Greetings Chi-town Zoners.

I could have sworn I just posted something here and it worked...OK, take 2.

Let's play "what will they play" (that they didn't just play in the tour de force that was RCMH and AC)

My thoughts on songs I think I will/and really want to hear:
Terrapin
New Speedway
Rubin and Cherise
Caution
Viola Lee

Hopes with decent chances:
China Doll
Comes a time
Black Peter
HC Sunshine

If I get lucky or they wait until Denver:
HSF - 2nd night
Scarlet - 2nd night

Likely candidates I am neutral about:
Not Fade Away
Truckin

Sorry Dude, you're screwed:
Sailor Saint
China Rider - no big, Dead played it in Chitown last year - ANYONE THINK they pay attention to that kind of history?
Everything they played the last couple of nights of course

Tunes I wish they has played the crap out of before hitting Chicago:
Anything by Ryan Adams- as an aside, what's up wiht Magnolia Mountain? Let's just take any two dead songs and hybrid the names!
New Ryan Adams tunes include: Fire on the Scarlet, Sugar of Circumstance, Weather Report of Fools, Cryptical Aligator, Not Fade A-Weight


Also read here that Stephen Stills might join them on stage...he's playing at HOB on the 4th so it isn't without merit in that regard...of course the poor fat bastard can't cing any longer (I keed, I keed)...

hope they play:
Dancin'
West LA Fade
New Potato
Alligator
Viola
Black Peter
Terrapin
.....and no covers.

please anybody with an xtra or 2, let me kno. i'll give ya my number if u can help me. cash, kind trade, whatever! i got 3-3 already but cannot miss the first night, this is unfortunately my only stop this tour... ANYTHING PLEASE!!!

terrapin
eyes
new speedway
iko
let it grow
hurricane (windy city)
comes a time
wharf rat
viola

Visions of Johanna
West LA Fadeaway


in addition to terrapin, viola,wharf, comes a time

stoked for row a in balcony wed.

I think you'll hear Attics , Dancin' maybe Mr Charlie. They have been playing 2 new songs every show ( none which were repeats ) Visions of Johanna Oh! would that be something? There is also " To lay me down" and Jerry tunes like mission in the rain'.
This band is on fire . Have a great time. Wish I was going. Peace

I think you'll hear Attics , Dancin' maybe Mr Charlie. They have been playing 2 new songs every show ( none which were repeats ) Visions of Johanna Oh! would that be something? There is also " To lay me down" and Jerry tunes like mission in the rain'.
This band is on fire . Have a great time. Wish I was going. Peace

big river, stagger lee, its all over now baby blue, my brother sau, iko, supplication, around and around, when push comes to shove, black muddy river, desolation, high time, might as well, watch tower, jack a roe

some thoughts?

I only get to catch them in Chicago these days, and when they came with Warren they played bopth Dancin and Mr Charlie, so I hope you're not totally on with that call...Attics would be a kick...

If they DID dig more into JGB with Mission (or tore up, Don't Let go, Cats, Gomorroah, etc.) I would FREAK OUT! Not holdning my breath on that though

History seems to repeat itself:
Stats never lie - you can bet on hearing these again. Unless, JK is going to tear the roof off with his homecoming show!!
Roger Park Bro - you are one of us.
Post dead setlists:
12/2/2002 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
I: Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion > Black-Throated Wind@, Baba Jingo > Brown-Eyed Women, Friend of the Devil@ > Bertha > Standing on the Moon > Touch of Grey
II: Jam > Sittin on Top of the World > Born Cross-Eyed > Drums > Space > Drums > Space > Unbroken Chain > St. Stephen > Lady with a Fan > Terrapin > I Know You Rider
E: Truckin

8/2/2003 Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
I: Let the Good Times Roll > The Wheel > Built to Last, GDTRFB*, Senor*, Around and Around*, Self Defense > Throwing Stones
II: St. Stephen > William Tell Bridge > Born Cross-Eyed > Sugaree > Dark Star > Peggy-O > Cryptical Envelopment > Drums+ > Space > The Other One# > Dark Star# > Stella Blue
E: Not Fade Away

5/4/2009 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
I: China Cat Sunflower > Born Cross-Eyed, Built to Last, Pride of Cucamonga, I Need a Miracle > Wang Dang Doodle, West L.A. Fadeaway, Liberty, All Along the Watchtower
II: Mexicali Blues@, Into the Mystic@, Peggy-O@, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall@ > Space > Drums > Aiko Aiko, Standing on the Moon > GDTRFB
E: Imagine, Box of Rain

