Last Night at the Beacon and what a run it has been. Personally like to thank taperrob for his undying energy in providing us with the most enjoyable two weeks of couch tour ever. get some rest rob. Its well deserved

BOOMA BOOM!!

Share 'em if you got 'em......

April is National Donate Life month and what a way to say thank you to Phil for all he has given.

Http://donatelife.net

any stream tonight?

I believe Taperrob's got it again:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/taperrob

hai TR, thanks for being our ears out there tonite.

Thanks to all for such a wonderful week plus of beautiful music. I made it inside 2 nights and just want to close out here with another t. rob KICK ASS STREAM! Thank You Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks taperrob, you deserve a bed of roses! Sounds like a good buzz early in the Beacon, you can feel the energy! Have fun Furthur!

Thanks again for the stream, taperrob.

Somgs for Tonight:
Tennesse Jed
Ripple
Help>Slip>Franklins
Must Have Been the Roses
Truckin'
Dark Star
The Eleven
Black Peter
Brokedown Palace
Youch of Grey

we were able to do 3 nites there-thanks to Taper Rob we've been "at" them all-many thanks to you TR-

THANK YOU Rob!

Enjoy!!
(tomorrow night you sleeeeep!!)

Thank you

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine

Rob: You are the best at what you do. Thank you for doing it.

David

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississipi Half-Step

Sounds so good, thanks Taperrob

seriously rob, thank you a million times over.

great quality and obviously much appreciated!

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone

He's Gone

How often is He's Gone played in the 1st set?

Is that due or is it for Dick Clark?

...thank you Taper Rob for letting us all feel like we're home when we are away from home...

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind

So...what's up with Weir? Sharing vocals in He's Gone are the only Weir vocals to be found so far.

He got in a verse or two in 1/2 Step too.

Thanks, Mike...I joined in on the stream midway thru Half-Step.

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues

...it's getting pretty good...and it's early yet...

Yeah, this VLB is nicely twisted.

This is smokin' hot~

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter

smokin n crazy VIOLA

Taper Rob is a rock star. And just how does a guy get blessed with going to all 8 shows.....good karma...virtuous circle....he goes, he shares, he goes, he shares. We thank! Crazy Viola!

Is this for Levon?

He's Gone for Dick Clark
Black Peter for Levon?

Great first set so far!!

Sick 1st set OLD SCHOOL Feel...

makes sense Dan G-I agree--

Now that's a jam

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

This first set has my seal of approval. I was at only Sunday and Tuesday, but this is without doubt one of the best first sets of music Further has ever played.

It's been a fine set so far!

just got on, interesting to see viola in the first set, did they tear it up or is it another mellow evening

TORE UP!

...sounds like Friday to me...anythings possible...

u just answered my next question dana

Was at Fri and sounds even better but 2nd set to come. And anything will go!

HCS was pretty hot. The 1/2 Step got off to a bumpy start, but then they jammed it out pretty good. Dire Wolf was maybe the shortest version ever; 5 minutes tops, I'm thinking. He's Gone and Black Peter were more dirge-like than I like them, but again, they jammed them out pretty good. Easy Wind and Viola were pretty ferocious, but this Charlie sounds kind of tired.

...Me thinks they are going to bring it all home in the 2nd set...the pump is primed...

yeah just caught a little bit of that charlie, i agree with ya on that one mike. china->rider->scarlet->fire->st. stephens->nfa-> franklins tower second set. bid you gnite encore

Only one cover tune played so far, and the rest is mainly JG material. Also, last night's WRS Pt.1 > Saint of Circumstance means we might still have a Lost Sailor > Let It Grow to look forward to.

Huge!

Blackie

> china->rider->scarlet->fire->st. stephens->nfa-> franklins tower second set. bid you gnite encore

It seems they've been playing eight tunes per set lately, so I think you're short one, dan k. How about this? help -> slip -> china->rider->scarlet->fire->st. stephens->nfa-> franklins tower encore: day tripper > like a rolling stone

there ya go thats what i meant, i knew i was missin sumthin. the help->slip

gotta finish the let it grow>sailor too

and dont be surprised by a "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."

