a cold December evening with the threat of the first big snowstorm of the year in the air. Worcester Auditorium is a roomy old auditorium - no worry about whether to stand or sit - the seats did not go to the edges and the aisles along the walls are plenty wide enough to just slip away from your seat and dance away to your heart's content without bothering anyone...and I did...all night long...

Patti Smith ended her set with "this one's for Jerry Garcia" and played "Not Fade Away".

Dylan was, oh so dashing, with a crushed red velvet long-cut jacket trimmed in black at the collar and sleeves. Black pants with the silver "buttons" down the seams. A smile on his face.

His show started typically with the rocking "Down in the Flood".

Into a beautiful flowing rendition of "I Want You" - not the first time in the evening to find myself just swaying to the pedal steel which adds -such- a nice touch to this band.

"All Along the Watchtower" - I just love this song and am always happy to hear it. It rocked. Dylan is just so cool to watch as he plays - his legs spread apart, his knees sometimes bending into the accent.

"Simple Twist of Fate" is another one of the songs that benefits so much, I think, from the pedal steel sound. Beautiful. I left the show sort of "floating" a bit above the ground and part of that was from these slow, swaying numbers.

"(Most Likely) You Go Your Way and I Go Mine" was, to me, a new melody...it took me a while to realize what they were playing. It was very beautiful too.

"Silvio" was the highlight of the show for me - I was just skipping with delight.

The acoustic set started with "Mr. Tambourine Man", Dylan played the harmonica at the end. He's holding the harmonica and mike in hand now - no longer using the holder that goes around his neck. I sat down for this, and only this, one.

"Masters of War" popped me outta my seat again. It seemed to me that the young people around me recognized the song - good. Every generation needs to hear these words.

Love Minus Zero/No Limit - just beautiful, highlight of the acoustic set for me. I think I must have sighed out loud, because the person next to me turned to me with a smile on his face too.

From reading on the internet recently, I knew that the crowd would rush the stage after the acoustic set, so I was prepared! I dashed or danced or pranced my way down front until I was against the stage surely less than 15 feet away from Dylan. That was truly an experience I'm not going to forget - being able to watch his face and his hands and his whole body. He plays his guitar with his whole body. I could see that, underneath his jacket, the muscles in his back and shoulders were "playing" the music too. He would sort of raise and lower his shoulders along with the music - he looked totally at ease - it was a very "easy" movement. And yet he was also totally in control of the band. He wandered around talking and playing with each of them. He seemed to be quite happy up there and having a good time.

"God Knows" and "I and I" began the 2nd electric part. I honestly can't remember too much detail of these 2 because I was so stunned to be so close to Dylan. But I do know that even with the cramped space I had, I still managed to be dancing and even moving around quite a bit - it was sort of magical that I wasn't stepping all over other people's feet, but I don't think I was!

"Highway 61 Revisited" is a totally excellent way to end the set. Rock out!!

The first encore was "Alabama Getaway" - a tribute to Jerry. I knew it would be done and wondered how I would feel hearing it. The last time I saw Dylan was the last time I saw Jerry (at Highgate) and seeing him now was just another reminder of the loss. But, in any event, I had no time to wallow in sorrow here - this was such a fun dance tune. I loved it. Thanks Bob.

Before they came out for their encore, I could see stage hands setting up for acoustic instruments, but the band walked off the stage after "Alabama Getaway". But then they came back again for "Girl of the North Country" (I guess I really haven't been paying too close attention to the setlists - this was a very pleasant surprise for me) - accompanied by mandolin and standup bass.

Each time they left the stage, they would come to the edge, bow, acknowledge the audience, shake hands with some of the audience.

Didn't really expect a 3rd encore either..."Rainy Day Women #12+35" was a FUN way to end the night. Even security was dancing!

Being shut in by a snowstorm on Saturday with absolutely no way to go anywhere was just too perfect. It was just a lazy day of hanging out watching the snowflakes fall and listening to Dylan on the record&tape&cd players all day long. If I blurred my vision purposely I could see Dylan right there in front of my eyes, the memory was so vivid! And then I thought maybe, just maybe, Dylan was outside sliding around on the streets of Boston in his boots enjoying the storm too...maybe

Debess

Bringin' it all back HOME.