First-time poster...Wanted to kick off talk about the Zoo show Monday night. I hope everyone at Red Rocks has a great show tonight and safe travels to those coming to Oklahoma on Monday.
We've been having 100+ temps in the Oklahoma City area lately so be prepared for a HOT show. Lots-o water & lots-o sunblock!

I guess someone feels sorry for those of us who live in Oklahoma year-round because I feel so lucky to attend the first Ratdog/Phil & Friends show of the Odyssey. It will also fall on the 6th anniversary of the last Grateful Dead show in Chicago. It has all the makings of a very special evening. If last summer's Phil & Dyl show was any indication, Monday will be a night to remember.

I can't wait for the show...I hope you can go!

Hey....I hear ya...Im from pa, but eill be leaving sat. for ok to get on the bus for the remainderof the tour!! im psyched, its my first time on "tour" in over five years, though i did a good number of shows last summer and fall. Yeah, this will be special, just the improvement from last summer to fall was impressive, once the Warren and Jimmy came on, and then the band really came together i would say during the Beacon run last fall....so im psyched, and Ratdog is damn good in their own right, little different but still good....and Bobby and Phil have both said that they will play together, particularily especially since they played as Crusader Rabbit...and Phil played a Good Lovin' tease?!? C'mon now, hint hint.....:-)
anyway, im psyched, and cant wait.....see ya on the bus!!
-Matt

Thanks for the info Phillyphan! This will be the first time I've gotten to see Bobby since Shoreline 1995. Don't get to travel as much as I used to when I was younger and a lot more irresponsible...b-)
Good Lovin' would be nice...how about a Jack Straw when Phil & Bob jam together ("gotta go to Tulsa")? The possibilities are endless!
48 hours away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey all...glad to see some folks chatting before the show. I too live here in OKC and have been sweating it out to see both of the boys back in town! Phil was great last year and I am extra excited to see Bobby again! It's been too long since I was in Chicago in 95. Let's all hope since the show begins at 4:30...they purposely left a long time for an incredible show. I am ready to dance!!! Peace, love, and donuts to all. Drive safely. See you in the lot.

Well?!? Where's the list? What did Bobby play?!? What did Phil play?!? Did they jam together?!? What's the word, man?!?

Right, right...The show hasn't happened yet! Of course! No wonder there isn't a list anywhere! Aw, man, I need to get a calendar and paste it right next to my monitor!

HAHAHA! Dont worry, I was messed up on the date too & almost posted last night when It was 1:00am asking where 1st set was!! It's kind of like Forgetting some of the dead shows you saw! It all becomes a blurh!

The first Phil & Friends with Bobby tune has to be Feel Like A Stranger. That would be a fitting tune to break the ice for what will no doubt be a collaboration of suprises all tour.

Greatest Story Ever Told!

That and a Cryptical with Bob doing The Other One verses....

bobby will be "playin' in the band" !!!!

I like all of those suggestions. Very exciting evening ahead.

Moooooooooooooooooooorning
DEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew

And as pass out hot as it is here, how about some Cold Rain and Snoooooooooooooooow

From ratdog.org

I: The Music Never Stopped* > Cassidy*, Celebration > Jam > Crazy Fingers > Just a Little Light
w/ Bob

Could there be a more appropriate way to open up the show w/ Bobby.

Some second set tunes in no specific order from some freak on a cell phone, Other One, Wharf Rat, Stella Blue.

Looks pretty damn good, but was this show short or did it start early? It's only 11:25 CT here, how did it all go down?

phil to crowd - the hett has closed the bomb bay doors, people.

C'mon people...I'm dying for some more reviews...

I'm Jonesin' for a zoo review...

??????????????????

Hello??? OK City???? Are you there? WERE YOU THERE???

I knew they were going to play Music Never Stopped...perfect Bobby opener...Can't wait to see them play together..

I can't believe there aren't more posts for this monumental event. Ratdog's set list looks very tasty...how the hell did they sound?! Come on someone please???!

What's up in the mid west? no internet yet?

Show sounded great. Hotter than hell in OKC last night. Lots of tapers. Bobby really sounded good. Played about 2 hours. Show started just after 4:30 and ended just after 10:30. Phil & Friends cooked. Music Never Stopped> Cassidy with Bobby over 30 minutes long and very tasty. Warren is an animal! Warren with the vocals on Just a Little Light a show highlight. Crazy Fingers was great. I can't say enough good things about Phil's current lineup; the band cooks. Got way up front for a while to watch Jimmy and Warren and just had my face ripped. These guys were communicating with eachother like they have been doing shows together all summer! Go see this lineup!

