What a show!! The first show on the tour with Willie Nelson was bound to be a fun one. The Dead came on around 8:00, 45 minutes after Willie Nelson had left the stage. We were all anxious to see Willie again, and we were satisfied--a brilliant performance of GDTRFB, leading into a flawless Ramble on Rose. Unfortunately, that was the last we saw of the country legend. With nice jams on the next three songs, we were led into an upbeat performance of Mexicali Blues. They closed out the first set with a killer version of Cassidy, which really left the crowd asking for more. The first hour and a half of the show was awesome.
The beginning of the second set was not terrific, with China Cat Sunflower as the opener--not one of my favorites. The Dead really delivered with the next song, however. I Know You Rider was a crowd-pleaser, and we were all back on our feet. Comes A Time was also very well played, and Joan Osborne really put a nice touch on this song. The next couple of songs were not crowd favorites, and they led into a long jam/drums session which sent many fans to the bathrooms or t-shirt lines. The lengths of the lines made no difference--the drum solos were a bit long. The first ten minutes were stunning, but it began to get tedious. Some members of the crowd, myself included, seemed to be a little bored. We wanted some more of that classic Dead music. Thankfully, they delivered. New Speedway Boogie led into a rousing version of Shakedown Street, which got every audience member, stoned or not, moving to the music. Turn On Your Lovelight, with some cool dance moves by Joan, made for a great set closer.
They could have played any song for the encore and I would have still been happy. They played the most appropriate of all: Dancin in the Street. It was appropriate mostly because the crowd was ready to dance, and also because it's great to hear the verse that starts with "Philadelphia, PA"--a great end to a great show. The proof: the long walk from the Tweeter Center to the parking lot had me dancing in the street.
Daniel, Paoli, PA
Musically, very fluent and concise. Energy-wise, a bit to be desired. But this was no TOO 2000; this music was special. It just needed a kick in the ass at times.
Set I got off to a somewhat shaky but fun start as they sputtered a bit as the car got started Goin Down The Road. Soon enough, that Feelin' Bad feeling kicked in, with Cowboy Willie following along. This slithered its way int oa fine Ramble On Rose, the highlight of the set. Self-Defense was surprisingly funky and enjoyable. The rest of the set was a little tame, a fun but quiet Mexicali Blues for proof.
Set II started off with a mild China Cat slamming into a rip-roaring Rider--amazing stuff. Joan then found her way into the hearts of thousands with a gorgoues Comes A time; you nailed it sweetheart. Jerry would have been proud. A lovely Weather Report Suite included a raving Let It Grow which got the crowd pumpin'. Bird Song kind of lost things.... It just didn't go there as it searched for its place in the set. Drums > Space... nice, but a bit too long. Speedway > Shakedown > Lovelight, while not quite as good as it looks on paper, closed the show out nicely, followed by a fun Dancin'.
7 out of 10. The playing was fine, but it could have used a little extra fire.
Brian, Philadelphia, PA
Great, great show last night. I never saw the real Dead (have about 1200 hours on tape though), but I have seen Bobby on a number of occasions, and last night I appreciated him more than I ever have before. Phil was AWESOME. He was way loud in the mix, especially in the second set and during Cassidy. Willie did some great guitar work on GDTRFB; he surprised me a bit with his ability to jump right in to the mix. Ramble on Rose was a great singalong, and Jimmy ripped it. The new Mickey song, Self Defense, eh. Okay groove I guess but Mickey, god love him, just should not sing. Then we get Stagger Lee, which I had been wanting to hear for some reason, and was very well performed. I liked the trading verses so that Bob, Phil, and Joan each had a character. The jam between Stagger Lee and Broken Arrow was excellent. Not too long, but very good. Broken Arrow was another one I had been hankering for, but I wasn't expected it. First of the tour, no? If memory serves they didn't do it in the fall either, but I could be wrong. What a beautiful song. I love Phil's voice on this one. Next we get Mexicali, which I really enjoyed, MUCH to my surprise. I guess because I hadn't heard it for so long, because I skip it on my CDs usually. No jamming on this one, obviously, just a well performed fun song. Next we get Cassidy, which was one of the definite highlights for me. Probably my favorite Bobby song, and he was in great voice. The jam was very much a Phil affair. Jimmy started falling into his play-as-fast-as-I-can rut, but for the most part he was very good. Jimmy and Phil definitely have tremendous musical chemistry.
I had been hoping for China Cat->Rider, and we got it as the second set opener, and it was fantastic. The Rider was especially good. Comes A Time was Joan's first solo vocal, and she acquitted herself well on one of Garcia/Hunter's most beautiful songs. I didn't much care for Jimmy's tone on this one; he was using some sort of a filter. Next came a beautiful WRS->Let it Grow. Very jammed out. I look forward to hearing this on the SBD CD, as my memory of it is not great. I do remember the Bird Song though, and it was fantastic. Phil was all over it. The Jeff and BIlly jam out of this was absolutely tremendous. Jeff really opened my eyes. He is a tremendous player!!!!! It was fun to see the Drums, complete with Beam work. I really enjoyed the Space. Very out there. Next we get New Speedway. I was not as thrilled by this as some others; it wasn't bad by any means, but it wasn't great. I really liked the Shakedown... got everyone moving, very well played, and appropriate given that the show was in one of the poorest cities in the country. The Lovelight was the lowlight of the show for me. Ffairly short, and I did NOT like Joan's little rap. I enjoyed all her other contributions, but not that. The Dancin' encore was a compact, tight ending to a fine, fine show.
I thought Jimmy played the best show I have ever seen from him. Hhis tone has really improved, and his playing has slowed down to great effect. I echo Mr. Fry Guy's observation that he has moved beyond endless, repetitive noodling, and really bettered himself as a player.
I wish I was down there tonight;Willie should be going strong about now. Fall Tour????? Here's hoping:-) It would be a sin not to keep this band going, that's all I know. By the way, I went with two non-Heads, and they both loved it. One, a musician and big music fan, said it was among the best concerts he had ever attended. I think it was musically the best post-Dead show I have seen (about 10). I will definitely listen to the CDs of this band, which is saying something; with the rest of the various post-Dead incarnations, I have enjoyed the concerts, but usually not listened to the CDs very much. Well, this band is damn good, and they have acheived the sensitivity of playing that I (and Bobby, judging from interviews) felt was lacking from the fall. They impressed me enough that I bought Jones Beach tickets today. Alright, I know I have gone on and on, so enough.....
Erick Amonte, Philadelphia, PA