Who's comin' down to my town? Any other Camden County residents out there? all's I can say:

Welcome to the Jungle!

Looking forward to the show tonight. Can't wait to go to Pat's after the show!

Forget Pat's go to Tony Lukes...Alabama Get Away...bring it on

forget all of that.. go to the electric factory after the show and catch members of the dead sitting in with rusted root.. expect it to go from 11:30 till 2am

rumour has it pretty much the whole band will show up

Do you think thats really gonna happen ???? I cant imagine it will. Its gonna be a nightmare getting to the E-factory if thats the case. Parking is brutal as is, add 10,000 extra folks into the mix=Disaster...

just heard there is a water emergency in camden this morning. be careful and only drink bottled water. will miss the nice trees and woods at pnc. still am glowing after that amazing show on wed. night, wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whats up deadheads, i'll be in Camden both nights. Keep your eyes peeled for touch of grey, Estimated, Sug Mag., and Dancin' in the streets. They might do Shakedown but i think they're saving it for tomorrow nite. I highly doubt that most of the members are gonna go all the way to the E-Fac after playing a hopefully SICK show. See yall in the lot. Bring lots of water, sunscreen and some shades.

Peace, Pot, and Microdot

Jimmy Herring is pretty much a definite for the Rusted Root show, as the benefit is for Ricky Keller, who was a close friend of his who played in ARU, Project Z, and with many other artists including Bonnie Raitt, Stone Temple Pilots, etc., etc., etc.

also, moe.'s guitar player Al Schnier's band, Small Appliances is one of the opening bands.

Heres the rub with camden, the show is starting a half an hour later and 5.30. And the curfew is 12pm not 11pm like the rest of the venues so far on the tour. Im thinking bout 11:30-11:45 before the boys get off. That only leaves about an hour to gig over at the E-factory. Gonna be tight a schedule, last call is like 1.30 am at E-factory

Am traveling from MD (for 6/28) and have never been to Camden. Mrs. Coolfool and I are considering taking the ferry boat. Should we?

Willie Nelson - Camden, NJ 6/27/03

Whiskey River>
Stay A Little Longer
Good Hearted Woman
Time Just Slips Away>
Crazy>
It's My Life
Down Yonder
Workingman Blues
Help Me Make It Thru The Night
Me & Bobby McGee
Branson???
If You Got The Money, I've Got The Time
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Blue Skies
Georgia
All Of Me
Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
On The Road Again
You Were Always On My Mind
I'll Fly Away
<<instrumental>>
7 Angels???
City Of New Orleans
All The Girls I've Loved Before>
Willie, Waylon and The Boys>
Whiskey River>
Still Moving???
Sorry You Treated Me This Way???
Poncho???


??? not sure of song title


selling tickets at the camden box office for the electric factory show.....

Pancho and Lefty?
As in "All the federalis say ehy could have had him any day"?

set opener: gdtrfb w/willie>ramble on rose

Phil comes out amke an announcement about the Electric Factory show w/Rusted Root..him and some members of the band...

The Dead - Camden, NJ 6/27/03

Set 1:
#Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad (Bob, Willie, Joan)...
#Ramble On Rose (Bob)
Self Defense (Mickey)
Stagger Lee (Bob, Joan, Phil)>
Broken Arrow
Mexicali Blues (Bob acoustic)...
Cassidy (Bob acoustic then electric on jam)

# w/ Willie Nelson

Pancho & Lefty sung by Merle"The Hag"Haggard and Willie Hugh Nelson

any word on the second set?
did they end the first with cassidy?
i'm so stoked for vernon this sunday!!

