OK Phans. How about listing your favorite 5 shows for the tour ( and the reason why you picked the #1).

DC - Second set!!!!!!!! Very tight jams, and stellar song selection. I only dreamed of hearing stuff like New Potato Caboose and Cryptical Envelopment, and they played it well. The Milestones jam was incredible, as was Let it Grow and that Sugar Mag brought the house down! All I could think was that I finally got to see a Grateful Dead show - even after seeing the Dead 80+ times over 15 years. Keep up the good work boys (and girls!).

2nd Set Sat. Philly -- I'm still thinkin' about that Lazy Lightnin'->Supplication! And the end of Terrapin was sick! And a sweet Sugaree to top it all off. Whew!

1st Set Sun. Philly wasn't too bad either! Phil THREW DOWN on that Caution!

#5. Hartford, #4.East Rutherford, #3.Tuesday Boston, #2.MSG, #1.Monday Boston(2nd set was the shit, Shakedown, Alligator, Caution, Dancin in the Streets,HE'S GONE, Truckin and JACK STRAW closer)

I'm tempted to rank the Tuesday Boston show as number one because of the song selection but if it were played after Susan got here feet wetter it would be deffinately #1. So I guess I have to jump on the wagon and pick Boston first night as my number one, He's Gone and Straw alone make it worth the vote...
Hartford is deffinately a number three though, very fun and exciting set list...

Oh yeah, the behind stage group is the dank, FREEDOM...

1. Philadelphia, first night
2. Hartford, 2nd set
3. MSG, 1st set


I assume this is a musically derived poll, and not a fun factor poll./?

philly sat. night #1

msg full show first. they were on. full viola lee to start. shakedown good lovin end the first set. vocal trance>tomm. never knows. over the top dark star with a watchtower in between. the wheel. lovelight with warren and trucks/ugar mag encore. super gassed crowd a show to remember

I hit 4 and my ranking is:

1) Philly First Nite no doubt.

2) MSG

3) Philly second nite.

4) Meadowlands

Wow...this is gonna be tough....first of all, this tour blew AWAY any expectations I had, but after seeing PLQ about 5 times in the last year, I KNEW this TOO Tour had incredible opportunities......my highlights were lazy lightning, Hard to handle, Viola Blues, St Stephen, and a HUGE Jack Straw in Philly on Sun 12/24....need to hear tapes, but felt that X Factor several times on tour...for the record I saw Hartford, both Philly and MSG......so I will rank these only....

I like Dewitt's "musically vs. fun factor" clarification...... that's a tough call, cause one sometimes means the other....

Best Moment: Philly 12/23 Sat set 2: Lazy Lightning....SICK !!!!!

Best Set: same show philly 12/23 set II

1. Best WHOLE show: MSG...PHILnominal
2. PHILLY SUN 12/24
3. Philly Sat 12/23
4. Hartford...had some great moments but didn't "gel" as a whole show.....

What a tour....still the best music that $50 can buy ! Other Ones and PLQ...I'm in until ????

I hit 4 and my ranking is:

1) Philly First Nite no doubt.

2) MSG

3) Philly second nite.

4) Meadowlands


Chris I went to the same 4 and I'll agree 100% Grate minds think alike.

can't really rank 'em seeing I only saw 3. all's
I know is the palace show with susan was grate !
from the looks of the setlist I would have to say second nite 2nd set boston looked like the fatty
show !!!

