I waited outside until almost showtime, waiting for my partner to show up cause I had his ticket. Standing outside the futuristic-looking concert hall, I was treated to the most magnificent sunset - reds that wouldn't quit. It was so gorgeous to behold, and I figured it must be a good omen.

I was right. Wonderful show that just flowed together so very nicely.

We got in and not quite to our seats when the show started. 8th row on the floor. Everyone around my seat stood all night long - and it seemed to me that most were dancing too. I was truly in my heavenly place - to be allowed to dance all night long!

Peggy-O was so unexpected by me - and it was done so beautifully. That pedal steel sound, don't you know, is just sooooooo nice. At the end of the song, I automatically bowed my head with my hands held together, in appreciation and gratitude - for the first, but not last time that night. Some songs just sounded "holy" - or hit me in that spot. I think Tom Thumb's was another one, and Mr. Tamborine Man.

Probably around Watchtower was when I finally really checked out what was going on on stage (I close my eyes alot!) - Dylan was wearing a tan suit, a black bolero tie, cowboy boots and a Huge White cowboy hat. The hat kept his face in shadow - so I didn't really see expressions.

I had thought that the new guitarist would have been taking over JJ's role. I was completely surprised to finally notice that Dylan played lead all night long, with Campbell strumming rhythm. I mean, completely surprised. Dylan worked hard all night long. And I thought he did an excellent job.

For instance, on Silvio, towards what I thought was the end suddenly turned into a very spacy jam. I am positive that he was using Dear Mr. Fantasy as the theme of the jam (someone check the tapes for me!) and actually thought they were going to go into this Traffic song (and not end the electric set with Silvio?!!). They explored this jam for quite awhile, and then eventually did go back to finish off Silvio.

The band actually sounded a whole lot tighter than I expected, what with two new members. Very beautiful music they are already making together!

I think Mr. Tamborine Man was the only song harmonica was played on all night. Last year, the shows I saw featured Lots of harp playing. I liked that and wouldn't mind a bit more now.

When I heard Lenny Bruce as the first encore, to me it seemed to be a tribute in fact to Allen Ginsberg. I think he doubled the line about "he sure told the truth....he sure knew how to tell the truth", and just the parallels in Bruce's and Ginsberg's styles of pushing against the establishment, sometimes to their own detriment, I don't know ... in my own mind, this just seemed to me to be in memory of Ginsberg...or maybe I needed to hear it that way at this time.

When the second encore was Knockin' on Heaven's Door then I knew I was right ;-) I was in tears.

Some guy jumped on the stage during RDW, and was so excited he was bouncing around like he was on a pogo stick. I watched as the crowd on the floor started bouncing in his exact rhythm - a bunch of pogo sticks on the floor - it was really quite comical. The excited stage jumper turned to Dylan and hugged him and Dylan smiled back at him hugely - the first smile I could see out from under that hat. I understand the song was cut short, but somehow the scene causing the early end was endearing... it put a wide smile on my face too. I never take RDW too seriously anyways.

Walking back through campus, a beautiful crescent moon hung in the dark sky with stars splattered around it.

Debess

Bringin' it all back HOME.