I just thought I would get this going because of how pumped I am for Vibes!!!
Woo Hooo!!!

Just bought a Saturday ticket. Lineup looks too good to pass up.

Going for Saturday as well. Phil and the Vibes = MAGIC

it really sucks..i have tickets to the vibe, but got a hold of some bad acid on Thursday night and decided to go home. now that my mind is functioning i regret it so much! wish i was there tonight!

GOTV 8/2/08

Set 1:
*Here Comes Sunshine>
*Good Lovin'
*Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
*Direwolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow

*w/Teresa Williams

As per ICLIPS

first set:

Here Comes Sunshine >
Good Lovin'
Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
Dire Wolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow

2nd set @ guests...

Here Comes Sunshine >
Good Lovin'
Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
Dire Wolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow

Jam>
Scarlet Begonias>
All Along the Watchtower >
He's Gone >
Goin Down the Road Feelin' Bad
( Phil Leaves stage- pee break!)
Wharf Rat>
The Elevator ( PARTICLE SONG ) >
JAM >
The Eleven >
I Know you Rider
Not Fade Away

Donor Rap
Box of Rain

In my humble opinion this is the best show ive heard from the summer tour! this band gets better every show, Moltiz and Jackie really shining on this high energy show!

GOTV 8/2/08

Set 1:
*Here Comes Sunshine>
*Good Lovin'
*Gone Wanderin'
Cumberland Blues
*Direwolf
Loser
Cold Rain and Snow


Set 2:
*Scarlet Begonias>
All Along The Watchtower> Jam>
*He's Gone>
*Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad
Wharf Rat>
Spacy Jam>
Elevator> Jam>
The Eleven>
*I Know You Rider
Not Fade Away

Donor Rap/Intros

enc:
Box Of Rain

*w/Teresa Williams

Molo teasing The Other One in one of those jams. Elevator from All Good Music Festival was much smoother and more like the freight train that it is. Nice, quick Scarlet reprise there at the end of IKYR. Teresa is a strange cat. She was singing backing vocals to Not Fade Away from backstage.

chris sumate!!! what exactly happened? was it bad acid to the point where you were throwing up stomach bile? or bad acid which was good acid and you just tripped too hard?

never ever leave a festival early if phil is playing!! much respect and love to you...

that Jam was AWESOME. I'm not sure how much better this band can get. But I can't wait to find out!

I really enjoyed it. The great thing about this lineup is they do ballads (Loser, Dire Wolf, He’s Gone), faster rock (Cumberland, 11, Watchtower) and spacey jamming (interspersed throughout especially 2nd set) equally well. Phil purists might say they come a little short in the deep-space department, but not last night. I thought it very well-balanced.

They do the ballads well because they don’t rush them - paying attention to nuance - with great singing from Jackie & Theresa. You could argue Greene is becoming the best interpreter of the Garcia material Phil’s ever had, at least since Warren. Loser was incredible.

And Jackie played some mean guitar during Watchtower. Blew me away. At times he leans a little too much on a fat rounded tone, reminiscent of 1971 Jerry, which for example in songs like Scarlet doesn’t work for me - I’d like it a little sharper. But then you hear him throw in cool harmonic feedback notes during Cumberland, and the aforementioned rippin’ Watchtower, which tone-wise sounded completely different than the rest, and you know he’s capable. This kid is a comer.

Campbell is the virtuoso, and though he has a bit of a “background personality,” when he steps up center stage to rip, such as in Cumberland and NFA, he’s as fast as Herring. And Phil, Molo and Jackie are there to egg him on when he starts to lag. Let’s face it, the guy has enormous talents, and so does the wife. She’s a great addition.

Molitz, who provides great fills throughout and even sang some of the 11 - acquitting himself well - had a chance to lead the band with the Particle song, where he pulled out all the synthesizer stuff. I love Particle’s first album and while you have to give them credit for experimentation I had a little trouble getting into it. Perhaps I wasn’t on the right substances. It was Phil doing the younger jam band material, sounding like Disco Biscuits, Umphrey’s, Moe et al., which to me isn’t as tuneful as good ol’ Dead, but the crowd loved it - most important thing!

