--------------------------------------

From: Chris L Smith

Sorry if this has been posted already. The Buffalo concert 5/3/97 was
only the second Bob concert I have ever attended, the other being his
8/20/96 Rochester performance. For having the flu, Bob sounded
incredible! He commented that he was less talkative because he'd rather
give 90 minutes of great music than lower quality music and more talk. I
think he seemed pleasantly suprised at his vocals last night; he jokingly
staggerd off of stage after his acoustics, but seemed more jovial as he
returned for the electric encore.

-------------------------------------

From: Paul Hilcoff

Saturday's Buffalo show was still more remarkable, though few in the
audience were likely aware of the reason:  Bob could barely even *talk*
before the show--he'd blown out his voice at the end of the Toronto set--
and was afraid he wouldn't be able to sing at all.  He somehow managed to
"sing around" the problem (no audience participation proved necessary) in
a way that made his voice sound as strong as ever, and even dared to
produce some classic screams during "Poison Years" that brought whoops
of appreciation from the audience.  It was a real tour de force.  After
the show he still couldn't talk.

The venue in Buffalo, the Tralfamadore Cafe (even more difficult to locate
than it is to pronounce), had just opened its doors the night before, and
is the latest in a string of new and restored entertainment spots to open
in the up-and-coming theatre district.  Buffalo's doing something right
here, sinking some money into the arts as a way to revitalize the downtown,
and it seems to be working.  The Tralf, built with room sound in mind, is
a very comfortable night club, more reminiscent of a jazz or supper club,
its new carpet a welcome contrast to the slurry of spilled beer and D-Con
that passes for a floor covering the typical rock club.