Leave early ... Friday shore traffic is a bear.

heading to holmdel for the first time this fryday, anyone got any good tips? security...lot...local restaurants...etc.?????

Get there early...between 2-3:30. by 5 it will be crazy just to get in
shore traffic is a bitch, unless you're coming from the South...GSP always backs up on a fri.
Good restaurants??? Burger King on the GSP? seriously, there's really nothing around there.
security isn't bad, just be aware and don't be an ass. it's the type of place where if you aren't an idiot, then you'll have your fun...
they'll pat you down before you get in, so stash your stash...
other than that, enjoy yourself!!! see ya there

"by 5 it will be crazy just to get in
shore traffic is a bitch"
-drive the parkway everyday to work and seriously doubt this unless theres an accident or something.

seriously, there's really nothing around there.
-if you get off on practically any exit heading south, especially 1&9, you'll find good eats.

security isn't bad, just be aware and don't be an ass
-WRONG IN A MAJOR WAY! dont be an ass and you'll be fine. But your in the state troopers jurisdiction at PNC. And THEY WILL SCREW YOUR SORRY ASS! watch DWI's on the parkway. Seriously folks, just be very careful and you'll be ok. (ie. JERRY STICKERS)

anybody else psyched for a great big Dark Star - Other One - Viola sandwich with Derek? and maybe Jorma will sit in on I know you rider!

see you all there! - Nick

Anyone know the policy for PNC for cameras?

I will be close in the orchestra and want to get some good photos

please be careful !!! everyone will be fine up to show time, after the music starts the state police tour the lot, and hassle open container people ( before the show, they dont) everyone get there business done before the show starts, these NJ cops mean business, they even have a portable courthouse on site at the PNC.. but come early and you will be fine !!!!

Who here is going to be at Holmdel tomorrow night? I'd think there's gotta be a bunch of ya but so far there's no indication here. How 'bout it?

anyone with a cb,
ill be on channel 9-38

Any idea on times that Jorma, DTB and Phil will be coming on? trying to figure out what time to divert the bosses attention so i can bug out of the office...........

4:30-5:30 - Jorma
6:00-7:00 - Derek Trucks
7:30-11:30 - Phil (strict curfew at 11:30)

This is what I've found out from sources purported to be reliable...

regarding shore traffic...its not all that bad...looks like a cooler than normal weekend shaping up so the beach wont be a major deal..as for the curfew...thats bendable in reality. saw trey a few weeks ago and he didnt finish til about 1145 or so ....so its all open really...but with derek goin on early needto leave early from the office...would hate to miss any part of this show ...have phun ya'all

LESS THAN 24HRS. TILL PHIL BLEESES NJ ONCE AGAIN..SEE YOU ALL TOMM.

>>anyone with a cb,
ill be on channel 9-38

so which is it, 9 or 38, or any channel inbetween???

Rob, read my other post. ;0

BBking played untill 1:45 am @PNC

it happened in sept 2000 at a blues festival, there is no cerfew here....

>>>>anyone with a cb,
ill be on channel 9-38

dude, thats MY channel. no one else can use it.
ive had for like 20 years asshole! :0

LMAO!!!
the only thing you missed mike was the rest of my conversation with that a-hole.

me-
"really dude, sorry to stomp on your channel"
otherone-
"not really a problem man, IVE HAD THIS CHANNEL FOR TEN YEARS THOUGH and im not about to hand it over"
me-
"ok man, ill switch channels"
otherone-
"well, maybe if you find me ill get you high"
me-
"WELL MAYBE IF YOU FIND ME ILL GET YOU REALLY HIGH!!! BAHAHAHAHA"

-over,over

under,under...

LMFAO!!!!


hehehehe

Ahhhhh!! Love that "day of the show" feeling!!!! Bright blue skies, and a fresh breeze tearing through my soul--- swallow my sorrows and deliver me (to PNC) whole!!!!!!!! How about a "Blue Sky" tonight - just like last year!!

Beautiful day for a show...Sunshine, cool temps..
Headin out of work at 1 today going to enjoy
some Phil....

Woooohoooo show day is here. 75, sunny, with a cool breeze blowing. Judging by the last few setlists we are gonna be in for a bone rattling good time. Regarding security, I've seen a lot of shows at the venue. Was tossed hard by Troopers in the 80's but it has gotten a lot better. Last year, lower lot had minimal security long as ya used ya head and kept things low. Make sure ya bring cups. They'll take ya beer if its not in a cup. Stay low, further from the venue the better. Have a great show zoners hope to see ya there.

woooweeeee less than 10 hrs. before phil and the boys light up Holmdel NJ...see ya all there

Damn right Evan, definetely the "day of the show" feeling :-) , and there definetely has a "blue sky" sorta feel to it today, being the fact that if is freakin gorgeous out here in NJ today...and they havent done a Blue Sky since the 1st leg of the tour..

not to mention no dark star, st. stephen, or 11..since the fist GOTV show....ooooo im getting chills just thinking about it...see ya'll tonight....

