Hopeing for a Tom Thumb, Passanger, and anything where Warren Haynes shows up.

Count on at least one gratuitous big reaction NY reference, a la Shakedown (no specific mention but
'don't tell me this town' section always goes over huge), Thumb, Truckin' or Ramble On Rose.
Hoping for Warren and Susan to rip up Lovelight.

Almost guarantee that we'll get Warren to sit in for awhile.

Dark Star>mountain jam

I was wondering about a possible Warren visit; he only lives a few miles downtown from MSG and d/n seem to be on tour anywhere at the moment

GEEWIZ GETS THE DARK STAR RIIGHT BUT HOW ABOUT BRANFORD SHOWING UP FOR OLD TIMES SAKE. HI DEWIT! PLAN YOUR BATHROOM STOP CAREFULLY.

"Dark Star>mountain jam "

-Nice geewiz. Hey man, nice shaking your hand in CT friday. How do you hang out with JETS fans an entire show? amazes me.

DARK STAR!!
PLAY IT PHIL!

ROooooooCK-A-PaaaaaaRTY!

one more day 'til we hear a brokedown!

Comments on what has been the hottest show on the tours so far? ALbany, Philly, MCI ???????

one word only

Thats it for the other one in its entiredy

section 311 row g

sat at philly. msg will be a contender.

it's all good

leavin work @ 5:15.
NJtransit Newark Penn @5:50
NY penn by 6:25 latest.

WHERE ARE WE TYIN ONE ON?

Firefly
Can you see me?
shine on, glowing
Brief and brightly

Guess UJB isn't happening

Hope is alive for Passenger, Greatest Story. I like the Brokedown call above.

Bring on Mr.Haynes

greg, I'm planning to go wherever Monty and the crew go. my vote is for somewhere a couple blocks away so as to avoid the crowds. any thoughts?

timing: I'll get there around 6; glen and gail will be there around 6:30; bill, lainer and chappy are taking the train from summit, but I don't know what train

"greg, I'm planning to go wherever Monty and the crew go. my vote is for somewhere a couple blocks away so as to avoid the crowds. any thoughts?"

-2 or 3 blocks sounds cool. Pick a place paul. Or if chappy and crew have one in mind, maybe we should send an email this afternoon. no sit down bs. We need quick , efficent and easy access to beer and shots. The blarney stones will be packed. So, FOLKS START THROWIN OUT IDEAS.

LET WARREN SING!!!

"The blarney stones will be packed."

unless its the one that use to have the cornbeef buffet table set up. Big bar, possiblity. GD jukebox.

greg, check out the email I just sent you

what's the opener?

Best MSG area bar is O'Reily's.

When ya come up the big escalator on 7th ave make a right on 7th and go to 31 st

Make left on 7th and head east.

O'Reily's is on the right hand side of the street between 6th ave and B'way.

No crowds, some of the best Guiness in Manhattan, decent jukebox, great food and did I mention no crowds????

I should be over there at some point if I can pry myself away from my room at The Penn.

Usual suspects (aka greg/beth/paul/GC/Brick/Rich etc) or anyone else lookin to hook up preshow for a kind word and a smile shoot me an e mail or call my cell. Feel free to stop by the room with a 6 pack.....they gonna be a party goin on!!!!!

Otherwise Ill try to hit O'Rielys for one pre-show!

After what they did in PHIL-ly cant wait to see what they have for us in "the worlds most famous arena"

Hey NL- were you hanging out in Legends at the HI at all on Saturday?

now that sounds a bit more off the beaten path

figure it out, let me know.
Dickhead -aka bossman just through me another pile of shit. Looks like im tentative pre-game again. Ill check back later.

face it bro', you love that place

WE WANT THE WORLD AND WE WANT IT.....

NOW!

should we call you the Lizard King?

greg, I'd be cool with O'Reily's if the rest of the NJ crowd is; it seems pretty convenient for most of you train folks, real easy for me, and a bit of walk for gail and glen, but they could use the exercise! lemme know

Chris, I'll pass on the hotel (but thanks for the offer) as we have a big group to connect with; but if we can get the group oriented towards your bar, then we can hoist a few with you there

>>Hey NL- were you hanging out in Legends at the HI at all on Saturday?

Was lookin for the black hat but didnt find it.

Had a few Bloody Mary's at Legends then wandered around the rooms.

PHILly ROCKED

Damn boy...sorry we missed each other...we were sitting at one of the small round tables right near the bar...

We wandered some rooms as well...

I'll email you when I get home, and shoot you my cell #....should be up around MSG about 4 or so tomorrow...

kewl man lets hook up at msg

chris, we'll be at your bar O'Reilly's around 6. what time will you swing by?

how far is O'reilly's from MSG? I'm not too familiar with the city--can you eat there too? Anyone else wearing PHilzone shirts?

1 block south and 1 1/2 blocks east; they have food

Checkin in at 3 partyin up in the room.

Hopefully meetin Brick and SI.

Looking to hit O'Reileys hopefully at 6 30.

Will have a green hat on for EZ spottin.

O'Reilys is 2 blocks from MSG, just head east on 31 street. Ya cant miss it.

They have tables in the back and I never had to wait, even when cutin it close to a game or a show.

Warning: the burgers are those FAT irish bar burgers YUMMY

o'reilly's it will be for althea and old friends. probably arriving at 5:30 ish....I may be wearing a philzone shirt, but maybe not.
Come and say hi.

sure will.
worked 13-1/2 f-n hours today. Earned my get out of jail free card. See ya at O'reileys 6:30 pending.

Where are the reviews? Somebody hook me up, I'm dyin over here!

I guess it would be good if I had the right day!

Is O'Reilly's strictly a bar or is it 'restaurant' enough to tote a kid (pre-teen, not a toddler)?

A little wishful Thinking...
See you all tonight...

1/2 Step
Sailor--->Saint
Ramble On Rose
China--->
11---->
Dark Star V1--->
Passenger (with Warren)

Weather Report Suite--->
Eyes---->
Dark Star V2--->
D/S---->
Other One--->
Wharf Rat--->(with Warren)
Throwing Stones--->
Lovelight--->(with Warren/Susan)

Brokedown

sounds good to me, laugher, but don't you think we'll get the Crazy Fingers tonight? alos, if warren shows, don't you think we'll get some nice psychedelia, e.g., Low Spark?

low spark,
doubt it.

30 minute lovelight!

SHINE, SHINE, SHINE!!!

LET WARREN SING!

you doubt it, but you're sure Warren will show up?

and now that I think about it, why not cryptical or new potato?

>>>Is O'Reilly's strictly a bar or is it 'restaurant' enough to tote a kid (pre-teen, not a toddler)?

The bar is right there when you walk in and the restaurant part is in the back behind the bar. They do have booths in the bar area, so it should be kewl. I dont think they will let him or her sit at the bar, but ya should be fine at a booth. Worst case scenario just order some fries or something.

Yeeee-haaaaaa its show day!!!!!

An MSG show sure has been a LONG time coming.

Only hard part of the day is trying to concentrate on work.

Cant wait to see ya all tonite!

Safe travels folks!

(now please dont let me find myself in Wo-Hop at 2 am)

haha!!!
DUDE, THE MSG WILL KILL YOU!

Yup like the song says

If the MSG dont get ya then the MSG will!!!!!!

hehehe

Wo-Hop is the shit. Good call.

how about a nice Born Cross Eyed or Cryptical as well?....

Tsingtao!
Tsingtao!

LMFAO greg

Nuthin beats stumblin into wo hop about 3 am and having the following convo:

NL: beef HICCUP fried rice and shwiiinnngg toooo

Waiter: Scuse me?

NL: shwinggggg toooooo shwingggg toooo

Waiter: huh?

NL: sorry brother, just bring me some HICCUP beer and ANYTHING to chew on

Waiter: ok coming rite up!

Too damn funny

dude, you should see paul walk in there. he starts banging on the counter and yelling at them. unbelievable. just check your food before you eat it.

I'm meeting up with Keyshawn and Fritz in Milford,Ct. @4:00pm and we'll be headin' down to the Gawden.I hope to meet up w/you again Greg and S.I.


see ya there!

oh...

Sugar Mag to open

dark star>too>darkstar>too>mountainjam>lovelight
E:Brokedown(always in NYC)

Althea, we have too many people to meet so the leader of the pack picked another pre-game spot. See you at the break...

listen here, youngsters: I've been eating good-tasting food from their dirty restaurant (Wo-Hop) since you guys were in grammar school! these chinese guys don't give a rats ass about the warm and fuzzy approach; in fact they're more likely to spit in your food if your trying too hard to kiss their butts!

LMFAO!

-saw that one coming!

NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Speaking of trains, according to njtransit.com, the last northeast corridor train leaves at 11:36 - the philly shows were supposed to start at 7 and didn't end until after 11, i'm figuring tonight since the ticket says 7:30, it will go until after 11:30, especially if warren's in the house for an encore or something. will they send another train or will i be "Down & Out in New York City?"

You may miss the encore. 11:30 curfew is what I heard. Also heard that if Warren is there, he probably won't play.

soup nothing, you haven't lived until you've sucked down a few dozen ribs in black bean sauce - for the uninitiated, these are little bite size ribs that you pop in your mouth and suck all the meat off of, one at a time. simply must be experienced; and just remember, all restaurants in NY have roaches, they're just not so well hidden at Wo Hop!

Yips has the best!

>>Yips has the best!

good one, dewit; you almost tricked me into a debate, but I know you're just chain-pulling

Nah, Yips, the downtown one by the old 4 WTC was the best. All the chinamen in my company ordered from there only!!!

Wo Hop Baby Back Ribs and black bean sauce!

>chinamen

I love it!

how do you know they are REAL chinamen dewit?

Flash Dancers 1674 Broadway

a good pre game for the smut minded zoner


how about a little "silver apples in the sun" tonight

Stan Ho and Benny Wong? Neither spoke English well when they had to respond to something they didn't want to do...they were real, trust me, and good folks. Benny knew what to order...and the ribs were great. Still need to check out the place you all are talking about though.

On my way, its showtime!!!!

you gonna be there tonight Mr. Skins? you can give me some shit about the f&%^ing Giants!

I got bombarded by Giant fans as soon as walked into the office the Monday after you guys took us down...This Monday I had but one word for my harassers "karma". The worst part of the game for all fans of the NFL was watching Strahan and Sehorn joke around after such a tough loss. Folks were going nuts on WFAN yesterday.

I'll be there wearing a "Buffalo Dead 1990" shirt

see you at Flash Dancers??

>>you haven't lived until you've sucked down a few dozen ribs in black bean sauce

Now THAT folks is what I am talking about!!!!

NUTHIN but NUTHIN goes down better after a hard nite of partying

And if you ever snuck into the Village from Jersey for some under age drinking as a kid you know Wo-Hops!

and if you ever were hammered at your fraternity in Newark at 4AM and decided to see how fast you could make it to Wo Hop, you know about ribs in black bean sauce!

>>see you at Flash Dancers??

nope, I'm sticking with the O'Reilly's plan; why don't you drop by between lap dances?

I'll try, depends on how the old LIE treats me. I'll be splittin time between section 214 and 12 tonight.

My dream>>>>>

Greatest Story>Pride of Cucamonga

I like the Warren "Wharf Rat" wish

bring it on

ok guys Im off to the hotel

see ya all at OReily's between 6 and 630

How about the show guys ???

Peace.

3 Sets Tonight Its going to be rage. Mpulls said so.


bertha>
shakedown
ramble on rose>
big river
hard to handle>
China
Rider

set 2

Help
Slip
Frankies>
Bird Song
Drums
THE OTHER ONE
DARK STAR
ST. STEPHEN
N.F.A
ST.STEPHEN
SUGAR MAGS............


Set 3
HERE COMES SUNSHINE
LET IT GROW
MASTERPIECE (acoustic)
PASSENGER
DEAL TO GO DOWN.
SUGAREE
TENNESSEE JED
TRUKIN
CASEY JONES
E> I NEED A MIRACLE> LOVELIGHT

anyone else think rob reminds them of brent the way he does backup vocals
i love rob and brent.
makes you realize how much vince and bruce sucked

11.26.2002 MSG- NYC SET 1} Viola Lee Blues* # > AIKO-AIKO* , Music Never Stopped*, Alligator* Jam{UJB Tease}> Baba Jingo*, Shakedown Street* > GoodLovin*~ #=full version,*=w/ST Thanks Taper Rob, Dewit and Frankl, FL.!!

Hunter MSG > Box,Candyman>Easy Wind>MrCharlie>Easy Wind,Wharf Rat>DAYS BETWEEN>Ripple>Boyz in Barroom

Taper Rob Rocks.!!!!

Looks like a SMOKIN's first set!

For what it's worth, I thought Bruce was awesome, and Vince completely sucked. Brent was my favorite...

I WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IF I WOULD HAVE DRIVEN FOR CANADA FOR THIS ONE FIRST SET NOT WHAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED FOR NYC. MAYBE THERE GETTING TIRED IT SOUNDS LIKE PHILLY AND BOSTON 2ND NIGHT ARE THE BEST SO FAR. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO COME TO CANADA EH.

Looks pretty darn good to me....

Canada? I hope The Other Ones decide to do a spring tour ... play Hamilton, Ontario, Canada or some place up north there again; I'd road trip for that TOO show!

* Nice looking Hunter set.

* Nice lookin TOO set, also.

Must be the Canadian exchange rate. Devalues everything

2nd set????????????????????????????

(thanks Taperrob & Dewit)

Set 1: Viola (full version)> Iko Iko, Music Never Stopped, Alligator> Jelly (Uncle John's tease)> Baba Jingo, Shakedown>Good Lovin' {all with Susan}

Hunter: Box of Rain, Candyman>Easy Wind>Mr. Charlie> Easy Wind> Wharf Rat, Days Between> Ripple, Boys in the Barroom

Set 2: Tomorrow Never Knows> Jelly> Dark Star v.1> Watchtower> Spacy Jelly> Darkstar v.2> Jelly> Cryptical> The Other One v.1> Drumz> Space> The Other One v.2> The Wheel> Lovelight (Susan and Warren singing - Derek & Warren playing) E: Sugar Mag

Did Phil sing Dark Star?

why, its looks it was a hot show, finally the other one. how was the energy in the garden? I've seen atleast 20-30 dead show 1987-1995, and one thing I remember about the garden, was the energy that place has, One of the most pumped up grouds I can remember, for any concert. Was warren a supprise? have fun out west everyone.

