BOB DYLAN
and
BAND
Donnie Herron, Tony Garnier, 'the BOSS'., George Recile, Stu Kimball, Charlie Sexton.
PART
TWELVE
Fall
North America 2012
I2sd
of October
Things
come and things change.
I
was planning to do a little bit of the Fall Tour 2012.
TEMPEST
arises some changes in the direction of the winds.
As
the situation is now in New York and New Jersey that Album could
have been a premonition.
"Duquesne
Whistle" is my favorite. My second choice "Soon after
midnight". I believe "Duquesne whistle" is a left over
from "Together through life". "Soon after midnight"
sounds softer with the music.
I
still believe Bobby lost his sense of humanity. The album is dark ,
gloomy, violent.
He
will be Zimmy most of the time?
Just
hoping that the songs will gain some 'humanity' on stage.
I
take advantage of being healthy and kind of wealthy to hit the road
again.
I
was supposed to start in Santa Barbara and end up in Boston but my
good friend D. had some other plan. After the last Summer Tour 2012
he stayed in Chicago for three weeks while I was back to France. He
was waiting for the beginning of the Fall Tour starting in Winnipeg
Canada.
He
invited me to join him on his trip; Canada and then California until
Sacramento.
I
had done some traveling with D. during the Summer Tour - two weeks on
the road together -. I had fallen in Love with him - and he knew it
-. I had some dreams and expectations.
I
took three weeks off from work - no pay -, book a flight to Chicago
then a domestic flight to Minneapolis. D. will pick me up in
Minneapolis and from there will be going to Hibbing.
On
the 3rd of October he emails me that he's in Hospital with serious
health problem. I was going to Chicago anyway, maybe just to take
care of him.
Things
changed again and it appeared that there was nothing wrong with him.
So in Minneapolis will meet.
As
for Bob Dylan, I read an interview in Rolling Stone magazine. I will
remember NOT to sing along with him -I might sound funny - NOT to
tell him that I Love him. I love only his music and his songs.
I
got the message Bobby dear!
D.
picks me up at the Minneapolis Airport. We drive straight to Hibbing
but stop at a Motel between Minneapolis and Hibbing.
Reaching
Hibbing in the morning we go straight to Zimmy's cafe. We meet
with Linda, her husband Bob and Bill Pagel. I haven't seen Bill since
1981. He can remember me well. He's in company of two women, they are
journalists from Sweden writing some paper on the Greyhound company
-that started here in Hibbing, owned by a Sweden company at first -.
They also want to write about Bob Dylan since it is his home town -
from age 6 to age 19 -. They interview me and take photos. I'm not
sure I'll be mention but it's fun to be 'famous' for a little while.
We
chat a long time with Bill before going out with D. and taking photos
of Bob's house and visiting the Hibbing High School. A young
student is giving us a tour. Great again!
D.
wants to drive towards the old mine town. It's desolated and sad. It
was the place of Hibbing town before they discovered some coal and
moved the entire town further down to exploit the mines. It's a
complete desert now and the 'new' Hibbing not doing so good. Only Bob
Dylan history is making it alive. Bill wants to open a Museum here as
well as in Duluth. Bill bought the birth house of Dylan in Duluth and
recovered it as original. The house in Hibbing is not for sale - not
yet -. Bill is living next to it.
I
will contribute to the Museums with some of my paintings.
We
drive away in the late afternoon. We'll stop in a Motel between
Hibbing and Winnipeg.
D.
is forever on his computer. I feel nervous for tomorrow for we'll
have to cross the Canadian border and we don't know what gonna happen
there.
I
woke up D. at 8:15 a.m. since we're supposed to leave at 9:00 a.m.
but he suddenly decides to erase some of his emails.. That will take
forever!
We
hit the road at 10:30 a.m.. I'm in a bad mood; anxious and angry.
there is no communication between us. He will do as He plans.
The
snow starts falling, the landscape is breath taking. That keeps my
heart away from falling apart.
We
spend hours together in the car, still no conversation. He's either
on his Iphone, texting or calling or putting on some music - not
necessarily Bob Dylan -. I have no control.
I'm
already wondering what I'm doing here following again that GHOST of
Bob Dylan with someone who obviously doesn't give a cheat about me!
We're
both nervous reaching the border. Everything will go smoothly;
the
security guard has something better to do than checking on two
tourists - playing cards ? -. He will look carefully at the
passports, ask few questions about security. No search, no visa, no
stamp! Weird!
II5th
of October Winnipeg
We
find rapidly the venue and as usual D. will suddenly wake up from his
lethargy and start talking to everybody around. He drops me at the
Box Office. My plan was to find a ticket for 20 or 25 $, but
it's hard. Fed. is out with her sign, she'll be asked to move further
away.
D.
comes in and right away buy a ticket at the Box Office for 133$,
without talking to me first. I feel cheated. He goes park the car.
I'm angry and buy myself a ticket for 133$, 5th row. D. is 7th row,
it's his turn to be pissed off. It's a dirty game!
My
seat is on the right facing the stage, I'll see Bob at the piano.
Mark
Knopfler - and his Band of joyous wanderers - is the opening
act.
Good
to perfection as usual; the sound, the music, the songs. I'm tired
and falling asleep though.
Rapidly
they switch the equipment - half an hour - and rapidly Bob jumps at
his keyboard:hat on, dark suit pants with green straps, white shirt,
black boots. He looks the same as for the last Tour.
"Watching
the river flow", not too good. From where I stand the sound is
no good. Hard to tell why it doesn't seem right.
Bob's
voice is not powerful, he's hardly articulating. He'll play the
guitar for two songs but nothing exceptional. He sounds tired. The
set list is classic, nothing I never heard before. I'm expecting and
anybody else some songs from TEMPEST. He's supposed to promote that
new Album. I know some Fans have decided to do this Tour and not the
summer one for Tempest.