Maybe they'll do a Spanish Inquisition Jam; nobody ever expects that one.

At the risk of sounding redundant, Thanks for all you do Taper Rob!

Many thanks taperrob...listening from Prague...went Sunday...and listening at 3:40am here to wrap up the Beacon run...too good!

got my mojo workin or low spark

Pastor Dave home from church and ready for a righteous final set at the Beacon. What a great run for a couch tour!

huge china>rider sammy coming

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street

its on!

Hey All, just got in. I see that it is on, but I don' hear nothin'. Got the commercial, but no show. Just me?

phil and jeff drivin this bus

It sounds good here, gary. Hit refresh.

Nevermind - third refresh (and commercial) worked!

awesome.. now that's the head boppin shakedown WE LOVE..with JK wailing..don't stop

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy

Can anyone tell me who did vocals on Easy Wind and Black Pete?

Nice breakdown in the shakedown!

Easy Wind was John K, I think, and Black Peter was Bobby, I'm pretty sure.

RE: 2nd set calls -
They never finished the Playin from last night.
Samson is due and appropriate. Time could happen.
Encores? Maybe the Weight (again) for Levon...but
Ripple or more likely Brokedown...(neither's been played since 11/2011).
We need another double (or triple, ha!) encore.
Now could we get the Hey Jude coda here that we didn't get the other nite??

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy

Thanks Bro

They're taking this Cassidy out there. Wide open spaces.

just like a swiss watch

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star

Was that a little Miles Davis jam before Dark Star?

Launching pad!

ANOTHER DARK STAR...MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM LOVE THESE GUYS

helllll yesss

...Dan...sounded a little like a miles stones (?) was coming before dark star to me...

A TWISTY TURNY FAKE OUT INTO HYPERSPACE......

TOO

Do I hear a touch of The Other One in this jam?

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One

No offence to anyone; but I used to long for The Star for almost 30 years.... Now we get it every 3rd or 4th night. No complaints; but I gotta go to the bathroom and then get a drink.

would love the other one here with a phil bomb

think so

bombs away

pulled the ripchord on darkstar way too soon

Philll...Up

Phil is playing his heart out. They all are.

From the Straight Theatre in September 1967, when Neal Cassady rapped while the Dead jammed in the background.

Bob Weir: Neal Cassady...Neal Cassady...

(Tentative drumroll)

Neal Cassady: (off mic: approaching) I got the Penguin right here in my pocket...

Weir: Give that man a microphone

Cassady: Phil, Phil just bought a three hundred & thirty-five dollar Fender with pick! Come again on that lemon roasta beefa.

Four fingers ya know are ... I've forgotten it ... that's just enough see ... trying to play ya see ... the claw and me ... three inches ... the bigger ... thumb ... and I said of course to the Metro as they ... but it hides my thumb and also reveals my Greek torso

Well at 49th I said, Spence, I hadn't seen him since 51st ... he said moved to 49th. Nope moved to 51st. Well again Heinz said ... The waiter in '56 beat the six seeds he had. Seed law and marijuana ... The only writing I ever did was a laudatory ... But on marijuana "oooooooo" ... I was saying in the ... "Are you alright in there on the wall, Mr. Cassady?" ... 'cause I was having these insights you see.

(To a heckler) I only got 20 years on you.

http://www.whitegum.com/~acsa/introjs.htm?/~acsa/s ongfile/NEALCASS.HTM

I think so too dan k, but let's hope they go back into it at some point.

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One
Dark Star

good call Dan

Dark Star has a way of elevating the energy placed anywhere in the set at anytime. I'd be takin' a break on Day's....... but to each his own.

Thanks Mike, but let's hope they do another TOO then back into the Star

Back into the Other One!

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One
Dark Star
The Other One
Help on the Way

sickness!

