Prague, Czech Republic (07-Nov-05)

DISCS (2) D654.su
SOUND Warm, full, A1.
IMAGE Take a look at the second and fourth screenshots and you’ll see all that's wrong with this DVD. The blue-grey bulk in the left foreground is Beantown boy Stu Kimball and hidden behind him (mostly in the second shot and completely in the fourth) is Bob. Both have their backs to the camera (as well as a significant percentage of their audience – an ill-judged and unnecessarily mean-spirited stage arrangement every bit as alienating as the Helsinki hood (D071.su) or the Unplugged shades. Bob could very easily keep Tony in his eyeline without resorting to this circle-the-wagons set-up, and if what you enjoy is to look into just his beautiful face, then skip D654.su and try something else – D005, maybe?). So, then, well back in the left-side tiered seats, our taper is, through no fault of his own, poorly placed and gets no more than D's cold shoulder virtually all night. But, though this isn't the first film to be shot this way (see D269.su, D304, D318.su, D649) it is much the best* and what a great job he does just the same. After taking most of Maggie's to settle, he bags for us long sequences of fresh, steady, colourful shots with assured, easy movements in and all around to catch all the best of the action. There are obstruction interludes in Lady Lay and Bleeding, also brief picture loss in the latter, and the camera has a tendency to roll to the right, making it look, between corrections, as if the band are playing the Titanic an hour after the iceberg hit (their music sometimes sounds that way too). But none of these things spoil your enjoyment of this taper's high-class handiwork. Fine indeed.
RUNNING TIME Disc One: 50:25. Disc Two: 60:40. Complete show.
PERFORMANCE Things start tamely and on disc one only I Don't Believe You stands out (though it also offers you your one chance, other than the line-ups, to see D something like properly when he shuffles out to the mike in front of George to close Baby Tonight with a minute's harp). But disc two scores better, with a gorgeous Visions, Fate and both encore songs all solid. (Listen out, too, for Watchtower's tricksy echo.)
HIGHLIGHTS The authoring standard of this package also deserves special mention. It not only looks the part, but also includes three bonus audio tracks (two on disc one and one on disc two). The cuts from Berlin and Brixton '05 are both inspired, delightful picks whilst Cat's In The Well from two years earlier is not bad either.
COMMENT Ten years on from one of the high water marks of his long and extraordinary career (see D491.su2) and Bob is back in Prague for a fourth time around – and his fourth venue too. In the mid-nineties it was Sportovni Hala ('94) and Palác Kultury ('95). Then, new decade, new millennium and he plays first the T-Mobile Arena ('03) followed by the Sazka (that's "Lottery") Arena in '05. Changin' times indeed.
THANKS FA, Buda too.
STARS Opinion over the current band is sharply divided. But Schmooze Bob, Nightclub Bob, whatever you may think of him, his players and their collective work, what's beyond dispute is that D654.su showcases it for your approval (or not) very well indeed. Cold-shoulder notwithstanding, a well-deserved five.

*Until D729.su came along!

to my mind, #D654.su is the most enjoyable circulating DVD from Europe Fall Tour 2005 to date.

Video source features great colors and Excellent camera work, panning the stage and zooming in and out expertly. Each band member is captured more or less individually, along with a variety of mid- and long-range shots that show the Band working out together. Unobstrusive yet dynamic, really a pleasure to watch. Great work Buda!
Unfortunately, the tightest shots are pretty fuzzy, and I honestly enjoy the mid range shots the most, as they are full of great lifelike colors and detail, and the viewer can see everyone working at once.
The cameraman makes the absolute most of a less than ideal seat to produce a very nice document.

The audio source is top notch, audio/video sync and authoring also of the Highest standard.

The performances are fine if not firey. The band is swinging very nicely, clearly coming together as a unit. Since the latest line-up came on tour I've thought that Denny Freeman is the sleeper, and I find more evidence in these performances. Dylan is on his game, although his vocal range and tone are showing a bit of the road, and he delivers with conviction and focus through most of the night.. Tell Me That it Isn't True, Moonlight, Watching the River Flow, a couple standouts in my mind, but the whole show is more or less on.

A tight and professional outing, skillfully recorded and presented on DVD. Many thanks to the Author/Filmer/Taper/Seeders....and especially to Bob Dylan.