OK, let's try this again, stupid dates . . .

Has Phil been starting right on time? Also, anybody know what curfew if any Asheville will have? Tryin' to plan the 'trip'.

Thanks all! Can't wait to see Phil again, been too long . . .

have fun all.

tomorrow is my 41st birthday, i wish i was going sooooooooooooooooooo badly...but i will see philip on 6/30 and 7/11 however, but a birthday show is always great..im calling a crazy fingers and TNK...have fun!

Phil started about 20 minutes late in Tampa...
these guys are rolling into town with an incredible head of steam- have phun!

ticket says 6:30 start.

I can't wait.

mj

remember that duo with mike is opening!

Yeah, we want to see that too but this danged 4 letter word known as work is sort of in the way today . . . we'll be cutting it close getting into town.

Pulling down the torrent for Tampa right now for some road tunes, can't wait!!!!

{{{{{{{{{{{{{PHIL}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I ain't missing the Duo with Mike!

Gotta get the wifey (who is always late) in gear early today!

mj

Anyone know how well (or poorly) ticket sales have gone for this show?

Ticketmaster stopped selling online today (day of show I guess),but yesterday they had a middle-side lower level pair still available but I don't know if that was a return or indicates lots of unsold upper level seats.

mj

box office had a lot of seats that were not available thru TM - that was sweet - we scored third row and I was more than 12th in line that morning

Did you see the PZ font page: Phil is going on early tonight.

"Due to travel problems by Mike Gordon and the Benevento/Russo Duo, Phil Lesh & Friends will be taking the stage tonight at 7PM at the Asheville Civic Center and will perform their full two set show. Mike Gordon and the Benevento/Russo Duo will close the show.

We regret any inconvenience that this may cause."

Did you see the PZ font page: Phil is going on early tonight.

"Due to travel problems by Mike Gordon and the Benevento/Russo Duo, Phil Lesh & Friends will be taking the stage tonight at 7PM at the Asheville Civic Center and will perform their full two set show. Mike Gordon and the Benevento/Russo Duo will close the show.

We regret any inconvenience that this may cause."

What a BONUS!!!

Phil openening for Tray and Mike Gordon, Bonus?
I dunno, I guess that's a point of view. Phil has been so hot these last shows I'm think they should open for him everynight.

Yes, I think it's a bonus that you don't have to sit through the drivel to wait for the REAL band to do its thang!!!!

Trey and Mike are gonna' wish they had gone on first...

This is Sco's last show of the tour - he's off to Europe and has a gig night after next. Any surprises ? Also who will replace him?

Phil Lesh and Friends 6.27 @ Asheville Civic Center Set1: Sitting On Top Of The World, Pride Of Cucamonga

come into chat!!!

Does the message infer that Phil won't be doing his full two set show on the dates with Trey?

Sittin On Top of The World
Pride of Cucamonga
Mr Charlie
Deep Elem Blues
Candyman
Cosmic Charlie
Casey Jones

1st set tonight around 65 minutes. Bet that the 2nd set will be around 90 mins. So 2 full (but abbreviated) sets. Tomorrow in Raleigh will tell the tale though....

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whose replacing sco?

Sless!

Phil Lesh & Friends
Asheville Civic Center
Asheville, North Carolina
June 27, 2006

Set 1

Sitting On Top Of The World
Pride Of Cucamonga
Mr. Charlie
Deep Elem Blues
Jam>Candyman
Cosmic Charlie
Casey Jones

Set 2

Space>Joan Moan> JAM>
Dark Star>
Eyes Tease>
Dark Star>
China Doll>
Eleven>
He's Gone>
Eyes of the World>Jam>
Wheel>Joan Moan>
Viola Lee Blues

Donor Rap
A Little Piece For You

Unconfirmed reports that it may have been China Cat instead of China Doll, and of a possible Other One out of Eleven. Awaiting corroboration.

Space>Joan Moan> JAM>
Dark Star>
Eyes Tease (not sure about this)>
Dark Star>
Shakedown tease (tho you could call the whole night "Night of 1000 teases")
China Cat>
Eleven>
Other one>
He's Gone>
Eyes of the World>Jam>
Wheel>Joan Moan>
Viola Lee Blues

Call this confirmed - just got home! As Phil said "we laid down some SHIT tonight!!!"

