Hey now!

Super excited to make my first trek to the Fillmore. Heard nothing but great stuff about the acoustics, etc... Hope they allow a nice lot scene. This will be my first time heading out west for Phil since the 4/99 Warfield run...can't wait!

Will there be any folks hangin out at microbrew's, restaurants, etc.. nearby? I will be coming out myself, and am looking for good tips. Seeing 4-4 alone, but taking one of my best friends for his first Phil show the 5th. (PHIL---if you read this, he is a huge fan of traditional jazz standards, so if you could throw Milestones, Love Supreme, Silent Way, My Fav Things, etc out our way, it would truly make my trip super-memorable. Phil, I never ask like this for a tune, but your band is so damn hot I am flying from Louisville, KY by myself just to see you!! ;^)

Heres hoping derek and susan can hop on stage also...

peace,
Chris Mescia

they just had a baby......probably not....or are they the opening band?

Derek Trucks is playing that same day at the Bluebird on the 5th, which is a couple miles down the road. When Phil was last at the Fillmore last winter, DTB played the same place (I believe) and showed up at the 2nd show. I see a repeat happening, though I doubt Susan will be there, for the above mentioned reason.

Across the street from the Fillmore is a bar called Sancho's Broken Arrow. It is a Dead bar and a grreat place to hang out before the show. Get there early, though.

>Hope they allow a nice lot scene.

Chris, no lot scene @ the Phillmore. At least I've never sen one. Parking is a bitch around the venue and Denver in general and has only gotten worse this year.

Not sure where you are staying, but be advised.

>Get there early, though.

Steve R U from CO? We'll be coming up from the Springs for the Thursday show, so probably won't get to Sancho's. Going to try the Mini-Zoner hookup before the Friday night show, but not sure where yet. I'll be glowing in many different colors...

I've been reading post on the Zone for about a year and now for the first time I've decided to get involved. Greetings to all...Well I have been counting the days since i got my tickets in febuary and now we're just 3 weeks away. folks i've been to at least 20+ shows at the fillmore (4 phil shows) and this building rocks. great atmosphere(crowd feeling and security is pretty chill, safe to spark up on the floor) and the sound is awesome...great!!! can't wait to hear those bombs dropping again. there is not much of a lot scene (as there is no one or two "parking lots") but the scene in front of the venue is uaually fairly chill. this year the pat down as gotten more existent...not to worry just stash wellbut the line to get in before the show has gotten pretty big and LONG so don't show up 20-30 minutes before hand and expect to see the opening...just a little hint. Anyone want to trade at the shows just write back...would really love some good phil discs as i have few. thanks and peace to all, The Green Bandit

Anyone w/ any extra tixs for this or the previous night? just got into grad school and decided to make the trip from atlanta. I would gladly compensate anyone w/ extras. Please let me know if you can help, click on my name above to email me,
thanks So much, hope to be in the Phillmore again w/ you folks

Actually, DTB played at the theatre about two blocks away...not all the way down...he played the late show one of those nights, and that was why he was there the first set...nice rehearsal.

NOTHING in that area of Denver at all to hang at, besides the aforementioned.

check out the Miltones at the Vail block party on 4-6, and after Phil at the 'Bridge' in Vail Village that night...

if i had my way, id give a coconut to everyone...

Looking for an extra tonight. Email or call PLEASE 303-809-3750

Sick! Sick! Sick! Sick! Sick! SICK!

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....two days ago it seemed that they were going to stick to more song oriented second sets, new songs, ballads etc. the he pulls out this retro '72 second set last night. What the fuck? He's killing me!

Phil is determined to rip open your scalps, pull out your brain, stomp up and down on it and then put it all back and send you on your merry way. Be careful out there tonight, (especially if its your first show)---Warren's got some unfinished business to atend to, and he's pissed.
Phils's been cooped up in the war room all winter long with his generals at his side....planning every move of this spring/summer assault. More than ever he's refusing to become predictable. Also, it seems the pacing and structure and of the shows has changed...they don't follow the same cresndo, peaking steadily to a climax that they used to. (Stella Blue for the closer?) And it appears the tone of the shows varies more from night to night.