Ken Hayes knows how to do festivals and this is right in my backyard so we have BP wired logistically. Wonderful stage from a visuals standpoint - incredible lighting - and a MAGNIFICENT SOUNDFIELD. If the stage is 12345, there are speaker banks at 1, 3, 5 with the stages at 2 & 4 (Phil played on 2). You don’t want to be too close to the stage or too centered because you won’t hear bank 5. But 20 feet in front of the board and a little off to the right provides you with an incredible soundfield with fantastic separation.

Donor Rap was especially heartfelt with Phil mentioning his donor by name and giving the Vibes big props. Kudos to everyone involved. Bodes well for Nokia, although you’ll never hear sound quality in that place like we heard last night.

Georgie

georgie, good review glad YOU enjoyed it.


Keyshawn IS right.

This band i will NOT ever see again.
There is not 1 psychadelic bone in either Jackie or Larry's body.

and that CRAPPY DIRGE that they call "Elevator"

baaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh...

that just wasted like 15 mins. where they coulda played something EPIC!!!! like d/s> other1... oh thats right they DONT KNOW HOW TO PLAY like that.

overall..
The show was not GREAT ..NOR was it GOOD.. it was AT BEST......ok.

Key, you woulda walked out during that.(not really because you never would have BOUGHT a ticket)

I sooo luv readin the reviews....georgie, good Sun am readin....thanks. I'm not one to review, i'll leave that to ya'll, but i always luv a good Cumberland.....anyone who can get me up, jammin~in~my~jammies like las nite.....well, 'nuff said.

Nice review georgie. I really enjoyed watching it on iclips. I LOVE the way this band is developing and I think it is great the way that Phil is letting it develop. Remember, there are those who don't think anything good happened after Pigpen. Have a grate Sunday everyone!

At the end of the day this performance was uninspired and disappointing. If stuck in the middle of, say, a fourteen night run on a Monday night it would have been just another completely forgettable Phil gig, but the whole energy (or lack thereof) they brought was just not in sync with a Saturday night headlining festival performance.

While understanding both the strengths (basic melodic competence and consistency, Jackie's energy), the structural limitations of this lineup were exposed to bland effect last night, i.e. when you field a lineup with no lead guitarist, it is hard to really captivate and soar with a big field crowd. While the sound was great this lineup just doesn't fill that big of a "space" and as was mentioned here and elsewhere Jackie and Larry don't really get it when it on the psychedelic side, which should be a core competency for any band that Phil presents. Don't get me wrong -- I like the band and am planning on running a half-marathon when they come to Manhattan in a few months, but that is the space that they can fill well, it is an environment that plays to this band's strengths. I thought that back in January in a significantly more relaxed environment, where they rocked at the Fillmore but then even at the mid-sized BGCC it just didn't have the same go-juice required to fill the space.

Don't want to dwell on last night -- it is already wholly and entirely forgettable. Dark Star Orchestra put on a comprehensively better show on Thursday, the two performances are hardly even comparable. Billy trio also tore it up pretty severe in the afternoon, ZpZ and Mike's band were also very strong. All in all a great time, no worries... continue to love Phil as always and he gets as many mulligans as he may need, but it is what it is.

Cheers.

Excuse me for hogging bandwidth but……you’re comparing DSO to Phil? A friend said the same thing last night, but I chalked that up to the fact he is young and doesn’t have a clue. You sound more intelligent than that.

DSO was quite good Thursday, but “it is what it is” - a cover band. The bass guy plays a 4-string that's all muddy and boomy.

Meanwhile, Phil is taking the music to new directions and heights.

excuse me, but this show ROCKED. Sorry some didn't 'get it'. that's okay, that's why there is vanilla and chocolate. Phil is reinventing music that has stood the test of time for 2 generations so far (40+ years)

to answer your question it was really good acid, a seqence of events just sort of freaked me out and convinced me that i needed to leave.. bummer..

