We all wish Phil and the Boys a big phat welcome to Connecticut. Glad to have you back !

Couldn't find this for awhile...this show is where I jump on and I CAN'T WAIT!!! 1 week and 1 day! WWOOOOOHOOOOOOO

same here man, lookin forward to some really kind shows! cant decide whether to go south with phil, or stay north with trey?

>cant decide whether to go south with phil, or stay north with trey?


this is a dilemma?

help me here

cryp>
you going to be in hartford?
let me know-

zen#29

I'll be there! Can't wait!!! 6 more days!!! whooooooohooooooooo!!!!!!

hey zen~not certain which ways the winds are blowin' ya to ct, but you're welcome to stop by here (1/2 hour or so east o' CapitalCity) for to *freshen up* before/after the show...

Trey...Schmey!!!
If you're gonna compare HIM to the incredible musicians...AND...musicianship you get when you see THIS incarnation of Phil and Friends...well...I can only shake my head in stunned disbelief!
Go with Phil...EVERYWHERE you can!!!

jill,
we are jumping in a rental in atlanta friday am and headin' up the highway. not too sure of the plans after that but as the blast-off date gets closer, i will let you know.
thanks so much for the offer and either way, i will be sportin the #29.

One simple way to decide between Phil and Trey is this...
Phil is 61...Trey is in his early-mid 30's.
I won't get into it any more than that. I've got my opinions, you've got yours.
Well, just a bit bit more into it since you sound genuinely uncertain...This band of Trey's is new and doesn't have a whole lot of songs, so his setlists so far have not varied a whole lot, meaning that if you see him up north a couple of times you probably won't miss much in the south...just pray they don't play gamehendge (but I think you can count on that)...

Anybody know of a campsite about a half hour south of Scranton, PA? I stayed in one last year with my girlfriend after Furthur and she thinks the name was Happy something or other...anyway, it's a great site with the typical horseshoe layout of sites but a decent amount of space between them...Really I just need *a* site. My buddy and I are riding up from Baltimore, MD Friday after work and we want a quick drive to party/sleep Friday night as well as an early rise 'n' shine time (due to sun on the tent syndrome!) Saturday to get a good taper spot! Some place 1/2 hour south or north of Scraton is best.
Thnx

Hello Everyone!! Does anyone know of any good campin' spots in CT~preferably headin' in the Saratoga Springs direction -- I'll have my kiddo w/me so any info would be great-- everything i've tried keeps comin up full! Thanks --Cant wait to see you all at the show!

what is the the cop/security scene at this place? fill me in if u can! thanx!

Its pretty mellow for the most part!!! I remember hanging out on the lot drinking beer w/no problem! In 97` there were drum circles and people groovin with no harrassment from police!!! So have a good time wish I was there!!!! :) :) :)

Are we lookin' forward to two sets of Phil or one? Things seem to point to two.

OPENER: ST. STEPHEN


THE COP SCENE AT MEADOWS IS THIS, IF YOU ARE DISCREET IN WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND YOU KEEP AN EYE OUT, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS.

Hey now
I"m new to this board and getting back in the show loop. Looking for 1 good Hartford ticket-will kick down well for a good seat. Anyone have one? Or think it'll be a problem to get one? Have tix been available outside other shows? Any info would be cool...

There is a cheap youth hostel in downtown hartford, but i know nada of camping, sorry!!!

any details on the hostel?

I'm PSYCHED! PHIL IN TWO DAYS!

Hostelling International (HI)
The Mark Twain Hostel
131 Tremont Street, near Farmington Avenue, Hartford
860-523-7255
$15.00 per night
Office hours: 8-10am and 5-10pm
BUT!! The important key is that ACCESS is 24 hours, a huge bonus!!!
They are also easily accessible by train & bus.
AND!!! They take credit cards...

YAY PHIL YAY PHIL YAY PHIL YAY PHIL YAY PHIL

btw~Tickets for hfd should be easily attainable...
&, yes, if you are cool & mellow, cops should not hassle you.

& I say he opens with Unbroken Chain

Hey Ines, I have been in CA for the last ten years and just moved back, last year at TOO in Hartford the cops seemed mellow, how is it at Meadows, is this place liek the Shoreline amph at all, I mean the garbage, the hill , the grass...?

What is the gate check like at Meadows...I have major concerns about my dankyness.

http://199.182.243.90/WebX?14@226.BMG0auI7jIo^54@.ee81fe9/110

Tapecat's review for Ohio

Zen, I am in my friend for MA, CT and SPAC

look for number 69!

what a year!

So is anybody gonna stay at that Hostel posted above?...me and a few buddies probably are...got a reservation anyway...this way we can bar hop in Hartford for a bit after the show maybe, crash, then take off for SPAC in the morning...hoping Weir gonna take that hostel over! Then get the partycaravan goin' the next day...

anybody know what time the show starts? Tickets say 4 but listing in paper is 7:30. Specifically, any idea when Ratdog will start? Thanks

Barhopping in Hartford??? Last year I was down there for some Phish gigs and was my assessment of Hartford. Stayed in Hart. for Fri/sat gig. First of all, no one lives in downtown Hartford, to one side it is ghetto, to the other it is rich suburbia. No pulse whatsoever. Liquor stores close at 8pm., state law. Bars, at the best 12, maybe a couple of dumps stay open to 1. Everything costs twice as much. The Meadows is right next to a HIGHWAY, literally, watch out crossing it, chances are you will have too. Then their is 100 ft drop, watching people trying to manuever up and down this hill is amusing, post show is downright scary. Meadows is big, it will be half full for Phil, who needs a crowd anyways?
Your best bet is to plit right after the show for toga. Plenty on campgrounds in western mass. Sorry to put down Hartford, the Dead shows from the Civic Center all rocked! But I think the pplace is a dump and wish this gig was somewhere else, LIKE HIGHGATE VERMONT!

Hartford is definitely not the hippest city, but has a handful of bars that would be cool in any city. check out: Standing Stone, Arch Street Tavern, Scarlet O'Hara's and Half Moon, to name a few.

Yeah, I have a reservation in western mass for that night, but I got the one at the hostel in case we don't feel like bolting immediately. I had a hotel last year at Phish and my girlfriend's car got the LIVING SHIT keyed out of it...I mean really, if it didn't piss us off so much it would have been a work of vandalous art, so I know it may suck. But hey, if we stay there (and a 5 minute cab/bus ride vs. 1hr & 1/2 car *drive*, the cab/bus may win) why not try some bars. We'll see...just seein' if anyone was gonna be around. Thanks for the bars, Dave.

Less than 48 hours : ) I saw PLQ twice in the spring, and they played Shakedown once (Pittsburgh), and when I read that they opened the whole tour with Shakedown, my body was practically shaking imagining what that first Am chord must have sounded and felt like. Since then the excitement has only increased as the day approaches...
My call: The first song with Bobby will be Mexicali Blues.
That's about it...I can't wait...Peace
John

>>>Hello Everyone!! Does anyone know of any good campin' spots in CT~preferably headin' in the
Saratoga Springs direction -- I'll have my kiddo w/me so any info would be great-- everything
i've tried keeps comin up full! Thanks --Cant wait to see you all at the show!

Lone Oak, Cannan or East Cannan on RT 44. It's about 5 miles from NY & 3 miles from Mass, right in the NW corner of CT. They have a website I think. It's probably 30-45 minutes from Hartford, but right on the way to Saratoga.

BTW- Truckin' to open for P&F.

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Phil Loves us!!!!
God...this is rediculous...can't it be
*SHOWTIME*
yet? Please?
OOOO...Help -> Slip -> Music Never -> Slip -> Franklins opener w/Bobby!
I hope...or something else good!
the Party starts tonight...see ya'll tomorrow!

There is a very cool bar called. The Russian Lady in Hartford, it is a classic. For years heads wou;ld hang there prior to a Civic center show. The Russian Lady is a cozy place and the people are cool. It is like a 8 iron from the civic center, but I have never been to Meadows so i don't know how far it is from there, probably no more than a ten minute car ride from meadows.

Hey, One More Saturday Night...a gorgeous sun-drenched day in the Barn..the boys back in my backyard...a quick drive home. Nice to have the scene back in The Insurance City. China Cat>Rider>He's Gone>Cold Rain & Snow W/Bobby...Please? Slip>Help>Slip>Franklin's in the 2nd. Oh well, who cares ..smile smile smile :-)

does anyone know the schedule for tomorrow? I may need to miss the Biscuits and don't want to miss a second of Bobby or Phil.

Thanx

Gates at 2pm show at 4:30

I will venture to say that Ratdog will hit the stage around 6pm
Phil and Friends at 7:45-8:00
See you there!!!!

Meadows website says 4:00

Ratdog has been starting between 4:30 and 4:45. I think there may be a side stage for the other opener.

If Ratdog has been going on at 4:30 to 5:00 What time has Mr Lesh been starting ??

I may have to tweak my whole schedule... Hmmmmm

Does that mean the other opener is playing between Bob and Phil while they redo the stage setup?

I finally just figured out to call and check, 4-5 Dico Biscuits, 5:30 - 7:30 Ratdog, 8-9:30 Phil, then 1/2 hr break, then 10-12 2nd set of Phil!!!

So many hours, such a big smile!!!

thanx for the responses.

That's exactly what GDTS told me 2 months ago. Ratdog at 5:30. I'm going in at 5:15.

Brendan and everyone else,

As far as the gate check is concerned at the Meadows it has always been a quick pat down focusing primarily on two front pockets and cargo pockets if any. I get the feeling they are looking more for weapons and shit more than anything.

Hope this helps you out.

-The Dük

./` ./`
I’m off to see the wizards, the wonderful wiz’dry of Bob
And Phil and Rob and Rob and John
And Warren and Jimmy, I’m GONE!
And Jay and Jay and Kenny and Mark
On a grand ol’ journey I now embark!
Have fun have fun have fun have fun have FUN!
With all of the wonderful jams that get spun!
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doot De Doot
I’m off to see the wizards, the wonderful wiz’dry of ALL!
./` ./`

Have great shows everybody! I’ll report back on Monday…

entry: some pat quickly, others reach in pockets at gate of hartford...this i have seen...got a feeling this is gonna be a good one, like makeup sex after last years so-so hot and cold show in heartford..

Hi all,

just came back from the Great Woods/
Tweeter show and it was a nice evening on
the whole and great soul satisfying stuff, wish
I was able to see them again this tour. A few
quick things:

for anyone interested, there are several keen
show reviews on the Great Woods show on
that part of the site.

Bobby came on at 430 and played til 630, then
Phil was from 710 til 11 p.m. If Hartford
Meadows has a later curfew, as appears from
a post above, then it makes sense that Bobby
and Phil would each start their sets later.

It also felt great to be back out in a Dead lot
again, and you may wish to keep that in mind
when deciding your day - arriving early so you
can get outside time in, And see Bobby
onward is a plus.

It's supposed to be sunny and warm at least
in Boston area, so you may wish to bring that
sunscreen so you wake up the next week in
comfort/style. Also, most places will let you
carry an empty plastic water bottle or jug in
with you to fill up inside.

Have a delightful voyage and time. I enjoyed
the heck out of all parts of night with the crowd
and the tunes.

grateful.

Hey, I am sitting here at work looking over the setlists and reviews from Great Woods, and all I can think is how much easier the net has made it for staying plugged in. I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts here the last 2 weeks or so, the level of discourse, the true spirit of kinship that this whole thing should be about. I look forward to a killer show tonight, and being back in a groove with 15,000 or so of the nicest people on earth. All I wanna do is smile, smile, smile. Peace.

On may way out the door and cannot wait. Get to hook up with Philzoners and my half brother and sister who are 20 years my junior. How cool, didn't even know they would be there. Thank you Phil, you bring good things to life. For you in the chat, trying to get surprise together. StellaB.... missing you greatly.

I heard Phil himself might be in the chat room tonight during setbreak, can anyone confirm or deny this rumour?

Also I heard the live chattie will be in effect at the show tonight from inside the venue!!! I can't wait!

Yeah- I'll be logged in as "Phil" for a while- check it out :)

Set 1 - Jam>Cosmic Charlie|*Rainy
Day Woman tease/jam
(short)>*Truckin'>*Jam>*Cassidy|Beautifully
Broken>King Sol.
Marbels>Stronger than Dirt|Doin' that Rag
*w/Bobby
Set 2 - Jam>Dear Mr. Fantasy

So far- from Tapecat & Lady TC- Thanks :)

Had to leave after set 1 (tired 10 year old daughter's first show) - suffice it to say, being a Philhead, Ratdog was better than I expected, hats off to Bob and Band - they played an excellent two hour set including hot versions of Shakedown, Rider, Looks Like Rain, numerous others. Two Djinn would have been interesting as a Dead song. Wasserman is the goods. Quality stuff.

Highlight of 1st set was the Truckin' into Cassidy with Bob - they are clearly jelling now, numerous interesting jams - a number of people in the audience commented that they are playing better with each show. It's great to see - the future of Phil's band may just merge with what Bobby's doing - interesting to consider.

Great to see King Solomon's Marbles, and played so well. Who'd have ever thought.

Someone else will have to do the honors on set numero dos.

My God, a blazing hot Dear Mr. Fantasy into St Stephens > Eyes...had to leave with a sleepy wife :-( someone else will have to carry on...

Set 2

Jam>Dear Mr. Fantasy>Jam>St. Stephen>Eyes>St. Stephens>Eyes>St. Stephen>HElp>Slipnot>The 11>Slipnot>Franklins - Encore: Built to Last

the dog smoked tonight and to top it off Phil and the allmond bros blew the roof off the meadows.I loved it.

Ridiculous...what a show...I thought the first set was average to pretty good. Nothing spectacular. I thought King Solomon's Marbles was the highlight. A question on the first set...Is that the regular way Beautifully Broken starts? I guess if it were a Casey Jones tease, it would be up on the setlist. The second set opened with a fast paced jam which worked its way into Dear Mr. Fantasy. Right out of that into a great St Stephen. The crowd was really into it at this point, which made it even better. Awesome stuff. Early on in the set I was afraid Warren's guitar might be too loud for Jimmy's, but once the set was rolling, the balance in volume and playing was excellent. Right into Help on the Way, from which I remember Rob's solo as the high point. Slipknot was great, and as soon as Phil started hitting the notes for The Eleven, I thought I was in heaven. I didn't let myself go into the stratosphere though until they actually changed tempo. Warren and Jimmy were awesome here. Back into an intense ending of Slipknot (great fills by John Molo) and then Franklin's Tower. Again the crowd was crazy, dancing, singing. Phil mentioned the crowd after the show, I'm not sure if it was 'cause he's a nice guy, or 'cause the crowd really was great from the band's perspective. From the point where Phil sang "listen to the music play" I felt my body taken over, basically, by everything and just moving to the music with no other thoughts at all. Beautiful. A nice quiet Built to Last ended it, almost with a feeling of disappointment that the show would have such a soft, gentle ending. But it's all part of the surprises. And no matter what they played I would have been disappointed that this show ever had to end. Phil's bass was flying, pounding, for the whole show, especially the 2nd set. Enjoy the rest of the tour.