Phil knows we were getting --even subconsciously--wise to his tendencies, and the band had developed certain patterns.Sunshine to close the first set? Walrus to open the second set? Caution with words? Now it's all in the blender--and with all the new tunes available, who knows what you'll hear or when you'll hear it. I don't know about y'all, but combined with a handfull of toadstools, that simple fact makes the experience all the more.....dangerous. I think it also means you've got to see more shows than in previous tours, to get the full flavor of what he's trying to accomplish. Seven or eight oughta do it for me.

You had to be there!!!

When I had no wings to fly
You
flew
to me

that second set...that is my heart laid bare all over the stage....I cant even stand to read it...foolish>THE REAL THING (dont know it...but speaks for itself btwn these 2 songs!)>good lovin unbroken chain....1000 stars....help slip frank....

and then to cap it off with the Soulshine>attics....the combo means it all....after that show....yr soul SHOULD shine...

but attics is MY melancholy ballad. Not to be possessive...but where all the print is blood, oh honey...and indeed I have struggled to seek all that is still unsung...

When there was no dream of mine...

(no, no, I cant cry now....not again...not after this existential despair day, healed vicariously by Phil...but yet he gives me still that sad lingering untouchable beauty....I would have been BAWLING)

You dreamed of me....

Don't say you had to be there...I'm hoping there's a way to get the gold to rub off a little somehow....can you spare a little stardust for a pauper? I hope you people were listening....

All I can say is... I hoped for Help>Slip>Franklin, and took a really poorly timed bathroom break. Standing in the stall, only to hear it start in the background. I never tried so hard to finish and head out as hard as I did then! Good show tonight. IMHO, last night was all about the second set. Tonight, both held their own. Very happy.

God loves you - Nobody's heart was spared!!!

Oh yeah - *HOT* I Know You Rider ending the first set. I spent the set break happy after that one!

YIPPPEEEE
two return to the fold.
I hope they have stories to tell of where they have traveled the last year for one and 2 for the other..
good to have em back..Hope they stick around a little while.

Completely different then last night. Thursady had a nice lookin setlist and the playing was done very well, but don't kid yourself, last night was by far the real deal. It was almost night and day the difference in energy and the way the band played. Big highlight was the Low spark, Rag and Rider in the first set. Set II really got it goin with the good lovin.... Barraco rocked on this one, Unbroken, and of course the HSF. I got home, I was like, it's gotta be late, I live 10 blocks from the fillmore, and it was only 11:30 pm. Gotta love those 7pm starts.

You would probably think, by reading setlists, that Thursday was the better show. Friday's show, however, has got to be the most psychedelic Phil show I've seen yet. The band was more unpredictable than ever. In true Space Cadet fashion, I spent the night with my jaw hanging wide open, saying "oh wow!", and staring in disbelief at how these guys continue to raise the bar every night.

Phil ripped my brain out during the melt-down jam in Shakedown, and the next thing I knew, everyone was doin' their rag to that greasy, carousel organ. If you spent the afternoon dosed in line on Colfax Ave (aka the Cold Facts), you'll probably agree that they couldn't have picked a more fitting opener to narrate our freak show.

As rockin' as this show got, I was more in awe of the restrain they showed; many times they would build up an enormous, chunky jam that was just ready to ROAR, then they'd simply turn away from it in order to explore the really interesting, weird stuff again.

The second set was beautifully played, and I mean absolutely gorgeous, tear-in-the-eye kind of pretty. Aside from my family, this band just means the world to me. Wish I could go to Vail... best wishes to those of you who are going!

Is everyone on here trippin? What a crazy thread. Keep it rollin!

Awesome show last night! The Low Spark was the highlight for me - sweet.

As an added bonus, we went to the Bluebird to see the Derek Trucks Band after the show. And who should appear to sit in on a great Lovelight? PHIL!!! A hell of a bonus to add to a great night!

Amen, Jefe! I live in CO and Colfax is Shakedown Steet everyday. After starting to glow out in the street, coming in to hear Shakedown was a true call to strap on the seatbelt and pay attention. By the end of Shakedown I already had the impression that the stage was above rather than ahead and we were all watching a show facing into the light that leads to the other side. And the spiritual tone of the night's setlist just kept it moving deeper and deeper, leaving me just absolutely blown away and washed out from the remnants of Soulshine and Attics rattling around my head as we filed back out into the street.

