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

Ok, so I am an older head and have mostly skipped and been completely unimpressed by Phil and F and Ratdog and the other spinoffs, but although Denver was surely not the best show of the tour (based on dwonloads), it was very memorable for me and totally satisfying.
1st set sound was a little muddy where I was ( 6 rows off the floor adjacent to the board), but the 2nd set was crisp. All the playing was really, really tight, energetic, relevant and spirited. Warren is a toal stud. You gotta give the guy props for all the detail he has absorbed and the way he balances sometimes playing Jer and sometimes going his own. Drums were awesome. Happy Birthday to Billy cool and King Solomon's nearly perfect.

We traveled from Tcson and were treated to an amazing display by the band. Warren received several ovations for both his playing and singing. Obligatory Me and My Uncle sounded good on the accoustic guitars. Happy Birthday Bill K, hope we made it a memorable one.

Sounds like another great performance by the Dead, after finally getting my feet back on the ground from my Philly experience last weekend, it is on to the Forum and Shoreline on Mothers Day,my wife can`t believe I am going, but I have seen the band twice as long as married. 32 vs 16 Oh well, I got my dream show saturday at Philly and whatever they play will send me on a summer high till I see Ratdog 9/4/09, let the Music never stop and God Bless the Grateful Dead. OK maybe a Scarlet/Fire would be nice, could they fit another NFA in so soon this weekend? See you at the show Toasty Roasty!!!!!!

it was a great show and feeling inside that show. reminding me of the energy we once all felt so long ago. god bless the the boys and thier music.

I thought the energy was super high throughout Pepsi last night and as the opening chords of Stranger began, it really felt like old times. The boys and the crowd certainly connected, and there was a nice Western feel to the sets too. The Casey Jones set the place on fire. Thanks for a GREAT night everyone!!

thw show was horrible, especially the horrific second wset, if you can call it that. Where is the jammin second set material, so much to choose from, or do we need an excuse like closing the spectrum or a night in NYC at the garden to force the band to pick it up. Who ever heard of a second set ramble on rose, it makes no sense. Its nice to mix up the material and be unpredicatable, but the idea is that the first set is a warm up for the second, not the other way around. What a freekin disaster!

I have to agree with Hal. Hey Hal...you know whats worse? May 4th with only predrums being an acoustic set. before I knew it...the only good jam tune in the second set was GDTRFB and then the show was over. I totally agree with you.

I thought the sound during the first set was all mushed together but greatly improved and much cleaner for the second set. Good show otherwise. It is hard not to enjoy this one.

Completely blown away by Jeff's performance and the addition he has been. Warren was great last eveing, but Jeff really adds to the aura. Cumberland was rippin' and I thought the energy was tight all evening. Nothing better than a Ripple send off. Peace!

I thought the show was terrific, I appreciated the unpredictability and unique song choices. Warren was extremely strong on Ramble on Rose and Easy Wind, and in listening last night live, and hearing the other shows on line, it appears that the crowd is really diggin on his vocals on Jerry and Pig songs. Warren also seems to really put the heart into Jerrys ballads, China Doll was very tight. The show certainly didnt have the rocking power that the Spectrum shows had, however there was a real nice smooth groove going last night. For the first time since Jerry passed, It left me wanting another show. Way to go Boys!

I think Hal is confusing the disaster that is himself with this amazing show. China Doll, Deep Elem, and Whiskey in the Jar were all first timers this tour (The Dead first time ever Whiskey)... not to mention the last time Whiskey was played was by Phil & Friends in '99... & look at the first set!!!

Very special show and if you don't realize it then something is wrong with you. That's all.

The show was amazing! I couldnt belive it when China doll hit us out of know where! AWESOME!

Hal, ur an idiot !!! Were all gonna kick your azz if you show up at Shoreline !! LOL How dare you !!!
LOL

Amazing show and the Colorado smiles were strong and true. In reading the reviews here of last nights show everyone seems to agree the show was a great ride. It too bad some feel they have actually seen and heard perfection from a higher ground. Unfortunately we mortals here on Earth have to get by with our brief brushes with a close taste of euphoria. These artists are not getting any younger. Stop being such extreme ctitics and enjoy the music for what it is. Delivered to your home town on a sliver platter and all you have to do is listen. Stop your whinning Hal! They're still a band beyond description.