I cannot even begin to describe this show to those of you who were not there. Firstly, though, I feel sorry for you if you thought the first set was AVERAGE. Not on my planet. As you all know, I don't think this band can do any wrong, but this was a kick ass show from the opening jam to the final note. I have just driven 155 miles, and am still wired. The entire show was a highlight. So great to have them back on the East Coast. The energy is apopoleptic!

I got to be at the show with my best friend, one of my sisters and my brother, a good friend, and a new friend. It doesn't get better than that.

If I can find words I may be able to write a more coherent review, but for now, awesome lights, really nice Bobby set, and straight out rock and roll. Beautifully Broken is stunning. Stronger Than Dirt, is just that, the vocals on Eyes blew me away. Phil can sing to me anytime. The guitar Gods did their thing, Rob kicked ass, and Molo, is perfect at what he does.

Brian Farmer, you are an awesome dude, and Caroline and I had a blast talking with you. You got a huge amount of your wish list completed tonight. I am with you, GTBT at Jones Beach, as it is only fitting that the song begin and end in NEW YORK.

Good night/morning everyone. See you at Jones Beach.

No time tonight for last night's play by play... but they surpassed themselves! Ratdog was flat out great, and I never thought I'd be saying that. The Quintet was ragin'!!!! King Solomon's Marbles!!!
What's goin' on!!! The Truckin->jam->cassidy
was heaven, it gelled so much more than the
previous night's collaboration. The magic
was in the house tonight!!!!!

Hartford venue SUCKS the vomit off of my sandals though... LONG LONG lines to get any beverages of any type, and where I looked they sold out of water... the guy at the counter was flat out rude to me and I almost had to grab him to order a ridiculously over-priced coke. And long lines for water-fountains/bathroom sinks which just had the most awful water you could imagine... tasted like a super-fund site. Also, hard to get
out of the lot by the venue due to the throngs
of people. Use some of those cops who were just sittin around staring us down during the exit or rolling around the lot with their sirens on to do some traffic enforcement!!! The venue itself was actually nice. The management should be hauled off and shot for being greedy idiots. $5 cokes and $7
beers with surly service and no water!

But anyway, sorry for the rant there... The quintet made the suffering worthwhile. The second set was completely insane. If I had more money and stamina and less of a life I would see every show on the rest of this tour.

Alas this is my last one of the tour as plans stand... going to catch SCI in boston tonight with the mom, then back to the west coast!

And kudos to all for making these review boards a cool place to discuss the music rather than just another venue for stupid wanking!

-Harry

p.s. who taped the kind tapes? I have mucho
phil and 1000s of hrs of digi-music of all sorts
and do the ftp thingy.

Dewit, glad to hear the show rocked. TC said it was absolutely smokin'. Rob's keyboards just blew him away in King Sol. Marbles. TC dissappointed that he did not meet you. If you are going tonight, go and see him. You know where he will be.

Anyway, we'll be talking (or typin')

opinions, I realise, are like....but i am definitly of the opinion that phil lesh and his band are on another level. being a veteran of a couple hundred dead and jerry band shows, and countless other concerts, jam band(TONS OF PHISH) and others(everything,stones whoo cure rem my bloody valentine etc.), i would say that what phil is doing is different, and to my musical pallete, way better than what wier is doing. but bob weir deserves respect because he is bob. as far as comparisons to the dead, there really is not one, because phils ensemble embraces a jazz born dissonace that I rarely heard the dead do, and the rootsier jamming is not as present with phils group as it was with the boys. i thought as far as musicianship is concerned, phils group has few peers, and on there best day, the dead could play on the same court but....
the dead is the dead, and culturally and musically there is and never wil be anything like them.if your aware of neil cassidy and ken kesey and jack kerouac and the dead, then you probally have had enough experience to know the fat man rocked.
that being said, I really find it hard to fathom how a band like string cheese could be considered, to put this mildly, good.How they got LES Claypool to open up for them is way beyound me. they were at best a decent phish/dead cover band. and my definition of jamming is not vamping on the same groove for two hours. the fearless flying frog brigade was by far, with the exception of phils ensemle, the best live band i have seen in a couple of years, and not one of you has given them even a nod for being, well that.....but as far as i can see or hear, string cheese was the least accomplished band I have ever seen attempt to do improvisation. we were thinking that it is music for the recreationally challenged. LETS HEAR IT FOR LES.

whew! did anyone else catch the jam moment in the 1st set when Phil was playing triple time and Warren laid a very fast Norweigen Wood riff over that? damn that was cool..more later...onward to SPAC!!

For some reason Ratdog's sound is not nearly as loud and full as Phil's despite using the same sound system. I wonder what Bobby must've felt when he was playing the Truckin>Cassidy with P & F. The energy was so much more intense than anything Ratdog generate. Next Summer : Crusader Rabbit (?) anybody else agree? I bet Bobby wouldn't mind.

All one can say is thank you P&F for bringing the magic back. I to enjoyed the Ratdog set, but pardon me for saying that something is missing. And I am not a Bobby basher. I am fan of all the boys. As far as Bob in P&F on regular basis, thank you but no thanks. Let them do their own things. Phil has become a greater leader of this band, he is truly enjoying this gig.

What can a say about the show, but it was AWESOME!! The second set smoked from beginning to end. Could not ask for anything more.

see you at Jones Beach.

This show gets an A+

First, Ratdog: They rock! But I agree, a little less intense. Songs are sung and then over. C'mon- Sat Night>scarlet>Aiko>china>rider! Yeeehaaaw! I thought Ratdog was great, clearly an opening act, but nice and jazz for a sweltering 90 degree heat.

P&F:

These guys blew me away last night!

One correction: It was st.stephen>eyes>st. stephen then HSF.

No words do justice to how rockin this show was. Hightlights were St. Stephen, Eyes and the Casisdy with Bob was seriously on fire. Oh, I had seventh row in the pavillion- thanks Dan!

See ya all at Camden!

I skipped the Ratdog set to see Warren get interviewed by local radio. We waited for like 3 hours only to find out that Warren had changed his mind. Is this guy normally like this. He seems to have forgotten who is buying those discs and tickets. The DJ finally convinced him that since he had committed and they had been announcing it all afternoon he probably should come out. He did finally come out for about 1 minute but it definitely put a damper on my evening. Thanks Warren.

Of course, it's hard to stay mad...he was smoking on stage as usual. What a great second set and I have my ticket stub signed by Rob. Guess he's still grounded. I only missed Ratdog anyway.

that show was fuking awsome. that's all there is to it.

Yeah, that show was a ripper alright. Great Woods was good too, but not like last night. And the "Greatest Hits" setlist in the second set didn't hurt. We got the kitchen sink in that set.

Don

Well, I really don't know what to say about last nights music. It was some of the best music I've ever heard in my life. The only thing that seemed to be a little sleepy to me was "Truckin" but everything else was just fantastic. It was my first time ever hearing Beautifully Broken and what a great song,Warren you never cease to amaze me with your unbelievable talents. I loved "King Solomons" > Stronger than Dirt",and to me the "Rag" was the best I've ever heard. Rob sang this one so well, he always does but there was something different about last night, I can't really explain it. Then of course Warrens outro solo was incredible.
The second set was the best set of music I've ever experienced in my life. "Mr.Fantasy" rocked, awesome guitar dueling from Jimmy and Warren and some serious Organ playing from Rob. Rob was so fired up for this entire set, he couldn't sit still, jumping up and down on his bench, man that guy is awesome. Stephen was great, and each jam in Eyes was absolutely beautiful, each memember continued to challenge each other with new ideas and melodies all night and it was very inspiring to watch. Basically I could go on and on about this show but whatever I say will not do it justice.

Bottom line, it was one of the best times I've ever had in my life. Lisa, it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you sometime soon in the near future.Thanks so much Phil and the band, everytime I leave these shows I'm so inspired and moved by the heart and the soul you guys give to us up there every night. It was the most energy I've ever felt and for most of the set my mouth was wide open, I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Truly a fantastic experience for me. Great to have you guys back on the East Coast!

It's 1:47PM Sunday afternoon, July 22.
I'm STILL shaking my head in STUNNED DISBELIEF!!!
Those guys are INCREDIBLE!
How the hell lucky are WE...that Phil can present this music like THIS?!
WooooooooooHooooooooooo...that was AWESOME!
Every second, every note...what can be said?
If you were there last night...you KNOW!!!
If you weren't...that's a shame.
And..it WAS a PLEASURE meeting most of YOU guys here on the philzone...see, we TOLD ya that Bucky and I weren't the same guy!
By the way...where IS Bucky's review?
My guess is, he's still eatin' 6 FOOT sausages at the Kimberley Diner in Milford!!!!
And...kudos and credit to you..."muadib", for telling me that you believed we were not.
And, Cryptical...THIS is the year baby!!!!
JETS RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULE!!!!!!

On second perusal of what I wrote above...I need to make an ammendment.
It was a pleasure meeting ALL of you that I did meet...some, I missed, such as Jill, but Mrs. B, told me that she enjoyed meeting you.
And sjf...my friend Gary DID catch that "Norwegian Wood" moment in the 1st set...he pointed it out immediately.
I've got to give Gary credit...he's developing QUITE the discerning ear!!!

second set was sick sick SICK!

these guys don't play a bad show, but they've brought the playing to such a level that if a show isn't on fire, it's a little disapointing. that was the case at greatwoods (despite many highlights, the show as a whole did not gel). but hartford, especially the ENTIRE second set) was simply mindblowing.

I can't believe I'm not in saratoga right now. more later

Man,
I am so f-in' pumped for Camden. Reading these posts and the setlists and drawing from my own P&F experience have created a level of anticipation unlike i've felt in a long time (maybe ever). I look back of the years. I saw my first dead show in '89. A good year, but I didn't know anything about the music. As with any vast body of knowledge, it takes a few years to really understand. It wasn't until about '93 that I really got "it". By then, the quality of shows was becoming spotty. 94 and 95 are virtually embarrassing. SInce then I've seen rat dog about a dozen times. And I can sum it up by saying that if I were at a show with them opening, it'd be a hard choice between standing in the lot and going in to see these guys. I took my dad to see rat dog in philly last summer and his reaction was, "How come they don't play songs that the crowd can get into?" Man, if i NEVER hear bombs away again it'll be too soon. I can't really compare with what it must have been like to see jerry in the 70's (at any point) or most of the 80's, but i imagine the feeling was pretty similar. I agree with most, that P&F might be the most exciting musical experience I have had. At electric factory this spring, I was dancing my head off at 1:15 am. Unbelievable. Anyway, just want to get this off my chest. See ya in Camden.
D

Opinions are Opinions.

I had a great time at Hartford. i drove all the way from Jersey.(155 miles) Made it just in time to hear shakedown start when I was 50 feet from the venue.

You guys will think I am crazy but i enjoyed ratdog more than phil, at least last night. Mission, scarlet, saturday. All smokin. China rider played perrfectly. I used to have that "something missing" feeling about ratdog in 98 or so. But this years shows rock.

I thought the venue was great. No Security basically-you could do what you wanted on the lawn. Lines weren't long. Never felt hassled.

For me it was an average phil show and in my humble opinion not one of my favorite setlits.
I thought Doin that rag was the highlight.

Looking forward to camden and Pnc arts center.

I wish I could've seen both Phil in Hartford and Old And In The Way at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. When push came to shove, my heart was in seeing Old And In The Way. The show was fantastic. Seeing Doc Watson, Grisman and the Saturday night grande-finally, Old And In The Way. The band came on at about 11:45pm and played to 1:35am. 'Red' Peter Rowan's guitar work was great and his vocals haven't lost any range. 'Clemp' Vassar Clemmens was un-fuckin-believable on Fiddle and did a nice baritone part on a few songs that would've had 'Spud Boy' Garcia's higher range vocal. 'Dawg' Grisman was great on Mandolin, he does some nice basic vocals on songs like 'Old And In The Way'. The Bass player was capable and competent and Herb Peterson is a Banjo virtuoso, It's too bad no one had 'Spud Boy's' Jerry's higher end falsetto to complete the mix. Highlights included a great 'Wild Horses' (I tried to imagine Jerry's closing vocal "I'll Ride Them Someday" in the mix), a trippy Rowan vocal on 'Land of the Navaho', a nice 'White Dove' with mostly Rowan taking Garcia's part and fantastic looong jamming 'Midnight Moonlight' as a first encore. All in all, it was a once in a lifetime show.
Howard..

You're right Eric...you ARE crazy!

Man, I am still stunned over that 2nd set...we were sitting on Warren's side in 200, and when he started that "Allmany" jam at the beginning of Set 1, I really thought the guitar levels were WAY too hot. But it was the whole band amped really LOUD. How do they manage this level of sound when Ratdog is using the same equipment? Without a doubt Phil, Rob and Warren just were communicating on another level entirely..it reminded me of Jerry and Brent at their most telepathic. I truly enjoyed the Bobby balance in the first set, bringing a true rythm guitar into the mix, but the Warren and Jimmy solo trades were phenomenal. I can remember back in 85 and 85 when Phil was just so tentative, holding forth as an anchor and barely stepping up to take lead vocals. But this man and this band are on fire. We were given a true gift last night, from the Biscuits to Ratdog, to the transition into P&F, and then the white hot second set....amazing. Thanks all..

Well, quite a show indeed. A great day in the sunshine, although I got a bit burnt.

It was a real treat to get to meet so many of you, and get to put a real human being to the image we present on the board. Jill, Cryp, Bosphan, Muabid, Tapecat, even Brett Heissler (although I can't spell his name), & many others I can't think of offhand. Schnee is a girl. I just assumed Schnee was a guy; shows how chaovanistic I or we can be sometimes, especially on this male dominated board......

After the show I just sat there shaking my head in disbelief, seems to be alot of that going around lately.
I unfortunately have to go to work now & don't have any time to do a decent review. I'll do that later when I get out & post up to see what happened at SPAC.