5/5/2009 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
I: Dancin in the Street > Tennessee Jed, Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion, Mr. Charlie, They Love Each Other, Touch of Grey, Weather Report Suite Prelude/Part 1 > Let It Grow
II: Truckin > Throwing Stones, Unbroken Chain > Drums > Space > Come Together > Hell in a Bucket > I Know You Rider
E: Brokedown Palace

This is the dream I had last night:
3-3-10 Chicago Auditorium Theater
Set 1:
LTGTR>
Stranger>
After Midnight>
TLEO>
Til the Morning Comes
Corrina>
Foolish Heart
Cassidy>
Bird Song

Set2:
Help>
Slip>
Eyes>
King Solomons>
Born X-eyed>
Unbroken>
Dew>
Mr Fantasy>
GDTRFB>
Franklins
E:
China>
Rider

Bringing change of underwear to the show just in case that happens

Well, here I am in Chicago. These shows are going to SMOKE!!

My 2nd set thought:
Help
Slip
Scarlet
Fire
Let it Grow
Samson
Days Between
Gimme some Lovin
Franklin's

E: Sweet Home Chicago> Lovelight w/ James Cotton on harp

Hey, dare to dream, right?

I am also calling a Lazy Lightning>Supplication breakout sometime during the 2 night run!!!

SET I:
HCS
FOD
BIODTL
TLEO
WDD
BEW
POC
CS
IKYR

SET II:
HSF
LLR
DMF
EP
EOW
UBC
UJB
SOTM
WRS
GDTRFB

ENCORE:
BOR

i agree w/ the Stanger and Lazy Lightning too ! they need to Blow Chicago away

These ARE JK's homecoming shows as Chicago Joe mentions - hopefully JK keeps that in mind and sways Bobby/Phil??

I used to see him EVERY Tuesday at Martyrs when DSO first started out...I was the one flailing my arms around guessing what year the show was from...

You guys have written out some pretty incredible dream sets - I'll be thrilled with large pieces of them of they play tight...

Oh Yeah, and EVERYONE IS DOIN THAT RAG!!!!!!

Where is Shakedown Street for the next two days?

Which bass did Phil play last night?
Ritter or Modulus?

Played the Modulus Sat in Jersey. Batteries are dead in "guitar hero"

Can someone please post a non-abbreviated setlist?

Anybody have an extra for tonight??
Just found out that my ticket did not come through, raw deal!!
I have cash...let me know.
Hell, I will buy dinner if you land me on the floor.
hit me at:
wildchild170@hotmail.com

Thanks!!

Lookin' for two for wed night. any 2 will do!

hellobenhere@hotmail.com

GOODNIGHT IRENE ENCORE!!! PLEASE!!! Surprise ME!

If Steve Stills is on hand, a fresh take on 'Black Queen' would be welcome (I recently blasted my 4/16/83 AUD on CASSETTE, still sounds great).

That said, I suspect Buddy Guy is the most likely guest this week. He rode the Festival Express with Phil and Bobby 40 years ago - time to re-connect (as long as they do ANYTHING but 'Sweet Home Chicago')!

shoot me if they bring on Buddy Guy and do sweet home chicago...he does that with EVERYONE..Clapton 2X at least...may as well bring on Jake and Elwood at that point

Wish I could be there I saw rcmh and Amherst so here is what I predict for tonight.
Set 1.
Touch
stranger
shakdown
Wang dang
btwind
Tom thumbs
new potato
playin
Casey jones

set 2
viola
creampuff
cosmic chuck
terrapin
st Stephen
help
slip
nfa
franklins
e. Franklins

T minus 6 hours till liftoff!!!
I'm feelin a Jack Straw and a Candyman
(not literally of course)
New Speedway, let it Grow, Deal, Casey Jones, Comes A Time...
But it doesn't matter really these shows will be hot no matter what they play. Weeeeeeeeeee!

Where in this thread is there a review of last nights show??!!
How about an un-abbreviated setlist?!!
Which bass did Phil play last night?!!
WTF??!!!!

Please look at the subject at the top of this thread!!
post all other BS under the topic of "Other Stuff"

'nuff said!

