Philzone.org - Philzone Phansite Community Discussion Board: Setlists and Reviews: Non GD Related Reviews: Archive: Bob and Willie in Houston 8-2-09

Bob Dylan was simply awful on a humid sweaty Sunday eve in Houston. I've seen Bob eight times prior to this and loved each show, but this one truly sucked. He was utterly unintelligible (even more so than the usual mumbling that one expects from Bob). "If You Go to Houston" was kind of cool to hear. I know probably 85 percent of the songs on this setlist and I swear to you that I had no idea what he was playing basically until we got all the way to Highway 61 (2/3rds of the way thru the show), and I could just barely discern that.

The band sounded like muddled sludge and Bob sounded like an incoherent drunkard bellowing gutteral sounds. Certain songs sounded like a sloppy blues with the lead vocalist a retarded person just grunting and making noises into a microphone, or a baby with a whiskey soaked baritone who still doesn't know any words yet.

Now Willie on the other hand, Willie was killing it. He was ripping guitar solos that no 75 year old man should even be attempting, and was just shredding. And sister Bobbie was tickling the ivories real pretty like. Since Jody Payne retired as Willie's lead guitarist, I guess Willie is taking all the leads now and I must say I dig it. He played a ton of hits as well as some spirituals (I'll Fly Away, Circle Remain Unbroken) and a Hank Williams Sr medley. Not to mention a gorgeous version of City of New Orleans. Willie must have had Louisiana on his mind last night, because at least six songs performed had some sort of tie in to New Orleans or Louisiana.

The Coog I have no comments on. His performance was a palate cleanser between Willie and Bob that I found unremarkable and not worthy of thought or attention.

Here's Bob's setlist:


August 2, 2009


1. Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Bob on guitar)
2. It Ain't Me, Babe (Bob on guitar)
3. Rollin' And Tumblin' (Bob on keyboard)
4. Tryin' To Get To Heaven (Bob on keyboard and harp)
5. Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (Bob on keyboard)
6. If You Ever Go To Houston (Bob on keyboard)
7. It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on banjo)
8. When The Deal Goes Down (Bob on keyboard and harp)
9. Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard)
10. Nettie Moore (Bob on keyboard and harp, Donnie on viola)
11. Summer Days (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on trumpet)

(encore)
12. Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard)
13. Jolene (Bob on keyboard)
14. All Along The Watchtower (Bob on keyboard)

>>>a baby with a whiskey soaked baritone who still doesn't know any words yet

LOL!! That's really funny.

It's a little harsher than the conclusion I've come to from the boots of this tour I've heard, but I can see where you're coming from.

Too bad. Dylan was great when I saw him on July 28. Nelson was ok (better than I'd ever seen him before but still just ok) and Mellencamp was loud.

Iaw himin 2007 at Konochti outside in Clear Lake, Calif., and it was a great show. I was going to try to end it there, but I am going to take a chance and go to Lake Tahoe sunday with my good frien Terence Sullivan, who is a huge Dylan fan. He has third row, and I have seventh row. Obviously we like the Larry/Charlie band better, but it should be cool, I have to get close for Dylan, I just enjoy watching his facial expressions, the guy is so cool, been through so much, I hope he kicks ass, I love all of you folks, love Bruce!

Here's a picture of Willie and Band from Dallas....