Reviews
Yow!
It was so nice to be back. We arrived a little early and wandered around, spotting the vending which was in one row of a parking lot across the street from the Spectrum. It was way overcrowded, but we had fun wandering through; I bought myself a long-awaited new tie-dye and a batik dancing bear shirt for my daughter.
We had pretty good seats for the show (thanks gdtstoo), just to the right of the stage and back one section. Great views, and we were on an interior aisle where there were no security guards to hassle anyone.
The first set had some highlights--it was good to get Saturday Night out of the way, Cumberland was nice, and I enjoyed Here Comes Sunshine and Dancin', but the other songs didn't quite hit it and overall the first set didn't really take off.
During the Hunter set, I wandered outside for a bathroom break, and then met up with lots of old friends. It was great to see everyone. Some people I hadn't seen in at least the seven years since the Dead last played in Philly.
Back for the second set, and it took off! Shakedown was fun, although I didn't care for Lazy Lightning. Then into drums -- a little early for that, but I'm fine with mixing things up a bit. Mickey and Billy did their usual thing, then Phil came out and was playing around a little. I don't remember hearing a "Let Phil Drum" chant.... Space seemed short, but then they took off into a great St. Stephen, into a very nice Terrapin in which I think Phil did a good job singing. They closed (already? but it was an hour and a half by the time they were done with the encore) with a really rocking Sugaree, with Susan Tedeschi doing a great job on vocals. I felt she really hit it on this song. I would be happy to hear her bring out some more Jerry songs as lovingly as she did this one. There were some really great jams in this set, which lifted me up like they used to do. The music was swirling all around inside my head, and then expanded to fill the whole arena, with my head seeming to expand right along with the music. Very tasty!
The encore was a nice GDTRFB, and an acappella (I think) We Bid You Goodnight, which seemed very appropriate (except I don't care for the Jesus lyric; I found myself thinking "and Jerry loves you the best" would fit nicely).
Can't wait for another show tonight!
Lisa, Havertown, PA
Saturday night's show was beyond all expectations. The opener made it clear that the place is going to fly. The transition into 'Cumberland Blues' was as if they've done it 100 times. Susan's harmonies provide a stunning counterpoint as everyone floats down into a soulful 'Down the Road.' Flashback to 1985, 'Hell in Bucket' positively rocks! Bobby breaks out the acoustic and we all sing along. "Got a wife in Hampton and one in Albany." Then comes the highlight of the first set. Rob and Susan lead an amazing 'Here Comes Sunshine,' with a jam that must be heard to be appreciated (get the tape). They close with 'Dancin' sending the crowd into a final first set frenzy.
During the Robert Hunter intermission, I meet a five-year-old boy named after Jerry, who asks me 'if this is my first show?' God bless you Jerome.
Back inside another Flashback. 'Shakedown' has always been my favorite set opener. 'Lazy Lightning > Supplication' is absolutely perfect. My friends head out during 'Drums' and miss It. 'Space,' what year is this? Hey Phil I thought you didn't like this song? I'm sure glad you changed your mind. A very nice 'Terrapin Station,' and you thought Phil couldn't sing. And then the highlight of the evening. A closing 'Sugaree' sung by Susan that provides a moment of sheer bliss. The double encore confirms that this was a special night. It is one that I will remember for the rest of my life.
B. Strohl, Marlton, NJ
This was my first show of this tour and I was greatly anticipating an enjoyable evening. I have not been to the Spectrum since 1995 and for some reason it seemed smaller than I recalled. I noticed the crowd was a group of veteran older hippies that knew how to do a show :)
I was personally glad to see the band start off with a One More Saturday Night opener and get that out of the way so they could get down to some serious jamming. I was not disappointed. The smokin' Cumberland that followed was full of Ben Franklin's electricity that seemed to last well over 10 minutes. Mickey's Down the Road kept the pace moving very nicely. The Hell in the Bucket took no extra chances although solid. A rousing Friend of The Devil followed, played at what seemed like double speed and had the crowd up an grooving. Wake of the Flood (HCSS) was also inspired and personally the best version of this song I have ever heard perform live. Dancin' in the Streets was a disappointment. They seemed to have tried a new rendition of this classic and it never seemed to jell... the vocals did not seem to fit with the music and I think the band knew this as well judging by the shortened set ender. I did not think the sound was hooked up especially well on this evening, often straining to hear those crisp vocals, with the overall sound being a little muddy.
