who's ready?

me me..we'll be Dancin' in the Monsoon!!!

Hartford and Great Woods is gonna ROCK! I'm so pumped for these shows I can hardly sit still at work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the weather WILL be nice.....think sun

save us a China>Rider or Scarlet>Fire..i guess i could settle for St. Stephen>NFA>St. Stephen>Wharf Rat>Sat. Night (considering it is Saturday)

(Think Bing Crosby at x-mas) "I'm dreaming...of a Lost Sailor>St. Circumstance, Just like the ones I used to know."

I think the dream comes true at Hartford. Hhehehe oh man all this balled up energy is going to erupt tomorrow night...

Hey anyone camping nearby?

BTW Midnight...I'm w/ you...gotta have positive weather thoughts.

Cold Rain & Snow opener...hoping for Eyes & Cumberland Blues. Should be good, Phil has played some good shows at the Meadows the past couple years especially in 2001.

I'm getting ready to go...
I definitely have the positive weather vibes! (I've got the bar-b-q all packed!)
See you all there!

ANY WORD?!?!?!

who has got the first sst, pretty please???

Set 1:

Help On The Way >
Tangled Up In Blue (Bobby) >
Slip >
Franklins Jam >
Bird Song (Joan)...

Help On The Way >
Tangled Up In Blue (Bobby) >
Slip >
Franklins Jam >
Bird Song (Joan) >
Back In Black (Mickey) >
Baby Got Back* (Phil)

*with Oprah Winfrey

Ok, Ok, Ill stop. Sorry

Ok,
I just the dead at Bonnaroo and here is my prediction of the first set.......please forward along the real set list for hartford if you have it.


Brokedown Palace
St.Stephen
Dire Wolf
Sugaree
Mama Tried
Franklins tower

Set 2- Eyes of the World
Althea
Tll the morning comes
-Drums-
Dark Star
Joan Osbourne (solo)
Sugar Magnolia

Encore-Touch of Grey, Candyman

Maybe not in this order.......but something like those listed above.

Is it just me...or is Live Chat obnoxious? (Real) setlists anyone???

The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Piece of You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

thank you

It wasn't Stevie Wonder's Just A Little Piece of You was it?? LOL

JUST A LITTLE PIECE OF YOU (Stevie Wonder)

They want to see you, feel you
They all want to do for you
But all they have to offer
Are those two jealous eyes
They never see beyond things that shine

They want to hold you, touch you
They all want to be near you
Surround you with themselves some more
Of love you see
But I'm satisfied with just a little piece of you
Just a little piece of you

They want to move me, exclude me
They all want to get through me
They can't understand why
My love keeps growing strong
But all I really want is just a little piece of you
Just a little piece of you
Just a little piece of you

They want to change you, to hold you
They even want to control you
Convince you that their love
Will give you all that you need
Show you the side of them that they want you to see

I need to be there sometimes
Give your heart a little sunshine
All I want to do is to see our spirit run free
l'm satisfied with just a little piece of you
Just a little piece of you baby
I just want a little piece
Just a little piece of you
Oh yeah baby just a little piece of you...
I only want a little piece of you
That is all you need to give me

The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Piece of You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Drumz

NEED A CREAM PUF WAR!!!!!! SAVE IT FOR PHILLY OR PNC

This looks like the best setlist yet. Positive feedback from the informant on show quality?

The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Piece of You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Drumz/Space>
Night of 100 Stars (Joan)>
**Sugaree (Joan)
**St Stephen>
**William Tell Bridge (Bob, Jeff, Rob)>
Playin' in the Band>
Midnight Hour (Bob, Joan)




**w/horn player from Winwood's band

Was midnight hour the encore?

The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Piece of You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Drumz/Space>
Night of 100 Stars (Joan)>
**Sugaree (Joan)
**St Stephen>
**William Tell Bridge (Bob, Jeff, Rob)>
Playin' in the Band>
Midnight Hour (Bob, Joan)>
Playin' Reprise
Donor Rap
One More Saturday Night

**w/horn player from Winwood's band



thats it guys................

thanks for the info show sounds like it was smoking, you rock Taperrob

Gracias!!!

>>Night of 100 Stars (Joan)>

Is it only 1000 stars when Warren sings?

WOW...looks rockin'.....how was the rain?

Tons of rain! We're soaked to the bone! Great show tonight though! Too toasted to write a review at the moment, but the whole show was great, and from Sugaree on was unbelievable. The William Tell Bridge was sublime.

Nope. I believe it is still 1000 Stars. ; )

correction on the new song title:


The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Piece For You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Drumz/Space>
Night of 1000 Stars (Joan)> - Joan reading lyrics
**Sugaree (Joan) - Joan takes center stage
**St Stephen>
**William Tell Bridge (Bob, Jeff, Rob)>
Playin' in the Band>
Midnight Hour (Bob, Joan)> - Joan takes center stage again
Playin' Reprise
Donor Rap
One More Saturday Night

**w/horn player from Winwood's band

This show was stinky. I gotta sleep, so I'll say more tomorrow, but they laid an egg tonight.

OK first set with Low Spark as a highlight
Second set was rippin. Too tired for much else see you tomorrow

Shouldn't that read Peace? Beautiful freaking song. I want the lyrics yesterday. Home, well not home, but close enough. Hope everyone made it home safely.

spacey drums had Mickey on the "Beam" the past 2 nights (at least).

Joan was travelin across the front of stage for Sugaree.

NOTE: Bob Weir, Joan, Mickey + Billy(?) joined Steve Winwood's set (to close it!) with Gimme Some Lovin extended... [did they do another song before that?]

you got it Dew:

correction on the new song title:


The Dead - Hartford - 6/21/03

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Low Spark (same as last song)
A Little Peace For You (new - Phil, Joan)
The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
Touch of Grey (Bob)

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Drumz/Space>
Night of 1000 Stars (Joan)> - Joan reading lyrics
**Sugaree (Joan) - Joan takes center stage
**St Stephen>
**William Tell Bridge (Bob, Jeff, Rob)>
Playin' in the Band>
Midnight Hour (Bob, Joan)> - Joan takes center stage again
Playin' Reprise
Donor Rap
One More Saturday Night

**w/horn player from Winwood's band



>>NOTE: Bob Weir, Joan, Mickey + Billy(?) joined Steve Winwood's set (to close it!) with Gimme Some Lovin extended... [did they do another song before that?]

Steve Winwood's set ended with:

Live Together (partial song title)
Gimme Some Lovin'

both songs with Bob, Joan, Billy & Mickey

Zoiks! Glad I passed on a last minute offer to catch this one.

I will give my full review later today

sounds pretty good to me on Zone radio!

Phenomenal show from beginning to end. All these years and all these shows and I still can't fathom how a band can be so ordinary one night and so great the next. I reviewed the SPAC show and said, “I thought it was a good bit below some of the Other One's shows I saw this fall and well below most of the Phil & Friends shows I've seen over the past few years. But the potential is enormous. And I can't wait for tomorrow.” Well, we heard that potential in Hartford and hoping the next show is “the one” is part of being a Deadhead – there’s only one band that can do what they did tonight.

At SPAC they played like they had stopped in a Starbucks for a while before the show – they were a bit hyper and disjointed; no flow, jagged, ragged – an early in the tour show where they tried hard but kept bumping into each other.

Last night in Hartford they were a beast – from the opening notes, this one was different; crystal clear sound, all on the same page and, with just a few minor bumps, wonderfully tight and strong.

½ Step: Strong opening. Already better than just about everything from SPAC. Tight.

Bobby McGee: A little faster than in the past. Excellent version.

Aiko: Sometimes it can be hard to tell one Aiko from another – this one stood out. Strong, loud, a rockin’ not a relaxed Aiko. Perfect song for Mickey who was great [really].

Low Spark: A gift. A long, lean, sinuous, sensuous, jazzy ride. Special. This alone was worth the trip and weather that was more March than June 21.

A Little Peace for You: Bathroom

Wheel: Strong.

Touch: Stronger. As with Aiko and The Wheel, most versions tend to be alike – this was a standout – fast, a little harder, a rocking Touch. Great end to a great set.

Stranger: And they pick up just where they left off. Excellent.

Scarlet: Fun as always, but for the first time all night, they play the song rather than have the song play them – a little too fast and a little too hard. But its Scarlet and its great to hear this band tear thru it.

Hard to Handle: This sounded so great on Valentines Day and I was really looking forward to it. Unlike SPAC, where she was prominent from the beginning, Joan steps out for the first time and is just terrific. Bobby is a different story – the song just doesn’t fit his voice. Somehow they look confused as to who is to start. Joan takes the first verse. Bobby takes the second and I’m pretty sure the wire gets crossed in his head and he continues Joan’s gender change in the lyric so that he sings, “I’m a girl with great experience.” Then again, this is a guy who once botched the line in Jack Straw, “Leaving Texas, fourth day of July” when they were playing in Texas on July 4th.

Drums: ok

1000 Stars: uh-oh, they seem to be losing momentum. The band sounds great, a broader, fuller sound than P & F but Joan is reading the words on the floor, keeps her head down and is tentative. For the 1st time all night, there’s an energy leak. But not to worry – the rest of the show is just off the charts.

Sugaree: Joan takes center stage and sets the place on fire. As tentative as she is on 1000 Stars, here she is sure and confident and awesome. She nails it. Finishes on top of her monitors [they’re using monitors again]. Crowd goes nuts. Jerry would be very pleased.

St. Stephen/William Tell: I waited 20 years to hear this band do St. Stephen again. Great version. Maybe a little strong and fast but its St. Stephen. William Tell!!!

Playin’: Rocking. Bobby’s guitar has been loud in the mix all night and, while he’s had a few verbal miscues, his guitar work has been just great. Jam comes to a bit of a stop and into a roaring:

Midnight Hour: Wow. Huge power chords. They’re having a blast. Near the end they decide to try and channel some Pigpen and Bobby turns to Joan and says, “Do you have anything you want to say?” Joan takes over and says she’s heard that while younger men have more energy, older men have better technique and experience and proceeds to ask, no demand, that each of the old guys do a solo. First the drummers, then Phil [great funky lines], and then a moment we’ve dreaded for years, a Bobby guitar solo. She’s hilarious. Funniest thing I’ve seen since they intro’d themselves as the “Jones Band” at Colgate. Somehow Bobby is able to go from his “solo” right back to the end of “Midnight Hour” and then a very good transition back into the rest of Playing.