Are these guys going to keep on truckn' or what? It's been pretty damn good so far. I hope they are all having as much fun as the rest of us. The music is one thing the community is another. "Only the Strange Remain" "The bus came by and I got on and that's where it all began. It was captain Neil at the wheel of the bus to never never land." "Some climb, some fall, some try to get to TERRAPIN!!!" That's it for the other one!! Sorry I could not make it tonight.

excellent show!!!! extremely trippy at times very rocking at times. highlights...

SHAKEDOWN
GOOD LOVIN (totally ripping and major energy in MSG)

The entire 2nd set was sweet. They FINALLY turned the sound up and let us have IT!!!
Very tasty and not too drawn out TNK's-->Dark Star V1 dreamy and sweet, the band was locked in no one stood out in particular but the whole place just started to really lock in. Up to this point it seemed like every body was really trying to get off and the Dark Star just got every one where they wanted to be and the rest of the set was an easy rocking fat ride--->Watchtower (Jimmy had been ripping all night and this was no exception) continuing the psychediclic theme this fit perfectly right before another round of Dark Star and then PHIL took over during---->CRYPTICAL the place was going nuts at this point and by the time the hit the TOO all bets were off, on all cylinders, the band just took off....

D>>>>

S>>>>

right back to where they where into TOO V2, into a fine version of the Wheel, totally back to rocking reality (yet still quite trippy). At the end of the Wheel they did a vocal Jam (at a few points they did obviously rehearesed reworked vocal jams at the end of certain tunes definitly catching all of us hard coar listnesrs off guard, which is always nice, these tunes inclued Shakedown, Music Never Stopped, and back to the Wheel) that sounded very much like they where going into Uncle John's ala Fox Theater '77, but instead...

Both Derek Trucks and Warren showed up for a ripping set closer LOVELIGHT!!!!

First of all I called the Lovelight closer with Warren at 8:24 eastern standard time this morning earlier on this thread please feel free to take note (probably my only correct call all night but that's ok) and

2nd this Lovelight was all about the LOVE. SOOO GOOOOD to really see all the bad blood behind all the increadible musicians and people on stage and them just being up there TOTALLY FUCKING LOVING IT. It was truly awesome , no egos, no my verse, my solo, my band, JUST LETS ALL JAM AND EVERYBODY HAVE GOOD TIME

LET IT SHINE, SHINE, SHINE, SHINE, LET IT SHINE!!!!!

THe encore was also superb. Sugar Mag is always a great closer and this was no exception.

A great night of Grateful Dead Music and from my vantage point fun had by all.

peace and love,
bones

by the way Susan kicks ass and she was sweet all night but especially during back ups on Music Never Stopped, which were conspicuously absent last week during the 2nd set at Brendan Byrne

Thanks for the review. Nothing better than good Ol' GD no holds bar and no attitudes allowed. JERRY STYLE!! Thanks family! See you in the spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a day!
Waiting for my flight to Laguardia I realized I had left my MSG tickets at home. To make a long story short, my flight got delayed an hour and I convinced my friends to break down my front door and bring me the tickets at the airport. Almost missed the flight, but I made it even with the extensive search of my belongings....bastards almost tried to keep me from bringing a piece of Tibetan quartz on the plane because it was big and fucked up the xrays. So I got my tickets...as for the show-I'll try to focus on the music from here on out. Found my seats on the perIphery of the tapers section. Lights dim and Viola Lee!?!?! Not what I was expecting but it reminded me of a coupla zoners who I knew had smiles on their faces. Pretty tight version in to Iko Iko. Quite clear they are trying to raise the roof and doing a pretty good job of it. The crowd was into it and the keyboards were all over the place. Music Never Stop hits and someone brings to my attention that I am in seat 15 instead of 1. Oops. Cool wind comes on tuesday as I'm bouncing to a new seat. And the band kept playing on. I started really dancing in my new spot, which lacked a big old crack to the depths below. Alligator!!!!! I knew the zoners were eating this up and I once again thought of some Jersey reviews raving Viola and Alligator. I was a little disappointed with the lack of clarity in the vocals, and I was right in the center too. Still, they threw it down and really jammed it out. Next thing you know it's baba jingo and I'm expecting to be let down but instead Jimmy lit it up and Mickey didn't sound half-bad. As soon as they DROPPED shakedown on us it was over. Not the most powerful version ever....kinda lacked the upper disco funk tones, but it still had the place hoppin. When Good Lovin' hit us up side the head, everyone was ecstatic. Susan definately lit this one up.

I can't even begin to describe the second set.

thanks for the review.. cannot wait for them to land back home here in december..

and yes the BOYS ARE BACK IN STYLE AND LOVE IS REAL - NOT FADE AWAY..

sooooo good to see them all together as one.. warren is the man - looks like good vibes all around - and SUSAN ROCKS and should remain permanent member as she can rip on guitar too and contributes to the vibe seemingly well!

she always smoked when she sits in with PLQ..

will they play 'passenger" ya think???

LET IT GROW !!!

What kind of crazy shit was that tonight? It was all so fragmented and spacy. Bob really showed what it is to play GD music. He saved the day IMHO. All those guitarists on stage during Lovelight and not much really happening. Jimmy sure missed alot of cues and seemed more off than usual. At moments though it was spectacular. Good lovin' turned into a great jam and Phil sang the Star verses with finesse and the voice of an angel. There was a lot of confusion up there tonight. Maybe it was just me.

or maybe I can. Quick and quiet jam in to Tommorow. Good way to set the mood and begin the trip with something surreal. Parting the curtains into the almost inevitable Dark Star, those who had made into the temple of the Garden were met with a hypnotic crashing of celestial bodies. The psychedelic sceens, previously featuring an array of underwater scenes, gels, patterns and swirls, now pictured man walking on the moon and some picutres of a rising sun. All Along the Watchtower comes along and I realize they've brought this one to me at 3 out of the last 4 shows I've been to-always with a DS or Crypie. This one was particularly rocking and I would have really been able to appreciate it some guy would have stopped trying to tap me and tell me things, dance up against me, or infringe upon my ability to stay with the music. Finally I had to point at the mics 2 feet in front of me to shut him up and he started saying fuck the tapes, they aren't the same as being there. Whatever, I was glad when he got the message and moved on. After some crazy although not neccessarily cohesive exploration they return to the second verse and brought everyone back aboard. Nice vocal jam at the end too. I thought I had heard a TOO tease earlier in the set, and I had a feeling they were going to deliver the goods, so I wasn't surprised when I heard the crippie. After dancing through some lily fields, I found the drum's rhythm taking over until Mickey culminated the power in his repeated and rapid strikes of the BiG One. A little bit of percussion followed that reminded me of a 90 shoreline tape, and the space soon disappeared. Some guitar noodling slowly brought the other one back until they locked into a jam and next thing you know cowboy neal is at the wheel and he's not the only one! Energetic wheel-I was almost expecting to hear thunder like in Portsmouth this summer. Crowd goes crazy when Warren comes on and the love in that room during the lovelight made me feel like I was in a pentacoatal church. Susan shined and I felt warm all over as her voice soothed my soul. Most of the encore was spent with a head who said he had teeshirts older than me. He wasn't too impressed with the night's selection, but I still was feeling the sugar mag whenever he pulled away. Bobby singing his heart out wearing the short shorts. Silly guy. Was hoping for one more song, but was quite satisfied when the lights came on. Randomly bumped into Phil after the show. I don't know exactly why I was waliking where I was, but I bumped into someone near the curb who had just cut through the crowd. "Oops, excuse me" I say to the man in the leather coat who I accidently ran into. I look up and its Phil. Some other people see him and next thing you know he is in the van, but not before I can say "Thanks Phil." Great way to end a great day

I hear ya rob.....Jelly Jam doesn't quite bring the cohesion I've come to expect from a Phil band.

Lovelight was pure bliss -- We absolutely freaked when Warren and Derek came out -- what a fantastic moment!!!

Prepare your self for mindless chatter. OK so they seem to be getting it back together. If Bobby could just remember the lyrics, anyway, wow they love the garden, Warren, Derek,wow-wow, Do you guys remember that point during a show when the vibe got so thick it was like liquid velvet, they were just this close to that tonight. I wish Jimmy(Sunshine)whould delve into the dark side a little more. Don't get me wrong I love him, just would love to see him explore the blues, the pain, Dig alittle deeper. But thats where Warren comes in This man is the definition of soul. remember this is a blues band at the origins. So what do I think, I'll be back, you fuckin better believe I'll be back. The sets are what dreams are made of, its obvious they are working very hard to pull this off, and its working. The tomorrow never knows to open the second set was shaky, but I was behind stage @ that point so could have been mix problem, but still great to hear. Lovelight was ripping, Darkstar had a nice meeeellllttttt.. Cryptical was brewing throughout second set, then it popped. wow great one for a return to NYC
wish I could remember whole setlist 4 you, but just not happening tonight. If you are checking these boards to find out if its close, it is , but its a different band So appreciate Them for the magic they will give you and come out, Tickets were a giveaway, 10-15 dollar tix everywhere. Its almost like 1982 in the lot and the philzone.Lots of old family everywhere, very nice to see everyone out.Make susan play guitar. Let Susan PLay, Let Susan Play She rocks, Derek Trucks you are the luckiest man alive. A wife that cute that can play the blues YEEEEHAAAAAA
Peace and remember its alive

Zone radio finally apprears in the night....could it be 11-26-02....

That was a very strange show. Many, many moments of brilliance, but little cohesion. Much of the meat of the songs were played well, but the transitions were clumsy. Someone above said he thought Jimmy was missing cues, but I thought Bobby really threw done some clunkers, cutting good jams short.
And it was downright weird having 3 spectacular guitarists on stage during lovelight and very little guitar actually being played.
The show had it's definite moments, however. Shakedown's "Don't tell me this town don't have no heart" feels great in every city, and was a really special moment for New York tonight.

Correction: When I last posted after the Meadowlands, I was less-than-enthusiastic, but then I heard a recording of the show on the Zone Radio and it sounds great. All the nuances, the keys and drums -- I swear we couldn't hear half that shit. Sound went right over our heads.

WELL, tonight we had fantastic sound (you have to seek it out) and a great vantage point, and all I can say is: This was a tour-de-force from beginning to end. The show we've all been waiting for; it may achieve legendary status. A privilege to have attended, and inspiring in the sense of seeing these men play with as much energy, effort and joy as they ever have.

With shows like this, you stop writing things down after a while. You lose yourself in the music and run out of superlatives. Only so many times can you put down, "unbelievable Jimmy solo." He was uncannily good and complex tonight, even by his own lofty standards. And so was everyone else. Even caught Billy grinning broadly during The Wheel, so you know it was a good night. Here's a rundown of the highlights from notes and memory.

Viola: Incredible. Long, deep, diverse, powerful. Nice to hear it played straight through. No fooling around. Dueling keyboard solos, then Phil lead them through it, almost soloing, and finally Mr.Herring...
Iko: Really spirited. To come out of the chute with Viola>Iko played in this fashion really set the tone. Thought for sure I heard Cassidy but...
Music Never Stopped: Long and hot middle jam. Of the million notes Jimmy played tonight, don't think he missed any. While Phil cues his songs through the ear monitors, Bobby uses his hands, or, in this case, a big jump going into the funky part. Featured a new ending vocal chant that I hadn't heard.
Alligator: Maybe one of the only mistakes of the evening, the verses were a bit butchered. But then Jimmy rocked.
Baba Jingo: Enjoyed it. Good dual keyboards in the middle.
Shakedown>Good Lovin': A dream pairing for me. Done at Red Rocks '78, one of my first tapes. Nice fuzzy Jimmy guitar during Shakedown, and you could hear Bobby's cool rhythm work. He doesn't quite sing it like Warren but wtf...Intense spacey jam out of it, with Jeff standing up pounding on the back keys. Good Lovin' had old-style intro and closing, and went on longer with "extra" jamming and vocals at the end. Wait til you hear it.

I did seek out some zoners during the break but didn't see anyone I recognized. Was in shorts, happily, since it never got that cold. At press time, this predicted snowstorm is much ado about nothing. A slight drizzle.

Hunter's best song tonight I thought was Days Between. Excellent.

TNK: Warren was spotted backstage and it made me think of the great P&F versions. But this was no slouch either. Trippy, with great lighting and Jimmy ripping...They teased Dark Star to the point where I thought they might not play it but...
Dark Star: YES. Nice opening pace. 3 minutes or so of strong Jimmy and band, then first verse, then meltdown time. Keyboards, guitars, everything dissolving... (I'll let the Dark Star aficionados describe it in detail).
Watchtower: I thought Let It Grow for a second, but my buddy called it a mile away. Achieved major goosebumps. This rocked like you wouldn't believe. Like I said, Jimmy just doesn't miss notes.
D.S. 2nd verse: Rob sang it. Another vocal jam at the end with Bobby repeating "nightfall of diamonds..."
Full Other One w/Drums: Hey by this point it's gravy, but still exceptional. Phil's singing superb on Cryptical. This show just FLOWED. Really no downtime. Fine drums.
Wheel: As mentioned, smiles and grins abounded. I seem to like the Wheel now more than ever.
Lovelight: With Warren and Derek. This was the merging of GD TOO Dog ABB Mule DTB. This was everybody. The culmination of the healing. Warren and Bobby beaming and trading growling vocals with Susan.
Sugar Magnolia: Rocked the house!

Was so glad to be able to see and hear how great these guys are. For full enjoyment, find some speakers and cozy up. It's not the same if you're too far away...

