See you all there !

These shows are a gift, just as the spring tour was. I missed Fri but saw last night and had the top of my head blown off. After hundreds of shows over four decades, I have to say this is as good as anything I've seen, whether it be the good ol Grateful Dead, the Kimock era Other Ones, or the Haynes/Herring PLQ. Simply breathtaking. Dare I say a Tour de Force review of the GD catalog of fine tunage?

I am humbled and truly grateful to be able to watch Bob and Phil play with such incredible skill and finesse. And I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the "new kids" for some mind-bending musical performances. Thanks fellas!

tonight...DS,UJB,Sugar....looking for JK to take a ballad...comes a time...indeed.

They should include Tom Constanten. For these shows, they have a guy playing lead guitar who makes a living mimicking Jerry Garcia. The set lists so far have been just a "Best of Grateful Dead".

"Furthur" is a misnomer in more ways than one. If I were them, I would give TC a shot and see what happens.

But, hey, it's only Rock and Roll. Have fun everybody!!

we're headin back in for more...
i say oh god damn

these still out there?:

trukin/ dancin/ casey ?
wharf rat
sugar mag
morn dew
cassidy
samason
deal
loser
bigg rr blooze
sugaree
mexicali
speedway
minglewood
tenn jed

box o rain

>>>The set lists so far have been just a "Best of Grateful Dead".<<<

That's one perspective...or you can think of them as a possible warm-up to something greater, so they're sharing some rehearsal time with us all. Then again, what would a setlist look like that wouldn't be a "best of"? Or is this little to do with the songs played?

One hour until showtime.

>>Then again, what would a setlist look like that wouldn't be a "best of"? Or is this little to do with the songs played?

It's cool. It's not unexpected and I have no doubt this is a try out for JK to join The Dead. That's fine with me. I just like a little variety. I liked what Phil was doing -- playing obscure GD stuff and covers and other people's music. But if the goal is to recreate The Grateful Dead as closely as possible then Further is a move in the right direction. Just not what I would personally want to see. It's not about me so Godspeed everyone!!

definately samson tonight. Dark Star, ujb... but it doesn't matter what songs are played. It's how they are played. And from listening to even the muffled streams from the last two nights, I can tell there is a lot of energy on stage. JK can bring it!

samson opener?

>>>I liked what Phil was doing -- playing obscure GD stuff and covers and other people's music.<<,

Phil played covers AND other peoples music?

aren't the Grateful Dead the best cover band of them all?

Those are my 2 favorite songs - Covers, and Other Peoples Music. I don't think Phil wrote them though.

Samson
Casey Jones
Mississippi Half Step

Live Stream (warning, quality = poor)

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/grateful-forums-live

Better than nothin'

Samson
Casey Jones
Mississippi Half Step
Sugaree

Huge 1/2 Step.
Huger jam out of Cucamonga>
Throwing Stones....

Further
Oakland, CA
2009-09-20

Set 1:
Samson & Delilah,
Casey Jones,
Mississippi Half-Step > Sugaree,
Pride Of Cucamonga > Jam > Throwing Stones > Passenger

Stream is down, hopefully he'll come back after set break

Stream is back up! Sounds like Viola Lee Blues

Viola > Cumberland > Viola
Cassidy>jam> Dark Star!

Hi all I missed most of the first set again on this 3 night run but 2nd set was on complete fire again and I think my set list report is missing some songs. Anyway, this was a great freakin run of shows and thank you Phil and Jill, Bobby, and Jeff, and all the other cast of characters like Robbie Taylor for example that work there asses off on a weekend like this to bring the music and love again down home which is quite sweet. That is a run on sentence.