Sat. Night: Just rocks.

After the SPAC show I wrote that while I didn’t, I was sure that some loved the show. Here, I’m sure there are those who were disappointed. Make sure you find a recording of this night. Decide for yourself. You wont be disappointed. This was the real deal. Youthful energy meets aged experience – and the result is a concert to remember. Awesome.

Half Step: Came out of a jam that sounded like Eternity, I'm not sure if that Milestone Jam is correct. Nicely done but nothing spectacular

Bobby McGee: First time I've seen it. Again pretty sraight forward. Sound is good

Aiko: This got the folks and the band movin'. I would agree, Mick was not so annoying.

Low Spark: Highlight of the first set. Nice coooool feel to it.

A Little Peace for You: Need to hear it more. Seems like a nice little tune. Not much meat musically to it

Wheel: Great tune nicely played

Touch: Is it me or what. Bobby really has a hard time singing many tunes. This is one of them. I think Rob has got to sing more.

Stranger: Jimy took this tune over he was on FIRE I wish it could have gone on longer

Scarlet: I had a feeling this was coming always a pleaser.

Hard to Handle: Paco I am in agreement. Another tune that Bob can't sing. This left a little to desire.

Drums: I am enjoying this more and more.

1000 Stars: They need to work on this

Sugaree: Rockin!! I know many of you don't like the Joan "Glamor Act" but they nailed this. If you don't like all the romping around the stage, Close your eyes and listen to the tune! I will admit, it seem a little strange to see here on the monitors at the end. Phil seemed to get quite a kick out of it!!

St. Stephen/William Tell: Yeah William Tell - sounded great I hope Phil does thios with PLQ

Playin’: They rocked this out as well

Midnight Hour: The tune was great. But what i took from this was the BOB solo. This should not be aloud to happen again. I almost felt embarrased for him

Sat. Night: Just rocks. AMEN

After the first set I was a little let down but they made up for it in a big way in the second set. They sound really good. Jimy was way up in the mix and fits in so well with this band.

paco333 what year did you start seeing shows?

1st show [of about 225] was 6/18/76.

Is it my imagination, or does it look like the Dead are playing alot of Jerry tunes? Half step, Tough of Grey etc..
Almost like they are playing them in defiance of his absence....
I would trade a Jerry, for a Rob and a Joan any day. Jerry's unpredictability was one of the highlights of a Dead show, and now that they are more homogenized, and predictable, some of the excitement is missing.
The new band is mostly right on and tight, don't get me wrong; but I miss the mystery of what's to come from our beloved and missing brother.
Oh, one more thing....... is this the first tour that had a member of The Dead romping about the stage with a wireless mic in hand (Joan)???

Some miscues scattered among truly stunning moments at the Meadows. Joan brought the house down with Sugaree; I could almost see Jerry grinning his goofy grin as she strutted and sang her way through the high point of a set that seemed like it would never end.

The new vocal arrangement on Half-Step almost sounded like a mistake, but then it was pretty cool when you realized what they were doing, and "pray for better weather" got a huge cheer from the CT locals who've been suffering with miserable weather for 2 monhts now. Low Spark was phenomenal--long & spacy.

Jimmy's solo was monstrous on Stranger; in fact, that was his one big moment all night. The funniest moment was their attempt to start Scarlet Begonias--a real kickin' drum groove, but it fell apart, then they pulled it off. Hard to Handle devolved into a truly psychotic jam before the drummers took over, and if Bobby thought they were going to squeeze another song in he abandonded the idea, shrugged and pointed to the Rhythm Devils.

Sugaree was the showstopper, but the St. Stephen>Playin'>Midnight Hour>Playin' reprise was also hot, especially Joan teasing the boys into playing solos.

All said, a ripping good time.

thanks paco and heynow,

you're both giving me a good feel for it. i've been listening to the bonnaroo stuff on nugs.net, and while some of it is ragged, the unbroken jam is outstanding. sounds like this will be the theme...they do the jazz sections very well.

excited for summerfest. thanks again for the solid, descriptive reviews.

>>>>I would trade a Jerry, for a Rob and a Joan any day


Well duh. Hope you didn't spend too long figuring that out. Not really helpful though since Jerry has a prior commitment.



I'm having trouble adjusting to a universe in which Sugaree is the show's highlight.

More time was spent being open minded to the New Dead. Reflection has opened me to the fact that it just isn't the same without the big guy....
I still love the atmosphere though, thank god for the kind spirited heads which make it all good! This is what is really helping to keep this a Dead show!

backonthebus....did YOU think the sugaree was the highlight??? it was Someone's highlight....all shows have MANY high lights!!!and you know what.. one man's highlight is another man's >>>>>..

Heynow Heynow:
Nice to see we pretty much heard the same show -- including the Eternity jam to start.

i thought Hartford was so much better than SPAC, so did the people i was with. the rain was a damper but the lot was roaring by 4 PM and once you got wet the only problem was keeping the bones dry.

the 1st set had much more energy than SPAC and the 2nd set had great energy and i spent much of it with Tim and Scarlet.
i had hoped to meet more zoners but as the set broke and i headed for the lawn it started pouring again ;(

i hope some of were able to grab some of the PLQ stickers i had placed liberally around the theater.

today will be worse than yesterdy for rain.
last night no umbrellas were allowed in at all, there was a huge pile of them at the gate left by people that didn't want to have to walk back to thier cars. you'll need foul weather gear for tongiht for sure.

it just isn't the same without the big guy

mike, i'm not so sure about that..i think, along with everyone who witnessed the rebirth at alpine a year ago that we are indeed seeing, feeling, and hearing grateful dead music..thus the name change to 'the dead'.. anyBODY who thinks this is not grateful dead music without jerry never understood what it was to begin with...garcia wasn't just our guitar player..he is a rare soul among rare souls! feel lucky enough to have known him and embrace what is often referred to as " chamber music for friends:" this is grateful dead music...............

Maybe I will just bash first, review later...

First, of course it was Milestones...dead giveaway. No pun.

Jimmy didn't come alive till Stranger? What the fuck was that Jimmy jam in 1/2 Step. Fat Free Heavy Cream?


>>>Is it my imagination, or does it look like the Dead are playing alot of Jerry tunes? Half step, Tough of Grey etc..
Almost like they are playing them in defiance of his absence....

Jerry is DEAD...ya, know, ashes in two bodies of water, spirit up above. Pretty sure he would puke on that one. I would be laughing in my decaf if I really didn't find that so sad.

>>>>I would trade a Jerry, for a Rob and a Joan any day

I find that offensive. You would trade two people for a dead one? Yeah, I took it literally.

Speed Racer: What difference does it make? This is a new band, fresh out of the gate so to speak, so why does how many shows any of us has seen/heard weigh in, other than the comfort knowledge of arrangement and orchestration?

Does me going to a couple of hundred shows over a period of 17 years make me a better authority of The Grateful Dead's music, its spawn, and these no bands? Factually, of course...the black and white of the stats, but nothing else matters, in my opinion.

Gah...
Maybe my expectations are too high, because I'm reading these reviews and wondering if I've become too spoiled and too jaded to be able to pick "greatness" out of a haystack of so-so's. I thought last night's show was one of the worst post-Jerry collaborations I've ever heard. I mean there was just nothing to it. No magic, no moments where my heart raced, my soul sang, or hell my feet tapped. To me the Dead were DOA. Sure there were no major train wrecks, no moments where you asked "what the fuck are they doing?" because it seemed they were definitely performing with a net.
That's not to say it didn't have its moments. I'm not huge on 1/2 Step, but it was well played, and Jimmy got going early, but had to cut it short to get to Bobby McGhee. Ok, no problem, its early, let Bob sing us something. It wasnt bad, but there wasn't much to it. A few Jimmy runs, and Joan and Bobby harmonizing the vocal break. Creeeeek. Stop again, bring out Winwood and his saxophonist. Aiko Aiko comes creeping up. I can't stand this tune, but I guess if Mickey HAS TO sing something it might as well be this. Certainly not much flavor in it, the sax drowning out most of the rest of the band, and Phil kinda just pluckin the roots.
From there, we get the higlight of the show, Low Spark. Winwood sings this one BEAUTIFULLY, and the place just starts filling with bio-music, all the mulleted freaks quieted down for a bit, which was good, it gave Jimmy plenty of room, which he mostly took advantage of.(some people are all happy he's playing more "Jerryesque," but to me listening to him play last night was like watching a thoroughbred run on a muddy track)
When Low Spark ended, my hopes were raised for the show to upswing. The new Phil song started, and was pretty mellow, but I figured on a sweet Jimmy solo, and some nice twinkling by Rob. Ennnt. Nothing. Stop again. The Wheel comes, its funny how some of us can hear it one note in, but most of the people in attendance didn't recognize it until the first line was sung. Ahh well, the Wheel has been known to spark a good jam or two, but again, not this time. Sputtered out before it even got started. They tried one of many vocal jams during this tune, but why? Every vocal jam takes away from the actual magic. The opening chords of Touch Of Grey sent the classic rock audience into a frenzy, and Jimmy copped Jerry lick for lick in the solo. I mean you got one of the nastiest guitarists on the planet, and you're gonna make him cop licks? Whats the point? (I know it's probably his choice, not the band's, but still)

The first set ended and was just not that good, but I chalked it up to being a first set, and surely they'd come out roarin' in the 2nd set.
It started out well enough, Feel Like A Stranger aint a great tune, but Jimmy started rippin towards the end, and Phil started moving the band, and then....creeaaaaaaaaaaak. Stop again.
Scarlet Begonias was a struggle to start, and when it got going it was ok, but pretty standard. Of course the dreaded masses ate it up, and it wasn't bad, except for the ringing dread in my head of a Mickey sung "Fire" following it. It was then with great relief they jumped into Hard To Handle. Bobby was really having trouble with his voice, and the tune was over before you knew it,and lead into probably the best jam of the night. It seemed that everytime the band started to cook, you'd look up and it was Phil, Jimmy, and Rob stirring. They locked in and played off pretty well until it was time for Drums. Blech. I have no problem with drum solos, but I feel that they should be earned. Nothing so far had earned them solos, and Mickey really grated on me with his bag of tricks. the band comes back for what I guess was supposed to be space, just sounded like noise to me, and out of it I hear a familiar bass line being brought in, and I said "No fuckin way" to my bud Joe. Sure enough, Joan starts crooning Night Of A Thousand Stars. Just pathetic. She was reading the lyrics the whole time, which I guess is better than fucking them up, but she also missed just about every key change and cue along the way. I about busted a gut laughing when the "drums of the jungle" line came on, and Billy tried his damndest to make them, but fell way short. This song needs to be shelved til the fall when it can be played in a more respectful, correct manner. The band, limp as a wet noodle, started playing Sugaree, only Jimmy was lagging behind, and he finally played the intro, and suddenly I was at a friggin' Shania Twain concert. Joan was shakin her semi-sweet ass all over the stage, and singing Sugaree like only RVZ intended. I was gonna be ok with it, because Sugaree can at least produce some sweet jams, and it started to cook, when what did Joan do? CUT OFF THE JAM!

