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We got to the venue right before 7. No issues with the vax check that others mentioned in other reviews. The new stage seemed to be positioned further back than normal. The view from the middle of the front balcony was perfect. I didn't see people on their phones or heard people talking that others have mentioned either. The new stage lighting is fantastic as well. No busts or mannequin or 6 lights in back of the stage. Show started around 810 and ended 945. Bob did have his guitar sitting on an amp in front of the drumkit. The band is in a half oval with the drum kit on the audience's car left angled toward 4 on a clock. The new guitar player, doug, is almost stage center. When Bob isn't behind the upright, he stands in front of him. The piano is next facing the 7 on a clock. Bob Britt is behind the piano, in a similar location to call 2019. Don and his 2 steel guitars are on the right, angled almost perpendicular.
The actual show was great. Minor clubs on black rider and lovesick. Most songs that started center stage had Bob move to piano after putting the mic down on top, usually with a loud thump. He did seem to move a little unsure from time to time. The band started watching and he came in after 10 sec climbing the steps with the white hat in his hand that he never put on to thunderous applause. First time I have gotten that song since 10/29/09. Out of the 6 times I have gotten, 3 have been in this building. Also first time without things have changed as an opener since 11/12/12 and what would be the first time without that song in 16 concerts 10/29/10. New drummer charley Drayton sounds fantastic, adding little flourishes on songs where the drums aren't used and having a swing beat that almost seems like a kid of the last two drummers. Most likely had a similar arrangement to shadow kingdom. First time for me since 10/28/06. Out of the 7 times I have gotten this, 3 of them have been here. The new songs got huge cheers when they started. I think multitudes probably got the biggest. Bob center stage the whole time for that. False prophet was my favorite of the night, the 2 guitar players are a great tandem. I read they were friends back in nashville, so having similar styles is going to work out well. Masterpiece was similar to shadow kingdom and was Bob Britt play the acoustic for the first time and first on stage since Stu left. Don on violin for the only time. Visually my own version was very eerie with the red lights and Bob spitting out the words. Probably my second favorite. Baby tonight was done in the shadow kingdom arrangement. First time for me since 10/29/07. Also the last time I saw Denny Freeman play with bob. the first of two appearances of the harp. Black rider isn't one of favorites on record and was probably the worst of the night. Seemed to take extra emphasis on the cock line, which got a cheer. To be alone was also done in the shadow kingdom arrangement/lyrics with bob on harp. Only other time I got this song was in the same building 16 years ago. Mother of muses is my least favorite on the record and it was ok. I was wishing to see any of the 4 songs from shadow kingdom I haven't gotten, and any of them I think could fit seamlessly in place right here when he comes back in 2023. Serve somebody same as 2019, which means excellent. Key West was good, but since he has been playing with the arrangement in all 3 concerts so far, I am waiting to see where it goes. Could be a great encore selection. early Roman kings had a different arrangement, but I think I actually liked it. Along with lovesick, the song has joined the list of me seeing it double digits. Considering this is the 43 time since Halloween 2000, not bad. I am not a fan of the songbook era, but melancholy is one of the few I enjoyed. It was probably better than the 2016 or 2017 versions, but see my comments of mother of muses. Made up my mind was one of the songs I didn't think he would play, but can did he give a great vocal, really hitting the high notes and drawing out words. Jimmy reed is my favorite on record but this didn't sound as good. I wasn't disappointed, but thought it can get better. Band intros and telling us he loves Chicago and then grabs his hat and leaves. Lovesick sounded different, and bob flubbed a stanza. He had a laminated binder with lyrics I am guessing, so it was a little surprising. Not surprised he dropped it the next concert. first time in 5 years for me. Train was very similar to 2019.
I loved the 2019 shows I saw, I can't say this was better. However, I can't wait to see what is coming the rest of this year and into 2022. Every Europe and Japan spring legs of the last dozen years were announced before the end of the previous year, so if that doesn't happen, maybe a spring 15 redux.
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