Set I:

Samson and Deliah
?
?
?
Throwin Stones
Passenger

Set II:
Viola Lee Blues
Cassidy
Viola Lee Reprise
Phil Song New?
Jam
Uncle Johns Band
Sunshine Daydream

The stream gave out in the middle of Dark Star. But up to then, this is what I heard:


Further
Oakland, CA
2009-09-20

Set 1:
Samson & Delilah,
Casey Jones,
Mississippi Half-Step > Sugaree,
Pride Of Cucamonga > Jam > Throwing Stones > Passenger

Set 2:
Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues > Viola Lee Blues
King Solomon's Marbles
Cassidy > Jam > Dark Star


Sounds like we might have gotten a Sugar Mag/Sunshine and a Uncle John's Band after the stream ended?

Further
Oakland, CA
2009-09-20

Set 1:
Samson & Delilah,
Casey Jones
Mississippi Half-Step >
Sugaree
Pride Of Cucamonga >
Jam >
Throwing Stones >
Passenger

Set 2: where was Sugar Magnolia? since just don't remeber?
Viola Lee Blues >
Cumberland Blues >
Viola Lee Blues
King Solomon's Marbles
Cassidy >
Jam >
Dark Star
(New Phil Song?)
Jam
Uncle Johns Band
Sunshine Daydream

just got home. big time fun!!!!

Further
Oakland, CA
2009-09-20

Set 1:
Samson & Delilah,
Casey Jones
Mississippi Half-Step >
Sugaree
Pride Of Cucamonga >
Jam >
Throwing Stones >
Passenger

Set 2: where was Sugar Magnolia? since just don't remeber?
Viola Lee Blues >
Cumberland Blues >
Viola Lee Blues
King Solomon's Marbles
Cassidy >
Jam >
Dark Star
(New Phil Song?)
Dark Star
Uncle Johns Band
Sugar Magnolia

E:Cosmic Charlie!

Why do I think King Solomon's Marbles is called Stronger Than Dirt Or Milking The Turkey?

>>Why do I think King Solomon's Marbles is called Stronger Than Dirt Or Milking The Turkey?




from the GD Lyric & Song Finder:




King Solomon's Marbles
(Stronger Than Dirt/Milkin' The Turkey)
Lyrics: [none]
Music: Lesh, Hart, Kreutzmann

This is an instrumental on the "Blues For Allah" album. There are inconsistencies over titles and authorship of the various components.

The original "Blues For Allah" LP listed two tracks:

- King Solomon's Marbles (Lesh)
- Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' The Turkey (Hart, Kreutzmann, Lesh)

The CD of "Blues For Allah" lists the tracks differently:

- King Solomon's Marbles
- Part 1: Stronger Than Dirt
- Part 2: Milkin' The Turkey

(the CD doesn't say who wrote the music, though the "Grateful Dead Anthology II" songbook lists both Part 1 and Part 2 as by "Lesh-Hart-Kreutzmann")

The "One From The Vault" CD just lists

- King Solomon's Marbles (Lesh)

(what is played is the full suite as on "Blues For Allah")

It seems simplest to regard it as one suite. But the components listed on the CD don't match up to what is played. "Stronger Than Dirt" is a quote from an old Ajax commercial, and the musical quote comes at the beginning of the second sub-track (as on the LP). I guess it really doesn't matter too much

Hank Harrison's "The Dead Book" reproduces a "handwriting sample" from Phil Lesh dating from 1962. It includes the words "Stronger Than Dirt" (in block capitals). The notes in the book say this "was an allusion to an Ajax scouring powder commercial of the day. Phil has mentioned that he often heard classical riffs in commercials and this is probably one of them."

Welcome To The Dance is what the ratdoggers are reporting the new song to be

Isn't that a Garth Brooks tune?