>Give that man a microphone
genius in action!

they're the only ones who do what they do

I'm lovin' this

nice!

lets hear it for our HOST :T-Rob
Thanks again for the incredible quality ALL WEEK LONG!
You're a savior

Crippled but free
Blind all the time, learnin' to see

Without rob in the stream, it would never come true

OK....got it figured out: Help > Slip > Dark Star E: Franklin's

dark star into other ones back into dark star back into other ones into help and slip. this is glorious

yeah i was thinking the same thing dan, but close with franklins and an encore

2nd encore LET IT GROW

who the F knows

Anything is possible here!

Thanks again TRob. So great to be able to hear what they're doing. Friday Box and 2nd set my fav. Hope you're going to be at Wanee.

How about: Help > Slip > Dark Star > Franklin's E: Let It Grow

ugh just tuned in I cant get the stream again. I get sound on the add and then it goes quite

Never expected the Road

turn up the volume!

ha who the F knows is right

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One
Dark Star
The Other One
Help on the Way
Slipknot
The Golden Road

SO SO SWEET 36 YEARS AFTER MY FIRST TASTE WOW..........CREAM PUFF

full of surprises n sweet

What a great way to end a show. (I'm guessing.)

Classic bookends.

...never heard the road comin' either but of course it makes perfect sense...

they just kicked it up a notch that help sequence was great, they pushed the envelope there no doubt/ the place must be rockin right now. these are the times i cannot wait until summer tour

Thunder has been brought and they're leaving us with lightning.

TASTY

damn the volume on the web site was turned down but the commercials would come through, very weird. I can hear now, better late than never. And to think I turned down a free ticket for tonight, ugh. I got a lot done though, Grateful.

Street/Road sandwich bookends

corrina?

> I turned down a free ticket for tonight, ugh.

Andy, you get the Master of Understatement Award for tonight, if that's any consolation.

back into slip?

Thank You Mike. That helped keep it all in perspective.To have come this far Furthur is a true gift. You all remind me to count my lucky Stars; be them bright or Dark.

What a Road

Peace

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One
Dark Star
The Other One
Help on the Way
Slipknot
The Golden Road
Slipknot
Franklin's Tower

Wow!!! How cool is this (even if they don't go back into Dark Star)?

Thank You Phil.

The interlocking verses of Dark Star and TOO may have been Further's finest moment. This second set is why I go to shows. The Beacon has been dancing the whole evening. Glad I caughht this one.

Bzzzzap!

from help on awesome shit, when u get goosebumps and u arent even at the show u know they must be doin somethin right

Unbelievable

Heard it too andy

> when u get goosebumps and u arent even at the show

Golden Road got me full body.

Classic. Get it up on archive please someone

Shake it down, shake it down down and bring it on home!!!

Nicecall Dave

glad to hear beacon was a rocking! Stella Blue encore, wait no....The Weight

This show has been amazing!

The Weight would be cool

gotta do something for levon

15 minutes till curfew, let's hope for something groovy.

Dixie

WOW what a run THANK YOU TR you the man

Tear up every time I hear this

touch would be sweet

I also heard the corinna before the 2nd slip knot...
Brokedown Palace encore?
Crowd is appreciative

thanks rob

oh my god!
thank you taper rob

fare you well....

So glad I got home in time for this - Thank you Taperrob for the share, it has been a great run from Cali!

The Palace...good call DMcG

Furthur
Beacon Theatre
April 18, 2012

Set 1:
Here Comes Sunshine
Mississippi Half-Step
Dire Wolf
He's Gone
Easy Wind
Viola Lee Blues
Black Peter
Cosmic Charlie

Set 2:
Shakedown Street
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Cassidy
Dark Star
The Other One
Dark Star
The Other One
Help on the Way
Slipknot
The Golden Road
Slipknot
Franklin's Tower

Donor Rap

Brokedown Palace

My only true Rob

Had to be!

good call dmcg

Thanks for sharing the music, taperrob.