Paradise Waits....

well now theres about 8 hours til showtime....i've got goosebumps already just thinkin about tonite. if they do half as well as last years setlist, we should all praise the almighty lord of good shows. look for me on the lawn peeps...6'4 blonde blue jean overalls with a long sleeve green pullover under it.

mirror shatters.....

PHANTASY PHIL: TONIGHT'S OPENERS & ENCORE
(Last Played)

FIRST SET: Viola Lee Blues (6/30/02)

SECOND SET: Cryptical > Other One (6/29/02)

ENCORE: Soulshine (6/27/02) > Box of Rain (6/28/02)

so far from LessThan

Jam>>Bertha
Midnight Train
Broken Arrow
Sugaree

sorry...rewind....the set list so far, according to LT....we THINK is
Jam>Alligator>Bertha
technical difficulties
Midnight Train
Broken Arrow
Rider
Sugaree

Broken Arrow..ru sure..2nd set..??

second set coming.

need to confirm but I think it reads like this.
night of 1000 stars (derek trucks joins band)>>blue sky>>lovelight>>melt jam>>lovelight>>why don't we do it in the road>>viola>>Low Spark>>Viola>Tomorrow Never Knows>>Viola>>Golden Road

waiting to hear if the golden road was an encore or the set closer. LT used the world "stellar"...I'm sure. Hey, I got 3 loads of laundry done. (seething, green with envy )

enc: celebration! thanks for the word from the inside, LT

Viola's all over the place...Stellar Golden Road...
Another show for the East Coast crew..(hopefully a few on tour from West of the Rocky Mtns.
...
Guys...What do you have left.?...Only another 15 Shows before Alpine..??..

Man, if that is the 2nd set.....YOOOWSAAAHHHH!!!

Huck, totally envious too! Being that Low Spark is on of my FAV tunes!! And that Lovelight seems to be a kickin' one too!!!!!

Just think Raleigh, click my heels 3 times...Raleigh,Raleigh,Raleigh.....

19 shows, no Low Spark or Lovelight, one Viola, Blue Sky & Alligator. I woulda been loving this one, especially with Derek......

Surprised to hear me say that?


Just save me a nice TOO or Dark Star or St Stephen or The 11 to go with HSF on Sunday.

YUP.
LT relays.."more powerful than asbury but not as dancy" and that MOLO intro'd the band...

The band is EAST and gearing up. What a great looking set. Can't wait for a review to see if it played as well as it looked.

Without much elaboration, for sure one of the most incredible shows I have ever heard. If you aren't about the jams, don't seek the discs.

this owned.

07/12/02 PNC Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ

Set 1:
Jam>
Alligator>
Jam>
Bertha
>>>technical difficulties
Jam>
Broken Arrow>
I Know You Rider>
Sugaree

Set 2:
Jam>
Night of 1000 Stars
Blue Sky*>
Spacy Jam*>
Lovelight*>
Do It In The Road*
Viola Lee Blues (v1)*>
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (2 verses)*>
Viola Lee Blues (v2)*>
Jam*>
Tomorrow Never Knows*>
Viola Lee Blues (v3)*>
Golden Road*

Intros (by Molo)/Donor Rap
Celebration

* with Derek Trucks

Soooooo.... What did everyone think of last night?

My own $.02 - A monster. When Trucks joined, it was ALL BUSINESS. Viola sandwich w/Low Spark & TNK? C'mon. And it was as good as it sounds. LOW SPARK!!!!!

Celebration was encore.

Georgie, nice meeting you.

Same here.

Dewit in the Road!

in the setlist above, i forgot the Midnight Train after the technical difficulties

That Lovelite was MONSTROUS! Last year's PNC show was rippin, too...guess the fellas dig the Jersey Vibe, as well they should! Love the Viola Lee Triple Decker Club Sandwhich served w/ some Traffic and the Beatles. Yummmmmmmy. See y'all in Camden (sing to yourself in your best Cartman voice..."In the Ghetooo"
Ed

One more thing..sorry I forgot. When Molo came out for the beginning of the show, he was sportin the Sideways Baseball Cap boombox parking lot crew look w/ his baseball cap. Thought y'all would get a kick outta that. I did.