This show was great. Everyone seemed like they were having fun. Man, the drummers rocked like crazy. Those guys are perfect. Light show the last day was the best, the friday night show had some nice color washes, but the special projected stuff looked more like trip effects by someone who never took a trip (friday), but by sunday were nice. Sound got better on sunday too. Looked like the place had a sound system in place and so to expect a full Healy-esque deal would perhaps be too much. I went to the show with someone who screamed "Play passenger bobby" from the floor a couple songs before they closed the first set with it. PASSENGER! kicked ass. I'm gonna stick with the thought that bobby did her a favor. I totally didn't get that "bobby is hogging jerry's songs" thing some have said. Bobby may call the plays a bit, but I reallyreallyreally don't ever see it a selfish thing and kind feel crappy that he has to take the heat for being a creative artist, but i guess you he doesn't worry the jury and lets them take care of themselves. still, it's gotta get old. i fell in love with him again last night if you can't tell. I could see and hear him well and loved loved loved watching him play. the guy is so gracious. fyi-i think the band loves him too and doesn't just work for him, so that should might tell you something. DRUMMERS!
one thing about jeff is that he was WAY over to the side with the grand and i totally didn't see him a bunch as it was too easy to focus on the other side of the stage that had everyone else. he needs to be moved in closer so that you can see him better at the same time as the others. are we getting a NYE show?

Thanks for the info Taperrob.

I don't lose a bet now, but I don't win either.

Like kissing your sister.

Another stong performance last night from the guys. I was fortunate to attend all three shows and I have also listened to the recordings of each show all the way through. Sundays show featured lots of cool exploratory jamming throughout the whole 2nd set. The Viola/Cumber sandwich was great, KSM was a nice way to explore some classic GD w/o worring about a vocal assignment. Cassidy featured a long at times spacey jam that John took to a very "let it grow" type build up before bringing it back around for Bobby to finish. DS was solid, I'll admit I probably miss JG the most when this tune is played. Phil's tune (playing on the stereo as I write this) was a very nice uplifting song, quite enjoyable. Some more DS/jamming then the expected UJB which had Bob & John once again sharing vocal duties and really got the crowd excited, great version. Wind down UJB and Bobby gives the opening bars of Suger Mag and I sensed a little bit of the crowd maybe wanting something other than this but not me as I have always loved this tune. Another solid delivery from Bob who I have to say for a guy who ain't getting any younger he was rock solid all weekend and having JK next to him is obviously a huge help. With Haynes to his left you got the feeling Bobby was kinda on his own and failures were unstoppable but with John theres a sense of confidence/brotherhood between them that says were gonna get there and were gonna get there together and they did. Back to the Sugar...John totally ripped up the solo taking it higher, higher and yet higher. I saw Phil look over with a grin as if to say "you got it now kid" and the house was a full on dance party at this point. After the SSDD raps up Phil appears to do the DR and thanks us for 45 years of support, wow has it been that long? The band returns for a nice trippy comic charlie encore and it fit quite nicely, no complaints at all. I was kinda hoping for a brokedown palace but if you review the lists Garcia ballads are noteably absent from this weekend and I'm guessing thats not by chance, some things take time. And so there it was, an incredibly satisfying three day journey through the bands strongest material. I'm not sure anyone could've scripted it any better. At the end of the show the band gave each other high fives all around then assembled into a tight huddle with Phil seemingly giving a victory speech. This huddle/group hug then started to bop up and down with exuberance. It was fun to watch and I think it bodes very well for this version of Grateful Dead to make future appearances.

"the expected UJB which had Bob & John once again sharing vocal duties"

John did not sing UJB except for about 10 seconds. It was Bob, Phil and Jay singing the 3 part "harmony". Very disappointing and kind of ruined UJB for me.

Only got to see Sundays show as I got back from Singapore on Saturday. What a treat it was!

The song selection for the three nights was 100% GD material without any covers ala Warren. They were definately exploring the catalog and seemingly staying in the area JK was most comfortable. There was no real comparison to the two Shoreline Dead shows, either in terms of energy or execution.