SHE CUT OFF A JAM!!!

WHO THE HELL DOES SHE THINK SHE IS???

A band that has sleepwalked through most of a show starts finally getting going, and she decides its time to sing more vocals? It was ugly. Somebody needs to explain to me why they need this girl onstage. She sings well, no doubt. Has an excellent voice. But last night she adversely affected the way the music was played, so she could croon some more. Gimme a break.
I knew coming into it that we'd get a 2nd set St. Stephen, as has been the CT tradition in recent years. So when it came (after another stop by the way) it was more relief than excitement. Shortest Stephen ever. At least it felt like it, and by this time the sax player had returned, and blew the big solo both literally and figuratively. Jimmy could do nothing but just wait his turn and pick his spots. The William Tell thing was kinda cool, but too little too late, and then came Playin'. Not bad, not great, it didn't really go anywhere but in circles, and came down into Midnight Hour. Alright, send us home with some party music, redeem the night. Oh, wait. I think instead we'll see some more of Joan's semi-sweet and have her spout some sexual inuendo, and then call the man we all know and love "the bass player." Then we'll have Bobby play a solo(you'd think he'd have learned to play guitar after 40 years) and go back into Playin' to end. Weak weak weak. Saturday Night was some rockin' stuff to hear while dashing to the parking lot.
To me, this wasn't anywhere close to a Dead show. I mean where was the spontanaety, the improvisation, the performing without a net? It seemed they decided to play for the masses, rather than play for themselves, and it hurt them. I know people say don't compare this band to Phil And Friends, but how can you not? Especially when they're playing Phil And Friends songs? It's nowhere close in my opinion. In fact, this band doesn't even sound like the band that played in the fall, where at least parts of the shows would be exciting.
It's gotta be just me.

I was not impressed in the fall, and some of these reviews give me pause for PNC and Camden. I guess low expectations aren't a bad thing.

This is the first show that I've seen since Alpine, so please forgive if I'm saying things that have been brought up since then.

Overall I thought the show was good. The setlist IMO looks better than what I experienced. I'm still getting used to the 1/2 Step singing cadence, especially now where they are doing "both" ways, offset. Sounds disjointed to me. The Bobby McGee was good to hear, although I had hoped that this would be a song that they could incorporate Joan more, and take it more to a Janis type version than a Bobby version. Just a thought. Iko was solid, Mickey didn't make me cringe, but laugh. Low Spark is my favorite Traffic song and was great to hear, my 1st set highlight. Great to hear the Wheel, good version. Touch of Grey always takes my energy away, for numerous reasons, but this was a strong version, I do agree that they should let Rob sing more though. Overall I thought at times that the band wasn't as tight as I expected. As opposed to what I had read earlier, Joan seemed to hang out most of the time, although I must admit I wasn't concentrating on her, but I thought she would be less visable.

Being that they played no tunes that Bobby penned in the first set, the Stranger opener seemed justified, and I thought this was the best played song at this point by far. They continued hot with Scarlet, but I thought the Hard To Handle took it back down a notch. Mickey was an animal on the beam during Drums, sending out some frequencies that were making my insides shake profusely. - On that note, I was about 30 rows back, stage right, (keyboard side) - pretty close to the side wall, and the sound was fine where I was. When I passed through center, near the board, it sounded great. I thought the mix was good, although Jeff's B-3 doesn't come into play much, but that might just be him - Night of a 1000 Stars - I missed Warren doing this, maybe in the future it will come together more - Sugaree was great, again, it still messes with my head a bit to hear it at this point of a show, and yeah, it is wierd when a show highlight is a 2nd half of 2nd set "Sugaree", but I guess beggars can't be choosers. Joan was roaming for sure, strange to see all of that movement by a person on stage - normally it's just the lights or rug pattern that is moving - complete with Joan standing tall on top of her monitor at the end of the song. A big thumbs up to the woman on stage left in the tank top dancing away during Sugaree. She really seemed to enjoy it. St. Stephen with the William Tell bridge was great, great jam before William Tell. I do wish they would only break this out so often though, to keep it a bit special. Playin' was very strong. Midnight Hour was OK, I think when Joan called Bobby out to solo was the worst I felt all night, I felt bad for Bobby, and myself. Strange moment for me. Playin reprise ended the show nicely. Saturday Night was a very good, if expected, encore, and sent me home on a high note.

I think as the tour progresses the band will get tighter, and as we all know, they vary from night to night, if not song to song. I would be disappointed if this was the best show I saw all tour, as I expect to see 4-5 more, but I think it is onward and upward from here. Peace.

>>>and suddenly I was at a friggin' Shania Twain concert

Is ample medical attention available at these gigs? I appreciate your honesty.

dewit...

dude ..when you talk about ' orchestration' and 'arrangement' as relevent to the grateful dead experience it says alot.....man ..quit bringing you preconceived notions to the possibilities that happen at every single event.

what do you want them to play the album version.. ...there's magic in them there hills and i know it, plus every member of the dead know it..all this citical ranting is a silly teen rap..peace

OMG..Someone on stage moved lateraly and sang at same time..

Love these reviews..Call a spade a spade..if you got the cards..lay em down..

At First i thought these shows were good. i listened to them and thought, ok well this is pretty good. but not upon review i think they all have been poorly performed. im listening to 10-6-00 plq and it blows anything they've done so far out of the water. and it's not even a "great" show. but in plq you have warren and robs great vocals. no line sharing misscues, no bob solos, no hesitation on lyrics and trading off, and jimmy and warren cutting lose.

bring back plq and even ratdog.

for the record,,,,,,,,,,,one can say that the more we practice the better we will be at a given task ..yes this can include grateful dead concert experiences...having been at a couple hundred shows at various locations throughout our country over 4 decades, being influenced by any number of variables, one can develop a more refined reference point, moving beyond typical explanations of events, which is what so much of the postings on this board are about....

i will say with certainty that the portion of the spac show after drums was just about as fine a grateful dead experience as ANY i've had....no one bum out listening to negative raves... magic is in abundance! come to the well and drink!!

>> and then call the man we all know and love "the bass player." Then we'll have Bobby play a solo

I wasn't at this show, and won't be seeing any of this tour, (so I know I shouldn't be saying anything...) but I *did* have the gd-radio playing this morning...
I stepped away from the computer for just a bit and came back just in time for... what song is this?! what's going on?! The *bass player*??? I had the sudden flash back to '86 when Bobby introduced the band, just before Jerry's coma...
I got over it quick enough, but this strange creepy feeling of dread didn't leave me soon enough...
Bbbgggrrrr, but it does sound like there's enough good stuff going on for y'all to be having a ton of fun!

Warrented - you mean the spontaneity of a Picasso opener/Don't Ease closer, six song first set from 1989 on? No thanks.<p>Sat 5th row and those guys played for themselves - not for the masses. Phil steered the ship in the 2nd set - Jimmy was strong on Stranger - Bobby was...well.. Bobby (haven't we realized that yet?<p>Joan was lots of fun up there and, IMO - Jerry would have been wearing a huge smile during that. <p>For those of you who wanted more Jimmy - just play what you have - he always sounds the same - great player yes - but zero subtlety.

The Dead
The Meadows - Hartford, Ct.
6/21/03


The Boys back in the area that has produced some monster shows (82,83 GD runs, warlocks '90, P+f '01). After seeing and hearing the first 4 nights of the tour, was really lookin forward to the first Saturday Night show especially in a
state known for its energetic heads. Thought maybe the crowd could bring something extra special out of the boys. Alas Mother Nature,as has been her want in New England this year had other plans (It has rained 22 out of the last 25
weekends,Hartford is turning into Seattle east ;-)
The Rain seemed to kill the lot scene although the people who had to work attempted to anyway. Many late arrivals
becuase of the rain, tons of people still outside as Winwood was finishing up (too bad, a very Spirited Gimme Some Lovin with Bobby, Mickey, Joan, Billy sitting in to close his set).
Once everyone was in ,the Meadows the place was packed. I didnt expect it with the rain but I have never seen so many people in that venue.


Set 1
Milestones Jam>
--- Nice opening Jam, laid back, serious eternity hints

Mississippi 1/2 Step>
--- Laid back Arrangement with Phil and Joan sharing lead.A nice Staggered vocal think happening during the "1/2 step Missisippi uptown toodeloo" part with Bobby singing a fraction behind phil and joan...pretty cool

Me and Bobby McGee
--- Great to hear this again, mid tempo, well done...sounded great

Iko-Iko
--- before this Phil Asked the crows "Who's the man as a way of introducing Winwood. Thought it was a little early for Winwood but seeing as how the aiko and Low spark accounted for at least 1/2 of the set time it made sense. Very long
one chord intro vamp that hinted at hand jove for a bit before settling into the Aiko changes. Winwoods sax player on this as well. Long, muscular energetic Iko, best I have heard in a while.

Low Spark>
--- Highlight of the set, they took their time exploring the nuances of the jams, well played and tight albeit a little bit laid back. I will say that laid back seemed to be the theme of the first set. Everything was very laid back, but
tight and focused. Almost to the point of dragging but I personally prefer the deliberateness as opposed to rushing tempo (if it had to be one way or the other).

