The Wallflowers put on an energetic performance at the Recher Theater in Towson, Maryland, on Thursday, April 17, 2003. Jakob Dylan's fellow Wallflowers featured Rami Jaffee on keyboards, Greg Richling on bass, Buckcherry guitarist Yogi on guitar, and Malcom Cross on drums.

     Jakob Dylan, son of Bob Dylan, led the band through a hard-hitting set of original rockers during their evening appearance. As the house lights were turned down, a taped musical interlude accompanied the band as they assembled on stage.

     The Wallflowers kicked off with "Everybody Get Out Of The Water", a strong rocker off their new effort that set the pace for the intimate concert. Their live take on "Three Ways" had the feel and sound of a Bruce Springsteen groove. Jaffee's subtle organ guided the song into a drifting coda.

     Before launching into "One Headlight", Dylan joked with a member of the audience reaching out for him. He said safety precautions dictated his stage actions and offered to play a song for him. The crowd sang along on the power chorus in the mid-tempo rocker.

     The Wallflowers performed a cover of Elvis Costello's "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding". Cross began the number crashing in on his drumkit. Dylan's vocals now sounded a wee bit like Costello. Dylan was making a silent musical commentary on current world affairs.

     The Towson throng began stomping their feet upon the venue floor for The Wallflowers to return for an encore. Dylan appeared on stage sporting an acoustic guitar joined by Jaffee on keyboards and sang the power ballad "Angel On My Bike". A mellow acoustic version of "Mourning Train" followed.

     Dylan welcomed the full band back on stage to complete the encore set, introducing the musicians on their instruments. Commenting to the crowd, "Check this out", the band rocked on "The Difference". Yogi played his last lead guitar solo as an encore finale to cheers and applause from the audience.

     After the concert, Jakob Dylan greeted his fans outside behind the venue before boarding the tour bus. Surprisingly, Dylan took the time to sign autographs and pose for photographs for almost any fan that asked. His generous accessibility pleased his adoring fans, waiting on the chilly parking lot.

Towson setlist: Everybody Get Out Of The Water * Three Marlenas * Bleeders * How Good It Can Get * If You Never Got Sick * Letters From The Wasteland * Three Ways * Witness * One Headlight * See You When I Get There * When You're On Top * Too Late Too Quit * (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding * I Wish I Felt * Sleepwalker * Everything I Need * Encore: Angel On My Bike * Mourning Train * The Difference

RockonTour   Issue #20
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A Sonflower in full bloom
The Wallflowers entertain fans of all ages

by Timothy Tilghman