Sure it wuz not stellar but it fired many pistons
watching kids dance on their toes
seeing someone access the knowledge of the cumberland dance stomp
jackie n larry pulln off some well palatable guitar leads
great vocals n sound all night
song selection

some beauty for the dirty foot
kings and queens

I don't regret the kick in the ass it wuz to take myself n my buddy to the show

Pabst Blue Ribbon for Tom all week

GreatPhest...GreatPhun...GreatPhil...we feel the love...thank you

...on to Halloween

what he said ^^^

<<<At the end of the day this performance was uninspired and disappointing

wow. sorry you felt that way, I had more fun than a barrel of crazy monkeys & can't remember the last time I danced that hard, mud notwithstanding.

I am very proud of our Zoner dance crew, we were the hardest working dancers on the field.

fun fun fun.

>Excuse me for hogging bandwidth but……you’re comparing DSO to Phil?

Right: I thought that the DSO show on Thursday was better than the Phil show last night... I assess music on the -music-, not the pedigree of the musicians. This isn't a commentary or comparison of the two propositions as a whole, and when I said it out loud it sure seemed like an odd thing to say (until my buddy said "yeah I was thinking that, too, but just didn't want to say anything") but I call it like I hear it. I'm not saying that Phil's gig sucked at all; I just thought that it was flat and uninspired and plodding and perfunctory and exposed the structural limitations in this lineup. There was no soar or spark or chances taken -- indeed, the show couldn't have sucked because it was so gosh darn "safe". I don't like "safe" and even within the constraints of performing a setlist that had already been played 30 years previous, DSO took many more improvisational chances in their show on Thursday. IMHO, YMMV, yadda yadda.

In any case, I'm certainly glad others found more merit in the Phil show. That it did not set my world on fire didn't get in the way of the extremely good time had with good friends and an outstandingly chill situation, so if it didn't harsh on my buzz, it certainly shouldn't do so for anyone else. I remain quite pumped up for the upcoming Nokia run.

Finally and on a more positive note, huge kudos to Ken Hayes and whole staff for putting on a particularly well designed and executed event. We stayed off-site and so cannot comment on the camping conditions but the concert field experience couldn't have been more stress-free and comfortable. There was a feeling of genuine respect for the audience: reasonably priced, diverse and decent quality food, beer, water; consistently maintained and clean shitter facilities; completely unobtrusive safety/security, et cetera. Said respect went in both directions as I witnessed not a single hassle of any variety for three days running. Great work, I'll be back, and encourage others to patronize this excellent festival in the future. Good times.

Remember... they did a Scarlet reprise jam at the end of NFA and went back into NFA, and then ended the night with the Scarlet outro... BIG PHUN!!

Cumberland smoked...

Cumberland was INSANE!!!!!

how long did that *actually* last? Seemed like hours

the Scarlet jam was long too...

this thread made me laugh until I cried.

This was an amazing night, the band was great, the crowd was awesome, the Vibe was magical.

Okay, I'm writing a review. I usually like to keep my opinions to myself, but I'm in sharing mood. This was a good Phil show. Before I continue let me state that a good Phil show is a great thing.

The first set was better than the first. Second set seemed a little flat and I thought the Scarlet interposed into NFA was too contrived. Highlight of the night for me was Cumberland. Just awesome.

Loved the glow sticks. The promoter did a great job.

I must also mention that I am having trouble adjusting to Phil's new bass. It's good low end but the high end has a rattle to it that I'm having trouble getting used to.

Completely awesome time. People are obviously in different moods, have different heads, maybe a bit tired after days of partying, etc., and hear things differently from one another. I've been to a ton of Phil shows and thought this was a damn good show with lots of energy. Listen for yourselves...I'm really glad I was there for this show and for all the other great music at the Vibes this year...

Kudos to Phil @ GOTV.

I enjoyed the Phil and Friends show Saturday night. Also thought the 1st set was better than the second. Sometimes I like how Phil will totally crank up the energy and power on a song, sometimes I think it can be a bit much. Loved the Sunshine opener, nice to hear Cumberland, Wolf was cool, Loser was surprisingly well done, Cold Rain had cool keyboards....2nd set? Well, Scarlet(despite Phil's vocals)was a great start, Watchtower had power but I can't think of a more disappointing song selection, and for me He's Gone>GDTRFB was a highlight of the night!! Wharf Rat was nice to hear, the Jam>Elevator was a bit boring to me, the Eleven was intense as always, wife got tired so we left towards the end of Rider.....Only Phil show of the summer for me, but I thought it was great! Tight music, a chill enviroment, all very sweet.

