Reviews
I love SPAC almost as much as I love the Dead. Even before the show started, there was just a great vibe (despite the threat of rain). Rain was soon forgotten as the band came on and went right into a very appropriate Here Comes Sunshine (sung by Rob). They jammed it out more then one would think before moving on to El Paso and a good Stagger Lee. Steve Winwood (who opened the show) came out and played the Traffic hit Dear Mr. Fantasy, much to the delight of the crowd. He stayed on for Baba Jingo which I thought was a good song. Even Mickey's voice was a good touch. Looks Like Rain followed (perhaps they had changed their own forcast since the opener) and included Bobby on acoustic. Then came back to back Pigpen classics. Mr. Charlie and Lovelight both included good vocal work from Joan, including a duet with Bobby for the Lovelight rap. Overall, first set was a very good time.
Second set got off to a promising start with a crowd pleasing China Cat Sunflower which, instead of going into Rider, found it's way into New Potatoe Caboose. Rider soon followed. Drums came rather early in the set and had both of Steve Winwood's drummers join Bill and Mickey. At the end of drums, Mike Gordon himself came out on his scooter and proceeded to play an amazing bass duet with Phil. Eyes Of The World followed and was very amazing. A sweet He's Gone which found the audience singing along with Bobby. As if it weren't great enough already, Cryptical came and went ROCKING right into The Other One. Bobby was really into this and it soon wound it's way back into Cryptical. Out came Bobby's acoustic again for Ripple. It was such a sweet moment with the crowd singing along to this classic. To close the set, they chose Sugar Magnolia, and what a great closer it was.
For the encore, they went with And We Bid You Goodnight, a fitting end to this show.
Samuel, Albany, NY
Well drivin up the Thruway I said to my friend, who by the way was lead guitar player for Blood Sweat and Tears and Meatloaf for a spell, that it wasn't going to rain and that he was going to be in for a tremendous treat. We got there and soaked in the parking lot scene, which seemed to time travel my friend back to his hippie days, and believe it or not it was his FIRST Dead show ever. Well, we sat in the lawn area with a decent view and got settled in for a very much anticipated show. Thought Stagger Lee was great. We both thought that Steve Winwood belting out Dear Mr. Fantasy was awesome. We were surprised to hear the Lovelight 1st set closer. Good China Cat--love when Bobby has those brain farts with the vocals from time to time; gets me to chuckle. Eyes was AMAZING, great jam. Kept asking my buddy what he thought about the show and he said when this band really hits it stride it is just amazing, after I told him that this was the 3rd or 4th stop on this tour he asked me if he could go to one of the shows later on in the tour because he is sure that they are going to just take off. Surprised to hear Ripple; that song will get better,with a bit more practice:) Joan looked a bit confused. Very nice Lovelight, great encore, Bid ya Goodnight.
I was so relieved that a professional musician such as Dave had as much fun as I was havin. Kept talking about it all the way down the Thruway this afternoon. I can't wait to take his brother who played bass in Blood Sweat and Tears on Wed in NJ. I am sure I will get the same review, so if you guys are questioning on, to go or not to go, GO!!!!!! They are just going to get better and better. Have fun and respect your neighbors.
Erik Wuehler, Englewood, NJ
Unfortunately, after 20 years of enjoying the Grateful Dead and seeing more than 200 shows, that part of my life has come to an end. I will NEVER see them again!!! This show proved to me that the band is really not "THE band" anymore. With the exception of some notably hot songs (Stagger Lee, Looks Like Rain, Dr.Mr Fantasy and He's Gone), it was evident that there was no cohesion in the band. Songs were obviously unrehearsed and poorly played. Words were often forgotten (moreso than normal).
It appeared that during each Jam in the second set, the band would get lost and NOBODY was playing the song anymore and there was noone left to bring everyone back. Getting back to every song was an effort and rarely did everyone come back at the same time.
If after this show, ANYONE in the band felt as if this was a well-performed show, they should take a long hard look at themselves and the show they want to present.
Also, some of the new arrangements of some songs (mostly Jerry's tunes) take away from the magic that was there for so long.
And while I love every member of the band and consider them all part of my family, someone has to tell Phil that he CAN NOT SING!!! Please just be honest with him. There was a good reason (actually a VERY GOOD REASON) why he did not sing for a very long time.
I have great memories (and tapes) that will keep me going for the rest of my life.