Opps!! My bad. Thought the show was last night.
Im fried from the east coast run!
Sorry for the above posts.

I was about to write "Settle down, Francis...I mean, Psycho"...

show is DEFINITELY tonight - Woohooooo!

Terrapin is coming. Viola too.
I would also guess a Liberty.

Bright Lights Big City! I'm in Chicago and ready for the show!

terrapin is a no-brainer. first set some of bobby's railroad songs? possible. i hope Chicago gets treated to a dose of King Solomon's tho....and Viola of course

How about a help slip love gun with paul Stanley in full make up as guest or a scarlet>shock me>eyes with ace frehley.

i miracled my brother (who's 49th b-day it is today) along w/ his girlfriend for tonight's show. first row lower center balcony. wish i was there w/ them but i'm here in SF. haven't been to the beautiful Auditorium Theater since '74 when i was going to Prospect HS and lived back there. many good memories of that place.
so am i gonna get treated by TaperRob tonight on live365.com ?does anyone know? b/c i'll be getting my wine and looking forward to rockin out the stream tonight.
thanks. smiles all around

anybody know when the 7.30 start time shows have been wrapping up?

usually 11ish, but they started later in NYC, so it was 11:30ish....

who's gonna be posting from the show tonight?

I FEEL STAGGER LEE WED

Does anyone know when the MCU Park tickets go on sale and where (other than GDSTOO)? Thanks so much

Does anyone know when the MCU Park tickets go on sale and where (other than GDSTOO)? Thanks so much>>>>>

fri 3/5 @ 10 am through ticketbastard

predicting Greatest Story opener..

shakedown?
anyone?

sounds like tonight is a matt designed special... see how it unfolds

when was showtime?

7:30 CST

Save THE DEW for PDX!

thanks, should be rollin in here shortly. My goal is to see them again this summer. Anyone think they'll come back down south for a second leg of the tour? Right now it's looking all north with the exception of All Good. They were so awesome in Asheville.

my bro just called to say he's just walking into the show. apparently not much of a Shakedown going on.

things r gonna get stranger......so let's get on w/ the show!

good evening to all

What did they open with, anybody?

there no parking lot there, so thats why there isnt a shakedown..there is no where to set up shop.

who is gonna be doing the honors tonight? anyone know?

I guess Jill posted in the other stuff section that tonight is a Matt setlist and she has a special one for the Zone tomorrow night. Hmmmm

Go Jill!!!

wonder if security is gonna be cool w/ the green. i'm so used to Bay Area shows - have little idea what takes places at shows outside of here.

what is a Matt setlist?

yeah who's Matt and Jill?

Matt is Bobby's manager, and Jill is Phil's wife, they're who have been writing the setlists from what i've read.

Stranger

Set I:

Stranger

i hope this is just a late start. i'm so anxious to hear from someone there on the floor.


hello??????

Stranger? really? hahahaha. dah.......i called that one

yippie!!!!!!!!!

http://ratdog.org/community/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24 3753&p=3181937#p3181937 This is the message board for tonights setlist, set one i heard started with stranger

thanks Joe. i've never been on Ratdog's board b/f.....but w/e......i'm there now.

I'm getting texts all night, will be posting on ohkeepah.org

Stranger > Loose Lucy

it must have been the roses

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told

nice..greatest story at Fairfax rocked

..at least it did on the SBD

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane

exact same three song opener as New Hampshire... c'mon Matt pay attention man!

i know this is for show reviews but all eyes are here tonight..

i would love to have my 7 yr old play hooky and go to his first show Wed. i have a tix but need one for him. and i dont want to drive w/ him from Indy and get shut out...so...anyone have a extra for a 7 yr old first timer? i can pay face.

email me at toddyace AT gmail .com

i wonder what that hurricane sounds like. I bet it's sweet.

good luck ben. Hopefully that'll turn out to be a special experience for you and your son.

i second that......father/son shows r special. <3

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty

ya he's so mad i did the asheville threw bethelhem run and he wanted to go sooo bad..he's seen a ton of shows but all the dead related shows that come around he's not been able to go...and this time..babies momma says its alright to play hooky...so.w00t!

can anyone confirm if they released extra tix at the box office tonight? a rumor i heard...

sorry for the thread hi jack now back to the reviews..

and ps my review of all the shows i saw ROCKED!

