old spiritual also known as Twelve Gates To The City. Pete Seeger possibly did an arrangement of it, and the Rev. Gary Davis and Joan Baez-among many others-have recorded it. Anyway, at one point tonight, Bob changed a line in the song to "Massey Hall." So even he hasn't entirely forgotten how to pander..;-) Did you catch the comment when he brought them out for O What a Beautiful City...something to the effect "some people got dressed up to play tonight"...huh? Having watched the whole band hover in the wings for a few songs, I figured something was up so I moved right down to the front in time for this song. I really didn't catch the whole comment or the tone... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheSunCaughtFire Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 It also seems like this show marks Dylan's third lead guitarist for the tour so far The new guitarist was the legendary Colin Linden. Canadian born but Nashville based. He comes with huge credentials (both playing and producing and in film, working with the Coen brothers in O Brother and Intolerable Cruelties). He is one of the three main players in a well loved band here called Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (inspired by the works of another Canadian legend, now deceased, Willie P. Bennett). I don't know how much notice he had, but the FB quote from fellow band mate John Dymond (who played a set with Nels last year at Sleepwalk in Toronto) was: " Kudos to our pal Colin Linden!! He played a 90 minute show last night with Bob Dylan, no rehearsal, no sound check. A lifetime of playing, and maybe some Depends are required to pull that off!!! If anyone could step up for this, Colin would be the one. The question on everyone's mind now is whether he is in for the rest of the tour. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheSunCaughtFire Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 Dylan's 'new' guitar player was Colin Linden. No idea if he's joining the tour or if it was a one off. sorry - I didn't notice your post and just re-stated the obvious! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Muzzle of Dan Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 It's funny; when I first heard of AmericanaramA, I thought it would be a home run in terms of attendance. I thought, what Wilco or MMJ fan doesn't love Dylan? And what Dylan fan wouldn't be impressed by Wilco or MMJ? But reading this board and the Dylan board, I'm disappointed to see that there isn't as much crossover among the different fan bases as I had hoped. But even the weird mix within the audience hasn't kept the bands from enjoying themselves, obviously. On the MMJ board, a lot of folks are really impressed with Wilco. A lot of them walk away saying that even though MMJ was great, Wilco stole the night for a lot of the shows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
redstripe Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 If these were weekend shows that started at 3 or 4 pm, they would have sold better. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IRememberDBoon Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 lord have mercy! I want to hear that Blowing in the Wind!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kalle Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 This was the first Wilco Toronto show I missed in like 6-7 years and boy do I regret it. Going to Saratoga though, hopefully it will compare! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Someone managed to capture some of it on video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHKcSCCOuGo Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shug Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 sorry - I didn't notice your post and just re-stated the obvious!Was Charlie Sexton absent? I hope not, I was excited to see him play again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) Was Charlie Sexton absent? I hope not, I was excited to see him play again. Visa issues - I believe - I am sure he will be back once their back in the States. After do some reading - I might be wrong - Who knows! Edited July 17, 2013 by calvino Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three dollars and 63 cents Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 At the rate Bob seems to be blowing through guitarists on this tour, Nels is liable to be playing with him by the time I see my first show of the tour on Friday Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roadhse ma Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 As far as Bobs guitarist goes perhaps local Boston guy Duke Rollbilard will Be finishing the job he started As much as I like Charlie I always like seeing a Local w/ a Legend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imsjry Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Someone managed to capture some of it on video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHKcSCCOuGo With everything in the world recorded and placed on You Tube, I really don't understand why more of this tour isn't being posted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 With everything in the world recorded and placed on You Tube, I really don't understand why more of this tour isn't being posted.As I understand it, security is extremely tight. I assume that anything anybody captures from Dylan's set is pure luck or brass balls! I wouldn't think it would be as much of an issue for the other acts, though, especially since they'll be in all or mostly daylight. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheSunCaughtFire Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Anyone going in with a camera was questioned at the gate and I think you probably had to check it somewhere or leave it in the car...I didn't even try to take mine, just the phone. Where I was (on the floor a dozen rows back) security was buzzing around every time they saw someone hold their phone up...a bit of a losing cause but I'm not sure how long you could have taped without being confronted. With the bunching up at the front towards the end when this song happened I found things a bit more lax. I haven't been to this venue for quite some time as generally I really don't like the sound, but the "no photography" thing wasn't unusual even years ago here. Back when the amph was first opened as part of Ontario Place it was much smaller and the stage turned in a very slow circle so you got the show "in the round". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Anyone going in with a camera was questioned at the gate and I think you probably had to check it somewhere or leave it in the car...I didn't even try to take mine, just the phone. Where I was (on the floor a dozen rows back) security was buzzing around every time they saw someone hold their phone up...a bit of a losing cause but I'm not sure how long you could have taped without being confronted. With the bunching up at the front towards the end when this song happened I found things a bit more lax. I had a small camera in my pocket. Lucky for me the security was busy with someone else and I got through without a problem. During the show I noticed that security and staff were really clamping down on anyone trying to take photos. I had to be pretty selective when I snapped mine. I was fourth row on the floor which didn't help as there was an aisle right behind me where staff was walking along quite frequently. I got tapped on the shoulder once and given the: "no photos" line. Like you said, at the end when people were crowding the aisles, it was a free-for-all and people were snapping at will, but it was pretty strict overall. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imsjry Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 As I understand it, security is extremely tight. Interesting because in Chicago, they barely even looked at our tickets as we walked in. Cell phones abounded and I hardly saw one security person the whole time we were there. I would say it must depend on the venue and not so much Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheSunCaughtFire Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Interesting because in Chicago, they barely even looked at our tickets as we walked in. Cell phones abounded and I hardly saw one security person the whole time we were there. I would say it must depend on the venue and not so much Bob.I had to sneak a small camera in years ago and I had a pass to the pre-show get together with the band and access to the backstage bar for the intermission....the band was surprised to hear about the photography issue as it had nothing to do with them. They could probably hire less security if they would lighten up on this stuff! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 Security was extremely tight both at the Tampa and Atlanta shows. In Tampa, the guards patrolled back and forth periodically in the "catwalk" area between the rail and the stage, looking for camera or cell phone violations. There were a couple of incidents where a guard jumped over the rail and into the crowd because of a disruption. Someone in the crowd threw a lit joint or cigarette toward the front of the crowd and got booted. Any time a security guard saw someone filming a song, they would yell, "Hey!" and give a Colbertesque wag of the finger. In Atlanta, it seemed to be even tighter. The guy who looked at my ticket made me empty my pockets and said something about making sure I wouldn't pull out a 9mm and shoot him (if only he knew me from my posts about guns in the political thread...heh). Then there were guards patrolling the crowd with "Absolutely No Photographs" signs. At least twice during the night, I heard anecdotes about guards confiscating cell phones and making the offender delete the photo or video...all before Dylan came on, and this was up in the 200s. I was amazed to see any kind of substantial footage surface, much less audio of Wilco's entire set. Someone was either in a real sweet spot or very stealthy. Kudos to all the tapers for doing such a good job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I have the last verse of Suzanne on a clip posted here: http://youtu.be/kWPLyb5cPSw Sorry for the fuzzy distance, but the audio is decent. Wish I'd kept it running for the rest of Nels'/RT's soloing. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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