He
will do "Scarlet Town". Well performed as on the album.
It's a nice start and a promise for the future. That will be the only
exception of the show.
"Blowing
in the wind" and not even a final bow. He's running away.
I
had a good view of him on the piano. Not once did he look at the
public, just banging for himself on that beautiful grand piano,
hoping his left leg up and down. His harmonica play is lacking of
power. He can't blow no more?
What
a deception!
We
moved out. D. is mad he thinks Bob should make an effort when we pay
133$ for a ticket. I tell him Dylan is Dylan. Probably doesn't care
about his public. Probably doesn't know where he is.
We
drive to a Motel. At 2:00 a.m. we crash on our bed. I'm over tired
and deceived -jet lag, bad relationship with D., an average show -.
No magic!
Tomorrow
will be 8 hours drive to Regina. I don't drive - it was clear with D.
since the beginning -. He will do all the driving.
My
dreams from France are not coming alive.
III6th
of October Regina
I
wake up at 7:30 a.m. but can't do much. I don't want to wake up D.. I
write in the rest room.
At
9:00 a.m. the alarm rings but D. doesn't have the will to get up. It
makes me nervous when we finally leave the room at 11:00 a.m. We have
six hours and a half ride but anything can happen. I'm like that,
it's my nature, I'm anxious about the time, I prefer to be early. D.
is the exact opposite, running late. He will stop for breakfast and
again he will make me nervous - he doesn't seem to care -. On the way
he tells me that we gonna gain one hour on that trip west. Why he
didn't tell me that before?
The
ride is nice passing through beautiful landscapes and to be true D.
is a good driver, he doesn't over speed or get anxious at the wheel.
We
reach Regina at 5:00 p.m. and start looking for a Motel since D.
doesn't plan anything in advance and my only experience with
commodities are the Youth Hostels. The rooms are all over 100$. I
tell him it's too much for me. I'm used to 20/25 $ in youth Hostels.
He agrees to take a private room in a hostel. He's easy going - at
times -. We check in and drive to the venue at 7:00 p.m. I start
looking for a ticket. D. stays in the car and let me do the search.
Someone gives me a complementary ticket. I buy a ticket for D. but
don't pay attention at the section. Since it's not on the floor he
doesn't want it and go buy one at the Box Office. Whoa! I'm stuck
with a 70$ ticket. I manage to sell it back. I feel cheated again. D.
will help me to go down the floor section -some bad, some good -. But
later will ask me to share the price of his 133$ ticket. What an
'asshole'!
I'm
8th row center, not too bad. Mark and his Band are good.
He
will change his set list and they are all professional. I'm really
tired -jet lag again - and I fall asleep.
Bob
is on at 9:00 p.m.; black hat, black suit with white straps.
"Watching
the river flow" well performed.
"Girl
of the north country". Very nice.
"The
levee's gonna break", "Hollis Brown", "Lonesome
death of Hattie Carol", "A hard rain's a-gonna fall",
"Simple twist of fate" on his new Strato Caster.
Professional
tonight with energy and power in his voice. The sound is globally
better.
At
the show D. will meet with a Lady he knew from the last Tour. He will
take her to the Youth Hostel and invites her to share our room, he
doesn't even consult me on that. I'm over tired and loose my temper.
I don't want to share with another one that small room. this Lady
doesn't even speak to me! In the morning we are kicked out the
Hostel, we have to leave at 10:00 a.m. The Lady was not supposed to
be in, it's against Hostel regulation; no hosts. I knew it. D. is not
a good Samaritan, he's a fool!
IV7th
of October Saskatoon
We
leave Regina at 11:00 a.m. for a quick tormented breakfast. That Lady
joins us and D. is talking to her more than to me. That makes me
upset. Jealousy I guess? we're supposed to be two on that trip,
living side by side 24H/day. I believe in total equality man/woman.
Conflict has nothing to do in that trip.
We
reach Saskatoon in the late afternoon. I have an argument with D.
about the price of the Hotel; 100$ is way too much for me for I'm
honest enough to pay half of all expenses; gas, room, food ...
We
finally settle down for a down town Hotel. I'll pay - nicely I
believe - 104$ for two nights. does D. realize my sacrifice? I'm
doing it for him to sleep comfortable since he's doing all the
driving.
I'm
mad and will go out for a solitary walk.
It's
Sunday, late afternoon - after 5:00 p.m. - it's cold, the streets are
deserted, I feel like a piece of cheat.
Head
down and brooding I walk down the 2st Avenue when on my right walks a
strange little man; gray hood sweater on his head, black leather
jacket - well fitted - a scarf around his neck, black leather gloves,
slacks - cream color - too large and too long - rolled on the bottom
- gray nylon sneakers - running shoes -.
I
recognize him immediately. Bob Dylan is walking the cold and deserted
streets of Saskatoon all by himself. I happen to walk right behind
him. I decide against all BobCats rules to follow him discretely.
He
will stop to check some window displays about music/theater events.
Does he see me passing behind him in the reflection of the window? He
will enter a vinyl album store but gets out quickly. Did they know he
was Bob Dylan? I stop pretending looking at some tourist's display. I
will be again behind him. He will stop for one more look at a window
display. this time it's a beauty parlor for some wigs(?). Does he see
me in the window reflection? He passes me again. At a pedestrian
cross path the lights are red. He stops. I catch up with him and stop
next to him ,on his right. He looks at me but I don't move, looking
straight in front of me. Does he recognize me? I doubt.
After
20 minutes following I'm confused; should I let him go or should I
say few words? the temptation is too much. I'd not seeing Bob face to
face since 1986.