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Doin that rag

You can't beat being able to leave the venue, come back after partying outside!

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Strong way to close the set (last song?). Must be nice to be in Chi Town tonite..

is there a live stream?

nah..there's gotta be more than that to set #1

Set Break

Live365 has been streaming first sets during second set

Ill check. Thanks furthur.

in for one killer 2nd though Guarentee!

Hey Thanks for building the list Joe!

no prob hlpslpfrnk, aiming to do the second set as soon as they come back on

Just checked 365 - doing 2/27 first set right now...

Based on that show and the way they rolled it out... This 2nd might be another monster. The Fellas keeping it real with Prankster trad.

link?

http://www.live365.com/cgi-bin/mini.cgi?station_na me=2012_live&tm=8682&from=rma

thats the Atlantic city first set playing right now

i wish it was tonight : (

Make good money $5 a day!
Was a great night in AC

Set 2

Cassidy

This is 2/27 on 365...

http://www.live365.com/stations/2012_live

last tune, 1st set 2-27. They will probably switch to tonights 1st set next

That would be awesome! Bobby does pull that Sugaree down rather nicely to close the set!!!!!

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy

there WILL be a Dew tonight

how you doin mike

good joe You? Thanks fo rthe updates brother
Busy these days wish I could have gone tonight, but think tomorrow wil be better

Howdy Zoners,
I'm late tonight.
Nifty looking first set... any photos from the show??

thats a long ass fantasy Joe..............

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie

No kiddding Mike, doin well by the way

good glad to hear that
how's virginia these days?

Thanks for the updates, Joe!

Signed,
DeadNetCentral

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow

its currently snowing mike, and cold

good good Enjoy it
Fun set Dont ya think

Joe, you are on it tonight my brotha! Thanks for keeping it real... Mike, wut up with our ever composing of Gomorrah?

doesnt look good HSF The boys wont let JK take any leadership just yet-but just you wait!
Hey love your art BTW

Hey thanks man! That means a lot, really it does! Glad you checked my art out!

"I heard a voice inside my head in the desert wind so dry.. I heard a voice tellin' me to flee the very same voice I always believe..."

We'll get it one day my friend.

I wish they( matt and JIll) would ask JK what he wants to sing, because I bet Dr. Mr. Fantasy would not be his first of second pick. I could be wrong but, I dont think so. I guessing Alligator wouldnt be on that list either. I dont think those songs compliment his singing or playing. Just my 2 cents..dont beat me up!

I hope so

let John sing too

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Rueben & Cerise

wake me up in the morning dew my honey

OK maybe on am wrong cause I know Rueben would be on the top of that list...at least I think

Was Minglewood played in the first set? Ratdog.org says it was.

reub-cher

reub-cher

UPDATE TO THE FIRST SET, MINGLEWOOD FOLLOWED STRANGER IN THE FIRST SET GUYS, SORRY

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Ruben & Cherise

Minglewood correction?

Thanks Joe... You are the man.

there jammin with ruben and cherise

Joe, not a biggie... But Hunter spells it as:

Reuben and Cerise - so I'd prolly go with that.

Just sending out some love man!

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Reuben & Cerise (SPELL CHECK CORRECTED)
Death dont have no mercy
Shakedown Street

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Reuben & Cerise (SPELL CHECK CORRECTED)
Death dont have no mercy
Shakedown Street
Throwing Stones

sure this isnt a jill setlist with stones throwing and all

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Reuben & Cerise (SPELL CHECK CORRECTED)
Death dont have no mercy
Shakedown Street
Throwing Stones
Donor Rap

Encore:

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Reuben & Cerise (SPELL CHECK CORRECTED)
Death dont have no mercy
Shakedown Street
Throwing Stones
Donor Rap

Encore: Not Fade away

looks like it was a good one. Have fun Chi-Town

Good Night to all, Forever Family Forever Grateful

Thank You Again Joe... You Rock!

See you guys tomorrow night, good night mike and hlpslpfrnk

w.........o.............w...........



happy nite Chicago.......

(~);}

What a lovely show!

look for After Midnight TLEO Jack Straw
+ a HelpSlipFranks , terrapin and UBC in second set tmrw
cant hardly wait!!!!!

Just home from show. It was 25 years ago this month that I saw the Dead for the first time (3/28/85 Nassau Colisueum). Very nice to see Phil and Bob cranking it out together after all these years. Very fine indeed.

