Reviews
WOW!!! This was easily the best show I have ever witnessed TOO/The Dead perform since their Nov/Dec tour last year. The first set had a few new songs that I didn't recognize, but still enjoyed. Then came setbreak, which we all love to hate. The Boys came out with a stellar Greatest Story to open the second set, but nothing could prepare me for what was to happen following Dancin'. The Bird Song was really good, then from out of nowhere comes AATW.... what!?! I thought I had seen it all until they did a short drumz in which Mickey went absolutely crazy. Out of Space and into Lady With a Fan. As soon as they played the opening chords to Peggy-O my heart stopped, it was unbelievable. Earlier in the first set I was talking to my kids about how if they ever played Peggy-O this tour it would be so amazing, and look what happened! On top of that, Joan sang the part of Peggy-O talking to William, with help by Phil and Bobby for William's part! They finished that and went right back into Terrapin. It completely blew my mind, I didn't know what to think. Following that they played a by-the-book US Blues into a heartwarming Throwing Stones > NFA. I did not at all expect a Cosmic Charlie encore, but I enjoyed it all the same. This show was not one to miss. It went up, it went down, it went inside out and backwards. This show will be one of the tour highlights by far!
Blake, Richmond, VA
The band stated off with "Truckin" as I was chugging my way down to the fifth row, an unexpected opener but good never the less, then they went into a bluesy "Spoonful" which got things stirred up. "Hell in a Bucket" came next and by now band knew the crowd was fired up and enjoying the ride. Joan came out and the audience cheered her on as they went into "Big Boss Man". This song was a little different which added some new twists for her vocal harmonies with Bobby. Bobby announced Steve Winwood to the stage, and by now, this place was hot! Phil dropped the bass line for "Gimme Some Lovin" then the keyboards rung in, and the buildup of the other members with their instruments was over the top. The band and the audience were really interacting with each other during this one. The spotlight was on Steve Winwood wailing away on the organ, Phil had a giant grin on his face as he dropped the depth charges, Mickey was standing up pounding away, and Bobby and Joan was Ripping out the background vocals. The place exploded into a super jam with everyone dancing and shouting gimmie, gimmie, some lovin everyday! Alligator was another interesting jam that was also changed up. Phil and Joan took over this tune, with lots of bass riffs and Joan’s raspy vocals. Mickey sang a new song "Self Defense" that had a good message and catchy tune, and Casey Jones, which seemed a little rushed, ended the second set.
The second set opener "Greatest Story Ever Told" was a pleasant surprise; it was done tight and clean with a lot of punch especially on Bobby’s rhythm part. I have never seen the Grateful Dead, The Other Ones, or Ratdog do this song live, so it was quite a treat. "Dancin in the Street" snuck in next. I knew they were going to play it, but thought it was going to be in the first set. It was about time! I was really digging bobby and Joan’s vocal breakdowns and the audience was roaring out the lines "Baltimore and DC now" This was another song that the band and the crowd worked together on the good vibes. "Bird Song" was strange with Phil singing, but the jam was great, especially when Bobby finally put down the telecaster and brought out his Black semi-hollow body. "Watchtower" was short but had lots of power. Bobby thrust one last chord to signal drums and off they went, the rhythm devils at their best. It was a high, energy rhythm session with lots of reverberation that went into a mellow space jam before the intro of Lady with a Fan." This tune was not done at their best and the "Peggy-O" that was put in before "Terrapin" was not a good choice. "Terrapin" itself was triumphant and sonic, when the crowd sang out. "US Blues was upbeat but lost its rockin edge that I'm usually used to. Bobby got his act together when the Throwing Stones riff busted out of nowhere. This song was done with great passion and zeal. The band and the crowd were in unison once more and chanting right along with one another strait into "Not Fade Away" which was the set closer. The Not Fade Away chant went on strong until we pulled them out for one more song. Cosmic Charlie was a good pick for the encore being so close to DC and for the over tight security at Merriweather.