7 Angels??? = Seven Spanish Angels
Willie, Waylon and The Boys = Luckenback Texas
Still Moving??? = Still is Still Moving to Me
Poncho??? = Poncho & Lefty

>7 Angels???

maybe "Seven Spanish Angels" ?
"...and seven spanish angels took another angel home..."

there is a nice version of this song as a duet by Willie and Ray Charles

can someone tell me what time the dead came out tonight? trying to see if I can make it Sat- thanks.

wish I seen tonights show -too many of my favorites!

im gonna stay up and hear this one.! gots ta! Wanting to hear the Ramble on Rose is killin me. imo this list seems to read more like a gd list than most so far, might not mean much, but wondering how/if the playing reflected that at all. any comments those who were there?. Caint stop thinkin bout the downs, caint wait!!! yeee haaahhhhh

peas -B

set 2:

china cat >
i know you rider,
comes a time>
weather report suite>
let it grow>
bird song>
jam>
drums>
space>
new speedway boogie>
shakedown street>
jam>
lovelight

e: dancin in the street

Show tonight was very good. Brian S is correct, it was structured very much like an old Grateful Dead show, which I enjoyed. Pretty much whole first set was great, best moments of the second set were China>Rider, the predrums jam(which was just Jeff & the drummers, and Space. Phil was very outfront from Cassidy to the end. I preferred Jimmy's playing in the first set to the second, although the second set featured some very good jamming. More tomorrow. Didn't go to the E Factory

I can say that I enjoyed this show a lot more than the fall show, and might be one of my fav post Dead shows. I'll have to see how it sounds on the SBD's(which I ordered) before making that judgement, however

Willie's set - corrected/revised.
Great stuff, as usual...

Whiskey River>
Stay A Little Longer
Good Hearted Woman
Funny How Time Slips Away>
Crazy>
Night Life
Down Yonder
Workingman Blues
Help Me Make It Through The Night
Me & Bobby McGee
Me & Paul
If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain
Blue Skies
Georgia
All Of Me
Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
On The Road Again
Always On My Mind
Will The Circle Be Unbroken >
I'll Fly Away
Night & Day
7 Spanish Angels
City Of New Orleans
To All The Girls I've Loved Before>
Luckenbach, Texas>
Whiskey River>
Still is Still Moving
Milk Cow Blues
Pancho & Lefty

WOW, what a show, from the shake down to the dancin which i all called days before the show, the jams were sick, and right about now there is something great going on at the electric factory, the rumors were right, Phil is rippiin it up beyond possible containment.

a decent show. Goin' down the Road was barely saved by a somewhat redeeming jam at the end, although it was fun to have Willie out there. Broken Arrow was a throw-away, and the first 75% of Staggerlee was forgettable.

Ramble on Rose and Mexicali were solid, the Staggerlee jam was good, and Cassidy was pretty tight throughout. a pretty mediocre set.

second set was a little better, with Rider > Comes A Time, Bird Song and New Speedway especially pleasing. Joan truly held court during Lovelight, wandering around the stage, microphone in hand, without really batting a lash, and making sure everybody got in their solos before she came back with the "Sometimes, I get a little lonely..." verse.

I love Joan. It seems as if she feels inhibited, believing she needs to play by "their" rules, in terms of singing. She has no qualms about strutting it, but I want to see her step on Bobby vocally and say, "Yes, this is how it's done." Joan has so much to offer which is not being utilized.

my first show of the tour. they can do better than this.

Electric Factory - 6/27/03

Rusted Root and others
with members of The Dead

Phil, Bobby, Billy, Jimmy, Rob & Jeff

Come Together> Jam>
All Along The Watchtower
Franklin's Tower

benefit concert by Rusted Root, members of The Dead arrive after their show at Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ., to sit in for encore of Rusted Root show.

Calling Mathieu V~
I tried to shoot you an email to ask you a question, but it came back to me. Do you have a diff email addy now?
Please send me the correct one?
Thanks.

I'm listening to the stream right now and I thought last 6/25 at PNC was as good as it was gonna get. Well I was sadly mistaken. This show is kicking ass. The second set has been top notch but Rob is absolutely amazing in the jam after bird song. There's not words for how good it is. The setlist doesn't come close to telling how good this show is. I have to say while I was enjoying the shows this is the first show to really knock me on my ass.

Hey Justin or anyone who knows - where can I check out the stream?