Did anyone catch Jorma? I'd love to know how his new band is and if anyone has that setlist?!

Jorma was accompanied by two other musicians playing the lap steel guitar and the mandolin. It gave some of his old warhorses like "Good Shephard" and "Hesitation Blues" a twangier, country-like sound. I'm a wreck this morning after his stellar set and 2 brain-melting Phil sets.

The opening jam was very directed, focused much like the Planet Jams...for all I know it was the Venus Jam...Venus was out, the Northwest Corner was bright and there was a brand new crescent moon, but, thankfully to me, no Terrapin.

Aligator, well now, didn't my buds LT and Mooseman get just a tad emotional. Incredibly strong instrumental, but Phil's vocals were a tad muffled..above mentioned sound issues. Incredible stuff going on in that song for sure, culminating in a jam that really was just a new piece of music. Gripping and forceful. This jam just about cold ended... and went into a Bertha Intro Jam which was long, cool and hot all at once. Not alot of folks saw it as an intro, more like a tease, but it was wonderful all around, and the Bertha was great. I had just said to myself that I hadn't heard it in a while, so. We got a breather when they stopped to fix some technical stuff, and the energy was palpable.

The Midnight Train was fairly great, although me, personally, I have a hard time wrapping myself into that tune. Last night the vocals and the instrumentals were pretty damn incredible, melting into yet another jam which also had a cohesive and palpable energy thingy going on.

The Broken Arrow is stupendous. The jams between verses are works of art, and completely random and yet they wrapped you up in a cocoon and forced you on an emotional trip. Each jam was completely individual and completely unique and incredibly powerful.

That said the rollercoaster kept going...the Rider was all that, and so was the Sugaree. There aren't enough superlatives to describe this first set, other than it was one of the most amazing sets of music I have ever heard...

Derek was standing behind and right to Jimmy and he never stopped grinning ear to ear the entire set. Gopher on the amp for the first set, James Brown for the second set. The sound was great...thank you Cotter. Peace, Farmer.

Gopher changed into J Brown in Toronto too, Dew. Too funny, eh? Glad you enjoyed the ultra show.

Tristate Trifecta....or is it Win for Life!

POWERBALLLLLLLL

Alligator!!!!??? *%$#@&*?= Well I hope it was the funkiest alligator ever!!! CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!

New York, Huck. Told you, its all about New York.

I know, baby...I know...I do Beacon runs, right? But I'm going to go turn on some MA friends tonight...like a mitzvah kinda. To see my friends beam when they hear Phil sing more than just one verse of the Weight...aw, that's worth a bunch o'gators. Really.

Now....Camden....hmmmm....I always had good luck in PhillyCreamCheese...
save me one beaming smile when they hit the stride of some beaut, my friend. K?

Dewit in the Road....too brilliant. Hope it powered you home brilliantly. And I burned the 11/30 for my buds late last night. Had me thinking about Midnight Train. Blade Runner Bardo. Really fits in that GH tribute well, quite a set! All the death stuff on 11/30....the BARDO....so I like it more bc of that. Just thought it was an interesting detail.

get rest kid, JONES calls ya! PS Derek plays Stephen Talkhouse tonight (Sat) for all those Hamptons Bound....

great show last night!

we're leaving now.
see you tonight

IT's all about the gopher.

Did we mention that the only worthy guest in my book, Derek hung out for the second set only adding to the stupifying emotions of it all...well, more later.

phil absolutley sset holmdel on fire last night....Less than 36hrs untill jones beach...

What does "Blade Runner Bardo" mean anyway?

I'm tired of talking, but this show needs to be talked about, so if you're interested...

2nd set was such a monster. They began with an intense jam and not long into it, it started to sound better than anything in the first set, although Broken Arrow WAS REALLY GOOD, and Bertha too, with that long intro. But it seemed, even this early on, that they were going to take it to another level. 1K*'s was powerful as always, then Derek strapped in and we were off for a ride - like Nitro at Great Adventure.

Trucks played a ton of killer slide and his presence on stage definitely galvanized the others. It kind of eliminated the possibility of a bunch of new tunes, too. Not that that's good, but he probably doesn't know them. The three Southern gents were on familiar ground for the Blue Sky, which jammed, and was very well recieved by the kind crowd. Then began a stretch that was as good as anything lately - I'd say better than Vibes, but what do I know, because I always love it.

TURN ON YOUR LOVELIGHT!!! just rocked, along with the aptly named "melt jam" (there were lots of meltdowns during this set) and then back into Lovelight. At this point there were a few bars of Minglewood. Not sure what it was doing there, but it was there. Why Don't We Do It In The Road? That was huge.