Ok so there has been some epic reviews and grumblings about the deads tour this spring. At first I was pissed about ticket prices, after last night I was pissed we only got one show and most major markets had at least two…….

First off my seats were a gift from god… floor seats but I was on a riser so I was four feet above everyone else. I now know how Bill Walton felt at all those Boston Garden shows….. The Pepsi center was gracious hosts, not one person touched me or my possessions, in the world of dead headom this was epic in it’s self.

Something happened to our favorite sons somewhere along the line the last year or so these guys put down the battle axes and found out how nice it was to make music together again.

They were able to transform the Pepsi center into their living room and we got a glimpse of one of the purest heart felt performances I have seen probably since the P+F show after Latvala died at Red Rocks. Was it because it was Billy’s birthday? Who knows…. The magic was unbelievable, the energy was unreal. I don’t want to pick out certain parts as it was all special every freaking note even the fumbling of ripple for the encore. I would like to mention the Whiskey In A Jar as a highlight just as it was such a rare performance.

So this tour is to each is own I found it to be absolutely awe inspiring simply beautiful and heartfelt. Jerry was hanging a mile Hi last night!

E

I hate to see anyone shouted down for an opinion and truthfully I, like some others, was a bit disappointment that we got acoustic 2nd set openers instead of Scarlet>Fire or Playin> Terrapin, but I could not disagree with Hal more. I reminded myself that there was a time when seeing anything by these guys (pre-Warfield/Radio City)acoustic was just a fantasy. And sour grapes about setlists and tune picks has always been a part of the scene. After almost 200 shows over more than 20 years I owe these guys and the community (you all and Hal too) that surrounds them gratitude and thanks. My life is richer for it all, good shows and less than great shows. Was last night epic? Maybe not, but in the end I ask, did they deliver the goods? F* yes! Is my faith restored? Hell yes! Is there any other current band I would rather see? F* no! One man gathers.... Here's to many more shows and many more years.

Prologue: Pick-up and Parking Lot
Thanks to an insider at the Pepsi Center, I avoided the cyber-clamor and secured six tix to The Dead, three for us and the remainder going to the high bidder at The School Auction. When I delivered their tickets to Alan (dad), Ben (age 12), and Izzy (11), at school pick-up before the show, Izzy asked “Do you think they’ll play Casey Jones tonight?” “Anything’s possible…” I told her, trying also to convince myself that the magic just might re-appear that very night in Denver.

The parking lot bazaar was in full glory when we arrived prior to the doors, and we had our pick of camp-stove cuisine and all manner of t-shirts, jewelry, and assorted schwag. On Denver’s first 80 degree day of the year, an ice cold Stella (Artois not Blue) was just what I needed to begin a night that stayed as hot even after the sun set.

The Show: Instant Grins and the Occasional X-Factor
And so it began, just as it had at my first-ever Denver show nearly 28 year-ago (7/13/81 – McNichols Sports Arena), with a rollicking Feel Like a Stranger that brought an immediate grin to my face. Our whole gang boogied and bopped from those opening notes through the entire hour-plus set. Ben with binoculars spotted Bobby’s Pink Stratocaster, and Izzy was ecstatic when they launched into Casey Jones…indeed, it was looking like anything was possible this night.

That truth became as clear as a Garcia high-note when this band of workingmen offered up their Easy Wind! Ever the purist, Jordy (age 10½) turned and asked me “Wasn’t this originally sung by Pigpen?” and with my confirmation he continued “I liked Pig’s vocals better on this tune.” The set-ending Sailor > Saint was the same as the first-set ending of another Denver show from the aforementioned run (7/14/81 – McNichols Arena), and by then I’d already glimpsed a bit of the infamous X-Factor as the band played strong and true throughout the opening set, locking me into rare place only they can take me.