We sat way in the back center of the top balcony. Amazing venue and a solid show, picked up steam as it went. Folks in the nose-bleeds were in good spirits throughout! We coulda used our own little delay towers up there, but it was ok - sounded kind of like a third gen AUD where I was sitting, and not in a bad way. I'd say the cymbals were almost entirely absent from my mix, but I could hear Phil, Bob and JK just fine. Weirs vocals cut through the mix better than JK's for the most part. I'd say Doin' That Rag was JK's best vocal of the evening. Guitar too - he was rippin'. The keys were present all night with a few nice standout breaks, esp. later in the show. The extra harmony vocals added a very nice touch on several tunes, definitely tightening up the intonation a bit at times.

Weir played the pink 80's Strat to good effect for the entire second set. Phil was Modulus man all night. He didn't sing much, if at all - I was hoping for a big second set Phil number that never came. Hopefully tomorrow. That said, he played some steady and stoic bass all night long, not too demonstrative with the other guys, just jamming away in front of his stacks all night.

There were many Weir staples tonight, ably rendered from Stranger on, with some lengthy JK workouts esp. in the second set (Cassidy, Let It Grow particularly). I loves me a Death Don't.

Musta Been The Roses was a nice first shot for John tonight, I enjoyed his approach. Hurricane was surprisingly mellow and never quite took off, at least in the balcony.

Second set was definitely the shit tonight. Looked like Weir had another tune ready to go after Throwin', but Phil waved him off. I suspect curfew, as they ended NFA right at 11:30.

There's a missing Doin' That Rag in the first set above, I believe after Liberty.

I also saw the first set setlist at the board, on which Loose Lucy preceded Minglewood, but they did the other way around. Minglewood dropped the V-chord at the end of the verses, which was sort of odd to hear the band negotiate.

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Shakedown been dropping in all over the place...

Just got back myself. Fine show tonight but a bit disjointed. The tunes themselves were full and strong, but very little in the way of transition tonight.

Definate Bobby show tonight but he was in fine voice and the band was chugging along.

I was waiting for the Phil song but not tonight. just a little harmony and backup.

Love this band, great venue, excellent crowd.

Good night all!!

FURTHUR in CHICAGO




oh man, that is worthy of some serious post show muchies.

chi-town munchies : a whole bag of carmel popcorn + 1/2 of Lou's pizza + a ton o iced tea to wash it down.

oh yea, and a 1/2 tab of vicodin so stave off any hangover in the morning.

Joe's setlist updated to include Doin' that Rag:

Set 1

Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues
Loose Lucy
It must have been the roses
Greatest Story ever told
Hurricane
Liberty
Doin' that Rag >
Turn on your lovelight

Set 2

Cassidy
Dr. Mr. Fantasy
New Speedway Boogie
Let it Grow
Reuben & Cerise
Death dont have no mercy
Shakedown Street
Throwing Stones
Donor Rap

Encore: Not Fade away

Big Dan is right on concerning the transitions. The segues were clunky. The songs ended rather than flowed.

That said the music and inner jams, especially from Cassidy forward, were experimental and psychedelic. The rhthm section were tight and Phil plundered his bass. I thought the modulus was his new bass, I think he was playing big brown all night.

The band seemed to want to explore harmony break downs on several of the tunes but the crowd really wanted to sing along. I think they may go more cosmic tonight to remove some of the sing along opportunities. I was on the 5th row and think the sound, especially the vocals suffered because of my proximity. Tonight I'm in the Dress Circle and expect better sound.

The theatre is remarkable. I'm looking forward to taking a tour on Thursday.

The Death Don't Have no Mercy and Shakedown were really out there and found the X factor. The Love Light was steeped in Chicago Blues. I wouldn't have been surprised if Dan Akyroid had popped out of the wings and joined in on harmonica.

All in all this was a GREAT show!

BillyB, Big Brown is Phil's monster 70's Alembic 4 string, as seen in the GD Movie. He broke it out on tour a couple years ago, but I don't think it's been seen since. Pretty sure last night he was playing one of his brown Modulus six stringers from the 80s-90's.

I agree Death Don't and Shakedown were raging, and quite an interesting pairing late in the set, too. I am loving some of the new/unusual sequencing these sets are producing.