I
approach quietly on his right and say;
"Excuse
me, Sir, do you know where I can find some coffee?"
"oh
no, I don't know" he answers looking straight at me, his
beautiful blue eyes wild open. He's pale and unshaven but looks and
seems sweet.
I
say'
"You're
not from here?"
"oh
no!" he answers with a smile.
I
say'
"oh!
it's OK".
I
go on walking side by side with Bob Dylan for half a block. We cross
a pedestrian cross path. He turns around and points at a 7/11 store
on the corner. He says;
"you
can find some coffee there".
I
touch slightly his leather jacket - just a touch - and say;
"thank
you Bobby".
By
now he probably figured out that I'm following. He's not mad or
paranoid, it seems. I'm glued on the pavement looking at him moving
away. 20 meters down the street he will turn towards me and points
again at the 7/11. I make a sign telling him that I understood the
message. I'm not supposed to follow anymore. At a corner street he
takes a run and turns right. Later I'll go to the intersection but he
disappeared. I will not find him again, and that's OK. I don't want
to be a pain in my ass.
I
walk back to the downtown area and find a gorgeous Castle/Hotel by
the river. Two black buses are parked in the front. No doubt there
are the B.D buses. I move towards the back and see Bob again in
conversation with his assistant - the Lady with the auburn hair - .
She sees me and quickly mentions to Bob to move. He will get inside
the Hotel by the back door. Why so much paranoia?
I
pretend to take photos and the Lady will follow me where ever I go.
She's spying on me? I'm now the one being followed! Some police car
is patrolling. Some police men are entering the Hotel. Fed., who had
been sited on a bench in front of the Hotel all afternoon,
disappeared. Why so much paranoia?
Bob
was OK all by himself on the streets. Escaping his prison cell?
"Ain't talking, just walkin'"
V8th
of October Saskatoon
I
told my story to D., who doesn't seem to be impressed. I had been on
his computer all afternoon. I'm upset again. Aren't we on the road
for Bob Dylan? I just met him!!!
Tonight
there is a show so I don't expect to see Bob in the streets again.
Nonetheless since I have nothing better to do I wander by the
Castle/hotel by the river. At 4:00 p.m. I see Donnie checking out. I
wave hello to him. He waves back to me. Sweet Donnie!I take a
strategic position; not too far, not too close from the bus. I see
the musicians' bus being loaded and one by one the member of the Band
are hoping in the bus; Donnie, George, Stu, Charlie and last but not
least Tony. Barron is with Jeff Kramer(?). they see me but don't
react. The bus will leave at 4:30 p.m. for the sound check. Bob's bus
is still parked in the street. No sign of activity. Some time later
the 'Lady' will dress warm and leave on her bicycle. I go back to my
Hotel to be ready for the show. Come back around 5:45 p.m.. Bob is
walking down the pavement towards the back door of his Hotel. Dressed
the same as yesterday except for the pants; black with white straps.
I move closer but the 'Lady' is arriving on her bicycle followed by
two policemen on bicycle. Escorting Bob today? Was I a nuisance?
Or
did he get caught without any I.D. in a residential area? With that
hood on his head?
So,
no sound check today? no new song?
I
go back to my Hotel to find D. in a better mood. He will give me a
ride to the venue and will ask me to go with him to Edmonton - I was
ready to take the Greyhound bus.
As
bad as things were as good as they are now!
We
leave for the venue. I find myself a free ticket and a floor ticket
for D. for 40$. Great! We go both on the floor and take seats at the
8th row center.
after
Mark - excellent as usual - we wait patiently for any TEMPEST.
"Watching
the river flow" is good. They start all together and powerful.
One of those great shows tonight.
"Shelter
from the storm","Ain't talkin' " as two gifts.
Beautiful. Bob is fit - all those walks -.
During
"highway 61" he will try some riffs but it doesn't
work as he wishes and he will kind of drop his brand new guitar on
the monitor in front of George. He's pissed off and will trot to the
piano to finish the song.
He
will keep his good energy until the end though.
Excellent
sound! Excellent show!
As
everybody else I wish he could do some songs from Tempest and change
the set list more. The last five songs are boring, like a routine.
I go
out for dinner with D. as a form of reconciliation. it's
Thanksgiving, here, in Canada.
I
go to bed at 2:00 a.m. D. at 4:00 a.m.
VI9th
of October Edmonton
Up
at 9:00 a.m. I take D..'s camera and do the walk I did with Bob Dylan
yesterday. I take a photo for each one of the stop we made.
We
check out at 11:00 a.m. It's six hours drive to Edmonton.
I
start being really sick. I can't breath with pain that struck my
stomach, my liver, my kidneys. I suffer for hours. We check in a
youth Hostel; two dormitories separate.
We
move to the venue.
My
stomach is on fire -food poisoning? -.
I
manage to get a free ticket on the balcony and fall asleep on the
Knopfler set.
I
wake up at the end feeling slightly better and move down the floor. I
say hello to Jim at the sound board - always happy and kind. A good
heart -. I can't get a close seat. I stay next to Jim's sound board.
I slowly recover, the pain is gone.
"Watching
the river flow" - I remember the time where I was typing
"Leopard skin pill-box hat" -.
then
a surprise " Nettie Moore".
After
a routine set list a sweet melody I don't know.
At
the end Bob says; "It was a request, will do it better next
time. It was in the wrong key".
The
song is "Shadows", a Gordon Lightfoot song. Weird! That
Dylan will do some other performer's song and nothing from Tempest!
Dylan is Dylan!
the
end of the show is as usual. Some people leave their seats so I move
front for "Blowing in the wind".
The
security is strict and the crowd kind of passive. Only few front rows
Fans will stand up for "Blowin' in the wind".