Little Peace for you>
--- New Phil and hunter tune. Pretty song, great lyrics, but drained some energy from the crowd. However every song has to have its first time and I am glad to see the band trying fresh stuff if it helps keep it interesting for them.

The Wheel
--- Nice strong wheel as usual, good placement

Touch of Grey
--- good job, Boobby's voice and phrasings don't fit it that well (I think Barraco would do a great job with this) but if the original 4 want to sing the songs, who is gonna stop 'em ?!



1st Set overall comments
Well played set. Nothing really super outstanding except maybe the aiko>low spark. Nice 1/2 step>bobby mcgee opener. Fantastic Aiko. about a 75 minute set. Considering band supposedly has 150 songs in the rotation I was a little bit disappointed that 3 songs (iko,wheel,touch) were already repeats after 4 shows but that really isn't bad and should be
expected. I think we will see like 3 or 4 levels of rotaion this tour. Heavy rotation will be every 3rd or 4th night, mid will be 5th or so and then there wiil be a bunch of one or two off's which is cool. That is just my thing though and it really is how they play it, not how often they play it. I am a sucker for bust outs though :-)

See second set next post

> I'm having trouble adjusting to a universe in which Sugaree is the show's highlight.

I recall one of the MSG shows from '91 where the highlight was Black Peter. Now THAT is odd--or sad--or both.

Hartford 6/21/03 Set 2 review

Set 2
Jam>
Feel Like a Stranger
--- fantastic Stranger. Jimmy was just tearing it apart. It was the first time he really stepped out. He has this one nailed. IMHO Jimmy is doing such a fantastic job in such a difficult almost impossible position and he is making it work!(see some deeper notes about this in Scarlet) The closing jam was unbeleivable. Jimmy just weaving his magic through the dense forrest of instruments. Right On!



Scarlet Begonias>
--- nice to hear one of my calls from before the show. well played.They didn't start it off right away but did a short little jam in G that almost called out Brother Esau before switching to B and starting Scarlet. When it came time for the solo Jimmy quoted Jerry's Mars hotel solo note for note the first time around. It was really cool.
Okay about Jimmy. Even though Jimmy has been with Phil for a while; since last fall he has started in what must be the most intensive studying of Garcia's guitar playing ever undertaken by any player with any permeation of the band since Jerry died. Lets call it "Advanced Garcia :201" Now nobody wants a Jerry clone (nor does anyone want to be one in that situation) ,but what is making this band so good over other combinations is Jimmy's understanding of Jerry's instrumental voice in the band. Even with his Jazz is dead experience and PLQ experience he just understood the songs not Jerry's place in the songs. This is what has always been missing for me. Garcia's textures, little fills, and rhthym playing made the sound what it was. It is a bunch of little things that added up to "that sound". Since the OtherOnes last fall Jimmy has been woodshedding with the Live material as well as the studio material to understand what is needed to bring the band up to sufficient Deadness. This is not to say he is copying Jerry, but he is infusing Jerry's style and tendencies into spots where it is demanded. (eg. the Stranger "wah" tone and scales, or the Lazy Lightning rhythm fill licks). This really brings the music to a whole new level and harkens back to the good old days, but in a refreshing, exhilirating manner. I have read Jimmy say that while studying for this job he has come to a huge appreciation of Jerry's stuff and that while sometimes he listens to stuff for the feel and structure there are other times he says that he just has to play something the way Jerry played it just because it is so damn good (eg. the jam in the '85 cassidy on so many roads). I think that is the exact attitude to take because Jimmy is a good enough guitarist where he can get way with quoting Jerry on the way to something new and of its own. He was a fantastic choice for this band. At this point I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job in such an impossible situation. GO JIMMY!

Hard to Handle>
--- The excitement of seeing this out of the closet has kind of warn off on me. It is okay for me and thats about it. Decent version, nothing spectatcular with a couple lyrical flubs by booby and a couple arrangement flubs as well. Just doesn't really do it for me.That is until the Jam coming out of it. I would have much preferred Sailor>Saint in this slot.

MELTDOWN JAM>
--- out of Hard to Handle, before drums, came a jam that was one of the highlights for me. I don't see the setlists label it separately but it was definitely standing on its own as opposed to being an extension of the Hard to handle outtro. They had a total high volume meltdown with Jimmy just ripping. You could tell the drummers really wanted the drums coming out of it even though Bobby looked like he wanted to do something else before drums. The drummers won out.

Drums>
--- kind of disappointed we only got 3 songs before drums but I was sure they would make up for it on the other side (although I had no idea how much they would make up for it, Set 2 ended up being 2 hours and 10 minutes!!)
cool drums with Mickey on the Beam, great in sync visuals on the screen behind them.

Space>
A few cryptic wharf rat teases before going into.......

Night of 1000 stars>
--- now I like this song well enough and it was cool to hear Joans vocal take on it (even though she was obviously reading the words off the ground, but there could not be a worse placement for it in the world. After a laid back first set and a nice start to the second set (but short with only 3 songs) they needed to come out of space with something stomping to wake up the wet and cold crowd. This was not it and I was starting to get worried that the boys were running out of time before they every could really take off.

Sugaree
--- Joan taking lead vocal for the second song in a row (really third if you want to count Hard to handle) This was a show highligh with Joan prowling the stage. One thing I do like about Joan singing Jerry leads is that it allows the band to play the songs in their original keys. I hate when songs keys are changed to accomodate vocalists. Songs are written in a crtain key for a reason and if you change the key you change the feel of the song. Fanfuckingtastic Sugaree and a very interesting placement. With Inwoods hornplayer again on this and Stephen, he is great. I thought we would get like one more song here after this and the an encore (with OMSN being either closer or encore) and I was preparing myself to be a bit disapponted(but not totally) with the show as a whole. Much to my suprise we get a:

ST Stephen>
--- Crowd and band were both pumped for this. great middle jam all the sections were very tight. I was at the last East coast Stephen in Hartford '83 (which IMHO was the best of the 3 they did that fall) so this brought back some nice memories.

William Tell bridge>
--- fantastic they brough this back, tight as a drum vocals and playing were right on. Had a feeling we would not get an eleven out of this which was disappointing and exciting at the same time to see where they would go...

Playin' in the Band>
Things started getting reall interesting here as this is a weird placement for playin' so late in the show.Now I had no idea how long they would keep playing. No telling where they are going from here. nice playin' with focused jams, bridge was "just like a swiss watch".

Midnight Hour>
Rock and Roll at its finest. Great version with an extended Joan rap at the end talking about how young people may have the energy but older guys are said to have more experience and better technique. Pretty funny stuff. She then prodded the drummers, Phil and Bobby to each take an extended Solo. That was pretty funny in its own right becuse Phil and Bobby especially are fantastic ensemble players, not soloists as such. It is not like Phil is going to bust out with an Otteil Burbridge slap bass solo ;-) although he did do some pretty interesting melodic stuff. I was just waiting for Booby's turn to see what he would do becuase he is a very unique guitar player but not a traditional soloist in anybody's definition of that term. Very interesting to hear their playing in that scenario.

Playin' reprise
--- Great to hear them finish the playin' Real nice way to close the show.

Encore
Once More Saturday Night
--- You had to know it was coming. Solid version with some great high points at the end.



Second Set thoughts:
The beginning and end of the set were the highlights, The Stranger>Scarlet (especially the starnger) were very good.
The Sugaree trhough encore were absolutely world class mind blowing. This was the kind of stuff I was waiting for.

Overall show
Great show overall kind of inconsistent momentum at times. They would start to really smoke and then drop it back down with either strange song placement or an average song version. Once they got the level back up from Sugaree on they were good to go. Just wish it did not take so long to get to that point of consistency. The crows was pretty wet, cold and tired by that point so the energy level wasn't as high as it should have been considering what was coming from the satge for the last hour. If they played with that kind of fervor earlier. It would have been way more electric. Or if the weather cooperated a little better.
Kind of disappointed in that I was really looking for a Lazy Lightnin>Supp or a Lost Sailor>Saint (we will get one or the other at great woods tonight..). By the time they get Red Rocks you can see that this band will be on absolute fire. Jones Beach should be ripping as well with another month under their belts. I would liek to see them keep the energy level up for a complete set instead of up and down. I can defintely see the potential. I had a great time at the show and they are better than any combination I have seen since Jerry left.

I always love these "debates." Some really did walk out of the Cornell show muttering about the "short" 2d set. And when I first started going to shows in '76-'77, I had to listen to some of my older friends tell me "it's not the same without Pigpen." Same as it ever was. All I know is that these old bones were shaken to the core last night and if I could peer across the abyss of time to see the college-age me at those legendary '76-'78 shows, I'd see some very young bones [& some DNA] shaken to the core and we'd know we just shared a different but very much the same experience. Better, worse, Jerry, Joan, Warren, Bob, P&F -- who cares? How often do you get to hear your soul giggle. It's like sex -- if you compare every experience to that time when you were 21 and that breathtakingly gorgeous French girl you met while bumming around Europe just knocked your socks off, well...what's the fun of that. Look at all the fun [not to mention great sex]you're missing.

>dewit...

dude ..when you talk about ' orchestration' and 'arrangement' as relevent to the grateful dead experience it says alot.....man ..quit bringing you preconceived notions to the possibilities that happen at every single event.

what do you want them to play the album version.. ...there's magic in them there hills and i know it, plus every member of the dead know it..all this citical ranting is a silly teen rap..peace


Seer? What do you see? It appears that you may be just a little older than my old fartism? I do recognize that your reading glasses need to be readjusted.

I am not a teenager, patootie dear, and I think you ought to reread what I wrote to you. What is the relevance of the number of shows someone has been to got to do with a band that has been in existence since 2.14.03?

I really wanted to review this show, and do it well, given that I wasn't going to do any other reviews, but I am so repulsed.

Last night I said it was entertainment, not spirituality. My dear friend said it so much better. "It ain't church!". If you cannot have a great fucking time at one of these shows, then retire. Save your cash. BTW, it was really easy to have a great fucking time. Thanks to the girls. A great night out.