...nice show...nice run...thanks Rob...Thank you Furthur!...

Fare thee well, Levon....tears streamin'.

..I love you more that words can tell......

safe travel home to all my brothers n sisters. thanks again TR n to the fellas for playing.

Good streaming with you folks. See you at the next show.

Peace Levon

wow, that's what i'm talkin' about. haven't heard a note but can hear it all! can't wait to listen...

~ peace through music ~
~ i miss jerry ~

Thank you Taperrob and Z-Man.

To everyone else, it was nice hanging with you these past couple weeks.

Trob Thank You for letting me hear pretty much the WHOLE tour with a few feeds from others you made this April run spectacular

Taperrob facilitates community. We need more of that.

Put that plug back up your ass HOUNDER!.

It is fun hanging in the stream with everyone. It's always about community and a place to belong. The music plays this heart of gold band. I'm grateful to hear this sweet reprise of my favorite music being taken a little bit furthur. Never ever expected it to come around again like this. Enjoying both the memories of days gone by as well as the anticipation of what lies ahead ... all the while relishing the joy of the live moment in the here and now.... Kinda like the show (and shows) we just heard. What a blast how it all melds together!
Blessings to all.

I know that my family is in the groove with the Dead live...with so many other Deadheads and Deadhead families in cyberspace...We are ALL at the Beacon...thanks to Taper Rob!

Off the hook....nice work fellas.

This show was one of my favorites of the shows
I attended. I saw ct and missed only thurs fri of the run. But the shows to me varied based on the vibe in my seating area. The security was the wrinkle tonight by mid set we were left alone but I got hassled tonight.
That said nothing took away from the fact that this show is why I come back- it's my birdie on the par 5 .
I've enjoyed the run of shows. Wish I caught Boston.
The highlight for me was dark star and slip knot . The whole second set was choice. I go back to last Tuesday as one of the top nights. The only scarlet fire of tour was well done. Tonight the band all. Hugged afterward: it was a nice thing to see. They were into it. If anything dragged maybe it was HCS but it was the opener and still was inspired. I suppose the raucous franklins ending was the most fun I'd had all night- it was a classic hoe down.

That second set was perhaps the nicest single set I've heard on this run.

That first Slipknot was AMAZING, tight and controlled to start yet interesting then when it came time to walk the tightrope, it instead started doing backflips on the balance beam. Just WOW.

I'm going to have a hard time going to sleep and it's too late to take even a half of ambien.

Loved this show start to finish. We all bring whatever we bring to shows we see, but Levon Helm and his family were very top-of-mind for me tonight since my dad is in the final stages of his battle with cancer as well. I remembered the story of the Patti Smith Band covering Black Peter http://www.cosmik.com/aa-december00/grateful_dead. html and Brokedown Palace always has a special place in my heart. May the four winds blow us all safely home when it's our time...

Very strong show. Best first set by far I heard. Loved the song selection, especially easy wind. Great jams right out of the gate. 2nd set was similar in some ways to Friday's, which I enjoyed a bit more. I thought bobby was not as on as other shows I've been to. Nice way to end a fabulous run.
Sam L

Mornin' folks.

I'm with Sam ^^ about how solid the first set was. I think Bob had some moments of real strength throughout the show. Though the consistency of his voice was somewhat wavering, it's forgivable considering the emotional environ of the evening..

I still think that the setlists from a lot of these Nites at the Beacon were just astoundingly beautiful, and I can say that I wept a li'l bit last night.

Have a grate day ladies & gents.. We all have backbeats on our minds, no doubt.

((Love on))

Sorry for delay, I tried to get this done last night. After a coupler of trains and getting some late night chow, I hit the wall at 3:00 am.. It came out nice, enjoy show #51 0f 2012!

