So close to home I would be pissed if I missed it....
anyone else going .....so we can hook up ???
I`ll bring the bud and wine....

I'll bring the fungi & beer

This is going to be a special show. The SEVA benefits always are. I particularly remember "Sing Out for Sight", April 25, 1981, Berkeley Community Theater. Highlight of that show was Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia ("The Rocky and Bullwinkle of Rock and Roll") acoustic, with Kreutzman and Hart on bongos, and John Khan on stand-up bass, and me with a headful of powerful acid. Then there was Wavy Gravy’s 50th Birthday Benefit, May 15, 1986, BCT. Wow! Jorma (unannounced) opening with some acoustic guitar, joined be Jack for a little Hot Tuna, followed by Jerry and John, followed by Bob Weir and Brent Mydland, followed by Ken Kesey & the Thunder Machine Band, followed by Mickey Hart & Shaman Tree... Quite an evening. I have the sense that Saturday night will be similarly epic, even though so many of our musical friends mentioned above have since, sadly, died. The crowd and the vibe will likely be very much the same as that at the Hep Kats Ball in October. SEVA does much needed healing work, so feel good about paying the price of admission. I hope everybody going has a wonderful time.

Considering how many tix are still available for such a small venue, I don't think that there's too many people going,including me, unless Joan Osborne stays home!!!

Well Roarshock...with that said...it would be nice if they could tour for SEVA.....a circus so to speak....
The DEAD still helping people....and get no attention for it, or media coverage for it.
Priceless....
That`s why I always loved these people...

I don't think there are that many tickets still available, and doubt that there will be many, if any, by show time. The tickets are expensive, and a lot of folks around here don't have that much extra cash these days! The money goes to a very good cause, so if you can afford it, it feels good to kick some down, and it really helps.

The Dead have given back with termendous generosity over the years, and look at all the service work Phil does now as an individual. Definitely one of the big reasons why I love them so.

That, and the fact that they have the cosmic rockin' groove that continues to expand my heart and mind!

there's still plenty of seating in row y orchestra and there's seatingin the lower balcony and I didn't bother to check after that.

Didn't realize they added bonnie raitt to the bill

WE NEED SETLIST CALLS FOR CHATROOM FROM THIS SHOW..!!..

Roarshock eloquently wrote

>>>The Dead have given back with termendous generosity over the years, and look at all the service work Phil does now as an individual. Definitely one of the big reasons why I love them so.

That, and the fact that they have the cosmic rockin' groove that continues to expand my heart and mind!<<<

Very well put on both counts!

Tonight will be BIG fun. Can't wait!!!!

cali people are lame, come on Saturday Night folks!!!

Phil travels back east in the winter to entertain a bunch of inbred spoiled brats = cali people are lame..

Just kiddin peeps..

So what's the word on the show, Did you get a mind bending Born X-Eyed????

Show might not even be over. It is 11:46PM Pacific time, the show started at 7:00 and there was Hamza El Din, Buffy St. Marie, Jackson Brown and Steve Earle, as well as the Dead, scheduled to play a "mostly acoustic evening" with special guests. Probably one set for The Dead with a long guest filled Encore???? or maybe 2 sets with guests coming and going????

No Joan Tonight. Billy on traps. Micky of Bongos (or is it congos?). Phil on eletric Base. Bob on Acusitc. Jimmy of Acountic then eltric. The boys on a grand piano.

Best I can remember:

Jam (with hints of dark star)->
Truckin->
Tommarrow Never Knows->
Loser
Mickey Hart Song->
Ramblin Rose->
Jack Straw->
Dark Star->(Jimmy switches to eletric)
Eyes-> (With someone of harmoinica)
Dark Star->
One More Saturday Night

E: Not Fade away (with many guests)

Show ensd at 12:40 or so.

The show was pretty strong. I was expecting something more like REckoning style music, but it was real improvisational dead. It was just like a regular show only with more accountic instruments.

My first berkelry theater show. Nice venue with great vibes. It was the oldest crowd I have ever seen at a dead related show. Probablly average age 37 or so. There was no alcehol and the theme of the night was compassion so the vibes are some of the best Ive scene since early 90's JGB shows. Clean and bright.

The show started mellow but tight. They seemed very focused and exhibited nice nuance in their playing. It was not a 'rockin' show until the end, but that seemed great for situation. Phil did not go off like I have seen him do at some recent PLQ shows, but his interplay with the drummers was very dynamic.

Some general observations:

- I am a joan fan but I have to admit, the music seemed more focused without her. Overall the vocals where strong and well harmonized
- Bob is a beter acoustic player than electric. Some of his playing tonight was very very good. He was really on tonight.
- Jimmy's decent to the dark side is now complete. He fits in perfectly now. My only complaint is that I wish he would use a clean tone sometimes.
- Mickey must have been a very hyperactive child.
- In general, the dead plays better when people dont sit in with them
- Putting a bag of marijuna in your underwear can be itchy

All in all a strong show. Not as good as shoreline or most of the PLQ I have seen recently, but then again they only had one set. I am glad I went.

