Reviews
Well guys ,Its like this Bob has always wanted to be Jerry and now he's got his chance...When I saw Bob step up to the microphone and sing Iko,Iko instead of Women Are Smarter.THAT confirmed it. Bobs just jealous..Jerry must be really,really mad..St.Stephen,The Eleven, Lovelight .....Stellar!!
Thanks ,Guys
Cobbolove, Redwood City, CA
Saturday was filled with an excitement not even squelched by The Other Ones' pre-show sound check of Corinna :-) Ah, the final date on the successful TOO summer tour. We arrived early, to allow all of the karma and joy of this day to waft our way. Finally, as Rusted Root played to the masses, we took our seats for a brief and methodical set from Hot Tuna. The main attraction hit the ground running with a laid-back rendition of US Blues...summertime done come and gone, my oh my, yes indeed..-. The familiar strains of Playin' In The Band signaled a powerful version, full of crackle from Kimock and Karan, as the evening quickly turned experimental. But wait! Not so fast! Who should hit the stage but long-lost Bill Kreutzmann, looking rested and ready! Whoops and cheers ran through the Shoreline crowd as Kreutzmann took the stick of his talking drum and waved it at the crowd. The energy flowed back to him, and he cackled and bopped around, ready to play, ready to dance, playin' in the band... Here they were, all of the surviving members of the original incarnation of the Grateful Dead (Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann), on a concert stage together for the first time since the death of Jerry Garcia, along with lifer Mickey Hart and honorary member Bruce Hornsby. Kreutzmann led the band nto the rough beat of The Other One, and the old magic took the crowd's breath away. As the long jam, and first verse, wound down, various band members went over to Billy, as hugs and handshakes filled the stage. Kreutzmann remained onstage as Bruce delivered a passionate albeit rusty version of Ramble On Rose, and Mickey donned the sunglasses to perform Down The Road Again. As Billy left the stage, we left the main theatre area. The indoor vending fair at Shoreline is unique, with spacious shopping areas, and a mellow, unique vibe. A quick purchase of a new DeadBase, and a great photo of Garcia taken by Rob Cohn, and it was time to hustle back inside. TOO performed trusty versions of Jack-A-Roe and Friend Of The Devil, yet Karan and Kimock were low on sparks. Kreutzmann was prodded out again by Weir, and roused the crowd by sitting in on a top-notch Iko Iko. Molo gave up his kit, as the two old drummers captured a taste of magic with China Cat Rider, but without Jerry it lacked quite a bit, and wisely the band touched down. into... Rhythm Devils. What can be said? The first real "Drumz" in three years, and the exorcism was in progress. Afterward, Mickey and Billy hugged, and Kreutzmann left the stage. Bruce came out to perform Preacher In The Ring with Molo and Hart, and the full band followed with simple versions of Banyan Tree and Corinna. The concert started to take flight as Kreutzmann joined in on a Playin' jam, and as Bob Weir led the group through the reprise of The Other One, the musicians were again playing at optimum capabilities. Following a nice Wharf Rat by Bruce, the highlight of the weekend came with the hat trick of St. Stephen, The Eleven and Lovelight. Karan more than delivered in spades on St. Stephen and Jorma even came out for a few rounds of Lovelight. The double encore of One More Saturday Night and Touch Of Grey capped the weekend in grand style. The band memnbers came to center stage, put their arms around each other, and bowed in unison. Hugs, handshakes and tears onstage brought the same reaction from the crowd, and brought the summer tour to a close.
Happy Trails!
Rossgita, Medford, OR
Aside from the RAN show a the Warfield to kick things off, this was the hottest I've seen by TOO. After the Warfield show, I was definately pumped for the SPAC show on 7/4. However, once we got the US Blues > Playin' to open, I knew we were in for it. With Billy coming back to sit in on a few and add to the mix with his percussion on others ( 3 drummers !?!?!? ). Unbelievable, to say the least. It was also great to see all the old heads come out to show support and "shake their bones"(its not just for the kids anymore). I was extremely impressed with Steve's guitar playing at both Shoreline shows. there were definately areas where it was all too evident what/who was missing, but Steve really showed what he was made of at some points. Although I had already caught the Stephen>Eleven>Lovelight, they couldn't have picked a more perfect time to bring it back again. Crowd went crazy at the first notes of Stephen cuz you knew that's what they had hoped for all weekend. The only question that remains in my mind (coincidentally the same question I was asking myself about three years ago ) was "what are they going to do next". My feeling is it would be great to see TOO do a small venue fall tour which culminates back at home in December. Just like old times! Hats off to TOO as they pulled off what all the sceptics thought unthinkable and what we all knew they would eventually do: Bring the heat back to the kitchen.
Relevant, San Francisco, CA
This was a very clean and polished show ... a complete perfomance. Of the nine of the last eleven shows of the tour that I saw, I don't know if I liked this one or Alpine more. I think that the important thing to remember, I learned this time around, is to appreciate each moment for what it is. I got the best feeling from this tour. I feel like doing it forever.
Clifford, Kansas City, MO
very good to have been there to see billy come out to play, almost had the energy of old. loved doing this tour, alpine was very good also, deer creek, st. louis, tinley park, fiddler's green, vegas, it was all very magical. Kimock was the polish, really clicked with them.
frontrow, canton,il