I'm totally with Jeff in terms of Thursday's night setlist looking better on paper-but to these ears, it was hands-down the lamest of the 50+ Phil and Friends shows I've ever seen. Most of what I've read allows the first set was tame, but it seems almost PI to criticize a set that was wall-to-wall classic with Derek on stage to boot. No matter-as one friend wrote me, "It was the first show I ever left before the last note, and at the bottom of all the P&F shows I've seen."

I wish he'd been able to be there last night. It was the shit and then some from the first crashing chords of Shakedown (no pre-song noodling here, just to make sure we knew the gauntlet was being thrown down) through the final sweet harmonies of Attics, it was everything Thursday wasn't. Tight, intense, psychedelic (just check out that intro to Low Spark when the discs start to circulate!), heartfelt-the PLQ was back in better than just fine form after the previous night's debacle. It served to remind me that for all the extraordinary musical feats these guys have accomplished, hey ,they really are human after all. We'd gotten spoiled here in Denver with all the Philmore shows we've been blessed with-I left the venue last night as satisfied as I've been in a very long time, perhaps even more so than if Thursday had been everything I'd 'expected'...

Can anyone offer a play by play?

My buddy called last night to say the show was spacey and indecisive and a bit of a disappointment compared to Thursday. The set list and the above two reviews would suggest otherwise....that maybe my boy smoked too many fruit loops.

We all hear it differant,I loved last night!I took my mother,and she has seen one dead show{12-12-90}and two otherone shows.She thought this band was better than them all.Jazzy,tight and emotional.I think last night was a little better than the night before,but both had wonderful moments.I try to,try is the word,to take each show on it's own merits,but sometimes its hard.No play by play,but very spiritual,love the new tune's.harmonys are great!!!

>>>>As an added bonus, we went to the Bluebird to see the Derek Trucks Band after the show. And who should appear to sit in on a great Lovelight? PHIL!!! A hell of a bonus to add to a great night

You're one lucky dude Steve!

Of all the spring tour reviews I've read so far, this shows energy really stands out. No noodeling to open, & the bomb just drops w/ Shakedown. You know you're in for a real ride!!! Think they can top that tonight? ;*)

>Sick! Sick! Sick! Sick! Sick! SICK!

Thank you, thank you very much!

>can you spare a little stardust for a pauper?

Anytime Huck! Loads to spare, glad to share! Attics was our closing prayer. I'm sure that there more than a few tears shed during and after this one.

>don't kid yourself, last night was by far the real deal

Truer words were never spoken!

>Can anyone offer a play by play?

Maybe, not that I'm any kind of Zoner Pat Summerall.

Appears people covered the Shakedown opener; no Jam, Boom, Gauntlet down. Followup jam, nice inversion.

Doing that Rag, I think a lot of you know how much I love this song; last night's version was slow tempo, nicely sung by Rob and clearly heard his organ grinding. Dew complained about the sound on Thursday, couldn't hear Rob, lack of separation etc... last nights sounds was much better. IMHO...

Thursday, 2nd set a nice young man strolled in front of us and as we were reading the fine print on the back of his shirt, we realized it was part of the lyrics from Low Spark; classic. Must have been why they broke this one out last night.

Chris, right on abut the opening theme into it, truly a must listen...

The Rider jam, well of course I was ready for this one, why do you think my handle is headlight, but no, just a taste of things to come...

Was not that familiar with Again and Again, but I liked what I heard and look forward to hearing it again and again. Again the 1st set was about pacing; the boyz know what they have to give and how to dish it out! I think the Rider to close the set speaks for itself.

For those of you who weren't at the show, right before it took off they had a bright white spotlight at the base of Molo's drum kit and it blasted and blinded me. Never have quite figured out how they know where I'm standing, must be the glow. ;-)

Regroup! Boy how I wish I could have smoked some bud, but at least I took some comfort in knowing the Zoners we met were doing so on our behalf.

2nd Set

Nice jam into Foolish; great vocals by Phil. Yes, we all miss Jerry, but great to hear these songs performed again.

Warren's voice is sweet and the Real Thing could be, but I'll have to hear it a few more times to get a good feel for it.

Much like the intro into Low Spark from the 1st set, the intro to Good Lovin' will just have to be heard to be believed. Very syncopated; staccato rhythym hid what was coming from those not in tune with the evening...

Another visual for those of you living vicariously.

It was hilarious to see Phil counting out the intro to 1st Molo then turning to Rob and counting it out again. Finger pointing ala Lawrence Welk; a one and a two and away we goo! So hot! Doctor help me!