I did catch that Norwegian Wood quote from Warren, forget where in the 1st set, but it was in a fast paced jam & stuck out because usually Warren does it in a slower, more 'noodly' jam.

Les Claypool is fun...but like Zappa and Phish he throws alot of the music away on some sort of clown act...sorry..but out of the blue this site(7/21/01) contained some bashing(SCI vs Claypool) and well, I disagree.

even tho it's not listed this way, i thought i heard the opening jam of set 2 as a caution jam. did anybody else hear this, or am i imagining it?

this was far and away the best P&F show i've seen. this group is really coming together. phil is absolutely on fire!

Ratdog:
We got in a bit late & Bob had just started. I met Jill, who recognized me by the Philzone shirt. I talked with her, her hubby & Muabid for a few minutes & asked if they were going in. Muabid told me that he'd seen Ratdog 3 straight shows & could afford to miss them. His opinion was that they never really kicked it into high gear until the last song.
I'm afraid to say that I agree 100% with that assesment. Yes, the musicians are fine. Wasserman is everything I had heard. His duet with the drummers was good. Mark Karan has a decidedly Jerry wah-wah sound (see Estimated). The sax player was good too. But....
Everytime I thought a jam was about to take off, like Shakedown & Scarlet, they brought it back & finished the song instead. No outside the song improvisation, not once. Every > you see on the list meant they stopped one song & started the next, no transition between songs whatsoever. Never did I feel that blown away eargasm that P&F (or any great band) gives me.
Mission in the Rain was a surprise, but no great shakes. Aiko was a bit better than the previous songs & done in the late 70's/early 80's arrangement that I much prefer over the late 80's/90's faster pace which basically sounded like Women Are Smarter with Aiko's lyrics. The song after the Bass/drums was good & extended a little longer.
China > Rider was the definite highlight.
China Cat had an organ sound just like the '67 album version. Even there, they basically stopped China Cat & started IKYR, no fluidity. The first couple of minutes of IKYR rocked, but then they brought it down & never seemed to regain the momentum. It was still well jammed & rockin' though.
All in all, Ratdog was good but never great. 'Safe' is the best word I could use to describe them. They never took any chances. As a lead off band, OK, but if I had paid money to see this, I would have been sorely dissapointed.

This show was killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


This was the 3rd time (out of the last five)(two in a row)that I've seen St.Stephen,Help,Slip,eleven,Slip,Franklin's....enough already with the Stephen and H>S>F...;^)...lol just kidding..phil you can play anything you want ,with this line-up anything you guys play will be outstanding....


the second set was clearly smokin,especially Mr. Fantasy,St.Stephen>eyes>St.Stephen>Help>Slip>11>franklins...the energy was so powerful during SS thatPhil even acknowlwdged it during his donor rap...I was quite suprised to see some people actually sleeping DURING!!!!!!!!! SAINT STEPHEN...

There were teases of caution,casey jones and the Norwegian wood riff..actually every show ive seen with warren he plays that riff...I called in the parking lot B4 the show began.


It was also nice to see Bucky at the show enjoying his new found fame with all of here on the phil zone I noticed him in his shirt with A HUGE!!!!!!!! 316 on the back,just to think it was only 4 short years ago he was shelling out pamphelts in the parking lots and almost refusing to go inside the Meadows and see the FutherFest(year 1 W/o Phil)!!!!!!!My how things change!!!!

Phil & Friends Set I:
After meeting the Philzone gang, we were a bit late again in getting back to our seats. I arrived & had a hard time focussing on the start. As I got to my seat, they started a jam that was upbeat & most definitely I Know You Rider-ish. I started flowing with the music just as the unmistakable sound of Cosmic Charlie was coming into place. They did a nice version, nice slide work by Warren, good opener.

Next out came Bob. I heard them tuning & told my wife it sounded like Cassidy. The girl next to me said "Don't even say that in jest". "Why you don't like Cassidy?" I replied. "No it's my favorite song". I told her I doubted they'd play it as it was done 2 shows before. The Truckin' was good, nice to hear this Dead staple after such a long time. I was wondering if they'd do that buildup like the Dead used to do after the lyrics end & sure enough, they did. Maybe not quite as tight or as high a peak as say 1981, but still real good. A nice jam followed & I was hoping for The Other One, but there was only a touch of it if that. They wound down to a quiet spot after about 5 minutes & then started up Cassidy. The girl next to me was quite pleased. It was a great version, with a long jam at the end. First spacey then an extended faster jam where I thought they might go into something else, but finished Cassidy instead. Bob then left. A nice segment all in all.

Next up was a new Warren song, Beautifully Broken. Your standard ballad, but some nice guitar work. This led into a jam which hinted at UJB, IKYR & GDTRFB. Maybe it was King Solomans Marbles. I don't know as it's been 20 years since I listened to a studio album. I did recognize Stronger than Dirt though. It was kinda jazzy, with the guitarists taking a step back most of the time & the keys, bass & drums stepping out more. It ended powerfully on a dime.

They ended up the set with a great Doin' That Rag which featured that wailing instrumental at the end. Great.
This set was about 1:15 & really left little to be desired. Very good song selection & playing. But we hadn't seen anything yet......

did anyone notice Warrens wing w/a SYF logo on his vest?

Phil & Friends Set II:
The set began with a fast paced jam that was indeed Caution. Some lightning quick leads in there. It did lack the classic train sound rythym part, so you decide if it was a Caution Jam or not. It lasted about 5 minutes & wandered into the lead-in to Dear Mr Fantasy. A funny thing happened at this point. One of the guitarists played the beginning of Dark Star. Not a tease or small jam, but the actual 'Baboom Baboom' part. Strange.

They went on to Dear Mr Fantasy, & we got a huge version (as always...). Rob on the organ was a nice change, & the guitarists treated us to fine interplay. At one point, Jimmy was playing these neat riffs, & Rob was wrapping organ blasts around them, very nice. The instrumental went on a long while & reached a big double-time cresendo.

They wandered out of DMF & I was sure I knew what was coming. I figured somebody had forgotten DMF & almost started Dark Star one song too early. I was dead wrong. Instead we got St. Stephen. Another great version & in the instrumental at the end, it was obvious that they were going to split St Stephen with another song. Turned out to be Eyes, a perfect compliment after all the intense jamming we'd had up to this point. A good, mellow version, a little slower than some of the earlier versions I've heard, but perfectly enjoyable. They came out of it & Phil led the band in a strong transition back into St Stephen, very smooth. The build-up at the end of St Stephen was intense, with some really peaking guitar playing, as it should be.

I was somewhat surprised when they started Help On The Way, it being only a couple shows since they last did it. No telling what Phil will do.....
This version was colossal. Rob stepped out in the instrumental during Help. Then they went crashing into Slipknot. I've never heard a Slipknot like this one. Usually, it's a more laid back noodly space jam (Which I love- don't get me wrong). This Slipknot, the band was just playing so hard, so driven, so intense, it was like they were posessed by the music itself. INCREDIBLE. By this time, Phil's bass was literally shaking the seats. They jammed on this hard edge for about 5 minutes or so, turned towards the lately obligatory song in the middle. You could hear The Eleven coming a mile away, then they turned, headed towards The Other One for a moment & back to The Eleven & played another great version of an all-time classic song most of us thought we'd never see 5 or 10 years ago. Great guitar work as always, then out of the Eleven, maybe a minute or 2 where I thought we might get a 2nd song before going back into Slipknot. Franklin's followed in all it's rocking glory. During each of the first 3 or 4 instrumentals there was a clear St Stephen quote.

The encore was Built to last. 'Nuff said there.

I can only say that it was extriordinary. Phil himself said the usual, we drew it out of them, but added that on this tour, "This is the best - So far."
Amen to that.

"As it should be"...
"As it MUST be"!!!!!

This show was one of the the hottest of the 7 I've seen so far. As Bucky put it "They were possessed." I wanted to puff a bowl during the second set but I couldn't stop dancing the whole time. Seriously. Couldn't stop for 5 minutes to pack one up. That's intense. Get the tape. I can't explain how hot this show was.

Ratdogs set was probably the best of the 4 I saw. If you didn't like it, be happy you missed the other 3. I love Mission in the Rain and am just happy that someone is playing it. I don't think he cheesed it up.

Just in case I was misunderstood above, I don't mean that the first set was "average" in relation to any old band out there. It was a great set, but when it was over, it didn't stick with me the way the second set did. Since I'm talking again anyway, I'll mention the absolute best part of the show for me...coming back into the Slipknot ending, Warren gave a huge wah-induced growl on his guitar. And while Rob and Jimmy played the final riff of the song, he was countering with the chords on the off beat. You have to hear it, my description doesn't do any sort of justice. But I thought I'd mention it anyway. Monday morning it's still playing through my head, and each time I hear it, I have to dance around. It's amazing.

I really enjoyed Ratdog's sets at both Tweeter and Meadows. The full treatment of WRS and Mission being some of the fine moments. While the reviews posted here seem to say otherwise, everyone around me in Sec. 200 was rockin to Ratdogs sets. A large standing ovation for Bob as he left the stage.
Phil's Tweeter show was average by Phil's standards.
The Meadows however was a whole other animal. A living breathing monster that turned our brains into mush. A most powerful show that I feel very lucky to have participated in. One of many moments of bliss that no one mentioned (which makes me question my sanity, especially by this point in the show) was Rob Barraco playing Werewolves in Franklins. Was it as sweet as I remember a midst a non stop dance marathon or had they taken me so high I began hallucinating. Total magic.

I thought the Hartford show was phenomenal, and it was the first of 5 I will be seeing this summer. Ratdog was lots of fun and I concure that hearing Mission in the Rain was a nice surprise. Scarlet was also fun, as was watching Bobby shaking a tambourine during Aiko Aiko. Phil's performance was simply outrageous - I mean, a review is almost superfluous (for the 2nd set). Just look at the set list. Wow! My only compaint (and I felt this way after the Sugaree closer in DC this spring too) was that *sometimes* the dual guitar attack is a bit heavy at time - felt like my ears needed a little break from high-end notes toward the end of Franklin's. Still, it's all sounding fabulous and whoever was selling those "Phil Lesh and Friends - As Good as Dead" bumperstickers, well, I'd have to say that are certainly doing the music justice, and then some.

Couple side notes about the audience - although I don't want to trample on anyboy's "rights," if you think you are going to smoke 20 cigarettes during the show, you may wish to ask the person next to you (the one's whose face the wind is blowing all of that shit into) if they mind, or perhaps move for a couple minutes. I know, I know, it's f*cking rock concert, but still, a little consideration for the nicotine-free among us please!

Further evidence of the increasing bullshit corporatization of America would also have to include the commercials on the screens between sets and before the encore. I mean, how about letting the people have some fucking down time from all of this propaganda shit being spewed at us DURING the concert. I mean, it's not like we have any money left to buy anything anyways, after paying SEVEN DOLLARS for a beer (well, if you drink beer anyway).

Honestly, I'm not grumpy, just an increasingly harsh critic of idiocy and excessive commercialization.

Regardless, I love Phil's band and I am excited that the magic is back. Because, make no mistake about it, "it" is!! See you all in Camden, Maryland and North Carolina!

My friend Jeff lost his dog in Hartford,white German Sheppard, female about 100 pounds, named Wolf. Some where in the back parking lot. Any info would be appriciated
dbrad061@aol.com

I can't complain too much about the commercials because I like the free cigarettes, but commercials do suck. And I try not to blow my smoke in anyone's face but I'm sure it sometimes happens. Not a single cig butt you see in a show is mine, though. Pack it in, pack it out.

i got in half way thru during hartford show....i got in to a good place where i could see and groove....by the way this was myfirst show in about 11 years...and will unfortunately be my last due to a dirty rude scumbag of a "deadhead"....he physically moved me from 10 feet from him...saying...i was entering his "personal space".........now i want everyone to know i was actually leaning over a railing 10 feet from him minding my own business.......i was going to deck the ****er.......but hey.......i kept my cool.......and even schmoozed the security to let me down into pavilion seating.......which was cool.......but deadheads...(me being a FORMER.... one.......).............like this guy.....will make this a one time return trip only.......jerry looking down would i'm sure have been utterly disgusted!!!!!!!!!with this guy.

hated the scene.....loved the music.
mark in hartford.

"Pack it in, pack it out".
LOL...muadib...I LIKE that!

Hey Mark...sorry about your run in with one of the worst elements of our little community. always remember that there are bad elements in every group (our bad element just happens to be growing) and if you love the music, you'll be able to ignore it. I hope you can bring yourself to come back.

I've got to chime in to try to stop some of the Ratdog bashing. I personally thought that Ratdog's set at the Tweeter was better than Phil's sets. While Ratdog had a very tight sound that night, PLQ seemed to jam loud and long for the sake jamming loud and long without ever seeming to catch a groove (or at least not until Terrapin) The WRS jam in Ratdogs set, on the other hand, was absolutely tight and absolutely beautiful.

At Hartford PLQ was absolutely AMAZING. I agree with most of the reviews above AND I have to add: STRONGER THAN DIRT......absolutely intense!!! Can't belive there aren't more comments about this. I saw the first one at Eugene...and also listened tothemplaywith it for a bit during the soundcheck there....and once again I think they really nailed it. This is a masterpiece of a song and they have really given it the treatment...and then some...that it deserves.

NOW...While PLQ was clearly in top form (and PLQ in top form is everything I can ask for in a show) Ratdog was spectacular in their own right. I dropped a few tears during the Mission and danced my little ass off during the West LA Fadeaway. It's true that Ratdog does not provide the long hard jams that PLQ provides, but that's not the kind of band Ratdog is. One does not have to be loud to provide a great jam (On a side note: this is what always bothered me about Trey and Phish) Bobby's band is all about a smooth loungy jam feel (if that makes any sense). This may be the wrong way to put this, but what made the West LA so good (IMO) was the slow quiet SLEAZY feel that bobby gave to it. This is a sleazy song and I think he gave it a perfect treatment.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that Bob is doing something very different than Phil and, like Phil, also something very different from the Dead. If you want to see loud jams for the sake of loud jams don't go see Bobby (go on Trey tour), but if you want to see a smooth tight band with a polished loungy feel and some unusual treatments of classic songs, then go see Ratdog. (Also...if you're not a Bobby fan you're not a Bobby fan....and telling yourself that Ratdog sucks WILL make the show less enjoyable. For those of you who have not seen this incarnation of Bob and Rob, hit some of the SO Many Roads shows and do so with an open mind....I think you'll enjoy it a lot. I can say that the negative Bob comments expressed in the Phil Zone do not represent the reaction that the majority of the crowd had to Bobby's sets at Tweeter and Hartford.)

