Chicago 2009 "Well it's a long old highway, don't ever end..." (by Kait)

My days of spending day after day on the road, enjoying show after show are long gone. They were actually, ironically, ending just as this site and the idea for Headin' For Another Joint was beginning. The plan to go to Chicago sparked that old feeling again. My days on the road AREN'T over! I wanted to be prepared for any weather, person, event or coincidence that may occur. The normal excitement over a 3 days run was only heightened by the fact that I got to spend it with my best friend, her best guy, my best guy, and one of my oldest Bob friends. Chicago has always had a sort of zen influence over me. Although it never turns out that I don't stand in line at all, I feel more relaxed, more happy to just be enjoying my time with my friends. This trip I felt it even more so with the chance to be with some of the people I care for most right there with me. The flight in was easy and smooth. Direct from the left coast all the way in. Romy had arrived before us, having landed freshly from Ireland to partake with us. After we got the car we headed to the Heart O Chicago to reunite with my long last friend. After a dinner we could hardly eat due to excitement and a couple margaritas we headed back to get some rest. The next day we were up and about early and over to the Aragon to see what was shakin'. Not much on a breezy AM in Chicago, but soon we were greeted by our favorite security guru, Andre. Andre makes it all happen for us little people in line. Without him, it would not have been possible to sell the 3 separate kinds of tickets they had for this run. Sitting in line, I thought to myself, I'm too old for this. I don't know how to do a multi-night run anymore... Turns out I do know still! After spending the day catching up with folks I knew back in my Ohio days and friends from Chicago we waited patiently to be let in after the Hot Band folks. The three of us got spots down left in front of Stu and sat down to wait the 1.5 hours til the show passing the time with vodka tonics. Bob came out wearing a lavender themed outfit. Highlights this night were Levee, I Feel A Change Comin' on, and Ain't Talkin'. Tweedle, HWY 61, My Wife's Hometown and Thin Man. Some of the really most special moments this tour are those in which Bob is out at the center mic, just with harp, gesturing along as he sings the lyrics. Girl of the North Country was nice to hear. I remember very distinctly hearing Bob play it in Columbus in 99. It really solidified my love and appreciation for Bob that night. Always nice to se him strap on a guitar as well. Levee was fun, as it had just started raining when we were let in. It always has some of the best guitar jams of the show and the style of the song really fits well with Charlie's playing I Feel a Change Comin' On is such a fun song. Happy-go-lucky and optimistic. Bob's always smiling and laughing. “Instead of 4th Hour of the day”, it was “4th PART of the day.” I love the line “if you wanna live easy”, it seems to sum up the feeling of the song for me. I recently saw Billie Joe Shaver so I spent some time thinking about him after the show. My Wife's Hometown is spooky and cool. The instrumentation is minimal and bluesy for much of the song. The best part is the little laugh Bob always includes at the end of the song. The band gathers on emphatic notes for the bridge. Bob's really growling “I'm telling you AGAIN that hell's my wife's hometown...” such a funny and sarcastic side. It reminds me of some interviews Bob's done where he's been totally bullshitting the interviewer while they keep trying to get a straight answer out of him. After the show we headed back to our accommodations nearby and decided to go have a drink while we waiting for Caroline and David to arrive. It just so happens that the bar with the oldest Liquor License in Chicago was right across the street. It also happens that the owner is a very inebriated Irish bloke. After a couple hours of Romy translating what the guy was saying, Caroline and David arrived and we continued to celebrate into the night. The next morning was still rainy. We all decided it was a good day to sleep in, see how things went and roll with it. The plan was to hit 2 BIG shows tonight. First, Bob, then Railroad Earth. My second favorite band (aside from Bob's of course). We arrived at the line, greeted some old acquaintances and waited. Luckily for us the rain held out and soon we were inside in our spots, enjoying beverages. Highlights night 2 were Man in Me, Highwater, Sugar Baby, Every Grain of Sand, Cold Irons and Po' Boy. The Man in Me has turned into such a fun song this tour. One of my top 5 for sure. I love the way bob says “Take woman like YOU!” With the emphasis on the “YOU” as if he's getting a little pinch in the rear. The emphasis in this song has changed and the chorus, at least on this night, was drawn out to“The Maaaaaaaaaannn iiiiinnn meeeeeee”. Bob sings up the scale (not up-singing) “ ust to know that you're really there”. Also, the addition of donnie on trumpet plays really nicely with Bob's harmonica. Highwater has always been my favorite “standard” song to hear live. This version is really interesting. It starts out with a dreamy guitar and banjo that kind of reminds me of the sound of Time Out Of Mind but switches at the chorus into a faster, more western rollicking. The chorus still sounds a lot like the original live version as it often has in the various live remakes of the song. The stanza portion of the songs is very understated and minimal. I think this works well as it gives the listener an easier time hearing the lyrics without the hard guitar and banjo in the mix This song is really improved with the harmonica mic that Bob's been using center stage that is distorted to sound more “old timey”. Sugar Baby sounds much like the album version. I love the extended pause between verses. Not that many people were sitting in seats, but the collective crowd was there waiting, in pause as well waiting to hear what