Brown Modulus:
http://www.modulusguitars.com/v3/images/phil3.jpg

Big Brown:
http://musicalstewdaily.files.wordpress.com/2008/1 1/phil-lesh.jpg

Good show last night but definitely a Bob show and he sounded great.Liked the Roses,Greatest,Lovelight,Let It Grow,Death Don't.Kudos to the staff at the Auditorium it was a big ole party in there.

anybody care to comment on security etc. at the auditorium? i always worry when the venues are extra posh like this...

Big Ole Party

Phil played the Modulus again. Me likey!!
I hope he stays with this bass for a while.
Nice 2nd set last night.

What can be said other than some real Gems last night...Doin that Rag was incredibly tight...Reuben and Cherise a treat to hear as was New Speedway...other highlights Greatest Story and an Extra-Bluesy Death dont have no Mercy..I like the Lovelight in the 1st set as well - feels like you're getting away with something when it doesn't end the whole show!

People made some noise here about the transitions and its true they were closed out a lot of the tunes outright rather than flowed from one to the next..

I have a couple of qualms...Cassidy was perhaps not great 2nd set opening idea and it seems we got shorted a song because of time...likely they were going to play Not Fade right out of Throwing Stones like days of old, but they put the kybosh on it and played it as the encore instead of...????

My only other thing is that I don't get to see as many shows anymore and really just when they're in Chicago, so it would be nice if they thought about what they last played here and switched it up...Throwing Stones, Let it Grow (though it was hot), Liberty..all played here just last May.

I'd give the show a solid B..some A material in there for certain.

Can't wait for tonight!!!

Thank you for the correction Scott. What is that purple thing he plays?

Billy, that is a Ritter bass and personally I hope it stays in the closet. Modulus sounds so much better to my ears...

It Must Have Been the Roses was the highlight of the first set. Weird set, but nicely played. Hurricane sucked the energy out of the place, and I don't say that from a personal perspective. My entire section sat down, starting milling through their cell phones, or doing something else that indicated boredom. When I turned around to look up through the ranks, it seemed like it was the general response throughout the building.

Let It Grow was epicly gorgeous...and so, so smooth. It was worth the price of admission for it alone. The entire second set was spirited and high quality, but not without some clunker moments in the transitions (as already noted). A small handful of spots where they were cruising effortlessly and beautifully.

What's the deal with Jay Lane? Ill? Bored? Existential crisis? Being on stage looked like it was a burden. I did my best to not watch him. He was sort of a bummer.

They need to turn Joe Russo up in the mix. It lacked the punch and drive that Molo usually gets with PL&F. He was rolling last night; enough so that he could easily handle this band by himself.

Does anyone know if video recording was allowed? On the venue's website it says no, but what it says online isn't always true... thanks

>>>>My only other thing is that I don't get to see as many shows anymore and really just when they're in Chicago, so it would be nice if they thought about what they last played here and switched it up...Throwing Stones, Let it Grow (though it was hot), Liberty..all played here just last May. >>>>

+1 seems like there's always the couple obligatory blues songs and shakedown as well.

I think it bears mentioning, as That Rag closed, Phil laid a very lovely 'guh on us to wrap it up. thanks!

Great crowd and everyone had a good time...now, my review:
Feel like a stranger>
Minglewood blues - Weir is playing his best..nice start. He is on his game.
Loose Lucy - Good version
It must have been the roses - It's OK to like JK.
Greatest Story ever told - Strong jammin'
Hurricane - SUCKED. Do not play again, please.
Liberty - I can do without this tune.
Doin' that Rag > This was cool
Turn on your lovelight - played well, but always played in Chicago

Set 2
Cassidy - Killer...one of the highlights of show
Dr. Mr. Fantasy - OK
New Speedway Boogie - very well played
Let it Grow - Another highlight...very strong!!
Reuben & Cerise - good
Death dont have no mercy - Chi-town blues version
Shakedown Street - Hottest Jams of night
Throwing Stones - been there
Donor Rap

Encore: Not Fade away - Tight

Phil was very layed back at the show...just background vocals. He played good, but everyone was wanting him more up front in mix. Jay Lane looked bored and did not play during some songs???
Overall, it had a couple of strong tunes, but lacked that punch I have heard from other shows on this tour. Tonight will be the night - at least that's what the heads on the street said.

WE WANT PHIL!!