Second set was spot-on insane! DStar>China Cat was 45 minutes! Whole second set minus encore clocked in at 1:50. More later or from others I'm sure!

its sless and osby



and gordon was cleared of any wrong doing at the jones beach show.

'sup y'all ! more details? any "guests"?

Looks like Sless and Osby should be warming up now to carry on with the HEAT

holy schniiiekees!!

This appears to be it. Good golly Miss Molly! Thanks for the updates all. Safe travels.

Phil Lesh & Friends
Asheville Civic Center
Asheville, North Carolina
June 27, 2006

Set 1

Sitting On Top Of The World
Pride Of Cucamonga
Mr. Charlie
Deep Elem Blues
Jam>Candyman
Cosmic Charlie
Casey Jones

Set 2

Space>Joan Moan> JAM>
Dark Star>
Eyes Tease>
Dark Star>
China Cat Sunflower>
Eleven>
Other One>
He's Gone>
Eyes of the World>Jam>
Wheel>Joan Moan>
Viola Lee Blues

Donor Rap
A Little Piece For You

smoking setlist

lookin forward to reports on this - wuz the 2nd set as good as it looks??

what is "a little piece for you"??

---- what is "a little piece for you"??

hunter/lesh song. they broke it out on 2003 Dead tour i believe.

...

Excellent. Thanks for sharing the setlist and reviews!

They are just about warmed up for the Northeast now!!!

...

Regarding tonights show...

"Warden! I'm ready for my lethal injection now!"

I think a new adjective needs to be coined in order to describe the assault on heaven I saw tonight.

More later, I need rest.

Hot damn! I can't wait to hear this one!

wow a great show!! esp. the 2nd set but i still like the boca 2nd set better!

I am back up in the mountains, 1 hour west.

That second set was every bit as good as it looks.

"assault on heaven" indeed.

Out there smoking jamming, one of the best Phil Elevens I've ever heard.

Circuits blown.

In a good way.

He's Gone - beautiful.

good night!

mj

Living in the south and not as mobile (family and all) as I used to be, I caught Phil and the Q about 7-8 times from 2001-02, my last show being summer of 2002. I was big on the Q and they provided me a great source of positive vibes when one of my favorites, Allen Woody, passed away.

I had not seen Phil since 2002 but had listened to a handful of shows from 2005 and was not knocked out by what I heard. I had passed on the Dead reunions in 2003. Last night totally changed my feeling on things! Sometimes with the Q, it felt like Phil might just sit back and let that band cook the shit up but last night the vibe I got was that Phil was in complete control and his presence in the mix was powerful!

Duo with Mike were supposed to open at 6:30 but signs on the door said that they would be late. We got in and right at 6:30 (with the place still virtually empty), Phil comes out and says that the Duo are running late and will close the show and that they will begin playing at 7 and play until 11 and that if anyone wants to call their friends on the cell phone and tell them to get there by 7, they can go ahead and do it. I just thought that was a class act because you could send any schmoe out to say that but Phil came out and was very pleasant.

First set opened with some nice tunes with the first five being songs I had not seen performed by the Q. The mix was bad on the high end and it was difficult to listen to Larry's pedal steel and fiddle at times. (My ears are ringing worse this morning than they have in several years!) Mr. Charlie was the first high point for me and Joan rocked that one. The jam after Deep Elem figured to take us somewhere else but Candyman slowed down the pace and was unexpected. Cosmic Charlie closed out with fantastic harmonies and you got the feeling that was supposed to be the end of the set but it had been short. Casey Jones seemed like a last minute addition.

Set break seemed extra long with Phil having to do some more soundhcecking. Band came out and did get a Space groove going but Dark Star was evident early on. I had heard about Joan's vocalizing and was not sure I would dig it but it really worked well I thought. Dark Star moved forward with a lot of force and it seemed as if there would be something in the sandwich with teases of Eyes of the World, Viola Lee and some other tunes in there but we moved back into Dark Star. A vivid Shakedown tease was present before the band finally settled into China Cat. Joan left the stage at this point and did not return until He's Gone. As China Cat built up into a jam that became The Eleven (Dark Star/China Cat/Eleven - how sick is that?), I looked at my watch and noted that it had been 45 minutes since the set had begun.