SOME OF YOU ARE

DEAF
DUMB
and
BLIND

Decide for yourselves, ;)

Hint: it's no one in Phil and Friends!

Accurate descriptions so far -first set was excellent after a rocky start to HCS - second set was a little disjointed and a few train wrecks hampered the energy - overall though - a good show and a great time.

Some stellar jams though especially in Cumberland, Watchtower and GDTRFB.

The second set overall lacked focus and as as a result the intensity suffered.

Im not deaf, maybe a little dumb and somewhat blind - but definitely not deaf.

LOL. Just some fun poking around, of course.

I do think that Phil is trying too hard to put too much into the second sets. This summer tour has these monster second sets which have so many great tunes. However, it seems impossible to maintain the energy throughout. Especially following a high energy short-ish first set.

Maybe three shorter sets would be the way to go????????

WITH TWO SHORT, i mean truly short, i.e. 20 -30 minute, SET BREAKS....

"no soar or spark or chances taken"

Umm, Cumberland?

It would be easy to start quoting all the bullshit people say in show reviews and begin purposeless arguments. Instead I will just say I really enjoyed the Watchtower which was very high quality. The Cumberland and Cold Rain were also delicious. At one point during the Cumberland Phil stepped up to the mic as if he was going to sing the second or third verse, then Larry and the gang just started ripping it up and Phil stepped back, smiled and nodded as if he was saying "ok guys you dont have to tell me twice to jam this one out a little bit"
10 or 15 minutes later they returned to earth and finished the song.

Thanks Phil

>"no soar or spark or chances taken" Umm, Cumberland?

As many have noted, the Cumberland absolutely rocked. Cumberland has been consistently great performed by this lineup as it plays to multiple strengths but particularly Larry and Jackie. So sure, let's talk more about what we have on the ship that is good, because what is there is considerable. Larry excels in highly structured, precise, execution-critical, tightly-woven songs with a few potentially killer call-response solos, and if it has a little country twang on top all the better. Cumberland also falls square in Jackie's high energy, squeeze-a-nut-and-belt-it attitude, to say nothing of Phil and Molo so powerfully driving the lower end. So two thumbs up on the energy, this is clearly a song and a type of song at which this band excels. I also thought Jackie offered stellar versions the Loser as he had in Boston, and I danced my ass off to the Good Lovin' and the CR&S. They consistently demonstrate that they are a very good or even great first set band.

But I think that is the point, because they are a less great second set band. I've seen this lineup about a dozen times and have seen what I would note as exceptionally great second sets about a third of those shows. And for me the lack of a meaningful strong second lead and co-equal musical voice to Phil's in many second set environments that demand some high-level psychedelic collaboration. Larry is a fantastic musician that I admire and respect and he can play lead guitar lines quite well but, for me, he doesn't have that next gear to inspire and motivate and make the jam more than the sum -- I've never been blown away by his playing, ever, while being highly open to doing so. I'm a huge Jackie fan, have and listen to every one of his albums, see his solo shows, and have been a borderline fanboy supporter since he landed on planet Phil. He has been a shining light and much needed kick-in-the-ass to this band. That doesn't mean that I think Jackie has that next gear to inspire and motivate and make the jam more than the sum, either. The song's structures are performed valiantly and competently, but to my ear the jams have a level of structure and predictability that make it hard to maintain a higher "aspiration for inspiration" because the jams rely too heavily on Phil's queues and don't originate in a more organic collaborative source. That's all. Also, the all important "flow, dude" relies IMO too heavily on the set design, because the flow isn't going to evolve so much as it will be predestined by Phil's setlist choices, of which Saturday's resulted in a set that just din't have enough "play" in it for my tastes. But I still danced my ass off and did like some of the Elevator and the jam that led from that to the 11. Watchtower was good but the rest just left me flat and sort of happily bored.

Just one way to look at it... everyone including very much myself seemed to have a rocking time. Thanks as always to Phil, and good job to team humans on the execution of the event.

Loved it up to Elevator, which was actually well played. I think many folks, myself included, wanted to hear something crazy after that (Dark Star, Other One, etc.). The Eleven is a great tune, but Molitz singing it is a letdown. So, in my opinion, had they played something better than The Eleven after Elevator everyone would be singing a different tune about the 2nd set. I thought Rider, NFA & Box were tremendous to close it.