Then the Viola triple decker. Roast beef, turkey breast and Russian (hold the cheese). It was all I could ask for. The way they do Low Spark... not exactly like the original...better...kind of off-the-beat, with Warren on slide. And the lights... the way they get quiet before Warren comes back in with that second verse, in a voice as powerful as Stevie's, "If you had just a minute to breath..." Wow. TNK, while not super long and spacey was very welcome since I've been hearing it at every show. 'Bout time they played it. It was perfect in that slot.

Why is it all the great ones close with Golden Road? Like Vail. Was this better than Vail? I can say this Golden Road was better than the one at the Vibes. Tighter.

It seems the boys were responding to what somebody posted in the zone yesterday about "listlessness." Not last night. And as to the dude who said don't wear a watch: I didn't, but I'd like to know what this one clocked in at.

>>>I'd like to know what this one clocked in at.

I don't wear a watch, either, but the person next to me did. They went on, according to him at 7:33, and celebration ended at 11:40, this according to one watch.

I agree, this does need to be talked about. This was special. These guys have very big ears, and they really listen to each other. As I drove home I kept thinking that if they'd played any better, we all would've beamed up.

Agree, Dew, Derek is by far the best guest. He knows everyone well enough to have a strong intuitive sense of when to jump in and when to step back.

One of the things I took away from last night was a deeper appreciation of what Jimmy does. The analogy I kept coming up with was what Magic Johnson or jason Kidd do, in that they make everyone around them better. He and Derek found a groove a couple of times in the set that really blew me away.

I've waited my whole life to hear this band, and I'm just gonna enjoy every note they play for as long as they play them.


Can't wait till SUN.

>>>I agree, this does need to be talked about.<<<

amen.

but it's 14 hours later and i'm still speechless.

PNC is a rip off....My only really negative
thing I can say about this show...Oh and parking.. WHat the hell was that???!!!!

First set very basic given the circumstances...
But got a Bertha...I love this tune!

Now to my fav...Second set jamming...
WOW!!!!!Man all the songs I wanted to
see (expect the short Low Spark...Love this
tune too) went flying out the window....
This was the jamming that would have made even
Bucky proud....LOL!!!
But when P&F does sets like this...Not so
much song selection (great btw) but the muscianship..I friggin fall in love with this
band all over again...
Its was all very surreal to me...Got to the
show late..Didnt meet one zoner..(Note GC
may enter the cell phone age now)..
But that being said...
I started to have a high school/ old tour reunion
at this show...Seems like from 6:30 on I met
someone I hadnt seen in 5 to 10 years ..
I have often said...Some shows that arent the best, are my favs...Completely wild and once
again keeps me on this bus...
I had a blast...
Did I mention that this band is what all other
jam bands (sorry folks) need to take lessons
from...P&F holds this torcher higher than any band out there...Some may be hurt by this..
But get a copy of that second set...
No one can touch them!!!! No one!
Thank you Phil, Warren, Rob, Jimmy, John (yes Derek too)...See you in Merriweather...
Thanks for a REAL GOOD TIME!!!!!!

Thanks from Chicago for the reviews of last night.
You guys really make those setlists come to life for those of us not on tour. Much appreciated. Saw ABB w/Derek and Warren in Chicago a couple weeks ago and it was excellent. Dreams (I'll Never See) and Whipping Post were highlights.
Last night sounds like a wicked extension of that kind of thing.

I'm posting this without having read any of the posts yet, so this is just my impressions as I recall everything from last night.

What a show! The band that never stops giving does it again in spades. This was Warren's night, but we'll get to that later. PNC was very mellow and easy to deal with, and once we got over the shock of having to pay $30 to park within a half mile of the venue everything was great. Took my banjo and was picking in the lot when who should walk up but Jorma's mandolin player, Gary ? (can't remember the last name). Talked bluegrass for a while, he told me they were going on second at 6 so I decided to skip Derek and hang in the lot assuming that we'd be seeing more of Derek later anyway. Good assumption.

Jorma's set was much like the one I saw a few weeks ago at the Painted Bride in Philadelphia, shorter and the sound wasn't as good (the Bride holds 100 people and there weren't that many there) but it was fantastic, his new country/bluegrass stuff is great, and the crowd loved it, wanting an encore but no luck there. Don't miss this if you are going to a show he's opening at.