New Zoo Review Comming Right at You!
Sorry I didn't get this up last night.
What a summer night in Oklahoma. Good scene in the lot before the show. The show was scheduled to start at 4:30 and Ratdog hit the stage at 4:35. The crowd was a bit disappointing from the number standpoint to begin. It was over 100 degrees and some probably just couldn't get off work early.

Bob began on an acoustic with Rob and did Blackbird. Really nice. It remended me of a similar hot day at the Greek back in '88. Mark came out on an acoustic and the three jammed a nice Friend of the Devil and a wonderful Masterpiece with the rest of the band joining in halfway.
Then Ratdog kept us guessing the rest of the day! Uncle John's into Playin'?!? Great Playin' jam with a UJB reprise tease. I am unfamilar with Ratdog originals and they played a couple at this juncture. They were good songs. This was my first time to see Ratdog and I was impressed with the band and the energy they brought.

Then, after another extendo jam, they wowed us with a HUGE Estimated! When I awoke this morning, Estimated was going through my head it was that good. Estimated gave way to yet another jam that teased The Other One, Playin', UJB and The Wheel. I really thought they were locked into The Wheel, but they came back out of it and teased Playin' again before giving way to a groovy drums./bass to end the set. Rob was jamming with a bow on his stand up bass. He also used the bow on an earlier song, but I forgot to write down which song it was.

Ratdog came back out to a rousing ovation and went into another jam before breaking into Ashes and Glass which gave way to a shocking Terrapin! The Terrapin was just really nice. Karan did a great job all night and really hit a high on Terrapin. Terrapin gave way to another long jam before the band finished with a Playin' reprise and then jammed into an Uncle John' reprise to close their show! Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ratdog played for about 1:55. I wasn't the only one who thought Phil & Friends had their work cut out for them. Ratdog smoked!

After a half-hour break, Phil & Friends hit the stage with special guest Bob Weir. The Crusader Rabbit Stealth Band was in the house! Bobby was still pretty jacked from the Ratdog set and took the band right into the Music Never Stopped. How nice was it to see Phil and Bob on stage together again? Very nice! An extended jam followed before Bobby and the boys broke into a beautiful Cassidy followed by another extendo jam. I don't know how long the first two songs took, but it seemed like at least a half-hour. At the end of the Cassidy jam, Bobby took off his guitar, waved to the crowed and got a hug and kiss from Phil before leaving the stage. Bobby was probably a little worn out after jamming for nearly two-and-a-half hours in that intense heat. We were hoping for a full set, but that was probably too much to ask for.

Let me pause right here to mention Warren. He is living up to the hype and then some. It looked like he was having fun playing with Bob and his playing was just mesmorizing. He is something else!

Phil had some equipment problems after Bob left and there was a break before going into Celebration. First time I've heard Celebration and I liked it. Great jammy after and then Crazy Fingers!!!! What a great surprise. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Rob sang CF. The party and the heat had begun taking effect b-). CF precipitated another jam dominated by Warren (this would be a pattern) and Warren jammed Just a Little Light to end the first set. Ninety minute, five-song set!

Sorry I couldn't post last night but after a 5 hour concert we're a little weary!!!!! WHAT A SHOW!!! Ratdog played for 2 hours straight! and sounded GRATE. I got a pic of Phil sitting at the soundboard smiling big while Ratdog was playing. Bob joined Phil & Friends for the first couple of songs and they sounded wonderful. Phil & Friends must have played for a good 2+ hours after that (2 sets) and took me to places I haven't been in years. If I weren't so exhausted I'd write a more detailed review. All I can say is this was one of the best freakin' shows I've seen in the last 20 years!!!!!!!!!

The intermission was only 30 minutes again and the PA was playing Rubber Soul during the break. The band retook the stage at about 9:00 and the sun had finally set so the lights were taking effect. The second set (aka the Warren Haynes Show) began with with a long jam and then they blew us away by going into Wharf Rat. Holy Moly! I was floored. One way to start a set! b-) Warren was amazing and continued to amaze with She Said, She Said. I know some don't like the Beatles covers, but I'm a huge Beatles fan and I loved it!
The boys slowed it down with a Cryptical Envelopment and we figured we'd get the Other One that Ratdog had teased us with. Wrong! From out of freaking nowhere, Warren breaks out the Stella Blue and just nails it! The song and ensuing jam were nothing short of epic. Then we finally got the Other One that Ratdog had teased us with and a rocking Wheel to close the set. Second set lasted about a hour and a half. The Like a Rolling Stone encore was trippy.

Over five hours of music between the two bands. The crowed wasn't as large as it was last summer for the Phil & Dyl show so hopefully that won't discourage anyone form returning. It did mean that I never had to wait in line at the bathroom! Looking forward to hearing this show again!