I'm too tired to go into details, I will later.......

After one of the worst rides down in history (I said the 'f' word more times than in the last 10 years combined), plus the snow on the way home, I'm shot.

I'm thinking of Sharon (Althea) & company heading home due north, may they & all be kept safe.

Well, a great show - by MNS it was apparent that they were going to give it their all, & NO blues breakouts to boot.

I must actually be nicer than I think, because I was happier for Geewiz finally getting Dark Star & Key getting his Sugar Mag than I was for me.......
Although, the last time Key saw Sugar Mag was the last time Mrs B & I saw it too:
10-15-84, a total of - get this - 16 Dead shows, 5 TOO's & 21 P&F for me. Wow, that's 42 shows without a Sugar Mag.

To hear it from a stop for the encore, sweeter than sweet.

I'll add more tomorrow, but I gotta get some rest.
We spent 6 & 1/2 hours driving for what usually takes us an hour & 15 minutes to the Beacon.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who went through that.

But, lest you get the wrong idea, the show itself:

Can any of you dead critics tell me what you might have enjoyed tonight??

I'll start with the pregnant pause in Good Lovin.

The space jam was ultra dreamy, nice drums and the other one. Pretty damn neat

Thumbs down. Perhaps it is true what we always used to know--If you get to fired up you are probably going to be disapointed. 3 hours of traffic later I showed up stressed as hell. It all started melting as Viola unfolded. Aiko was pretty cool at first, until Mickey started "handing off the mike"..ruined it. Music was rather sweet>>>San Fran>>New York screens. ALLIGATOR- Candace was out of control..many old school images..most importantly flashing old school Jerry during an amazing((look back)). "Baba Jingo" blew---I could feel the life being sucked out of me as well as MSG---Things changed for Shakedown---Mr.Lesh droppin bombs--Good Lovin' was a parade of joy.

Gotta say set I had extreme highs and lows.

DS v 2 was my highlight for set 2

Cryptical was perfect as always

Phil's bass for the Other One could have been louder

Weir's bald spot makes him look old as hell

Warren reminded me how much I miss PLQ

Sound was great tonight..if only Mickey and 'old man Weir' would have not tried to step it up on the BIG STAGE perhaps tonight could have been special. As it is I would rate DC, Jersey, and Philly(Sat.) over tonight.

I'm pretty gone..Good Night

Almost forgot, I am now fully in love with Susan.

Sorry DT

There is something of the review that starts at 4:48 that speaks of authenticity...so I will write it. It is not the comprehensive note by note, that thing that sometimes I am too in the moment to feel. But it will be those late night Manhattan Bridge notes, the passing by Junior’s in the rain.

It is of an Albany show that made me weep. (have you noticed, save Morning Dew, they are avoiding the MEGA jer song? imho.. ala Instrumental Stella - never play that song again, mes amis) A Byrne show that floored me, only to question all that yet again. A Hartford show that made me SPPPPPPPIN and set me on my ear...and two Philly shows that I THINK were THE HOTTEST (not best, HOT) shows I ever ever saw this lineup...this group....these peeps...DO. And MSG...closure...in some way...tears and closure. And Happiness.
And Reality. with all its hard hard hard beautiful edges.

It was explosive, I think...sometimes...but to me in the end it became about taking risks. Inspiring us to take risks...have you lately? Have you taken something you CANNOT lose and put it on the line? They are asking you to, this band is.

I’m not going to run through the set list....not sure if I will now or ever...if it is worth it to take it apart NOTE by NOTE. As much as it is technically accurate what I am interested in is How It Affected YOU. Because that it is what will change the moment...not them...only us...only you...only me.

In the end....what is Dark Star? “Shall we go”? An invitation? Only if you make it so.

Circle coming round again...that ol baba jingo....(which warnt half bad really). The whole GIG, all the shows, were of the Recollection - remembrance....and the RE-COLLECT -collecting again, the old songs but “NEW TO YOU”....
and the remembering....”wouldn’t YOU TRYYYYYYY just a LITTLE bit harder?”
and then you remember YOU’RE supposed to try harder.

Well....thanks of course to the band and the staff and GDTSTOO...you know you guys put on the best party going. Set the stage, quite literally. We have to do the Paint By Number, as far as Circuit Completion. REALLY....THANK YOU.

tonight. great seats. Thanks to Althea and Brian who were great neighbors.....
BOOM...Viola. Goodie.
watchtower jam>>(8:00 P) viola, instrumental, crazed five minutes....
Phil counts out the return into Viola.....Great, big start to an anticipated show.
Aiko. Dancer. Mickey and Rob sing.
Music Never Stopped. (not to complain but I think Bob stepped on Jimmy’s solo - a great one - just a lil) and a nice NEVER STOP vocal refrain but no false ending ala Portsmouth.
(nice never stop though - big smiles)
GATOR YUM
baba jingo (imo worth it. others I know will disagree - I like it bc there can be no Jimmy/jer comparison)
stop BOOM shakedown
into a rock out good lovin - Rob solos! Jeff! Jimmy! Bob!
set break - wander to 223/222 - see Key, Daydream, Carlin, SI, meet Bucky all too briefly...see Schmegg, Beth, Paul, Gail and crew....
Second set....
Tomorrow Never Knows (my highlight I think) Susan singing as they start....oooooh....
Philip booming, a killer Jimmy solo....and a long time jamming coming into
First Verse Dark Star
ALL THAT
now the Watchtower...Phil all OVER it....a big ass Jimmy RAGE....Bob with big heavenward points as he guides the band....
spacey Jam....into Dark Star....and then Phil leads a bass line that IS NOT DS (help me please) but close....Jimmy jams it too...but then into the second verse of the Star.
Cryptical...Phil sings...a beaut...
Other One build...1st verse....
ds (short - we see a new amp and mike come on stage - HMMM)
BOOOOOOOMING PHIL
Other One second verse
Wheel good Wheel
THE LOVELIGHT
great warren susan Jimmy (warren and Jimmy fed off each other BIG TIME) and nice Derek but sadly much too much goingon there to really FOCUS on Derek....
donor rap - yup - you know the gig
Sugar Mags....stellar. bob kicks out the jams in the classic dead on.

Turn Susan Up.
Fix the Sound on the Floor.
PLEASE don’t play a stadium tour this summer....what is the motivation???? I was in the second row and looked out...you can’t tell a body from diddly. You knowwwwww.......
we just like shows in the BEACON. MELLOW VENUES.
The Garden was good on ya though, TOO. (shouldn’t have been so NOIVOUS.;) )
all those going to shows coming up - HAVE A BLAST.
all those that gave me the kind best time...Daydream (and the bday boy M), Carlin, Rev Bud E, Ed, Althea & Bryan, LT & GT, SI, Killpatient, Brick , Carl d>s & the Mrs., BK, GregS and Beth, Rev and Miss C, Paul & Gail, Taper Rob...all ya all have been so kind. Bears - ya know...be well and all that. Dew - sorry it ended on the star but hope it really WAS all the MSG closer COULD BE. I know I’m missing a million smiles and thank yous...known and unknown, sorry in advance.

The whole run makes me want to take risks in the worst way.
Isn’t it interesting that it makes me think I need to be in a totally new space.
Thanks, BAND.
flipside, beasties.

All I can say is that if they keep on playing like this they will definitely make the playoffs!

I thought that the show was awesome. My only complaint is that Rob didn't sing lead on any songs and Phil only did on one. The rest of the vocals were Bobby. This isn't Ratdog - let Phil (and Rob) sing.

PL&J

Richie

Richie, Who sang Alligator?

someone above stated that they would rate the nj show above msg...NEVER, at one point at the NJ show did the energy reach the levels that it did last night. The Garden was absolutely rocking from start to finish. Last week in NJ, during the second set, I looked around and about 90% of my section was sitting for about a 4-5 song stretch, looking almost bored. Last night, I couldn't find a single person sitting. This show made me hope and wish that this band will put together another run in the spring...an absolutely kick ass show last night....

"The whole run makes me want to take risks in the worst way. "

-
be glad for the time spent,
and know it will be again soon.

HOLY MOFO LOVELIGHT!!!!!

Im one of the happiest people on the face of the earth today.

WOW!!!!! That Lovelight still has me groovin'!! So so so happy with my last show for a while... Still have a silly-ass grin on my face!

My only complaint ~ needed a louder sound system and I was having a hard time hearing Susan. Other than that ~ WOW!! Smokin' show!!

SHINE!
SHINE!
SHINE!

-i almost came in this morning and told my boss LEAVE IT ON! I went to sleep with a shit ass grin on my face. I woke up 4 hours later with a shit ass grin. High fived the dunkin donut guy this morning. Cant stop smilin.

THANK YOU WARREN!
-i need that in a big way!

TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT, LET IT SHINE ON ME!

out of the six i've seen, here's my ranking:
1.) Jersey - the first set blew me away - She Belongs to Me, one of my favorite Dylan tunes! Not Fade Away, the Eleven...enough said. 2nd Set: Music, Strawberry Fields, KING BEE AND THE RUB???? WITH SUSAN? Unbelievable. This show by far kicked some serious ass.
2. and 3. Tough One, I think it's a tie between the second night in Philly and DC
4.) Sat night in Philly
5.) Roanoke
6.) MSG
I hear ya, Hail Skins - i was so stressed tryin to get in on time, and I'm really pissed off I missed Viola - I guess I can deal as long as i didn't miss Unbroken. I think i drank five beers on the way up from Philly and ened up pissing in the trees right next to the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, since Shakin didn't want to stop anywhere - what a mean friend!! I was so hyped up for this show, and don't get me wrong, it sounded great - Alligator was definitely a highlight, as was Tomorrow Never Knows and The Other One, but the boys didn't seem to be into it as much - didn't have the same feel as Philly at all. I wanted to hear more Phil and less Mickey - and please, turn Susan up!! BTW, does anyone know if Jimmy is married? I am in love...
As for Sugar Mag, I've glad I got to hear it, but would have loved a Brokedown or at least another song - Stella Blue w/ Warren singing would have been so sweet to the ears...and when will we hear a full Weather Report?? I can't wait to hear Susan on that...

that was fun.

Just a great show last night. I dare not review it as I sort of lost myself there in the second set. I felt like it was 1982 again. All of a sudden the house lights go up. Oh, the show's over? That was cool. What the hell happened?

I think I lost myself becuase there wasn't one song played that disappointed. I wanted to hear evey song they played. Not really before the show but while they were playing it. I was happy with EVERY song. Even Baba Jingo had it's reason for existance. Aiko was perfect.

Shakedown Street was a huge, huge surprise and from then on anything and everything could happen. Viola and Alligator in the first set? Come on! Good Lovin' rocked. Every song had texture and moved forward with a life of it's own. I was not on acid although I felt like I was tripping and feel like I tripped. So excuse this lame review.

I thought the keyboards sounded great.

Just really nifty. Fun. Flowing. Original. Yes original! Happy music. No leftovers.

Sometimes it's okay not to be wolloped over the head. It just seemed effortless at MSG. I can't think of anything to complain about.

"but the boys didn't seem to be into it as much"

are you sure you were at Madison Square Garden last night, in Manhatten, on 34th st between 7th and 8th ave????....just checking....cause I couldn't disagree with you more. but oh well, i guess that's what opinions are for.

good to see a few of you folks last night; that's it for me for big venues for the forseeable future; really enjoyed my 3 shows (NJ, CT, MSG), but I need to recuperate!

see ya down the road - Mule NYE if not sooner

Now, the morning after, all I can say in retrospect, "what a #%&@'n show"! Did anyone pick up on the way they were playing both the TOO and Dark Star at the same time after drums? The Star riff and harmony with TOO rhythm. Confusingly stupendifying. Everyone seemed to be on or over the edge. A lot of lookin' at each other with where are we, what are we doin', and where are we goin' looks. The band would go through changes that went right over Jimmy's head. Even Phil blew the vintage intro riffs to Good Lovin'. I think he lost his tonal center amidst all that confusion. I've got to state again that Bob Weir saved the Grateful day. Even though he cut off the Good Lovin' jam and blew a verse or two in other tunes he still is the reigning king of rock'n'roll rhythm guitar and showmanship. The lovelight, especially the ending, speaks for himself. I may be wrong but I don't think he gets off on those guitar players all that much. Did anyone catch that hand thing he gestured at Jimmy at the end of Sugar Mag? What a clown. Drums will always be religious for me. Susan sounded like Janis at the End of Lovelight. That was the first time a married couple was on stage with the Daed since K&D. Good Lovin' vibes. I don't quite know what caused last night to be as fragmented as it was, but I'd like some. I don't know it must've been the coffee.

rob, I agree with you; great energy, great moments, but disjointed for sure; but that's all part of the fun at a "Dead" show

Sorry,

This was a very lifeless performance.
Yeah, I guess most people are just happy these guys are playing any music at all anymore, but the problem is that most people who go have sh*t for ears and don't know the first thing about music or the process of creating it.
PLQ was worthwhile but this OO's tour is a joke.
Jimmy Herring is doing great stuff but he's bareley audible in the mix!
Sugar Magnolia encore? Give me a break!
Sorry to come acrosss as negative but this is my honest opinion and I feel last night was a waste of my hard earned $60.

>>most people who go have sh*t for ears and don't know the first thing about music or the process of creating it.
>>this is my honest opinion

You are entitled to have your own opinion, but don't come in here insulting others who happened to really enjoy what they heard last night.

>>Did anyone pick up on the way they were playing both the TOO and Dark Star at the same time after drums? The Star riff and harmony with TOO rhythm

Glad you mentioned that..it was sick.


>>My only complaint is that Rob didn't sing lead on any songs and Phil only did on one. The rest of the vocals were Bobby. This isn't Ratdog - let Phil (and Rob) sing.

here here

>>someone above stated that they would rate the nj show above msg...NEVER, at one point at the NJ show did the energy reach the levels that it did last night. The Garden was absolutely rocking from start to finish.