The energy never flagged in the second set with The Eleven/Other One providing a manic flow. Larry brought out the fiddle for O1. I had read that Sco had been stepping on toes but I thought that the interplay between he and Larry tonight was spot-on! He's Gone was like a breather for what came before and after.

Eyes was sweet with Scofield's signature guitar tone really lending itself well on the leads for this song. Wheel was an unexpected tune at this point and provided us with Joan's final performance of the night. (As far as I'm concerned, Joan could stay out on stage all night, my favorite part is when she bends over to get her tamborine.) Wheel built up into a manic coda and Viola Lee coming out of there knocked me off my feet. I had never got to see the Q do this one (always seemed to miss it the night before or after) and it was mindblowing!

Phil came out and did his rap and was apparently as blown away as we were when he said "that was some SHIT we laid down tonight!!" He gave a huge hug to Scofield and thanked him for being a part of the tour and introduced the rest of the band.

The encore was new to me and it was okay but I had turned to my friend after Viola Lee ended and said I could care less at this point, whatever they play in the encore is just gravy!

It is safe to say that I was completely blown away by tonight's second set.

Joan looked fantastic all night. She is in my Top 5 and my wife had given me the go ahead but, alas, an opportunity did not present itself.

This was the only stop on the tour I had planned, but perhaps I may be able to finagle something else in July.

Y'all enjoy yourselves out there and be safe.
John (in NC)

Damn. Hope they got something left for tonight.

Bye Bye Sco, hope to see you soon!

Great review, John!

wonder if they'll add scofield to the setlist over on pz.com?....

Phil Lesh (bass, vocals)
Greg Osby (sax)
Joan Osborne (lead vocals)
John Molo (drums)
Rob Barraco (keys)
Barry Sless (guitar)
Larry Campbell (guitar+)

Is this the lineup for the rest of the tour?.Is Osby on for the rest of the tour?


Phil Lesh (bass, vocals)
Greg Osby (sax)
Joan Osborne (lead vocals)
John Molo (drums)
Rob Barraco (keys)
Barry Sless (guitar)
Larry Campbell (guitar+)

John pretty muched summed up my impressions of the night too. I live in town and was somewhat dissappointed to have missed SOTOTW and part of Pride since I was right down the street and had not received the news about Gordon. At least now I know that it wasn't a last minute thing. The entire set simply rocked me. I thought the Deep Elem was a little tame, but not unwanted as I've not heard Phil do that one yet.

I'd seen big brown (had 2nd row seats) on stage and was quite surprised, as were my neighbors, that he strapped it on at the beginning of the set. I was much looking forward to a griity Bonnaroo-like Caution rap from the beautiful Ms Osborne and thought that opening with it would be a skull-buster. Of course, I'll settle for a 30 minute Dark Star :-) This was also the first time I'd heard the vocalizg/chant and was mighty impressed. She sprinkled it throughout the set and I never once thought it was over the top or unnecessary. I think she's got a powerful voice and it seemed to work well with what was going on at the time.

I was pleased that Phil's O1 lyrics came out a little better than Bonnaroos too. I dig that song and kind of hate to see it cut short in any way.

Phil seemed pretty pleased with it all too. Big smiles and goofy faces through most of the night. Love to see a man so enamored with his "work".

I really wish he would stop teasing us with the comments about coming to stay here or coming to play for a while here. He said that in '01 too, that he wanted to "come back and do a run of shows" since he had such a fine time in our little town. Now h wants to do a working residency. I'm gonna hold you to that Phil!!

Any of the other locals happen to catch a glimpse of him or any Friends in town that day or night before? I had planned on lounging around downtown just in case of such but had to work a litttle instead. I heard that he was spotted at dinner the night before, with Jill I presume. Anybody know where he ate?