I sit here and read some of these posts and wonder why in jerry's name isn't July 22 tomorrow!! I had put away the scene for the past six years but thankfully to a friend I have returned. I can't wait to see Phil and Bob in Saratoga. Although the venue scene there appears to have changed in the past 15 years,imagine that... glad to be back and so ever thankful for the words of all of you. I am smiling and can't wait for the next 13 days to go by. peace....

Hey Chinacat- Welcome back. You ain't gonna believe what you've been missing. Wake now....Discover

I thought we were going to say "Phil sucks"

"He's old"

"the music BLOWS"


"Don't GO!"

:^)

cryp - ha! I think it's like trying to "remember" to say, "I only order playboys for the articles, not the pictures that happen to be in them!" . . . . you just get too excited!!!

I think a part of my original message didn't get through on the post. It should have read:

Hey Chinacat- Welcome back. You ain't gonna believe what you've been missing could be this bad....it's horrible....save your money.

Sorry about that Cryp. I'll have to talk to the administrator.....

phew

my world is normal again

Cryp,

I thought that's just what we were to tell the hippie mafia, not kind older heads.

I will never forget the image of Bob stepping out into a sun that brought 90 degree temps with his acoustic guitar a kicking things off with Blackbird. He loved the heat and made everyone else love it. His band blew the small crowds minds. I saw 50 plus bands at the Cochella music fest this year, Widespread, SCI, show after show, two a week. I love all music. This was the best show I have seen since Big Cypress. Warren Haynes is a rock star. I'm so happy that the musicians that played last night care enough about phans to play such a great, long show. The music never stopped.

Last night was amazing. Ratdog was fun but it was incredably hot. First set with Phil and Bobby together was really cool to see. Second set was the bomb though. The jam into Wharf Rat was beautiful, as was the song itself. Then came She Said, which had an almost reggae vibe to it;) Then it was into space for Cryptical. Amazing!!! And just when we were in the outer limits of space came Stella. Warren does this song more than justice. After the melt down came the thundering of The Other ONe. Very cool;) This really got everyone going again. A very slow Wheel followed. Extremely long, hot, fun night in OKC.

heheh

Another unbelievable show -

I hope someone puts this show up , cause some of this stuff has to be heard again. The second set was out of control. First set highlits included
Phil rambling on and on about his "bomb bay" doors. "The heat closed my bomb bay doors".
Molo went crazy during the jam after celebration , almost causing a mosh pit to break out at the fence. I had been hoping for a "Just a little light" , and scored one of the most intense versions ive ever heard. Not exactly sure of placement , due to fungus ingestion , but the show included two straight up jazz jams , fast as hell , brutal walking bass lines by phil , I mean anyone with an incontinence problem probably had a rough time after these sick jams were thrown down. Herring is a bad man. Haynes finally turned up the volume during the second set , and delivered countless scorching runs , then delivered a chilling "Stella Blue".They didnt skimp on the encore either. You could tell they would have played at least another hour or two if time constraints werent in effect. There was a brawl in the lot after the show ... lol @ some old guy shouting over and over "THIS AINT PHISH TOUR !" while the folks involved provided a lot of posturing and shit talking , without too many actual combinations thrown or landed. The show I saw here last year was louder. I was in the trees for ratdog due to the heat , and I could barely hear them. I would have liked phils bass to be up a couple more notches. everyone for that matter.
OKC cops were the usual dicks after the show , firing everyone out of the lot goon squad style within an hour , it seemed like. Oh yeah , one more highlight was the four man vocal harmony breakdown thing during celebration. Insanity , folks.

Ok. I preface my review of the Saturday night Red Rocks show (7/7/01) by stating that the first two times I saw P&F (October 1999) it was a different lineup (Kimock, et al). All I had heard at that time was how rockin' P&F was but those two shows in 1999 just didn't do it for me. Thank god I'm persistent and have persistent friends.

The Saturday night show at Red Rocks was the best concert I have seen in at least 10 years. If the Dead had been playing like that from '91-95 consistently, I wouldn't have slowed down and would've seen quite a few more Dead shows. The intensity was outstanding; the song selection was wonderful; the jamming was, well, jammin'.

The highlight for me was Mason's Children in the 1st set; actually picked up the riff very quickly but didn't think for a moment that it was more than a tease. How sweet it was to be wrong! Also, the culmination of numerous Dark Star teases during jams with the actual performance of the song was a HUGE high point.

If you haven't seen this lineup before, get out to a show post haste. This is the manna from heaven we all live for.

Andy

Hey I heard a rumour that old time heads are badasses who will kick your ass. If you think a rap show is tough you better TOE THE LINE at Phil or some geezer will fuck you up. For real, man. It is NOT a cool scene unless you like seein' phish shirts gettin' stomped. My friend was sellin' X at Red Rox, and......