Fuck the rest of you who can sit there and rip to shreds a band that is just growing up and finding itself and have nothing constructive or fair to say. I am ashamed. I am angry. I am sick to my stomach.

You claim to be music lovers and officiandos. Do yourselves a favor; omit that from your resumes. That background checks would expose you as fraud.

A well written revue with less than excellent things to say about show is equal to same with good things to say about show..IMO

But if a review smells like poop and looks like poop then poop it is..

Even a blind man knows when the poop is pooping.

dewitt..as i sit here in my creaky rocker, i want to say you made some real good points...but one point i do not agree with is this being a new band....it is an old band with some updates and modifications..i still believe when we go to see this grateful dead thing, we should remember to be grateful that we are here to be seeing it at all!! bobby this, joan that, mickey this...that's not where it's at....we all know that.. I hope

lot's of stinky poo!!!

I thought maybe I knew but not sure..

Paco33: well said.

>>> Fuck the rest of you who can sit there and rip to shreds a band that is just growing up and finding itself and have nothing constructive or fair to say. I am ashamed. I am angry. I am sick to my stomach. <<<

Dew, holy crap, gimme me your address and Ill Fed-Ex you a grande latte, or better yet just some good french roast coffee grounds and you can put em betwixt your cheek and gum a la a pinch of Skoal. Mmmmmmmmmmmm... Skoal.

If peoples wants to bitch, gripe, complain -- so what. Many of em will never be satisfied and are incapable of "just" having a good time.

As for me, I havent seen a show yet, but the thought of Joan "speaking" N of 1000 Stars makes me wanna techincolor yawn.

And peeps do have the right to think it sucks, and they have the right to post it here - even if their arguements are Anna Nicole Smith-ish.

Ohh...so I go to a show, don't like it, but I'm supposed to come here and pretend like I do? My bad, I thought that music was up for interpretation. What was I thinking?!?! This whole be grateful for what we have shit is just that, shit. I think its less my right, more my responsibility to point out to others that this band might not be all that. I had a good time, hell the rain was fun enough, but that doesn't mean that I can listen to an unsinspired performance and come here and be hunky dorey about it. In fact I was pissed. I wanted these guys to rock so bad, and they just don't.

here's a simple review:

it rained all day and all night, but miraculously the entire first set was rain free!

our group of 4 adults and 5 7-and-under kids was just starting to get antsy when the show finally started. certainly a laid back set, and very well played, for the most part. defintely low spark was the highlight, but I liked the 1/2 step opener and aiko was fun, and I was surprised to find myself enjoying touch of grey. must've had something to do with having the kiddies along

I gave a couple of the kids a turn going down from the lawn inside and the look of awe on their faces was priceless. all 5 of them had a great first 'dead' show

thanks to althea for waiting around for us and cutting my pal a deal; and to the kind soul who freebied one of the kiddies; and to hailskins for TRYING to hook up with me during the first set and HS and Huck walking all the way to the top of the lawn to hang out and finding us already gone

no comments on the 2nd set cause we were already on the hwy with sleeping kids by the time it started!

on to Holmdel...

This was a very rainy cold night on the hill in Hartford. I was amazed at how cold it was. I went with my bro and a couple of tight friends I've known for years. We parked a ways from the venue wich was a drag but no big deal. I was just psyched to be there. I saw my first show in Hartford 3/26/87 and ever since, having "The Dead" come to town is cause for excitement. And it was exciting. Let me dive into the review. I don't think Joan is a good fit for this band. She is a good artist but I don't think she grasps the heritage or musical focus of the band. She's too "top 40" for The dead. Its almost like The Dead is her band. Her backround vocals were real nice and she fills out well on the wheel and alot of other songs, but when she takes center stage I feel like I am at the Grammys or something. Or someother well polished commercial band like Jimmy Buffett, Genesis, or REO Speedwagon. Suddenly the band caters to those who are easily enthralled and excited because they don't get out very much as it is. "A concert" but not a "Dead Show." I had a fun evening with my friends and enjoyed the nastalgia of seeing my favorite band, but it seemed to stray so far that "its more a rollercoaster than the train I used to know." Alpine last summer was a great show, but a bit too much expectation for the dead to come away unscathed by the review board. Maybe I preferred it because it was just "the boys." I don't know what to expect anymore. I love Ratdog. I wish they came this way in the spring. Maybe I needed to be more upfront to appreciate the sound, it seemed a bit drowned out from where I was. Scarlet and St Stephen were well played, but something about the whole show, (as much as I had fun and could appreciate the talent on stage,) seemed to lack something i just can't put my finger on. I guess its just the whole Joan presence. I am sorry if that offends anyone, but as i said earlier, I just don't think she is a good fit for The Dead. Midnight Hour was more like Meatloaf singing bat outta hell in '77 than Pigpen doing Lovelight in '71. Have fun everyone!

.....don't get me wrong, I'm going to Camden. Once a deadhead always a deadhead.

Later..
sean

But if you are going to bitch about it, why not find something you like better, and make more room for those who want to be there.

As I've said before, Joan Osborne is the sexiest woman on the planet, with the voice of an angel

Sean...(and eveyone else)...don't worry about offending people with your reviews. The beauty of the Dead community (I thought) is that we are some of the most critical fans in music. If you see/hear something you don't like, please let us know (and tell us why). I won't affect the pleasure I take/don't take from a show.

Now: I haven't seen anything since Valentine's Day (stuck in the ignored Pacific Northwest), and probably won't see anything 'til Red Rocks, but I gotta say that I really like the addition of Joan to the band. I LOVE Phil. I really do. I even love his voice....on some songs. But they needed an extra vocalist. The man was really singing some songs that he never EVER ought to sing (e.g. Morning Dew)...more so with PLQ than with TOO, but still. I love Rob too, and think he is a good vocalist (used to go see Tricksters once a week when I lived out East for a while), but while his voice 'sounds good', it often lacks emotion and power (just my opinion...please disagree). So thanks for Joan (or Meatloaf or Barry Manilow or whoever). But what the hell do I know....I also LOVE Bobby's voice.

Seer, here is the damn point. I am anything but a teenager. I thought your remarks un-thought out, and for goddsakes, with as big a mouth as I have, why call me a teenager?

It is the armchairs I am sick and tired of, the bitching, moaning, tiresome, full of evil crap coming from them.

This is NOT the Grateful Dead. If you are going to a show thinking reunion, retread (good/bad/new/old) think again.

It is a very new band, with alot of territory to cover,and a huge catalogue to choose from.

Lastly, how long did P&F have lyric sheets out for 1000 Stars of all things? I sat 7 feet away from Warren Haynes at the DAR show and watched him struggle through the lyrics of it, hell, I don't think they ever gave up having sheet and lyrics out on that stage.

I have been called judgemental on this board..well, who is judgemental here? My god, this is the most amazing year this music scene has EVER had, and all people can do is spew crap on Joan Osborne, for being there, actually, the set selections, the quality of the music, etc.

As said above, FUCK all of this spew.

And Teague, you are entitled to your opinion, I thought some of it quite fine,
but WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? GOD? Did she fuck up your script?

BTW, have I expressed an opinion of this show? No. You haven't a clue as to whether I loved it or hated it, so keep your opinion, but since I hadn't addressed you, I am just relaxing my haunches. The ungrateful heads.

Yeah, its a new band, and a new body of work is going to come out of it, right quick I think. They have a very short period of time to do it, and I think they will.

Best part of last night, dancing with my girlfriend, seeing some very happy friends, and enjoying the moment. More than I had anticipated.

I am beginning to think the boys club that is most of the dead head society as a hole, is quite jealous, or at least going through some sort of Oedipal complex.

All this fabulous music going on and this is what the result is?

...and people say Deadheads are a bunch of smelly peace and love hippies. So much for stereotypes.

Disagreements, criticisms, anger, judgements, finger pointing. Take a deep breath, take a step back, and check yourself. If it doesn't apply, move on. Happy Sunday.

Bob Marley
Could You Be Loved

Could you be loved and be loved?
Could you be loved and be loved?

Don't let them fool ya,
Or even try to school ya! Oh, no!
We've got a mind of our own,
So go to hell if what you're thinking is not right!
Love would never leave us alone,
A-yin the darkness there must come out to light.

Could you be loved and be loved?
Could you be loved, wo now! - and be loved?

(The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too,
So while you point your fingers someone else is judging you)
Love your brotherman!
(Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?
Could you be - could you be loved?
Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?
Could you be - could you be loved?)

Don't let them change ya, oh! -
Or even rearrange ya! Oh, no!
We've got a life to live.
They say: only - only -
only the fittest of the fittest shall survive -
Stay alive! Eh!

Could you be loved and be loved?
Could you be loved, wo now! - and be loved?

(You ain't gonna miss your water until your well runs dry;
No matter how you treat him, the man will never be satisfied.)
Say something! (Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?
Could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! Say something!
(Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! (Could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! Say something! (Say something!)
Say something! Say something! (Could you be loved?)
Say something! Say something! Reggae, reggae!
Say something! Rockers, rockers!
Say something! Reggae, reggae!
Say something! Rockers, rockers!
Say something! (Could you be loved?)
Say something! Uh!
Say something! Come on!
Say something! (Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! (Could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! (Could you be - could you be - could you be loved?)
Say something! (Could you be - could you be loved?)

Did anyone out there notice a very aggresive police presence last night? I wasn't there, but my brother got busted, thrown in a "patty wagon" with some other heads and hauled to the station. No rights read or anything...he wasn't even drinking a beer or anything, had just pulled into the lot and the cops were randomly "selecting" people and asking for ID's. I guess they were saying the usual "go home dirty hippe" bulls**t to everyone and talking about "oh, the Deads in town we'll meet our quotas'". There was a girl in the van who begged to be let out (for an hour!) to go to the batrhroom and the cops wouldn't let her..she had to pee on the floor of the freaking van!

I know this is normally for show reviews, but I'm trying to find out if anyone else was mistreated. My bro's got court on Wednesday, and he's going to get a lawyer.

Sorry to jump in on this post, but I thought I let folks know..be careful out there. See you at Red Rocks.

"but if you're going to bitch about it why not find something you like better."