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=554380

Weclome to the zone Zman. I will write a longer review later when I get home from work but will say this. Right out of the gate the band wanted to jam. Jk and Phil where dialed in big time together.
The second set was just one flawless peice of music. The transitions were excellent and this show was a wonderful tribute to Levon.
The Cumberland tease in Viola Lee was simply outrangous, it was wild and reckless lol

The Brokedown was the best one I have seen Furthur ever do.

OK, my first and only show of the run.
And def NOT disappointed!! Some VERY inspired playing.

HCS was a nice extended opener, well played and into Half-Step - very nice as well. Sweet jamming after the "acrosss the Rio Grandio" and then into Dire Wolf - which was short & sweet, but a welcome selection. Finally a pause by the band, before doing He's Gone, meaningful in so many ways. The band was playing off each other nicely.

And then right into Easy Wind! this is one of 2 songs i was hoping to hear, and they killed it.
And then Viola Lee Blues! The band was really feeding off each other, Phil was hammering it down. Black Peter changed speeds a bit, but it was a nice rendition - the 2nd half of the song i liked a lot. Figured they wouldnt end the set with Black, althought it was already a pretty long 1st set - and they obliged by going into and finishing the set with Cosmic Charlie. Nice long, satisfying first set!! Best 1st set I have seen in years, IMO. When the break came , I needed it, LOL.

Boom - Shakedown opened the 2nd set real nice! Phils bass bouncing around. Tasty version. Change of pace with Dear Mr Fantasy - not a personal fav of mine, but this was a good one. They did it justice. and right into Cassidy. Extended it out there, good long jamming.

And then Dark Star!! the crowd happily received the song, and fed the energy back to the band. Got real good at the end, and then Phil started up the Other One. Phil had a great nite. Finally the band followed Phil, and a delicious first half of TOO ensued. Loved it - and then back into Dark Star; and then itnto The Other Onbe again!
I loved theier transitions all night except for one where thay had a little too much negative dissonance going.
And the other One right into Help - superbly done!! A release of tension at the right moment, with energy and love. Into Slipknot, jammed out good - and a nice surprise by going into Golden Road!
Golden Road had everyone bopping along, it was a great choice there. Nice surprise. back into the slip done well, and now Franklins. A delicious ending.
After Phils rap, the Brokedown was a fine, fine, encore - great way to end the show and the run.
Fare Thee Well !

Over all they really "listened" to one another and played off each other incredibly well. definitely a keeper of a night. "IT" was in the building, in my opinion. The back-up singers added nice vocal fills. John and Phil were the stand-outs of the evening for sure. Jeff & Russo are always good; some interesting sounds from Jeff i have not heard before. (a frog? lol) They both were ripping it; they seemed locked in very well. Some great jams all night, and a lot of great transitions.

One more thing Jay Russo was at the peaks of his powers, I have never heard him play this well. He was dancing on air as Billy used to call it.
I mean he was so righ there the entire night.

Hey Folks, just picked up the soundboard from last night, so far, only into the second tune, worth it.

Can't wait to compare/contrast w/ Auds - ZMan no need to apologize for the "late" up! Good Lord Man! LOL. I remember the tapes through the mail days.

Anyway, mix is very clear, well separated, no problems hearing everything beautifully.

Bob's voice does seem a bit faint in this mix, you can hear him struggling a bit, I think the emotion comment above is right on. I'm as guilty as the next guy for ragging Bob, but God Bless Bob Weir. 'Nuff said.

Zman 51 shows includes more than just furthur...who are the others

Message on Levon's site announcing his peaceful passing this pm...

