I eagerly awaited this day since the last time I saw the Dead on the Fall Tour in Cleveland. This was a fantastic show!! I loved the fact that it was on the infield of a horse track. It gave the feeling of say a 1977 Englishtown NJ show. Lots of space on the grounds to dance and get in the groove and not be in anyone's way.
The band was particularly tight this evening. It was evident from the first notes of Jack Straw and carried through the evening. Mickey's song "Down the Road" brings chills up my spine when he mentions Garcia in one of the vereses. Jerry had to be up there smiling on this night.
Willie Nelson joined the boys during a solid version of "Loser" and "Big Boss Man." Joan Osborne was great during this song and the other songs that she sang. She has a fantastic voice and she seems to fit in very well with the band. "Me and My Uncle" followed and lead into a nice bluesy "West LA Fadeaway." I must be getting old as my legs were beginning to tire from all the dancing, but I quickly got some life in my legs with the first set closer "Scarlet Begonias." A great way to end a solid first set.
The second set started off on a hot note with "Alligator" going into "Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion." It must be me because the last three times I have seen the Dead, they played astounding versions of "Estimated Prophet."
After Drums and Space I was thinking 'how can they keep this going,' but the Dead found a way with Bobby on vocals during a passionate version of "Standing on the Moon." The "Mississippi Half-Step" > "Uncle John's Band" closer made me want to get this CD immediately. I can't wait to get it in the mail.
The encore was a high-energy version of "Sugaree" which had Joan Osborne all over the stage. Just as I thought this was it for the evening, they broke into "Box of Rain." The band looked like they wanted to keep playing!! It was definitely like the old days where The Dead gave you 3 hours plus of music taking you and your mind on a complete musical journey. This was the type of show that even Jerry is sitting up above watching with complete satiafaction.
Driving home I kept thinking 'how are they going to top this when I see them again at Darien Lake in August?' I don't know, but I'm confident they will give it a good try.
Wally Bissett, Buffalo, NY
This was a pretty big deal for Central New York, as close as the band has ever played for most of my friends who still live there (Utica 1981 was the closest before this). The media gave the usual coverage, but did mention very few hassles getting in, at, or getting out of the show. The venue itself was very cool with clean sound that was better the farther you were from the stage. Phil's bass was fat and crisp, which is always nice to hear! The whole vibe of the show had a mid-80's feel reminiscent of Hershey (without the rain!!), or City Island Park in Harrisburg Pa, so it is no wonder the band responded with a classic "Great Outdoors" type of show. Opening band moe was interesting, with excellent bass and funkiness,although the vocals were kind of low from where we were. The little blond boy dancing gave a family feel to the whole thing. After a marathon Willie Nelson set that touched on all phases of his illustrious career and included a guest appearance by Joan O. on a miniset of Hank Williams tunes, the Dead took the stage and launched into a very appropriate Jack Straw. The band took their time letting the song build to a nice climax; that was satisfying but not overwhelming. The next 2 songs were a little slow: Joan's 1000 stars and Mickey's revamped Down the Road, but the reference to Jerry was greeted with cheers. Next, Willie appeared for Loser and a ROUSING Big Boss Man, with Joan doing a good job vocally. Bobby did a sweet acoustic Me and My Uncle, which was may be the smoothest I've ever seen this tune performed, followed by West LA and Scarlet Begonias. Overall, some very good moments, but not a thrilling set.
However, the band certainly kicked it up a few notches for set 2, opening with a well done Alligator>Golden Road. How great to hear these old tunes given new life! Estimated and Samson followed with Al from moe joining the guitar army, and adding another dimension. Solid Drums>Space led to a heartfelt Standing on the Moon then IMO, the last 3 songs (Wheel>Half Step>Uncle John's) absolutely showed how much life these guys still have, taking 3 "Jerry" songs and combining vocally to make them powerful, uplifting and highly DANCEABLE!! Phil's rap led into a cool Sugaree>Box of Rain, the ONLY repeater from our Mellon Arena show of 11-29-02. Those 2 shows were night and day as far as style/songlists but showed a pretty complete picture of where the band is at and may be heading. Joan O. added new color to the vocals and gave a different blend than did Susan T, but both made their mark in a positive way.Good Job Everyone!! Till the next one...
Mike Merrill, Clearwater, NY
Great all around show, many bases covered tonight. But really, all I wish to translate from this experience is that Standing on the Moon (dripping out of Space) featured the most passionate playing, up to this point, of the entire tour by the band and for the fans. That one selection is possibly the best that the band has made thus far.
Jimmy James, Annapolis, MD