Goodbye
Chip, Yorktown, NY
I'd like to start off by saying that SPAC is definitely the best NY location for a summer show! HC Sunshine was a sweet opener due to the cloudiness that encompassed the pre-show scene. El Paso rolled off Bobby's guitar with ease. The highlight of the 1st set was the beautiful Stagger Lee with Bobby, Joan, AND Phil exchanging vocals. It was a ragtime jig til the end of the tune. Everyone was dancing and singing with big smiles on their faces! Next, Steve Winwood comes out and the Dead roll into Mr. Fantasy. The crowd went nuts! The energy levels were out of control. Mickey's Baba Jingo was average. LL Rain was spectacular!!! Jimmy's guitar has never sounded as crisp as during this version. Jerry was definitely smiling from wherever he was watching! This followed by a nice, rockin' Mr. Charlie with Joan singing up a storm. The hopping set ended with a decent Lovelight. Joan and Bobby were teasing each other on stage. The chemistry was nice to see. Joan totally fits right in with the band. Definitely a rockin' 1st set! I didn't stop dancin' once!
Second set opened with a nice China Cat. Bobby forgot some of the words but nobody cared. Phil's only song all night was New Potato. It sounded as beautiful as ever. Then, surprisingly, into Rider. Again, Joan's vocal were right on, as if from heaven. Drums>Space were beautiful. Mickey had some help from 2 drummers, I believe, from Planet Drum and the bass player from Phish jammed with Phil for 6-minute bass jam!!!! Eyes>He's Gone again with phenomenal harmony between Bobby and Joan!!!!! The a capella end of He's Gone was killer sweet. Then... into Cryptical>O1>Cryptical... WOW!!!!!!!
This deserves its own paragraph! Bobby walks up with his acoustic guitar and harmonizes the most beautiful Ripple with Joan. It was so beautiful that tears rolled down my face! The energy was so strong... not a single soul not singing the Garcia/Hunter masterpiece...
The set ended with a traditional but rockin' Sugar Mag followed by a Bid You Goodnight with a keyboard accompanyist.
In my opinion this will probably be the best show of the tour! The band was in such HOT form tonight. The addition of Joan Osborne was a genius' foreshadowing of the future Dead. Her presence is the missing gap that the Dead has needed since Jerry passed in '95. She has been termed the "Dead Goddess" by my buddies and me. I look forward to hearing more of her and the boys at Vernon Downs and Darien Lake.
Tim Trott, Rochester, NY
Great show. I haven't seen the Dead since '90 or '91. Been to Phil show and Other Ones show since then. This band cranks! The best thing is that they are truly unpredictable. Right now they can play any song at any point in the show, and they can arrange it differently. They can play acoustic or electric. All bets are off and it's great. In the late 80s-90s, the setlists became very pat. Other One>Wharf Rat>Throwing Stones>Not Fade Away E: Black Muddy River. You know what I am saying?
Jimmy Herring is a fine guitar player. I agree with the standard criticisms--basically plays with one very Allmansy sound. But he is fluent. I wish he'd go ahead and shred some more. Joan Osborne sounds great. Phil's bass is booming and crystal clear. For me, show highlights were Sugar Mags, Eyes of the World, and Here Comes Sunshine. And I can't WAIT to receive my soundboard CD and hear the end of Stagger Lee, which rocked hard!
Only complaints? The venue. They sold waaaaaaay too many lawn seats. I mean c'mon! We could barely see the vid screens! Total rip off. But the sound was great. Going back to see em at Jones Beach. Got the Bonnaroo show off nugs. Jamming out with it last night and today. Go see the Dead! They rock HARD!
Seth, Wantage, NJ
Some sun and no rain for pre-show lot scene.... This show provided a mix of beautiful Bobby vocals and the band rockin' the joint!!! Joan Osborne's female vocal prescence provides an element which truly enhanced the performance. I felt the SPAC outing was played a bit close to the vest but will admit I enjoy a heavy guitar influenece/jam type show. All songs were beautifully delivered. Stagger Lee, Baba Jingo, Mr Charlie, and Lovelight, along with Winwood/Mr Fantasy, were first set rockers. Bobby was sweet on Looks Like Rain. Bobby & Joan's interaction during Lovelight was terrific with Bobby truly enjoying the moment.
Eyes (kudos to Jeff Chimenti), He's Gone, & Cryptical were second set hightlights. This show had me saying "this is a band," not former members just playing their material.
Bobby's vocals are stronger this year. Jimmy Herring--super guitar work (hope they let him run the 24th @ PNC). Rob, Phil, Mickey, Kreutz, & Jeff are all hittin their stride.... The best is yet to come on this tour!!!
R L, Pompton Plains, NJ