I was refering to Jamming and song selection. THE CROWD LAST NIGHT ROCKED. I knew of many folks who were at their first Dead event since Jerry. Lot's of crafty veterans in attendance--That said I pulled off a pretty big rookie mistake. Traffic issues caused me to get there a little late..rushed to my seat..prepared to bake down..wound up taking the one of the biggest hits ever causing me to harsh like no tomorrow. I'm trying to remember from my lurking days--what is a Jamook?? If it is what I think it is, that's what I felt like.

>>Yeah, I guess most people are just happy these guys are playing any music at all anymore, but the problem is that most people who go have sh*t for ears and don't know the first thing about music or the process of creating it.

A tad pretentious aren't ya fella?

pretentious or presumptuous? (or both?)

Huck and fellow Zoners - I knew that if I read to the end of the thread, there would be some interesting insights.

You wrote: "The whole run makes me want to take risks in the worst way. Isn’t it interesting that it makes me think I need to be in a totally new space."

I was thinking the same thing. Taking risks and going for it is a good thing and a good place to be. Get outta the comfort zone. Personally, I was able to untangle a mental task about writing a paper for law school during the course of the show. It was a wonderful thought process and I plan to write all day. Nothing like jams and relaxedness to bring out the best in oneself. Quoting Merl: "You can do anything you want, betcha. . . .feel like dynamite"

Last night's show was good. At my point in life, 35, 2nd career, 2nd year of law school, I am happy for the quality time of getting out, seeing some live music, catching some good energy, and having some good thoughts to break up the rigors of law school. Everything in moderation.

I caught an express train from Westchester to Grand Central Station and met my friend Lulu. Great food offerings at this classic, historic, New York landmark. If and when they decide to redo New York Penn Station, they should take a page out of the openness of the space in GCT. We had a healthy Zocalo salad and were off to the show thanks to the Times Square Shuttle . . . smooth travels and on to the show. Outside the Garden, the sidewalks were awash with people looking for tickets. It was a sea of fingers, hippies, and New York City didn't seem to bat an eye.

I thought that it was odd that they repeated the Viola and the Music last night considering the Byrne show last Wednesday. Rotation be damned, The Other Ones are playing the best music they can play on a given night. You can't ask for much more from a local mid-week show in your very own backyard.

Right into Viola Lee and glad they played it from start to finish. They got warmed up in the middle jam. Went on a roam during Aiko, (spirited but not the same without Jerry - invoking his spirit nevertheless) and found a friend whom I had promised to visit during set break, and then roamed back during Music. This was no ordinary Music Never Stopped. They jammed it out and Jimmy showed us just a little taste of that familiar Garciaesque lick for the classic ending and then stopped on a dime like the professional that he is. Somewhere later on tour, perhaps HJK, they will play the Music to end all Music. This was no slouch and was up there. Like it mid set when the band is warmed up. The Alligator was appropriate, though the vocals were a bit muddy, (this aint your Grateful Dead P.A. system or even the P&F system; its thin and undersized for the venues they are playing), the performance was top notch. I have been in a habit of classifying the shows by the era. This was definitely in the late 60s motif - no doubt. I didn't recognize Baba Jingo, again the vocals were difficult to make out, but the Jimmy jams were good.

Phil left the stage for a moment. Came back, counted it off, with foot tap and full body glide. . ! Shakedown's opening note featured the PHATTEST ROUNDEST WARMEST HAPPY little Phil Bomb I had heard in a while, certainly all show, it was a good spot for it. Totally unexpected and a sign of good things to come. The Good Lovin' was due and with Susan's vocals and the crowd's energy, the Other Ones were alive and well at the Garden. And then set close.

Robert Hunter's performance was excellent on Box of Rain and rather unintelligble for most of the rest of his set. I did like the mellow setbreak lighting - of course, there was still a performer on stage - so no harsh houselights - thank you. To all the people whom I was supposed to visit during set break, a huge apology. "I failed in my intermission mission." I went for a little walk, attempted to find your seats, didn't see you there, I couldn't hear my phone in the Garden. Mea culpa. Shout outs to Wendy, Sean, Jeff, Steph, and Lori. Coming back from my walk, who's in front of me but Jeff! Good to see you thanks for hanging.

Second set - the wild vocal chanting, dreamy noodling, evocative of a far off distant space and place, Tomorrow Never Knows. Smooth jam in and great jam out and trailing out "good to the last note" . . . into Dark Star. Wonderful! Just keep on taking the show to another level. Never heard a Star I didn't like. Susan and Phil trading lines was fantastic and her vocal phrasing and timing was everything you could want from her performance.

All Along the Watchtower, in tribute to what would have been Jimi Hendrix 60th birthday was a fine performance. They jammed it back into the 2nd verse of Dark Star which was nice...they finished the musical theme and moved on to the next song.

Cryptical Envelopment into the Other One. The only question was when Phil was going to drop the big bomb - pre or post Drums. First verse and pre drums Other One Jam was good. Mickey and Billy demonstrated the chemistry among two master drummers that made a Grateful Dead show so magical and special. A quick space and we were back in the hunt for the Other One verse 2. Phil dropped a little bomb but not as big as what I had hoped for. Maybe it was the sound. The Wheel was as eerie and lilting and sounding just like Garcia's 1971 version at times. Again, its all about the era. Definitely classic sound and they could have played it all night. Bound to cover just a little more ground. The vocal outros were cool, especially with Susan and then a big roar went up from the crowd for Lovelight.

Lovelight to close? so soon? But this was no ordinary Lovelight as suddenly the special guests Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks joined the band. What a treat!! Warren and Susan trading vocals could have been Pig and Janis for raw sound and energy....okay maybe thats a little over the top but the dynamic was there and it made the tune. Warren and Derek played excellent and you could tell that Jimmy was psyched too. Derek was playing Duanesque slide leads, Jimmy was jamming right back, Phil was thundering, the keys were hammering, drummers in perfect jazz blues rhythm. "Don't make a move Bobby, we got YOU covered." That Lovelight was so incendiary that Bobby, not to be outdone, took his own set of vocal licks at the end. It was ALL GOOD and a great performance of a classic song. Bobby beat a hasty retreat after the tune but I enjoyed seeing the group hug stage left with Phil and Friends. Phil's Donor Rap before the encore, a bouncy Sugar Magnolia got the crowd up for the encore and sent us on our way all too soon.

An enjoyable night of music with all good company. Can't beat that! Savor the memories and the essence. Upon my return to Westchester, it was snowing big fat fluffy flakes. Nature was very peaceful last night - good tonic for post-show winding down. Employing the Emersonian value of beauty to close the night, I quote the following:

"The influence of the forms and actions in nature, is so needful to man . . . [t]o the body and mind which have been cramped by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal and restores their tone. [We] come out of the din and craft of the street, and see the sky and the woods, and [are] [hu]man again. In their eternal calm, [we] find ourselves. We are never tired, so long as we can see far enough."

Thanks to the band, the fans, and my friends for a nice evening out. Birds chirping, good tunes on 'FUV, sun is peaking out in Westchester 'burbs.
Have a grateful day and Happy Thanksgiving. :-)

Ben

>>Richie, Who sang Alligator?

If I remember correctly, Susan sang Alligator as a duet with Phil. OK, two Phil vocals. Mickey also sang two songs (which I forgot - funny how the brain will block out unpleasant memories), Bobby sang eight and three were sung by the whole band in unison. Too much Bobby and not enough Phil for my taste (and NO Rob). A great show anyway. I'd still prefer to see Phil & Friends. I'm not comparing the two bands as they have different styles (P&F is jazzier and more exploratory IMO). I prefer the smaller (and kinder) venues and smaller crowds.

PL&J

Richie

>>I prefer the smaller (and kinder) venues and smaller crowds.

AMEN!

I agree with Richie...seeing Warren on stage really made me miss PLQ. Derek and Susan on stage together was a moment in itself. Bring on the Tower, the Beacon, the Orpheum, and the PHILmore...

It's a blessing that Phil, Mickey, Bobby and Billy are playing together again. With Jimmy, Warren, Derek, Susan, Rob and Jeff all playin' in the band I realized that TOO had become "The Grateful Dead and Friends". Imagine if the aforementioned phab phour played music on their own, with no lead guitar player how it would sound? I'd like to hear Weir more, he's so low in the mix. You know, last night had the same feel and energy as a New Year's show. Oh and I wanted to add that they played The Wheel much better than on Conan. Jimmy had a better grip on the changes. I still don't know why Warren and Derek couldn't get it up on Lovelight? Maybe they aren't organ donors. (re: Phil's bonor/donor rap in PA) Given all the criticism and subjective opinions I may have I'll take what the remaining members of the Grateful Dead do anyday and anyway; lock, bolt and key.

if you guys had good drugs in the u.s.a. you would enjoy things alot more espically dead shows. i guess the thanksgiving day show will be the best. considering thanksgiving is dec 1. is that the first thansgiving in december.

That freakin rocked. When i looked around last night, all i saw were people dancin their ass off. It's the only show of the tour I'm seeing and it was all i could ask for. I never thought I'd be hearing those songs in MSG again (or ever in the case of Alligator, for example)

If some people want to nitpick the sound mix, or who sang how many songs compared to somebody else, i say stay home in your living room where the sound is always perfect and you can pick and choose what songs you want to hear. Going to see these shows is always about what JUST HAPPENS and walking out with a big-ass grin on your face. Lighten up and enjoy the ride. We're all lucky it's still going on.

Last night was killer but Knowing what Warren and Derek are capable of, I'm a bit dissapointed they didn't go completely nuts. I was watching real close and to me it looked like Bobby wasn't giving them room,he was too quick with the lyrics.
And being the tasteful pros they are didn't want to bust in over the vocals.

I've never been a Bobby basher but he's the weak link right now. If he really digs in and stops screwing up lyrics and falling behind the rest of the crew on the time this can be an epic band. Was it just me or did he seem to be in his own world at the start of the encore ? Seemed like he was in a rush and Phil didn't even have his bass on yet. Sort of reminded me of the beacon show last year when there were obvious tensions on stage.They should also give susan some more room and let her play some blues guitar. How about Jeff and Rob's solo's during Good lovin? Totally high energy. It can't be too easy for them to both share the keyboard spot but they're doing a great job of playing together and not stepping on each other.

That said, it still made the roof rise but it could have been blown into Jersey if the ABB boys were given some room.

Richie,
Thanks for the reply, I saw the 'gator in Beantown, and was just curious if someone else sang it this go around(since you said Phil only sang the one tune). Sounds like this was another great show

Um, Thanksgiving is on the 28th - the last Thursday in November, as it has been since Abraham Lincoln signed it into law back in the 1800's.

Must be the good stuff you've been gettin!

Later, and apologies to the lurker who was shocked to meet me. Mooseman, you're the best.

To the stupid ass dude that kept saying they were going into Birdsong, who wasn't drunk or stoned, I will restate this...they aren't going into Birdsong when they are singing fucking DarkStar. That friends, wasn't even close to the shit he was calling in, or out to the 8 guys he was with.

The show was excellent, start to finish. The Nightfall reprise was stunning. BabaJingo some of the finest music all night, despite the lyrics.

Susan sang Good Lovin' to Mooseman...we saw it.

Warren and Derek and Jimmy...well! I called Bosphan, I don't do things like this. He called back and I think he really thought I was bullshitting him.

The Watchtower was glittery and precise.

Cannot comment on the sound, I was close and had monitor sound.

The first set blew me away. The second set is not my setlist.

Insight, later.

and, Phanatic is DEAD ON...

Great show and great crowd, excepting the occasional loud ass who doesn't understand music.

Phil, Jimmy and Mickey clearly enjoying the show. I would say that the four shows I caught on thes tour were all excellent. I could rank them, but it is tough. I would say the one best song for me was a MONSTER Caution in Philly second night. But, way too many highlights really. Its easy to remember what wasn't "perfect", but let's face it...this of such a consistent high quality it seems silly to nit pick. This is their first time playing a lot of these songs on tour in quite some time. The transitions/jams also are a lot less loose than the GD as Phil is determnined to keep things focused.

Bobby seems more awkward than ever, though he played a great acoustic guitar solo(no, really he did) on FOTD in Philly. Supposedly he is playing "great" according to an unnamed GD family member. I would say that Bobby either hasn't been turned uyp loud enough or he hasn't played anything since about 1977. I would vote for turning him up, and let's hear some rhythm guitar to support Jimmy's incredible weavings.

Here's to the band, and I hope it is their desire to continue TOOs.

Enough rambling for the moment.

Peace

>Yeah, I guess most people are just happy these guys are playing any music at all anymore, but the problem is that most people who go have sh*t for ears and don't know the first thing about music or the process of creating it.


Good deal dude. Maybe next time your ticket will go to someone who enjoys great music for the sake of being great music. If you have such great ears and know so much about music and the process of creating it, why the hell aren't you in the midst of an arena tour? Why aren't thousands dancing to the music you make? What is your musical and educational background anyway?

So, Professor of Music Theory, please explain why 20,600 other people have "shit for ears" and why you are in a position to make a judgement about that many people. Also, please explain the nature of art to me. Obviously I have no understanding of the medium and am in dire need of enlightenment from someone as all knowledgeable as you.

Ok I think this is the first review I have posted this whole tour.

I would like to say that from where I was sitting..In My Opinion.. Bobby is the doing just fine.

I will start with the HUGE step up to the plate in Philly when his wireless rig went down and he played acoustic all night. MIND BLOWINGLY GOOD tone and texture. I mean it was just

Morning Brian...I don't have shit for ears, but we all know how I feel about the DS...Bucky if I hear a complaint from you regarding the Second Set, I am going to throttle you.

Oh, and I did call the second set verbatim with the exception of the Watchtower, on the phone, to Frankl during opening to Tomorrow Never Knows...all good things in all good time.

HOLY SHIT folks, for me it was all I was hoping for.

Great call on the expect repeats at MSG Dewitt!!!

The crowd ROCKED, up and out of their seats from the giddy up.