We heard the news about the early start on the radio riding into town - I was anxious but we were in our seats a few minutes before the start.

This show got HOT so early that when it was all over (12:30 Mike and the Duo had to quit after a fairly short set) it seemed like it should be 2 am already.

mj

THanks for the reviews Folks!

Epic shows already in the tour!!!

The northeast is gonna be nuts!!!

I think the muddy mix during the first set left me happy with the list, but not fully satisfied with the playing. And I was having trouble hearing Phil clearly and well.

They worked on things during the break, and for me the 2nd set was a night-and-day improvement. And I never had trouble hearing Phil in that monster of a set.

mj

sure appears that Phil got the message about the music selection - these setlists drastically different than the repeated clunkers we saw up north last winter...

way to go Phil.

ES

>>>Joan looked fantastic all night. She is in my Top 5 and my wife had given me the go ahead but, alas, an opportunity did not present itself.




LMAO. I wish my wife was that nice (you hear that honey?).

Thanks for the reviews John and Mike. How many folks stayed around for the Duo?

Which songs did Joan sing?

Vocals:

Sitting On Top Of The World (Rob)
Pride Of Cucamonga (Phil)
Mr. Charlie (Joan)
Deep Elem Blues (Larry)
Jam>Candyman (Joan)
Cosmic Charlie (Everybody)
Casey Jones (Rob - Joan/Phil harmonies)

Dark Star> (Phil/Joan/Larry - two lines each then together on chorus)
China Cat Sunflower> (Rob)
Eleven> (Rob/Phil)
Other One> (Phil)
He's Gone> (Joan)
Eyes of the World>Jam> (Phil)
Wheel>Joan Moan> (Phil/Joan)
Viola Lee Blues (Phil/Rob)

the place emptied out for the duo/gordon set....maybe 500-700 folks stuck around...imho, they werent very good. ive seen the duo before and really enjoyed them, but their set last night was a bit on the 'harsh' side. absolutely loved phil's second set

Excellent review, John! All I can add is "ditto".

And Asheville is as kind a town as ever . . . nice folks, zero hassle getting in/inside, $4 Highland Brewery Gaelic Ale!!! You won't see fo-dollah microbrew beer ANYWHERE else on tour inside the venue, very cool.

Great, great, great show, the second set is up there with the best of the best Q lineup shows IMHO and in some ways surpassed the Q for me. Phil still continues to amaze me. My ears are still ringing and my head is still buzzing 24 hrs. later.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{THANK YOU PHIL}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Really excited for the SPAC and Hartford, these shows seem to be getting better all the time, very similar to last tour. I only wish Scofield was sticking around for the whole tour!

Thanks for the reviews people and the Vocal Notes peachtrunk..

Larry singing Dark Star...

Interesting...

I’m still buzzing from Asheville’s musical explorations. For me the band built, fueled and piloted a vehicle allowing me to explore outposts located deep in my mental universe. The fuel provided by the high octane combination of Phil, Larry and John is some of the best I’ve ever blasted off on. Barraco and Molo steadily maintained an ever developing rhythmic pace smoothly driving the vehicle onward while Joan created rare nebulae of ethereal beauty by giving human voice to unearthly jams. The set selection, the musical arrangements, and the camaraderie provided me a certainty that the cosmic and terrestrial are one and that in that oneness the darkness can be abolished.

I can’t name the places the show took me or describe what I felt and saw. We all have our personal places. I will say seeing both the Atlanta and Asheville shows yielded different results. I criticized the Atlanta show for a lack of continuity and feel the Asheville show supports my earlier criticism. Rather than re-visit Atlanta’s show I want to sort out some of my thinking using examples of continuity I observed in Asheville. Last night’s show makes the case that a very sophisticated alchemy takes place when the music meshes to miraculously blow back one’s veil and steal one’s face.

For me the trip to Asheville, especially the drive through the mountains was an important part of my experience. The mountains are beautiful but very rugged and the people who live in the small towns along the way seem to be a simple and rugged people. I feel the song choices were influenced by the geography and the Appalachian peoples that were attracted to the land. Asheville is a beautiful town surrounded by the oldest mountains on the continent. Did the elevation inspire the choice of “Sitting On Top of the World” to be the show opener? Did the folktales told in the ballads of the Appalachian people play a part in the rich ballads infusing last night’s setlist?