The Dead are definitely not the Grateful Dead or The Other Ones, with the element of improv, surprise and exploration. The Dead do have a sense of professionalism and structure that I have not seen before. I have to respect them and am glad to experience what they have to offer on their new journey.
Neil Lewis, Stevensville, MD
This was a special show, no doubt about it. The band was clearly enjoying it as much as the crowd... we were all on the same page and it felt so good.
Just look at the setlist! I don't think anyone could ask for more.
One aspect of the show that no one seems to be talking about is Winwood's opening numbers. Low Spark really jammed and got us all amped. Everyone was ready for a great night, but I don't think anyone expected could have expected the treat we were in for.
The band was tight, and you could tell just how tight before "Truckin'" barely got going. If anyone of the 16,000+ in the crowd wasn't going nuts, they were out of place. Everybody in the place was feeling it throughout the whole first set. Winwood joined the band about half-way through for "Gimme Some Lovin'" Casey Jones finished the set off with a blast. Joan's vocals were perfect as the band really milked Casey for every ounce they could squeeze, and it was magical! All eyes were on Billy as they kept winding up the tempo after each repetition of the chorus. The crowd sang along with Joan, especially with the lyrics "...Watch your Speed!" at the end of each chorus. Jimmy and Mickey watched Bill as he set the pace a little faster each time, the crowd yelled out a little louder each time, and Joan was really feeling it as she sang faster and faster. It was amazing to see the band in such spirit... so free and tight, and Joan's vocals just perfected the mix. It was a perfect way to end the first set. No sooner did Phil say that they'd be right back did people start talking about how great the second set would be.
I could ramble about the second set for far too long and not do it justice. The highlights were definitely "Bird Song," drums/space, and "Terrapin." I can't describe just how surreal the performance was. "Bird Song" sounded so surreal that I had to close my eyes and let it play through my head. I don't think I've ever heard it sound as good. The transitioned into "Watchtower," after which Billy and Mickey got to shine with an amazing set of drums. Bill was especially energetic, just crushing the big drums. We're sure to see some classic photos from this drums performance... I wish I was close enough to have seen the look on his face, cuz I know he was zoned.
They Spaced after drums and transitioned onto Terrapin. The "Lady with a Fan" and "Inspiration" parts were divided by "Fennario," in which Joan really shined. The crowd let her know how much we appreciated her contribution to this tune. She's really adding an amazing element to the band, making this whole show even more special. Everyone knew that this night was one that we were very lucky to be part of. "US Blues," and "Throwin' Stones" followed the end of "Terrapin," and then it was on to "NFA." The crowd was so into NFA. The singing of the chorus after the band parted the stage didn't fade away... not even a little. It's hard to tell if the crowd showed so much appreciation because the band was so sparked, or if it was the other way around. Probably a marriage of both. The end result was fantastic, and came to a head with "Cosmic Charlie." No one wanted this night to end, but there was nothing that could have made it better. The people in the back of the field couldn't have been closer to the band if they were standing on the stage. This was one of those nights were you could feel that we were all making this happen together, and that feeling didn't break during the whole show.
There's always a spoiler who says that, for some reason, they didn't like something about one of the shows. I'd be surprised to see even one of those comments after this one...
PlaughMahn, Washington, DC
Wow, this was my first Dead concert. I have to say it was AWESOME! The setlist was near perfect. Although I don't consider myself to be a true "Dead-head," if they ever come back to MD, I WILL HAVE to go and see them again. The best songs of the show were Truckin', Bird Song, Casey Jones (awesome end to set1), U.S. Blues, Terrapin Station, Not Fade Away, and the great Dylan song, All Along The Watchtower. The rest of the concert was still very good - dont get me wrong. A very good experience. I was actually surprised, listening to recorded live albums(Live at Fillmore east,71)(Dick's Picks #16), I was not expecting them to sound nearly as good as they did. I really enjoyed the concert.
Andrew, Forest Hill, MD