Phil opened up right into one of his fast, jazzy jams, very tight from the get go. This worked into Alligator which I took as a very good sign of things to come. The 'Gator jam wasn't over the top but well done and the sound was getting tweaked in pretty well (we were 7 rows behind the board dead center, good seats). This worked into Bertha, which I didn't particularly want to hear but was played great and the crowd loved it. Stop after Bertha to get some minor technical difficulties worked out. Midnight Train started up, another one I wasn't thrilled to hear but Warren does a great job on this, again very well done, and a great jam out of it that works into Broken Arrow. Again, not a big favorite of mine but a definite crowd pleaser and by far the best version I've heard, great guitar work. This worked through some great jams into Rider, which was another major crowed pleaser and the first tune to get to that "over the top" space. I knew it was too soon for the set to end and sure enough a GREAT transition immediately into Sugaree from Rider. This is the point where the show just took off, never to come back down. Warren ripped this up like no ones business, get the recording and listen to the last lead break, your head will explode. Great set leaving us with high expectations for the second.

Second set started off with a nice jam that worked into a blazing Night of a Thousand Stars. I hear this almost every other show but never get tired of it, and they didn't disappoint. Warren shredded the final jam, completely over the top, tearing it up, full bore guitar, the best version I've heard of this, better the 11/17/01. Stop after this, time for some guests, out comes Derek to massive applause. I'm thinking Viola, something normal for having him, and out comes the Blue Sky I've been waiting 3 years to hear. This was stellar, a guitar duel of the gods. Derek took the first break and I felt bad for whoever was going to have to follow him, he tore the roof off the place. Next up was Jimmy and he answered the call and upped the ante, followed by Warren who took it to another level completely! This was where it became obvious that this was Warren's night, he was taking a back seat to no one and just kept knocking them out of the park all night long. Simply amazing.

This goes into SERIOUS melt down music, total deep space that eventually works into the Love Light rift. I'm thinking to early, but it might be interesting to see it in this slot. Well, this baby goes on for like 20 minutes and has more melt downs in it then TMI, I totally forgot what song it was twice (note: I was straighter at this show then any I've ever been to, new healthy life style). Out of this world. This eventually works into the one song of the night I could have done without, Do It In The Road, which they could just leave on the shelf for all I care but it was really well done, the energy level didn't dissipate much. Stop to catch everyone's breath before the final assault.

And what an assault it was! The first crashing notes of Viola told you this would be serious. Monster jams even before the first verse, the sound at this point is fantastic (remember, we're right behind the board), completely over the top by this time. First verse, more serious jams into Low Spark!!!! ARRRGHH!! It's all to much at this point! This was a very different version from the 18 minute monster on 4/5/02, no jam between the first and second verse, very long jam out of the second verse that works it's way back into Viola, no third verse at all to my recollection. Second verse of Viola, more totally out there jams that work into a fantastic Tomorrow Never Knows. Not as long as 11/17, it was sandwich material after all, but I liked it that way, very focused. All this time you've been able to hear all three guitars perfectly, not as nice as Hershey last year but they don't have a roof there so the sound can open up more then in a shed, but it was very clear and you could follow whoever's licks you wanted to easily. This works back into Viola, crashing conclusion and a high octane slam into Golden Road that lifted you up off the floor. The jam dissipated a bit on this at the end (always does, I think Phil should stop bringing it down and trying to get it back up, but that's a minor complaint). Total musical bliss by this point, we left half way through Celebration to beat the crowd only to get stuck in a 45 minute backup on the Parkway south due to an accident. In bed by 3, late night but worth every minute. This band is unbelievable. The sound was great, the new guy is doing a fine job and doesn't dick with the mix once he gets thigs set, he was interesting to watch from above and behind. And whoever that was taping from right behind the board area, right over Candace's head, get it touch, I need that recording!

Tom Melvin

Went back and read the posts, I was thinking of you last night Dewit, hoping you were there and enjoying this one, (he'd have to like this one!) glad you caught it.

Georgie, Denver and Vail was an awesome foursome, but that NY Energy thing going on last night makes you realize that as good as this band always is, there are extraordinary acts of superior artistry and magic still out there.

I feel sucked of all life form today...seriously delinquent in all acts of anything, but the side effect is dolby sound in my head...

Great posts people, this show was definitely legendary. It moved me to a whole new spiritual level. I remember Jerry in an interview once said "Magic is what we do. Music is how we do it." Rest assured that Phil and Friends have reached that level. To describe what they did last night as anything but magical is a dis-service to the band. Still recuperating here, and think I'm gonna need a chisel to get this shit eating grin off my face. First show since New Years and what a dandy. The boys really pulled something out of the hat at PNC. Cant wait till Camden!!!! Thank you Phil and company for a real good time!!!!!!!

couldn't sleep for the wheels turning in my head.
Stellar is the only word that fell from the sky when I considered describing this show.