Chill out dude. This is just a review board. I am sorry, but I do not like Joan Osborne. I don't think that should ilicit such a jaded response from someone I don't even know. I wasn't crazy about Vince Welnick but it didn't prevent me from seeing the Dead. I had a great time. Don't get me wrong all of you who have not seen the Dead this tour yet. You will enjoy yourself and take in a genre of music and tunes that you will love. Sorry to ruffle feathers but i just don't like Joan.

I didn't see a cop, a security guard, etc. As a matter of fact, I didn't even see a cop until the one getting us onto the road, and that was it. Some of them were parking people, but no presence from my perspective. Let most of us alone because of the rain I guess.

I never expect to see anything better than I saw prior to 1977, and I have actually had this opinion since 1982. Therefore, I have gone to many shows (Grateful Dead, Phil & Friends, RatDog, Other Ones and now The Dead) not expecting to hear anything close to 2/13/70 or 8/27/72 or 5/19/77, etc. - but sometimes I am surprised. Not for entire shows, or even entire sets, but every once and awhile they still surprise me. Last night they surprised me - the Low Spark was as good a piece of music/jam as I have ever heard any permutation of the Grateful Dead play. The rest of the show had some highlights as well, but nothing next to the Low Spark - except Jimmy's solo in Stranger (Much like Jeff's INCREDIBLE piano solo during Eyes the previous night at SPAC) was torrid.

That said - I enjoyed myself very much and saw many many many zoner friends. The rain sucked, the bathroom situation sucked, the cluster-fuck stairways were very poorly planned, the sound was nice, but the venue is too unwieldy - SPAC was much mellower and allowed for more relaxing vibes.

To weigh in on Joan before I leave: Well, this woman has a wonderful voice and a big set of balls, because it takes balls to do what she did last night - take control of the Dead and direct the flow during the Midnight Hour - sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer balls. If they continue in this format, I would still say she's a keeper.

honesty is love...

>>>>How often do you get to hear your soul giggle.<<<<

best thing i've read all day

Last night was Excellent! Sound was loud, Bobby's voice sounded young, like it had a massage before the show. I think he'll try to keep the HA!'s down to a minimum, and save the vocal chords.

Phil was having a freakin' blast as always, did a real good solo during Midnight hour at Joan's request Must be great to truly enjoy every moment, as real as it gets.

Jimmy's guitar was turned up nice and loud, and in a smallish amphitheatre it kicked ass.

Rob B. was there, but they didn't give him a song to sing, I just don't get it?

Joan was also letting loose, having fun, standing on speakers, sounding beautiful. Hey you know what, If Rob B. can play a Jerry tune, and Joan can help sing, and Jimmy can wail away, I bet that would just beat all. Back to Joan, I enjoy hearing her sing, and she ain�t too hard to look at either.

The drums were awesome as usual, Mickey had this strange instrument (at least to me ) it was this table about six feet long and four feet off the floor. He had some kind of a tube between both hands, and he would lean on the table, maybe some metal strings on top? and this really wacky noise would come out. Nice touch for some trippy spacy s__t.

The lighting was very good as well, the screens were on the small side, but they did the trick ;) Nice scenes of flowing moons, roses, lava lamp type blobs of colored light that contrasted the color of the background perfectly, as the blobs tried to come of the screens.

This show is The Dead as they should sound, clear, audible, flowing and evolving. However if someone would please let Rob B. sing at least 1 song per show, and allow Jimmy to stand out in front and crank out some mind-blowing music, the fans would be truly Grateful.

The Meadows has tight security, wouldn�t allow camera�s whose lens comes off, so I brought my stealth camera in. I�ll be lucky if any good shots come of it. Tough time getting around last night, ushers everywhere keeping the isles clear. We were at the top of section 600, just under the overhang. I was only able to get to section 100 before they turned me back. Next time I visit that venue, I�ll be better able to negotiate the way. Looked like police were walking the isle that is between the seats and the grass. Security wouldn�t allow this guy to mud surf, seemed like perfectly harmless fun in the rain. But in these days of everyone suing at the slightest chance, the security has to keep it safe, even for him.

Parking lots filled up, so we parked two blocks down for $20. However as I�m walking Franklin at the Super 8 the next morning, what do I find but a new, soggy $20 in the grass. So in the end, parking was free

Vending was all over every lot, beers, food, clothes, jewelry and anything else.

This show kicked some ass, not major ass, but ass just the same. They all sounded Grate.

Only thing I didn�t like, is during Midnight Hour, when Joan asked the question do older men have better technique, going from Drums, to Phil, and then to Bobby ala Dance to the Music (Sly and the Family Stone). I think she should have asked Jimmy and Rob B. about their take on the issue let�s hear what they have to say!


well let's see ~ four smiles, that's a real GooD night.

Wow, there sure is a lot of passion about this show.. I went in expecting to see an evolution in the TOO fall tour from November, and that's what I got, a definite growth in the music & the personalities.. Jimmy is stepping out from behind a very big set of shoes, and is truly playing his heart out, Billy & Mickey are back in a solid '80's groove, and Bobbly is stil pretty much Bobby, but a much looser and less intimidated Bobby. Where last fall I saw an uncertainty and a desire to show Phil who's running the show, I now see a more relaxed Bobby and a desire to snap back into that spiritual space that we're all seeking. Joan is an extension of the Susan T experiment, and she has reallyy clicked with the band, and brings a joyous exhuberance that the business dealings and drugs seemed to have stripped from the original band.
This band is not Phil & Friends, but Phil is really doing this out of love for his bandmates. He is bringing the most to this party, with Jimmy & Rob, and they have all admirably stepped in to help make this work. It's nice to see & hear this band, they are playing well, giving a nice show, and helping celebrate this thing we all love. They are going to get better, Phil & Friends did, and If they want to come back next year, I'd be happy to see them.

I'm listening to the Low Spark right now. It is seriously good. Rob's piano solo is exquisite, and Jimmy was playing some tasty stuff too.

Hello,

Like this or not this in my opinion and review of:

The Dead @
Hartford 6-21-03.

Set 1:
Milestones Jam>
This was off from the start almost sounded like an eternity jam to me. Then again the band was just getting started.

Mississippi 1/2 Step (Phil, Joan)>
This was off at first vocally. I noticed they played it diffrently. It was OK not to offensive.

Me & Bobby McGee (Bob acoustic - Joan joins on verse 2)
This was a surprise to me. I was very happy to heard Bobby doing bobby. This was very good in my book.

Iko-Iko (w/Winwood - keyboard, horn player from Winwoods band)
Piss break need I say more...

Low Spark (same as last song)
This was INSANE!I thought this was prolly to top song of the night. Steve was so on and the boys doing the whole jam was great. This was really really good in my book.


A Little Piece of You (new - Phil, Joan)
First time I heard this. Not sure what this was about. Nore will I give it a review concidering I never heard this before anywhere.

The Wheel (Phil, Bob, Joan)
This was OK not a mind blower but par far as how they played this tune.

Touch of Grey (Bob)
Good set closer. Good energy from the band. Not offended even with Bobby singing this.

Set 2:
Jam>
Feel Like A Stranger
I missed most of theis cause I had to help my wife go to the potty.

Scarlet Begonias (Bob)>
This was great to hear as usual. Band was playing this tight. I liked this as well.

Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Freaking weak as hell. Joan IMHO didn't cut the mustard for this number at all.

Drumz/
Definately 80's style Drumz very enjoyable.

Space>
This was spacey of course

Night of 100 Stars (Joan)>
Again weak as hell. PLQ never sound this bad. Jimmy and Phil seemed to have this one down and the rest of the band was trying to keep up with them. Joan was terrible again.

**Sugaree (Joan)
This song was terrible. Joan took this killa garcia tune and turnned it into a Jay LO song. Stepping up and really over doing the control or whatever you want to call it. I was so discussed with Joan at this point I wanted to puke! I did see many kidz pukeing in the aisles at this point. Joan and her piss poor attempt to sing a great tune?:P

**St Stephen>
Wicked! Smoking this was a great and high energy point of the show.

**William Tell Bridge (Bob, Jeff, Rob)>
AWESOME!!!!

Playin' in the Band>
This is one of the best Playin's I have heard in 7 years. Bobby's vocals sounded so good as if he were 10 years younger. This blew me away!

Midnight Hour (Bob, Joan)>
This song rocked until Joan did the rumor crap that was so lame. It was so weak. Bobby blew it and I didn't blame him for being on the spot like that. I would have too. I thought this part was the straw the broke the camels back between Joan and my tastes. Sorry but I do NOT like her style with the Dead at all.

Playin' Reprise
Great. Glad they finished playin. Band was great.

Donor Rap
You know about his part.

One More Saturday Night
As a good friend said to me. I rather hear a OMSN that rocks vs. a lame Dark Star anyday. This rocked.

**w/horn player from Winwood's band


Overall I rate this show a 6.5 out of 10. Definately not worth buying the SBD of this. Which yes on the way out I was hit up by 20 + people trying to sell me the SBD. It was worse than spare changers. LOL I gues the meaning of a "SELL OUT" has a diffrent meaning LMAO. Lets hope they LET ROB SING SOON!!!!!!

I'm listening to the jam out of the H2H (on Zone radio) and it is amazing....listen to that and tell me it is weak as hell. I respect your opinion, I'm just saying listen to that again.
wow! trippy stuff

>Milestones Jam>

I heard A Love Supreme. Anyone else?

>>Hard to Handle (Joan, Bob)> Jam>
Freaking weak as hell. Joan IMHO didn't cut the mustard for this number at all.


Fo' the recorded I mean H2H not the Jam. I forgot to break up the H2H and Jam in my review. Didn't think you all were so testy about my reviews

>>> But if you are going to bitch about it, why not find something you like better, and make more room for those who want to be there. <<<


Yeah, come on, Tom, stuff that shit.

You of ALL people should be all for people voicing their opinions - so now we have to go along with the We-Love-Joan crowd or we should just go away?

If I go to a show by a band that IS part of my life, and spend good money to do it - and I dont like it, that doesnt mean that I have to quit going, it doesnt mean I cant say that I think is sucks.

The "boys" arent infallible - if they bring someone into the fold that they/you/I dont agree with, if I dont agree with the performance, I have every right to speak out against it.