What's up with Jeff and Rob. Ardvark (someone who's opinion I trust more than anyone. Over 200 dead shows under his belt) tells me that Jeff and Rob are not playing at the same time (alternating keyboards). Can anyone confirm and comment on their account of this? I guess there was too much clutter. Anyone know if they are thinking of going with 1 keyboard player?
Also I would like to comment on this idea that PLQ is better than the Dead. First of all I hesitate to compare but here I go. I'll take Billy and Mickey over Molo any day of the week. Though one drummer openned up the sound and allowed Phil to have more space to work than he has ha since 73 there is no comparison. The experience and virtuosity of Billy and Mickey are hands down a more complete solution. Now Warren or Bobby. Warren is an amazing guitarist and I have the utmost respect for him, however, the impression I get is that when Warren plays, the creative experience is onstage and the auddience are mere bystanders. He takes the reins knows where he is going and goes there. This is great for those of you who go to see a great show with tight proficient musicians -- but I think we all know that the Dead (at least the Grateful Dead) were about much more. Also I always said when listening to PLQ that Warren steps on Jimmy all over the place. Jimmy never had the space to explore the Jerry experience. Bobby is the ultimate Rhythm guitarist. Every lead guitarists dream. The only suggestion I would give him would be to start playing some of the rhythm parts tha Jerry used to play. Jerry was a God and was able to intersperse great rythmic interchanges into his playing and during vocal segments, however, I think Jimmy should be focussing entirely on lead and Bobby should be picking up the slack. Keyboards -- I would take Rob anyday. Adding Jeff seems to be causing clutter in the music, even though the dead have played with multiple keyboard players in several incarnations of the band (Pig and Tom, Pig and Keith (Europe 72), Bruce and Vince) however I guess Rob and Jeff are not synching up -- so pick one and be done with it (Rob please). Joan brings alot more to the band than Susan, however, I think Rob should be singing more. These bands each have their benefits and drawbacks and I would see either on any night but give this current ensemble a chance to grow and 'come together' guys.
One last note. If no one in the band can sing a Jerry song in the key it was written, don't play it. This changing keys to accomodate a vocalist (Bobby) really bothers me. The jams just don't sound right.

what time did the show start??

nevermind, thanks althea

>>...tells me that Jeff and Rob are not playing at the same time ...

yes, on some songs, they do not play together, its either one or the other..... but on many songs, they are out there together....

I second Keith's emotion- well thought out Keith

show started around 8:10 pm

The Dead - Camden, NJ 6/27/03

Set 1:
#Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad (Bob, Willie, Joan)...
#Ramble On Rose (Bob)
Self Defense (Mickey)
Stagger Lee (Bob, Joan, Phil)>
Broken Arrow
Mexicali Blues (Bob acoustic)...
Cassidy (Bob acoustic then electric on jam)

# w/ Willie Nelson

Set 2:
China Cat Sunflower>
I Know You Rider
Comes A Time (Joan)>Jam>
Weather Report Suite Parts 1 & 2>
Bird Song>
Jeff & Billy Jam>
Mickey Beam Jam>
Drumz/Space>
New Speedway Boogie
Shakedown Street>Jam>
Lovelight
Donor Rap
Dancin' In The Streets


Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
(late night)

Rusted Root and others
w/members of The Dead:
Phil, Bobby, Billy, Jimmy, Rob & Jeff

Come Together>
All Along The Watchtower>Jam>
Franklin's Tower

Soulfull, Bluesy, mellow, tight night. Wanted to rock but what we got was well played music to soothe the soul. Wait till you hear the Comes a Time. New Speedway was really nice too. All around well played show. See you tonight. One way or another.................

I have to make this short and sweet. I have to get on the road to the blood drive. More to come later.

I agree with Shag’s assessment of the show. Where he described it as “decent” I would describe it as “Solid, but I think we mean the same thing, not too much to get upset with or excited about. On another thread I posted that I thought shakedown should be coming up, but after the first set and first three songs of the second set I thought that they would surely save it for tonight. The show seemed too mellow for a shakedown. This show seemed to have a lot of introspective songs, which to me seemed to be a commentary on their history together.