Well, I have to disagree with my fellow New Englanders here, the Tuesday Boston show was the best concert Ive ever been to and changed my life in ways im sure you can all understand. The China>Rider was amazing to close the first set after a pretty tight UJB, Minglewood, West LA, and Doin'. They came out for the second set and I was in the balcony being phree and the notes of Morning Dew came out of Phils bass and all those tripping around me jumped out of their seats and into the aisle to groove. From there, ST. STEPHEN. Maybe TOO's best song, would have absolutlely had an orgasm if they went into 11, but that would be my only complaint of the show. The Bird Song with Phils improvised lyrics just philled everyones heart with the pheeling that this was a special night. The deep Drumz>Space turned into a Wheel that really exemplified the bands ability to play together, and then from there, well...DARK FUCKING STAR. If they had played the whole thing instead of the seperation it would have been much deeper and a more superb Dark Star. If I had to criticize PLQ and the TOO at all it would be there penchent for breaking up traditional jams like Help>Slip>Franklins, Dark Star, St. Stephen>11, & Cryptical>OO>Cryptical. After a deep spacy 2nd part of Dark Star the notes of Lovelight rung out like bells calling the faithful back into reality and everyone jumped and started dancing in all kinds of crazy ways. Full circle, swinging, jumping up and down, aisle grooving, rushing to the floor, everything imaginable; I got cramps I was dancing so hard . And then the NFA clapping quickly became arms flaling in the air in response to Bobby's Hey Now chant of Aiko Aiko. Did I say that this night profoundly changed me? I just had to write this after I read that people thought night 1 was better, I didnt think night 1 picked up till the incredible Hes Gone>Truckin>Straw, E: Golden Road. The only other show I went to was Hartford and that Eyes>New Speedway>Masons was a true shining moment, but the show as a whole couldnt compare to Boston 2nd night. Just my 2 cents, and if I had to judge by setlist I think MSG may have been the best, followed by 11-19, followed by 11-20, yet we have yet to see what good ol California brings. Sweet dreams zoners...

(Holding the envelope to my head - ala Carnack)

New Years Eve, 2002

I only made it to Indy & Chicago, but WOW- what a grate time had by all!!!

Indy was good, on the lighter side of things, The Cold Rain opener is what I was hoping for (been talking about it for months), good song selection.
Hadn't seen the Boys since Alpine. This show they were definetely tighter, more cohesive, seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

& Then Chicago- this was the show for me, best show I have seen since Jer died, maybe even better than some shows I saw in the last couple yers of the Dead touring.
(As much as I love PLQ, this was better- IMHO). The energy of the crowd was so high, harnessed by the musicians on stage.
I enjoyed the first set (especially Touch), but the second set was where it's at for me:

SOTOTW opener>Born Cross-Eyed... WOW!!!!!
I really enjoyed drums, very tribal, earthy, grounding (which was what I needed at the time)
It felt so good to be back, dancing, losing myself in the trunes, sharing smiles & other things with neighbors.
Truckin was an appropriate encore in Chicago:
WHAT A LONG STRANGE TRIP IT'S BEEN

I enjoyed Alpine, but it was more of a sentimental feeling, nostalgic for me. The music, while great to hear, was not at the level that TOO is playing at now. With pracitce & shows under their belt, they busted out & never looked back.
Is it the end or beginning???............

best lazy ever in philly

I too have only seen 2 shows, also Indy & Chicago(Yo, Amy!!)...

I've got to say hands down the Chitown show was THE SHIT...I too think it was the best show I've seen since Jerry left us...do yerselves a favor and get this show when its available...ITS SICK....

I hope, NEW YEARS will prove me wrong...24 DAYS!!!

>>>>best lazy ever in philly

COME ON, REALITY CHECK!

Have you EVER heard:

5-11-81?
4-23-83?
3-10-81?


Now, my list:
1. Boston 11-19. The 2nd set was just a huge monster, as Max has reported above.

2. MSG 11-26. The show was better from beginning to end than Boston, but I think the 2nd set in Boston was just a little higher peak, & I tend to look at shows from my '80-'83 perspective (too much?) - how was the post drums climax? And, until I hear both on tape, I'd rate Boston a little better.... Both excellent either way & QUITE satisfying.

69. Hartford. Next time I have insomnia, I'll put on Franklin's from this show...... I love Franklin's, but this was so sloooooooow, I couldn't even bop to it & just stood there with my arms folded by halfway through the song - from the 7th row on the floor.

Washington 1st, Aiko Akio changed the show from then on it was unreal. Philly Sat. 2nd, another great show a little bit of a technical problem in the 1st set or this show would be #1. Philly Sunday 3rd, All around solid show the weather was better than Sat. so the parking lot was way fun.
Roanoke, 4th great to see the guys together again but not the best show.

These are the only ones I saw. I was happy with all off them.

Just listened to 11/30 and it smokes. A keeper for the collection. 12/15/71 kept comming to mind when listening to this puppy, especially during Caution.