Well said JAKE. Ratdog was better than PLQ at Tweeter. They also jammed at Meadows. Ratdog sounds more like the Dead than PLQ. They have that open space type of instrumentation. They still jam, they just don't play as many notes as PLQ's guitarists. Mark Karan is great. I have no idea why people bash him. The WRS was hot, during the "let it grow" portion they jammed way outthere with a couple of riffs of Gloria and a couple of teases at Cumberland; it was nice. Also the Truckin' by Ratdog at Tweeter topped PLQ's version the following night. Not to place attcks on anyone, that's just what happened. see you at Jones, PNC, Camden. Hot Fuckin Tuna!!!

WOW!!!!
Excuse the grammar or run on sentences, I drove 160 miles last night from saratoga and really cant understand why im at work right now. make more money, see more phil, and so on, and so on.

FIrst off id like to apologize for not finding any of you when I knew you all where there. A got a little BOMBed in the parking lot after stumbling into some old friends. I looked for the flag, that damn double vision thing started taking over and the rest was down hill. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'll meet up with you guys soon

Onward!
And I though night 2 at red rocks was fun! hehehe, silly me. WHAT A SHOW! And a very comparable 2nd set to that Denver show I was so fortunate to catch. Did some dude really blow off Phil to go see a Peter Rowan concert! :(
The drive up to Hartford was horrifying. Along with the Yankee game and the shore traffic, driving on Saturday was a nightmare.

Did anyone have the attendance that night, it had to be close to 25,000. Out west there was a 1/4 of that crowd there. I dont know if its just the east or if alot of people are reading these reviews! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Phils set was plain and simply perfect! st.steven-->eyes was my defining highlight. Phil laid in some sweet little bombs that brought a big tear to my eye. and we danced right through the entire second set. I don't think we ever really got to our seats, or section for that matter. What a good time! See you all in PNC - CAMDEN. And if Phil sticks with his Saturday night thing, Camden should be a spectacular show!

>>>Further evidence of the increasing bullshit corporatization of America would also have to
include the commercials on the screens between sets and before the encore.

Really. I went into Cumberland Farms the other day & they had a TV playing commercials & 'public service messages' like "Don't drive drunk" while showing a picture of some victim.......

On the Ratdog front, yes, most people seemed to enjoy them tremendously. But it's been my experience that most people enjoy ANYTHING at a concert tremendously......

Personally, I went in with quite an open mind, as I've been saying up here for weeks. It's just that the music was too 'average' and certainly never spectacular. Sorry, but Ratdog was spectacular? LOL!
I know mind blowing intense jamming isn't for everyone, but it is my cup of tea, & P&F delivers the goods in that department.


>>>Still, it's all sounding fabulous and whoever was selling those "Phil Lesh and Friends - As Good
as Dead" bumperstickers, well, I'd have to say that are certainly doing the music justice, and
then some.

I told those guys I would've bought their bumper sticker only if it said "Better than the Dead".
Bombs away.......

All I can say and I would trully love to say more is that this show was incredible. My girlfriend never saw the boys, as I have many hindreds of times and we seemed to have a gap of understanding in regards for my love of touring. However this show put a monkey wrench in it for her! I'm sure it will be a lot easier now baby!
I listened to reviews about this tour and got a lot of good things from those who don't seem to do this endless comparing from bands like Phish or Trey. I'm sorry this puts that in context baby Phil blew my mind. A tour that only included Tweeter to rochester is now including all the rest of the dates

oh and please people! don't compare this to the Dead, because if you ever saw them you would havew never mentioned such a thing. This is not nostalgia baby! it's the real deal.

Bruce...you say that Ratdog sounds more like the Dead than the quintet does, right?
Well...good!
Because "PLQ" sounds BETTER than the Dead had in oh, say the last 20 years of their existence, or so!!!
Phil, Warren, Jimmy, Rob, and John have taken this to musical heights and levels that the Dead could NEVER reach on a consistent, night after night basis...since...and this is being generous...1974!!
That's TWENTY SEVEN YEARS ago!!!!
And...TWENTY ONE where the Dead WERE a working ensemble.
To me...Ratdog simply DOES NOT approach the INTENSITY that I've seen these 5 guys reach time and time and time again!!!
And...THAT'S ALL in the same show!!
These guys do this night after night!
THIS...what "PLQ" is doing now...is what all WE who were going to shows 15 to 20 years ago (let alone what I saw disintegrate in front of my ears gradually from '87 to my last, sad show on September 20, 1993) had HOPED and WISHED for!!!
THIS is what the Dead SHOULD'VE sounded like then...we just didn't know it...because Phil pretty much deferred artistically to Jerry and Bob.
If Phil was calling the shots back then......well, that's wishful thinking...but...he is NOW!!
And the ideas that are being brought out in these performances is so mind boggling it really defies description!
PHIL RRRRRRRRRRRRRRROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it's unanimous. This Friends show was the best yet that I've seen. Stronger Than Dirt was flawless. The second set ran alot like the Makebeleive Ballroom show from '75. Also no one mentioned the Tears of a Clown riff by Herring in the first set. What a great scene all around in Hartford. There must've been some cosmic allignment or maybe the new moon lined it all up. Mucho respect to the band and everyone that made this night possible. See you at the Beach.

I am obviously on the wrong chat site when the majority of correspondents feel that PLQ is better than the Dead; Or that the Dead weren't any good since 74. good bye to the philzone, especially Keyshawn sucks.

feeling groovy, just give keyshawn the damn plq. he's an idiot. i wouldn't even waste time thinking about what he says. he obviously never even saw the dead. so don't even humor him by thinking about or answering his dumb ploddings.

Hi all-
Me and my grrl's plans for the weekend fell through...I was supposed to play at the Birthday Bash at Sunshine Daydream in Terra Alta, WV, but the peeps there lost their marbles and fumbled the band schedule....lucky me! A free weekend and PLQ not too damn far away...nine states and 750 miles...so we caught the Tweeker and Hartford.
Hartford was definitely, to me, a hotter show. Highlight for me was Rob's excellent take on Rag and the HEAVY Slipknot mentioned above by Bucky. It really was on the edge of a razor. Awesome. Built to Last left me and what looked like most of the crowd wondering why?? and why not a REAL closer. Hard to compete with the Tweeter's Lovelight encore, no doubt.
Bob's Mission was met with grimaces by some of my comrades...which leads me to some thoughts that've been forming themselves more and more in my mind lately: Jerry would want his tunes to be played, period. The Furthur's in '96 left a lot of people flat for good reason: most of us were still pretty grief-stricken. Personally, I would hear them kick off some Jerry tune and think, "Yeah!", then about halfway through the tune (about time for the guitar solo) think, "Damn. I wish they'd hurry up and play something else." Nobody in the Further bands had enough balls to just PLAY a rippin' solo straight from the heart. It was like, "I know I'm not really supposed to be here, but I HAVE to play a solo now...see how it's KINDA like what Jerry MIGHT have played??" (weedleweedleweedle)
It's got to be REALLY hard for these guys in the band to even approach a Jerry tune. I really like the way Rob does it: He's obviously a Deadhead, and you can tell he is WAY FUCKIN' STOKED to be a part of Phil's band now. His respect for the history and the music is pretty obvious to me, at least. It comes off really well, his happiness is real. So now I can listen to a Jer tune not so much as a Jer tune but as a GREAT SONG. I don't get sad or focus on the negative with these guys.
In the end, isn't that all that will last? The songs? I felt so happy at the Hartford show, and actually thought about Jerry smiling down on us, having a great time and jammin' some killer tunes.
Put away this stupid opinionated crap about "who's better" and just realize how lucky we are that we can still hear this music LIVE...THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!!! I know I was luckyluckylucky to be there this weekend. Thanks Phil and Bobby! Keep the Faith!!

Just a side note: As soon as we got there and were burnin' it up, I looked up from my pipe just in time to catch a security guy on a golfcart looking at me...my jaw kinda dropped, and he just gave me a nod and a smile and drove on. Whew!!! Also, they were going around in my lot handing out cups to people with bottles! Never saw that before!

chrispyras, you hit the nail on the head. nicely said. btw, nice pedal steel.

The fans were great, the scene was happening, the security was cool, even the venue vendors were thoughtful (did anyone else catch the belly dancer in the camel tent?) and the music had me dancing all the way home.

Thanks Phil...you've got great Phriends. Hurry on back this way!!!

i don't understand generalizations like "better than" but i sure like to hear comparative specifics about music..the rest is subjective, my friends..can you say Van Gough's later works are "better than" his earlier pieces? they're different, and had the advantage if prior experience to build on..or comparing Van Gough to Picasso by labelling one "better"...why bother to rate them? just compare the differences and move on..and enjoy what you can of both, while you can..Phriends is louder because their sound is bigger, which isn't necessarily better or worse, they just play longer phrases with bigger thunder. its a whole different approach..

Open your ears Bruce...open your ears.
You SHOW me 3 full tours in a row that the Dead did after their 20 month or so hiatus from '74 to '76 that were played as WELL...as HOT...as INTENSELY...WITH songs such as "St. Stephen"..."The Eleven"..."Viola Lee Blues"...Dark Star"..."Doin' That Rag" not to mention "Cosmic Charlie"...and the very recent "King Solomon's Marble's">"Stronger Than Dirt", that THIS particular incarnation of Phil & Friends has magically produced on a NIGHT BY NIGHT basis, since the Fall Tour of 2000!
This doesn't even take into account the QUALITY as well as the QUANTITY of the sheer, flat out JAMMING that THIS band does during a given tune...and from one to the next and the next and the next!
You SHOW me a version of "Help">"Slipknot">"Franklin's" (not to mention "The Eleven" thrown in the middle of "Slipknot") that the Dead EVER played as well as Phil at the Roseland on 4/30, or just the other night in Hartford.
You can't...because they NEVER did!
I'll say it again...we ALL loved Jerry and the ensemble we knew as The Grateful Dead (THAT'S how we all came to BE Deadheads, right?)...but Phil and his new found friends have REPEATEDLY shown us recently what the music COULD'VE...and SHOULD'VE been all along!!!!

it was what it was it is what it is and it will be what it will be...if the dead had done this all along we wouldn't be enjoying this entirely different thing that phil is doing now, my friends and phil would probably be doing Seastones (that would be a little much even for me) to raise the bar further..and don't forget that his boredom w/the dead allowed jerry the time and freedom to put some great work out w/grisman and jgb in his later years..

See...sjf...my point is that IF (and admittedly, it IS a BIG IF) the Dead had been playing like this all along...Jerry could NEVER have been as "jonesed out"..."tired"..."non energetic"...WHATEVER term you want to apply to his physical deterioration OR his lackadaisical playing in the Grateful Dead in his...and THEIR last several years.
He would have HAD to be in better condition to KEEP UP with this pace that we have seen Phil and Co. maintain these last several tours.
IF the Dead were putting THIS music out to US...like THIS all that time, it is my assertion that Jerry would have been in much better physical, mental, and spiritual shape and there would still BE a Grateful Dead...with JERRY playing like this!!

i agree Keysh...IF... would've been grand to see Jerry stay fit and jam out on the chestnuts with Phil into his 60's. but the Dead never would have done this, its that simple, they didn't function that way, noone took the reigns that way and thats just how it was and you can't blame jerry for that. everyone knows its bobby's fault :). as Bob Marley said "when one door closes, another will open"..i wonder how long it would have taken for everyone to burn out on Viola, Cosmic Chuck, etc if they had been playing them all these years?

sjf...I agree..lol..a decidedly huge part of their musical demise DOES lie with Bob! :)
But ya know what?
I'd have LOVED to have found out JUST HOW LONG it would take to get burnt out on all the "St. Stephens"..."Elevens"..."Violas"..."Cosmic Charlies"..et al, that they would have been crankin' out in the old days!!!
Yeah...that woulda been tough to endure, huh??? :)
LOL

Of the 3 shows i saw....Hartford was the best..

ranking that, Tweeter and SPAC with a 1 to 10 scale I'd give Hahtfid an 8.5-9, SPAC a 7 and
Not So Great Woods a 5...

CT scene was like night and day compared to Mass..
and big beers there and at SPAC!

SJF, I still got the scratch for that round of beers..ended up giving my stub to TC for Set II

Had FRONT row for SPAC and seeing as the seats were right in front of Warren, I figured I'd let Bosphan have a wet dream so i handed him my stub
for the entire second set...

seeing the banter between the band members was priceless

Next up:

Allmans and Phil do the Secession States

Sherman's March won't have shite on the path of destruction the Zone will leave in its wake.

by the way
anyone been hearing "Save It For Later" riffs during the jams...?


I really think they are going to make an attempt at playing this.


Signed,

Delusional

Crypt, go back to Thompsonville

a review, part 1:
walking to the show, i saw a couple of Zoners and we hung out a bit. i've been meaning to say its been a tour highlight to see and meet some of y'all at shows, especially at Hartford where so many us Zoners got to rub elbows..what a treat..then Bosphan and i compare tickets and he, crypt and co. are seated directly behind me. what are the odds?

crypt, no biggie, i figured you were gonna hang on the lawn when i saw the Cat in yer place. btw, he met the exact same fate as you did in set 1, waving me off eventually :)

this was the only show i caught the entire Ratdog set of the 4 PhilDog shows i saw...Odessa was a good start, that tune works well scaled down acoustic..before Eternity, we got a classic Weir announcement, he says "one time i met willie dixon"...then.....nothing else..i was waiting for him to complete the thought and he launched into Eternity, with its dixon connection speaking for itself, i guess..he broke a string on eternity, switched guitars to the grey one and that threw Weir off awhile while he tried to get the sound back toggether..

LLR had Bob in fine vocal form but Karan was a bit too laid back imho. Shakedown St was a good example of how the Dogs jams are completely different from the PLQ..they seem to defer to Weir alot during the jams, playing off his short runs of unusual notes. this makes for very quick bursts of phrases from the others, the sax player, karan, wasserman, all of them..a quick burst of an idea followed by a series of complimentary offbeat note choices that work 2gether to weave a jagged texture. like i said, Weirs accents are the root, so what do you expect? when i saw them in NYC a couple of years ago Karan took the lead much more and Bob was able to just strum his choice chords, his strong suit imho..now they seem to be going for a group sound thing, no long melody ideas..