Shit, bitching about Vince (and often Bobby & Mickey) is a past time around here - and people still go to the shows. But Joan is off limits? "The Dead" is off limits? Me not think so.

That all said, Ive only heard 2/14/03 and while Im not expecting much outta "The Dead" I am hoping to be proven wrong.

>>>I�m walking Franklin>...>I find but a new, soggy $20 in the grass.

Caps, technically speaking, that 20-spot belongs to Franklin and your parking was not free. The next steak that comes off your grill will have Franklin's name on it.

..and so the legend of ~LE NARK~ was born

WTF happened to our solstice show!?! Not even the cold rain could dampen the lovely vibes driftin' round last night.

First part of Half Step had me standing and staring, was kinda wondering if all the negative Joan folks had a point...the magical "GRAAAANDEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOs" had me forming my own opinion in a hurry SHE IS A SHINING SEXY FUN FUN FUN PRESENCE. Dug the McGee, thought I was Mr.Smooth bolting for the beer stand on the first note of Iko, lines were JAMMED guess I'm not the only opportunist who frowns upon Mickeys buzz killing ways. Two fresh beers in hand I get back for an absolutely killer Low Spark.

Thought Phils new tune was nice. That said, I'll be the first to admit that I don't have it in me to be critical of Phil. Wheel and Touch felt good and wrapped up a pretty sweet first set.

WHAT A GREAT SET BREAK

got a super kynd hug from miss Day Dream..a fun fleeting moment

Me and Ber had an adventuresome climb to the top of the hill in search of Prods and crew

Jimmy did Stranger some major major justice. His jam at the end really got the crowd fired up right on time for the euphoria of Scarlet. Rocked out and felt the groove with all the kynd folks in section 400 on into a wicked drumz/space. I've been so unhappy with the Micksters lyrical nonsense that I've kinda forgotten how fucking nasty he can be. THE BEAM brought back to the old days in a major way..shades of tripping my face of in the early 90's ...and then...the unthinkable..

How dare they disgrace 1,000 Stars like that. I've said before that it's fine by me it they do PLQ tunes as long as they stay away from Patchwork and the Real Thing..I would like to add 1,000 stars to the list..just aint right man.

I wasn't extremely fired up to hear the opening chords to Sugaree but I really liked the way it turned out. Heard a southern zoner say it twas "a bit much". Yeah, I can see where some folks might feel that way, allz I know is that I thought her stage "antics" were pretty funny..sure did plaster a smile all over my face.

I was expecting a loud crisp clean thundering monster Stephen, got exactly that on into the glory of the Willam Tell Bridge ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the glory of the MOTHER FUCKIN' WILLIAN TELL BRIDGE BABY..so ancient..so proper..into..into Playin'..a real nice Playin played with purpose and intent-->Midnight Hour was sufficiently weird enough to make it entertaining. I think taking the boys out of the norm is when they really get a chance to shine..thougt the solo thing was a tad lame until the awsomeness of Phil's solo..WHAT A BAD ASS!!!!! He never fails to step up to the plate. The guy behind me summed the Bobby solo with a simple "uh oh". Found myself rooting for him..started to feel bad, even gave him a "woohoo" for good measure..thought he did a nice job with the super fast choppy "midnight hour" vocal jam leading em back into the groove. Seemed like they tripped the Playin' reprise out nice and long, fine by me.


Glad I ran into a bunch of zoners on the way out even though I was more than a little too spaced to communicate properly.

3rd Floor Sheraton crew brought the phunk DAMN what a bunch of crazy ass neighbors, especially those whacky chicks across the hall. I'll go ahead and give the soldier award to Midy who was wounded but standing at 3am with 5am trip to the airport looming large.

see y'all in Jerzzz

nailed a retread to my feet and PRAYED for better weather!

Joan definitley brings a NEW AND DIFFERENT dimension; one point I was thinkin "Pigpen w/ breasts"..later more like "pass the cheeze whiz" (midnite hour flirty thingy)..regardless, she's definitely got the pipes!

As Huck put so well, she's one theatrical lady! in that sense new ground for all..

sucky show conditions but great seeing (too briefly in most cases) the NE corrider crew and finally meeting my fellow old dude Carl from VT! thanks for the ride to show Huck, the stub down SI and the hospo Skins ..

glad doggie bag stayed at Sheraton..they had this really nice yellow lab at the airport sniffin' folks down..


note to self: going forward stay AWAY from strange BLUE liqueurs at 3 am w/ early flight...

Where's Bucky???

3 am with a 5 am flight? sounds familiar....the Northeast will be the death of you. my friend
dude~ you're a warrior

we want bucky !
we want Bucky!
we want Bucky!

BEST quote all night:

Lady SI, as we're walking in, and the bottle rockets are going off around us:

"Every time an illegal firework goes off, a wookie gets his dreds...."

Had a blast all night....

See ya at Jones Beach....

I am still awestruck at the Jimmy jam to end the 1/2 Step. Not one "officiainado" laying claim to have even heard it.

This show as fun as all get out. It was a danceathon unlike the fall, it was tight, it was sheer balls, and it was funny as hell. The over the topness was "it". Surprised so many were taking it so seriously. Jimmy Herring is fabulous, every note, but dude, let them "spot" you because that talent is just getting missed. With the eye candy of Joan (male or female), you need to focus on the sound, and Jimmy is never spotted so your eyes and focus don't go there.

I am still blown away by the hatred going down, and cannot review this show...so, maybe, if shit mellows, I will think about it for the next four.

I still can't do it, dewit. I can't seem to review the experience of the last 3 shows, because i am still digesting. So much to re-live, and yet, doesn't seem very important that anyone else understands my experience.

More soon.

>>I am still blown away by the hatred going down, and cannot review this show...so, maybe, if shit mellows, I will think about it for the next four.

Hope you don't let that shite bother you cause your reviews are spot on..some of my first memories of the zone go back to your reviews.

>>strange BLUE liqueurs

haha..Huck the Hipster reared her head with that one

Hey, I took notes and everything...thank you. Some weirdness in my sleep last night, so, I will digest what you said, friend, and work on it.

Used to drink Blue Skies in Tucson, that Curacao will kill you.

> "Every time an illegal firework goes off, a wookie gets his dreds...."

now THAT'S funny!

> 3 am with a 5 am flight? sounds familiar....the Northeast will be the death of you. my friend
dude~ you're a warrior

No more no more no more do I.. next time I try and do that SUMbody should dial 9-1-1

not Curacao, sumthin different, this stuff GLOWED..

best memory of night, Huck cobbling setlist from air at 3 AM.. MOST impressive!

We drove home and I was asleep before then, I think.

Sleepy and daydreaming, Carl remembers the good times at Hartford and SPAC apart from the music...

But first the big disappointment (I'll get it RIGHT out of the way). I missed Huck - biggest disappointment of Hartford.

I met midy! - fellow old dude, next time we need 5-6 hours, unlimited beer and bourbon, tunes, and just the plain old time to tell stories from the past together. Front porch rockers optional, but it might ease our old guy frames.

Sharon, by the time Elise and I drove all our wet Lawn rats back home so they could change and dry off, it was after 2 AM, and Elise and I couldn't muster the energy to drive down to your hotel. I am so sorry - but dancing between you and Elise for the better part of the second set was sweet.
Next time we either stay at the same hotel, or we get tickets together, etc.

Dewit - too brief, too brief...

Bucky - I met Bucky. He told me he had the idea I was a 6'4" bearded mountain man! Too much! Although I will say he was NOT like I imagined him either, but...I think Bucky and I are in some agreement on this band and

SI - Your wife is so sweet, and she certainly knows how to get a wristband faster than anyone I have witnessed. Elise thanks her much for that talent. Not enough time with you, dude. It was a night of passing hellos with most everyone. There were just too many fucking people in this venue!

Gee Wiz and Key - Wiz, Nice to meet you, Key nice to see you again - but that was it - like two (or three) stock cars passing in the night - Need more fucking time at these things - couldn't they open the lot at 7 AM for zoners only?

I also had the pleasure of meeting or seeing many other zoners - J.Moore, Wally/Carlin, Fritz, Daydream and D-Mamma - my Alpine buddies from last summer - and met D-Pappa, Northernlites, scarlet, laughing bones and others I am forgetting. Nice to see your handsome and pretty faces!

Thanks to each and every one of you people - YOU make traveling to the shows sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it!!!


When your a zoner on the road,
a hug is never far away.

What else could an old man want?

Half-Step was a great choice to open and got me moving. Bobby McGee was a nice surprise but Joan was underutilized and it was just kind of there. I thought this would be a prime spot for her to take the lead vocal. Aiko was ok but it's a bit of a blah song. It was great to hear Steve Winwood join the band for Low Spark, after falling in love with the PLQ reading of the song over the last two years. This was long and spacey, not as powerful as Warren's version -- just different and great in its own right. The first set highlight. The new tune couldn't help but be disappointing after a hot number. The Wheel was a different beast than the Phil version... not really jammed out at all. The closing Touch of Grey brought the energy level back up and was a surprising highlight and excellent set closer.

I didn't go into this show meaning to compare this band to Phil's but a couple of songs had already reminded me of Warren Haynes and this continued in the second set.

A personally appealing Feels Like a Stranger (is Hartford really that unfriendly?) kicked off set two. It didn't really get into the groove that this song can but Jimmy was great. A decent Scarlet Begonias did not begat a Fire on the Mountain and I was the only disappointed Mickey Hart fan in the place. Instead we got what I pegged as the show's highlight with Hard to Handle, more for the opening Jimmy playing and the meltdown jam that bookended the song. I thought the band was playing the closest to the edge here. The drums seemed really long when we all needed some more energy to keep our cold bones hopping. It was good in a zoned out stoner kind of way. I thought the space was pretty interesting too but then I couldn't believe I was hearing rumblings of Night of 1000 Stars! Wow! I love my Phil and Friends so I was gonna give this a chance and started boogying down but this was plain under-rehearsed. Joan sounded uncomfortable singing the song, like she'd just been handed the TABA CD that afternoon."The sound of cheap guitars"? Not only was it missing Warren's vocals but also his soaring guitar line that opens the song. There was no need for them play this. By contrast, Joan took charge of Sugaree and was back in her element. She gave a good performance but I wish there'd been more jamming, the real strength of the song. At this point I was looking for something to blow me away. The opening chords of St. Stephen were played and this had to be the answer but it never got off the ground and seemed lethargic. I was happy to hear them do William Tell but it wasn't that tight and seemed more like a stunt than something that enhanced the song. Playin' in the Band started up and it was another song I like that was well done but not as super charged as it can be. The Midnight Hour experiment was memorable. I applaud them for giving it a go and I was strangely captivated. Like I said in my review of Lovelight at SPAC, Bobby and Joan have some good interplay but it needs more time to develop. Going back to the Playin' reprise was really cool. One more encore, One More Saturday Night.

