Reviews
It's been a long time since I have heard that "Big Sound," but we all heard it in Detroit. From Maggie's Farm all the way to Mickey kissing Bobby on his head at the end of Bid You Goodnight, The Palace was rockin' and rollin'. The crowd was great, the venue was great, the security was great and the band was fantastic. We scored 4th row centre (thanx GDTS TOO), and to watch the interplay between band members was fun to see as they look like they're having fun again.
The first set was excellent with great playing by Jimmy on his old strat and Bobby layin' it down during Midnite Hour. The Saturday night set closer was one of the most rockin' and best played I have ever heard. Susan added so much to the band. Her vocal interplay with Bobby and Rob were fantastic. Although she flubbed the lyrics at the end of Sugaree, she brought tears to the eyes of many at the front of the stage. Please come back soon Susan.... We miss you already! The whole show was filled with magical moments from each bandmember and it was so fun to hear these songs again, along with some I never thought I would ever hear again. Rob's vocals on Strawbeery Fields were magical. He is such a great addition to the group. Drumz/Space was rather short but very well done as we all got lost deep in the "Beast" as Mickey pounded away with Billy staying right with him throughout. We all could feel the stage rumble as Lazy Lightning made its way out of space (Thanx Bobby for this nugget). Hopefully we will see a spring tour on the horizon, and a couple of nights at Copps Colisium in Hamilton would just be the "Bee's Knees".....
Shawn Blackmore, Paris, ON
As a veteran of many shows in the 80s and 90s, I must admit that this line-up of musicians is the first to truly bring back that "tingle" I felt at every Dead show. Having gone to 5 or 6 previous "Other Ones" shows in the last few years, I had always felt somewhat disappointed and saddened that it will just never be the same. Expecting another "nostalgia" type show, I was floored by the song selection at this show and all the shows on this tour. It makes me wish I could hear Jerry singing some of the really old classics that they just would not play all that often if at all (New Potato, Doin' That Rag, Born Cross-Eyed, Golden Road, The Eleven, etc.). Not to mention the wonderful sprinkling of usual second set songs in the first and vice-versa.
As for the playing, no one could envy Jimmy Herring's job as we all know that there is no one alive that could replace Jerry. However, this guy can play and understands how to respect the "other ones" onstage to be appropriately front and center when it's right and to back off when moment calls for it. As well, I have to wonder about the boys' choice of Vince as Brent's replacement. Was Jeff Chimenti [Rob Barraco? --Ed.] not available back in 1990?? This guy smokes on the keys and owns the best voice on stage. Susan was great, but, too timid to sell me; perhaps several more shows next spring would do the trick.
Loved the Scarlet/Fire, Speedway, Strawberry Fields!, Bid you Goodnight. Bobby was in great voice (Phil, as well) and the drummer boys were great as usual. Loved it all (except the cold weather). CAN'T WAIT 'til the spring!!
Carlo Pucci, Toronto, ON
Wow. I knew The Palace stop on the tour would be a special one, but I was not prepared for the energy and all out fun the band could pull out for us! They hit the perfect mix of up-tempo rockers, psychedelia, ballads, and all out blues that had the crowd riding every change like a cosmic coaster. The jam into Maggie's had me guessing, but once they hit it a huge grin broke out on my face. Bobby did a fine job leading the band, and it was apparent that everyone had shown up to play tonight. They can still segue with the best of them into... Strawberry Fields! Perfect choice as Candace's lights bathed the crowd and seemed to warm the whole room from the chill outside. UJB broke out from the chaos and the cheers turned to a roar. By now, most had entered (the lines to get in were quite slow) and realized what was up. Crazy Fingers? "Are you kidding me?" was all I could think as the beautiful notes floated over us all. Rob Barraco has really come into his own and was impressive on this Jerry ballad. Susan finally got to shine on Big Boss Man, and as it ended I realized they had just busted out about 40 min. of pure bliss. How could things get any better? Stranger!!! What a great surprise in the middle of the 1st set! Verrrry long version here, with plenty of great jamming between Bobby, Jimmy, and Rob. Segue into Midnight Hour, and the Pigpen tribute continues. I'm so glad we had Susan with us tonight. Thought this might be the set closer, but Bobby kicked into Sat Night and the place REALLY went nuts. Not my favorite, but tonight, looking around at all the joyful smiling faces I could not help but just DANCE until we all couldn't take it anymore and the roof shook. Wow.
Playin to start the 2nd set and were just settlin' in. Bobby sang the standard couple of verses and the band was into... Scarlet! Another absolute roar of approval from the crowd and we're off! The standard Scarlet ending riffs were nice, and the into Fire. I know Mickey wrote this one, but maybe Rob could try his hand at singing it. Enough said. This set up a spectacular Drums that was most impressive, Dead years included. Very short Space into... Lazy Lightnin'!!! Abrupt and poppin! So glad Bobby brought this back. I can die a happy man. New Speedway was the perfect choice to follow, a rocking singalong that had everyone back into the groove. Phil had had enough, and wanted to be heard loud and clear. As the manic riff of Caution boomed from his bass, the band followed and let Rob just belt this one out with Susan's help. Wow. Pigpen reincarnated before our very eyes! Sugaree brought the set to a close and it worked just fine with a nice buildup at the end. GDTRFB felt like perfection to cap off the evening with fine energy onstage from all. We Bid You Goodnight is perhaps the most touching encore they have. This one did not dissapoint, with Rob once again giving it his all. No one left here unsatisfied, no question. Nights like this are why we go to shows.
n8, Chicago, IL
Incredible! My first Other Ones show of the tour and I was blown away. Maggie's Farm got things going but things really kicked in with a transcendant Strawberry Fields, which was jaw droppingly beautiful. A fun UJB was followed by a Crazy Fingers that kicked things up to another level; Rob fits so perfectly in this band. He just seems like a member of the Dead. Susan made herself felt for the first time with a rollicking Big Boss Man; she is absolutely adorable dancing and smiling on stage. Feel Like A Stranger took everyone into another opportunity for everyone to get a load of Susan when Midnight Hour kicked into gear and Saturday Night closed out the set, and freed up the encore for something more surprising.
Hunter was his usually amazing, direct current to the muse self. His interaction with the audience during Easy Wind and Mr. Charlie was hilarious. He was having a blast and it was infectious.
"Playing" opened up the second set and then went into a gorgeously played Scarlet/Fire, even though Mickey's "singing" still takes a little bit to get used to. Drums was intense, with Billy demonstrating why he is the heart of the Grateful Dead's sound with a smoking solo on his drum kit at the opening of the segment. Space became Lazy Lightning -> Supplication and then became New Speedway Boogie, the highlight of the night. The closing a capella chorus of "this darkness has got to give" sung by Bobby, Phil, Rob and Susan was a glimmer of hope in our nation's dark political times. It was our old guides through the secret heart of America reassuring us that things may be bad but there is always hope, that things can not stay on the nightmare suicidal course that our government is set on. Rob and Susan got another chance to shine on Caution and summoned the ghost of Pigpen in the process, a truly awesome musical moment. Susan sung us out with a beautiful and sultry Sugaree and in a few short seconds Phil was giving his donor rap. Going Down The Road Feeling Bad into We Bid You Good Night was the perfect encore, with some funny interaction between Hart and Weir during the end. Mickey kissed Bobby on the top of his head, as if he was a little child going to bed and then tossled his hair like an older relative would do to a kid!
In summary, the Dead, for all intents and purposes, are doing what only they can do when their together and all was right with the world for one night.
Kass Stone, Gary, IN