happens next in the story. The first pause seemed almost twice as long as the rest in the song, maybe for emphasis. It worked really well, leaving the crowd on edge, waiting for the next verse. The crowd was very quiet and attentive, taking in every word. The only time they really spoke up were for the bootleggers line and the love line. Feeling the love... Charlie added some really nice guitar work during Bob's Harmonica solo. The harmonica solo in the middle of the song was excellent. It conveyed the pain in sharing the knowledge of the song. While were standing outside waiting to get into the show I was staring up at the sky watching the clouds, all orange and pink, as the parted and moved away with the brisk Chicago wind and I knew bob would play Every Grain Of Sand. The reverence and appreciation Bob shows in this song remind me “Chimes of Freedom” the way Bob is able to so perfectly and accurately paint a picture of the world and it's creation. I always love hearing this song. It always seems so powerful and honest. For me, while Bob is describing all the things he sees the master's hand in, I envision so many beautiful and dangerous times in life. This is one of those songs that fits the organ so well. I enjoy songs of this tempo and mood that really allow Bob to play the organ. He adds emphasis in between his singing that really highlight the verses. This seems like one of those songs that was made for bob to play organ on-maybe it was. Charlie does an excellent job of complimenting whatever Bob's playing as well. Another one of the many reasons I'm so glad he's back. Pretty much everyone that knows the song was anticipating Cold Irons. This was the first of 2 very different Cold Irons we heard over the weekend. This night's version was heavier, driven mostly by George making you want to clap or stomp along. Masterful drumming by George this night. Halloween night CIB had a lot more guitar flair added, this version was definitely George's to lead. He keep the rhythm right a 4/4 the whole song. I'm no expert on drumming, but to my ears this version had a lot of extra flair from George. One of the reasons I love this song is that is gives Bob the opportunity to add his personality to the like “to see Beauty Decay, heh!” This in another one where Bob is right out front with the harmonica and mic acting out parts of the song with his gestures. Clasping his heart, pointing to the sky clenching his fists and waving them in the air. It's pretty awesome to see! The song had lots of instrumental breaks. Breaks and the empathic drumming featured most prominently on HWY61, seem to be some of bob's current favorite musical tools to use. Of course, the crowd was excited for “the line” to come. The winds in Chicago... Po' Boy has never been a song I've been thrilled to hear in the past, but this version changed it all for me. It's lost all the parts I found so-so. It's still easy-going with masterfully orchestrated chord charges, but they've been reworked. Bob sings along with the note changes on the lines: “Never say die” and “Dressed in Black” This is another song that goes great with the organ. Bob makes a great save on the line “mother was the daughter of a wealthy farmer”, turning that and the next line into 3 rather than just 2 by leaving a break in between the lines. After the show Caroline, David, Dean and I head straight for the car and to the Vic Theatre to see Railroad Earth. We make it in just before the end of the second set and party on into the night before heading back to the Motel to get some shut eye. After our big night out Friday we definitely needed to sleep in Saturday. We arrived at the venue mostly dressed for the night's festivities in our various costumes. Caroline and David in a snake-themed attire, Romy as a gypsy woman, I as Dolly Parton and Dean as current Bob. There weren't too many other people but Greg from Ohio was dressed as dead Bob... or at least it kinda looked like it and another guy was the fantom of the opera in the perfect image of a priest. Cleaver. We get in, get our spots and drink and wait. You can hear right off that Halloween is going to be a great show. Everyone is great spirits-a few in costume. Bob came out on fire. The mood of the whole evening was light, carefree and fun. Bob was smiling, laughing, dancing, and having an all around great time. I've never been in costume at a Bob show before so it was pretty interesting. At least the wig part. Bob saw Dean dressed as him pretty early on in the show and had a chuckle. I think he appreciated seeing someone step outside the costume of 60's Bob. Gonna Change My Way of Thinking-what an intro! It may be my favorite opener every I love when Bob comes straight out and starts working it. Sometimes the rockers fall flat in the first slot, but all the times I heard GCMWOT this tour it was great. With Charlie back, and seemingly the only one to want to lead the band along with Bob, it's a great choice. Like back in the Larry and Charlie days, I find few faults with the songs musically now. Charlie is so good at keeping up with the changes Bob likes to throw in and at making them sound intentional and beautiful. I read somewhere that when he joined the band initially he listened on only Bob so he could know and play anything the bob wanted him to play. I believe it. Beyond Here Lies Nothin' is another one that is a must hear. Night 3 Donnie's trumpet lead it off with one long note. I really like when Bob embraces the growl in his voice. I imagine a spurned lover just saying it like it is, raw and real. Early on in the song Charlie takes a solo that sounds very much like David Hidalgo. I heard they were also in town. Maybe he was there for practice? Charlie exhibiting some of his masterful guitar work twinkling up and down the scales along with Bob's organ playing. Listening to this song I think of couple dancing the tango on a spanish veranda. To Ramona was unexpected. It has taken on many forms in my time as a fan and this time, a fast waltz. A number of the version of songs this tour are great