My belief has been re-confirmed:

NUTHIN BUT NUTHIN BEATS THE GARDEN!!!!!!

The energy was great, the music rocked, SUSAN is outta control and we even got DT and Warren for a bit.

Sure I would have liked others to have gotten a chance to sing, but all in all I still couldnt get the smile off my face today with a chisel!!!

Good to see Paul and Greg again, sorry I couldnt hang long but the crowd was KILLIN me (shoulda stayed in the room till showtime)

Between sets got to meet some more Zoners and that alone made my night!

Was a pleasure to meet everyone, and am damn glad to have run into GC and SI!

Cant believe I missed that hat in PHIL-ly!

Good times and lots of love had by all, lets keep this energy goin.

Perhaps a NYC Area Zoner Gathering for Holiday Drinks????

Hats off to the band and the Zone for making it one amazing nite for me!!!!!!!

Guess I gotta do Mule New Years now!!!!!

Last show of a six night run that I was hoping to be the highlight. Well, I was let down. Sometimes I get too worked up expecting the best and don't get it...

That said, we got in late and missed Viola. (If not for every friggin rubbernecker, gaper delay, on the Jersey turnpike, we would have made it in on time) Iko okay, why can't they turn this into Women R Smarter instead? MNS is always a fave and the new vocal rap Bob threw in at the end was nice and fresh. Baba Jingo? I could see all the oldtime Heads seeing their one show in a long time thinking what the hell is this S***? Just doesn't flow right with everything else they play, and with Mickey's "talking and bantering". Highlight was a Shakedown all in red lights on stage(just played Sat in Philly?) and a rippin' old fashioned rock and roll Good Lovin' that I'm glad I got. But come on, hearing Mickey singing two tunes in MSG first set? I missed Viola so I barely noticed much of Phil the first set. Where are the classics(besides Alligator) they are supposed to save for the mystical Garden? And where the hell are all the BOBBY COWBOY TUNES???

Second set was the Dark Star/Other One I was hoping for and called for MSG after our Philly shows. Thought these could have been a little more exploratory but they did go in and out of them together nicely(and did hear them being played at the same time). Very nice ending with Lovelight, constant improvising that had me looking all over the stage trying to take them ALL in...(but come on Warren, you could have sat in for more than one tune? Derek, you hold the torch my friend for when I'm an old man still grooving to something I hope, keep it up!) Of course Sugar Mag was rockin and great as usual, but please, this is the Garden, maybe something a little special and not a tune that's overplayed?

I have enjoyed so very much the six shows I've been
fortunate to attend. (Jersey 1, Sun. Philly 2, DC 3, Sat. Philly 4, Roanoke 5, MSG 6)Unfortunely, this one is the last memory I will have. Just an opinion folks, I was GLOWING all over for my 11/24 Spectrum review, so don't kill me on this one. Just thought this was going to be the Roof Blower offer that many of us thought.

One great aspect of last night, absolutely nothing wrong with my sound. Couple of tech problems with Bob's guitar again though. And probably the nicest moment I saw was Phil taking a moment out of the first set to be with his wife just off to the side. They must have been hugging and whispering to each other for at least a couple minutes. Phil seems so happy right now. God bless him and the rest of the boys(you too Susan). I need some PLQ again this spring and maybe an OO summer tour? The best of both worlds would work for me. Hail Skins, as always, "a real good time" Lstroseofsummer, it's been extra special these shows with a new friend there every step of the way. Here's to many more for the future...

"but it could have been blown into Jersey if the ABB boys were given some room. "

-agreed. and nice phrase of words. did anyone else feeling the place shaking during lovelight? Good God, RoooCKIN PaaaRTY!!! though i dont think NOT giving them the room to "rip it up" necessaraly is all that intentional on bobbys part, but im sure everyone agrees and loves hearing haynes sing that god damn song!

And Dark Star was my icing on the cake.

The goddamn floor, over the ice rink was shakin during that Lovelight, and in the hundreds of shows I have seen there, this is the first time that damn floor was melting in and out. Feel the love those two added stars brought out. Thank you Phil. Off to get the fixin's for tomorrow...see ya at the parade.

section 214 was a big old psychedelic wave during Lovelight

Lovelight was everything and more last night. Talk about blowing the roof off the Garden.

Warren is The Real Thing. Get yer Mule tickets - they are selling out fast. Oh and BTW,
I have an extra pair in the Lower Balcony for 12/30. Contact me off list
EcoBen@yahoo.com

Ben

Having gone to only the first two shows on this tour, I have been drooling not only over the set lists, but over the song selections as well as the quality reviews that keep pouring in.

You Tri-State heads are sooooo lucky to see so many shows within short driving distance.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post some really delicious stuff. I can't wait until I have a chance to see this band again.

The funny thing is, that I've encountered a lot of people who really have no desire to see this band. It seems that after Jerry died, or Warren stopped playing with Phil, some thought it was the beginning of the end. I guess they are entitled to their own opinion, but I am still being taken to places that I've only dreamed of.

It may sound cheesy, but many thanks to Zoners for being so fresh with the reviews.

>>>>And probably the nicest moment I saw was Phil taking a moment out of the first set to be with his wife just off to the side. They must have been hugging and whispering to each other for at least a couple minutes.


Yeah the breakout of tour so far IMHO.... followed closely by Mickey and his daughter(?) after the second set in Philly.

and is that what they are calling it nowadays??? whispering? cause we called it necking when I was in high school!!!!!

For all the Bobby bashers. WHAT SHOW WERE YOU WATCHING. The guy is unreal, givin it everything he's got. Steppin up, -------- he doesn't have to be doing this for us. so appreciate it while you can.

I gotta agree w/ Ecryptical, these reviews are PHANPHUCKINGTASTIC!!! The setlists, & energy happening is amazing! Thanks to everyone contributing here. :*)

Great show. Last show for me on the tour so I got the bigtime blues (man do I feel old). Though not as good as Albany for my taste, the crowd was by far the most fun. Anyone see the legions of Yashuas passing out that flyer? Read too much of that stuff and you'll end up selling all your stuff to buy a mule and grow potatos in a commune in Vermont.

I just saw that setlist. Fuck you guys that got to go!

:-)

and we thought the fillmore mule show was an event...

Well, all I got to say is after seeing these setlists I now am the proud owner of a NYE ticket & a plane ticket to Oakland

Seize the day boys (and Susan!)

Great reviews folks...

Got to go to MSG for the first time in what, 13-14 years, and the show was definitely pretty hot. I agree that there were fantastic moments (a lot), but a few clunkers (those of you who mentioned some clumsy transitions, hit it on the mark). Was way too far away from the stage (section 345) to know who was the cause of some of the messy changes, but I gotta believe it was Bob. He looked like he didn't catch a bunch of Phil's cues (though Phil may have been a bit off once, perhaps). Thought they might've had the transitions down a little tighter at this point of the tour, but, hey, it has been a long time. The vibe was pretty damned rocking, but I could probably live a happy life without seeing too many more shows in places with 20,000 people, but what can you do? Maybe just a few too many cigarettes under the overhang making it smell like putrid chemicals (please, leave those freakin' things at home, or smoke 'em in the halls - there's plenty of other good things to indulge in!).

As for the music, I think most of you have already said what can be said, but a few thoughts:

The first set was generally awesome - you can't really go wrong with a Viola.
Some really interesting order of tunes - it was like mostly (former) 2nd Set-type tunes played in a very random order. I could do without Mickey's vocals on Iko, but...
Music was pretty hot...
Alligator was kind of a slopfest, or so it seemed, and it petered out fairly quickly - would've actually preferred hearing more Phil during this one - I like Susan, but on Alligator it seemed kind of weird.
Baba Jingo wasn't actually too bad - it's got a fun groove, and I can actually handle Mickey singing this one.
Shakedown>Good Lovin - What can you say about Shakedown at MSG but that it was awesome, but probably could've been milked a bit longer - Good Lovin'...well it's a "fun" song, but probably could live the rest of my life without it.

A thought at this point - it's great that everyone sings along with their favorite tunes, but when you can barely hear the band for the thousands of people singing, it can be a bit distracting. Plus, had some guy next to me who seemed to be more into the sound of his big paws smacking together at rapidfire pace (and off beat at that) than he was into actually "listening" to the music. What can I say? This is the East Coast (people get extremely psyched). At the Kaiser shows you will actually get to hear a bit more of the music, but whatever...it's all good.

Oh, and as for Hunter's set:
It's kind of a tough position to be in to be playing to the break, when everyone's got to run out to the can, food, whatever. The sound was way better than when I saw him perform at the Greek w/ P&F over the summer - that was awful (soundwise). I don't know if it's an honor that everyone sings along with him, but when he's trying to sing a different way than the Dead's album versions are sung and everyone's singing it that way - I don't know. Let's just listen to him sing it - after all, the man DID WRITE these lyrics (he likes to sing them the way he wants - he's not Jerry!).

2nd Set:
Tomorrow - nice spacey start to the set, and you knew it was going to get pretty out there (could've gotten even more weird, but it had a good weirdness factor)...
Dark Star - sounded great, could've gone longer in first round, but was just fine...
Watchtower - pretty rockin'! - what's with this thing where Bob know adds a verse of jam in between his vocals (let's see, they did this on Watchtower, Other One, and at least one other tune). Guess it adds to the jamming factor, but it sometimes seems to screw up the continuity of the melody.
Dark Star V2 - nice
Cryptical - really sounded great, sorry they didn't reprise it.
Other One - fun, not insane...
Drums - was sweet, and would've even liked more - nice return into TOO.
Wheel - was pretty fun - never one of my favs, but certainly had the feel of the old days again (as much as it can)...
Midnight Hour - was very cool that Warren and Derek showed up, but, like others said, it could've had a little more of them - 4 guitarists can be a bit messy, though, so no complaints.

Sugar Mag: Fun, but could've definitely used something a little less run-of-the-mill.

Overall - a really fun time, and I'm looking forward to the two shows at HJK next week (I now know what to expect - and I'm ready for more!)

Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play, Let Susan Play,
Please

Well everyone has an opinion so I may as well voice mine. I don't think this show was nearly as good as some of you out there. Sound was pretty crappy but did improve in the second set ( or maybe I just got used to it). Viola was pretty tame which makes me wonder why they would ever open with this tune. It's best in my opinion when they stretch it out in the second set ala PLQ. It's funny how Mickey is a great drummer but has no rythym when he's singing. I don't care what songs he wrote, he is freakin 10x cheesier than Bob when it comes to his fist pumping and akward raps. The only highlight for me in the first set was Shakedown. Not mindblowing but got me grooving very nicely. I actually think Bobby did a nice job with the vocals.Second set was kinda boring. The lovelight definately got things shakin and made me miss Warrens soulful singing. Overall the Setlist looks fantastic but the show itself was very tame in my opinion.

>>>>They should also give susan some more room and let her play some blues guitar.

Please tell me you are joking.

SEVEN years since these guys did a tour together, & it has to be turned into 'The Former Members OF The Grateful Dead, featuring Susan Tedeschi as Pigpen'?

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give me a break. I'll take Dark Star & The Other One again tonight over Mr Charlie, Big Boss Man played slow or, gasp!, Death Don't Have No Mercy - Now there's an 'up' tune......
How about Eyes > Sugar Mag > DDHNM? Now there's a peppy trio for ya.....

OK, rant over. This should be easy pickin's for me with all these bashers up here........

After the ride from hell, we were on our way to our nosebleed seats in 422, & I knew we were pushing it timewise. Mrs B's cell phone rang, it was Pukewedan, he told us to come to 215 backstage. We sat next to him & his friends all night without having to move once.
Great sound. You can look for us there at NYE while everyone else squishes together on the floor......

So, we were there for 5 minutes, they came out, definite Warren sighting backstage, we see the extra mic set up for him.....
Stella's in the bag, but I understand, Warren's here, so I can live with that.

They start with Viola. I heard that it was different than P&F, not true, just no Warren on slide. The first verse was a warm up, they really started cooking on the 2nd instrumental, Jeff (yes, silent Jeff as some have called him) was playing some nice organ. I always liked that 'cutting' organ sound myself. They started to jam away a bit, then headed into a 'space jam build-up ending' that was very nice. I actually heard 2 guitars at one point playing lead, & I looked.... Yes, Bob playing lead & NOT slide. I never saw that before.

Right into Aiko, a longer version than in Boston (due to curfew), with an extra instumental. Fairly similar in style: A short first instrumental, a 2nd one featuring the 2 keyboardists, & a 3rd featuring Jimmy. Good, played at a more proper '77-'84 tempo, which I feel gives the song more 'heart' or 'groove' than the faster ones.

MNS was MUCH better than Alpine (sounds on tape). As I said earlier, at this point I knew TOO's knew it was MSG & they were putting out big time.
MNS had a real nice space jam section, then into the basic melody at the end. It went on for a while & I was hoing it would build up like Jerry used to do (see 4-23-83 if you don't know what I mean), but it really didn't get too intense. Still it was good & I enjoyed it.

Alligator, played the right way, even if the vocals were a bit weak. P&F's version is like 'Alligator meets Eyes' if you ask me. I said to Mrs B, "If they do the drums, this will be awesome.", because that meant they would come out of the drums with that great guitar lead jam like '68-'69. Well, no drums, just straight into that jam. It was nice, a bit short, but I enjoyed it tremendously.

This lead into a series of teases:
A short Crazy Fingers quote
Watchtower for a longer time
Uncle John's & maybe The Wheel for a bit & I think Minglewood too.

Then, Baba jingo out of nowhere.
This version had less of Jimmy with the Santana-like leads & more keyboards, but Mickey's singing aside, it's a nice jammy tune.
About halfway through, I saw Phil signal to the sound guy onstage. I figured Phil wanted to be turned up as he was a bit low in the mix. Sure enough, the guy comes over to Phil, who whispers to him, then the guy goes back & turns Phil up.

Just in time for Phil to shake the floor on the opening note of the inevitable Shakedown........
Cool.