Ever been to a show where the setlist wast bigger than the performance? Ever been to a show where the execution was more then the setlist alone?

This was a show where both paths crossed. In fact last night, 7-12-02, was a night when all paths converged @ The Greek East. ( that name was a fleeting thought in the middle of the first set and immediately laughed at the comparison. Pnc could never compare to that fabled institue. How wrong I was...or was I so right and didn't realize it?) Everything was so tight that even my pager was vibrating in time to the crescendos with messages from Huckster.

The Leshtricity was apparent as the band was on stage at 7:30 chomping at the bit and straining against the bonds of earthly connections. They knew, we held on for dear life.

This show was painted with one stroke across the New Jersey night. Fluid and saturated. Yet the closer you get to it the more you see the individual nuances that influenced the whole. 5 and six brushes twisted together to color the world.

Never doubt the celebration that went down last night. The sun has far from set for this band.

Give Blood as soon as you can. Make a point to.

Still thinking of last nights show. A friend got me down to 8th row center. The day was great for a show. And the show itself, well, all I can say is that when Phil plays New Jersey, he holds nothing back. Last years show was amazing, and this years was even better. I just look foward to next years tour.

Thanks Less Than.

LT: It was great meeting you and the bride on that Night Of A Thousand Stars. You too, Frank.
Peggy-o and Taper Rob: Sorry I missed you. Sue and Barb: As usual, say Hi to Herb if you see him first. We're off to VT in a few hours . Looking forward to trying the Otter Creek, Trout River, and whatever other Life-Form/Body of Water brews they're making up there. I promise a world-class grovel for this show on our return. Peace, all. Tourphreaks: Be smart and be safe.

Did anyone else see the "floating Jerry heads" around 8th row center? Two guys held up lifesized Jerry head masks, alternating between pointing them at the band and the audience, at various points during the first set. Seems like they held them up during the end of the first set during the "Jerry" tunes, but that could have been a coincidence. That's some funny stuff right there.

Sometimes it's nice to be up front. I also got to see Phil standing backstage during the beginning of Derek's set, smiling ear to ear, and then Jorma doing the same thing on the other side of backstage just a few minutes later. And of course, the dancing James Brown doll...

This show was enough to make me consider dragging my whole family, kid and all, down to Camden--it was that good.

I saw the Jerry heads. They looked like Jerry-sicles. I wandered to 2nd row left center and was curious to find dozens of empty seats in that area at showtime.

This show was as good as advertised.

Tom...
i disagree...
i still think that the 11/17/01 "Night of 1000 Stars" is the best version yet!
It contains the extra verses cut out in the studio and it's much chunkier, thicker, mind-blowing than anything i've heard since...
Second set rocked..Viola-->Low Spark-->Viola-->Tommorrow Never Knows-->Viola-->Golden Road!!!!! HOLY SHIT!!! I was only looking for them to finish up "Low Spark", but alas, oh well...
Can't wait till Hershey and Camden!!!!

Bunch of Hoodlums at show
My Car got broken into
Never had these problems with the dead shows

That sucks..Aholes..break and enter..Not good...
Those creeps should'nt be taking peoples stuff out of their car....Don't thinks its a result of what Band Playing..Just bad people who will most likely be in prison soon....

What'd they gank from you Mark?

I thought the show was somewhat uneven, both sets started a little weak but ended strong (especially set two). Personally, I thought the jam in the middle of Lovelight lost focus at times, they seemed to be noodling excessively. All was forgiven during the Viola Lee sandwhich, though, which was tight, focused and blistering. The Golden Road to close the set was icing on the cake, an added bonus after that very meaty Viola Lee.

Jorma's set was very enjoyable, it's nice to hear him doing the same songs in a different setting.

The Arts Center does have some strange rules, though. I wasn't allowed to bring in my backpack, although virtually any other type of bag was apparently not a problem. If I had taping equipment the backpack would have been all right. Couldn't figure out the logic involved there at all.

Phil seems to enjoy playing the Arts Center which is cool by me. It's a decent venue in a nice setting and the band seems to get off playing there. Looking forward to coming back next year.