1. Philly Saturday
just an amazing thing
just simply amazing
2. MSG
too intense to be THE BEST
but....FULL ON ROCKET KAPPPPPPOWWWWWW
3. Albany
Hearing the SailorSaint and the instrumental Stella - they will forever resonate in my heart and soul
4. Byrne and Hartford
only reason they don't rank higher is bc I was too spinny to know - BUT THEY RAGED
however I DONT LIKE TOUCH (this is not the way I like the end the yummers)
and Hartford''s AWFUL beer lines and the aftermath of the lot melee leaves an icky taste in my mouth
5. Philly Sunday
First set was great
Second set was a letdown imho
so even though I had a FABU TIME (for the ages, what great company)....simply bc it didn't blow my mind all night....
it is #5.

>>>> MSG
too intense to be THE BEST

The show?
I thought that was the point.....

Or do you mean the 'scene', trying to get there, et all?

1) Jersey, great first set, Bertha highlight. And also Susan breaking out Pigpen tunes and groovin on Jimmy's guitar from behind.
2) Sun. Philly, MR CHARLIE my highlight of everything I've experienced. Great lights, screens.
3) DC, how about a little New Speedway to lift me up and to get us out of the darkness! And Other One Bombs that were much more intense than MSG. Cosmic encore groovy, then them old US Blues they love to play in DC!
4) Philly Sat, Terrapin just going on and on and on... Jimmy stepping it up proper at the end of GDTRFB.
5) Roanoke, Phil singing Broken Arrow to an amazing screen show. Nice cozy small town, first show of the tour feel.
6) MSG, highlight hmmmm, definitely not Baba Jingo! Probably the MNS, and Lovelight that was at a higher level then the rest of the night.

Just got back from the trek out west, lots of energy and a great 2nd set propels 12.6. to the five spot on my previous list. Also got a chance to give a listen to the Boston 2nd nighter again and Max hit the nail... I guess eating two of those chocolate thingies puts a different live frame on the whole thing... Deffinately the number one of the 10 I've seen this year... Hate to say it, probably better than PLQ with exception of Hartford 01...

PLQ Hartford '01, still the Pinnacle of all shows I've seen of any group in any formation.

Just wait until you hear 11/23 for the second time. My Lightnin' TOO

>>>>best lazy ever in philly

>>>COME ON, REALITY CHECK!
Have you EVER heard:
5-11-81?
4-23-83?
3-10-81?

Double reality check.

2/17/79 is the greatest, hands down (though I have a personal fondness for 6/21/80 too).

3/10/81, as I recall it (don't have it in front of me), is weak by comparison. Decent 2nd set, though the S>F ain't as good as '78-'80 versions, imho...

Not that familiar with the other two, but it was pretty much out of rotation by '83.

As to those of us who came of age during that time, while sitting on the throne the other day and thumbing through Deadbase, I noticed that from 4/16/78 through 8/12/81, approximately 235 shows, in the so-called "slow Jerry slot" after drums, (not counting the Miracle>Bertha>Good Lovin suite, or Shakedown, Fire and Franklin's), he played either Black Peter, Stella or Wharf every time, with the exception of:

6 China Dolls
5 Dews
3 Comes A Times
2 Terrapins*
2 World To Gives*

*both '78

Don't quote me on the figures, but you get the idea. MORNING DEW was very rare back then.
So, from my perspective as well, I might have enjoyed Boston the most. Had I been there.

My pick is The Garden. I love Watchtower.

AND, 1 Brokedown (12/26/79).

2nd night Boston the best. From west la fadeaway (I dont even like that song, but it was awesome) all the way to the end of the 2nd set. Really well played and was in such a groove, I just felt so good for a long time after. Nothing left to do but smile!!

>>>Double reality check.

Not really.

We are both agreeing that the thought that the LL > S in Philly was the best ever is absurd, aren't we?

I never heard the 1st set of that 2-18-79 show, but the 2 I mentioned from New Haven (5-11-81 & 4-23-83) are the 2 that stand out to me as the best I saw.

I never saw a bad one though.

And, btw, listen to that 3-10-81 again. It was CERTAINLY in the top 10 Dead shows I ever saw IMHO.

And, BTW II, Georgie, it's funny - the slow Jerry Song stats you mention.