It's funny, i've read complaints in other places on the internet that PLQ's sound is too "busy" but i found Ratdogs sound to be much more so, quick pulsating darting ideas that come and go in a matter of seconds..somehow it works for this band (though not entirely my cup o tea) especially at this show where they played to a good sized crowd unlike the midwest shows..

I liked the reworked ending of Minglewood, where he repeats "my #1 occupation" a dozen or so times, that sounded cool, nice touch..i was surprised to enjoy Mission, i think its easier to take with these guys getting along now..Aiko had a nice vocal jam at the end though it doesn't sound quite right without jerrys lower register notes to move it along nawleans style. 2Dijn is my favorite of Bob's new tunes, great song..I dig the Dog arrangement of Chinga Cat but the jam fizzled out...all in all this was by far the strongest of the 4 Dog sets i saw..

Keyshawn - lets stick with another branch with more complex roots rather than better. BTW I am an old timer - How about the Masons Children!!!!1 I
believe the dead gave up on that one....agreed the complexity is a step up, but I sure miss that old
magic when all Jerry had to do was step on stage.

>>>before Eternity, we got a
classic Weir announcement, he says "one time i met willie dixon"...then.....nothing else..i was
waiting for him to complete the thought

Remember the early 80's classic Bob joke?
"What's the difference between a duck?"
"One leg's both the same."

Bob must have said that one at ten shows I saw.


BTW, SJF: Drop me an e-mail about Jones Beach....

>>>ranking that, Tweeter and SPAC with a 1 to 10 scale I'd give Hahtfid an 8.5-9, SPAC a 7 and
Not So Great Woods a 5...

Cryp, is there a P&F (I REFUSE to call them PLQ!!!!) show you would rate a 10?
If so, what is it?

My choice would still be Mtn Aire 5-27-00.

part 2:

one more thing about the Dog set, it was great to see Barraco sitting to the side clapping along to Aiko having a grand old time, then high 5ing the Dogs when they finished ..Jay Lane was dancing like crazy at the beginning of PLQ's set, too...

Weir sat sidesatge during Cosmic and you couldn't help but think what was going thru his mind..i think it was during the jam after this that Warren took an eerie, weird slide part. it seemed out of place at first, but he developed the idea for 30 seconds or a minute, the band responded, and it created something very unique, a good example of how PLQ does things..someone will come up with a melody idea, a riff, and they will develop it for however long it takes, 30 seconds or 5 minutes, to complete the scene..


the jam after Truckin' opened up more than the Bobjams at the 1st 2 shows i saw. much more. Bob hit a little series of notes and PLQ was right there behind him, creating a nice little jam for a coupla minutes, Phil and Bob side by side really going for it..Bob seemed way more comfortable, relaxed, smiling and into it..the Cassidy was 2x as long as the other version i saw, with some great peaks of Bob fast strums and Phil bombs. they were having a blast up there..

The Marbles-Dirt was flawless and fierce, just unbelieveably good..i figured the set was done, but they rode the momentum with a supercharged version of DTR, with a great outro solo by Warren as folks have mentioned..

The NorWood quote i mentioned was especially cool because of the unusual speed, never would have expected it in that place..Warren teases Elenor Rigby every show but never seems to to it at the same tempo or the same way twice...

part 3:
i agree the jam had some Caution flavor going thru it, that classic walking bassline reappearing throughout it much like Cornell '99 P+F (that was for you bucky).

I really dug how Warren changed some of the vocal phrasings in Fantasy, he really helped set the stage for a high energy set..St Stephen, my 3rd in 6 shows this tour..cmon guys, change things up a bit willya?...lol..seriously, every version had a completely different feel, context, jams into and out of, which is impressive.
Phils voice was warm and beautiful on Eyes..Help on the Way, also my 3rd out of 6, all totally different as well..unlike the last one, which slipped into spacey regions fairly fast, this one had horns and steam blowing out its nostrils and ears...the 11 was a relief to the tension, soaring as usual..as mentioned, i luv Molo's fills when they finish Slipknot, arms and legs flying everywhere..he is AMAZING..

i thought Built to Last was a sweet lil after dinner mint after such a hefty plate of jams...what a show!!

7/21 Hartford, CT

Ratdog

We made it in on time and was treated to some acoustic delights - Odessa, Eternity (prefaced 1st by a little story on it's Willie Dixion-related origins) and i'm almost certain the L.L. Rain that followed was at least done acoustically by Bobby on guitar, which was special for me since the only Dead version i saw live had Weir strumming the acoustic 6-string as well. After hearing Phil and the guys RIP Shakedown to shreads last fall at the Beacon, it's hard to enjoy anything less...sorry Bob! Mission was nice but awkward to hear for personal reasons...as was West LA, but i didn't think it was played well either. One More Sat Night gave the set a much needed shot in the arm and the rest of the set COOKED from there on! Iko was a bone-shakin' good time...the Two Dijin proved a prime example that Bob most certainly still has IT when it comes to composing complex yet whistfully basic songs that seem to prove themselves with each new listen - when getting into the Dead, some Bobby tunes required a modest amount of time to "grow on me", ie - Jack Staw, Essau, and Sailor>Saint, which are all amongst some of my FAVORITE Weir tunes now. China>Rider was a solid ending but much like the Shakedown earlier, my ears are more loyal to the P&F versions of this combo.

Phil & Friends

(The Eleven!!) The Jam>Cosmic Charlie was a totally appropriate way to start what would become an amazing night of music from Phil & the Quintet. The Weir portion of the set was the smoothest of the three night's from this weekend, even though Truckin' was a repeat from last night's ratdog set...i was fully prepared for the Boys to turn mad and crazy corners not even imaginable and/or do-able by the Ratdog band...i call it even. The Ratdog version had more ending climaxes but the fewer ending climaxes Phil and Co. did were much more powerful that Bob's boys did. In fact, that is a MAIN observation i have congealed from this weekend of music, the Ratdog vs. Phil & Friends...they are both VERY tight, Ratdog more subdued or less intense on a whole when compared to the Quintet...is that a sound system thing though or is that their style??...see, i'm still not sure. Phil's band sure has the INTENSITY & POWER & VOLUME & WOW!!! goin' for them in ways that i'd never think Ratdog would EVER be able to attain...and that's cool...that kind of difference is vital to each band's existance...that's what keeps them seperate, different and unique - each aspect having it's own set of pro's and con's...(pssst...The Eleven!!!) Getting back to the songs - i was dissapointed in the Cassidy only becuse i've been listening to the Crusader Rabbit version where Rob and Bobby do the little vocal jam at the end, which i think is REAL tasty but tonight Bobby was very specific in his singing of "let the words be yours, i am done with mine", emphasising the "i am done with mine" part of that lyric. Oh well. Beautifully Broken was (without sounding 100% trite) - BEAUTIFUL! Yet another new tune i was glad i was hearing live for the 1st time. This led into a JAM which led into this roundhouse, haymaker w/ brassknuckles on punch to the face called King Soloman's Marbles...WHOA!! This was another tune i thought i'd NEVER get to hear and there i was flailing madly to it's snaky progressions and winding transitions. During setbreak, i tought my girlfriend the whole "Milkin' the Turkey/Stronger Than Dirt/King Soloman's Marble's" story about this jam(s) and it's roots from the Blues For Allah record. i've been so impressed with her ever increasing and improving abilities at picking-up on "teases", "quotes", and "hints" of the next tune...you've come a long way Baby!! She was very proud to point out the (multitudes!!) of Noweigen Wood teases (Warren...just play the damn song, Holmes!!! Quit with the teases already!!) and all the other little tricks the band was throwin' out - You Can't Always Get What You Want, Paint it Black, Tears of a Clown... ...i even caught Rob throwing out a few bars from the Charlie Brown theme-song during the 7/20 H.C. Sunshine...thanks Rob, i caught that! i like this band like i like the Simpsons...they both reward you for paying attention to ALL of what is going on. i've seen some Simpsons episodes dozens of times and then i notice something new going on in the background that i had missed those dozen times before...same concept with Phil...pay close attention and you'll be amazed at what you might hear! (psssst.....The Eleven!!!!!!) The 2nd set deserves it's own paragraph...i'll break here..still with me???

Phil Lesh & Friends
7/21/01 - Hartford, CT

Set 2

Caution Jam (or at least Caution-esque!)>Dear Mr. Fantasy>St. Stephen>
Eyes>St. Stephen>Help>Slip!>(they played something here...hmmm...oh yeah...)THE MUTHA' FREAKIN' ELEVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>Slip!>
Franklin's Tower

E: Built to Last

Go ahead...read that setlist again...i will testify in a court of law or on the holiest of holy mountaintops...this set was IT!!! As good as the setlist reads, it was indeed THAT good!

Here's how it went down - The Jam that started it all had some strong Caution overtones and broke out just like the one from 2/18. This rolled strongly into what has now become my favorite Dear Mr. Fantasy i've ever seen, the old champ being 11/5/99 Pgh. This was a total Haynesian powerpiece that shook my foundation to the ground! Rob displayed some aggressive organ playing during this tune, often times rivaling the intensity of Warren's guitar attacks! Break out the fat comicbook guy from The Simpsons..."Best Fantasy EVER!!!". Keeping the energy level high, they paused just enough to pluck those sweet, sweet first few notes of St. Stephen...if you've heard this song once or 1,000 times, it doesn't matter...you can't help but get nuts!! And gets nuts, we ALL did!! The music playing the band playing the crowd feeding the music and it all just keeps going and going...the Beast was starting to show it's face. Now, as the Stephen was starting to grow hair, i'm thinkin' in the back of my head - the "you-know-what" might be next!! When it slid into Eyes, a doozy of a version too with some bass-tastic playin' by the eldest of the Quintet, i was not at all disappointed!! Nor was i when they jammed it back into St. Stephen either, still clinging to the hope that the "wink-wink" would come after they completed the Stephen. They tore up the ending jam and i thought at any minute i'd be in total freak-town...but instead, Help on the Way! It was great...the one tune i wanted to hear the most was so close to being played but instead they kept pulling out the Biggies! The Nuggets!! Help on the Way was done masterfully by Rob who was also busy laying down some delicate and fluid lines on his pie-aner. The Slipknot that followed was intense to the third power...Mr. Herring, who had earlier proven his chops on the Kings Solomon’s, WAILED on the Slipknot...and at this point, i had given up hope for my beloved jam and was expecting a Walrus or just right into Franklin's...WRONG!! Thank the STARS i was WRONG!! What i was waiting for all night...my beloved The Eleven!!!!This one was another "new best-ever seen" version that smoked from start to finish...they hit this one HUGE peak before the vocals that had me worried about the stability of my heart!!! i was BEAMING, conducting an imaginary symphony with my waving arms, and totally FREAKING OUT!! i don't get into singing the songs being played either, chiming in on the "what a long strange trip it's been" part of Truckin'...but bruthas' & sistahs - i SHOUTED those words to the highest of heavens!! Glitterville & MERCY!!! And i nearly slipped a disc in my lower back bustin' the Eleven into Slipknot boogie-woogie! The 2nd Slip was just as crazy as the 1st one and all heads were feelin' the Franklin's on the horizon...and when it broke, it broke like the most perfect wave the shores of Cali have ever seen...Pure Joy! The crowd was in a bliss frenzy and it was hard to keep still during it all, from the youngest frat-boy that wouldn't normally dance for fear he'd look lame to the older Head who hadn't been out to a show for years and had doubts about there being any sprit left at all. WE were all dancin'!! The Built to Last encore was a perfect ending to the night, as my lady and i held each other swaying to the music, enjoying the sensation of being let down gently after such a stir! One of the top 3 Phil shows we have ever seen. Easily. It’ll be one of the best of the tour for sure. And there’s still plenty more greatness ahead for us at Jones Beach, Holmdel & Camden. Thanks for listenin’ and for yr’ time…

OK,

Hartford is the best show I’ve seen in a long, long time.

I got in there about ½ way through the Disco Biscuits set and started setting up my taping equipment (it was my first time taping and it didn’t go too well. I think my MD is fucked.)…The Biscuits sounded really good (I’ve seen them sporadically over the years since around ’96 or so, and they’ve come a long way) and had me up and dancing once I got the MD rolling. I still don’t know any of their songs very well, so I won’t review them.

Then up came Ratdog…WOW! They, too, have been getting better and better since I started seeing them just after Jerry died in August ’95. They blew me out of the water. They were so good to my ears that I got nervous for Phil. I thought for sure Bobby had stolen the show. Starting out with nice, slow, and mellow acoustic versions of Odessa and Eternity, the band came out in full for a nice version of L.L. Rain with a nice crescendo once Bobby picked up the electric. Then, that gorgeous, ominous Dm chord came rising up from the depths of the Balrog that took out Gandalf and Shakedown was on!..Damn! The sheer force and funk that this band has developed over the years was in full swing here…Chimenti on a nice groovin’ clav/organ with a chunky wahwah pedal. The jam was spectacular and wound up into a rockin’ Minglewood. A great version, but it was eclipsed quickly by an absolute shocker of a surprise. A beautiful Mission in the Rain. I know there are people who don’t like Bobby playing Jerry tunes, or anybody for that matter, but I personally think that’s bullshit. And judging from interviews with Jerry, so would he. But anyway, I’ll try to stay away from that argument. So anyway, Bobby’s really come to use his voice a bit differently, I think…it seems to flow more, and he sang Mission with passion and wonderful inflection. The funk picked back up with a nice rollicking version of West L.A. Fadeaway (with Chimenti back on the wahwah pedal!…I love it!) followed by One More Saturday Night. Then they were off into a wonderful exploratory medley including Scarlet -> Aiko -> Bass/Drums -> Two Djinn. Now, imo, Two Djinn is one of the greatest tunes Bobby has written. There are limitless possibilities for jamming…the minor progression, with a sort of Night in Tunisia feel to it, the major progression, kind of like the Estimated chorus, and the little breakdown section. Anyway, I think it’s great. Then, finally, the peak of the set. The China -> Rider was amazing…absolutely. The jam between the two was great, with an inventive new peak riff, then a slight wind-down, then the traditional peak riff (DA-DA-DA-DA-da-DA-da-duh-duh), which seemed slightly forced, and then the Rider…oh the Rider. I couldn’t believe the state of absolute primal bliss they crescendo-ed to at the end of that song…wow…I’ve only read a few reviews from this thread and stopped ‘cause some were getting me all edgy but some also said they felt “the” magic at Hartford, and it was definitely there, starting with Ratdog’s version of Rider. So the highlights for me from this set were Shakedown, Mission, Two Djinn, and China->Rider.