JK was right on target, but I sensed he was still holding back. The support from the crowd was full throated and to me, unexpected. I certainly walked away happier than I expected. Russo was the highlight for me. His energy and groove were the magic in the shows and he knew the material perfectly. Does anyone know if he has always been a fan? For my money, I'd take him over Billy and Mickey any day. Like others, I fell back in love with Bobby's playing. It appears that he needs the space that JG or JK provides.

The jams were inspiring, especially Pride, Cassidy and KSM. The KSM was so tight it could have been King Crimson, something like Discipline. My wife looked at me during the beginning of Pride and said these guys don't jam...it only took five minutes to change her thinking!

A totally enjoyable evening and hopefully continued for a good while.

Just an incredible sweet show last night....after
following these boys for forty+ years...I still enjoy the Golden Roll of the Grateful Dead music.
and I really dug the light show too...like Dug said a really clorful wash by sunday..(I thought it was the acid at first *drop*). And the community all very alive and fun.
Sea Ya NYE

>>>>>But if the goal is to recreate The Grateful Dead as closely as possible then Further is a move in the right direction.


Grady, I think you're wrong.

Yes the setlists may have been a kind of "best of" but who doesn't want to see the A material.

Also Phil wrote a new song to play with this band.

And at the end of Unbroken Chain after the vocal la da la da laaa da da part they played a instrumental jam that I wonder if Phil has worked up to add on to the end of the tune.

Good band playing my favorite songs


I don't see how you can think that they're recreating The Grateful Dead as closely as possible.

The Grateful dead didn't play setlists that that many grade A big songs in them

My first show was 10/20/78 Winterland at age 16, and Sunday's show at age 47 was one of my finest concerts of all time! Thanks you guys, we love you, I love you, and I eeded that last night,your music makes my life complete, thanks for Viola Lee Blues and Cosmic Charlie and everything inbetween, love BruceEdwardWeber(eddieboy)!

Another great show.. Cassidy was the highlight for me... during Cassidy's jam was the first time in a long time I have heard a GD oriented crowd reach near silence during a concert

Where have all the reviews gone?? Is this it for Further Night #3, or is everyone just toast from a great weekend?!

I thought this was a really fun 3 nights, and I must admit I came into this with more than a drop of skepticism about the choice of Kadlecik as the (sole) lead guitarist. While there are others who've played with Phil (w/ or w/o Bobby) in the past who I'd prefer in this role, this guy kind of won me over this weekend. I'm still not quite certain what this guy's personal style is beyond that of someone who can play Jerry extremely well, but he seemed to show up bigger each night during the run, and I can't say I wasn't pretty impressed by the end of Sunday's show.

Clearly, the first night he was a bit overwhelmed by the moment (not to mention way too low in the mix, esp. in the first set), but he really seemed to bring it more each night. Despite his obvious skill at mimicking Jerry's tones and his riffs, it seemed that he was able to find a bit more of his own voice as the shows progressed. I definitely heard some riffs along the way that Jerry probably wouldn't have played himself (thank God for that!!). And as for his singing, while I'm really not a DSO fan (and didn't particularly care what he sang coming into this), I thought his voice sounded better and more fitting each night (and he seemed to sing more each night). Yeah, he sounds a good deal like Jerry, but without sounding too much like Jerry - not too shabby.

Still, Phil and Bobby were generally rock solid for these shows (excusing a couple - more? - gaffes by Bob on Sat. night - particularly in Estimated - but what else is new?) and it really seemed they drove the bus together on this effort. As others have mentioned, I was really impressed with Russo by the end of this run. Didn't know squat about him before these shows (though I think I've seen him once or twice before), but I think he really showed up big time. I also think Chimenti's a good fit for the Phil/Bobby projects as his sound is probably the most full and complementary of the recent keyboard players in Phil's bands (though I do love Barraco for what he brought for such a good, long time). Jeff had some nice solos throughout the 3 nights, and one in particular from last night (I think) that escapes me now. As for Jay Lane, well...not exactly sure what he brings to the mix - he's kind of the Mickey in this lineup. I think I found his standing drumming thing a little distracting.