Bob
salutes and leaves the stage.
the
Magic didn't work. He's always hidden behind his piano, playing for
himself. I'm not the only one to believe there is something wrong
with him. S. says "he's lazy!". That's nice.
He
wants so much to be detached from the world that he's living in his
own Bubble and it's pathetic when you are a performer. It just
doesn't work.
We
comment on Tempest. We agree that it's dark and gloomy, violent even.
no sense of Humanity.
Still
the songs could become alive on stage if only ...
VII10th
of October Calgary
In
the morning we relax for it's only three hours drive to Calgary. We
eat breakfast and at 11:00 a.m. we check out. As we pull out with the
car I spot C. in his car and S.. They had had a fight and C. wants to
take S. back at the airport. We pack S. luggage in D..' car and we
all three go to the Museum of Science for a good time. Hoping that C.
will make it to Calgary and they will reconcile.
We
hit the road to Calgary to Gino's house a friend of D..
We
arrive at Gino's shortly before 6:00 p.m. and quickly have a nice
dinner before heading to the venue.
7:15
p.m. we take position in front of the venue looking for tickets. C.
is here. Great! I get a 80$ 4th row ticket for D., a free balcony for
S. and a free floor ticket for myself.
We're
all on the floor with the Technique from the story of "the
farmer, the wolf, the goat and the cabbage crossing the river on a
boat".
I
remark like all the venues have the front rows - three or five -
plain, no aisle, no way from the back to reach the stage. Only the
front row can touch the stage.
VIII
11th of October Kamloops
Next
day we leave at 11:00 a.m. for a long ride to Kamloops, 10 hours with
a two hours lunch stop at the Fairmount hotel; a beautiful castle.
The landscape is breath taking. We cross the rocky mountains under a
coat of snow. The night comes quickly. I start to feel the fatigue as
we reach Kamloops. D. who had been driving all the way should be
exhausted. But against all logic when we reach Kamloops and meet with
C. and S. he wants to drink some beers. I start crying
from exhaustion and he will nicely - maybe C. said a word
to him - drive me to my room. I'm over nervous from the strong coffee
from Gino. Night of nightmares when I find D. on his
computer in the middle of the night. We argue again. He'll be on his
computer until 6:00 a.m. working on some 'F.' recordings.
IX
12th of October Calgary
We
check out at 10:30 a.m - unusual for D. - to reach Vancouver in the
early afternoon and bit the heavy traffic. We have booked a private
room in a central Youth Hostel, two blocks away from the Rogers
Arena. We even have time to walk around the old city with shopping
streets ; art galleries with Art from the Inuit - or Canadian Indians
-
splendid.
We
walk peacefully towards the venue at 6:45 p.m. D. managed to get two
V.I.P. tickets from two American friends who didn't get their
passport quickly enough. We are Bob Dylan V.I.P. 5th row central.
Howsome
Mark
is excellent, looking at the public. Trying to find out if the
audience ids for him?
I
look straight in his eyes for I'm dancing in the front, and the only
one.
The
break is short. I don't find C./S.. I take my seat.
Jules,
the sound engineer is not here tonight. I miss him and his long white
pony tail.
I'm
in good spirit for anything.
Bob
is dressed all in dark except with his cream color hat. He's wearing
short boots.
"Watching
the river flow" and the first row is up, good crowd.
"Love
minus zero/no limit" Whoa! My favorite love song.
A
splendid "Things have changed". He will play with the
lyrics, adding some 'yeah' and 'what?' smiling back at Tony and
Donnie for the first time on that Tour.
The
security guard sited on my right doesn't stop looking at me. I'm
annoyed. Some Fans from the back are trying to make their way up
front. The three first row are plain row though, no way to reach the
stage.
Some
usher asks people to seat. I won't. To my relief the security guard
is moving back.
I
enjoy myself dancing on the aisle, Bob is good, his voice is clear.
No eye contact though.
Midway
in the show S. appears at my side. With D. we squeeze her into the
4th row. I know C., Jay, Fed. are somewhere. That's it. Nothing like
the European Tour in Summer.
At
the end it seems like Bob is waking up through the song "Trying
to get to heaven".
The
front rows were up but most of the people will seat down when Bob is
at the piano, no view of him anyway.
The
set list is classic after "Highway 61", we know what's
coming up.
He
doesn't even do "Like a rolling stone" in a way that people
could sing along.
The
little bow at the end is short and off he goes.
We
move out, again, deceived. No surprise.
I
say hello to the BobCat from Norway. He will be following awhile on
Greyhound bus.
-
and
I move back to our youth Hostel and I crash on my bunk. D. goes to
the Lobby working on is computer. I'll come to sleep at 2:00 a.m.
X
and
I move back to our youth Hostel and I crash on my bunk. D. goes to
the Lobby working on is computer. I'll come to sleep at 2:00 a.m.
13th of October Seattle
We
get up at 10:00 a.m., the ride to Seattle is only four hours but
check out time is 11:00 a.m.
We
take time to have a breakfast out before packing up and moving. D.
wants to buy some pottery from a 'first nation Artist. We
go back to that beautiful area with the old buildings and
shops. D. will buy for more than 900$ in pottery. I don't get it when
we sleep in cheap hotel - hostel tonight -. He's got money.
He's
a good heart and will buy a pottery for me.
We
leave Vancouver and one hour later we cross the border. No problem.
We
reach Seattle at 5:00 p.m. going straight to Allison's house, D.'s
friend. from High school.
Tony
- from the previous Tour - will pick me up to take me to the venue
since D. has a dinner with the Fans who gave us the V.I.P. tickets in
Vancouver.
