What are we in for tonight?

the worst traffic around and a helluva good time

i'm feelin a shakedown opener....dark star.....

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers

stream anyone stuck at home

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues

^^ go to other stuff or chatroom on philzone.com

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Birdsong

thanx not too good but better than nothin

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Birdsong
Cassidy

during Crazy Fingers







taper section





looking in the general direction of the 69 festival stage




closeups of the monument area and 69 stage area, pictures taken from the top of the hill

^^^ Sweet

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Birdsong
Cassidy
Built to Last

any other streams couch tour is no fun without music otrherwise its just saturday

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Birdsong
Cassidy
Built to Last
Big Bad Blues

Set 1
Feel Like a Stranger
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Birdsong
Cassidy
Built to Last
Big Bad Blues
Playin

Big Bad Blues

hey rob no stream tonight

Thanx for the great shots, Rob.

Thanks, Rob.

Listen to the first set here>

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16047555

taperrob rocks! Many thanks....

Rob, Thanks so much!

Music Never Stopped

Kudos, Rob!!!

Man that looks like fun.

Thanks, Rob! <3

eeeyyyes off the worlddddddd

Eyes Of The World

more Eyes

Awesome!

Taper Rob , thx

the man is everywhere!

the end of Franklin's Tower






Comes A Time

TRob > Merci Beacoups!!!!!!

Saint Stephen OMSN Phil US

Set list for #2 anyone?

Just gotta know where to poke around.......

The Music Never Stopped>
The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion)>
Eyes of the World>
Help on the Way>
Slipknot>
The Eleven>
Franklin's Tower>
Comes a Time>
St. Stephen>
One More Saturday Night
Donor Rap
E: US Blues

ok who ever wrote this setlist if RIGHT ON!!!

second set stream? looks like i missed a GOOD ONE

thanks rob

hoorahhhh

loving the feed....thanks so much Rob....

meee too, thx Taper Rob...I gotta get down.....I GOTTA GET DOWN, or I can;t work here no mooooore, MOOOOREEEE

second setlist arrangement sublime and sounds even better...thanks Rob~~~~~

2nd set stream>

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/16050088

second show of the summer tour ---fantastic! these guys are second to none,and thats the truth. can not wait til eugene may have to fly somwhere! can't afford it so i'll asteral project myself there! I prefer someplace in or around the first 10 rows see, or feel you there...props TR, ripple out. Tomripple16

Thats a bad ass backdrop

ALL NEW STAGE SETUP LIGHTS , BACKDROP LIGHTED SCREEN ABOUT TIME !!!! TPIPPIER THE BETTER....pHIL ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT THE TPIPPIN HIPPIES LOVE PSYCADELICLY THAT IS.MORE MOVIE S ANIMATION ANYTHING LIKE THAT, P.S, I'M NOT YELLING HIT THE WRONG BUTTON. hehe

The backdrop is a stagewide video wall

thanks for the photos!

Looking good...trusting fantastic times were had.

...

Just clearing out the cobwebs - First set was hot, it was clear that each song was getting shown some love - Stranger was about 13 minutes followed by Crazy Fingers which also clocked in around 13 or 14 mins and the transition to Cumberland was very nicely done rolling out of a sweet CF into a rollicking and JAMMED out Cumberland. Bird Song and Cassidy were also nicely played and developed and deconstructed only to finish strong. JK sang Built and it was nice to hear that little gem. Big Bad Blues was stretched out until it faded into Playin' - and might i add here that Bobby was strong last night - no Shatnerizations, just belting out the tunes like the Ace. First set 84 minutes.
Second Set: well, wow. Music Never Stopped had us all up and dancing and singing - "were they ever here at all" - MNS transitioned to a Rocking and Rolling Golden Road that JK belted out and played hard - the band was on fire, a force to be reckoned with and it was evident - again, the transition to Eyes was seamless, these guys are hearing each other and the transitions in the second set were sublime and smooth and just flowed - Eyes was, well, Eyes - all the joy and realization that we are - Help jumped out of the end of Eyes and Bobby was strong and the band was on it - Russo's breaks in Slipnot were played with such power and force you could feel his will in every attack at the drums - then just when you think its Franklin's - its the Eleven - and again, the band knew just where it was going and how it was getting there and did it ever. The jam>transition> to franklin's out of the Eleven was just the smoothest thing going. In a text to a friend I noted ' OH SO SMOOTH' . Comes a Time , JK on vocals, was played so subtly and JK wailed on the solos then just when the party's waning, St Stephen, again, cant say it enough - This Band is a force to be reckoned with, they are playing, in my opinion, as forcefully as the Grateful Dead had in their peak years - be it the earlier 70's Dead or late 80's Dead. We got an obligatory OMSN to close out, Phil's heartfelt donor Rap (if you're not giving your bits away by this point, you're not listening) and to close out - and it was called out by the guy sitting behind us - US Blues, a fitting farewell on a hot Summer night in the beautiful Catskills under a crystal clear sky.
Thanks Furthur for taking me there again.

