Bob Dylan Blackpool Opera House Blackpool UK 2013-11-24 Blackpool Opera House (part of The Wintergardens complex) Traditional Victorian theatre, stalls, circle & balcony Close to 3,000 capacity (sold out) "Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties because it's COOOLD out there". Whilst a number of you out there's appetite for the now "classic" setlist may be beginning to wane a little, I was still very much up for "another helping". As it turns out, things were changed...a little. Bill finally got Andie (or rather Phil got Rita...) and we were treat to a live debut for the final encore ("What?? No 'Blowin' in the wind???"). This is the last time I'm to be allowed out on the current tour, and that's a shame because I'm really enjoying the shows. This is Bob's last night in Blackpool, High Victoriana holiday resort for the Good and the Great, although now the faded, sticky destination of default for stag and hen parties. I'd like to say there was a weathered, distressed charm to the place, but there isn't. just the "distressed" bit. Same Retro stage set and lighting, Bob back in his two-tone powder blue and black suit, fedora, his "Outlaws" dressed entirely in black. The sound and the playing are especially good tonight...and it's not just me. We get to the end of the first set and it's been anything but "standard". During the interval I spoke to a number of "frequent flyers" who concurred "best yet". It's little things...an especially emotive delivery of a line, a new melody line floated in by Donnie or Charlie, a playful movement in the rhythm by George, Stu or Tony...but it feels like there's lots of them tonight and it makes all the difference when you're seeing the show multiple times. This is real musicianship, transending mere notes and rhythm. Perhaps some of my euphoria is a consequence of the "special additives" they stretch the drinks with in this town, but I really felt this show at times touched Greatness. I found the second set no less profound...but it's over in a flash. We cojole the band back out for what we believe will be the usual finale, and although we got a storming version of "Watchtower", the radio announcer said something other than "Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties because it's COOOLD out there". In deference to Blackpool's proximity to Liverpool (well, by American standards...), Bob doffed his Fedora and gifted us "Roll On, John". The gigs I've attended have thrown up some big moments for me. This was the biggest. 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 Roll On, John 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 Do what you will with it - except sell it : You got it for nowt, you give it for nowt Please support the artist by buying official releases...and do yourself a favour and take every opportunity you experience the live shows. One day, the NET will end...make the most of this new-found, precious alluvium. How long can it last?