The rain had just subsided after a very soggy Saturday in Boston.  Bob Dylan was in town for a three night stand at the beautifully restored Citi Performing Arts Wang Theatre, formerly known simply as the Music Hall.  Dylan has been here before of course, it was the host of two memorable  nights of the Rolling Thunder Revue back in the autumn of 1975.

From my Orchestra Row G seat I marveled at the range of ages that were there to see another performance of the Never Ending Tour; for some their first show ever and for others the second show in a row here in Boston.

As usual, the fanfare began at approximately 7:45 with the now familiar piped in introduction coupled with wafts of incense emanating from stage left.  Suddenly, the lights went up and there was Dylan and the band striking up the  opening riffs of Cat’s in the Well and we were off.  I won’t go into a full dissertation on each song tonight but I am pleased to say this was my most satisfying Dylan concert to date.

I had last seen Bob and crew back in July 2008 on consecutive nights in southern Spain, Lorca and Jaen to be exact.   The Jaen show had been the better of the two with a very lively crowd throwing roses on the stage with Bob acknowledging them with a rare wide smile.

Tonight, Dylan seemed re-engaged and re-energized; singing in full voice and giving extra care to the lyrics; more so than I had ever seen in the previous 10 shows I’ve attended over the years since 1988.  I had also missed not seeing Dylan front and center over the past few years, staying somewhat sheltered behind the keyboards on stage left and never stepping up front to fully engage the audience.

What a difference tonight and on this current leg of the tour!  Not only was Dylan playing guitar again on a couple of songs, he even traded ‘tuneful’ solos with the exuberant Charlie Sexton.  Sexton had full reign to prowl center stage between Stu and Dylan and often crouched down on his haunches,  getting closer to his vintage Vox Amp and showing respect to Dylan.  Sexton has definitely sparked up the band and was absolutely on fire for most of Highway 61 and the show closing Watchtower, whipping his guitar wire out of the way and off to the side before each extended solo and stage jaunt.

The real revelation came in the few powerful numbers that brought Dylan to center stage, alone front and center with his harp and microphone in his right hand.  The crowd loved it and sensed that they were witnessing a night in which Dylan was truly “on”.  Seeing Dylan deliver ‘Ballad of a Thin Man’ at the front of the stage with the atmospheric muted lights was a standout moment.  Dylan was fully engaged; a true song and dance man, stabbing the air with his left hand and bumping and weaving with his legs.

Dylan also delivered a stellar version of Every Grain of Sand, seemingly turning back the clock and singing this song with long stretches in his upper register, with careful phrasing and a fantastic harp solo as a bonus, simply outstanding.

The crowd had been somewhat restrained throughout the evening but Dylan provided another highlight by accentuating the “You think I’m over the hill, think I’m past my prime” line in Spirit on the Water .   The crowd erupted with shouts of NO! to the sly delight of Bob.  Dylan also had spotted a very enthusiastic and swaying blond in the third row providing loud encouragement throughout the concert.

Another highlight was watching young and old attendees move into the aisle and start dancing during Thunder on the Mountain, a full grin coming across the face of a wide-eyed Tony Garnier.

The night was capped off as usual with Bob announcing the band, interrupted tonight by a corny joke provided by Stu Kimball which managed to bring a snicker and laughter from Bob.

And, with the final bow, Dylan stepped forward, acknowledged the crowd and raised his right hand, looking out across the theatre before walking off with his band.

As I walked by the two buses parked on Stuart Street across from Jacob Wirth’s I saw Stu Kimball getting on the bus with Peter Wolf in tow; sadly no sign of Bob, he must have already been on the first bus.  Charlie Sexton then emerged from the back stage door and hopped on the bus, first taking a minute to wave to the throng of well wishers gathered on the sidewalk.

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll – Live Boston, November 14, 2009 (Decent Audio)

Bob Dylan – Boston, Massachusetts – set list – 11/14/09