I recall some of the best shows I saw were 9-6-80, where the slow Jerry song after the drums was the first Wheel on the east coast in a few years, & 4-17-83, with Stephen Stills, where again, The Wheel was the slow Jerry song after the drums.
Also, the few odd shows where they did Playin after the drums (8-19-80 & 7-10-81) were great.

It also seems to me the much of the remainder of my top shows seen live were those filled with Morning Dews (9-2-80, 9-26-81) & China Dolls (7-10-81, 10-11-83), Dark Star (9-10-91) or St Stephen (10-11-83) after the drums.......
Also, Wheels (12-5-81, 3-10-81) & GDTRFB (5-6-81, 8-19-80).

The only exceptions were 4-23-83 (19 minute TOO though) & 8-31-80, but they did a Comes A Time pre drums (And great UJB) & a Fine TOO > Stella (yes, I said that) after the drums. That week, summer '80, just about everything they did was great.
We used to call it 'Holy Week' before I got saved.

Oh, while I'm on the subject of great Stellas (a very short discussion), the aforemwentioned 12-5-81 is the best. I found myself saying "Imagine if they had done Morning Dew instead."

A SBD of 12-5-81 will be coming to a Tape Trading Thread near you soon.
4-23-83 also........

Bucky...sign me up for 12.5.81, I gotta hear the Stella that you turned another cheek to.

As soon as I get it, I'm going to post it for B&P....

I say the best:

Let It Grow
Passenger
Birdsong (fast style)
The Wheel

EVER played......

And the rest ain't too shabby......

Including Big Railroad in the Ship Of Fools slot.

Buck, that 2/17/79 (K&D's last show) is worth checking out. Unfortunately my 1st set tape broke and I've lost the 2nd set (which isn't all that great). The story back then was that somebody bet Jer he couldn't play 1/256th notes or whatever it is he does between Lightnin' and Supp. Who knows if that is true (probably not), but it was some of the fastest pickin' we had heard from the fatman (he wasn't that fat then)-- in the John McLaughlin, Al DiMeola vein-- with the possible exceptions of some of those '73 Playins.

Some early-eighties' Let It Grows, like the 5/6/81 you mention, and other things such as the Playin' on the So Far video (10/31/85, I believe) plus stuff in the nineties are also pretty "quick." From where I'm coming from (I kinda got out of the collecting business in the '90's, but saw a lot of shows and have some tapes), my money is still on 2/17.

And then Kimmock and Herring redefined it.

The reason I didn't include the Wheel in my exhaustive research is that I always considered it a "group" tune (even though it's on Garcia I), like UJB. But I guess you could call both of those "Jerry-tunes." That seems to be the prevailing opinion.

Though UJB would have been considered a great choice after drums, in my circle at least, though it has good lyrics and I like it a lot now, The Wheel was considered to be a bit of a "blow-off." Perhaps a notch above the Peter/Wharf/Stella triumverate, but cleary not in "Dew" category.

It doesn't matter now because anything is fair game at any time, but some of us used to look at "what did they do after drums?"

>>some of us used to look at "what did they do after drums?"

Indeed.
At my first show there was a Space>Dew.
When I got into stats I realized how unique that was...and I sought it again, and I did hear it again, at the same venue (Spectrum).

Perhaps it all stems from thinking that Space is a moment of deep exploration, and when the band finds those opening notes of the next song....it can be pure bliss as the song unwraps around you...
which is why Space>>I will take you home became the ultimate roach (sorry Brent)
but Space>>Jerry Sparkler was the yummiest....
and Space>>Bob Rock (ie Miracle) could be the most freaky awakening....
however, while Space>>Wheel became something of a Throwaway, I agree - too short - (oh, and I also agree, it's a group song...)
A Space>>Wheel could also be transcendent....when the gears were clicking. To me it's all about the moment, not the song itself. Good Stellas, Bad Stellas, Good Dark Star, Throwaway stars. Just a Little Light had me turnin heel for the Ladies' Room....but now Philco does it justice. A set list can indeed give you a sense of the magic in the air...but it can be ultra misleading too. A primary source report can be good...but oc that can be tainted by enivronment (interior AND exterior )
so who to believe?
Hey...I always thought the 80s were scuzz compared to the 70s stuff...but to hear you guys talk...I'm gonna listen anew....and that's the TRUE gig of open ears....

One more thing about the Wheel, I DO see where they hardly played it in '78,79,80 but was brought back, I guess, to give some variety to that slot.