Thanks A Wizard,

Could someone please indicate the vocalist for Jerry songs (since joan was not around). Loser (Bobby???), Ramble (Rob or Phil????), Eyes (Rob???).

Interesting, Harmonica for Eyes. Anyone know who it was??? (Matt Kelley???) Did the Harp player stay for Sat Night and Note Fade (much more Harmonica Friendly)

Was OMSN acoustic?!


Any word on the Jackson Browne/ Bonnie Raitt setlist(s) ? Thanks.

Beautiful show from start to finish. Too tired to write much now, but will just say that everone was outstanding. Buffy Sainte Marie, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne... I'd never seen any of them before and was very impressed. Bonny Raitt joined Browne 'bout halfway through the set, and she played with The Dead on "Not Fade Away". Everybody on stage for that one, including Maria Muldaur, Wavy Gravy. Norton Buffalo played harp with Browne, and that was John Popper playing with the Dead. The Dead were great. Just a wonderful vibe, and as I said before, a most worthwhile cause. If you want to make an end of year donation, check out SEVA.

Popper played on Eyes? Did Popper or Norton Buffalo play harp for either OMSN or NFA???? Can someone also confirm vox for Jerry songs (since joan was not around). Loser (Bobby???), Ramble (Rob or Phil????), Eyes (Rob???)

"Norton Buffalo play harp for either OMSN or NFA???? "

Norton Buffalo played Harmonica on NFA

"Can someone also confirm vox for Jerry songs (since joan was not around). Loser (Bobby???), Ramble (Rob or Phil????), Eyes (Rob???) "

Loser - Bobby
Ramble - Bobby
Eyes - All togethr

"Was OMSN acoustic?! "

Bobby stayed accoustic thw whole show. Jimmy switched to electric eietehr on Jack Staw or Darkstar v1. I forget.

"everone was outstanding. Buffy Sainte Marie, Steve Earle, Jackson Browne.."

I hate to be negative but I thought Buffy's music was not that enjoyable. Thats the nicest way I can put it. She has a song called "Windego" that might be the worst song I have ever heard.

Steve Earl was pretty good. Jackson Browne was fantastic. That man has some soul. Bonnie Rait joined him and she was great as well.

Thanks A Wizard

What songs did Jackson/Bonnie sing?

Thanks Wizard and Roarshock...

Did ya see Wino there.?.

I just remember the mickey song was called "Down the Road Again"

Here is the revised setlist:

Jam (with hints of dark star)->
Truckin->
Tommarrow Never Knows (Vocals: Phil and ????) ->
Loser (Vocals: Bobby)
Down the Road Again (Mickey hart raps/sings)->
Ramblin Rose (Vocals: Bobby) ->
Jack Straw->
Dark Star->(Jimmy switches to eletric,Vocals: Phil)
Eyes-> (John Popper on harmoinica, vocals: Phil and Rob)
Dark Star (Vocals: Phil)->
One More Saturday Night

E: Not Fade away (with many guests)

Gotta feeling that Buffy's creative-native music ain't for everyone

http://www.altmanphoto.com/Buffy.St.Marie.html

Long been a HUGE Jackson fan...my fave after The Dead for years. Jackson and Bonnie Goddamn. My favorite combo of musicians, really. They just BLEND so well.

"I hate to be negative but I thought Buffy's music was not that enjoyable. Thats the nicest way I can put it. She has a song called "Windego" that might be the worst song I have ever heard."

We have a friendly disagreement here. I thought she was fantastic. I liked "Windego" (sp?), and especially enjoyed "Universal Soldier" and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee."

There were plenty of goodies at this show for just about everyone.

How was Popper on Eyes? Did he do alot of that stuff with the high register bends that seem to have become his signature? Did he have a long lead? Was it jazzy???
What about Norton Buffalo on NFA. Any lead? Extended???

- Mickey must have been a very hyperactive child.

LMAO, Thanks for the reviews.

Show was surprisingly tight, given it's been almost 3 months since they've played together. I truly missed Joan, she added such electric energy to the shows. I spoke to Bobby at the afterparty and he confirmed that she'll be at the NYE shows.

I dug Jackson's set, the others didn't do it for me, except Hanza/Mickey.

As for the boy's, the music was definitely tight, though the rythmn section was noticeabily off... Jimmy's guitar was way too low in the mix, but Phil was an absolute madman on the bass. I've never been a big Popper fan, but he and Jimmy traded some pretty sweet licks. Overall, the tone of the show was a bit too slow for my taste, though they picked it up strong during Jack Straw, and for me, the absolute highlight of the night was OMSN. Usually one of my least favorites, this was an absolute rocket, and I interpreted as a prelude of things to come in a few weeks.

It is important to remember that this was not a "Dead show," but rather a big night for SEVA in which The Dead were the headliners. The show celebrated 25 years of SEVA service - 2 million worldwide have SEVA to thank for their renewed vision. So, while The Dead's set may not've been up to some fan's standards, it was just the icing on the cake.

