Sunday, November 23, 2008

Riding on Frozen Ground

I had a great escape to the Sandilands with Pat & Ed - taking on the "roller-coaster" section of a trail that follows the main escarpment on the west side of the park.
We drove in through the clear-cut section (the aftermath of a fire) and got to the trailhead - unloaded the bikes and sped effortlessly over the frozen ground.
Sure some the hills' traction was compromised by the light snow but for the most part - the riding was fast. I went solo for the last half - taking a different trail than the others - I felt I need some alone time both mentally & spiritually - it was good!
Not sure how many kms I put on - about a dozen I'm guessing. I'm definitely out-of-shape compared to summer but I did surprisingly well. I hope it isn't the last ride of the year - we'll see if I can escape again this next weekend?

Monday, November 03, 2008

Bob Dylan Concert - 11.02.08

For whatever reason - my Sunday only really started at 7:45pm when Dylan walked onto the stage at the MTS Centre. I suppose the time-change messed up my wiring because I was dragging my feet until the show started. Wow. WOW! Bob Dylan and His Band simply blew my preconceptions away.
That's right - Mr. Dylan playing some gee-tar!

I was expecting his voice to be somewhat mumbling & rambling but whoever was doing sound was spot on - his voice was perfect and musically the band was tight. Some of the songs listed below were completely reinvented - which is typical Dylan I'm told and I wish I could get some recordings of it.
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right had these amazing guitar parts that reminded me of a modern Moonlight Sonata (I joked with my sister who joined me for the show that Dylan had written that too).
My personal favs included: Don't Think Twice,Highway 61, I Still Believe, Ain't Talkin, Thunder on the Mountain, and the two closing numbers in the encore totally rocked - Rolling Stone & All Along The Watchtower! So there ya have it - I once again witnessed a legendary musician. It's been a good year of live music for me!
Setlist:
1. Rainy Day Women #12 & 35
2. The Times They Are A-Changin'
3. The Levee's Gonna Break
4. Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
5. 'Til I Fell In Love With You
6. Simple Twist Of Fate
7. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
8. I Believe In You
9. Desolation Row
10. Blind Willie McTell
11. Summer Days
12. Nettie Moore
13. Highway 61 Revisited
14. Ain't Talkin'
15. Thunder On The Mountain
Encore:
16. Like A Rolling Stone
17. All Along The Watchtower
Bob Dylan "prancing" on the stage...you go Mr. Zimmerman!
Band Members
Bob Dylan - keyboard, guitar, harp
Tony Garnier - bass
George Recile - drums
Stu Kimball - rhythm guitar
Denny Freeman - lead guitar
Donnie Herron - viola, banjo, electric mandolin, pedal steel, lap steel