I wanted to like this show more than I did. I'm looking at the setlist and can't believe I wasn't more blown away. As much as I was ready to heap praise on the band after SPAC, I'm less tempted to do so by Hartford. Time will tell and I think this band can only get better as the tour progresses.

"Night of 1000 stars, the sound of CHEAP guitars" <---I swear they sang that, i wasn't theo only one who heard it.

I heard it too Travis, "the sound of CHEAP guitars"

Well, this was my third show of the Summer Getaway. I was lucky enough to catch them at Bonnaroo and Saratoga, and I also saw them at Great Woods the night after Hartford. Hartford was the weakest show IMHO. That's not to say it was bad, but it just wasn't the powerhouse that the other three shows were. I think this was attributed mostly to the flow of the sets. They had too many stops and goes and just when they really got off the ground, they would stop again. I think it prevented the show from reaching the heights I knew it was capable of reaching. It wasn't bad, maybe a B, but it was definately not a great indicator of what this band is capable of. There were some great moments, and the crowd was pretty pumped up the whole time. We lucked out again with the weather. It didn't rain at all during the first set, with just some rain during set break and the rain pretty much dwindled down to a drizzle for parts of the second set. Overall, a very enjoyable Saturday night, and the low spark was amazing. Definate peak of the show, but there were many fine moments. I'm not a setlist person myself. I look at the show as a whole and ask if it has taken me on a musical journey. Hartford was lacking in that reguard but there were fine versions of every song played and Feel like a Stranger and Low Spark were truly spectacular. The solos at the end of Midnight Hour were unique, and I enjoyed them. Joan is excellent as usual and I really enjoy her prescence. Jimmy tore it up again and he has grown a lot since the fall. Everybody has an off night here and there, and they are only human, but it was still an enjoyable show and a great way to spend a Saturday night. It just wasn't mind blowing like the other shows I've seen on this run thus far. They weren't clicking on the level I've gotten used to seeing them at Hartford. There were a few vocal mistakes as well but it wasn't anything that really affected my outlook of the show, and I've gotten used to the vocal miscues that Bobby is responsible for many times. It just adds to his charm. Bobby is one of a kind, and I love him. Phil was flawless as usual, but I think the setlist he constructed Saturday night prevented them from really going off. It felt like a disjointed show. Hey, 3 out of 4 is a pretty awesome ratio, and Hartford wasn't bad, it just wasn't on that level. If that was the only show of the tour for me, I wouldn't have the outlook that I have now, cause I know they can be so much better. Bonnaroo, Saratoga, and Great Woods were three of the best shows I've ever seen. Go see these guys. I don't think you'll be dissapointed, and if they play like they did at the roo, toga, or mansfield, you will walk away with your mouth agape. I know I did. Peace.

By the way, did anyone notice when Bobby blew the lyrics to Hard to Handle? At one point, he sang, "I know you got another woman but I can love you better than him." I think that line summed up the feeling of this show overall. They were just a little off at Hartford. I felt so bad for Bobby after he blew that line cause he looked very embarrassed. I thought he made up for it with his solo at the end of Midnight hour, cause I thought he sounded really good. You got to hear Bobby doing his thing. I think some people were expecting him to belt out a solo like Jimmy, but he did the Bobby thing at it was pretty sweet. Good show, just not spectacular.

Hey Dewit,I only heard this show on zone radio,but I loved it anough to order the cd.The change they did at the end of 1/2 step and midnight hour really got me,loved it.I dont think alot of these folks are listening,this is a great time to be a dead head.

My $.02....

I really like Joan. I think she has great pipes; when singing alone or singing lead. When she sings backup, it seems to screw up the band's singing. Bobby fucked up the lyrics on a bunch of tunes at Hartford and SPAC. Overall, I'd say they're playing ok, not great, but definately room for improvement.

A couple of things I didn't like...when Joan cut the jam on Sugaree and Midnight Hour. I really didn't like her taking over the stage during Midnight Hour when she was giving it up to the band. IMHO, she kind of killed the end of the show. That being said, she's new to the scene and will hopefully learn with experience. Overally, she's a great asset since they rarely let Rob sing and no one else in the band can sing ('cept for Mickey ;-)!

Another note... what I love about PLQ is what the Dead (TOO) were also doing with the setlists in the fall. Mixing up the setlists and shelving the shitty tunes...playing tunes like Eleven, Golden Road, St. Stephen, Viola in the first set. Seems like this tour is starting to turn into the same old GD routine...3 or 4 tunes into D>S, getting an El Paso, Hell or Minglewood in the first set...Plus, all the repeats already, I mean they have 150 tunes, WTF???

With all my bitching out, I can honestly say I had great time. In the words of someone else..."you can go to a show, pick it apart and bitch all night or you can dig the music and have a blast." The sound on the lawn was phenomenal and the screens were outoffuckingcontrol!!! Nice job on the video! The band seemed to be having a great time, particularly at SPAC.

They just didn't have it @ the Meadows. Oh well, not every night can be great..Although the show was lackluster, everyone should hear the Low Spark..atleast we got one good song...Other than that,nothing to write home about. Sadly, I left after Sugaree...Don't understand why they would do a P&F tune(1000 Stars) especially a tune that Warren sang!!

the parking lot at the meadows was so much fun!!!!!!!!i dont like steve winwood so i missed his set but when the dead came on i ran to the lawn to the dead jammin with steve winwood.i really got into the show when they played mississippi half step and danced like crazy during the whole 1st set.feels like a stranger was soooooooo great but i wished they played it longer.sugaree was alright but i wouldnt call it a show stopper with joan osborne. i dont like her as an addition to the band. i think they are much better without her.this show was nothin really special but it was good to see them again.

>Caps, technically speaking, that 20-spot belongs to Franklin and your parking was not free.

Interesting concept there Tim, if I hadn't brought Franklin along for the ride, I never would have found that $20.

So I guess he's got 20 bucks to spend as he sees fit.

Another small not about Hartford, I was so close to meeting Tim and Scarlet, we were in section 600 near the back, they were in section 800 closer to the front, I went down there to find you guys and call the cell, but Scarlet couldn't hear me. I'm hot on your trail, I'll get you next time.

Had a grate encounter with BassGreat at the Meadows, thanks for stopping by and saying hello, that topped of a wounderful night with a phriendly smile. Thanks bro

As we are checking out of the Super 8

I was walking behind the dude who seemd to be looking for something. As I'm paying the bill, he asks the clerk for change of a five, she doesn't have it. He asks the lady in front of me, she doesn't have it. As he starts to walk away, I say "I've got change for you bro." I give him the five singles (probbaly for soda and snacks from the machine) he tells me that he does art work for Bob Wier, I say really, I do photography for free . He seemed excited and asked if I would like to see his art, I'm not in any rush, so I say sure I'd love to see it.

He comes back from his room with two professional brief cases, one had his art work, the other was a photo album of him and his customer's, sure enough there's Bobby all smiles and apparently tickled pink while looking at the art work that this guy did for him, very cool.

His name is Chris, he lives in NJ, and he's going to be at Camden where I'll be keeping an eye out for him, he said he'll be looking for me as well. Maybe I can photograph him and his work? Anyway he asked if I could hook him up with something sweet and green, and I was all to happy to help, you know how I am.

Here's a sample of Chris' work.

Teases that I heard were:
Uncle Johns
women are smarter
dark star(Phil hit ba-boom ba-boom tuning up for 2nd set)
other one
china cat
sunshine of your love
fire
HBO theme
long distance runaround
jessica
NFA

>>I'm hot on your trail, I'll get you next time.

you betcha!!! camden, woohoo!!!!!

Ive never seen the "proper" dead, but I have seen a bunch of PLQ and Ratdog shows, and have, what I feel, a truly deep understanding of what this music is about via people, tapes, CDs, and stories. With that said, I must say the Sat. night show was incredible. I might have missed a few musical details, but the crowd (at least my crowd, including 2 folks who used to follow the band), thought this was a smoking show. Maybe it was a good thing we were all too busy dancing to see the Joan introductions and etc, but Sugeree and ST Stephen were priceless. My bud, who has seen 300 dead shows, was telling me this was a great night, and this was only secondary to my own enjoyment of this great music that brings people together. Maybe I am too young to truly appreciate the legacy of this band, but Ive had a huge grin on my face since this show.

An opinion from a long-timer who is new to this board.

Having seen many combinations around the core members of the Grateful Dead, I have a couple comments.

I think Jimmy either needs more time with the band, or more freedom to open it up on stage. He's not there from my perspective.

I won't be a Joan basher, but I thought Susan Tedeschi fit in much better. Joan and Susan both contributed interestingly, but is there a really a need for another vocalist?

Pick a keyboard player. Rob and Jeff both have merit, but there is obviously tension. Make a choice.

The Dead show itself was average(not to say I've never seen a Grateful Dead show that failed to inspire me). This show just did not flow, and felt more canned than any of the Phil/Ratdog/OtherOnes shows I have seen to date.

See you all next time. Peace

Somebody said that Joan Osborne reminds him of Pigpen with breasts? OH MY GOD! Im gonna PUKE! Whats that? I just felt Pigpens puke raining down on me from heaven!

Hartford-my 2nd show (1st was last fall in Hartford)

Sound was nice and crisp, seats sucked but we were covered.

Let Rob sing most of the Jerry tunes, Joan on Sugaree though ROCKED IT!

Its been over a month I wouldn't mind seeing more shows or a P&F show! My eternal regret is not seeing the GD back in the day

ct in da house

The stranger from this show was great, the rest was just pretty good.