What WAS cool about the Dead set was that even though it began at about 10:40, and a stage security guy said they were supposed to finish at 11, but "it'll go to 11:30," they indeed played a full set, going until almost 12:30. What was also cool was that since it was an unothodox show, one didn't know what was coming next, a first-set type song or second-set type song. And John Popper, looking slimmer than years past, was a surprise guest on a long "Eyes of the World."

Phil looked and sounded good and looked like he was having fun. During "Not Fade Away," while Bob and Bonnie shared one mic, Phil and Wavy shared another.

Notes and answers: FYI - Mickey sat in with Hamza's abbreviated 10 minute set that opened the evening.

Oh, actually, costumed emcee Wavy Gravy opened the show by circulating through the lobby and then the theater, accompanied by a professional bagpiper, urging folks to get to their seats.

The show offered a huge, 80-page color program that was placed on all the seats before the crowd arrived.

Crowd was quiet and seated for all opening acts but stood for The Dead. Still there were no twirlers or wild dancers. It wasn't that kind of show.

Marley's Ghost, doing some comedy and barbershop quartet-style dittys, provided between-act entertainment, as did Wavy with his endless stories.

Big screen throughout the night offered slides of 25 years of SEVA benefits.

I was surprised that Buffy Saint Marie, who said she's known Wavy for some 40 years, wrote the protest song "Universal Soldier," that Phil Ochs made famous in the '60s. She also wrote and performed the pop hit Joe Cocker made famous a few years ago, "Up Where We Belong."

Not previously familiar with Steve Earle's work, but his political satire was at some points funny and other points moving.

Jackson Browne did "For Everyman," then with Norton Buffalo and Tony Furtado did "Lives in the Balance." He then introduced Hutch Hutchinson and the foursome did "My Stunning Mystery Companion." Bonnie Raitt, who was a surprise guest, came on and played guitar and sung backup on Jackson's "World In Motion." Next, she performed "Nick of Time," with Jackson on backup vocals. They both looked good and offered playful onstage banter. They closed with an old song that could be called, "The River Rolls."

FOllowing the "Not Fade Away" encore, which had about 15-20 people onstage, including both harp players, Wavy led a sing-along on a song he wrote, called "Basic Human Needs."

Thanks to those that posted the "Full SEVA Report" elsewhere on this site, I can correct myself. Tony Furtado did NOT play with Jackson Browne. It was RIcky Fataar. Also, the final Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt song is apparently called "I am a Patriot."

Sorry for the errors.
Alan

Thanks to Mark Kraitchman, Hawk, Randy and Gary for the full Seva set list.

I see one omission: Buffy did another number to open before "Universal Soldier"

Notes on the Dead:

They did a very nice set. Hopefully recordings will surface soon. I did not miss Joan at all. She has a lovely voice and is a sassy gal, but I have always preferred the all male Dead. I thought the vocals were excellent, and like the way they harmonize and swap lines and verses on Jerry's tunes.

Jeff Chimenti is a skilled enthusiastic player, but I'm not sure that they need two keyboard players, especially when one of them is Rob. It is sort of distracting seeing them switch places at the keys throughout the show. No matter, they are the Dead and can have as many piano players as they want, and chick singers. I'll still go see them.

Remember how even after ten years Brent felt like he was the "new guy?" And he was the keyboard player. I wonder how Jimmy feels? Talk about being the new guy! The focus on the new Dead is, as it should be, on the surviving core members, and Jimmy tends to hang back a bit. Supporting lead guitar? That's how he sounds to me, and he does his job impeccably. There is the Garcia verse at the end of "Down the Road" were he played a passage in Jerry's style that just emoted love and genuine tribute. I also note that he literally stepped it up a lot when he switched from acoustic (which he had played seated) to electric guitar (standing). I am very impressed by Jimmy. He is a pro working at a very demanding job.

Having seen Jimmy play in the Q, I know how hot he is when spurred on by another great guitar player (Warren). He sounded great playing with Willie last summer, and I hope that the Dead will get some more master guitarists sitting in as they move forward. Santana would be great. Gary Duncan. Jorma. Henry Kaiser. Not Kimmock :-) There are a lot of possibilities and so much more great music!

Back to Saturday night: let's hear it for Bill Kreutzmann! Let's thank Mickey Hart for restraining himself and only singing one number.

Bob Weir sounded good on that acoustic guitar, and kept his vocals more or less under control. And then there is that Phil Lesh fellow. How about the "BOMB" at the end of "Ramble On Rose", that shook the building and went right through everyone inside? And then Phil kind of shrugged mischievously, as to say "Who me? Did I do that?" Heh heh heh. Very fun.

It was a fun night. Long live Seva. Long live the Dead.

It is pretty darn cool that the Dead still exist.

"How about the "BOMB" at the end of "Ramble On Rose", that shook the building and went right through everyone inside? And then Phil kind of shrugged mischievously, as to say "Who me? Did I do that?" Heh heh heh. Very fun. "

THAT RULED!!!