As the lights went back down a while later we were treated to what I’d read about from their Washington DC appearance: ACOUSTIC DEAD!!! Huddled stage right around Jeff’s keys, Bobby and Warren on wooden six-strings, in front of Billy on a simple set of traps, Mickey with djembe between his knees, and Phil still sporting his wild new electric ax, I had to do a double-take even as I celebrated this rare outing. And how about the songs done in this spare manner: Deep Elem Blues - Me And My Uncle - Whiskey In The Jar - The Weight > that segued into the first of two Space jams, this one around the theme song “Happy Birthday Billy” which was also flashed on the arena screens to let us all help the drummer celebrate.

And there was continued cause for celebration with a jaunty sing-along version of Ramble On Rose. But it was the King Solomon's Marbles (truly stronger than dirt) and ensuing >Space >Drums > where I locked into the longest stretch of pure X of the entire evening. Precise, fluid, and free at last, The Dead took me where they have failed in several previous show, to that place beyond description… aural and kinesthetic joy!

Next comes the challenge of how to depart the stratosphere and flow into the slot where a deep Jerry gut-wrencher goes. There are a few songs I truly feel are best left to the memory of the Fat Man (Stella Blue, Black Peter, Wharf Rat), and so China Doll seemed just right for this occasion, sung well and with appropriate reverance by Warren. Next came Cumberland Blues that spoke to our current economy:

Lotta poor man make a five dollar bill
Will keep him happy all the time
Some other fellow's making nothing at all
And you can hear him cry

Lotta poor man got the Cumberland Blues
He can't win for losing
Lotta poor man got to walk the line
Just to pay his union dues

And Not Fade Away, while a rousing rocker ending, did fade away…whatever happened to the crowd’s continued chanting of “you know our love will not fade away…” until the band’s return for encore?

Epilogue
Per Phil’s request, I turned to Maggie and indicated my desire to be an organ donor, and we were rewarded with a Ripple encore reminiscent of how our recent evening ended with a sing-along of the same song to conclude my talk about Jewish Deadheads for the Adventure Rabbi group.

The Dead left us all smiling, and me more satisfied than the last two times I saw them with Warren in the mix. His playing was true and on-the-mark, and the show was more dynamic than any in recent memory. This may owe to our excellent seats and also to the fact that I had not seen them indoors since the Grateful Dead played Big Mac in 1994 (11/29-30 & 12/1/94 – McNichols Arena).

So ends the odyssey of the Auction item, Jordy’s first show, and a true family affair with our tribe and many friends new and old. The Dead live large live!

I went to the Pepsi Center show last night, completely excited to see "the boys", despite not being a big fan of shows in this particular venue. I have missed Garcia many moments since '95, however I have been so grateful that the music I love is still being created in one form or another. I enjoy Ratdog, Phil-n-friends, even Dark Star Orchestra. Because these people still create tthis beautiful music, I have been able to "turn on" many people that were not as fortunate as I to see the Grateful Dead, and Jerry in general, including my children.

I would like to start by saying that I had a gas.....it was great to get back into these familiar grooves.

1st set was a nice warm up for me. Solid Stranger into the always fun Casey was great. Very nice Loser followed into the rockin' Easy Wind. The set really got going for me when I was treated to the first set Crazy Fingers!! Always one of my favorite Jerry tunes, and I believe that everyone did it justice, including Warren and Bobby on vocals. Then came Mickey donning a sailor hat for a FANTASTIC Lost Sailor>St. of Circ to close the set, leaving me with that familiar feeling of wanting MORE!!!

Althouogh I was also hoping for a Scarlet>Fire to open, I was happy to see the "scaled down" acoustic set up. Deep Elem was a good clean opener with the woods, followed by what I would say was one of the best Me & My Uncles I have seen, I forgot how much fun this song was to see played live. Whiskey for me was just a cool novelty, with The Weight following was great, certainly one of The Band's greatest.

The space/Jam that put pieces one by one together to wish Billy happy birthday was SWEET!!! Truly a soulful way for the band mates to honor their brother, and much appreciated. Ramble was solid.

