Bob Dylan Clyde Auditorium Glasgow Scotland 2013-11-20 Clyde Auditorium (aka The Armadillo) Modern music and conferencing facility Three seating levels (stalls/circle/gallery) 3,000 capacity Whether or not you need another version of Bob's now "standard" set I suppose depends on the severity of your particular illness where he's concerned. If you "need" it, here it is... I've seen Bob a few times now, and each tour's been different. He ruffles feathers, delighting and confounding in equal measures, but over time experience has taught us that ultimately he's "right". A real retro feel to the stage set. Semicircular blue/black curtain acting as a backdrop (onto which lighting effects were occasionally shone), six old-style, "dusky yellow" stage lights suspended in an arc above the band, eight small, white lights on stands in a semi-circle below them (behind the bands numerous vintage amps & instruments), and some uplighting at the front of the stage to lend a little more shadowy menace to the band's already gang-like appearance. The show starts quite abruptly, without warning, with a strum of the guitar from behind the curtain. Bob & the band stroll on, Bob in two-tone black and powder blue suit, trade-mark fedora with his "gunslingers" in grey suits and black shirts. We're off... From start to finish I was struck by the quality on show. The band's been together a while now. The sound is incredible...the "space" between the notes...it's like they're hanging each one up individually, to sparkle & delight, as if baubles on a Christmas Tree. You notice them all...this is a masterclass in taste and musicianship. Bob? Last time I saw him I was left feeling he was somewhat on the decline, his voice little more than a dry growl. Now, he seems accepting of his weaknesses, and has adapted. Yes, he still "growls", but these days it's more "rich, dark treacle" than "dry and hoarse", real brooding and threat in his delivery, the emotional aspect (very much in evidence) coming from a different angle than before. "Things have changed"...in the flesh this is intoxicating, heady stuff. No support act, the two sets are so engaging that they seem to be over in little more than a heartbeat. Tonight is no "going through the motions" of what was played over the previous two nights. This is played like it matters...and may even be "life or death". Lots of highlights. Tangled up in Blue and Simple Twist of Fate positively dance, but similarly the newer numbers work really well. Duquesne Whistle's rhythm's irresitably infectious. Bob's delivery of "I pay in blood...but not my own..." has all the terror of a Gangland Godfather behind it, and Forgetful Heart would move a stone to tears. Bob doesn't say much outside of his songs. His body language suggests he's having enjoying the show as much as we are, confirmed when he slaps upraised hands with a few of the audience who've rushed the stage towards the end of the second set (someone even attempted to get onto the stage at one point). There's a little smile and a twinkle in the eye accompanying this rare crack in his usually poker-faced, assassin-eyed persona. I attended the show with a very good friend of mine who's seen a few of the shows this tour (many, many thanks to you, by the way...). He felt this was the best, although each show had its own feel, its own highlights, its own spirit, and he'd thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed all of them. So, Bob might be playing the same numbers (very nearly) every night. That said, it sounds like every event is unique. You can come away each time saying "yes, I might have seen it before...but not like that. Wow". Powerful stuff. Set 1: S1 01 Things Have Changed S1 02 She Belongs to Me S1 03 Beyond Here Lies Nothin' S1 04 What Good Am I? S1 05 Duquesne Whistle S1 06 Waiting for You S1 07 Pay in Blood S1 08 Tangled Up in Blue S1 09 Love Sick Set 2: S2 01 High Water (For Charley Patton) S2 02 Simple Twist of Fate S2 03 Early Roman Kings S2 04 Forgetful Heart S2 05 Spirit on the Water S2 06 Scarlet Town S2 07 Soon after Midnight S2 08 Long and Wasted Years S2 09 Encore Break S2 10 All Along the Watchtower S2 11 Blowin' in the Wind Band Members Bob Dylan - vocals, piano, harp Stu Kimball - guitar Donnie Herron - steel guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin Charlie Sexton - guitar George Receli - drums Tony Garnier - bass Lineage SP-CMC-4U > TASCAM DR-40 > Sound Forge Pro 10 > Trader's Little Helper (level 8) > Torrent Site A Rocking Regimental Recording and another great night out for tBLDC...I wish I was there... Do what you will with it - except sell it : You got it for nowt, you give it for nowt Don't you dare miss it! A surprisingly good run of shows at the "mature end" of the NET. If you need to, sell your Granny to pay for a ticket (then again, take her with you...she may wellt have been on board with Bob the first time around...!).