Howdy all.
Here is a quick review for you all. As you can see from the pictures the place is really very esthetically pleasing and it was a super summer night.Stone walls and wood fence trace the gentle hills rolling in all directions. This place might have the longest walk in to the shed too.

The energy inside was relaxed and the band started off with a solid Stranger. From one of the pics on the other thread it looks like Phil was playing a new bass? If not then he changed the tone dramatically. It was much more tiney and elastic sounding, not my preferred preferance. The sound at the base of the lawn was good, nothing stellar. Crazy Fingers was a nice lilting pace through a stunning July evening.Cumberland was really good,possibly the best song of the set. Bird Song was nice and I liked it early in the set. The ending was quite good.
Follow this up with Cassidy and I am a happy camper, not as intense as the one one from Sunday night at RCMH but very well played. I heard John tease Dear Mr. Fantasy but we got a Built to Last instead and then Big Bad Blues, which I used as a bathroom break
A solid but not to wild PITB band closed out the set.The Reprise was ok and the crowd did not try to push it over the top.

A rock solid played set but the audience was not that into it from my observations.

Set two started off with Music right into Golden Road, this combo can work well in the first set but had me wanting something alittle more special to start off the set. Well they corrected that one by go into a enjoyable Eyes. John took the first solo and it was good, he seemed to be gradually sliding down in intensity during this entire set.

Jeff took the second solo and he was his typical prodigy self. They did a cool jam out of it and went into Help on the Way, the tranistion was more subtle rather than in your face intense. Sort of a theme this set.
The SlipKnot! was the highlight of the night so far and Joe was exceelnt on it. Then they went into the Eleven which was quite good but the tranistion into Franklin's was not as smooth. This Franklin's rally puttered out for me, although the band did do this cool thing where they almost stopped playing and sang acappela "if you get confused listen to the music play" That may have gotten the biggest cheer from this very mellow crowd.

Comes a Time was amazing both fragile and reassuring. It was a more graceful reading than an over the top power one. St. Stephen had me thinking Lakeland Fl, and it was average but kinda of petered out at the end.They really botched up the reprise.OMSN was rocking and with the soon to be crazy exiting the parking lot jam had me and hundreds of other making a b-line for the gates. US Blues fit right in with this night and I got out within 15 minutes.

Over all impressions for me were the band to my ears, seemed not as high engery as with previous tours and they might be hitting that lack of creative/inspiration wall.Although I have to say that John carries much of the load on that observaton on this night.
The way this tour is really sandwiched with hardly any nights off may work against the band and the tour heads. We'll see.
The audience, although very good sprited just never seemed that into the music the entire night.

As for the place, it looks pretty on the outside but no drinking fountains, not enough bathrooms. Security was kinda of jerks along the path at the base of the lawn."Screaming "Keep moving no dancing".They were like the bad brown acid last night.
I will probably not ever go out of my way to visit this venue again.
Have fun tonight.

Grate show, loved the second set. Things really started to heat up with golden rd and on. First set was on / off, not so much the playing but more the mix. They were really under-volumed at points, most noteably during stranger.
JK needs more volume also in general.
My only complaint about the second set was that JK's US Blues solo was under volumed and mello when the rest of the band was rocking. If you are going to play an upbeat encore then roll with it, don't do it half heartedly .

Great show great band, catch them while you can. Vibes next for me, cheers kids

A fun night and a well played show overall IMO. A beautiful day for a show, the ride up was wonderful. Love that drive along the East Branch of the Delaware. World renowned fly fishing and breathtaking views. Pulled in the lot around 5. This was our son's first Furthur show and his first time seeing Phil. He was excited. By the time we got up to the venue we got one ticket for cheap and just bought the other two instead of pissing around.


Set 1:
We hit the lawn as they were hitting the jam in Stranger. Generally not one of my fave songs, they hit a real nice stride that got a little bit funky sounding too at moments.

Crazy Fingers was sublime. Just well played, mellow and well sung. Sunshine really add's another depth with her vocals. Something that we've both noticed repeatedly, she just seems to pop in at the right moments and really shines. More on that later with the vocal jam in BBB. John just hit's it in stride down the stretch and Papa Bear Phil just rolled that thunder into a fine Cumberland that got the place moving and picked up the pace a bit. I enjoy the harmonies with all of em singing. They sound good together. Nice volley between Jeff & Phil before Phil hands off to Jeff and he just takes off and everyone else seemed to sit back and play their rolls. A nice jam that got a little choppy ala Page, IMO, but it picked up steam down the stretch too....