At
the venue at 6:30 p.m. Tony and his friend Eric start to be nervous
about finding tickets. They don't trust me and buy expensive tickets
from scalpers. I don't want the 80$ ticket I know I can find better.
Tony is mad at me and walk inside the venue without me. What a
friend!
The
situation is tougher than in Canada. American people are less
generous than the Canadians. Some prefer to walk inside with their
extra tickets instead of getting the 20$ I offer. Stupid
and rude!
A
couple will sell me a 5th row ticket for 50$. I have to promise that
it is for me. The paranoia again!
Allison
and I wait for D.. He's supposed to retrieve their tickets at the
will call. We get in right on time for Knopfler.
Professional
as usual. The difference here is the audience. Knopfler
and Band will get a big applause and an exceptional standing
ovation.
Half
an hour for the switching of equipment. Stu comes from the back with
his blues riffs.
Bob
is on for "Watching the river flow"; black pants with white
straps, hat on, dark shirt with a white scarf, his beard around his
mouth.
"To
Ramona" - only three verses out of five - "Mississippi",
"Cry a while", "The lonesome death of Hattie Carol",
followed by "Hollis Brown" - it is usually the other way
around - "Visions of Johanna", and all the 'classics'.
Harmonica more than guitar tonight - not one on guitar -. The piano
is far and the spot lights flashing my eyes. Hard to see his face.
That's exactly what he wants!
The
public is enthusiastic, big roar from the back for each song. The
venue is huge but Bob doesn't react more than anywhere else. Does he
know where he is?
The
show is good, the sound clear and loud. the Band is doing his job. No
Magic.
I
move out to find C./S., say hello to the tall guy from Norway, say
hello to Jay - who will skip Portland -. No more BobCats.
Allison
wants to go back home to sleep. D. and I, we need to eat. We find
a Japanese restaurant in a downtown crowded area. Later
C./S. will join us and we're having a good time. Complaining about
the 'routine' of the shows.
We
go to bed at 2:00 a.m. I don't know if D. will drive me to Portland,
if not I'll go with C./S..
At
this time of my Tour I don't feel like going farther than Sacramento
when D. will stop. I don't feel like taking Greyhound again and
traveling 'hard'. I'll see.
XI
14th of October Seattle
It's
a day off. I help Allison in the garden in the morning while D. is on
his computer.
He's
willing to drive me downtown in the afternoon so I'll be able to take
a walk with C./S..
We
were supposed to go to the Jimmy Hendrix experience but at 4:45 p.m.
it's too late. They close at 5:00 p.m.
I
buy some bread and cup cakes for Allison cooked some lasagna for
dinner.
I
say bye to C./S. and D. - who had been watching T.V. in C./S. Hotel
room - drives me back. We have a pleasant dinner and all go to bed ..
except D. again on his computer.
XII
15th of October Portland
Next
morning I decide to go to Portland with C./S. for I see that D. is
already on his computer. I can't stand it anymore. D. will try a
'reconciliation' being sweet and kind but I'm sick of that game. He's
probably sick of me for being upset all the time, frustration
and jealousy are not showing the best of a person. D. will
drive me to C./S. Hotel and ask me again to go with him. No.
We
take the road at 12:30 p.m. it's raining like crazy but the ride will
be only three hours long.
I
check in my Youth Hostel and the three of us go for a slice of Pizza
before the show.
We're
at the venue at 6:45 p.m. looking for tickets. the 'scalpers' are not
making things easy but we manage to get two floor tickets and one
balcony for reasonable price. Mine is a e-ticket and the scan doesn't
work on it. the usher is nice when I explain that my printer doesn't
work too well. He will tear up the ticket and let me in. For Mark we
stay on empty seats by the sound board, up and dancing.
At
9:15 p.m. I try to get to my seat but there is no seat 15 on row
10(?). The main security usher asks me to follow her to find out
what's wrong with my ticket. I run away as fast as I can on the other
side of the venue, hiding behind D. - who made it to the venue -. Bob
is on for "Watching the river flow". The audience is up in
the center, I move there. I don't stop dancing and singing. This is
Magic for the crowd is enthusiastic. The usher will never find me!
Suddenly
the beginning of a new song. D. recognize it right away "Chimes
of freedom". Whoa! My favorite ever.
I
sing along and Bob will change a bit the order of the verses; first
and second verses are ok. He will start the third one and finish with
the end of the fifth one. then the sixth one.
That
will be the only surprise of the night but what a surprise!
A
beautiful "High water", "Tangled up in blue"
standing on harp. No guitar again tonight but for the third time in a
row "Cry awhile". "It's all over now Baby Blue"
in second song. After "highway 61" we know nothing will
happen. The Magic is here.
Bob
is professional but not really with us.
We
slowly move out. I was so lucky to be able to get in with that fake
ticket. Thanks God!
I
say bye to D. who had found two drivers to help him to drive to San
Francisco. I was one too many. I will travel with C./S.. My heart
sigh. I wish my relationship with D. could have been better. I love
him but not the way he wants. I don't know how to love a man. I'm so
sorry but that won't make any difference.
I
booked three nights at the San Francisco Youth Hostel. After that ..
I don't know.
XIII
WEED
I
checked out the Youth Hostel and I'm waiting for C./S. to pick me up.
They will arrive at 2:00 p.m. and we drive towards WEED to sleep
there and cut out the 11 hours drive to San Francisco; 6 hours to
Weed and 5 hours to S.F. cool!. We take some time in weed to relax
and have some good food. We cross the dry Valley between two chains
of mountains; the Rocky Mountains split in half south of Seattle
They grow olives and rice and all kind of vegetables and fruits. Flat
and dry. Pleasant weather, warm as I like it.