Ballads are identified as the primary Appalachian song structure. I feel like last night’s song selection is populated by more ballads than at other venues. I know much of the Grateful Dead canon is populated by the American ballad yet the ballads played in Asheville seemed to contribute to the totality, the sum, of the show. Is this coincidence or continuity? How much did the soul of the Appalachian People, the music lore of that rich culture, inspire Larry Campbell’s pedal steel, mandolin, and “fiddle like” violin work?

When I speak of continuity reflected through the jams I’m referring to musical themes, song “teases”, introduced early, later repeated, and eventually fully realized. Both sets in Asheville were rich in repeated themes. I liken the jams to the repeated themes in the movements of a symphony. Often Phil uses the tool in an obvious manner when he cooks up song “sandwiches”. Other times the listener needs to be more engaged or buy the “Instant Live” to catch many of the more subtle musical signposts.

Asheville’s musical theme continuity is reflected in Set 2’s songlist (“Eyes Tease” later followed by “Eyes of the World”) and, for my ears, demonstrated throughout the show by Joan’s haunting explorations and electrically explored by the Strings. For me, the paths Phil led Scofield and Larry on were sophisticated mathematical formulas signposting a road beyond infinity. I really liked the introduction to “The Eleven” and I think I can hear a bit of that staccato battle beginning in Set 1’s jam that preludes “Candyman”.

In truth I have no idea of what all had to happen in order for me to experience last night’s miracle. All I know for sure is that I’m honestly grateful I was there.

Thanks for the review Blastoff...

Great writing, Blastoff!

I am not yet ready or able to attempt to write about some of 'my personal places' that this show took me to..

I moved to the mountains around Asheville 3 years ago because of the vibe I felt each time I travelled to Asheville for music, plus the knowledge that I belonged in the Eastern mountains.

I also felt the first set song and ballad choices were due to the Appalachian mountain town location, and the 2nd set choices were due to Phil wanting to get the maximum potential out of Sco on his last show this tour.

That 2nd set for me was intensely spiritual and emotional, as I don't know how many more chances I will get to share a musical space with the treasure that is Phil, and I was strongly connecting with his Joy at the music they were flowing as it was happening.

The Eleven was so tight and so well played, I never wanted it to end.

Then the He's Gone, so beautifully played and sung (excellent Joan), had me tearing up about Jerry for the first time in some years, the cosmic signpost that is Eyes again intently felt and realized, and a thrilling Viola to triumphantly close the journey that was that set.

I need to read the words of the closing tune, I had trouble understanding them but the melody 'took me back home' and seemed so right for this show.

If I never got to see or hear a Grateful Dead - related show again, this one was good enough to complete me I felt. It was that good, and reminded me of just how great and powerful the GD was in their prime, and how great and powerful the musical canon they created remains.

peace

mountain jim

Thanks and Peace to all of you for sharing your thoughts!!!

Hi Mountain Jim! You sure live in a beautiful place. I feel safe when I'm up there.

I agree with your thoughts on the 2nd Set. Phil pulled some titanium toned power out of Sco. "The Eleven" evoked thoughts of a gathering spiritual army with Molo pounding a war drum and a celtic battle tune rising mightily from within. The "He's Gone" was a gospel bell ringer reminding mortals that heaven is just out of reach. The "Eyes" provided time for reflection. And man, that "Viola" rocked my time serving, letter writing ass!!!! I'm sure glad that "I got a friend some where!"

Peace!

We got back from Asheville yesterday and I spent this morning learning how to post the pics my wife took. I hope this works. What an incredible show!!! This was my wife's first Dead related show since 1991 and her first Phil show. How lucky was Darlene. Gets a Dark Star and the second set is beyond words. Well let's try some images.

