Furthur / The Dead / The Other Ones | OtherOnes.Net

Started the morning with a kiss from the wife, went in to hug each of the girls--the youngest rolled over and mumbled "Happy hippieness, Daddy...." Went to vote (local primary--good karma before the long drive).
     Pulled into the lot around noon and just started to catch a few winks when I was woken by the phamiliar thunder of Phil's bass--sound check! Whoa, this is something I'd only heard snatches of before. So I inched closer to the fence and caught a good earful of good omens for the night to come: the vocals for "Morning Dew" were the major work, first Phil, then Joan tried some soulful variations, then the harmonies were added. Also did US Blues, Baba Jingo, then Bobby obviously switched to acoustic because he tossed off a few verses of Friend of the Devil before leading the band through the Weather Report intro... this was sure to be a night. (Also tried out the new tune, "All That We Are.")
     The lot was in full swing by then so I gathered up a couple of water bottles and hit the pavement. Even though I had seats for a change, I couldn't resist going in early. Hung out by the Wharf Rats and tried to scope out the lammies but never saw anyone.
     Dylan was.... [no comment]
     Started to feel the old smile creep up from the tips of my toes, swell in my belly, and spill all over my face as final preparations were made on stage, the boys came out, and before long it was clear the jam was going to break into "Playin." Nice transition into US Blues, then a tempo shift into "Stagger Lee." At the time I loved every minute of it... the narrative trio of Phil, Bobby, and Joan works so well. Wasn't til later when someone mention Bobby's flub on his part, and listening to SPAC, it's clear the Deercreek performance wasn't as crisp as it could have been.
     Dylan joined the band for a rollicking good time. Kind of bummed about "Big Boss Man" which Joan does so well, but everyone on stage was enjoying themselves, so who can complain. The Buddy Holley cover "All of My Love/Oh Boy" was the highlight.
     Then back to pure Dead with a nicely done "Baba Jingo".... Jimmy really enjoys this tune. What can you say about "He's Gone"? Anyone who says Jimmy plays too many notes should listen to "He's Gone">"Unbroken Chain." Both tunes really show off the Dead's ability to exploit a wide range of tempos and modes: a real tour de force. No, it's not Jerry, but the spirit and sense of adventure is back as they lovingly caressed these excellent tunes back to life.
     Hunter was in great form on "Candyman," "New Speedway Boogie," etc. Don't drink so much beer, and go to the bathroom before the show starts; the man is too good to miss! I was looking for a "Speedway" as a nod to both Indy and the '95 debacle.... Actually glad it was Hunter because I enjoy the extra verses.
     A bit of a tuning jam proceeded the "Prelude", but I'd heard the soundcheck, so no surprise. Going from the sweet first movement the knocked the socks off everyone with a powerful, ever expanding "Let it Grow." The transition into the unattached "Eleven" was wonderfully focused. I love hearing the drummers switch over to the unusual beat and feel the surge of the crowd as they slowly realize where it's headed, anticipating the explosion to come. The vocals went well and the transition into "All That We Are" was sweet. New Dead tunes are tricky because everyone's anticipating something familiar, and there's always a drop in energy when the favorite doesn't appear. Still this is a great lyric about keeping the faith and the vocal arrangement is tailor made for this vocal ensemble.
     Mickey and Billy swung into "take no prisoners" mode for drums then Mickey dawned his lab coat, gloves, and mask (when did that start?) to tackle the Beam. A nice digression into the other drums was followed by a kind of "Twilight Zone-esque" space. "LWAF" was a pleasant surprise as I was hearing echoes of "The Wheel" or perhaps they'd just go right into "Dew." The vocals were strong and the ramp up to "Dew" was intense. Then there it was: "Morning Dew." Jerry's gift on this song was always the combination of his "high lonesome sound" vocals and sweet, sweet guitar. In contrast, Joan takes a more soulful, bluesy stance that provides a respectful change. I began to worry about Jimmy: he was burning up the peaks on this tune, but how would he handle that sweet spot at the end when Jerry's guitar cried sweet and true through the night? The wrap up was satisfying, though, with smiles all around as they swung back to "Terrapin" --"...is this the end or beginning" -- leaving no doubt that more was to come. "Sugar Magnolia," always sweet.... A mellow encore had to follow. I've seen the wild ones, so my first "Attics of My Life" was a perfect cap to a near perfect show. But wait--there's more. Walking back to the campground, a bunch of security guys and golf carts were holding everyone back. Then everyone errupted in cheers as the bus entourage emerged from the back of the shed. Oh what a night!