The sound was good even in that second to the last seat in the pavilion!
I thought Bobby was low in the mix and difficult to distinguish, when I could hear him it seemed like he was playing more fills than straight up rhythm guitar. (Not a bash, just the way it sounded to me)

Ohhh- that sunset was beautiful! The lights on the Ben Franklin Bridge were super trippy. Gorgeous night and the scene on the hill over looking the river and Philly was breathtaking.
Great night!! Joan was on the money with Comes a Time -- Bravo!! Loved the Broken Arrow and Cassidy. Liked the show much more than Hartford - but it's hard not to with the great weather. After show at the E.F. had a smokin' Franklins -- and it was good and loud in there too - w/ lots of dancing room. See ya'll tonight!!!

Only complaint was that the video screen was all-Bobby all the time. Joan looked great in those pig-tails and she was shakin' it all night!! I'd rather look at her than Weir. And - they barely showed Jimmy at all - and hardly any of Phil. What up?

Good Lord, tell me this isn't happening. Did Bobby sing lead on (estimated) 10 songs?

Who sang Comes a Time? Joan? Phil took Broken Arrow and Bird Song,,,and that's it?

I know the GD was never about the vocals, but the music overall..... still, the one who sings lead is generally the one who drives/directs the tune and the jams and the arrangement, etc. From that standpoint, this band is shaping up to the Bobby Weir show, or more similar to a Rat Dog show than a GD show.

Also, let's be honest: with several beatiful and very notable exceptions (WRS, LLR, Cassidy, Jack, TOO, Playin) the songs we all know and love and associate with the GD are for the most part Jerry tunes....of which there were 5 out of 16 last night. 6 if you count Shakedown.

Not trying to incite a riot. But on paper, at least, it looks like Bobby has been perhaps asserting himself a bit too much. This whole dynamic would be different if Boracco were taking 2-3 songs per night....as we all had expected. I never would have DREAMED he wouldn't be singing in this band. The guy is not just a good vocalist, he can carry a song and drive the band as skillfully as anyone in rock today.

>>>Joan looked great in those pig-tails

mmmmmpig-tails

>>>for the most part Jerry tunes....of which there were 5 out of 16 last night. 6 if you count Shakedown.

yeah, i count shakedown

>I thought Bobby was low in the mix and difficult to distinguish, when I could hear him it seemed like he was playing more fills than straight up rhythm guitar. (Not a bash, just the way it sounded to me)

He sounds pretty good on the stream, and was up at MPP. As for him playing more fills and not straight up rhythm, well, that's how Bobby's always played as far as I can tell :-)

Why would you not consider Shakedown a Jerry tune? That's Hunter/Garcia all the way.

jeezus
go willie
go willie

I guess I was thinking that Shakedown was one of those collaborations, like Fire and Truckin. Still, it's been "Bobbified"in the 2nd set, as opposed to Phil and GD who usually placed it in the opening slot and used it more of a tone-setter/launch pad.

Ratdog usually plays it in the first set, too...at least everytime I've seen them play it.

It's funny - lots of Ratdog fans say this band sounds too much like PnF and PnF fans say it sounds too much like Ratdog. I think there's a nice blend of both - Concise songs with more defined beginnings and endings like Ratdog likes to do, yet really deep space exploration a la PnF. I'm loving it!

Shakedown is credited to Hunter/Garcia

Fire is credited to Hart/Hunter

Truckin is collab...

>>>>the predrums jam(which was just Jeff & the drummers
>>>>>Rob is absolutely amazing in the jam after bird song

This was just BK & Jeff C. ****INSANE****

>>>>>But on paper

There was a lot more to it last night for sure Tommy!

Have any of you ever heard the "Area Code 415/Fire on the Mountain" sessions? They're from Mickey's Barn from sometime between '73 and '75...can't remember when exactly. But there's a VERY early version of Fire on there with all the verses, and Mickey raps it. It's very cool...if anyone's interested, email me and I'll send a copy - if there's too many I'll email the lot and set up a vine...

My favorite show of the tour so far. Ramble on Rose, Broken Arrow, Mexicali, Cassidy, Comes a Time, New Speedway Boogie all played for the first time this tour. Very Grateful Dead, very cool. I'm officially in love with Joan Osbourne.

