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ZONE
OUT with the ROLLING RIDER
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4.27.01
- Electric Factory - Philadelphia
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Describing 4.27.01, Friday night at the Electric Factory, frankly leaves me reeling.
How does one describe an O'Keefe landscape, or a Michael Jordan dunk? Can one possibly articulate the trumpet of Miles Davis, or the pen of Toni Morrison? The answer, in my humble estimation, is 'no'. However, one thing can be said with complete and utter conviction: 'It is the very best. It is a thing of beauty'.
Electricity was surging from the get-go, as the show served as a double-whammee celebration, for Philzone.com's benevolent birthday boy Bret Heiser, who shared it with the unassuming virtuoso Rob Barracco. In the give-credit-where-credit-is-due department, on behalf of phans everywhere, I want to thank both of these brothers from the bottom of my heart. We're eternally grateful.
'DANCIN IN THE STREETS' instantly ignited the crowd, the Friends displaying their awe-inspiring knack of walking on the stage and creating magic as soon as the first slide of the pick across the strings. "Philadelphia, PA!", bellowed Barraco, as it was evident Rob was finally going to get his chance to shine, as he took 'DANCIN'' into a mesmerizing version of 'RAMBLE ON ROSE'. As the Electric Factory whirled, smiles were traded, and knowing glances exchanged, the advice 'do yourself a favor' rang true as it always has. Rob took us to the leader of the band, which, surprisingly enough, was not Jerry, or Phil, or even Warren, but the sound of many singing as just ONE voice.
After a beautiful version of 'PATCHWORK QUILT', which morphed into a 'DANCIN JAM/reprise', Barracco again grabbed the reins for the always crackling 'BROWN EYED WOMEN'. Seemingly ecstatic, and grinning from ear-to-ear along with the Electric Phactory faithful, Phil observed, "it looks like the old man's gettin' on...". Amen! [Quick editorial from the Rider: you simply have to love Rob Barracco, a guy who has devoted his professional life to the music of the Grateful Dead, having his moment in the sun.]
'JAM' followed, which developed into one of the most poignant and chilling songs of the evening, 'ACADIAN DRIFTWOOD'. In a somewhat silent way, the guardian angel Warren Haynes was absolutely flawless in set one, crooning in his soulful style while playing his trademark searching riffs. An apropos and thunderous 'NOT FADE AWAY' closed the first set, with our Friends en masse bringing the crowd to a fever pitch. Lights on. Set break. 'NORWEGIAN WOOD' by the Beatles playing faintly over the PA.
Set two's 'JAM' featured some deft guitar work by Mr. Jimmy Herring, as the Friends fueled up the Vista Cruiser for a fulminating rendition of 'SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE'. Not only is this tune lyrically 'made' for Jimmy, Warren, Phil, and Rob, it seems to provide them with the consistent opportunity to conjure up that entity, that OTHER spirit, which can be likened only to some impossibly resonant mushroom language.
Old school phans were treated to a nostalgic second set version of 'DIRE WOLF', which, paired with a new song, 'MIDNIGHT TRAIN', opened the floodgates for the psychedelic deluge to follow. Two spacey 'JAM's interpolated by 'DARK STAR' (verse one) had time and space running for the fire exits and out onto 4th and Callowhill. And then things really started to blossom, as our Friends broke into an enchanting version of 'CHINA CAT SUNFLOWER' which never offered lyrics but nevertheless had the friendly confines of the Factory feeling like a 1972 dance hall.
'I KNOW YOU RIDER' gave us pause from our interstellar journey, only to launch us back unmercifully into the second verse of 'DARK STAR'. Mellifluous and magical, they sung the lyrics in their trademark fashion, sharing each line from Phil-to-Rob-to-Warren-to-ONE voice. Thinking the show had reached it's peak, the crowd was floored by the first signaling notes of 'SAINT STEPHEN', Phil thumping along with the rest of the 40, 50, and 60-somethings like it was the first set opener! Fueled by some well (unbeknownst to me), some fountain we all know but can't name, the tireless Friends answered the answer with 'THE ELEVEN', culminated by a wonderful MOLO-powered jam. "Now is the time, for returning..."
'COMES A TIME' brought tears, which were smiled through as Warren urged, 'Don't give it up...you've got an empty cup...only love can phil'. The Philly Phans were simply hypnotized, spellbound by Warren as he fanned the spark eternally lit in our hearts. More love in the room than words can tell...
Encore: 'COSMIC CHARLIE'. Phil riddled, "... rosy red and ELECTRIC blue, I bought you a paddle for your paper canoe...". As the phans grabbed quickly whatever they wished to keep from this psychedelphia celebration. As Phil demanded, "Go on home, your mama's calling you", Ii just couldn't help but think: 'We are home, Phil. We ARE home.'.
[Shameless editorial: 'Comes a Time', 'If I Had the World to Give', 'Believe It or Not', 'Sing Me Back Home'... We received *one* of the four coveted hymns! Will there be more to phollow? No matter. This night was one to remember. Thanks again, Rob, Bret, Phil, the Friends, and every single one of the phans who have kept this mother rollin', 36 and counting...]
Respectfully,
Rolling Rider - Philly, PA
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