Less wah-wah sound like Warren does, but nice, & they stayed in the Shakedown theme longer than P&F, but still not that long, or as long as I'd like (or the Dead did).

Then, Good Lovin', not one of my favorites to end a show as there's not much improv & there IS much Bobby cheese.....

So, it's starts with the old 1970-'72 style hook, & I'm thinking 'Grreat, like P&F in the spring". Then, instantly into the post '77 style I am not so found of......

But, it's the first set, a good first set, so I can live with this.

It was better than most Dead versions I heard. The keyboardists each taking a turn stepping out, then a longer than Jerry instrumental by Jimmy: I was satisfied.
Then, the Bob vocal rap at the end, switching back & forth with Susan, then, that was cut fairly short & bless my soul, they switched back to the Pigpen era Good Lovin' & did another nice Jimmy lead instrumental to end up the set. This give & take between the two styles demonstrated the new attitude of 'compatabilitry' between the different members, & I thought that was cool.

All told, I thought it was a thouroughly enjoyable set & I have little (actually nothing) to complain about.

I'll be back with the 2nd set after dinner & (getting) a movie.......

>>>>Give me a break. I'll take Dark Star & The Other One again tonight over Mr Charlie, Big Boss Man played slow or, gasp!, Death Don't Have No Mercy - Now there's an 'up' tune......

I can't understand this....would you really want to hear TOO and DS every night?

Bucky--I left a message on MK's cell for you!

Between sets, some of folks showed up between sections 223-224:
Huck, nice to meet you.
SIhead, his friend, 'Dr Killpatient'
Key, Geewiz & their gang
Fritz
Carlin
Daydream

These young guys who sat behind us in Hartford came by & recongnized us. I told them to enjoy Dark Star......

So, I have to agree with Key on this one:

In a 4 hour time slot, Robert Hunter is taking too much time away from the band........

And, I believe it cost them some valuable time in the end.

During the break, I heard Derek Trucks was also spotted, so, we figured we'd be getting both Derek & Warren in set II.

No such luck, but as I have said before, this band has only played about 10 shows together, & they're still feeling their way around, not at a place where guests should just pop in & out.

So, out they come for the 2nd set.

A spacey noodle, & for a moment, I thought they might do drums right up front to give them more time with the guests in the post drums slot.

After a minute or so, it became clear the space was becoming 'Tomorrow Never Knows'.

This was quite different than the spaceier mellow version in Boston. It was more powerful & like the P&F version.

Was it better? No, just different. In the context of where each was played, I thought each fit better. The one in Boston was surounded by space & Dark Star, & last night's was to open the 2nd set. I thought it was odd that this song is such a Warren staple, & Warren wasn't out there.

They played it well, good beginning.....

It led into a fairly long jam that became a noodly intro to Dark Star. I didn't think it was CLEARLY Dark Star & in fact, I told Mrs B "Birdsong". As soon as I said it, they started Dark Star.

The first verse was short, with Jimmy playing some nice leads. As they came out of verse 1, the rythym section seemed to be pushing towards a more 'generic' jam out of Dark Star, but Jimmy stubbornly stayed in the DS riffs & played some very nice stuff......

After a while, they wandered out of Dark Star, & I heard what sounded like Let It Grow about to begin. This wasn't like Hartford, where Jimmy was playing those rapid fire riffs, it was Bob playing the quite little beginning. Mrs B said "Watchtower", & sure enough, it was.

My first since 9-14-91. I never saw P&F do it. It rocked, with the usual lightning fast leads from Jimmy. Bob did mess up the lyrics & mis-time them a couple times. Bob will be Bob.....

So, I'm figuring they might go into the drums, probably after a brief Dark Star tease & leave more time to finish it with Derek & Warren after the drums.

BTW, instead of repeating that after every song, I kept thinking it until the drums. By then, I realized that the special guest spot was going to be brief..............

So, a bit of spacey jamming ensued after Watchtower, & headed back to Dark Star.
I would have to disagree with Dewit here, because Phil most definitely played the DS intro again, 'Ba Boom Ba Boom, Ba Boom Ba Boom', & soon they were into verse 2. They hung a little more Dark Star out there for us, then headed off, & went into 'Cryptical', as folks call it nowadays.

A nice jam came after it, with Jimmy playing it somewhat more intensely than P&F's more laid back style. I wish they would do it like '69-'70, especially since I think Jimmy COULD do it like that. That would be amazing.

Anyhow, the jam in Cryptical ended abruptly & The Other One began after a few moments. No transition or 'segue' at all. Stop one, start the other.....

The Other One was structured like a '79-'80 version that comes out of He's Gone or Comes A Time where it gradually builds up but has no 'Phil rolling intro', aka 'The Rumble' (see 8-29-80 for a perfect example).
It kept building up & up, very good. The crowd went nuts (very unusual for TOO), they built it higher, & Bob sang the first verse. They went into drums within 15-30 seconds I bet.

I figured they were saving the 2nd verse to play with the guests.

The drums were the drums. Mickey shook the floor on the big one on the rack.
I agree with whoever it was in a Philly review who said Bill looked bored to death. He did. Considering he didn't play for so long, I wonder if he's just there to make enough $$ to go back to Hawaii & play Jacques Cousteau for another 5 years. I really think Mickey & John Molo would be better at this point in time.

Space came on, & started hinting at The Other One pretty quickly. Still, no guests......
Jimmy did the type of slower Other One noodling out of the space like Jerry used to do, which was cool, as I certainly haven't heard P&F do it that way since they don't do Drums/Space. Phil was dropping bigger bass riffs, they were bringing it back to TOO, & I didn't hear any Dark Star. If there was any, it certainly wasn't an extended DS/TOO jam like 7-5 GOTV or last Tuesday in Boston. However, I was focussing on Jimmy, so I could have missed it. But if I did, it was short.

They built TOO back to the normal pace, then, took it down real low. I was thinking they might play it later, but Bob stepped up & sang the 2nd verse, & it took a bit for the band to recover & start playing TOO fast again.

They ended it with the old ending that goes back into Cryptical, but no Cryptical, The Wheel. I wonder if they had to cut it because of time constraints.......

The Wheel, was, well, The Wheel - fast & energetic - who doesn't like The Wheel?
I actually prefer this way to the P&F long drawn out, fast, then slow, the fast again version, & I saw what is probably the best one P&F ever played, 4-23-00.

There was no big jam out of The Wheel, & again, I'm thinking of Robert Hunter & the 50-60 minute break......

Then, they went into Lovelight, & FINALLY, out walk Derek & Warren.
I agree with the person who said 'all those guitarists doing so little'. That's just what it was. Not bad, but not any better than a typical TOO Lovelight either. Derek took most of the first instrumental, then Bob urged Warren up to sing the 2nd verse. So much for no tension as one person wrote - Warren was very tentative, like he was afraid to step on any toes....
A weird thing happened then. Warren went to sing, & recoiled back, I think he got a shock. He stopped playing, grabbing the mic to sing (I guess to 'ground' himself).
The next instrumental, he stepped out more, but it was really not that great, just an average Lovelight.

Out for the encore. To those several folks bitching about it, what would you rather hear than Sugar Mag?
Please don't say Hog For You or Mr Charlie.....

I have seen tons of Sugar Mags, a couple of split ones, but as I said before, it's been too long & plus, I have never seen one from a stop.
The cool thing about when they play Sugar Mag from a stop is they always give it away in tuning up. Always. Clear as a bell.....

Same here. I gave Key the 'thumbs up', as I knew he was behind me & looking my way to see the stage.

This was played at a much faster pace than the slow as '76 one at Alpine - as it should be. I think Bob messed up the words a bit, but who cares.
The instrumental was good,, but Jimmy was still going off & they cut him a bit short. The SSDD was good, they picked up the intensity to a higher level in that short instrumental, & we were quite satisfied with our first Sugar Mag in 18 years.

One interesting note:
I mentioned the crowd's reaction to The Other One. There were 3 times when the crowd gave a HUGE 'pop' (wrestling talk for reaction) to the songs:
The Other One (knowledgable crowd)
Lovelight (when Derek & Warren came out)
Sugar Mag

I enjoyed this show tremendously & thought that the band came in with the idea to deliver the goods & did so in good form.

My one complaint would be that they would've had more time to expand things after the drums, but that goes back to the Hunter time consuming issue.

>>>>>>>>Give me a break. I'll take Dark Star & The Other One again tonight over Mr Charlie, Big Boss Man played slow or, gasp!, Death Don't Have No Mercy - Now there's an 'up' tune......

I can't understand this....would you really want to hear TOO and DS every night?

I don't go every night.

Get it? I only go to a few shows.
I've seen 6 Dark Stars in my life, out of 123 shows, & 3 of them were this year, 2 in the last week.

We've been over this 100 times.

I place NO value on 'frequency' or 'rarity', only on intensity & jamming.

Mr Charlie, a 3 or 4 minute Pigpen throw away first set tune from 30 years ago or a raging ten minute Other One, hummmm..........

I better take some time to thing about this.. I'll take the ten minute raging Other One.

New York was always for me, the place to see the Dead...more than Red Rocks, or the Greek (although very close second) or HJK, and the Garden is the place in New York. What I saw last night made me feel soooo good all day today. Were there a few shakey moments...of course, but that's part of the charm, right? No sense breaking traditon now.
That Good Lovin' (done the Pig style...thanks Phil!), Shakedown Street (us New York folks appreciate that!), Alligator (thought I was in heaven), Cryptical Envelopment>The Other One (when was the last time you heard them play the majority of Anthem of the Sun in one show?) and the first time in 21 years of going to shows I saw that many core members of the Dead do Dark Star together (and quite well I might add). If the Dead had only played that set list....but fortunately these guys are and I must say thank you....for a real good time.
It disappoints me to see when Robert Hunter is on that it's time for a lot of folks to chat amongst themselves. He has always been a great performer, and if you pay attention you might be able to figure out all the songs he's playing. It took a while to realize he was in the midst of Death Don't Have no Mercy. Watch this man, kids....no one on that stage knew Jerry as long as Mr. Hunter did. He had as much to do with the conception of most of the songs you'll hear at TOO shows as anyone else, period.
One more thing....I've read criticism of Jimmy Harring. The man can play....give him his due...he has stepped into an unenviable position and done remarkably well. He incorporates Jer's style, and adds his own flourishes and flavor. I am grateful he's on board.
Thanks to all the fellow freaks that allowed me to revisit a space I've not enjoyed enough in recent years, and to make me realize that these bones can still shake when necessary. You couldn't have stopped me last night! Finally, to all The Other Ones....don't be strangers now!, hint, hint. Peace, harmony and many good vibes to y'all. Phil, I'm giving another pint as a way of saying thank you for last nights show. You keep giving, and I'll keep giving. Fair enough?

>>>>....I've read criticism of Jimmy Harring. The man can play....give him his due...he has stepped into an unenviable position and done remarkably well. He incorporates Jer's style, and adds his own flourishes and flavor.

Exactly.
Jimmy with P&F or TOO's has a Jerry-ish sound, yet his own.

Jimmy with the ABB, a 'typical' ABB sound, yet himself too.
And, the likes of Jimmy & Derek on Mountain Jam in 2000 has not been matched (or even close) by Warren & Derek since then.

To step in for Jerry, who's been dead for 7 years, yet is still a 'cult' figure or 'pop icon', & Dickey Betts a month after he's thrown out of the ABB after 30 years & still do a very good job in those roles speaks volumes for him as a guitarist & a person.

Thanks for all the terrific reviews of MSG. You all have big ears and terrific recall of musical detail.
I especially appreciate when folks place the style of a tune played at a show within the historical context of the Dead's catalog of live performances. What an erudite crowd! Keep it coming!
Thanks, Hilary

Very positive review of the MSG show in today's NY Times. Page E1, arts section.

Thought the show rocked. The energy reminded me of some of the 77 era shows that went on in the garden. Security for the most part was relaxed, and you got that contact high as soon as you walked into the garden.
The garden has been a second home for the boyz for a long time, and they seem to have a great time whenever they show up for playing here.
Dark star and the wheel, very nice, aiko and shakedown, good loving... how many fine dance and rocking tunes can the boyz play in one show?
This show makes me yern for the times of 6-7 sell out nights at the garden. One night was not enough, next tour book a week!!!!!!

One night often translate to more intensity & better song selection than a run of shows.

It's like NYE.
I'll take one power packed, give it their all show over 3 or 4 shows without as much punch at any one of them.


>>>>>Very positive review of the MSG show in today's NY Times. Page E1, arts section

Can you provide a link up here?

Keeping Pace With Shades of the Dead

By BEN RATLIFF

The Grateful Dead established a basic template for performances through the 1980's and 90's: two sets, one bright and full of singable hits, the second stretching out into darker, more fractured group improvising (and of course the instrumental "Drums" and "Space" sections) but snapping back into the band's rock anthems at the end. The form was tested to perfection; the problem, often in the later years, was lethargy among the players.
The Other Ones, the new band that brings together all four living original members of the Dead — the bassist Phil Lesh, the guitarist Bob Weir and the drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann — sticks to the proven form. But the band is re-energized. Its performance at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, oiled after nine shows on a tour, was impressive, shiny, solid; it lacked the mystery of the Dead at its best, but this is an able group carrying on an extraordinary tradition.

Mr. Lesh acts as the unofficial band director. He gave cues for efficient key changes and melodic transitions through a closed-circuit microphone into his band members' earpieces; this enabled the old Dead song "Dark Star" to mutate into Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" and then back to "Dark Star" again, without the band's losing any steam. Mr. Lesh played with driving strength, his single-note lines bubbling around in improvised melodies with a wide pitch range. In "The Music Never Stopped," for a long stretch of improvised polyphony, his bass functioned as a lead instrument among four entangled voices, with the lead guitarist Jimmy Herring and the keyboard players Rob Barraco and Jeff Chimenti. (The blues singer Susan Tedeschi rounded out the group, adding strong backup vocals throughout.)