It's time to dump Rob. In all honesty he played the air guitar more than he played the keyboards. He's great, but Joan has stolen all of his thunder. Looking foward to Chicago, Indiana, Wisconson, and Columbus.

Another thing, this band wreaks of PLQ, and if Bobby sings a lot it is because he can't keep up with these guys on the musical level, but he still needs to be a part of the big picture. This band would never have come about if it wasn't for Phil Lesh giving this band direction, structure, and an identity. It seemed like the one show Bobby really stepped into the spotlight was the worst (First night at PNC), and then the next night was all PLQ; and it was a monster. I love this band, for the most part each show has been great.

>if Bobby sings a lot it is because he can't keep up with these guys on the musical level

You're kidding, right? I mean, I'm sure you're not, but that's just not the impression I get. Bobby's musical knowledge is unbelievable...look for some interviews with him explaining what he's doing. Or listen to Let it Grow or something. That is not the work of someone who can't keep up with many people.

Er uh I'm listening to the comes a time now....I'm in.

No one writes songs like Hunter/Garcia.

Whoa dude.

hmmm well time to add my two cents after much review. i love the band and the musical direction. much to my shock and surprise, joan blows me out of the water. her take on comes a time brought tears to my eyes. rob should get to sing some more, but i will gladly take a few joan shots each nite.

outside of that, i thought camden sucked. it has to be the single worst grateful dead/plq/ratdog/too/furthur fest/dead show i have ever been too or attempted. traffic sucked on a hot humid friday, picked up my gf at 230 in north bergen and then proceeded to drive at a whopping 40 miles an hour or so after i hit exit 9 our wonderful home exit. accident on the pike, get off at 8a try 130 only to hit more traffic standing still. so then we try backroads which work out ok until we get to mt holly..blagh blah blah 3 1/2 hours to drive to this show. ick. grab tickets, meet friends, drink a beer scarf a half sub in 5 minutes, enter show.

great first set experience, well minus the ticket nazis in 102. everyone dancing in the aisles friends stub us down goes great ....lots people very hot but no incidents to report.

set break....smoke a j on the lawn, lites go down, music starts. much cooler out here on the lawn, but ooooh sooo annoying. never have ai witnessed so many people, so wasted as to not be able to stand up. had 5 different people pass out into us over the next 30 minutes. which normally would be a lil ok, but my gf just had a car wreck and her back is all wacked. not one single person offers apologies for knocking into her, begining to lose my good time vibe. finally joan rips into comes a time, quiet and pretty as hell, but people around me start screaming so we cant hear her. then the dood to our right grabs his buddy by the neck and screams that he is gonna kill him and that he should get lost, same scene occurs 30 seconds later to my left. then some dood starts punching me in the shoulder in time to the music. enough is ewnough as birdsong starts. we grab the blanket and bail, hit shakedown for a shirt and quesadilla. listen to the end of the set as we hit the car and drive away.

sum of adventure= the band shreds.....the "fans" i encountered ruined my nite, and i left my early for the first time in over 65 shows. not happy...whats going on out there? anyone care to share if they had this happen or how it can be fixed???

>>>some dood starts punching me in the shoulder in time to the music

What are you, some kind of nazi? That guy was just expressing himself.

doooooooooooooood... sounds like a very bad show that you experienced -- sorry to hear that. sometimes you've got to move around a bit and find a part of the crowd which suits your needs/expectations.

sometimes people can be reasoned with (singers, back patters, etc.), but it's tough to reason with people while they're passing out on you. bummer.

Wow, people still picking sides...more review later, but on the second set only...I too, hit 130, which sucked, finally got on 1 to 95, but...hit hotel at 8 to meet the guy and was late as hell to that also...since I should have been at the airport at 4:20...

Tis very difficult to say anything about this set without a smile on my face...from start to finish, the lyrics were the soundtrack to a very memorable evening.

To everyone I missed, I really am sorry. To Huck, thanks for putting up with the visuals, and mostly for being the most extraordinary of good friends. Thank you.

To the person that I spent the evening with, magical is one word, "at one" is two. Merci beaucoup in spades.

"What. Another Long Strange Trip?"