From here on is where it turned into the show that I like. It was a spacey, open jamfest with each jam leaving the stage and going in places that could have landed anywhere. The jams were jazzy and psychedelic, with key changes galore. I heard many "teases" or hints of tunes to follow, but was Thrilled with a rockin' Solomon's>another freeform spacey jam>a great driving powerful drums>A beautiful China Doll>A smokin Cumberland>A freakin' rockin Not Fade Away

I must say, I was hoping for the stars with a Terrapin encore but instead was treated with a vocally pleasing Ripple.

All in all I had the time of my life, yes I missed Jerry, but nobody is trying to take his place, or think that they could!! I am thrilled we still have these incredible musicians who don't know how to stop doing what they love and what we love them to do. Thank you all so much for sharing your art with us and giving us the opportunity to take these musical and spiritual journeys with you for so many years.

A message to all of the people that seem so upset with the current incarnation or tour:

In a world where there is so much to be upset and concerned with, I guess I have a hard time understanding why one would focus their negative energy on this great music. If you are truly upset with the music that is being made by these guys......STOP listening to it, and brining down "our" scene!! Find something that makes you happy, like this makes so many of us!

Much love to one and all

it was horrible. as much as i love the dead. as excited as i was to see them they just weren't into playing. i don't know if it was them just showing their age or getting stuck between cinco de mayo and the shoreline show but they didn't jam. Each song most deffinitly had a begining a middle and an end, which it shouldn't. All the songs are supposed to melt into each other. its part of the deads magic. and what was up with them stopping in the middle of songs to walk off stage and then coming back on stage to pick up in the middle of it? I enjoyed myself. but was most deffinitly dissapointed in the show.

the best part of it all was seeing all the dead heads together again.

Why are so many people so insistent that EVERYBODY love and slobber over every note these guys play? It is not a personal affront to anyone if someone thinks a song, a show, a tour or a band sucks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. The assertion that any "negativity" is ruining things for you is laughable....

Negative reviews are important...it allows people who couldn't go to get a more balanced, non-biased perspective.

Just to let you all know, this is a co-authored review:
We have seen four shows this tour; starting with Greensboro, then to D.C. and Charlottesville, VA, and ending with our home state show in Denver.
Greensboro was an inspiring start to the tour with everyone expressing joy before, during and after the show. The parking lot scene was the most reminiscent of the golden days of the Grateful Dead with no police presence and everyone taking care of each other.
D.C. was had a very different vibe from NC or VA. We were behind the stage about 100 feet from Mickey so we got to see all of the D.C. celebrities who were backstage with the star of them all, Tipper Gore, on the drums during Sugar Mag. We actually watched this up close and she was really excited. Mickey was having a good time as well. We saw the first acoustic set that night which did not even compare to how good the Denver set was. Basically seemed like a four-hour Dark Star, loved by some and not so much by others.
Charlottesville was a fun, college atmosphere and the show certainly reflected it to us. The scene inside was a little more uptight with no one being allowed to dance in the aisles but it was a beautiful venue to see the boys in.
Denver, was by far, the best of the four shows we saw. Sound, technique and energy of the guys has all been improved as the tour has continued.
Highlights from my husband: Crazy Fingers, a perfect Lost Sailor>St. of Circumstance, and the aforementioned acoustic set was all great. Billy was the happiest I have seen him since I can remember from my first show in 1982.
Highlights for me: Wonderful Lost Sailor>St. of Circumstance and I actually told my husband that I thought they might play The Weight and to my great amazement, they did! I must also throw in Not Fade Away, mostly because I watched my husband of 13 years (it was our anniversary!) dancing as hard has I had seen him dance in many years with the biggest smile he could fit on his face and it brought tears to my eyes, reminding me of our first shows together almost 15 years to the day (Rosemont, March of 1994).
We agree that everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, it makes us sad that people feel that the boys have to stick to the same formula that they used when Jerry was still with the band.
We think that Warren is a beautiful musician and soul who is a great addition to the band. He obviously loves playing the Dead's repitoire and is especially gifted with Jerry's tunes. What a set of pipes that boy has!
Jeff's performance on the grand was a highlight for us to watch since we were on his side of the stage! He is a fabulous keyboardist.
We have gotten so much joy over the years from the shows we saw before Jerry died and from the different and varied incarnations that have been around since his death. We feel that as long as the guys are happy playing together, than we feel blessed to be able to particpate. If you have the chance just give one of the last shows a chance: you will be glad you went.

