Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Bob Dylan & His Band - United Palace NYC 11-21-08

Bob added this show to the end of the tour and thus ended a crazy year that saw him play all over the world including 11 shows in Spain and three swings through different parts of Canada.

This was only my second show of the year, the other being the Prospect Park show at the end of the summer. I have seen this band 20 times or so and last night's show was by far the most enjoyable for me personally.

I won't go song by song but he did surprise everyone with the opener -- Gonna Serve Somebody -- a major rarity and a clear nod to Reverend Ike, the ruler of the uptown relic that is The United Palace. The song was done center stage with just harp.

The center stage play was the main reason I enjoyed this show so much more than the Brooklyn show and other recent shows where he stood behind the keyboard the whole time banging away at the keys seemingly without purpose. He came out center stagwe for three other songs: Tomorrow Is a Long Time (another rarity, this time on guitar) Til I Fell In Love With You (with harp and major blues harp expressions, awesome), and Blowin' In The Wind (he added a third encore for the final night and it was played on a guitar that seemed to dwarf Dylan).

These breaks from the keyboard proved a great diversion and allowed the audience to see Bob Dylan the performer, something that had been missing for me in recent years.

This show almost seemed like a different show than what he has been doing for the last three years (even though the songs are much the same) and to me it was hugely more enjoyable.

It feels like Dylan has turned a page, too bad the year is over. Hopefully next year he will continue to be a more open and giving performer. It suits him and the loyal fans eat it up.

Sounds like a great show - thanks for the review.

I've seen Dylan around 15 times over the past 30 years (once every couple of years) and I agree with this review.
I thought it was one of the best shows I've ever seen him do.
In the top 3 or 4 I'd say.
I liked it a lot better than the Prospect Park show.
He did seem a lot more energetic to me than usual.

Thanks for the info, missed him this year, broke a string of 10 years, 2 or 3 shows a year. Tix prices aren't helping either. I agree the shows where he only plays keys are not as good as shows where he mixes it up, glad to hear he's doing more guitar and harmonica playing.