What are you, some kind of nazi? That guy was just expressing himself

ummmm no i am not a nazi but i think it reasonable that if you choose to express yourself by punching someone in the back repeatedly after being asked not to, then maybe its the other person who has issues. express yourself freely but do not put your hands on me unless invited to do so.....i think that is a fairly universal personal space law...i find that mr backonthebus perhaps you failed that part of kindergarten? if not i hope that your comment was in jest...because if it isnt ...thats exactly what is wrong with the scene...me first fuck all others...that aint what the deaD IS ABOUT

Here is a full review of this show that I wrote yesterday

Great, great show last night. I never saw the real Dead(have about 1200 hours on tape though), but I have seen Bobby on a number of occasions, and last night I appreciated him more than I ever have before. Phil was AWESOME - as reggie said, he was way loud in the mix, especially in the second set and during Cassidy. Willie did some great guitar work on GDTRFB-he surprised me a bit with his ability to get jump right in to the mix. Ramble on Rose was a great singalong, and Jimmy ripped it. The new Mickey song, Self Defense, eh. Okay groove I guess but Mickey, god love him, just should not sing. Then we get Stagger Lee, which I had been wanting to hear for some reason, and was very well performed-I liked the trading verses so that Bob, Phil, and Joan each had a character. The jam between Stagger Lee and Broken Arrow was excellent. Not too long, but very good. Broken Arrow was another one I had been hankering for, but I wasn't expected it-first of the tour, no?If memory serves they didn't do it in the fall either, but I could be wrong. What a beautiful song. I love Phil's voice on this one. Next we get Mexicali, which I really enjoyed, MUCH to my surprise. I guess because I hadn't heard it for so long, because I skip it on my CD's usually No jamming on this one, obviously, just a well performed fun song. Next we get Cassidy, which was one of the definite highlights for me. Probably my favorite Bobby song, and he was in great voice. The jam was very much a Phil affair. Jimmy started falling into his play-as-fast-as-I-can rut, but for the most part he was very good. Jimmy and Phil definitely have tremendous musical chemistry.

I had been hoping for China Cat->Rider, and we got it as the second set opener, and we got it, and it was fantastic. The Rider was especially good. Comes A Time was Joan's first solo vocal, and she acquitted herself well on one of Garcia/Hunter's most beautiful songs. I didn't much care for Jimmy's tone on this one-he was using some sort of a filter. Next came a beautiful WRS->Let it Grow. Very jammed out. I look forward to hearing this on the SBD CD, as my memory of it is not great. I do remember the Bird Song though, and it was fantastic. Phil was all over it. The Jeff and BIlly jam out of this was absolutely tremendous. Jeff really opened my eyes. He is a tremendous player!!!!!It was fun to see the Drums, complete with Beam work. I really enjoyed the Space. Very out there. Next we get New Speedway. I was not as thrilled by this as some others-it was bad by any means, but it wasn't great. I really liked the Shakedown-got everyone moving, very well played-and appropriate given that the show was in one of the poorest cities in the country. THe Lovelight was the lowlight of the show for me-fairly short, and I did NOT like Joan's little rap. I enjoyed all her other contributions, but not that. The Dancin' encore was a compact, tight ending to a fine, fine show.

I thought Jimmy played the best show I have ever seen from him-his tone has really improved, and his playing has slowed down to great effect. I echo Mr. Fry Guy's observation that he has moved beyond endless, repetitive noodling, and really bettered himself as a player.

UNFORTUNATELY, that was my only show of the tour. I wish I was down there tonight-Willie should be going strong about now. Fall Tour?????Here's hoping:-)It would be a sin not to keep this band going, that's all I know. By the way, I went with two non-Heads, and they both loved it. One, a musician and big music fan, said it was among the best concerts he had ever attended. I think it was musically the best post-Dead show I have seen(about 10). I will definitely listen to the CD's of this band, which is saying something-with the rest of the various post-Dead incarnations, I have enjoyed the concerts, but usualyl not listened to the CD's very much. Well, this band is damn good, and they have acheived the sensitivity of playing that I (and Bobby, judging from interviews) felt was lacking from the fall. Alright, I know I have gone on and on, so enough.....

