ZONE OUT with the ROLLING RIDER

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12-31-01 - Part 3 - New Riders of the Golden Age
Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium
Oakland, CA
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In the wee small hours of the morning, Phil and Friends took the stage once again, and we were reminded of the all-night dance parties at the Winterland, the Avalon, and the Fillmore West. Poised for flight, the band began the familiar prologue which signals 'Help on the Way'. Surely a nod to the recent Paradise Waits tour which capped 2001, this song was literally scalding, bubbling over with the heat of 5 masterful players. And, perhaps no other composition provides a better canvas for these artists to blend their distinctive color and tone than 'Help on the Way>SLIPKNOT'.

Jimmy Herrings deft, pinpoint solos, each note a spiderleg walking and climbing further into the vast expanses of his infinite musical range. Mr. Warren Haynes, the very personification of our muse, washing a soulful, liquid rhythm over the sandy beaches of our frames of reference -- thereby keeping the pebbles and shells of our memory intact, and further shaping them, but letting them wash away, while giving a fresh, new hope to the horizon.

And, John Molo, the consummate drummer, his indomitable cadence powering us to crescendo after crescendo, until mid-slipknot, right before the loop, when it stops on a dime, leaving only the lone tsk of the highhat. Finally, Rob Barracco, pouring his very heart into every key he touches, and in moments of rapture, allowing his fingers to dance, light and free, ringing the bells inside our mind that imply we are standing at the threshold of bliss, about to cross over into another times forgotten space.

Phils bass, often a Band in itself, and the conductor of the divine symphony, then pulled us out into space, wandering down some interstellar back alley. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. -R.Frost. Yes, visible now on this clear, glorious night, were the sacred, opening chords of 'Dark Star'. The youngster Derek Trucks then rejoined the stage, adding his fresh, resonant leads to the mix. I couldn't help but remember the perfect, crystalline Spectrum and Omni sets of the nineties, and hope the Star would lead us to Terrapin.

In days of old, Jerry would write 'Morning Dew' across the sky, his signature on the most brilliant of performances. My mind wandered to those splendid nights, as the elaborate musical conversation between our friends reached even higher heights. Phil wondered aloud, 'Shall we go, You and I while we can...', and soon after, our collective energy formed a triumphant segue into 'Terrapin Station'! And, although the 'Lady with a Fan' was obscured, her fan dancing in some other lions den, Inspiration filled our hearts and minds.

Speaking of illumination, the third set seemed to create a showcase for a beautiful new Hunter/Lesh composition entitled 'No More Do I'. Classic Hunter, to be sure, weaving both exquisite, romantic notions, as well as imagery with no temporal limitations. Hopeful promises: I will stand by you forever / If you'll always stand by me / On the shifting sand or water / Take my hand, take my hand.
As well as wild, lonely cries:

No more, no more, no more do I
Seek reflection in a dead man's eye
Seek my fortune in shades of black
Run down spinnin' on the outside track
Ice cold wind screamin' at my back
Lightning fails at the thunder's crack

Of course, Phil completed the circle with the 'Uncle Johns Band' we'd been craving since the Crusader Rabbit teaser. 'Whoa-oh, what I want to know, where does the time go?'. Alas, these two nights, at once sentimental and sanguine, were coming to an end. After a moment, Phil came out to introduce the band, and share some important words with us all. As well as his overflowing compassion and service concisely coined the Organ Donor Rap, Phil stressed, 'Unity is Possible'. Amen.

The 'Celebration>Franklin's Tower' encore was not only apropos, it grabbed the gleaming, dangling loop, and slipped it back through like a magic ribbon and bow, atop one of the most resplendent and momentous gifts bestowed us on us in our 37-year history. 2001-2002 New Years Eve, with Phil and Friends, Ratdog, Derek Trucks and Crusader Rabbit. Silver threads and Golden Needles. We are truly Grateful.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.
- Robert Frost

Until Next Time,
Rolling Rider

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read 12.31.01 Part 2 Rider

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