We got back from Asheville yesterday and I spent this morning learning how to post the pics my wife took. I hope this works. What an incredible show!!! This was my wife's first Dead related show since 1991 and her first Phil show. How lucky was Darlene. Gets a Dark Star and the second set is beyond words. Well let's try some images.

nice pics Charlie!
looks like it was a great show ~

great shots Charlie, thanks!

looks like THE show of the tour, or at least of the Sco leg. Wish I could order a SBD on cd now... I don't get this set-up - I can understand charging more after the show, but why make it unavailable?

I ordered the download today, was not yet available last time I checked.

mj

Great review Blastoff. I wholeheartedly concur with your description of what Phil is doing these days. Every part of what you wrote. I think that's about as close to putting it into words as can be done...I saw a few of the Beacon shows in February and was just floored. Phil has really harnessed the awesome beast and is unloading it on us. I too feel so grateful to be a part of it. Truly life changing shit.

A very sophisticated alchemy indeed...;-)

musak should incorporate the eleven into their elevator music repetoire - that way i can hear it all the time everywhere - because i live in an elevator

great pics and reviews

here's something I wrote

could use some editing, but I'm lazy

I arrived downtown with Molly and Jen and we had a rendez-vous at the mellow mushroom with some of there friends. Kinda feelin' like a pimp as the only dude at a table full of six beautiful 30-something year old women. Beautiful older heads who had seen some shows back in the day and were sharing stories of shows with Jerry. Eventually, more testosterone arrived in the form of Benson and Mule, who had to leave early because they had front row seats. Anyway, right after I ordered, I had to excuse myself to run a block a way to a mineral store. I just felt something calling me. Before I walk in, I have a vision of where in the store I should head to. I walk over to that spot and I see a familiar double terminated tabby smoky quartz with amethyst inside. I grab it, walk around the store, and see one other amethyst that grabs my eye. It's 100 bucks though, whereas the first one is only 20. I hold the two in my hands and I can feel the first one vibrating intensely, so I choose it. Return to the mellow mushroom and enjoy some good company. We have to eat quick beacause Phil is coming on earlier than planned. Also decided to enjoy the paper as I eat my calzone. Well, the real enjoyment came later. About 30 minutes later, I was entering a whole new world.

Head over to the civic center. I don't recall anything extraordinary. Got a whole bunch of water at concessions and went down to my 6th row center seat. God bless ruby for hooking me up on mail order. I asked for an aisle seat so I could dance and she delivered. Lord did I dance. Only problem was security, cause they were trying to keep the aisles clear. It was like a war orf attrition the entire night. Early on, they threatened to throw me out if I didn't return to my seat, at which point I busted out my ticket and told them I was at my seat. ugh.

still kept at it, trying not to be constrained by their constant presence. the one armed security guard in particular was being kinda nazish. The music was so good I didn't care though.

First set:

Sittin on Top of the World was fire out of the gates, Pride of Cucamonga was cheerful, Mr. Charlie (lookin' high...lookin' looooow), a weird but powerful Deep Elem Blues (oh sweet momma, your daddy's got those deep elem....), a nuce candyman....lord, I remember dancing up front on that one and just holding eye contact with Joan Osbourne while she sang and we swayed. I swear she winked at me, but I might have been seeing things. well, I know I was seeing things, but I still swear she winked. Cosmic charlie followed and was a rolcking frolicking good time. Casey Jones......whoooooooooeeeeeee. This was a barnburner. Everyone was spinning and moving and grooving, picking up the feet and flying along at 100 miles an hour. At this point the one security guard trying to keep the aisles clear gave up. he would have reinforcements the second set.

During setbreak, everything was truly surreal. daylight still persisted outside the chambers of the civic center. doors would open and streams of light would fall in to punctuate the sultry, smoky haze. Met my neighbors at setbreak. hung out with benson in the front row. found molly. bought a whole lot of cheap water at the concessions stand. a whole lot of water

the ladies from the mellow mushrioom end up two rows in front of me on the aisle, but when the second set finally starts, security clears the aisle and remains adament about keeping people from dancing. One armed man has a hells angel lookin friend to help him enforce.