This was a great show! Broken Arrow is always a treat. Joan really did a great job on Comes A Time. Shakedown & Dancin' rocked everyone's socks off. Much better versions than VA Beach and Merriweather. We rode the ferry back over to Penn's Landing after the show and thought we would never make it to the Electric Factory on time. We grabbed a cab and pulled up right behind the Dead's buses! There were lots of tickets around and it wasn't nearly as crowded inside as it has been at any show I've seen there. We pretty much just walked up front. They made an announcement that the Dead were coming out, but I couldn't believe it when they ALL walked out on stage. The only band member I didn't see was Mickey. I saw Joan standing off stage. The rusted root singer just BUTCHERED Come Together. It was so funny, Bobby was standing behind him playing and just shook his head after one horrible verse. Then Bobby took over for Watchtower, which picked up the energy. The Franklin's with Jimmy and Al blazing away was definately the highlight. I still can't believe they really played at the Electric Factory after the show. It was great.

The New Jersey Turnpike was shut down below Exit 7 and EVERYONE had to exit to find an alternate rout. For once I had to tune into the traffic radio station advertised when the lights are flashing. 2-3 hours of traffic at a crawl in 90+ degree temps. Awful horrible traffic I have not scene the likes of since I was a 10 year old on a family vcation somewhere in Maryland. My brother and our buddy were worked from the heat driving down from CT and could't wait to get settled in the lot.

All I have to say is that I regret anything negative I ever said about Joan Osborne and this band. Tonights show was absolutely off the charts. With 74 Dead Shows under my belt and alot of time and energy cultivating the riches of the Dead's music; (setlists, tapes and shows) and for all intensive purposes, making a life out of The grateful Dad, I can honestly say this was the best post-Jerry experience to date for me. Tonight's show had sooo much energy and determination. It smoked!!! Joan was purely eloquent and magnificent on Comes a time. The entire band ripped it up. But it was the energy serge that I haven't seen since Jerry was around that really made this one special. Other posts mentioned the traditional setlist layout to the "old days" and I noticed that too. Dancin' in the Streets, ("Philiadelphia PA!) was out of '66 and groovy man. It really was. I have been saved and am fully back on the bus. Mexecalli blues was super tight and quick. Highly noodlie, if you will. I just got back from a great weekend in Philly with the dead. What a treat. Have fun all. And then to top it off we got tickets at the box office that night for The after show gig at The Electric Factory. We got there late and only saw a jam into Franklins Tower but it was cool considering they were just onstage in Camden where I was earlier. Phil came out at set break and told us all about how a friend of their's was sick and it was a benefit concert. Cool. Later...

While I do wish I could have caught the beginning of the show (I would have loved to have seen Willie playing Going Down the Road), I found this show to be head and shoulders above what TOO were doing in the fall, and it vastly exceed any expectations I could have ever had (but for that matter, so did my entire weekend).

Anyone else out there ever been to show were it seemed like the band was playing just for you? Well, for me, not only did the band seem to be singing to me (well, make that to me and my lovely companion), but it seemed to me as though the band knew before they took the stage for the second set what was happening to me this night, and that they tailored their entire second set to sing about my night (and I was not even that buzzed). It had been quite a while since I had such an experience, and (while I never thought this band would make me say this), it was a downright spiritual experience. I had many others calling the show deep, but for me, it went way beyond that.

But, enough of my personal story. Now for some of my highlights from the show:

· Is anyone out there who is bashing Joan actually listening to these shows in person? If so, how in the world could you bash that lady for the job she is doing on stage? I have NEVER been a big fan of female vocalists. I first saw Joan (a bunch of times) when her first album came out and she was opening for my friends Widespread Panic. I recognized that she had a really good voice, but even so, it didn’t do much for me. And I surely would have never pictured her singing with The Dead. But this gal (ha ha) flat-out nailed damn near every note. There Comes A Time - she rivaled Warren at his best. Lovelight – Joan freakin’ took control of the stage of I loved it. Joan rocked. If you haven’t seen it yet, go with an open mind. This band is not the Grateful Dead, or even The Other Ones. It’s something new and refreshing, and Joan is a big part of it all.

