Reviews
Just got back from the Universal show and it ROCKED!!!!!! Bobby and the band were tight and the music was amazing. I like Phil and caught all of his California dates earlier this summer....But this show was on a different level. To everyone out there if the Furthur Tour comes to you town SEE IT!!!
Peace out from Gladheart on the shores of the Pacific in Playa Del Rey...............
Gladheart
I saw Universal and you're on acid if you think Phil doesn't blow this truckin crap out of the water. Where is the St. Stephen, Cryptical. Mountains of the Moon, Alligator, the list goes on PHIL Rules
D Quinn
I was at Universal Last night, and was totally impressed with the show. There was similarities to Phil & Friends, but my opinion, is that this was more of the real thing. They did some different stuff, like opening with Dark Star tease, then Sunshine Daydream. Didn't the dead used to close a second set with that? My highlights last night were Looks Like Rain, (love that song); Ramble on Rose, and a high energy Truckin. I did feel the energy like the old days. In addition Billy & Mickey put on a great drums solo, it was great to see them working together again. The ending, "Touch of Grey", was also total high energy. I was singing along loudly: All I can say, is ,'The show was a lot of fun, and I'm going back east to see them, while I visit in September. Can't wait for the next show.
To all fellow heads: My advice is as follows: "Go to the show this coming month, you won't be let down!"
Thanks to the Other One's for their gift last night!
Peace
Cush
Speak it Daniel!
First of all, thank Jerry this show wasn't at the Pond in Anaheim. Instead, we were dealt Universal entertain-o-plex, an outdoor strip mall laden with cheezy tourist shoppes and Vegas-like neon lights that before the show was sprinkled with just enough Deadhead flavor to remind you that the Other Ones had arrived in LA.
And boy did Bobby come to play. He brought Kreutzmann and Bruce along with him too, jumping into Sunshine Daydream, with Bob teasing "Alright now, baby its all right now..." And yes it was alright.
It was strange to hear Dark Star, cause it was played the night before, but it seems like the Ones were feelin each other and the crowd out at the 6,000 capacity concert hall that was just perfect for the sound and excellent light show that flickered throughout the set.
Goin Down the Road was sooo bad - Bob and Bruce trading harmonies, making you appreciate Bob's ascension to the helm of the band and the addition of Bruce, who grooves his piano strings across musical planes effortlessly as well as adding a confident, soulful voice to the Ones.
But Bob on LL Rain was the highlight of the evening, indicative of the mellowness that vibed for a good portion of the set. The words barely left Bob's mouth, so delicate and gentle he was with this one, making you listen to every note (which unfortunately too many people were not).
Then Truckin just reminded you why you were there, how the Other Ones had arrived to where they are. It wasn't a feel good Truckin, more like a weathered Truckin, which along with LL Rain and Heaven's Door showed Bob adding a level of poignancy to the songs. Bob too showed a wry sense of humor during Estimated Prophet, wonderin if this is the golden door.
But mellowness didnt last too long, with the Other One Jam weaved throughout the set, showcasing the oneness of Kreutz and Hart, playing together again and lovin it. Mickey has totally expanded his percussion repertoire and Kreutz just lays hard, ripplin beats. The two flirted with each other throughout Bruce's Too Long (tall, cool) One, and then ripped into a fine drums, unleashing a fervor and energy that left everyone mystified.
Mickey sang a nice tribute to John Lennon and Jerry G., the band left to a raucous ovation and returned for one encore to remind us that they will get by. Touch of Grey is fine for one encore, but the lights went up damn quickly - Not Fade Away sure woulda been nice.
Kimock is a very capable soloist who doesnt attempt to imitate - You can't expect the Dead, but sure wish Phil was with. You're not gonna see a more more enjoyable live act out there, so don't miss these guys.
BJ
Once upon a time...
there was a band that lit up a child's face as only a dime store candy counter could. It was safe. You knew the owners as Ma & Pa, or Mr. & Mrs.
We went back to the old neighborhood tonight expecting Ma to be out front with a smile to light the broadwalk. She would be their with cotton candy, milk duds, jujubees and the like. She would pat our heads and warn us not to spoil our dinner. If we were late, a "responsible" adult would at the least watch as we crossed 82nd.
The three of us in our own way expected her to be at work tonight though we haven't been in the store for 5 years. Maybe you really can't go home again!
For our little brothers and sisters who never knew the store I speak, but only remember the laughter, I hope a little glimmer of the past made it through. For the rest of us it just so happened the reunion of old friends was the same evening. The band on stage played. We sang and danced along, yet the leader was long past gone.
It was fun? wasn't it? you dwellers of arenas past. Remember fallen friends for they will never forget you. Enjoy the friends you now keep. The Grateful Dead deserve their sleep. from an OG of fillmores past. Our memories will always last!
TLR Media
A little late in the day to be chiming in, but I loved the show at Universal because it was, first and foremost, A SHOW!, I felt it was primarily an exercise in missed opportunities. There was a lot of searching without a lot of finding. The overall sound and groove of the band were fantastic, but too much of the time, no one was willing to take charge. So much of the jamming was unfocused and rarely arrived anywhere. Maybe it's too early in the tour, I thought. Maybe it's just one of those retrograde nights. The highlight for me, and it was one I'll remember forever, was Mickey & Billy's Drumz. Astounding! I saw Mick's band at the House of Blues in June, and I heard him with Molo two years ago. Both were ecstatic nights. But this was a different world. Sooooo glad Billy's back in the saddle. Wouldn't have missed it for the world, or any of the rest of the show, either. I'd rather be there than almost anywhere else, good night or not.
ChnaRidr