PS: I am a liver transplant survivor. Remember to tell someone you love that you want to be a donor. Someone did it for me in 2003, and so I was able to be with Phil and everyone else in 2009.

Wow, what a show. This was like the best show I've ever seen in my life. Yes, I missed a lot of the good stuff -- I didn't start touring until 1983 -- I feel like I'm getting it now. I've had bigger moments, but never an experience like this.
First, the parking lot was awesome: no nitrous, family and freinds, and work to do. What a difference from the east coast. We, my daughter and her freind and myself, had a great time turning people on to "old shcool Dead lot veggie food".
Secondly, the show blew me away. I couldn't believe that this post-Jerry Dead. I found myself unable to hear any one particular musician. Instead, I was only able to hear THE DEAD -- that which is greater than the sum of it's parts. I felt as if I had been taken apart, molecule by molecule, scattered throughout the universe, and then put back together again. What a trip!
Thirdly, song selections were great. Every song was played with utter seriousness. I could see the flames everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen the DEAD catch fire and burn. The highlight for me was the double space drums. So much activity on stage, so much going on on so many levels. Looked like Bobby was seeing ghosts -- wildly looking up into the rafters -- still sends chills up my spine.
Well, after that, what more can you say. What a wonderfull trip back to the place I haven't been in so long. I also want to just say, "thank you, Jerry, for making sure that your family and children were taken care of after your passing. That, my friends, is what it means to be a family man. Can't wait until next time. Peace love and dignity to everybody, especially those in DEADLAND.

TAKE UP YOUR CHINA DOLL
IT'S ONLY FRACTURED -- thank god!

I, like David from Boulder, am an older fan and pretty much skipped all the assorted post-Jerry formations. I'm curious how many shows Hal and CG have seen, not from a condescending point, but from going on a few tours, some shows are hot and some are not. That's half the reason to see the Dead more than once. That said, from listening to the bootlegs of every show of this tour (THANK YOU TAPERS!!!), the Denver show was nice, not smokin' though. DEFINITELY NOT AWFUL! If those guys think that botching a chorus of The Weight totally ruined the show, they must not have seen the Grateful Dead too many times. You're definitely entitled to your opinion but I would recommend looking at the glass as half full, it's a lot more fun.
I am really impressed with Warren picking up so many songs (over 300 on this tour) and learning so many of Jerry's licks. His voice really reminds me of Brent Mydland on some of his harmonies. Also, Jeff has been a great addition. I never really dug on Vince, I like the real piano and Hammond organ.

This was my 3rd show on the tour (Nassau, MSG, Denver) and it was a good time.

Great energy, some classic Dead-esque flubs (chorus on The Weight, which made Weir shake his head, and complete loss of groove on Cumberland, which made Kreutzmann bang out the 2/4 beat in a rudimentary fashion as if to say "here's the way it's played guys") and technical glitches.

What I find most entertaining about the reviews posted herein is the complaining about overall performance and setlist placement. People you're going to see The Dead, not the Police. With The Police, you can pretty much guess what you're going to get, night after night after night. If that is exciting for you, cool -- enjoy. With the Dead, your coveted Scarlet>Fire might appear as an opener, in cleanup position, or as an Encore. Who knows? Who cares? That's part of the magic. What other band can command $100 per ticket prices, fuck up pretty horrendously, and bring it back together without causing a riot? If Metallica did that, half of Long Island would be burned down.

Can't wait for Shoreline on Thursday! Where's my Fall Tour announcement?

Just an awesome show! The crowd was charged & like Phil said to the whole group that attended, we brought it & they just closed the deal!

Like I told my wife when I went home that night: " we are so lucky to have lived to see Jerry so many times, but we are also very lucky to have Warren to sit in for him now that he's gone". Warren & Jeff are obvious brothers to the boys that they are sharing the stage with.

This show, from start to finish, was the total Drek.

Phil, Bobby and Warren spent all their energy singing the national anthem at the Rockies game lest we forget !!!