Welcome Home,
If you have not seen this line-up you owe it to yourself to get out there. My wife and I are from Ca. but were lucky enough(beleive it or not) to be in OKC for Phil and Bob. I saw my first show on 5-6-81 so I've seen my share as well as working at Wetlands in NY I'm familiar with Warren and his band and Rob Barraco and the triksters. Last night was what the Dead were supposed to sound like. Not only was the music mind-boggling the vibe was great and the place was empty. When the band blasted into Just a Little Light I almost hit the floor. (Big Brent Fan) and with Warrens Vocals its all OK. His Vocals could not have been more chilling on Wharf Rat or the amazing Stella we were treated to. I usually to post on things like this but last night was to great to keep a secret. Thanks

I wish Ratdog would have opened on some West coast shows.

i am posting this message to an old friend who was in saratoga with me many moons ago. wondering if you're out there Paul... scoop any icecream cones in the past years? wondering if you are still in the scene. i still have all the tapes you gave me, still have all the memories of CT, Washington, Philly.... looking so forward to Saratoga and FLPAC. if you're out there Paul from Vestal, NY who worked in Friendly's at the Mall and loved hanging with an "older" dead head get back to me some how some way... thinking of you! will be with you in spirit when i see the boys in saratoga once again! SMILING ALL THE WAY!

>>If the Dead had been playing like that from '91-95 consistently,

You'd have to go back to more like '74.

Flame away....

I left for a while, stayed away from these posts...due to the fact that while 95% of these posts are postive...there are those 5% that just don't get it.
Let's clarify what is going on...Phil and Friends is not a Dead show...while the energy levels equate at times, they are totally different.
I say this because...THIS IS PHIL'S SECOND LIFE!!...Let's not forget...that if it weren't for a family in FLA. providing Phil with the essentials to be alive...He, like Jerry would be only a memory.
You see now...don't you get it...Phil and Friends is a celebration of life...great music. What would the alternative be...The Phil Zone passing away due to disease. That alone is a horrible thought. I've seen every line-up so far...honestly some great...some bad...but I never felt cheated...you see...It was fun to watch Phil enjoy his 2nd chance @life. Quit being selfish...and go have some fun.
"Celebrate we will, because life is sweet but short for certain."

As usual you want to see a big crowd for the band. Under the circumstances with the heat the crowd size was a treat. Plenty of dancing room and a great vibe!!! I thought the place was run well and the shower outside was key. I do not see any mentions of the ratdog horn player. He was playing his heart out and contributed nicely. Bobby really came to play and that he did. Jamming his newer ones and grinding out the old favorites to out delight. Phil show was on fire. Yes Warren is quite an addition. The guy has it down!!! Other one was like the days of old spacey and going round and round. She said was also a welcomed treat. I would have like to seen the tempo up a notch or two but who am I to complain. Thanks to all who made it a great day!!

It's cool to see such positive reviews of the show- but I feel I have a different angle that may or may not shed some light for people who didn't attend this show.
First of all, Ratdog played what I would consider to be a paper thin set. It's not a lack of energy from Bobby, but rather the poor musicianship of his band (excluding rob wasserman, of course.)
Now I don't know how you guys feel, but for me, Ratdog is a wannabe band at best. Mark karan simply has no business being on stage with Bobby. Of the twenty or so times I've seen Ratdog, Mark has either been in a state of confusion or indifference, and I've certinly never seen him "play his heart out" or anything even close. The truth about OKC is that ratdog played a shitty, almost painfully long set, with no obvious ode to the power of the day (it was, after all, the anni. of Solider Field.) The only kind of "tribute" I think anyone could really garnish from the Ratdog set was the "terrapin", which was one of the worst I've ever seen.
As far as Bobby coming out with Phil?
I don't know where you guys were standing, but from my vantage point I saw Bobby train wreck the "Music", signaling weird changes, and in fact Phil actually went over to Bobby at one point and tried to show him the chords, on his bass! Then we were treated to a "Cassidy" in which Bobby forgot the first verse, so Rob Barrocco jumped in and saved it!
If it weren't for the class of Phil and his band, Bobby could have been SERIOUSLY embarassed that day. Don't you guys remember Bobby running off stage after "cassidy"?
Now, as far as Phil's set goes- what can I say?
It was a moving, brilliant tribute to the spirit of the Grateful Dead. It was one of the best sets I've seen Phil do, so far. The "Wharf Rat" was incredible. "Cryrtical>Stella>Other One" blew the roof off The Zoo!
And a "rolling stone" encore?
I don't think it's all that esoteric what Phil's intetion in playing that song was.
He blew Bobby away that day, but not in a malicious way.
What Phil said to me that day was- "I've got the magic, stay on tour."
And that's exactly what I did.

bobby: "whoa, oh, what I want to know
how does the song go?"
...sheer telepathy...
thanks phil & bob!!! we love you!!