· But, really and truly, Joan, the song selection, and the rest of the band, really were almost secondary both nights. The real man in charge was without a doubt JIMMY! That’s right, Jimmy Herring is The Dead! Without him, this band would be nowhere near the same. I’ve known Jimmy and been watching him play since 1989, and never would I have dreamed that he would one day take over the lead of this band. But it’s a fact – JIMMY is the whole f’in’ show (I would have said he’s the game, but hey, that’s me)

· Other sensational highlights from the night (umm, I mean the show) were no doubt New Speedway Boogie (it had been years since I’d last heard that one live, one of my favorite Dead songs that I used to see Panic play all the time – and while I still think JB sings it the best – this was over the top at this show), Birdsong, the China- Rider, Weather Report Suite, pretty much the entire second set. Again, I downright spiritual experience from where I stood.

And for anyone who missed meeting up with my companion and me, sorry about that, but Dew was just too damn busy playing THE GAME! Lucky freakin’ me! And I’d sure be curious to hear a few comments from Fritz on our friend’s “Sunday Mornin’ High!” And whatever he has to say, it couldn’t hold a candle to the real story.

“At one,” that works too!

"Thanks for putting up with the visuals," now that is funny as hell.

What's so funny about that? Huck's vision was obscured.

Fritz, please plead the fifth, and thank you in advance, for doing so. Loyalty is so refreshing.

It's called blinders.
I use them occasionally.

Huck, thank you for everything. Came to learn the damn water was contaminated this morning. Holy shit...I do love you my friend, very much.


Charge my companion for the blinders, it wasn't my fault, I promise.

Well, I doubt if anything I can say will make much difference here, but come on now, John, spill the beans. You heard the story first hand.

All I know is that someone, somehow, seemed to have lost all their brains on Sunday. Well, some may say that maybe she didn't have much of that to start with to find herself in that situation, but whatever was there, well, it was sure as hell left splattered all over the hotel. And that's a fact that just can't be debated.

What's you talking 'bout Willis? Brains? What did they have to do with it?

Hey, Fritz, remember me, I INTRODUCED you two. Me, your friend. Hold out, please don't succomb t the pressure. Fritz, the sofa is ALWAYS there for you...hell, I will throw in the bed next time, actually insist on the bed.

From where I sat (or should that be laid), those brains were blown right out of your head, and left behind in Philly. And, unlike usual, I'm not being cocky here. Your words, not mine.

Dewit for a drug free America? Are you insinutating you caused me to lose my mind?

I'm only repeating what I was told - your words, not mine. If anything, I questioned how much of a mind you started with to find yourself in that position. But no complaints from me. If you're able to find any remnants of what was once there, I'm more than willing to take care of that too.

>>> If anything, I questioned how much of a mind you started with to find yourself in that position.


If you had questioned my state of mind, prior to the ensuing events, lets say, then poor Fritz would not have been rendered quite so tongue tied. Perhaps the brain bath was conceived by you just to compromise what little sense I had left.

Regardless, I love you my friend, but then, you already knew that.

Well what can I say to that? Fritz's state of speechlessness was quite amusing indeed. As for anything else I've read, you know the feeling is mutual.

FYI - the Area Code 415/Fire on the Mountain offer is closed - all who emailed me are in - send me your addresses if you haven't yet...

Have a good day!

ahhh Im lost there somewhere in the mix..but i guess its best to be lost once again!

Ok Fritz, you know better than that. I was there when you heard the story. You know exactly what happened to our friend's brains.

ohhhhhhh yeah!!!!!!

I knew you remebered that one, Fritz. But not as well me!!

This was my first show, and for a first show.. The sets were pretty good. I enjoyed the band very much, The crowd was kinda shakey though. I try not to let the crowd bother me when i'm at shows, There were a lot of people wasted though. It doesn't bother me much. It's on them if they want to miss out. Security had to carry a lot of people out of the lawn though, I'm not sure if they just passed out or what not. I loved dancing to the songs though. It was fun.

fun as fuck