"when you field a lineup with no lead guitarist, it is hard to really captivate and soar with a big field crowd"

Larry Campbell is a fantastic lead guitarist and Jackie can certainly hold his own in any context. Those guys were ripping Saturday night. And for that guy who referred to The Elevator as a dirge...that song rocks. I'm not a huge fan of Molitz but that said, this tune is as good as we'll ever get from him and it's surly a keeper in the set. Molitz sure ain't no singer and without headband they now have to get Teresa to fill in the harmonies. And I actually enjoyed the iClips stream. I was more than a little dissapointed that they didn't stream NRPS. And from all accounts that I heard from peeps who were there it was a ripping show so it was enjoyed in dens around the world via the web as well on a big field in Bridgeport, CT.

Sure..DSO does the Grateful Dead thing better, that's what they do. PLF is a different musical animal altogther...This version of the band is all about Americana and that's OK with me. I actually prefer consise soaring guitarwork instead of the aimless noodling that is preferred by many on this board.

GRATEFULDEAD®






Tr••dle™2008

… been doing this a long, long time. fwiiw, I thought it a wonderful show: great music, phun fest, and great people. There were some really sublime musical moments and I was very happy to be there - and proud of the scene as well - nice job Ken.

So strange that people need to rank and argue over shows and line-ups, though. It’s extremely difficult to compare line-ups and interpretations. When Billy was the only drummer, the Dead could do things and turn much faster and play much jazzier than with two drummers but the drive produced by Billy and Mickey together was also wonderful. How can someone say one line-up was better? Line-ups are different and different groups of musicians should play songs differently. That is sort of the point. These songs are so good; they allow all sorts of efforts. Find those you like and dance along.

This line-up is doing their work in fine, fine style. I heard new ideas and enjoyed new sounds and I think we all see what Phil has in mind. It’s great. This line-up does some things very, very well and I enjoyed them immensely.

Sure my older friends miss the band and scene of 71, 73 and 77. I miss Jerry, the sustained excellence of 77, the warlocks of 89, Jerry, the first time we saw Brent really cooking with the band, Jerry, the great phun of the 80 acoustic/electric tour (anyone else out there who was in that bar that night in NO?), Jerry, Brent, and the best nights in the 80s and 90s. I loved the Q, think Jimmy is a wonderful player (and about the nicest guy you will meet, as is Warren), loved the way Warren wailed, think Rob is a perfect fit for many hunter-Garcia tunes and love the way he listens and plays, enjoyed Joan's sassy take on the catalogue - and who does not love Molo. And I like this line-up as well, as does Phil, who is having a fine old time.

This is Phil's band. I, for one, believe in his passion and feel privileged to be along for the ride as he and so many other talented people search for the sound. So for now its local music with the kids and looking forward to the Nokia shows and whoever might be there with him.

Thank you Phil, John, Steve, Jackie, Larry and Teresa! See you on down the line.

David, thanks for the thoughtful post.


<<so>>


I wouldn't call it strange if people like to rank and argue about shows, but for the most part I don't think that is what is happening here. As you eloquently note, there has been a lot diversity in the history of Dead music, and as that evolving body of work moves forward some people will like some elements of that evolution more than others. Indeed, it is perhaps all too easy to compare line-ups and interpretations, as the diversity of opinion and reaction to any given show or line-up shown here and elsewhere demonstrates. Phil is certainly pushing the music in new directions, but that momentum is punctured by peaks and valleys, periods of rapid change or ossification, and otherwise traverses often irregular paths. Different folks chose to engage or not to engage in following these paths at different levels of granularity... for many the visceral interaction and experience of the live event is plenty sufficient, and the glow lasts forever with nary a thought to a critical assessment of the music in its historical context. For others like myself there is that, as well as a strong intellectual and historical component to their enjoyment of the experience, and while happy and privileged to be still having so much great music to experience, not all of it is equally well received. Given the disparities in experience and background and all the other great things that make us all human, to me it is strange that 20,000 people could witness the the richness and complexity that is a Phil show and NOT have widely divergent reactions (and then want to share and respectfully discuss those differences)... to each their own.