I would first like to say that I haven't seen a "Dead"-related show since the last Grateful Dead show in Chicago, eight years ago; no Ratdog, Planet drum, Phil Lesh, or anything. I was really nervous about going to see The Dead because I had heard some shows by the Other Ones and honestly always felt like it sounded like just that, the other ones.
     When we got to the parking lot, I immediately started to relax and enjoy the experience unfold. The crowd reminded me much more of pre-92/93. I remember that by 95, the parking lot was 60% fratboy party and it had felt that the entire essence of the parking lot had been lost. Being there this week there was a noticable difference, the parking lot was there to expand upon and honor everything Grateful Dead, not to party for the sake of partying.
     Anyway, the show was twice what I had expected from everybody. Bob Dylan was strong, stoic, and not afraid to lay it down on the line and gave a solid performance. I had never seen Hunter before this and just went online and bought three of his CDs 'cause he was that perfect in my opinion.
     The Dead are not the Other Ones, there not nostalgia, they are a band of veteran musicians that have a control over their music that is second to no one, they are The Dead. Tunes like Stagger Lee, He's Gone, and WRS were far far better then I could have ever thought them to be without Jerry. I'm gonna be bold here and say that I would rather see The Dead than probably half of the Grateful Dead shows I saw in 94 and 95. There was an energy, a direction, and a message to their playing that was truly inspiring. I can't wait to see them again and I'm proud to say that after eight years of denying everything, the bus went by and I got on......

Deer Creek will always be called Deer Creek by the 25,000 on hand last night. Everything turned out quite nicely, including my sunburn. As for the show... The Playin' opener was fantastic. I've always enjoyed Playin' and gained new respect for it after Furthur '98. The boys did a fine job with this one last night. Then came US Blues! I never expected to hear US Blues, so it was a very nice surprise and had the crowd really into the show. Stagger Lee was next. I love Stagger Lee, especially the ones from the late 80's, but last night it was below average. Hearing Bobby screw up a verse or two is always expected, but what I didn't expect was the whole band to butcher parts of the song, instrumentally as well as vocally. Schoolgirl, with Dylan, was another "iffy" song. Parts of it were great, then other parts were not good. Oh Boy was yet another surprise of the evening. I wouldn't say they nailed it, but they definitely made up for Stagger Lee and Schoolgirl with this one. Although I've heard some people say they really dislike Baba Jingo, I've always enjoyed it, and last night was no different. It doesnt sound as good with Jimmy as it did with Steve and Mark, but it's still pleasing to hear. He's Gone totally turned the show around. The harmony was fantastic, and Bobby did this wiping of his face thing on "steal your face right off your head," which this lady beside me called cute. Unbroken Chain was excellent. The jam was tight and Phil hit the high notes!
     Second set... Bobby on acoustic, so what's up? Weather Report! Joan can really harmonize well with Bobby and backing him on WRS was beautiful. Let It Grow was probably the best I've heard. I didnt think the jam would ever stop, but that was okay. The Eleven was okay, not bad, but not great. Above average. Drums... excellent. Always is. Space gave me a chance to sit down and rest for a few minutes, but out of nowhere, Terrapin! One of my all time favorites. Very nice. And for one of the last two surprises for me, Morning Dew! Wow! It sounded so good. Joan did an excellent job. Then they finished Terrapin with a somewhat sloppy, but good, jam into Sugar Magnolia. Hearing Sugar Magnolia live and watching everyone dance along is beautiful. And on to the encore, and the last surprise song of the night, Attics of My Life. I believe this group has really got it vocally, and they were just strutting their stuff last night on the encore. I'm looking forward to hearing this show again. Overall rating, A.

Well after the incident in '95 The Dead's reture to Deer Creek turned out to be great one. My old man came along to see his hero Bob Dylan. He's a member of Dylans fan club and that's how we got seats for the show. Dylan kicked ass for sure. Tombstone Blues, Highway 61 and Things Have Changed just to name a few. It was also the only show that Dylan got Joan out to sing Tears Of Rage with Bob Weir on the side of the stage watching. He also got Phil and Mickey to walk out on Rainy Day Women. The Dead seemed to push the levals of songs on this show. Playing>U.S. Blues>Stagger Lee kicked the show real nice. Dylan join The Dead for Good Mornin' Little School Girl an old blues cover. Ballad Of A Thin Man (Mr. Jones) was the highlight for my dad. Oh Boy a Buddy Holly was real tight Dylan and Weir sure were rocking. Wish we could saw Dylan do a Dead song with them, but it's like didn't hear anymore anyway. Baba Jingo was a nice jam. Always a great He's Gone with Unbroken Chain to close the set. The 2nd set once again keep things moving. WRS>Let It Grow>The Eleven rocked, very nice jamming. Drums/Space was cool with Mickey in some new outfit. Terrapin with Morning Dew (one of Joan's best on lead) I though would close the show, but out came Sugar Magnolia to close the set. Attic Of My Life encore I didn't see coming, but it is alway nice to hear. Great show my last of 2003 as I watched someone thowing a rose to Joan as she walked of.