well, another long run of shows has come to an end. Saw a few beacons and Wallingford. Great time at each and caught some terrific music. The vibe lives long and the groove lives on. I do not bother criticizing the music or critiquing it. I won't walk you through a battery of examinations as to how each musician performed nor will I deconstruct each rendition of our beloved and durable anthems. I will just say that I enjoyed having the band here on the east coast for a bit to walk me down memory lane. Bobby and phil have been doing this for so long that I can only imagine there determination to continue not only their great life's work, but to allow Jerry's to survive as well. I guess that is why I keep coming back; its my life's work, too. Yeh, I have a job and a house, a son, but in my mind's eye I have a vision of success which often includes a sunny afternoon stage side with the band in NY or Palo Alto,slinking to Jerry's guitar. The band has kept the music and the dream alive. The dead always seemed to possess this inconquerable hope or fortress of optimism that transcended the music to our own belief system, before finally nestling quietly wihtin our hearts. Its that connectedness that brings the band to us and visa versa. The time capsule we live in at these shows has preserved a very unique and universal truth only available through the music of the Grateful Dead; the world is a better place when there is love all around us. The music invokes such a harmonious gratitude for all that we have and in that one brief moment when we close our eyes to a simple instrumental, we are captivated by endless possibilities and hope's fulfillment. What is it we want and what are we looking for? What is the answer? What has been the purpose of this music and why is it so special? I think we will always wonder that and the band will to. Maybe that is why they keep on touring; they hope to find the answer themselves some day. In the mean time we will dance and listen, dream and float. There is an elusive message contained in each note rendered, and someday the divine peace of a better world will be realized. For now, we will seek and we will share. We will promote good will strive to build a better community for all and hopefully use some of the wonderful tools offered by the band to lead us onward, to lead us FURTHUR.
-Sean

well said Sean-

Yeah man! Sean did say it very well. Sooooo now it is recordings and hope that someone streams a live show.... (anyone know if Trob is streaming Wanee??). and wait for Bethel Woods in July.... I could use an outdoor show, and some muddied up party wenches.....

very well said Sean !

http://archive.org/details/furthur2012-04-18.neuma nn.pasternak.119925.flac2448

Sean, thanks for your thoughts! Right on!

Ok here is my review with the link to my new blog as well.
I have been blessed to get tickets for numerous recent Furthur shows in the City, Phil's birthday at the Best Buy last year, the last show at Radio City Music Hall and this performance the last night of a eight show run at the Beacon. I had a seat in 101 in the orchestra so sight lines and sound would be excellent and I was with a zoner buddy who is fun to be with. The vibe in the place was festive and you could not notice any exhaustion on most folks part, as there was magic in the air, as that pre-show hustle and bustle that is a hallmark of a show in New York
The band launches into " Here Comes Sunshine" and it is very clear the band want to jam tonight. The vocals are crisp and John and Phil are dialed in, as with the version that opened up the last show in Albany, the bands has places to go kids so you better jump on the bus. They develop a sweet melodic jam that high lights Jeff and Joe's contributions. and then they jump right into a fun and well received "1/2 Step". This version has the Beacon faithful singing along, in decent key I might add, and similar to the version they played in Wallingford, they do a nice jam in it.

The sing along continues with a spot on "Dire Wolf" with crisp harmonies from Sunshine and Jeff. It was clear that Levon Helm was weighing on the minds of many including the band and they next began a wonderful tribute to the man with a poetic and emotional version of " He's Gone". Bob had been low key in the mix so far this night and he did a understated reading that was very appropriate for an ailing friend. Once again the band extended the song with a rich jam that showcased Phil and Jeff contributions. They teased at a couple things during this jam "Dark Star" and even "I Know You Rider" to this ears. My tour buddy agreed.

This would end up with a raucous version of " Easy Wind" sung by John. It was great and featured some of his loudest playing of the night. I had to laugh and think that this was for the Secret Service and their recent escapades in Columbia.
"I been chipping them rocks from dawn till doom
While my rider hide my bottle in the other room
Doctor say better stop balling that jack
If I live five years I'm gonna bust my back, yes I will ."
Then they sprang on the biggest surprise of the night on us, " Viola Lee Blues" as they had played it just on Saturday night. This version is really when things got off the track with the song having taken some twists and turns since I last heard it. They started the song as usual but during the first jam, led by Jeff, they went into this traditional jazz jam that was really good. It is always a treat to hear Phil play his bass with a more traditional jazz influence, like he did during the version of "Fever" at RCMH with Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, and Larry Campbell.