XIV
17th of October San Francisco
We
reach S.F, at 4:00 p.m. C./S. check in their Hotel while I rush to
the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. A line of 30 people had formed
already. I say hello to Matt, Julia, Sarah,Alrik, Ryner and Noel ,
D.'s friend. They're first on the line. I join the queue, I'' be
something like 50th. I got a ticket for 30$, it's ok. The doors open
at 6:30 p.m. and by some kind of miracle I find myself on the rail,
left of the stage. Thanks to D..
I
enjoy very much Mark Knopfler and Band, so close.
Then
Bob is right in front of me on the keyboard. I'm wild. First time on
this Tour that I hold the rail. The feeling is always good no matter
what gonna happen on stage. Stu, Charlie, George and Tony are kind of
far. But this time I can see Donnie on his steel guitar. Bob is not
smiling or even looking at the public.
He
will do "Man in a long black coat" and "Beyond here
lies nothing" but on piano - the energy is not the same as on
guitar - The sound is not too good. I scream "Joey,Joey".
And yes, he gonna do "Joey". Of course it was on the set
list but nonetheless I feel good. I see Donnie picking up his violin.
I believe he will do "Forgetful heart" first time on this
Tour. Bob is at the piano. no Magic! That piano is taking the Magic
away. Plus I have those spots light in my eyes I can't see Bob's
face. I believe that's exactly the point. Bad Bobby Boy!
After
...the routine again
"Highway
61", "Thunder on the mountain","Visions
of Johanna", "Ballad of a thin man", "Like a
rolling stone", "All along the watch tower" and the
final "Blowing in the wind".
I'm
wild in the front. some Fans are dancing.
Bob
is not happy, smiling only once at Donnie, then serious again. What's
wrong Bobby Dylan? What's wrong Bobby dear?
His
outfit has been the same for 4 or 5 shows now; black pants with white
straps, same hate, boots, only the shirt will change but always Black
and White.
I'm
right in front of the piano but at no time I will have eye contact,
not a look, not a glance.
We
meet with C./S. and decide to go to a Chinese restaurant with D. and
Noel. We grab a cab to Chinatown and we have a good meal then time to
go to bed. I decide - against all wisdom - to share a room with D.
and Noel. I will share a bed with D. even - a mistake? -
XV
18th of October San Francisco
Next
morning I rush to the Bill Graham Civic auditorium at 9:00 a.m. for
today, again, it's general admission, a chance to be in the front.
The day will be long and pleasant. The same people are in front. We
take turn to hold the spot, to go to eat and rest. At 5:30 p.m. I
spot the musicians' bus and in the back of the auditorium one by one
the musicians will go in for the sound check. No Bobby's bus yet.
6:00
p.m. the doors open and again Alrik is cheating me on the line. I'm
mad. I've been here since nine in the morning, I'm short , I
don't run fast. No need to cheat me that way! I run and take a spot
on the left next to Noel but the view is no good. So I move to the
left with D. whose gentle enough to let me on the rail. - he could be
so sweet !- Next to me are S. then Matt.
Mark
is good, delighted to have such a good responding public. At times I
have the feelings that his set is better than Dylan's. But Dylan is
Dylan! THE ARTIST.
"Watching
the river flow". Of course, because I'm in front, I'll take
anything tonight.
He
will do his routine, smiling at Tony but not at the public. The oval
mirror is blocking S.'s view so I move a little bit on the left. What
a drag that mirror!
What
a show even if we don't have any Tempest.
We
move out with mixed feelings for we're still expecting a miracle.
We
go for beer and tea. Noel, D. and I we go out for dinner.
We're
having fun in the deserted streets of San Francisco before crashing
on our bed at 2:00 a.m.
I
share a bed with D..
Noel
will tell me that in the night D. had his arm around me. I didn't
feel any thing. No touch, no kindness, just sleep.
XVI
19th of October Berkeley
Tonight
is the Berkeley show. No G.A. but reserved seats at the Greek
Theater, open air.
I
relax in the morning while D. is away. I do the laundry then take a
walk to the Fisherman wharf. I've a good time.
At
4:00 p.m. with Noel we take the BART to Berkeley. I want to see the
campus. I want to walk around. But... D. calls and ask us to join him
at his sister's house for a dinner. I don't feel like it; more people
I don't know, more confusion. I want to please him, so I obliged. We
all go Noel, D., Matt - who decided to stay one more show - and I to
Oakland to have a Pizza at D.'s sister house. I'm nervous for it's
getting late and I'm the only one without a ticket. So much for his
friendship!
I
get a ticket for 30$ and get in to take an empty seat on the top of
the Theater. It's full tonight. I enjoy Mark's show from far away and
move around during the intermission. Some woman gave me a seat but as
soon as Bob is on for "Watching the river flow" I know I
won't keep my seat. I spot Noel dancing in the aisle. I move next to
him. I will dance the entire show. The sound is good, the set list OK
since I don't expect something revolutionary anymore. More
Fans will join us for the dancing on the aisle, the security
freaks out.
Noel
is wild and so I am.
Some
drinks after the show with D.. We all retrieve to our room in San
Francisco.
I
share a bed with D..
Beautiful
day with beautiful friends.
XVII
20th of October Sacramento
I
wake up at 7:30 a.m. but wait for waking D. at 9:00 a.m. That crazy
Noel put some music on at 8:30 a.m. I'm mad but D. will go for his
friend against me. I'm the bad one!
Noel
is upset and leave the room. D. is on his computer until check out
time.
We're
supposed to drive to Capay Valley for D. wants to buy some land
there. We spend the afternoon visiting a farm after another. Nice
experience, I'm having a good time. We do something together.