Jam to let people catch their breath, so hot and so packed then a nice Unbroken. Not in the caliber of PNC from last summer, but sweet all the same and gave Carol and I a chance to hold, hug and sway. I was getting kind of ticked off at the yuppie VIP's in the corner where we were standing; chatty Cathies the whole lot of them! The jam took me into a 1000 stars before I even knew what the Hell we were getting into. I was dancing so hard,
I never heard anything like this version! The 1st night Red Rocks last summer paled by comparison the only version I've seen live. This one was unbelievably intense. Another sop to our missing NYE. :-( Looking forward to someone who heard both, giving the real lowdown.

This song unfortunately will probably be the Touch of Grey for this band. It should get massive FM airplay and the crowds will only get bigger. Sure had the place hopping though! ;-)

Pause for all concerned to breathe, then the only possible followup to fit, HSF.

Just 4 U Dew and so glad to meet you too! Thanks for all your hard work, Scott, Miko and everybody else too, who made the benefit shirts possible. Roll away the Dew indeed; glad you made it to Vail safe after the show, only wish things could have worked out for us to join you for the other two shows to come, but know we'll be there in spirit...

Soulshine was the love song to close the evening, not the massive Reggae version, which I dearly love, but again everything that anyone could ask 4. Carol and I had a last dance; had to love that and I did. Thought they could get away with that, but felt like they owed us one more, since we weren't going to Vail and I told them so!

Attics only fitting way to say goodbye, godspeed to all the Zoners we met and a tip of the hat to an old phriend!

In addition to the party of Dew, we met up with the Rev. Buddy Greene and his Hotlanta phriend Fred, who joined us for bit of a preshow mini-gathering at a nearby Mexican Joint. They in turn steered the one and only Gideon our way; thanks for looking us up Gideon, it was great to meet you too. Only wish we could have some more time to spend together, but all good things ...

Hope you made it back to Tenn. safely!

Well, I'm no doubt reaching the Fog limit but that's my play by play for last night, Tom!

Best we could do for all of U! Hope you enjoy both shows. I nominate last night for next SBD release!

Looking forward to hearing both shows again in the not to distant future; not to mention the two we'll miss in Vail...

Peace!

What he said...this show was great...the sound a huge improvement, and I will work on this review later...need to clear some cobwebs up on a deck in the sun overlooking the Range...

I thought both nights were mind blowing. If someone thought thursday was the worst set they've seen I can't change your mind but you weren't at the first set of 11/17 or 12/1 last year. If the sound wasn't right for you on thursday you were in the wrong place because I was in the exact same spot both nights and loved it all, and I spent 10 years doing sound for bands and working in studios, I have some idea of what's involved. Thursday had the classic list if that's what you're looking for, I thought friday was much more of a surprise and that's what I go for after all these years. I'm still recovering from the Low Spark. That Fillmore is one of, if not the, best venue I have ever seen music in, the perfect combination of size, decor, spirit. Just big enough to have lots of energy without being to huge, it certainly doesn't look like it holds 3,600 people. Thanks again to the most amazing group of musicians playing music today.

Act IV of my personal spring tour.
Yesterday’s massive highpoint during set II wad felt throughout all of 04/05. The whole show was riding on the wave of 04/04 Set II. But what set this show apart from its predecessors?
Jeff, you stated a very good point about 04/05:
"many times they would build up an enormous, chunky jam that was just ready to ROAR, then they'd simply turn away from it in order to explore the really interesting, weird stuff again."
Besides excellent song performances it was at those points (you mentioned) where they challenged the immense risk of killing the momentum. This night they succeeded and produced excellent connecting jam – far from noodling as on 03/29. A good ear could always follow until they arrived at the next song. A lot of people mentioned space->low spark. First example on that night. The IKYR sandwich was the second example. Well done.
But the best connecting jams came in SET II, from the foolish intro jam until night of a 1000 stars. The highlight of the show were two “connecting” jams INSIDE of unbroken chain. It felt like they were playing a completely different melodic line .
There’s not much more to add to HSF and the double encore. Immense joy brought to my ears.
No noodling – just brilliant and inventive playing. One of the last true adventures for my mind and ears.
Marc

>I wish I could have smoked some bud, but at least I took some comfort in knowing the Zoners we met were doing so on our behalf.

oh yeah