bob. – an interpretation of Dylan, and a collection of Upstate New York’s finest musicians – wrapped up a short Northeast run at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, May 10.
With a full sound pulling from the deep catalog of Bob Dylan, Vinnie Amico and Al Schnier from moe. were joined by Charley Orlando (Dexter Grove, Ruha, Pearly Baker’s Best) on guitar, Brian Lauri (Ruha, Pearly Baker’s Best, Root Shock) on keys and Zach Fleitz (Floodwood) on bass.
While there are plenty of cover and tribute bands that celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead, Phish, The Beatles, and Queen, among others, there are not many bands that play the music of Bob Dylan exclusively (The Band has a fair number of cover bands, including The The Band Band).
This general dearth of Dylan cover or tribute bands is partially because Dylan is still touring, and any band worth their salt (for salt) has a Dylan cover or two in their catalog. So when bob. announced their May run of shows, the chance to see two full sets of Dylan’s music – particularly the songs you want to hear, the hits, the singalongs, the deep cuts and the ballads – and hear them performed by five musicians dialed in from years of playing together, is not one to pass up.
The show opened with a live rarity for Dylan, Nashville Skyline‘s “Tonight I will be Staying With You,” followed by “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” The middle of the set tackled “Outlaw Blues” and “Idiot Wind” before heading into Dead territory with “When I Paint My Masterpiece,” “Peggy-O,” “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again,” “Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)”
After a brief setbreak, the band hit the ground running with “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Positively 4th Street,” followed by another Bring it Back Home track, “She Belongs to Me.” An impressive and passionate “Isis” was followed by an upbeat “Forever Young,” sung by Al Schnier. “Simple Twist of Fate” had a meandering intro and was more upbeat than studio or JGB versions. “All Along the Watchtower” featured Vinnie Amico on vocals (a rarity to experience) followed by the third of four Blood on the Tracks tracks this evening, “Meet me in the Morning.” The set closed with “Tough Mama” and “Tangled Up in Blue,” with the crowd singing along.
An encore of “Maggie’s Farm” had the vocals shared around by all, with Schnier taking the lead on “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” to close the night. With a lineup and catalog like this, bob. an interpretation of Dylan, is a must see the next time they’re on the road.
Catch them next at Saranac Thursdays in Old Forge on Thursday, July 3.
bob. – an interpretation of Dylan – Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs – Saturday, May 10, 2025
Set 1: Tonight I will be Staying With You, Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues, It Takes a Lot to Laugh It Takes a Train to Cry, Outlaw Blues, Idiot Wind, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Peggy-O, Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
Set 2: Like a Rolling Stone, Positively 4th Street, She Belongs to Me, Isis, Forever Young, Simple Twist of Fate, All Along the Watchtower, Meet me in the Morning, Tough Mama > Tangled Up in Blue
Encore: Maggie’s Farm, You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
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