Now for Phil

Well, I said I was worried that Bobby may have stolen the show. I only would have cared because Phil was the headliner but my fears were quickly forgotten.

Set I:

Well, to keep with being honest, I have to say that when the Cosmic Charlie emerged masterfully from the intro jam, I was a tiny bit less then thrilled…not because of the song choice, but because at first I thought that they were playing it a little uninspired-ly…but as they moved through the song I began to realize that it wasn’t the way they were playing it, but *that* they were playing it that was throwing me off. I mean, a Cosmic Charlie opener…I never would have thought I would EVER hear that. So once I realized my problem I started to settle into their groove…and what a groove it was. Then out came Bobby. Just seeing him running out there and hearing the response from the crowd had me close to tears. I’m glad those two got over what ever was pissing them off (at least for now).

Anyway, the Truckin’ -> Cassidy was just a crystalline jamathon!..Someone mentioned in an earlier post (maybe on another thread) that Bobby hangs PLQ up. Well, that didn’t seem to be the case at all as they stepped out to the moon for a little bit out of Truckin’ and settled down nicely by the silver stream back here on earth, where they floated peacefully down into the river rapids and landed in a pool of your life’s own design. Cassidy was enhanced by the fact that we were sitting with a trio of new friends we made, Rob, Becky, and Cassidy. Cassidy was Becky’s young daughter and was so named because she was listening to Cassidy when she went into labor. They were thrilled, and although Cassidy was a little under the weather, she got up and danced with her mom

=|:o)

So, then Bobby left the stage amidst a largely cheering audience and Warren took over with his song Beautifully Broken…I hadn’t heard this song yet, and I loved it. It’s a great soulful number that reminds me a bit of Harrison’s While my Guitar Gently Weeps. This moved into something that I had been hoping for but didn’t ever let myself expect…KING SOLOMON’S MARBLES…Oh this was too much! How am I supposed to stay sane while listening to such incredible edible music? There were a couple of *very* tiny botches at some changes, but the odd time signatures boosted people as opposed to hindering their jamming, as can be the case with less seasoned and talented musicians. WOW…I was sooooo glad I got to hear that song…and into DOIN’ THAT RAG…At this point I began to wonder who had spun this wonderful joke! I mean surely the world couldn’t seriously be feeding me this tasty dose of songs…could it? I must’ve been dreamin…The vocal harmony at the end of the song was a great tie up with the vocal harmony at the end of Cosmic Charlie. A perfect set!

>Cryp, is there a P&F (I REFUSE to call them PLQ!!!!) show you would rate a 10?
If so, what is it?

Have yet to experience the nirvana of Defcon 10.

When I do I will change my shorts and then give you a yell.

>Crypt, go back to Thompsonville

I hear the DNA strands there are frayed and knotted.

The idiocy i expect that goes on there has me a little hesitant to step within the city limits.

Phil Set II:

OK, after the first set my buddies and I were all wondering what the hell they would be able to do to top it in the second. I had seen PLQ before, but they were nothing compared to this in April…Like Ratdog, they just keep getting better and better.

So this is where the magic, instead of just being present, took over. Entirely. There wasn’t a single person up on that stage who was playing his instrument. It was all automatic…they were being played…hopeless and in ecstasy (judging by their faces). The opening jam was lively and sinewy, flowing over me like water and opening into Dear Mr. Fantasy, the lyrics of which evoked solid memories of Jerry, as it did for me before he even died. Warren’s vocals once again stood out for me here, and the band rocked the shit outta this one!

But it didn’t *really* take off until they busted into St. Stephen. Now I’ve heard this song played a few times by the Other Ones, but what PLQ did to it this night has never been touched. It was unbelievable. The jams between the verses were super intense, lasting just long enough that you started to forget which verse they were on and even which song, and then WHAM they were back in it and then jammin’ hard again and then WHAM!..and then they wound down into the bridge. Now people have been filing complaints against Phil’s voice, but I love it. It’s riddled with emotion and soul, and for me, unless I’m seeing opera or something, that’s all I care about. So the same goes for the bridge of St. Stephen. Phil sounded great and the band snaked beautifully in and around his vocals, rising out from under the rocky water into *the* riff of all the Dead’s riffs. It was amazing! The band was on FIRE…they wound their way through Stephen’s garden and, finding the exit, stepped out into the world to find their Eyes…and that they did. Phil was dropping his bassline from ‘73/’74 and the band followed suit…as my buddy said…this was truly a stepping back in time to that era…so much so that I actually had the nerve to hope for the jazzy, diminished scale, modulating jam the Dead used to play out of this song during those years. That I didn’t get…but that doesn’t mean new and interesting things weren’t afoot!..Once they band found their eyes out in the world, they made their way carefully and inspired-ly back into…the RIFF…AW SHIT!!!…I couldn’t believe it…out of deep space…forgetting where they are and where they came from, I had NO idea where they were going…and suddenly, there we were…Stephen fixin’ to regain all he lost, asking me what will be the answer to the answer? Can you please HELP!!!!! Jesus are these guys for real!? I mean really, this was getting to be too much…the Help on the Way was perfect…My buddy saw his first Dead show in 89 and has been waiting for a Help->Slip->Frank all that time. And boy did he get one! It was incredible (I guess that was Phil’s “theme” for the evening)…the Slipknot! was played with absolute precision and as the jam wound tighter and higher and tighter and higher I began to sense something very dangerous lurking behind the music…a certain rhythm was creeping up under the jam, threatening to take over…I didn’t let myself even hope…they had been dropping so many teases and…THE ELEVEN…my GAWD…they actually let it grow…it wasn’t just a tease…I don’t know how many times the word “incredible” has popped up now, so I’ll leave it out this time…but man…My friends and I were jaw-dropped and painless! Two of our crew (of four) were passing out during the first set and now could NOT sit down…It was incr…well, you know!

It was getting towards the end now, so I sort of figured we’d swim carefully back into Slipknot->Franklin’s tower, which we did, and it was a perfect cool down…The Franklin’s was upbeat and a joyous ride and when the set ended we got the Blood drive talk and the thank you from Phil…still as goofy as ever!

Then the encore was another song that I hoped for but didn’t let myself expect. Built to Last! Warren did a wonderful job with the vocals once again and it seemed to be a very fitting song to close out the best show I’ve seen in…well, it was just gawddamn good…!

jinpa...I never saw the Dead, huh?
September 1, 1979 at Holleder Memorial Stadium (now known as Silver Stadium) was my first show. The Good Rats and the Greg Kihn Band warmed up.
Good Rats were booed of the stage in a song and a half..the were singing "Mean Motherf**ker" at the time.
My last Dead show, September 20, 1993...Madison Square Garden. Last 3 songs..."The Other One">"GDTRFB"> "Morning Dew". Edie Brickell was there and the show was lame..ESPECIALLY the "Baba O'Riley" encore.
I saw 53 others...such highlights include 9/6/80 Lewiston, Maine...10/30/81 Radio City Music Hall (Drums with Billy Cobham.."Truckin">"The Other One"...3/10/81 Madison Square Garden...5/6/81 Nassau Coliseum...7/10/81 St. Paul Civic Arena St. Paul, Minnesota...9/26/81 Memorial Auditorium Buffalo, New York...12/5/81 Market Square Arena Indianapolis, Indiana...(Awesome C.C. Rider in the 1st set...thought it was "Sugar Mag", which came later...TREMENDOUS 'Let It Grow" to end that 1st set..INTENSE SPACE>"The Wheel")...4/17/83 Brendan Byrne Arena (which is what it was called back then, now the Continental Airlines Arena) East Rutherford, New Jersey (with Stephen Stills singing "Love The One You're With " out of the space!)...10/14/83...Hartford Civic Center Hartford, Connecticut (St. Stephen!)...9/14/91 Madison Square Garden...I could go on and on.
I KNOW what I'm listening to...I've been hearin' it long enough.
I maintain...the Dead, over the last TWENTY YEARS of their existence could NEVER...on a CONSISTENT BASIS (THROUGH a given show AND show TO show) do what Phil and Friends is doing now.
If they could've played THIS passionately...THIS intensely...THIS consistently...WHY DIDN'T THEY?

Oh, that first show...Holleder Memorial Stadium was in Rochester, New York...September 1, 1979.

And one more highlight that I would be remiss in not stating...
April 23, 1983...Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, Connecticut.
NINETEEN MINUTE "Other One"!!!!!!!!
Bucky's 69th SHOW!!!!!
A STELLAR EVENING was had by ALL!!!

Keyshawn, do you have the tape of the 9/20/93 show? I swear that space is one of the 10 most psychedelic things the dead EVER did. I absolutely LOVE that space. Only have the space> dew off a dead hour so maybe the rest of the show sucked, but the dew ain't bad albeit anti-climactic.

Ya know Muadib...I think I actually do ( I haven't played it in a lonnnng time!)...and, I think its probably what you have...the "Space" through the "Morning Dew".
I'll have to take a look...dig it out...a comment delivered so strongly in favor of the "Space" (I know Edie Brickell was involved in that "Space") might deserve another listen.
And yes, the "Morning Dew" wasn't necessarily BAD, so to speak, but the ending was weak as I recall...the briefest, if any, double time crescendo by Jerry...he just "petered" out on the strings...and his fading "...guess it doesn't matter anywaaaayyyy"....was croaked.
But...I WILL have to give that "Space" another shot.
Gotta LOVE "Space"!!!!!

Eric, nice review man!
St. Steven ->Eyes WAS friggin amazing. I was dancing around a group of people that where "fine tuned" on Phil's dips and dives for that one. All of which were going totally ape-shit! Absolutely the best "bombing" segway I've heard from these guys! super reminiscent of 73'/74 GD. You couldn't have spelled it out any better. thanks!

schmegg

where the fuck where you dude?

you woulda completed the puzzle

Thompsonville, where the beer flows like wine, and all the women are morally casual.

.....and the short bus is used for mass transit.

Sure, Greg...glad you liked it...

that why you packed your helmet?

"where the fuck where you dude? "

I had a god awlful ride in. We left the armpit at 11:30am, gambled on a 10-10-winds traffic report and lost. I didn't hit Hartford till 5:30. Traffic was so bad beth and I started doing the mid-traffic freak-out thing. It all cooled down as soon as we got to the lot. That was after we performed 10-15 u-turns, hit a couple of curbs and almost a parking attendant (we appologized, he was cool about it). We parked next to a couple of friends but it took an easy hour just to wind down and get our groove back. The worst part was missing meeting all of you, we where both looking forward too it. I even had my schmankee hat on just for you Cryp. Anyway, phil made up for it in a big way, and there will be a next time!

keyshawn, just give him the damn plq: 55 shows in 16 years= just over 3 shows a year......THREE...and you call yourself a deadhead??!!!, you've probobly already seen more than 3 phil shows this year....YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!!

This show smoked. The second set was so intense, I cant even remember the highlights of SPAC or Great Woods, they just didn't compare to that second set. Someone above mentioned that Booby outperformed phil on this day....WHAT!!!!!!!!!Excuse me again WHAT!!!!!!!!! I would love some of the drugs that you are on, first off, does Bob Weir sing any of the songs he wrote? I saw the last 10 bob tunes and have nothing to say, except he sang a cool song off his new album in between 9 garcia songs. Mark Karan is bunk, Im sorry, he does not excite me one bit. They just do have the energy to play in a large venue, somone told me that when he went on their 200 people inside. Phil and CO almost blew the roof of the Meadows, I wasn't going to go because the town is kind of dumpy, but I mean c'mon, that second set was so hot, I was forced to drive staight to Lee's Park in Saratoga and rage till dawn. Phil's band is hitting its stride, Bobby needs some serious help.

>>>September 1, 1979 at Holleder Memorial Stadium (now known as Silver Stadium)

Funny, that was my first show too. And we DID NOT go together. Strange coincidence...

ah yes holleder, that would be the infamous scarlet/fire/drums.

Thank You Hartford!!!

All I can say is Caution Jam! Oh Yea and King Solomon's... After that everything else was just more delightful fixins in a feast for the senses. They played my favorite tunes. Best Phil and Friends show I have ever seen.... One of the best Dead (related) Shows I ever seen. (20 Phil and 200 Dead shows '84-'95)

Thanks Phil and Bob; Molo, Herring, Hanes, and Barraco, (who wore his Oregon Country Fair shirt at Great Woods.)

P.S. Ratdog rocks too!!!

keyshawn meet treeski, he came on board late but 200 shows in 11 years and you had what 55 in 16. good job ski. what were your top shows? keyshawn i think brian wilson and paul simon or dido are coming to your existential town. check them out.

well it's almost official. with 19 of the 29 precincts in, it looks like not the rox, not the geek, not the downhill slope, not the noblesville hoosiers and certainly not the chowheads but in fact, it looks as though hotferd wins in a landslide.

Hartford..period.

I laughed..I cried...I got an erection.


It was a virtual rollercoaster of emotion.

yeah, someone may have seen everything up to Hartford, and they may think something else was better, but it would take a lot to convince me. Hartford is the best thing to happen to me since well...since a long time ago...6 years, maybe more.

>Hartford..period...erection<
now which did you get?

It was a myriad of bodily functions.


It was a free for all in and around that venue.

jinPa..After 1984..when, in MY opinion the Dead started their slow but steady decline...this happened to coincide with meeting a young woman...getting married, having children...THREE now..and OMG!!!..having to actually be responsible and raise those kids.
55 shows is enough..how many times do YOU need to be hit over the head with the SAME hammer? I DID NOT see the band AT ALL from October 15, 1984 to June 12, 1987...and from what I've seen...missed VERY LITTLE in terms of QUALITY, which should be what is put as the PREMIUM here...NOT QUANTITY!!!
Again..I KNOW what I'm listening to...I've been hearing it long enough.
I should be ashamed?!
Of what?
Go check out the lists and/or reviews of the shows that I listed above.
I think you'll find that some of those shows were some of the MOST RESPECTED shows in the last 15 years of the Dead.
I regret NOTHING...I apologize for NOTHING!
I had QUITE the "concert career" with the Dead...both musically and adventure wise, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
YOU jinPA, just show YOUR IGNORANCE in assuming because the QUANTITY of Dead shows that I saw isn't sufficient enough for YOU...then I must not know anything.
I was privileged enough to see some GREAT...some AMAZINGLY EMOTIONAL moments at shows.
I also was present at some moments that almost made me sick.
I'm WELL VERSED in the music of the Grateful Dead...and THAT'S PRECISELY why I MAINTAIN what I have previously stated.
SHOW me...jinPA..SHOW me...WHERE...JUST WHERE EXACTLY the Grateful Dead played THIS POWERFULLY, WITH the songs we all would've KILLED for back then...and played this FEROCIOUSLY over THIS long a time period after 1974.
Show me the show where they split "Viola Lee Blues" three, four times...SHOW me just when they played "The Eleven"...or played a PHENOMENAL "St. Stephen" in the FIRST set!!
When did the play "The Golden Road"..."Cosmic Charlie"?
Show me the Grateful Dead show that is a match for Mountain Aire 5/27/00.
Maybe 2/13/70 rivals that one...maybe 5/2/70 also...BUT..I don't think you'll find that much else!
Ashamed?????
Hardly!!!
I'm DAMN PROUD of what I've seen and heard from The Grateful Dead...AND...Phil!
If YOU choose to believe that I don't know what I'm talkin' about well...so be it...but I KNOW I DO!!
And THAT'S WHY I, for one, am exceedingly grateful that Phil can present THIS MUSIC in the AWESOME, POWERFUL ways that he has, and...the musical pieces themselves...DESERVE!!!