The second jam is where things got out of control as the ferocity of the jam switched up in tempo and they did a massive "Cumberland Blues" tease. I honestly thought they were gonna do it, but it was just one of the sickest teases I have seen this band do and they went back to the chorus. OMG! The place went nuts it was like Stony Brook 1970 Halloween all over again.
Staying with the 1970 theme they went deep for a version of" Black Peter" that clearly was for Levon and it was beautiful. They built it up nice but it was not too over the top and Bob did it justice.
They ended the set with a high spirited version of " Cosmic Charlie" with Phil pointing to us during the " Go on home your Mama is calling you" verse and this set was done. Maybe one of the longest and strongest first sets of this run as well.

Set II had to be the cat's meow and the band did not disappoint opening up with a crushing uptempo version of " Shakedown". The band was on fire and Joe Russo was dancing on air. This reading was more like a 1981-82 version and there was no " shake it shake down chorus." They went old school for the Beacon faithful. The crowd was loving it and Phil was dominant in it. He played some of his loudest notes of the show during this and they jammed out of this not stopping and we got to come up for some air for a solid " Dear Mr. Fantasy" which you know had to be for Levon as well.
"Dear Mister Fantasy play us a tune
Something to make us all happy
Do anything take us out of this gloom
Sing a song, play guitar
Make it snappy"

Cassidy was Bob entrance in to the second set and he more than stepped up to the plate. Like the version they played at RCMH this version is stellar and was a refreshing choice. This version just goes places and was one of the best I have seen this band play.Once again John, Jeff, and Joe are right on it. You will thoroughly enjoy going along for the ride embellishing all the insights that this song provides and again the band jams out of this song, are you noticing a trend here? The band's transition tonight are outstanding, as we all know this band has had it challenges with transitions in the past. They clearly hint where they are going and led by Phil we arrive at " Dark Star". I am sure this is the only time both of these songs have been paired and it worked like a charm.
This version of " Dark Star" is short but is focused and features some deep grooving quickly as John's solos are quite good.

They trade off the first verses and then hint very quickly where the "bus" is heading next as Phil leaves no doubts that we are continuing with our deep psychedelic motif and arrive at the "Other One" This version is not the in your face but is full of twists and turns and begs you to notice the nuances this band can do together when they are dial in. Before even getting to the second verse they race back into " Dark Star" to sing the second verse and then it right back into the " Other One" to sing the second verse of this classic. The band really does a amazing job of reaching a powerful peak before Bobby steps back up to the microphone.

They continue to jam and Phil is signaling and they pounce into " Help on the Way". They are totally into it and the band is playing as one as they slither into a huge " Slipknot!". They are going deep when we get one more opportunity for this band to steal our faces right off our heads and perfectly rockets into the " Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion" during the "SlipKnot!" jam. The crowd roars in approval and even begins singing the first verse before the band does, I know you westies will find most displeasure in that faux pas but hey that is what we do back east.

The band once again raises the roof on the old restored Beacon and then storm back into "Slipknot!" with utter perfection.It was a thing of beauty although I would loved a huge ballad before we arrived at "Franklin's Tower" which Phil delivered with passion and zeal. The band rocked it out and it was a huge send off to all and sadly Levon, who would pass on the next day. The other note worthy point is that this second set was one non-stop composition and that in its self is very cool.

When Phil arrived back for his donor rap, he received an extra long ecstatic applause from the New York faithful and they turned up the house lights behind Phil so he could all see us and smile.

The band sent us on our way with a heartfelt version of Brokedown Palace that was the best one I have seen this band do. The band offered warm embraces to each other as this run concluded and we all streamed out the doors into a warm spring night with wide grins.
Happy Trails.
"Gonna leave this brokedown palace
On my hands and my knees, I will roll, roll, roll
Make myself a bed by the waterside
In my time, in my time, I will roll, roll, roll"

You can stream the show here on the Archive
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