Birdsong - I enjoy this song, but it's not one of my faves. Thought the jam went nowhere fast but eventually came into it's own and was nice down the stretch as they hit a little funky strut that jived into a bit of an O1 feel for a moment before it fell back into Birdsong. I did really like the pause before Phil landed Snow & Rain....

Then they kinda rolled into a nice slow groovin Cassidy that could have used a viagra. At least Phil and John led a nice volley to bring it home that saw the rest of the band pick it up. An excellent Jam it became indeed with some JK fire till it dropped right back into the final verse just beautifully and a caressful way to end a beautiful song....

I like Built to Last and have yet to see one live I think, at least if I have I can't recall it off the top of my head. Maybe once with The Dead in 03. So it was only fitting Orion had to go to the bathroom right as that started, lol. Show me something built to last, well, Furthur, I believe is built to last and hope that Furthur will be the future of what started out as a Jug band and grew into the Grateful Dead. They certainly have the right people in place to carry it Furthur....

Big Bad Blues was sweet - low riding and funky. These guys hit a smooth groove with this. And the harmonies were very nice. The vocal jam was real nice, I thought. Kinda wish they would have went off on that a little more actually they could really do something very cool with that. I enjoyed it.

And Playin is playin, I've heard/listened to so many they all pretty much sound the same to me now. Almost always a fun time and last night was fun....

Set 2: later....

<<<So it was only fitting Orion had to go to the bathroom right as that started, lol

o. m. g. LOLOLOL I would have died laughing.

Posted this on the "other stuff" thread about this, but figured I'd C&P it here.

Phil always brings it, Bobby is Bobby, and Russo and Chimenti are machines. But what really impressed me tonight, above all else, was John. At Furthur shows in the past, I've not exactly been impressed. I remember being at Highland Park, in beautiful weather, listening to a show that SHOULD have been great, but John just wasn't hitting the mark. I wondered if his guitar was even plugged in. Seemed nervous, tentative, shy.

But at Bethel last night? dude was a beast. It seems to me like he is REALLY starting to find his comfort zone in this band and is even starting to *gasp* LEAD THE BAND at times. After reading his most recent interview for Dead.net, where he mentioned "poking" Jeff Chimenti musically and seeing how he would respond, I was listening for exactly that all night long. I would close my eyes and try to zero in on the interplay between John and Jeff. And, indeed, there was a constant conversation going. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the moments where everything's going along smoothly and then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, one of the guys throws something really strange in there to see how everyone responds. Before you know it, the song has gone in a completely new and unforseen direction. It is this interplay, looseness, and willingness to try new things that has kept this music fresh for so many years. When Furthur started out, and for their first tour or two, I wasn't sure they would ever develop this interplay to a musically satisfactory level. Those fears have been put to bed, in my mind. They're really starting to feel the group gestalt.

"Comes a Time" was beautiful. Perfect even. Incredibly heartfelt and emotional. I somehow "knew" it was coming. I could feel it in the air when the second set started. I know this sounds strange, but it was exactly the song I needed to hear at this time in my life, and somehow that gave me the faith that they would play it. A sort of synchronicity thing. I know, I know...the idea that their playing of a song is related to a member of the audience "needing" to hear it is silly and scientifically ridiculous. Doesn't change my mind, though. I knew it was coming, and I needed it. Beautiful song.

The whole show was tight and well played. Even my girlfriend, who is a fan, but not on the same fanatical level as me, said "the transitions between songs sound really great now!". I couldn't agree more. She had been there with me for Highland Park and some others where there was just aimless jamming and everyone was trying to hard. Now, the transitions had evolved so much that she felt the need to verbalize it, which confirmed what I was hearing with my own ears.

Aside from the show, the venue itself was beautiful, and its always a real delight to go there. The only funny thing, that I can never really seem to get over, is the big, mean looking security dudes who guard the main field where the Woodstock festival happened. Last time I came to Bethel (to see Arlo Guthrie and richie Havens), I managed to make it all the way down to where the stage had been. I looked out over the field and tried to imagine what it would have been like to play at Woodstock, and just tried to soak in the moment. Within 15 seconds, a security truck came bounding through the field and a man jumped out, yelled at me, threw me in the back, and drove away. I couldn't help but think, at the time: "man, I get that you don't want people to walk on this field and trash it, but isn't your TRUCK doing more damage to this field by driving on it than I was doing by walking on it?!" Luckily, this time, there was no truck incident, but there WERE security, arms crossed, making sure no one stepped foot on the field. Makes me laugh every time. The irony of a security guard, hired by a venue whose only goal is to make money, closely guarding the spot that, for many music fans and Americans in general, symbolizes the freedom of the sixties. So, in the sixties? Free concert, naked people everywhere, beautiful chaos. Now? Security guards, and the total lack of ability to even WALK onto the field, naked or not. Just a little funny.