Set 2 started with a motivated Shakedown, followed by an OUTSTANDING Lazy Lightning>Supplication. Spacey, long, and complex. I was surprised that D/S followed after 2 songs. Phil was involved with the drums portion, helping out Mickey and Billy by adding color on the drums... it was pretty cool to see all three of them lined up in a row... he actually sounded pretty good! The boys came out of space into a powerful St Stephen. There was confidence in this version and new territory seemed to be found off each jam they then slowed it down just a tad and played a very sweet momentum building Terrapin. Like the old days:) Susan's Sugaree was OK but, I did not think this was a good spot for this song.
Now for the encores. Going Down the Road was focused and spry... I loved it and was very content... but then it's lets put the instruments down and sing a lovely "Bid you Goodnight." I had the big chills going up and down my spine and you could sure tell that the band certainly wanted to sing this rendition trading vocal lines from one band member to another with all of the vocalist sounding soulful. This song really stuck in my head after the show.
Overall I thought this was a very good show... not in the great realm, but certainly a keeper.
David, Bethlehem, PA
The Dead always loved playing in the city of brotherly love and this evening's show was just "One More Saturday Night" filled with treats for the Philly fans! It was nice to see a handful of 1st timer tunes of the tour tonight. Plus, when your first set starts with your typical encore, you know something is on the stove. One More Saturday Night opener got the ol' bones moving and kept them moving through a sweet segue into a smokin' Cumberland Blues. Down the Road had me smiling as Mickey sang those heart-warming lyrics. Hell in a Bucket, though a bit slower these days, still rocks! When Bobby picked up the acoustic I had hopes for a Masterpiece or Me & My Uncle, but Friend of the Devil with the Susan additive was pretty. The little jam that followed brought those opening licks of 1973 sounding Here Comes Sunshine which was quite a job well done. Jimmy Herring was outstanding. The first set highlight, for me, was the closer. Bringing back that 70's disco-feeling Dancin' was great idea! Bobby and Susan looked like they were having a good old time with this one and I was too! The fifty minutes spent with Robert Hunter was cool. Hearing iteresting renditions of the old favorites was eye opening. After a quick brew, the body was ready for a-movin' again and the "disco-dead" session continued. Philly accepted the 2nd set Shakedown opener with open arms and everybody in the crowd, young and old, was shaking their bones! Another treat for the Philly folk came in the form of Lazy Lightning>Supplication...another tour 1st timer. I was shaking my head in amazement the way the band had a tight grip on this one. God bless Bobby! That Supplication was sizzling. Seeing Billy back in business with Mickey was too cool. Billy's driving rythym is outstanding. Phil even gave us some sounds during Drums. Out of space with St. Stephen was good to hear. A real nice jam that could've melted into The Eleven (if they hadn't played it in Jersey two shows back) instead made it's way into Terrapin Station. I love this tune, but personally, I think this is the kind of song that could've stayed shelved. Some Jerry tunes just aren't made to be re-created. Sugaree on the other hand, I was diggin'. The emotion behind this one was sharp. Once again, the Susan additive was kick-ass... real pretty version. The evening's encore was pure vintage Dead. GDTRFB has always been one of my favorites. The tune started as Phil was giving his organ donor speech and just picked up the full head of steam that it always has. No one could have expected what followed. Come on boys... you make me want to buy a Sunday night ticket not knowing what's on the treat list for the Philly faithful tomorrow. Anyway, how cool is it to get And We Bid You Goodnight. After a quick body chill, I sang right along feeling like it was Saturday Night Mass. A great way to end a great night. I think everyone on stage is doing a hell of a job and I hope they keep doing it as long as they can! And as long as they keep showing up, I will too! Good night.
Dave Carson, Wilmington, DE