We
go for a Pizza then move to the venue in Sacramento. As usual we're
running late. I get a second row ticket for 60$. I'm far on the left
but it's OK for I can stand up and dance, and I will.
a
big surprise tonight the first song will be "You ain't going
nowhere". the BobCats are hysterical.
then
the routine with a nice "Ain't talking". The music is good,
the sound perfect. Stu is wild on his guitar. Only few fans are up in
the front, Nothing to be happy about, I feel like a crazy freak. Bob
is cold as usual, the final bow is really short. He wants to get out.
We're deceived. One surprise, some in a while, what a drag!
I've
been crying all afternoon; crying for real or crying in my heart. I'm
tired of the situation with D.. I feel part of his problems but not
part of his life. I feel like a little dog following him. At times it
feel secure at times I would like to have more consideration. We
don't really get along. I'm trying to be patient for he's taking me
to the shows. It feels comfortable. Comfort Vs. Freedom.
Sacramento
is the last show D. will do.
I
found a ride with Ryner - from Germany - to Santa Barbara. Why not.
Noel will join.
XVIII
21st of October on the way to Santa Barbara
D.
takes us - Noel and I - to Ryner's hotel for a ride to
Santa Barbara after a turbulent night. Those two don't sleep too
much. They had a good laugh on the phone when John - who borrowed D.'
jeep - was stuck on the highway, running out of gas. He explains that
he had to hide his 'weed' before the police patrol made a search of
the jeep. Eventually the AAA will rescue him. They go to bed at 4:00
a.m but I don't feel like sleeping anymore. I write on my paper blog.
I
get up at 8:00 a.m. and with Noel we have some kind of continental
breakfast.
D.
will stay in the Bay Area to deal with some business. I don't know if
we'll meet again.
The
ride to Santa Barbara is pleasant, Ryner is a careful driver.
I
chat with Noel. It appears that he had been in Blackbush in 1978. He
was right on the rail, center stage. Possibly next to me. Whoa!
destiny!
We
split in Santa Barbara at 5:00 p.m. I take a private room in a youth
Hostel not far from the Santa Barbara Bowl.
I
take a walk and find right away the two black buses parked at the
Hilton Resort, facing the Ocean. By a pure luck I see Big Bob - the
second security guard - entering the Bougainvillia section of that
huge Hotel. I believe Bobby is here also.
I
take a walk to the wharf and go to sleep, a good night sleep,
quiet and peaceful. I miss the exuberance of D.. I
miss the whole of him.
XIX
22st of October Santa Barbara
I
eat pancakes in the morning and walk along the Ocean for few hours.
Back at the Resort I check around. No sign of nobody from the Band or
Bob. The musicians' bus will leave at 2:30 p.m. Bob's bus is
still around so no sound check.
I
leave the Hilton Resort at 5:00 p.m. to be ready for the show. I walk
up the hill to the Bowl. I see Ryner, Noel and Glen - D.'s friend -
at the terrace of a cafe.
They
don't invite me to seat! I have to ask about D.. D. is not coming.
Too bad for I had bought him an Hawaiien shirt in the
afternoon.
I
move in front of the venue to find myself a ticket.
I
meet with C./S. doing the same. A nice Lady proposes me a ticket for
35$. I don't have any change so we move in together and we chat.
she's impress about me following Bob and will offer me the ticket. We
sit side by side and we have a good time.
The
show is good. The set list the best for me on that Tour. A lot of
Rock and roll songs that I love.
For
two songs "Things have changed" and " Tangled up in
blue" a third guitar player is on stage . He's Freddy Koella -
who previously played for Bob -.
After
the show I was supposed to meet with Noel but he doesn't show up.
C./S. will drive me to my Hostel. Thanks to them, real good friends.
XX
23rd of October to San Diego
I
booked a Hostel in San Diego and will travel AMTRAK along the coast.
I'm on my own. D. didn't answer my mail. I start to think about our
two weeks on the road like something from the past. I try to forget
about him.
As
Bob said
"there
is no good guy, there is no bad guy
there's
just you and me and we just disagree".
I
will now focus on Bob Dylan; getting to the venue, getting a ticket,
a room after the show...
"It's
alright Ma
it's
life and life only!"
I
thought it was the beginning of a beautiful adventure , it was just
an episode in my crazy search for the Ghost of Bobby Dylan.
XXI24th
of October in San Diego
At
the Youth Hostel I talk with Daniel, a middle age man from Quebec,
who decide to leave everything behind and go for a trip
around the world. He never traveled before. what do we know of
people. I convince him to go to the show with me.
I
have a pleasant walk to Ocean Beach. nice and peaceful. Never
thought of that from San Diego.
We
meet at 5:45 p.m. with Daniel in the dinning room and head to the
venue.
On
the arriving we 'bump' in Bob's bus. Bob is not doing any sound
check. I get rapidly two tickets for 30$. They happen to be on the
floor section, middle row of the venue. C./S. are right in front of
us.
Alrik,
Sarah, Julia - from Europe - are still around. Dave from Seattle is
here and the tall guy from Norway. Nobody else(?). the BobCats are
tired!
The
venue is huge - 16000- not too good but the public is warm even for
Mark.
Stu
appears on acoustic guitar, so that will be "You ain't going
nowhere".
Bob
is on fire tonight, the energy is back. The set list is Rock with a
tender "Forgetful heart" center stage. I enjoy myself, I'm
trying to forget my 'so called friends'. I wish Bob could do
"Positively 4th street for them".
A
surprise; for "Summer days" Mark in on stage for some riffs
of guitar. When he leaves the stage Bob says "thank you Mark'.
So sweet!
"Thunder
on the mountain" put the venue on fire, I'm just part of it.
Anonymous among the crowd. I feel lost; Daniel is not D. and Bobby is
a ghost. I feel old and ugly. where is the tenderness and kindness I
so much need?