Cheers!

I think Phillip makes a lot of good points and has a good way of doing so politely. Thanks. I tend to agree with a lot of them although judging from what I saw/heard on the stream Saturday night this band is stepping up a bit from last year. But of the six or so shows I've seen with this lineup I can only say that I've seen one great second set (Camden '07) so the comments about not enough "out there" jamming in the second set (which is what I live for) have some validity. But as others have mentioned, that's not what this lineup is strong at (you have to play to your strengths) and what they do well they do do well.

>>>is punctured by peaks and valleys, periods of rapid change or ossification, and otherwise traverses often irregular paths.

Sounds like art immatating life,or vice versa.

I had a great time at the Vibes,
Very grateful to Phil for doing what he does.

What a fuckin Mud Stompin Jam.Caught myself gettin down like the days of old.Legs and arms perceiving each note.I was down in the "Vortex of Love".Got to hang with some like minded folk that were takin it in as I was.Mellow and not pushy folk lookin out for those around us,despite all the distracting incoming shit thrown around.
The show was good.Finally got my GDTRFB after seven shows this summer and I wasnt disappointed.

I think Phil has all the justification he needs to bring whoever and whatever to the table,
he's EARNED IT.

Thanks Vibes for putting on a Top Notch festival and Thanks Phil for just being you!

If you're thinking this band's second sets can't totally smoke, apparantly you weren't at the Boston show this Summer! Holy moly was that second set for the books. This band is not only gellin' big time but looks about as cohesive, unified and happy on stage as a band could possibly be! Elated Phil... not that's what it's all about!
Looking forward to the Philathon this Fall!!

I just do not get how people complain about second sets and not enough jamming etc. People need to step back and realize things change, Phil is growing older, music changes. Just because he is not playing what you expect or want is just silly. He is still putting out a good product and people need to take it for what it is.
That being said, I loved thew Vibes show, I thought it was well played and I had a great time. I saw 2 great shows this tour and 3 ok shows, I know what to expect. I think people need to lay off Phil, you never know when it will end (and that will be a very sad day)if you do not like what he is putting out, go see a few Bob Shows, that should get you right as rain.

>>>>>If you're thinking this band's second sets can't totally smoke, apparantly you weren't at the Boston show this Summer!

WORD UP

Streaming the GOTV show now and I gotta say, it's pretty darn killer. I'm hearing ripping lead guitars, a band that is playing with and listening to each other very well and plenty of nice jams. Can't seem to hear that "flat" part that I read about or the lack of leads. I'm thinking it was a long few days and as I well know, it can be hard for everyone to always be "up" for so much music. We all know this can cause a tired personal vibe that can have a negative affect on the view of, reaction to and interaction with a show. For those other veterans out there, you know, you gotta have a back-up and back-up for the back-up! Not to mention the positive, open mind of where you are and why you're there.... at show with friends and family to have fun and enjoy this most amazing music!
Watchtower on now....Jackie's got the real deal when it comes to feeling! Really nice groovin' leads too!

Anyone know if iclips will re-play "vibes" (Phil & Jackie)?

What I saw in Rochester was pretty impressive. The highland bowl was sweet!! Sure there are some down points. I think the line up is gelling nicely and there are some rippin leads. Speedway was one of them. Take it for what it is and what it will be.

i think for the next tour, they should keep jackie, but replace campbell with al schneir and replace molitz with either bruce hornsby or page mconnel

Comments are interesting, and at the risk of rambling on a little too much, I remain as always hopeful that what might seem like conflict can actually lead to greater understanding among folks who have different viewpoints. Dialog, not screaming head TV. :-)

Saying that I view this band as not having a second strong lead "voice" is not the same as saying that the chosen guitarists cannot rip off some spectacular leads. Indeed, it isn't something I've ever said, so picking out some song that contained a bunch of ripping lead riffs as being sort of "contrary evidence" is nice but misses the point. It isn't that Jackie and Larry (and Steve) can't play lead lines, but what they don't seem to do often or well is lead the jam in any direction other than the fundamental structure as Phil presents. It is "collaborative" and "jammy" but if you've seen this band perform the song a few times, you know what is coming, because the jam structures don't really change. In the song it is inevitable to know whats coming, but in the jam, if I know what is coming, it limits my enjoyment. Not everyone's enjoyment, but mine. That isn't registered as a complaint, but rather as a comment. I'm certainly not huffing and puffing and stomping around writing angry critic notes during these passages :-) -- I'm dancing my ass off and having a great time just like the rest of you. This is just one view of the music that I know is shared by others that I talk to IRL, and if it ruffles feathers here, that is unfortunate but isn't the intent.