But still not real exciting as far as we were concerned...Blow-off...Notice they followed it at Lewiston w/UJB.

>>>Perhaps it all stems from thinking that Space is a moment of deep exploration, and when the band finds those opening notes of the next song....

Or, if one looks at a show as a lifecycle, it's like, what have you done (or are going to do) with your life? How has it unfolded? In the later years? That kind of thing...

P.S. Signing off because I have to go to the Giants game. Email me if you want to go and pay full price.

though I don't attend shows any longer, it's great to read everyone's views on the scene today.

anyone have opinions on 6-25-85 in Cuyahoga Falls, OH or 12/81(or was it 80) in Madison, WI?

my 2 favorite shows attended.

first show 2/73 in Madison, WI last 7/98 Other Ones in Colorado

All those 12-81 shows were really well played, with 12-5 being by far the best. 11-30 was good too, but in the same class. They just never seenmed to 'go for it' & were happy to just play 'regular' setlists.....
No GDTRFB or Dew in 9 shows, 1 Wheel.
I always thought if they had played 12-31-81's setlist at 12-5, it would've been one of the greatest post '74 shows the GD ever did.

>>>Some early-eighties' Let It Grows, like the 5/6/81 you mention

Talk about fast, wait until you hear Passanger & Let It Grow from 12-5-81....

On The Wheel, you folks are probably thinking of the post '85 ones, which are faster & shorter.

The good early 80's ones - 12-5-81 & 11-30-80 are usually recognized as the best 2 ever played - well, 12-5-81, the lead-in before they sing is 4 minutes, as long as a typical 1990 version.

Or, check out 12-14-80. The Wheel before the drums has a jam, about 4-5 minutes, all in the Wheel theme, that is just beautiful.

So, on The Wheel, I'm coming from an era when it was 'special' & (usually) epic......

That's why I so enjoyed seeing it done by TOO's. For a song with little improv in the song itself, it packs an energetic punch.

3-10-81 is another great Wheel......

NYE will always be the best for me because it is TRADITION!
There is no place like (((((((((((HOME)))))))))))

here's my 2 cents.........3/29/01(EyesOfWorld..on floor that night) & 3/30/01 - Casey Jones opener was "sick", Walrus~! (first and second respectfully, and throw in 6/01/02 at third (Dark Star>St Stephen>DS & Golden Road). and Hey Now : 12/31/02 solid come back~! Thx

I have been to over Dead 100 shows. The TOO Fall 02 was very fun and important for me.

First My Show Rankings (I only saw 4 so keep the bias in mind)
1. Second Nite Boston as a show was the best for me
2. MSG The whole show was strong
3. First Night Boston
4. Hartford, CT

Best Personal Moments on TOO Fall Tour 2002
1. Definitely First nite Boston He's Gone>Truckin>Jack Straw...this was very intense for me
2. Second set -2nd set Boston had me on the ropes......DarkStar, St Stephen..need i say more...the friggin Stephen was wicked loud!!!! Lovelight was totally sick with Tedeschi...she is beautiful...
3. MSG, NYC, NY Viola, Shakedown St.>Good Lovin' Lovelight w/ Derek & Warren
4. Unbroken Chain in Hartford was really a nice treat.

Of course we miss Jerry, he was pure magic...we who saw him play were lucky. It is not the Dead , but god is it FUN!

Mickey Hart is right "the world has gone amuck" & we really need this vibe right now....

Any thoughts on my rankings???

>>>Any thoughts on my rankings???

I would pretty much agree with you on the 3 I was at....

I'd add that a Morning Dew worthy of the greatness that song inspired over the years on 11-19 was a serious highlight of the 4 shows for me.
Yes, that's me saying that, not an imposter.

So, here goes:
1. NYE
2. Boston 11-19
3. MSG
69. Hartford

My point in my rankings is that there was a SERIOUS drop in the level of intensity & consistent playing between the first 3 & the last one.
In retrospect, I really have no complaints after this run......

Yea, the Morning Dew > St. Stephen was nice at Boston, MA.

Had a great time at those shows......

I wonder how many peaple out there have heard that albeny night !!! Or second night kieser and the 02 new year show...A heart of gold band now we play for lives...In the book of Loves own dreams...