>>>>Jay Lane looked bored and did not play during some songs??? >>>>

Jeez there's a couple posts now that mention this from last night. Isn't he normally going ape shit all over the place back there?

Kind of disheartening to say the least- I hope he's OK?

Jay Killed it the second night...He's allgood.

"Jay Killed it the second night..."

That's a bit of an exaggeration, but he certainly was more engaged than the 1st night in Chicago.

My wife and I attended the 3/2 show in Chicago.

We were in the second level balcony on JKs side. Our view of the band was outstanding, though the sound was likely not as balanced. It got a bit better as the show went on.

I thought Stranger through GSET were really strong. I haven't seen anyone mention the cool little Loose Lucy jam that surfaced. I don't think they took it where it could have gone, but it was tasty.

When we got to Hurricane the energy in the room completely deflated. I went from being mesmerized to bored in about five verses. I told my wife the recordings may end up showing that it was "played" well, but in terms of momentum it just took the wind out of the sails. I can see how it could go somewhere over time, like Stuck Inside of Mobile had developed over the years. But this version didn't build much at all. I'm curious to see how it comes out in my headphones this weekend.

Liberty was a good attempt at getting "it" back, unfortunately the next song chosen was Doin' That Rag. It's a great tune and they play it well, but it's stop/start tempo and awkward changes coming so soon on the heels of Hurricane made for a long hard slog out of the hole they dug for themselves. Eventually they recovered and the band started to cook.

The Lovelight set closer was very strong. On tape it'll likely come across as avereage/good, but in the venue, that venue in particular, it was a terrific experience and it made for a strong close. The crowd was in to it for sure.

Set 2 was aces in my book. Granted, the segues were not really there, nor were there any jams that went deep between songs, however each tune was done extremely well.

The Cassidy opener was pitch perfect. DMF>NSB had our full attention and the whole place was signing the refrain ... this darkness got to give.

But Let It Grow really took off. What a jam! Shakedown was on my 'hope they play it' list, so I was stoked, and the asses were shakin'!! Loved every second of it.

And the Throwing Stones rave-up was top notch. I think JK hit the right peak notes at exactly the right time, and overall the band was very intense. There are lots and lots of great Throwing Stones versions in the GD world of course, but I submit this one as a terrific example of how it should be done. One thing that always irks me when listening to GD shows was that they couldn't consistently take Throwin' over the top. It's a song that you either need to technically nail to get the vibe across, or Jerry needed to deliver a crushing solo. He couldn't do either consistently. When he delivered the goods or the band caught it (e.g. 4/9/88) then it worked superbly.

What I liked about this was that they nailed it technically and JK did a masterful job of holding back the high note until the right moment at the end.

p.s. I should note that I have yet to listen to the recordings. I just bought them this morning and have yet to de-flac em' and get them in iTunes. So this entire review is from memory.

The biggest disappointment was watching Phil give the kill sign before NFA. When it became the encore it was a downer. I really would have loved a Sugar Mag or something to wrap it up.

This was my wife's first real show. We saw The Dead in Denver in 2009, and had a blast, but this experience was unlike that in just about every way imaginable. Denver did offer up one nugget though - The 2nd song, Casey Jones, had a great rave-up. After it was done my wife turned to me
and said "That was amazing. Now I get why you love these guys". Go figure. I typically can't stand Casey Jones.

But what was funny is that both Denver AND the Chicago shows, the only two she's ever seen, started and ended the same way. Stranger opened both and NFA finished both. So in an odd way the song selections gave her a kind of familiarity she wouldn't have otherwise had. She loves NFA and was stoked to see it played well.

Her comments after the show were "Well, the first set was great and I enjoyed it, but nothing made my jaw drop. It was good just not anything to write home about". (At this point I was about to be bummmed, afraid my days of taking her to shows were numbered)

"But the second set", she said, "that was incredible!!! They were soooo f'ng fantastic. Best show I've ever seen!!

Unfortunately we couldn't stick around in Chicago for night #2. We had to get back to Austin for our kiddos and we missed the big night.

My recommendation to anyone reading this would be to not get so lost in the 3/3 show's kick butt set list that you lose site of the quality of 3/2.

It was a big ol' party in that theater, and a memory I'll never forget. Thanks to all!!

Jay

Great review Jay!!
I agree, this night had some really good moments in it. I was at both and the second night will go down as one of the best of this tour, but I had fun both nights. Let bring these boys back for the summer!!