The Wallflowers. At this point I have lot count of the shows I have attended as a fan of Jacob Dylan and his band but who is counting? I don’t want to re-hash the past as “they say” whoever “they” are. I just want to add a few notes here on my on-going journal to try to track my live music adventures. I readily admit I have only captured half of what I see due to time to get this updated but this site does help me try to remember what I saw and maybe even help remember when it was. The last time I saw this band it was in the same building in 2023. The show was incredible and I was in the same place I was for this packed house. I was right in front of the microphone stand that belonged to Jacob Dylan. I wanted to watch the entire band and hear the music coming from the amps instead of the PA. I wanted to see the guitars up close and watch the band interact. That is how I connect with music. I like to feel the vibes coming off the performers and watch the chords they are playing. I really enjoy the subtle eye contact and how the music happens on the stage. I like the guitar pedals and looking at how things are wired on the stage. As you sit there with earplugs in and a dB meter on your phone reporting 105 dB you know to protect your hearing with professional earplugs. For a long time now I have. In the early days I have used the cotton from cigarette filters. That was a long time ago but I knew even then. My hearing is very important to me. You gotta’ maintain that ability to hear the frequency spectrum if you love music like I do. It is my passion. Enough of that.
This was a standing show so I made sure I got in line at what I thought was early. I found out I was standing next to a 21 year old guy who was a huge fan and had never been to a concert! He had been in line since 2:00! That was four hours before I got there. On the other side of me was a girl from Los Angeles who followed the band around and she had been there that long too! I was happy to be surrounded by fans like this. When the 21 year old guy started rocking I started smiling and Jacob Dylan was watching him. Jacob is very interactive with a crowd which is one of the things I love about the man. Late in the show he gave him a fist pump and I grabbed one too. That was after a rousing ovation and the crowd roaring it’s approval for song after song, playing hit after hit.
I really had a great night listening to these guys play. I love the music collection and the way they enjoy what they are doing. The road is tough. Travel can be tough even on a fancy million dollar bus or a plane. I appreciate someone leaving a ton of energy on a stage night after night.
Most of the time I prefer to leave photos of me off my page but I have to use this one to tell a story. After the show I went outside to talk to about a half dozen friends who were at the show but were never close to me as I am the person who wants to be close to the stage. We were all chatting about the show and watching Jacob interacting with a few people near the bus not far from our cars. So I lamented about not bringing a vinyl for him to sign. I love signed art.
Well. We stood there a while and watched and it was not long before we found our way over to the small crowd to listen and take a few photos. Jacob is an awesome human. He is very down to earth and very nice. He is a blast to talk to. We had a conversation about Warren Zevon and his recent induction into the Rock Hall. I could have talked to Jacob for a few hours about all the things he has done. One of my favorites is “Echo in the Canyon” the documentary he was in. I have the DVD and vinyl recordings. You should go watch that one.
That is most of what I will write tonight. I have a story or three for another day. Go see the Wallflowers. The music is incredible.
And before I go Mike Campbell….You should invite Jacob to play with you. Jacob told me that. I intentionally wore the shirt I had on to this show.
Jacob ends his sets with at least two Tom Petty songs that rock. Mike should do this asap and someone let me know where it is. I will be there.
See ya down the road.