Sorry, that was JULY 12, 1987.

Hartford - AMAZING!! Best Phil so far. I was shaking after the show!!!! Phil is bringing so much life back to this incredible music that was really lacking towards the end of the Grateful Dead's career. I rarely saw a Dead show that maintained that kind of energy level all the way through, and I saw a lot of shows from 80 until 93. Close your eyes and some of that jamming sounded a lot like tapes from the early 70's. Rob Barraco is simply incredible. I always lamented the fact that I never got to see a show that far back, and I feel incredibly lucky to be at these shows and hear the music being played with so much vitality and energy. I missed the early 70's, but I'm getting the early 00's with Phil, and it is amazing, unbelievable, incredible......

Please stop bashing Bobby around here too. It makes me sick. His guitar work was an integral part of any classic Dead jam and he wrote so many classic tunes, including that amazing Cassady he played with Phil. Bobby was amazing in his own right and way at Hartford. A lot of the people around me were having our doubts that Phil could top him at Hartford. If you bashers would just open your ears you might actually have heard the great music from Bobby's set. Ratdog is not Phil and Friends, and I wouldn't expect it to be. In fact, it was a refreshing change to hear Bobby playing songs - sometimes Phil and Friends gets a little too jammy. No offense against Jimmy Herring, but I'll take Mark Karan any day over Herring.

P.S. - If anyone knows the guy from Hawaii who was sitting next to me and my friend right behind the taper section, please have him e-mail me - mphack@yahoo.com. My friend and I both enjoyed sharing the show with him, and would like to get in touch. Can't be that many folks from Hawaii who were at Hartford!

Jimpa don't be like that. So what if I saw 200 shows. I think someone can be a deadhead just if they appreciate the music and are kind. Screw this I am better than you are shit. I say rock and roll.

By the way, Ratdog is one of the best bands touring right now. Caught them in Portland last spring. I say I will be first in line to buy that live cd when it is released. Oh, and if you like ratdog you'll love Les Claypool's Flying Frog Brigade. Right now, they are playing with two of Ratdog's musicians. An excellent group.

I don't think the jams were "Save it For Later" Instead they were "Tears of a Clown" jams. The English Beat does both of these tunes, but in actuality Tears of a Clown is a Smokey Robinson Tune. Heres to soul music!!!!!

I'm not much of a tape trader by any means, but the Hartford show blew me away and I would like something to remember it by, can anyone point me in the right direction for a tape (CD) of this show? It would be much appreciated, thanks alot! E-mail: partyanimaldog@hotmail.com.

Keep checking in...The tapers are all on tour...when they return.... :):):)

>>>I think you'll find that some of those shows were some of the MOST RESPECTED shows in the
last 15 years of the Dead.

It's a good thing I dragged your butt to 5-6-81, 7-10-81 & 12-5-81 or Jinpa would really be mad.....


Also Re: "Bob was amazing in his own right", "What Bob does is different but still great", etc.
Give me a break! If you choose to think like that, then EVERYTHING is great in it's own right. Brittany Spears (not her looks, her music) , IN Sink (whatever...), Madonna, Conway Twitty.....

with all the overwhelming music that night, it'd be easy to forget about this little first-set gem called cassidy. no one's ever heard it played like this before. the jam was so textured and subtle...and intense. the guitars were like three peices of stained glass, and you're looking through all three at once as they slide over each other, so the pictures shift and blend and yet remain distinct....and like a kaliedescope the colors stay so clear. and then the jam ends just as I realize how truly beautiful it was.

my first phil/dead show was this hartford show. thanx to all who attended and my crowd d,k,b,k,t it was a great experience and i cant wait to do it again in camden on sat. still wish i would of stayed on for saratoga!!!!

12/5/81 was, I think, more of a mutual agreement to change scenery for 2 or 3 days.
But...I WILL have to tip my hat to ya...for the other 2...ESPECIALLY 5/6!!!

Bucky, did you just compare the quality of Bobby's music to Brittany Spears? You are one jaded man, my friend. Have you ever heard of this little thing called and "opinion?" People have them, and don't always share them...come on now...you don't need to insult others sensibilities because you don't like something that they do.
(i.e. "If you choose to think like that!")

don't forget Buckster is the one who debated the line "music is love" LOL ...personally i think Bobby is a major innovater in his own quirky unique way AND his Music is Love..come and get it Buck...


ps: geez this is silly

>Please stop bashing Bobby around here too. It makes me sick.


Velveeta.

>I don't think the jams were "Save it For Later" Instead they were "Tears of a Clown" jams. The
English Beat does both of these tunes, but in actuality Tears of a Clown is a Smokey Robinson
Tune. Heres to soul music!!!!!


sounded more like save it for later to me...

then again, i see dead people

Mark Karan could not even solo during scarlet! For someone to say they would take this almost a guitar player over Jimmy "Rock Star" Herring is an outraguoes statement. Hey I'm not bashing Bobby, just his band. I used to love ratdog back in 95-97, since then they sound like a dead cover band without a guitarist, naturally, because Bobby spent his life in the shadow of one of the greatest players: What about Wrong Way Feelin, Heaven Help the Fool, Shades Of Grey, Easy to Slip... etc these song pop up twice a tour. I'm sorry this band just does not cut it, maybe I will try them in at a smaller venue, but there is not much appeal there. Mark Karan can't even touch JH, I think many would agree with that.

Agreed, speaking of JH, did you catch the Built to Last solo he threw out. I think Jimmy is an incredible guitarist playing in a band with a more then incredible bassist, rythmn, and keys. Its really cool to hear him step out of the rythmn section and hit some super solid notes like he did on Built to Last. Slow song, mellow closer, but man did he throw out a killer solo!

Yeah, that Built to Last was AWESOME!

Hartford, We left Providence RI around 1pm got to Hartford after a beautiful ride on 101? and 44 about 2:30 Checked into the hotel ended up missing the biscuits and Bobby for the 2nd night straight but that was ok. Went with a couple of my roommates brothers and there wives/fiance's and friends didn't park in the lot (thank GOD) that place was a dust pit almost like Ventura Beach then ran in to a phriend named Mollie and WOW that was a good way to head in. Got there had 10th row in front of Warren and met some really cool people (Chad & Melissa) and then the show started Cosmic Charlie and I agree with Erik earlier kind of a mellow entry but they definately picked it up as they went on. Rainy day tease my mind does not recall then Bobby out a great Trucking>Jam>Cassidy then to a nice beautifully Broken >King Solomons Marbles>Stonger than Dirt which we made it back for after getting a 7.00 Bud (ouch) and a smokin Doin that Rag to end a some what mellow but well put together 1st set.
*************** Earth to Steve(real name)*********
Out of the 10 Phil and Friends shows that I have seen this is by far the best 2nd set that I have witnessed. A nice intro Jam that went right into Mr Fantasy and then my 3rd Stephen which was a charm I was in such a grate space during this and was automatically thinking eleven but no they smoothly transact in to a sweet Eyes then back in to Stephen Now I am thinking 100% eleven but they just kept making us happy as pigs in mud and go into Help on the way>Slipknot which was making me do backflips in my mind and then after I thought I was not coming The Eleven!!!!! Hello Hartford this was smokin and it just got better and better back into slipknot and then a most smoking Franklins Tower that I thought was going to blow the roof off of the pavalion. And to put a nice touch on a great evening Built to Last and that just made me think Jerry was in the house tonight and for Phil to comment on how "we(the phans) bring out the best in them and it showed tonight" I was moved and soaked with swet and just in such a Happy place known to me as YAHTZEEVILLE!!!!!
Now it is off to SPAC and I
All I would like to say is Thank YOU Phil & Friends once again!! and Even right now I am getting chills up and down my body just going back to where we all were. Thanks!

"Yahtzeeville"..."Zombieland"..."Willoughby"......
"...one man gathers what another man spills"!

Just like to say that the reviews posted here are right on, and that I appreciate the experienced ears' opinions.
It IS, however, too bad Bob gets dissed and it's like some kind of sick trend. It doesn't make you appear like a "more-true" Deadhead, just a "more-true" A-S-S-H-O-L-E. I doubt if anyone of you Bob-dissers could even play a G chord in his presence, let alone play tunes with him, and you DEFINITELY couldn't play and collaborate with the likes of Jerry and Phil for thirty years. You would melt in your underwear...a steaming pile of stinky heckling poo...before you could take the heat and keep on truckin' like Bob has. There's a reason Bobby was(and remained)a member of the Dead, and it wasn't because of his boyish good looks. I have my preferences, too, but I hold no ill will for Bobby, and wish y'all would "accentuate the positive" a bit more.
To me, Phil is like Jake and Elwood combined, on a mission from GOD to gather the flock and straighten out the curves. I took a lot back home with me after this past weekend...and can't wait to get my next lesson in Hershey and Meriweather.
Thank the ONE I caught that Hartford show!!!
"I wanna say to my sistas and my bruthas...keep the faith..."

for those raving on hotfed, may i submit for your eyes and ears this past show, one for those who love setlists and also one for those who simply love highoctane diesel.
this was the real thing:
you've got your eyes (first set)
you've got your help/slip/franks (first set)
you've got your exquisite sandwiches:
goldern road/viola/wharf rat/viola/rider
dark star/1000 stars/dark star
with a little light, comes a time and box thrown in for fun.
in addition for those seeking:
st stephen (st. stephen/sugaree/st. stepehen/walrus)
eleven (first set)
plus a little wheel, other one, china cat, uncle johns, here comes sunshine and not fade away, there was the first night of the two-night run. I don't think we left much out.
do yourself a favor.
please do to check out SUNRISE 4/13, 4/14/01.
thank you.

WOW! Do you have a copy, Jinpa?

>It doesn't make you appear like a "more-true" Deadhead, just a "more-true" A-S-S-H-O-L-E.

Bashing Bob makes us deader-than-thou?
Please.

I do it because it's fun.

And Phil has taken a backseat to others in this band long enough.
The bass fans are getting their moment in the sun so deal.

I hope to post some long reviews soon, but I thought I'd add a couple quick comments. I just went to Great Woods, Hartford, and SPAC, and my mind is blown. That was the most fun I've had since doing SPAC and Oxford with the Dead in '88! P&F are absolutely amazing. Great Woods was a fine, fine show, although the venue is an absolute piece of shit with the worst karma imagineable. Going to Hartford was like night and day. I'll never go back to Tweeter (Great Woods) again if the same act is playing at the Meadows. No security, great vibe, just an awesome time. The first set was very hot, and the 2nd Phil set was quite likely the hottest set of music I've ever seen. SPAC has got to be one of the most incredible venues anywhere. The show was also very hot, and much different than Saturday. I'd rank them Hartford, SPAC, Tweeter, with SPAC being just a little better than Tweeter. Missed Bobby the first night, listened to some of his set - which sounded pretty hot- from the lot on Saturday, and caught the Aiko-China-Rider which was quite good. Saw about 1/2 his set at SPAC, and it was pretty average. Seeing him play Terrapin after seeing Phil do it was a letdown. He's a great opener, but he's just not in the same league. And I've always loved Bobby as part of the Dead, but he's so much more predictable and prone to letting me down at shows. I'd like to see Dog on their own, in a small venue - I bet it would be pretty hot. But Phil is the shit. I saw just over 50 shows from '83 until the end, and the 3 I just saw were better than all but a few of the best Dead shows I saw. It was the first time that I've been to a show since Jerry died that I didn't miss him. Not even during Stella Blue, because Warren's voice is so soulful. I found myself thinking more than once that if Jerry were there, he couldn't keep up with these guys and it wouldn't be as good. Weird to even contemplate... The only thing I would like to see is less Phil vocals and more Rob. Phil on Terrapin just doesn't quite cut it - I'd love to see Rob and Warren split just about all the Jerry tunes and leave Phil to sing his stuff. But I'll keep coming back no matter what. Can't wait for fall tour!

"Bashing Bob makes us deader-than-thou?
Please."

Well, that's what you sound like you're trying to be. And snobby hippies are the fuckin' worst. Deal with that. :)

"I do it because it's fun."

At least you can admit your immaturity, you squirrel rustler. I bet Jerry Springer is your fave show.

"And Phil has taken a backseat to others in this band..."

(surely you don't mean his OWN band??? huh?)

"...long enough.
The bass fans are getting their moment in the sun so deal."

These putdowns have nothing to do with Phil's glory. I, for one, am completely overjoyed and overwhelmed by Phil and his new thang. And the PLQ is definitely not a bass showcase, at least not what I've heard so far. What are you listening to? If you want a bass showcase, I suggest any Jaco album.

If that's all I have to "deal" with, I won't be losing any sleep...except maybe to wonder what wicked jams are going on at the shows I can't make.

Stay on the sunnyside of life, pal. And don't be afraid to use your real name...that's a cryin' shame...hehehe

JIMMY HERRING

I'll have to agree with Peter on this one.....