Bob
seems fit and happy, dressed as usual; those black pants with white
straps that he loves so much and the hat - the same -. No playing any
guitar. His hands hurt?
I
feel so hurt tonight from my breaking apart from D.. I'm wondering
how Bob can sustain so much pain, losing so many friends and lovers.
"The
door is closed forever more". Is that the way to sustain the
pain, to close his heart?
The
last bow on stage is quick and impersonal but so is the
audience. They rapidly move out with no afterthoughts, going back
home to their 'crappy' life, back to the reality of times.
XXII
25th of October Hollywood
I
took a walk on Hollywood Boulevard, trying to find the Bob Dylan Star
- didn't find it - after 12 hours of sleep in the Youth hostel right
on Hollywood boulevard. I check out the venue; a huge bowl open air.
A pit in front of the stage difficult to access -they call it the
Pool - The people in Hollywood are incredibly nice, warm
and friendly. I feel so good! This morning I had a good laugh at the
communal breakfast table with one guy from Italy and another one from
Brazil. No pre-judgement about sex, age, color, religion ... We
talked for over an hour like long time friends. Why it never happened
with D.? I was always so tense and nervous trying to please and
seduce him.
"But
all the good things in life add up to zero"
XXIII
26th of October Hollywood
I
take a long walk on Hollywood Boulevard then move to the venue by
6.00 p.m. People start to crawl in. I put my sign up. No luck, people
are cold, some snobbish Yuppies. I don't see anyone I know expect a
freak who followed since Portland. He's not nice. The scalpers are
doing their business. A young fellow wants to sell me a ticket for
35$. The security comes around saying he's not supposed to be
selling. so he will give the ticket to me for free. for the first
time I can thanks the security guy! The seat is all the way up, no
good. The Bowl is so big - 18000- it will be hard to reach the floor
section. I keep on searching for C./S.. That will be their last show
so they're willing to spend a little money. A couple will sell me a
ticket for 30$, I sell the other one for 10$. Not too bad.
I
miss the first Knopfler song. I'm far away from the stage, stuck in
the middle of Yuppies.
Bob
is on. The 4 big screens don't have any close up, of course! The
sound is not too good, even Mark sounded like he had a cold.
Bobby
will do a beautiful "Love sick", just for me, it seams.
"I
regret I've ever met you
I'm
trying to forget about you,
I'll
give anything just to be with you".
Exactly
the way I feel.
"Cry
awhile" and "To Ramona" are right in my spirit too.
Nothing
special in Hollywood, he didn't even change the lyrics of "Things
have changed"
I'm
in the wrong town, I should be in Hollywood
I
say "Bobby, you ARE in Hollywood"
At
the final 'encore' I see Barron rushing from the right of the stage,
grabbing a girl trying to get to Bob, then dropping her in the public
on the left. Good catch 'Ninja'!
I
don't see Bob reaction but he moves quickly out of stage.
The
throng is moving out. A folly!
The
Bowl is vomiting 18000 'goats'.
C./S.
walk me to my Hostel. The streets are full of 'characters'. It's
Halloween before time. In Hollywood it's Halloween every
day, it seems.
I
try to catch some sleep. At 6:00 a.m. I take a taxi to the Greyhound
bus station. Downtown L.A. is a 'jungle'. High level of criminality.
Going now to Las Vegas; another kind of folly!
XXIV27th
of October Las Vegas
A
city in the middle of the desert. Yes, another kind of American
folly. Nothing for the poor. No tourist Information Center. I have to
take a taxi to the Youth Hostel. Only the third taxi driver will
accept to pick me up. I don't look like I gonna spend too much money
here.
The
Cat-Hostel is cool. A bit funky. For 15$/night what do you
expect? I buy myself a bus pass for 8$/24h.
I
try to reach the Mandalay Casino. It takes about one hour from the
Hostel. Back to change my clothes and back to the Mandalay at 5:45
p.m. The venue is inside the casino, same situation as in 2011. I
find myself a ticket for 40$, bad seat, but by now it doesn't matter,
I will move to the floor anyway.
At
7:30 p.m. - show time for Knopfler - the venue is 3/4 empty, even the
floor sections. Casino crowd!
Mark
is good, good humored tonight - maybe he won few bucks in
the slot machines? -
I
move my way down by the sound board. I meet with a Fan who flew from
Mexico City for the one Dylan show. Whoa! and I thought I was crazy?
I
stand up dancing for the whole show. Bob is in a good mood, good
energy. Few Fans center floor are up and dance. This is Las Vegas,
who cares about bob Dylan?
I
will meet with Jay and Johanna and the tall guy from Norway
who will stop the Tour right here in Vegas.
He
will nonetheless takes the Greyhound bus to Denver tomorrow at 3:00
p.m. We agree to travel together.
Bob
will put Mark on stage for "Beyond here lies nothing"
himself on piano. It's lacking the energy it used to have in 2011. I
used to Love that song to much.
"Tweedle
dee, Tweedle Dum" is funny, "Mississippi" is good. A
new song tonight I have some hard time to recognize. a song from
"Love and theft" says the guy from Mexico. But no, it's
from "World gone wrong"; Delia.
“Delia
was a gambling girl, gambled all around,
Delia
was a gambling girl, she laid her money down.
All
the friends I ever had are gone.”
Appropriate
for Las Vegas. So Bob knows where he is.
The
Mexican Fan invites me for dinner in the restaurant of the Mandalay
Bay where he's staying, probably Bob and the Band too.
I
crash on my bed at 2:00 a.m. I didn't gamble a single penny. I'm
looking forward for escaping Armageddon.
XXV
Appropriate for Las Vegas. So Bob knows where he is.
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