One point about this lineups ability to "fill the big room" that I'll offer a minor backtrack on: it really can be an expectations game. I noted at one point that this gig would have been fine and not as much of a personal disappointment if it had taken place in the context of a longer run. To tease that out more, when you are catching a bunch of shows in a smaller venue, there is more room for a diversity of show "types" and set list experimentation and thematic story lines, the atmosphere is more relaxed, there is less sort of "pressure to perform". Rewind to Saturday night. Its Saturday night. :-) It is the headlining performance of a 4-day festival. We're all in place, we're all jacked up (metaphorically or otherwise, I was jacked up on herbal tea, grilled cheese, and a little dankness: "middle-aged jacked-up") -- this is the pinnacle moment of the weekend. I don't want to say that they should "play to the crowd" but just maybe to, well, "play to the moment". That isn't the time for a confused, uneven, flow-less mismatch of songs that while fine on their own don't tell a compelling musical story. In my opinion. Dead music doesn't often set up well for those big-moment situations, i.e. you cant just turn "it" on, and I know that -- if they could do that, it would diminish the whole enterprise and be even more predictable. But at some point, one wonders whether it is in them... even the spectacular all-around shows I've seen this band play (Boston a few weeks ago was one of them, several of the Nokia shows last year), it isn't the result so much of "more than the sum of their parts" but rather from outstanding planning by Phil and equally outstanding if predictable play from the whole band. We'll take more of that, thanks. :-)

Anyways, this is a very good band, in my opinion, just not always a great band, and that we (or I) may just be feeling that this is a structural issue, and that Phil has done most of what he can reasonably be expected to do with this lineup. Nevertheless, I'm very much looking forward to the Nokia run and will see at least seven or eight shows in an environment that I think suits their collective character and strengths (and my commute from the UWS) much better. Be happy to continue any of this IRL over a beer at that time with you fine zoners.

Sorry for the length, I'm a recovering chatterbox. Cheers.

I've said this several times. Saying it at least one more time won't hurt: Phil is grooming this band to be much like the bar band that 1971 GD was. Short, structured jams within songs proper. I don't think they'll ever make their way to '72-'74, but that's fine, because this band isn't built for it. And I don't say this to live in the past, but I do say it as a reaction to those who seem to need comparisons to everything to put anything into perspective.

And I would have to agree that Larry doesn't have a psychedelic bone in his body, but then again, other than Phil, Molitz is the only one on this stage who does. Unless you have a time machine and some spiked punch for the trip, I don't think that will change.

" VORTEX OF LOVE "
sums up my experience as well

also found myself re-connected
and dancing like a happy ole fool

(((((( THANK YOU FOR A REAL GOOD TIME ))))))

AND PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE COME BACK NEXT YEAR

WE LOVE YOU PHIL
AND ALL OF YOU FRIENDS

PEACE, LOVE AND MUSIC

>>>>>what they don't seem to do often or well is lead the jam in any direction other than the fundamental structure as Phil presents. It is "collaborative" and "jammy" but if you've seen this band perform the song a few times, you know what is coming, because the jam structures don't really change. In the song it is inevitable to know whats coming

NOTE TO PHILLIP:

go relisten to cumberland blues

"Phil is grooming this band to be much like the bar band that 1971 GD was. Short, structured jams within songs proper"

1971 was a huge year!!!

Bump for an awesome show. Lost my mind at vibes for a quick minute and phil brought me back to where i wanted to be.

Didnt lose my mind listening to the show tonight and he has me right where I want him.

Thank You Phil

The discussion on this thread so is *so* much more interesting, helpful and thoughtful than most. Kind of like how it used to be round here back in the day... ;-)