with the organ and this is one. Bob is easy able to lead the band with his melody making the song flow really well. He was smiling and laughing all through the song. Often times when he's having so much fun he employs the entertaining staccato pointed singing technique. This night examples were on the lines It's-all-just-a-dream-babe and you-must-be-ex-act-ly-like-them. Bob's harmonica solos picked up perfected where his organ playing left off keeping the melody and eventually bringing the song to a close. It's All Good debuted night 3. A song debut is always awesome. At the beginning I thought it was Tombstone Blues. The guitar riff started off almost exactly the same. This song affords Bob more opportunities to add little asides into the song like “You know what the say? What? They say it's all good” or “wouldn't change it, naaahh, even if I could” or something more vocal like “welllllllllll.....it's allll good” really drawing our the words. Already it had some hints of the emphatic drumming between verses in HWY61. If you've seen Bob recently you know what I mean. It's only subtle still but it was there. Three strong drum beats ended the song. Hattie Caroll was sweet and tender throughout. Soft acoustic guitar lead into soft accompaniment to Bob's singing and Organ playing. Bob again employs the staccato singing technique to the extreme “he-e-e-e-e- owned-a-ta-bac-o” down the scale. He did some really good low notes. Right in the middle of the song the band added a nice dramatic pause before heading into the ending verses. This is another one that allows Bob to play the organ with intent. This was the second time on run that we heard Cold Irons. Tonights version was heavier, stomping, driving rhythm, never stops except for the expertly executed breaks. This is another awesome one where Bob is out font clenching the harmonica mic and doing a lot of gesturing. The uitar was minimal. I'm obviously a fan of this but I love when he adds things in like “to see beauty decay, YEAH! And it's sadder still...” Tonight the crows went ever crazier for the chicago line. Instead of “I tried to love and protect you” it was “I've got to love and protect you.” He had the same little yip in his voice when he sang “Bended KNEE” like “Women like YOU” in Man In Me. This Dream of You is another one of new faves. It has a very old style spanish feel. Bob was looking at Dean in his Bob outfit a lot during this song. And I swear instead of “it” Bob says “I look away, but I I keep seeing HIM”. He was definitely looking and laughing, I know that. He was cracking up again during the lost in the crowd line. He sang the lyrics flawlessly and with great feeling. After this song Bob said “ We have a special guest for yout tonight...I don;t know if you heard” Tom Waits. Of course, the place went crazy, I was confused and then Stu strides up to the mic and says “Thank you so much Bob” He sang one good verse with the band (not Bob) and Bob said “Thank You Tom”. Bob was laughing right into Tweedle. Tweedle is sounding more like it did back in 2001, aside from new breaks, again, like those in HWY 61. Again, they're not as intense as HWY61 though. Charlie added in some fun little guitar noodles in between verses and George added in some extra cymbals at the end. Forgetful Heart is another that is at the top of my favorite to hear list. It really is the new Ain't Talkin'. It's so slow that it gives Bob the best opportunity and space to give very careful emphasis on each word. FH featured the best harp of the night. The way Bob was playing really reminded me o Oh Mercy. Donnie's violin melded in perfectly and never overshadowed Bob. Highway 61 is always a fave. Today this rocker featured the emphatic drumming between verses, a nice breakdown and organ solo. After it came to a close, bob says “We got Willie Nelson up here tonight too! Willie, you wanna take a bow? Have a seat Willie.” Bob was cracking up of course and we all had a laugh at the “Have a seat” part. Workingman's continued it's trend of being well performed. It seems to mean more to bob than some songs. Understandably I guess since it's more current than some. I always find it a little entrancing when this song come around. It's a ncie break after HWY61 too. At this time I always realize that the show is coming to an end and I get a little sad. I like the change up of having Thin Man to end the set though. Again, Bob is out front, pointing, gesturing and putting a lot into his singing. “points his finger at YOU!” “YOU! Been through all F. Scott..” My favorite encore song is Jolene. It makes me feel like I'm in a juke joint or something. It's fun and easy to dance to. It's like the crowd's last chance to boogie. If you can't sway to Jolene, then I'm pretty sure you can't dance. Watchtower will never be as good without Larry, but it's improved with the return of Charlie. It's got more groove now than it did with the last band which is nice. Charlie added some awesome, howling bent notes that the crowd loved! Bob again added little extras like “ life is but a joke, HA!” Towards the end, the band gathered on one note, then Bob went into the last verse full force. It was good, but sad to know that this little run was over. We headed out of venue, saying our goodbyes to friend from the midwest and east. So nice to see many of them again. It almost felt like a class reunion catching up with everyone, finding out who has been doing what and where, reminiscing about shows and lines past. We popped in for a quick drink with one last friend, stopped at the store and headed back to motel to have some drinks and talk about the show and Bob. It felt so happy to be with my peeps again. After a long night of fun, Dean and I were up at 7am to fly back home. I was so grateful for the time change. I spent the long wait at the airport thinking of friends and fun and all the good times past and to come. I'm very grateful that I've had such wonderful opportunities in my life. If I can say one thing about this tour it's: BOB IS BACK! (not that he ever left in my eyes...)