Hey, believe it or not i actually found the arts center very enjoyable this year. Got out of work @ 5:15, parkway south by 5:30, PNC by 6:30. The real traffic was in Edison, metropark but for the most part cruised along. Funny thing was i "just happened" to park right next to beth and 15 of my friends. Total coincedence, NO SHIT! my car ended up about 100 feet from them. Enjoyed phils set from the back row of seat, right before the lawn infront of the digital screen. We pretty much had the whole section at our disposal the entire first set and danced around aimlessly in the cool summer breezes.
Second set BLUE SKY with D.trucks was most fitting. Has been and still is a personal favorite. Trucks plays that slide solo ALOT like his uncle Dickey. Viola sandwich was awesome tight, band on all cylinders.
Great friday night in south jersey. i remember last year ripping fun too. The only complication our crew really stomped on was when our friend Glen thought he could get away passing the mens room line and pissing in some local shrubbery. Bzzzt!!!! Yellow card for you Glen! Next time learn from a pro and use the exit-entrance. ;)

well well well....its now monday and i am still feeling as if i have been bombed into the stone ages. phil and the boys tore it up friday nite. the first set was sweet as sweet could be, broken arrow, rider sugaree...who could ask for me ....and then came set 2. omg omg omg....if any thinks that phil and the boys and are slowin down or that phil is gettin to old....let this show be your beacon back to the never never land. the energy that this show pumped into us made for a wonderous nite on my end. what should have been a 5 minute ride home and quick sleep turned into 5 minute ride home and watching the sun come up over the horizon in the am .....thank you for a real good time phil!!! cant wait to see ya'all again....

Jim, this is an off the wall ?, but does your daughter work at 2nd Nature in Red bank? here's the tale...

Sat. A.M. I went in there right as the store opened to get my groceries. The young woman who is a cashier there was talking to her coworker about the show. I still had an ear to ear grin on my face from the show. She said she had gone with her father, who couldn't sleep after the show, he was that juiced from it. When you mentioned a 5 minute drive home and then watching the sun rise, I wondered if it was you?

Good God Rik...Im you neighbor..LOL!!!!
Actually next town over LS...Although
lived all over RB at some point...

A few more thoughts on this one. Alligator to open - talk about waking a sleeping beast - a precursor for things to come. Phil's vocals were definitely muddled on this tune, not to worry because the lyrics are not the heart of this one. Rollicking Bertha to follow that really kept the energy up. During break for technical difficulties Phil says something to the effect that "As you may have noticed, we are experiencing techincal difficulties. Our crack equipment crew is making everything just exactly perfect." PLQ slowed things down with Midnight Train and Broken Arrow. Nothing worth adding on those two. The set picked right back up with a nice Rider, which had the crowd singing and grooving along. The Sugaree that followed was a set ending Sug to match no other. I've seen PLQ do this several times, all very capably performed, but Jimmy absolutely owned this one. By my count, Jimmy took the first and third solos with Warren's solo sandwiched in between. WHEW! Definitely the highlight of the 1st set. Long break and then 2nd set: 1000 Stars was fairly perfunctory until MOLO drove the final 1/3 of this one home and everybody else picked the energy up. Our seats were section 101 about 20 rows back - from this vantage point Derek was clearly visible sitting backstage, guitar in hand, just to Jimmy's right. As soon 1000 Stars ended, Jimmy looked over his shoulder and out walked Trucks. Just as Sugaree was the highlight of the 1st, the Blue Sky that followed was the highlight of the 2nd. Lots of interesting slide work from DT on this one. It was clear that this was a familiar tune to all of the guitarists. I wasn't that impressed with the Lovelite. It started strong, but lost momentum and turned into too much noodling. The Jam here had hints of Mtn. Jam though. Surprise of the night most certainly Do It In the Road. Don't know what prompted this one, but a very welcome surprise and real crowd pleaser. PLQ hasn't done this since last fall in OR I believe. Then voila - a Viola sandwich, with DT no less. VERY NICE! This one was well served by Trucks' presence. The Low Spark deserved a longer treatment than Warren gave it. Well played nonetheless. Distinct Caution Jam before the TNK. Again, TNK was a bit short - I guess the meat of the sandwich tonight really was Viola. No letting up tonight as the Golden Road closer was high energy. Barraco took his opportunity to shine on this as he had been less prevelant tonight behind the 3 guitarists. For the encore, my least favorite song on the new album. That being said, I did not join the throng that beat a hasty retreat as the opening notes began. Show these guys some respect (they deserve it) and stick around for the encore, no matter what it is. It can't be any worse than IFTL. By the way, Molo handled the band intros, bustling onto the stage shouting "HELLO, NEW JERSEY!" These guys apparently like the Garden State. Overall a consistent, energized show.

>>>Good God, Rik, I'm your neighbor...

Now that you know there's people like me around, I'm sure you'll want to move as far away as possible.

