De Kalb, IL (31-Oct-04)

DISC D483.su
SOUND Clean and tidy
IMAGE Disciplined, drab, D-centric. Tonight's taper has an impressively steady hand but (unlike Mr D264, for instance) unfortunately lacks an eye (ear? nose??) for the right shot at the right moment. For more image detail, see screenshots and D483 review.
RUNNING TIME 104:42. Complete audio under near complete video subtly patched as necessary.
PERFORMANCE After almost eight years and well over 800 shows, during which time he's seen both Charlie and Le Fred come and go, we join Larry tonight in his last month with the band. After this one at De Kalb, he'll have just 15 more appearances to make, including Binghampton (D461.su) and Bethlehem (D463.su / D500.su), both in the catalogue. Sterling guitar work aside, his typically ripe embellishment of Forever Young (with pedal steel) and McTell (cittern) serve to remind us of what a miss he soon will be. Indeed, maybe Bob felt the same, for he saw fit to replace him not with one new band member but two (actually, if you count the here-and-gone Elana F, with three) - such was the measure of his contribution. Why did he leave? We don't know, probably never will and probably just as well, though if D483.su's turgid Cove/God Knows opening one-two are anything to go by, maybe it was boredom. But let's be kind and write them off as pipe-cleaners (that's D's pipes, by the way) for on the back of the rock solid 4th Street that follows the gig belatedly takes off and starts to deliver. Things hits the spot, as do the previously mentioned F Young, a snarling LD Blues and McTell. Then, after a plangent, posturing (I'm tempted to write pointless) H61, Not Dark Yet is better again, with D guiding his song home in a resolutely understated style that fits it like a long blue glove. Exuberance like sun behind cloud threatens to break through just once, adding inappropriate emphasis to (of all things) murmur of a prayer. Still, Yassou's midnight-oil Dylan Room restoration work (a labour of love if ever there was one) pays off here in spades, for on D483, this best of songs is cut. On the upgrade, though - cheers, Ace - we have it all. A re-wired Me Babe and not Summer Days prove two more late-list scorers before that man Campbell cooks up closer Watchtower's requisite storm with more howling steel-work to send most folks home more or less happy. Not one Bob Links reviewer, though, who thought Not Dark Yet "a let-down", Forever Young "weak" and Me Babe "a real disappointment" (but H61 "an absolute powerhouse ... rocker ... of which Johnny Winter would have been proud"). Which just goes to show that you can't please all the people all of the time. But then, by my estimate, D gave up trying to do that 45 years ago at least, so that's okay. Besides, remember I'll let you be in my dream if I can be in your dream? He's kept his end of that remarkable bargain ever since, so who are we to complain?


A guy called Baron (left) with three of tonight's band at the
Baseball Hall of Fame

THANKS Esther Van Homrigh II
STARS A worthy four