Dylan’s Americanarama Tour gave fans what they expect in West Valley City Utah
Bob Dylan “Love Sick” recorded on the Americanarama tour (Scott Tamburinno)
The 2013 Bob Dylan Americanarama tour, featuring Wilco and My Morning Jacket, has overcome audience fatigue with Dylan’s voice and re-arrangements by including a clever mix of bands that appeal to younger audiences.
Bob Dylan has got mixed reviews for decades but in the last few years his detractors got more vocal. This year things have changed.
Salt City Weekly music writer Jeff Miesbauer wrote (Bob Dylan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket at Usana) “Thursday night at the Usana Amphitheater, Bob Dylan delivered a night of unforgettable music, with help from Wilco, My Morning Jacket and Ryan Bingham. Given such an impressive lineup, the festival had a lot to live up to.”
“Next up were folk-rock heroes My Morning Jacket, setting the tone of the night with a jangly “Heartbreakin’ Man” and a couple of tunes from their latest album, Circuital. Then, as if part of the show, the sun broke through the clouds just as lead singer Jim James picked the opening notes of “Golden.” After a slew of signature slow jams and hard-hitting staples, John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco joined the band for a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart,” the first of the night’s many collaborations.”
At the end of his sets at Americanarama, Dylan has been inviting the bands to jam on The Band’s classic “The Weight” perhaps as a tribute to backing band-mate Levon Helm who died last year. In Hoboken, NJ, on July 26, 2013, Bob Dylan invited Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and Peter Wolf of The J. Geils Band to join him for a cover the classic anthem. (soundstreamNYC)
“Wilco manned the stage under a sinking sun, taking the crowd on a memorable musical odyssey. Frontman Jeff Tweedy started things off with an acoustic “Less Than You Think” before the band joined in with the layered piano of “Poor Places.” The highlights came in droves, but the most surreal moment was hearing the soft, jazz-inspired opening notes of “Impossible Germany” while every cloud in the sky bled orange, pink and purple. Keeping the collaborative energy alive, My Morning Jacket joined Wilco for a colossal cover of The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows” to end their monumental set.”
“Live Sick” by Bob Dylan on Americanarama Tour, as good as it gets.
“As the stars emerged, so did Bob Dylan & His Band. After seeing Dylan perform a few times, it’s clear that his shows are like playing Russian roulette with a revolver full of rusty bullets that always hit the mark. His band elevated his gravelly garbles, sinister lyrics and harmonica riffs with swampy blues and banjo licks.”
“The undisputed highlight of the night came when Dylan welcomed back Jeff Tweedy, Jim James and Ryan Bingham to cover The Band’s “The Weight.” When Bingham took his turn with the mic, the reason for this festival resonated: to remind the younger crowd where some of today’s greatest Americana music came from, while showing the older crowd where it’s headed. Bringing these generations together keeps the musical roots alive while opening minds to new possibilities, which is the essence of Americana music.”
With coverage from Salt Lake City Blogs
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