PHANTASY PHIL: TONIGHT'S OPENERS & ENCORE
(Last Played)

FIRST SET: Viola Lee Blues (6/30/02)

SECOND SET: Cryptical > Other One (6/29/02)

ENCORE: Soulshine (6/27/02) > Box of Rain (6/28/02)

All I got was the VIOLA??? And I felt pretty confident on my picks going to Homdel that night . . . I was only 1 day off on the BOX encore and 2 days off on the SOULSHINE and the CRYPTICAL > OTHER ONE . . .

As far as reviews go . . . as everyone had already mention, the band was in the Phil Zone in Jersey on Friday!

HIGHLIGHTS:

First Set: Sugaree

Second Set: Blue Sky (Warren, Derek & Jimmy were out of control)

LOWLIGHTS(Disappointments):

The Viola Lee sandwich was a cool thought, but they never Jammed Viola, which is a very jamming and intense tune. The second and third verses seemed like they were just sung then right back into a jam or another tune. I didn't enjoy that too much . . . I would of rather heard it all at once with complete jams inbetween verses. Something like the 1/2 hour of intense jamming Viola at Red Rocks in 99 - ha.

Also the Lovelight got very, very spacey, which is cool to some, but again I would just rather a upbeat jamming to dance my ass off to . . . at one point I found myself sitting down during Lovelight, which should just not happen.

And the Celebration encore? Now, I'm not nocking the tune whatsoever . . . I think it has potential to be a good mellow first set tune, but never an encore. Besides after you just played one of the greatest first and second sets half of the audience has seen in a long time . . . then you play Celebration as an encore??? It just didn't fit into the encore of that hot show. I mean if you rip a Box right there you will have people getting naked they would be so psyched. People would be running to New England as soon as it's overin excitement for the Tweeter Center. Bottom line is the Celebration was very disappointing after seeing one of the best P & F shows since '99 . . . I mean half the people left during the encore and the other half were either sitting down or just standing there hoping for a Soulshine or an Unbroken or something real hot to follow.

Sorry for all the negativity, just speaking my mind,
Phrank Cal
frankcal2001@hotmail.com

Loved - loved - loved the show!!!! -- though I agree about the Celebration encore -- I had similar feelings when they rocked out 4/4/02 in Denver and finished w/ Celebration -- i like the tune but not as an encore. The rest of the show was terrific - except for the tech. difficulties -- made Alligator hard to listen to a little. I love Warren on Lovelight and the Sugaree was ALMOST as good as the one at the Vibes! Never can hear Low Spark enough. Still hoping they revert back to a slower and spacier Night of 1000 stars at some point- check out 11/17/01 at Lehigh - a real classic version in case you missed it (it was the night of the meteor shower). Never heard a better Broken Arrow either. Love this band - my summer has been made! And- kudos to the PNC Center folks for playing Bob Marley during intermission - takes me back to the MSG days where Legend was a staple at halftime of Dead shows!!!

Oh, and my BLUE SKY prayer was answered. Check out my post from that morning!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

>And the Celebration encore? Now, I'm not nocking the tune whatsoever . . . I think it has potential to be a good mellow first set tune, but never an encore.

At least they didn't play "I Fought the Law."

I was one row behind the floating jerry heads. Thought they were pretty cool. Loved the gopher that somehow changed into james brown on the speaker.

I agree with most who feel that the Holmdel show was definitelt a goodie. I won't bore y'all with a review that largely repeats what has already been said. Just wanted to comment on the encore since it's become an issue here. My opinion is, and always has been, that the encore is basically superfluous. All I ask of an artist is to give me their best for the show itself and if they don't choose to do an encore, that's just fine. Many times Jerry skipped the encore and I never cared. If the band does an encore and it's great, well, then, great! If they do one and it's lame, so what - they already put out what they had during the show.
Just my opinion, and it's probably saved me from leaving many a show on a sour note after experiencing what actually had been quite fine.

>>>the encore is basically superflous...

Agreed. There are nights, and this was definitely one of them, where I want the encore to bring me down a notch. otherwise I'd bounce off the walls on my way out.

haven't read all the posts, but saw that someone said it was warren's night and have to say that that couldn't be more INACCURATE. he just sat back and went along for the ride, besides his singing. it was all derek and jimmy...makes me wonder about those "warren leaving" rumors...

I haven't bothered to read them either, Rob, but you are right on. Jimmy was way more the focal point, not that any of them were really the focal point. But on a relative basis, more of a Jimmy Herring show. I took it as a TOO warm up.

yeah, and can you say DEREK TRUCKS. wow, he really tore the place down on that second set.