set 2 starts with a faaaaaar out eeeeeeeerie space. joan chanting and moaning, increasing intensity until it all builds and a dark star emerges. I knew the first set was a prelude to something great. I mentioned that it had reminded me of Harpur 1970, only electric. The dark star returned us all to that surreal space. transcending time, shall we go, you and I while we can? Oh my god, it was so beautiful. Even with security playng their game and stirring up some negative vibes in the atmosphere. quick note, at one point a friend who had been all over the whole venue was hanging out and tole me that the guards in myspace were bigger nazis than anywhere else in the building. sweet.

the china cat sunflower that followed the dark star war jubiliant. As soon as it broke out of the clouds of the dark star, I let out a holler of happiness and lept towards the ceiling. At that point, my wrap....the necklace I made for mysef years ago......it comes flying off. I panic. I feel naked without it. I make peace with the security guard somehow in an instant and borrow his flashligh, on my hands and knees but I see nothing. I give up after about 30 seconds. China Cat is too good a song for me to lose to a lost necklace. So I return to dancing because I figure that the necklace will return o me. If it doesn't, oh well. Just makes room for me to start wearing one of my other creations. I also got to say at this point that John Scofield is amazing. He played with such passion, intensity, creativity, and imagination.

Back to the setlist. The 11 came out of Chine Cat. I didn't think it could get any better. I became one with the music in a swirling tide of happiness that consumed me and lifted me towards the sky and then gently returned me to the sands of space. Up and down, peaking and receding. climbing and reaching. never falling but always returning to the being. the joyous being of those sounds in that space. From the brightness of the 11, we descend in to fire of an incredible other one. I can't believe security tried to contain us. Comin, comin, comin, around.........bus came by and, I got on.......all of it. every word spinetingling and eliciting such a response in all our souls. the whole place was just one pulsating combustion engine fueled by the pounding rhythems and scorching guitars that stood just 20 feet in front of me. They had to cool things off with a He's Gone. Joan singin her soul out and everyone in the house taking a step back from the cauldron to keep it from overflowing in to sheer insanity.

As if it couldn't get any better, my favorite song in the entire world was dropped on us right in the middle of the madness. When Phil's bass began the eyes of the world, I lept higher than I had ever jumped before. I could have touched the top of the backboard I was so high. I just took off, completely filled with ecstacy (no, not the drug....the emotion!). That eyes of the world with John Scofield completely going off is one of the musical highlights of my life. Best one I've ever heard in person. I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it. The wheel that followed was a nice way to cap off the set. Brought us all back to reality with a nice rhythm, "Bound to cover just a little more fround"...."small wheel turn by the firing rod, big will turn by the grace of god......"

but wait! Viola follows. Not the sickest version, but always a welcoms song. I had retrested to the back for a second here to see who I bumped into "I've got a friend somewhere...."

Got back down front just in time for the last verse. energy was too diffused in the back. Before the encore, I thanked the security guards, and in return, they let me spend the last song in the front row. Not a dancer....A piece for you. Heartwarming and hopeful, a good way to end the show.



BUT WAIT



THERE'S MORE. The opening act had been late, so they were now playing after 11. A lot of people left, but I started talking to this beautiful girl named Marla while they changed out the set. She was upset because she had lost her favorite necklace earlier. I had found mine when thelights had come up (see....the power of faith), but I could feel her pain. I'm usually quite empathic, but I was feeling even more so. When Mike Gordan and the Duo game on, it was like a whole new ballgame. crazy funky textures of sound transforming space into a massive pool of movement. security has given up and it's chaos. Marla dances with me, until these other girls come over and start getting allllll up on her. This proceeds for the rest of the night. Me surrounded by and dancing with a bunch of beautiful bisexual blondes. and one brunette. At one point, Marla drops the ctrystals I had let her hold to help her feel better about losing her necklace. It was the crystal I bought earlier. It breaks right in half, so I give her the small piece and promise to wrap it up into a necklace for her. My ride has left, but Marla says I can stay with her. cool.

Best Phil show I've ever seen... minus maybe Deercreek 01". >>>THANKS PHIL!!!<<<, especially for the second set of awe inspiring textures and a stellar setlist. .....and we chose to go to the show at the last minute.