That having been said, Bethel Woods still might be the most beautiful venue in America.

Oh, and if you should ever happen to find yourself in that neck of the woods, head a mile or so past the venue into Monticello and eat at Bubba's BBQ. They have a patio right on the lake, good drink specials, and if you show them your ticket stub, you get 10% off your bill. Friendly waitstaff, great food, great experience. They even have an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet. Great place to grab a pre-show meal. Best part of my meal there? The super jew-y woman behind me who said to her husband, in perfect Long Island Jewish accent (which I can't reproduce in written form, you have to just picture it) "No corn on the cob? Thats UNCONSCIONABLE!"

Aaaaaanyway: Great venue, great show, great people, great time. Thanks Furthur

couple more pics


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>>>a hot Summer night in the beautiful Catskills

Great review of Bethel MikePA as my take on the show that night is pretty much the same. Just one thing though....Bethel isn't actually in the Catskills (by map anyways).

per wikipedia:


Many visitors, including owners of weekend or vacation homes in the region, seem to consider almost anything sufficiently rural west of the Hudson yet within a short drive of New York City to be in the Catskills.

^^ Um, what PJ (Binguharpur) said -
if you look up a map, Sullivan County, home of Bethel, Town of Bethel, etc etc is smack dab in the middle of the Catskills - and i offer this link as back -up. http://www.visitthecatskills.com/

No worries, no apologies necessary -

Hahaha.... silly peeps just above^^.

I had a great time as always... but now, absolutely more than ever... every tour seems to be just a little bit furthur along in the band's musical development and maturity.

I agree with Logic when he spoke of the jams really going somewhere and how strong most of the song endings are... and when Ted spoke of the band petering out, I heard it too at times, but coincidentally, my brain petered out too... wish I could "scientifically" explain that one...... BUT THEN the show would pick up, and JK really took his lead, guitar solos higher than I have heard them in the past, consistently, through most of the songs played, which I think helped drive the whole band. The interplay and musical banter between band mates seemed more evident and comfortable. I love it when Jeff Chimenti takes off. I also seemed to enjoy Sunshine and Jeff Pehrson perhaps a bit more than I have in the past. Phil's vocals were awesome... I wish he'd consider breaking out a Broken Arrow with such a refreshed voice! Bobby was as good as I've seen him in a long time too. Russo is a machine as usual. He brings it. It really seems that everyone has found their place in this band. I hope they are able to enjoy it as much as I do. Lord, I pretend to know what I'm getting at here, but until the next show, in the moment, it will happen again for me! : )

As far as the mix goes.... during the first set I thought that some Jeff's solos seemed muddy (I'm sure wrong terminology).. but a little lost in the mix. During the second set, I could hear him much better. Granted I was planted 12th row, off center, not sure how it sounded further back.

Hubby and I made the exec. decision to take the slow road home meandering along back roads all the way, landing at Bucksteep Manor for an ABSOLUTELY ROCKIN' MAX CREEK show!!! I was sad to miss Furthur but what a great way to end the weekend. BTW: 6year old Julia LOVES the light up hula hoop!!!!

"They paved Paradise and put in a parking lot"

I enjoyed this show but I do agree the band seemed a little low energy, which I chalked up to the long trip from WV to Bethel. I was at the top of the hill and I thought the sound was exceptionally clear (I understood every word spoken and sung and could hear each voice and instrument clearly) but I didn't think it was very loud. TURN IT UP!!!!!

I liked this one and also saw the Max Creek shoe the next day and agree that the Creek is still bringin it. Bucksteep is a nice place to see a show.

I thought the band delivered, given that it was the 2nd show of the tour. I certainly wasn't expecting it to be a meltdown throwdown.

It would have been great if Bethel had been mid-tour and two shows.

Great reviews and I agree with every positive statement out there; this show was a monster. I melted into a pile of my fomer Grateful self and felt I had been hit on the head with a 1989 sandwich loaded with verey possible variety of anything tasting great.

Nice setlist and a fun crowd. Coulda done without Golden Road but I'm not complaining. My highlight was hearing Comes A Time for the first time.