Jimmy Herring basically plays nothing but warmed over Jerry licks with not a trace of feeling, edge, or originality. Not only that, but he's constantly stepping all over Warren's solo's, just like he did to Jeff Pevar. His playing is the one thing holding back Phil and Friends. The Phil Jams are great, but Jimmy doesn't seem to have the chops to shine even close to the way Jerry did. It's like comparing a candle to the sun. Jerry's solos were like a trip to some foreign universe - Herrings are like a trip to the local mall. I wouldn't try to compare the two except that Herring tries so hard to sound like Jerry, and just fails miserably. The times that it works are when the rest of the band is really kicking it, and it covers for Herrings inadeqaucy. I won't compare Warren to Jerry because Warren plays in his own style, and doesn't attempt to imitate anyone else, except maybe Duane Allman. I don't know - seems like Herring has some talent....maybe he just needs to step up and play with some authority instead of standing back there with that stoned look all the time. I'd really like to hear him step up and play a nice, heartfelt solo that doesn't feature 400 notes a second. I'll bet he could do it.

I'll give Herring LOTS of due credit for learning all of Jerry's parts on the Blues For Allah stuff - Help, Slip, Franklins, Stronger than Dirt, etc. He's really made those songs stand out in a way that the Dead couldn't do for years. He really needs to step back and play some rhythm though also, to fatten and texture the sound of the band more. Warren is a legend and he plays lots of rhythm - why can't Herring? A lot of the jams are just too thin when Herring is doing those little noodling runs of his. He needs to fill the Bobby slot and do some interesting rhythm stuff behind Warren. Go ahead Bobby bashers, but Bobby's rhythm playing was ESSENTIAL to the classic Dead jams, and it's whats missing from Phil's shows. Just take a listen to Cassady from Hartford with Bobby - it's so beautifully textured with Bobbby in there.

Barraco, Molo and Phil are tremendous together - the true heart of the band. Barraco is just so amazing!! Really reminds me of the way Keith used to play with the Dead. Warren is stupendous in his own, non-Jerry way. For my money, I'll take Crusader Rabbit with Phil, John, Rob, Bobby, Warren, and maybe even Karan, who made me cry during that Mission in the Rain with Bobby at Hartford.

Not being able to play guitar disqualifies us from critiquing Bob as we see it? We, who paid $40 to see a show have no right to comment on it?

I guess that means you can't dislike a meal at any restaurant if you aren't a chef. Or think Stallone's latest movie stunk if you aren't an actor. Or say Rey Ordonez is a lousy hitter because we couldn't hit a major league pitcher.
Or diss someone's post if you aren't a writer.

Lighten up, you crybabies!

kicker, you are hearing a whole other musical universe than i bruddah...

Herring is one of the must gifted players on the planet. period. he had elusive chope, they are very smooth, but they move the music to fresh new places..he is the one who comes up with the most ideas, besides phil..he provides the most rhythm texture of anyone in the band, and he's a master of note counterpoints..

he doesn't jam too many notes in the bars, you couldn't be more wrong about that..not to setup a jimmy vs warren debate but its warren who most often overplays in this band, by far, sometimes just a bit too fast and furious for the moment (hey, a guy gets excited playing his heart out)..when he starts to do this its jimmy who is right there with a soft complimentary idea to balance things and reel Warren back in and keep things going at the same time..his playing is so far beyond Karan's it isn't enven worth mentioning but i guess i just did..and Karan is a decent player. did he really make you cry or did the song?

and jimmy doesn't sound at all like jerry...for that, look under "kimock" (who is also an amazing player in his own right, though i waaaaaaaay prefer jimmy) who uses many more similar approaches to jerry than any other Phriends alumni..

i miss jerry more than anyone, many things about his playing and persona are one of a kind but don't knock herring for falling short of that level, everyone does.

buck there's alot of levels of criticism and to understand technique and theory it does help to play an instrument..but it doesn't disqualify you from liking what you like, nope...


he's also improved so much in the last year its downright scary...

thats HAS elusive Chops...

All I know is Herring fit in nicely with Phil. He was great the first time he played with P&F in Oakdale & I haven't heard anything to the contrary since.

Then 2 months later, he's with the ABB & fitting in quite nicely there too, playing Mountain Jam like he'd been there for years.

I think that says something about his ability.

This was my first Phil and Friends show and I can't believe how great it was. The first set was tight with Bob playing on Truckin' and Cassidy. And the version that the boys played of Doin' That Rag would even have made Jerry proud.
The second set absolutely blew me away. St. Stephen and Eyes of the World are my two favorite songs and they sounded unreal. The Eleven!!! Freakin' awesome. Help on the way and slipknot were so killer. Warren got off some cool lines in the jams between these songs. And Franklin's Tower was the perfect closer to the prefect set. I couldn't have asked for a better concert from Phil and Friends than what I got. I look foward to seeing Phil again soon. Peace.

kicker, I urge you to give herring another listen...with an open mind. he's such an integral part to P&F's sound. he adds so much texture and nuance and subtlty. when you get up close to him, you realize what a rythm machine he is.

sjf is right on: JH is so not trying to sound like jerry. and it's warren who plays over and interrupts herring, not the reverse. I want to see herring step up and play louder. demand some space from warren who regularly ignores what herring is playing. I was 5th row right in front of jimmy and rob for greatwoods, and I focused a lot of my attention on his playing, and so many times I heard him develop complex rythms and intricate, beautiful leads only to be drowned out and then cut off by warren's screaming slides and bends. don't get me wrong, warren is fantastic and he can't hit a wrong note if he tried, but give jimmmy some too.

No, Bucky, not being a guitar player doesn't mean that you can't like a guitar player, but comparing the quality of Bobby's music to the quality of Brittany Spears makes it PAINFULLY obvious that you don't play anything...and if you do play an instrument and I'm off here, then it makes me utterly confused...

>I want to see herring step up and play louder. demand some space from warren

Definitely…the man has more grace in his fingers (to me), although he is much less commanding…and I can’t agree that Karan is better. I just don’t see that, although I do like Karan, too.

>At least you can admit your immaturity, you squirrel rustler. I bet Jerry Springer is your fave show.


Wow
I didn't know this was a grownups-only forum.

I'll head back to pokemon.com

>(surely you don't mean his OWN band??? huh?)

this band meaning the Dead..Jerry and Bob were always the focal points

Mr Crispy, i also see you are a fan of the Rafiki and Jolly Gargoyle of Morgantown WV fame...


I am familiar with a certain Mr. Pushkin so we have common acquaintances in the Gargoyle family.


Gotta run...they got incestual love triangles on springer today...need some more ideas for the family get together at Thanksgiving.

Cryptical-
I'm not a fan of the bands I list in my profile...those are bands I either started or was a member of...Pushkin and me are the founding members of the Joint Chiefs Joint Chiefs MP3.com Page He keeps threatening to show up on tour...more will be revealed.

Bucky-
Obviously you don't need my blessing to post your opinions. I enjoy your reviews. I'm just voicing my own opinion that Bob-bashing ain't cool...we've heard it all before. I'm far from crying, I'm seriously digging this summer's Phil so far and can't wait to check out Hershey and Meriweather. Maybe I can get with you Zoners and we can smoke the peace pipe, just so we all know we're on the same team anyway.

krazy kat-in-the-(nice)-hat, sorry feline dude, currently only between the ears, but it's oh so schweet.

There is such a dichotomy between Bob fans and Phil fans. I was at SPAC with some older guys and their wives. We where all party hardy in the lot, everyone was having a great time (just like dem ol' days). But come show time 2 of them stuck to their "bobby" guns. I was trying to tell them how INCREDIBLE Phil was in Hartford last night, how awesome the second set REALLY was, how great the Phil's band sounded and all the great bombing segways I danced on and it basically blew over their heads. My friend was like "Cool, sounds like a great show, but you have to admit bobby's terrapin was the highlight tonight." Sure man. Look, its not like these guys are new and dont know whats up, there in their 40's and saw 300+ easy. There alliance is with the old band and ALWAYS will be. When you break "old heads" down, you often find out that their really stubborn, thick headed and not readily acceptable to new things. (no pun intended bucky or any other vet on this board). The best thing you can do is not argue with them. In my situation I simply played along, "yeah man, that terrapin was smokin, right on, good call" stuffed a few more beers down his gizzard and eventually the Phil started to massage its way in. It takes time though. Dont get frustrated! Its really quite entertaining when it all come together!

Feel the love!

That’s funny cause I patched off an old head at Saratoga and he was WAY anti-bobby…It’s all so subjective it’s worthless even to talk about and realistically expect to really change any minds…that’s up to the music. But the debate certainly provides entertainment at work and usually some sort of new angle to approach things from…BTW, my MD is all fucked up and all my discs came out a-skippin’ like mad…I’m really pissed about it, but oh well…the little snippets that come through sound good, but it’s nothing worth getting a copy of by any means (I say this cause a couple peeps have emailed to ask)…

Jinpa, you keep lovin' that memory...I'll try to track it down and I'll let ya know if I do...I'm also gonna be on the lookout for Hartford and Saratoga...Hopefully my MD will "Fare better at Merriweather"

its fascinating to talk about the differences in styles and approach but it takes thinking outside the simple "one is better than the other" and really check out what a band does to create its sound..does it say anything to say one band is better or one sucks? yeah, it says you are too lazy to really look at what music is about or you're just trying to score point with the peanut gallery..or just that you're stuck in an emotional gut reaction and haven't really analyzed things (which is what a review is)..

i can tell you exactly what works and doesn't work for me, love to talk about that stuff..but we are always sidetracked by crazies or ego massage or by opinions that have nothing to do with the show that is crying to be reviewed and analyzed..thats a shame, there's alot to talk about just sticking to the subject and the many musical thoughts that any show contains (is that possible?)...

Good call, Irisguy...and if I've stepped into the realm of gut reaction here, I apologize...althought I've been trying to support any claims with some basis in objectivity (to what degree that is possible anyway).

eric: no way, dude i enjoyed your reviews, you stuck to the music and described what you liked and didn't in detail which was cool..could use more of that!

I'm just trying to score points with the peanut gallery.


:^)

you are right tho sjf...some things just do it and some things don't...

Ewwww,,,
This is like a warm fuzzy shot of JD before a show. Feel the love! Whos goin to Jersey! Lets rock!

Thanks Irisguy...Glad you liked the reviews

also, i dig that you had the courage to say you enjoyed the Dog...it was 50/50 for me, but i enjoyed some moments, fer sure..

the climate around here was set a long time ago..personally, i always ribbed Bobby, he's such an easy target and damn funny...did you see the way he pretended to hit himself in the head w/his guitar when exiting the Hartford stage? classic Weir self mockery..he's always been that way and we have fun w/it..

And he's got a band that plays weird shit, not the way we are accustomed to and some people don't dig it..and some, including me didn't dig his side of the Vault issue or the Jerry guitar thing..but i say when it comes to his music, give the man a wee bit of respect..he's the most unique (in a good way) rhythm guitarist i've ever heard and a founding member of the Dead..daisey dukes, madonna shirt, pink guitar and all..

and so what are we going to do now, review the activities of all the Weirheads we come across? do we really care?

For me this was BIG, seeing those 2 2gether again..forget about what it does to PLQ, its all about healing a 30+ year relationship that we are a part of and making a part of the circle hole again. it was freakin fantastic to see-hear-feel..goddamn that was great...

not talking bout you crypt you ARE the peanut gallery...and thats WHOLE

group hug?

I love that picture of Bobby with the pink guitar, Modonna shirt, and the daisy dukes...I guess there's probably more than one, but it's hilarious...And all that shit about the vault and jer's guitars, yeah, that does suck...but I don't really know shit about the details so I can't get mad at him or the other 3 guys for anything real.

"Bobby with the pink guitar, Modonna shirt, and the daisy dukes" LMAO!!! heheheh
Sorry (and yet not sorry) to have seemed to be Bob's protector...God knows he really doesn't need one. I've just been thinking about this stuff a lot lately...since the Morgantown show that I lost my mind at...it all came out that Phil is my long-lost biological father and a medivac was waiting for me to pass out so they could take my liver in case Phil needed another one...I was like a new Messiah...a legend in my own mind...and a million other incredibly unbelievable things that my friends (and me) are still laughing about...shouldn't go into this any furthur, it's downright embarassing...my good friend Tom told me, "Shut up about it already. I gave BIRTH to MYSELF at a show one time. You had it easy." hehehe...suffice to say my pipes got cleaned out REAL well. So I'm all about the PHIL now more than ever, I guess I just don't like the dissing to interfere with my unabashed-hero-worship of the PHIL.
And I don't know if old dogs can learn new tricks or not...seems to me there's a choice along the way...
And I can definitely get a laugh from Bob and his Izod collection, among other things.
Philhead, Bobhead, Jerryhead...whatever...I'm a Deadhead.

When is Weir going to step out and lend vocals to The Cryptical Envelopment->That's it for the Other One->Cryptical suite?


I'll take that daisy dukes or no daisy dukes.

>When is Weir going to step out and lend vocals to The Cryptical Envelopment->That's it for the Other One->Cryptical suite?


Unfortunately not this time around :o(

I wish old man Bob could hang and pop out for a second set surprise...

i don't wanna rekindle any warren v. jimmy argument but i gotta stick my $.02 in on this. jimmy i find to be one of the most versatile and practiced guitarists alive today. the problem is matching him with someone. warren, i find to be a little too screechy and a little too quick to raise the intensity of a jam. that's ok if jimmy had a tone to combat that with. since jimmy's been using that damn fender strat, he's become more and more hidden in the mix, so to speak. unfortunately, phil lent him the strat so it would probably be in poor taste if jimmy refused it... the way things are now, warren can't help but overplay cuz we're not gonna hear jimmy anyways. in my opinion, i didn't hear jimmy do anything of note until dear mr. fantasy where he remembered how to make his guitar sound mean. if you listen to the shows from this past fall you can hear the difference. back then he was still using the hollowbody prs that he used back in jazz is dead. that tone cannot be beat. although i am an incredible fan of phil and friends, i find now that jimmy's talent is being abused and i hope that a balance can be reached. personally, i can't wait for jazz is dead tour this summer and fall so i can see jimmy shine again. maybe some more project z!

This show was amazing, P&F were super, and it was the best Ratdog I have ever heard...those of you who think the Meadows sucks...ever been to Great Woods? Now, THAT place really sucks...the Meadows is cool.

Alright, Melissa!!!
This show was AWESOME!!!
And..you're right there seems to be a much more pervasive atmosphere up at the Tweetahhhh Centahhhh, than at the Meadows.
If you're discreet...and respectful...regarding what you DO at the Meadows...you have NO problem!!!
I've been there (as it is my "home venue"...countless times). Seen the Allman's half a dozen times there...Phil twice...the first Further Fest...The Who in '97...the Volunteer Jam...Skynyrd/ZZ Top...and pretty much have had the run of the place.
Discretion...and respect...words to LIVE BY!