As for last night's performance in particular, you know you're in for a good night when the Casey Jones is kickass -- not generally a highlight song for me. These guys came out smoking last night, and pretty much kept it up throughout. I particularly liked the kind of slow take on King Solomon's Marbles - really had nice chunky groove to it that worked just fine. I always love me a good Viola sandwich to start a 2nd set (or 1st), and that was one I'd hoped (and expected) to hear last night (ditto Dark Star).

I'd like to give a better song-by-song review of Sunday's show, and the previous nights, but it's all too blurry still. To sum it up, it was 3 nights of excellent songs played with competence, confidence, and major injections of inspiration.

Looking forward to future Further encounters...

I concur with most of CrypticAlex's points - but I have to say that having put aside my own skepticism - having all the key riffs and licks back in place makes me feel like OUR GRATEFUL DEAD music is finally back after 14 long years.

The other thing that comes to mind is that many different aspects about Garcia made him so likeable - his touch, tone, use of effects, song writing, singing, intense skill level, his smile and many other things drove his cult following and mass attraction.

John Kadlecik in emulating Garcia's mechanics, tone, riffs, technique, singing style and mechanics really goes a long way (on the technical side) of getting close to the magic that was Garcia. But the real point I am trying to make is that Kadlecik has a positive onstage vibe... he rocks, he does put some of his own mind into his improvisations and his beaming, thoughtful, smiling presence is extremely likeable (to me - YMMV).

I was definitely taken Further and after 3 nights of this, I can't get enough.

-(Grateful) Ted

I thought the showz were great...being a phil head, I miss hearing the bobby tunez. I thought the showz were well executed and if I was to compare this run against the Dead09 tour. My vote would be for furthur. I really liked the Jay Lane & Joe Russo combo. I found the rhythum section to be more interesting and a tighter pocket.

There seemed to be quite a bit of passion on stage at these shows which was great.

I love the Fox and the staff are so very relaxed and very very nice to the audience.

Ted,

Great point about Kadlecik also bringing a positive, beaming vibe. I found him more and more likeable throughout the run. Granted, I'm not going to be running out to see DSO now (well, unless I'm expecting a Phil or Bobby sit-in), but I definitely have a better appreciation of their lead guitarist.

Oh, and the Fox is the best indoor venue I've attended in a long, long time. Really well designed, comfortable and totally relaxed. Air conditioning vents every few feet on the floor - actually feeling cool and comfortable on a hot day in a crowded indoor venue!! How amazingly cool that you can enter the place through the bar on the corner w/o hardly being searched (actually, not at all). Major kudos to the refurbish job and the management.

Dont have much to add from my friday review, really fun, high energy shows. Really like the drummers. Phil and Bob are playing great. Jeff and John do a fine job. The Fox was absolutely incredible, beautiful venue,great staff, a real treat, not to mention lots of parking.

I hope they expand the repertoire more and bring back some of the classic Dylan songs but other then that an almost perfect weekend.

lets do it again soon.

All you folks said it already, just an absolute blissful weekend in Oakland. Great songs & musicians all around, not to mention a stellar venue. Looking forward to another Furthur trip!

DSO in Baltimore for NYE....hmmmm

MTC -- Isn't that a Garth Brooks tune?

Shot me for knowing this...

Its called The Dance

Good review Conductor Todd V., and thanks for the heads up about DSO in Baltimore on NYE. I live in Chico, California, so NYE last year in SF was very cool, especially the Phil and Friends portion, and I also really enjoyed Jackies band opening! I was kind of tired by New Years, and there seemed to be too many people on stage, but anyway maybe it will happen again this year, but SF is so damn expensive, and most hotels have a two night minimum. I might have to stay home this New Years but if that same band that played The Fox in Oakland plays, I think I will have to reconsider, love Bruce!

Thanks Deacon Bruce, I agree, BruceEdwardWeber!