This band puts Mr. Herring in the hot seat. He is filling the old role of Jerry Garcia, and many believe that Garcia took the core of the Dead's sound with him when he died seven years ago. A studied jam-rock classicist with the styles of Garcia, Duane Allman and Jimi Hendrix well under his fingers, Mr. Herring hammered out long solos in dynamically even strings of eighth notes, playing harder and more precisely than Garcia; he and Mr. Lesh helped keep the energy high, driving it toward tough, physical music, with the tempos set a little faster than usual.

THIS WAS A REVIEW ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES ART SECTION ON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28TH.
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/28/arts/music/28MADI.html

A couple of things...in response to Bucky's rather detailed 2nd set, which is quite well done.

So, a bit of spacey jamming ensued after Watchtower, & headed back to Dark Star.
I would have to disagree with Dewit here, because Phil most definitely played the DS intro again, 'Ba Boom Ba Boom, Ba Boom Ba Boom', & soon they were into verse 2.

The DATs say we are both wrong...when did the Nightfall of Diamonds reprise kick in? You neglected it in your review, I didn't take notes.

>. I really think Mickey & John Molo would be better at this point in time.

I disagree, Matt and John...what a monster. Mickey really does irritate the shit out of me, both as a distracting addition to the stage, and the lackluster energy in his playing.

Warren may have gotten shocked, but from my vantage point, he was mostly shocked into major irritation, when he went to take the verse, and his mic wasn't plugged in. Tech onstage plugged it in. He had signalled Bobby to take the verse, but Bobby clearly wanted Warren and Susan to do the tune-NO ARGUMENT from me. Susan stepped up bigtime then. Derek did the fills, Warren did the leads...I was upfront and saw it.


>I don't go every night.

Get it? I only go to a few shows.
I've seen 6 Dark Stars in my life, out of 123 shows, & 3 of them were this year, 2 in the last week.

We've been over this 100 times.

YOU have been over it a hundred times...

For the DS/OO heads...you got a great show. The sound was apparently inconsistent (what a surprise)in the Garden. I only heard the monitors, so I had clarity, but the arena energy is lost.

Jimmy Herring has always been underrated, and after these shows the same ideals regarding him will continue. Reviewers who don't know shit, (i.e.-that NYTimes review) will continue to say he stepped into the Fat Man's shoes, etc. I am sick of reading that stuff about Jimmy.

To quote my friend, who I have been driving nuts with the Phil stuff, "if they were playing here tomorrow, I would be back". That dude no more plays like Jerry, then fly at the moon, but good goddamned, he can PLAY, _______."

Yeah, he surely can, and in the five shows I was lucky enough to see, Jimmy carried the band on more than one occasion, as did Rob.

With regards to Rob, another dude I have been driving insane to go check out P&F, said, "that keyboardist is the shit!" He should know. He is a pianist, a sought after one. As to Chimenti, the said the same, but couldn't really get behind it because of "guess what?", the goddamned sound.

The thing, for me is that I loved what I heard, at moments, like the first set of MSG, thinking, wow, a whole new monster, but I fear that the reality might just be, that although the playing and energy of TOO in many ways, far excedes the Dead, they have inconsistencies. As does Ratdog. In the many, many Phil shows that I have busted my butt to go to, (and on many an occasion, been aided and abetted to get to) there really are no inconsistencies...two "duds" in an obscene amount of shows.

I would go see them again...maybe multiple times if the friends were aligned, but probably just in the NYC area.

One notable note, that has been ignored...by everyone.

Of the performers out there, Jimmy, Rob, Jeff, Warren and Derek had never been on the stage of MSG. (I cannot find concrete proof on the WH/DT stats, but that opinion was concurrent).

Jimmy Herring did the NYC P&F fanbase damn proud.
Rob Baracco - ditto

Warren and Derek walked out with eyes full of fear and smiles so damn big I thought they might fall off.


My overiding and very valid complaint to the entire tour thru MSG...why in the hell couldn't the organization find a sound engineer that had a clue? We, Deadheads, have a right to demand and expect excellent sound. Don't we all agree, especially the old timers, that sound is the one arena the Dead taught us to appreciate? The Dead gave us the best sound of any band, and set the bar of expectations. I would have rather that they went and fired the outsourced engineers and brought in Cotter.

>>> Dewit...Tell Us What You Really Think <<<

I have heard the really outstanding Q.backs go off like that in the huddle...Block that guy..pick up the blitz..run that pattern..hit the hole...listen up for audibles..

Wow....I'm actually going to weigh on this one and stick up for Dew.
Here's the quote off my ramblescramble

>>spacey Jam....into Dark Star....and then Phil leads a bass line that IS NOT DS (help me please) but close....Jimmy jams it too...but then into the second verse of the Star.

This is FOR REAL no joke. I watched it all go down and whoever has a tape should really be specific. (AHEM). They do the Dark Star quote...right, Bucky, they DO...but they don't stay with it. Phil was mos def booming another line...and it sounded to ME like another song. Maybe it was just play, but it was NOT Dark Star.

Nightfall of Diamonds reprise....wasn;'t that GREAT! After the first verse, they just peeled off and vamped the "NoD' all harmonic.....ooooooooohhhhhhh.

Sound. Right, those of us up front were feeding off monitors but when you went BACK on the floor it was awful. The nights I spent in Philly off the floor had better sound. I think those huge speakers aimed at the upper sections were better. But, right...up close Phil shook my soul...and at least I could look at Jeff clearly to try and differentiate.

Lovelight. I loved how Bob and Warren and Susan shared those vocals. Warren and Susan first...then Bob, then Bob egging Warren on so all 3 were singing.

And yr Shakedown pick, Dew...well, yeah oc I thought of you...glad you got to bask in the Good Call. That might have been one of the weirdest moments for me though...Shakedown. Suddenly tears were just pouring down my cheeks...uncontrollable weep...a big smile too...and maybe it was bc the run was over, for me. Maybe it was because we DO live in a town that a has a great heart. Honestly I think it was bc the whole thing smacked of Finality to me...shake it down shake it down down...
(To make the experience worthwile it must push me to excellence. The band achieves it, Candace achieves it...and what....I follow it? Frustrating, sometimes, to contemplate that. But not really here or there in a review thread.)

But - as I began - I'll throw down on this one....someone get the tapes and illuminate, eh?

Now...Mr. Charlie throwaway????? BUCKY!!!! My God. I didn't know you'd heard one live. Have you? Wow. Because, I'm sure you'll agree with me....that's some THANG...when they bust into it all full of living energy....same with....Hog for you BABY.."this piggie wiggie"....I know you've heard that plenty, Buck, so when they decide to pull it out, it's such a yawwwwwwwwn.

Personally if someone said to me....you can have all yr shows but Philly (Albany, Hartford, Byrne, MSG)...well...I'd scoff. If I had to pick 2 I WOULD pick Philly.
So FUCKING glad I don't have to choose, though....

>>>If I had to pick 2 I WOULD pick Philly.
So FUCKING glad I don't have to choose, though

Amen to that brother!

If I had to pick two....Hartford and Saturday Philly.

I say what I think. I rarely have a bad show. Why sugarcoat or pussyfoot? We aren't discussing someone's health here.

Huck, I think the reprise was where I keep saying the third verse of Dark Star is...from my vantage, all I heard was the Dark Star. I will listen to it at first opportunity.

It would be nice to get heat in my home first though.

It was a great show. If they had tweaked the sound for the tour, well, it'd be a whole 'nother ball of wax.

Hartford was outrageous, wasn't it? But someone took my book in Hartford...and wrote the set list down so I couldn't see it until I got home from Philadelphia (no computer )....next time, will you just write me down a copy of the list? I know, I know, you think I just bring that book into shows to get phone numbers - GARUMPH.
(oh yeah they played Dire Wolf! And I really thought they had come straight out of space into HTH which just shows how deep that spacey jam was....and other things too. heh heh.)
But Hartford was great. And that Sat Sugaree was like killer....Susan found it there I think.

But really....nothing like Unbroken Chain. So glad TOO took on the challenge.

There was a rewritten setlist folded up and in the book. Did it fall out? Thanks again, and sorry.

oh, see....you needed to definitely point that out to me more specifically. Daydream says I keep The Swirl reined in fairly well but that's actually humourous that you couldn't gauge how COMPLETELY spinned out I was at that show. But hey - all cool.

someone say tapes/cd's?

cool weekend to all. this facade of a work day is coming to an early conclusion. asked my magic 8 ball if there were beeyahs in my near future. reply? " Most Definitely".

peace to us all

oh yeah. I need to expand on my review. the show was ALOT of fun.

>>peace to us all

Absolutely, fair kinght, kind sir, comrade...and despite fear of great and irresponsible Digression....I bound into my favorite season with full heart. The music gives us inspiration, our hearts act on risk, and suddenly it is Flurries and magic and all twinkles in your eyes, with sugar plums and all better tomorrows. Ah yes, ah yes, dare I forget....IF WE MAKE IT SO. In the spirit of Holiday Cheer, a Season of Light, and Peace on Earth....

"I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th' unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till ringing, singing on its way
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

hey YOU!!!! yeah, you....that one over there...I forgot to give you the biggest enormous hug as we left the arena....ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH
can you feel it? hope so...hope so...(as she twirls into a reprise of Jingle Bell Rock)

I'm really sorry...this is real "not appropriate" material...but it's SO APROPOS for ME today...
and all really inspired by the MSG throwing of the light switch....so BAH HUMBUG.

>but that's actually humourous that you couldn't gauge how COMPLETELY spinned out I was at that show. But hey - all cool.

It also wasn't any of my business...just figured we were all shiny happy people...

ar ar ar
so TECHNICAL.
I just meant handing me my notebook back was rather a bar of slippery slopey soap....a word to the un-wise would have been warranted.
But indeed....NONE of yr bizness, not at all.

>>>>The DATs say we are both wrong...when did the Nightfall of Diamonds reprise kick in? You neglected it in your review, I didn't take notes.

I never write a thing down. Those who do crack me up. How do you concentrate on writing & listen at the same time?

What I was referring to is the 'opening Dark Star bass line'. Phil played that PRIOR to the 2nd verse being sung. Clearly.

As for the vocal reprise, I didn't bother to mention it. What would the point be? Everyone knows TOO's do it every time......

BTW, the sound was GREAT backstage.
Who cares if I don't see their faces?
I know what they look like.

Huck: I've heard Mr Charlie on 'Europe '72, and enough blues songs by the Dead/P&F/TOO's to know I'd rather hear TOO & DS, not to mention about 50 other songs in the P&F or TOO's repetoire.
See 'Big Bossman' in Hartford, aka 'Wake Me Up When It's Over'.

I'd post what Key told me to post on Monday about anyone who thought Hartford was great, but it might change they way you view him, lol.

BTW, DEW, Rob is a bar band keyboard player who got lucky. He's quite adequate, I like him as his style is very reminiscent of early Brent, circa '80-'81, but he's easily replacable.
Rob most certainly in NO way has lead or carried this band or P&F. He's background accompanyment.

Warren HAD been on the stage at MSG before. The first time I ever saw him. A Tribute to John Lee Hooker. 10-16-90. Warren played with Greg Allman and the '2nd half' house band (Feat personnel). Blew me away. This was after seeing such greats as Roy Rogers (not THAT Roy Rogers), Paul Barrere, and Ry Cooder. Johnny Winter kicked some ass too.

Bucky....
1) it IS hard to write and listen at the same time. I am pretty anal about words and writing, but my notebook is comical. Arrows, spirals, BOOMs and STOPs and circles and heavy underline. I read it back at the hotel room and it makes me laugh.

2) I'm all for Dark Star and deep jams. BUT, if they're going to invite Susan it seems to me songs like Big Boss Man, Midnight Hour, Mr. Charlie, Hard to Handle, Sugaree, Hog for Ya....these songs are all Susan kick ass rockarollers and SHOULD be incorporated. The chick needs some blues songs, imho, bc they are def NOT encouraging her to "fill Donna's shoes." Right? Susan DOES NOT do the traditional Lazy Lightning or Music Never Stopped Donna harmonies...FINE! To me the Pig is a treat and thrusts the set lists into the 1971 realm on occasion - a very fertile area. (Other set lists are of 73-76, here comes sunshine, cosmic charlie, dancin, lazy lightning.) ALSO...while breakouts are SOMETIMES weak & rough...I found the oldies we heard to be kickin, bc that King Bee Vibe isn't SO far off everyone's realm...and Susan SURELY knows Midnight Hour.

3) Rob is so far from background it's not even funny. This might be why you need to come around and WATCH the band, Bucky, bc there is a lot of looking and eyes on that stage....know what??? The Axis (Bold as LOVE) out there on which it all rotates is a PHILCO axis....Rob, Jimmy, Phil. They groove on Mickey and Bill as they have learned to groove on John Molo....and Bob leads by filling in with Susan. Yes....they are filling in holes Warren left behind...but Susan and Bob are filling them in new ways...as is Jeff, when audible. Thus...new sound...but Rob is indeed crucial...

>As for the vocal reprise, I didn't bother to mention it. What would the point be? Everyone knows TOO's do it every time......

I have NEVER heard that Nightfall of Diamonds reprise, and I don't click over the DS's on the disc. This wasn't a criticism...I didn't remember when it came up...apparently at the end of verse 2.

>BTW, DEW, Rob is a bar band keyboard player who got lucky. He's quite adequate, I like him as his style is very reminiscent of early Brent, circa '80-'81, but he's easily replacable.
Rob most certainly in NO way has lead or carried this band or P&F. He's background accompanyment.

Bucky, that is a load of crap and you know it. I tend to give credit, where due, to anyone...this dude may have started out as a barband keyboardist, whom I saw countless times as a teenager, but he is way beyond that now. He is quite accomplished, and quite gifted. He deserves the accolade, not that shitty little insult above.

>Warren HAD been on the stage at MSG before. The first time I ever saw him. A Tribute to John Lee Hooker. 10-16-90.

Thank you. Will pass that info on.

Now THAT RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROCKED A PARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRTY!

So let it be WRITTEN...so let it be DONE!

>>>I never write a thing down.

That's like Tom Clancy saying he doesn't makes outlines. [I'm a Clancy fan, although as a lifelong Democrat, I disagree vehemently with his politics. He spins good yarns. And he must use outlines.]

In order to produce the reviews you do, you must be writing SOMETHING down, OR you're spending a lot of time "organizing your thoughts" (i.e. not listening), OR you're a genius.

A, B, or C?



>>>Rob is so far from background it's not even funny.
>>>...that is a load of crap and you know it.

Rob IS critical. Not only with his knowledge of this music ("He knows more about the old Dead than we do," say Phil & Mick. He's had a lot to do with resurrecting the early stuff), and his piano playing, he's pretty good with the world's greatest instrument (his voice). Guess you haven't heard him sing Caution. It's time, with all due respect to his ex-bandmates, we stop calling him "Zen Trickster Rob Barraco." He's a star now. And, deservedly so.

>>>BTW, the sound was GREAT backstage.
Who cares if I don't see their faces?
I know what they look like.

If directly behind stage is 3 o'clock and directly side of stage is 6 o'clock, I think right about 5 or 5:30 is perfect for both sound and visuals. Lower to mid-level, not too high. BTW, that's the spot from where I saw some great Oakland shows in the early nineties. The Coliseum has good sound.

If you want a good laugh, check this out from that bastion of journalism, The New York Post. I don't think this guy was writing much down.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11282002/entertainment/63110.htm

Bucky ABSOLUTELY, UNEQUIVOCABLY does NOT write ANYTHING down.
I KNOW..I've been going to Shows with him since 1979.
He listens INTENTLY.
It IS all from MEMORY.

Key can vouche for my memory.
It's somewhat close to what people call 'photographic'.

I just listen when they play too, no other senses involved......

I don't look (much), I don't write, I don't talk, I don't blow smoke in your face or walk back & forth to the beer line or bathroom, crawling over people like Bugs Bunny in the theatre....... "excuse me, pardon, pardon me, excuse me"......

Fact is, my wife touched me during 'The Eleven' in Hartford 2000 & I told her "NEVER touch me during the music".


Dew: I shoulda realized YOU never heard Dark Star by TOO's.
Probably still haven't.....


Huck: You are correct about playing the blues with Susan. And therein lies the problem.

It's the first time they've played a full show or tour together in 7 years, they don't need any guests, let alone one they choose to pander to by changing setlists.
To announce her 3 days before the tour starts & then have her appearance change the dynamics of what & how the band is playing is just plain wrong.


On Rob: Come on. We're not talking Bruce Hornsby in 1990 here.
I have NEVER heard Rob lead the band in ANY musical direction. If you have, please tell me when & where & I'll listen.
With TOO's, it's Phil & Jimmy.
With P&F, it's Warren, Phil & Jimmy. They lead, the others follow.

And, as little as I cared for Phil & Feat, Billy Payne was a better keyboardist.

Lest you think it's just me who underrates Rob (remember I said he was good), ask Brick if he remembers what he said about Rob in the winter or spring up here. Something to the effect of "Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya." - if my (almost) photographic memory serves me correctly.

Hornsby doesn't deserve all the accolades thrown at him. His songs stand on their own. His cover tunes...need I say more.

Bucky, the Dark Star at the Garden was fabu...for a Dark Star. I hadn't heard it. Only heard snippets of the shows I was at.

As for the Susan addition...they picked her. It was their choice. I loved the breakouts.

I never could remember a setlist, though for some reason I committed MSG to memory. Freakin' funny.

>>>>Bucky, the Dark Star at the Garden was fabu...for a Dark Star. I hadn't heard it. Only heard snippets of the shows I was at.


Wait, weren't you at MSG?

Yes?

Oh, OK, I get it.

BTW, what happened to section 223? we were there.
Brett, Fritz, Huck, SI, Key, a few others.
Where were you? I thought it was your gig.

BTW, send me the CD of MSG.
Please? Grovel, grovel.....

>Fact is, my wife touched me during 'The Eleven' in Hartford 2000 & I told her

"NEVER touch me during the music"< Buckey..

That line threw me on to the floor and IMO

Will forever be in the top 10 things said here in the Zone...

You're right-- I used to go to the bathroom a lot during shows. ALWAYS be polite when moving through crowds. (How do you think we were front and center for Jerry at the Warfield every time?)...I was just questioning how you can recount the details (who played what when), for EVERY SONG during the evening without at least organizing things in your head as you go along?

A good "musical" memory is different than "photographic," isn't it?

As far as Rob goes, my guess, and I don't know because I wasn't there, is that when these songs are arranged beforehand Rob has a big role. Some of this stuff IS worked out in advance. During those closed-door sessions, Phil might say, "Geez I forgot that. How do the Tricksters do it?" That kind of thing. His playing and singing could probably be replaced but not his spirit.

About Billy Payne, I agree. Used to love Feat in their day. Hornsby??? He contibuted on-stage, sure, but the only direction he led to is back in his own band, w/Kimmock.

Bugs

>>>>A good "musical" memory is different than "photographic," isn't it?

I guess 'photographic' is the wrong word.

As a Prophet (Christian with 'psychic' gifting) who came to my church & didn't know me once said as he called me out in a service, "You have a tremendous ability to absorb & retain information."

Problem is, it only works for things I'm interested in.
I could never force myself to study something if it bored me.

I remember exact conversations, like "Don't you remember? You said this & that to me six months ago? We were outside The Meadows, I was cooking the ribs, just as Fritz, Bosphan & Cryp came up?".

I remember the exact riffs that were played sometimes - certainly the best ones......

BTW, I'm not trying to brag, the question was asked. This is just who I am.
We all have different gifts. A great memory is one of mine.
Things some of you can do without thinking twice, like walking, are harder for me than remembering.
I certainly wasn't the foreman (or chief laborer) on the Fence building project for my son either.......


>>>>Fact is, my wife touched me during 'The Eleven' in Hartford 2000 & I told her

"NEVER touch me during the music"

I had had my neck fused in March, it was July, & I tend to shake my head around a bit to the music (anyone who's been near me at a show is probably laughing as they read 'a bit'). My wife was worried that I might hurt my neck......

The thing is, to me, we have 5 senses. I want 4 turned off & one turned on FULLY (the hearing). Touching, smoke, even lights or 'graphics', they all take away from the concentration on the one sense that matters at a concert.
I once went to see 'Dark Side of the Moon' at a Planetarium laser show, & halfway through, I just shut my eyes & listened because I realized I enjoyed it more that way......

'Breathe, breathe in the air'..........

I've come to appreciate Rob B. more and more. He has sort of a Jerry Quality to his vocals. Not that he sounds like him,but something about him reminds me of young Jerry. Especially stuff like Brown-Eyed or Help. His voice also blends really well with Phil. The Phil, Warren ,Rob harmonies in PLQ make Phil sound as good as I've ever heard him vocally. At the Roanoke show, Phil started croaking the lyrics to Frankin's and Rob came in on the 2nd or 3rd line and sang the rest of the song with him and the difference was like night and day. As far as Rob leading the jams, I think Bucky is right. I can't remember any time they all followed Rob out, but he is right on top of it,when Phil or Bobby or Jimmy do make a turn, Rob is always right there with them. I've never noticed him getting lost. He does lots of very subtle, cool things that you don't notice unless you are listening specifically to him. He is not as "in your face" as Bruce was sometimes. Often he plays in the style of the keyboardist from the songs original era. Sometimes I'll notice him do something that sounds like Brent, or Keith used to do. I think I read some interview with Phil awhile back where he referred to Rob as the secret weapon.

I, too, cannot remember a list, but do remember the notes...scary. 12.30.01 is one of those nights. The Tuesday's Gone is always on tap in my head.

Althea and I were together, looking for everyone, and we couldn't find them...I had also arranged to meet 8 others at that spot...what can I say? We really couldn't find anyone, and we were there, and I caught hell for it. I also had other old schoolers in my row, and I couldn't find them, and they couldn't find me...

On the new Barraco/Lesh duets. Great move. Especially, and I think ALL of us can agree here, on the Inspiration verse...we may never have to see Phil cringe pre-note again. Barraco keeps Phil on key. Nice.

>If you want a good laugh, check this out from that bastion of journalism, The New York Post. I don't think this guy was writing much down.

Due diligence is obviously part of the job requirement.

The post isn't exactly know for it's commitment to investigative journalism......

Just ask Mike Piazza.

Come on Dew, hook me up with MSG.
I know you're connected....
I'll be sure to spread it fast.

I will pass it on to you, when I get it, first...with the promise that you pass it on, no trades. Deal?

Yup.
I love giving away free shows.
Everyone wants this one since everyone was there.

By nycsoundman (207.41.177.235) on Tuesday, November 26, 2002 - 10:46 pm: Edit

Prepare your self for mindless chatter. OK so they seem to be getting it back together. If Bobby could just remember the lyrics, anyway, wow they love the garden, Warren, Derek,wow-wow, Do you guys remember that point during a show when the vibe got so thick it was like liquid velvet, they were just this close to that tonight. I wish Jimmy(Sunshine)whould delve into the dark side a little more. Don't get me wrong I love him, just would love to see him explore the blues, the pain, Dig alittle deeper. But thats where Warren comes in This man is the definition of soul. remember this is a blues band at the origins. So what do I think, I'll be back, you fuckin better believe I'll be back. The sets are what dreams are made of, its obvious they are working very hard to pull this off, and its working. The tomorrow never knows to open the second set was shaky, but I was behind stage @ that point so could have been mix problem, but still great to hear. Lovelight was ripping, Darkstar had a nice meeeellllttttt.. Cryptical was brewing throughout second set, then it popped. wow great one for a return to NYC
wish I could remember whole setlist 4 you, but just not happening tonight. If you are checking these boards to find out if its close, it is , but its a different band So appreciate Them for the magic they will give you and come out, Tickets were a giveaway, 10-15 dollar tix everywhere. Its almost like 1982 in the lot and the philzone.Make susan play guitar. Let Susan PLay, Let Susan Play She rocks, Derek Trucks you are the luckiest man alive. A wife that cute that can play the blues YEEEEHAAAAAA
Peace and its alive

Deal then. Please email your addy so that I can turn them over...I will send you a heads up when I get it, okay.

>>Of the performers out there, Jimmy, Rob, Jeff, Warren and Derek had never been on the stage of MSG. (I cannot find concrete proof on the WH/DT stats, but that opinion was concurrent). <<<

If I may...Mr. Haynes performed at MSG with the Dave Mathews band on December 12, 2000 (as well as another aforementioned performance). He played guitar on the first song of the second set: Crush. He then played and sang the encore: All Along the Watchtower.

My pick for line of this thread: "If these guys keep playing like this they'll definetely make the playoffs".

I'd be real happy to b/p the DMB show with Warren. Now who's got The Other Ones from the Garden for me????

Best show I've seen in ages.

Warren first performed at MSG with the Allman Brothers in September of 1990. You can check the set list at www.hittintheweb.com.

JT, was Derek in the band then?

well dew, '90 would have to make derek 13 years old? so prob, not.

'90 was a great year. Still miss D.betts. Wish they'd get over it and bring him back already. Personal first for me and warren was Radio City '91 ABB. Warren Haynes, slide guitar-DREAMS! never will forget it. That MSG and radio city stuff was all before the March runs at the beacon for 18 nights. Good Times they were.

heres a better Q:

Dewit, do you still think you saw NRPS play the wetlands in 70's?

>>>>well dew, '90 would have to make derek 13 years old? so prob, not.

If I am not mistaken, Derek sat in with the ABB at age 11-12 once - I'm not sure how old he is now - but it was early 90's. I saw it on their setlists on the website.

If you want, you can go to their website & check those years for the exact date.

No CD's yet?

I caught both the MSG and the second kaiser shows. MSG was my first dead related show in NYC. I partly went to it to check out the legendary audience. I live in San Francisco, so most all of my dead related shows have been in the Bay Area.

Noticed several things. First, its really true, the energy level of MSG for TOO was phenomenal, everything was up, and it was up throughout the show!. Whereas the Bay Area shows get quiet, especially by the 1/3 point into the first set - I always thought it was somewhat drug related in that people were getting into listening or getting into having to go to the bathroom. But at MSG, the energy and the talking never let up. Any whenever there was a song everyone knew (meaning a dead song played a lot in the late 80's through 95) it was as if the whole audience was singing along on every word. At times, Weir would stop singing and let the audience finish the song up! It seemed to me that the band was pumped also, very, very up and Hunter gave the most animated show I'd ever seen him give - walking/running around the stage, forceful singing.

This being said, I wondered to myself, with all this energy the NYC audience was putting out, are they really listening? It seemed to me that to really hear and settle into the music, you had to quiet down, something I'm used to from the Bay Area.

I thought that the playing of the band was all in all was better at the second Oakland show than at MSG. the music was more intricate and playful. In NYC, it seemed to me that there was a collision between Lesh's direction and that of the two drummers, where as at the second Kaiser show, there was less confrontation and more flow. I especially like the way that some of the Kaiser grooves would feature arpeggios that would run back and forth between Herring and Baracco, eventually to be commented on and completed by Kreutzman, only to be restarted up by Herring again! and here, the rest of the band, set up an evolving foil that evolved a wonderful background for these Herring/Baracco/Kreutzman arabesques.

I saw Derek at (his) age 11 also...and I saw all of the kids when they were very very young at a Beacon show. I have just been told that Warren's first (solo) appearance was with DMB playing "Watchtower" 12-12-00. He also played a few tunes the second night, including "Cortez the Killer".

I believe I read somewhere that Derek's first appearance as a performer on a stage was at age 8 1/2. Prodigy for sure.

As for Wetlands, early '90's. I saw them out west in the 80's...and a few times in the late '70's also, but couldn't tell you where...Boston, Portland or NYC area...

Knowing me,sans reading glasses that is a typo.