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

Train in Vain? WHY???
How about some Jefferson Airplane !
Radio City is such a sweet hall so many great shows.
Do they still have the giant curtain?

I got tickets for Orlando hope that is the only 'train in vain' last night.

Did this show work?
I love to read the reviews on shows!

This is actually a review of the first two shows from Radio City. Before I begin my review, I want to let everyone know, I have been seeing Grateful Dead related shows since 1982. This was probably my tenth Furthur show, and I have seen close to 200 GD related shows for almost 30 years. I have this to say:

This "thematic", "scripted" set list has got to go. Between RCMH, and Red Rocks last September, this band seems to be extemely predictable. This is because behind every performance, there seems to be a "theme" and an "era" behind every set list. Who makes up these set lists? Does someone in the band? Does someone in their management? Or does someone who has never played a musical performance in his/her life dictate what is to played every evening? Friday night had a 1980 feel to the set list/music. Tonight had a late 1960's feel to set list. Gee, I wonder if tomorrow night will have a 1990's feel to the set list? With that being said, I wonder if they will play Hell In a Bucket, Unbroken Chain, or Throwin Stones. I wonder if they will play Samson because it is a Sunday. The beauty of the music for me was that it was always improvizational and spur of the moment. These set lists always have some sort of theme to them, night in and night out. I will say that the musical sound is pretty damn good and the crowd seems to acknowledge how good each musician is, but it is time for this band to take a leap of faith. They have been playing together for almost 2 years and I would love for them to come out tomorrow night, step out on stage, grab their instruments, and play music. Don't have a set list. Don't play tunes on what day of the week it is. Let the music play the band as the saying goes. If everything in life were to be this predictable, we would all be very wealthy people. Maybe that is what the person behind these set lists is all about?!

I love this music and I like this band, and I truly hope they prove me wrong tomorrow night. If not, my wife and I will still see a few shows a year and revel in the fact that this music is still being played well in front of decent sized audiences. But they really need to get back to the basics of improvization and spontineity. The novelty will eventually wear off, if not.

Response to J.C.
Well the dead have always done some of that
ie-Saturday Night, Samson, Race is On
Jerry said in interviews that during the early days they spent much time drifting and noodling including lots of stage banter. some of the tuning for the a-cid trips were longer then first sets in the 90's but some of the shows with Brent and later Hornsby were mighty fine indeed.
A set list is a good road map. Check out the Nightfall of Diamonds CD of the Byrne N.J. show. that was tightly planned and o so masterfully executed.
If you really want the dead to a tee then Jeff Mattson needs to be given the lead guitar and vocals.
He channels Garcia in a big time way.
In the early 90's the only thing finer then a Mattson performance was JGB itself.
Jerry was the soul of the band and all of this Furthur is really just like the Doors doing Other Voices.
Garcia could bring me to tears or make me smile wide at will. The only person that might be able to kindle some of that spark is Mattson and he is off with DSO doing mostly flashback sets.
Also should not underestimate Bill and Mickey
Still glad the music is being played!
And Bobby and Phil have truly shown themselves to be brothers of the road!

In response to JC and Chris

I have been seeing shows much longer than the both of you. Started in 1973 (well over 200 shows with Jerry)

The 2 of you sound ridiculous. You must not know what your hearing at these Furthur shows. They are playing music at an amazing level of energy and high quality jamming. Jerry would be extremely happy that Phil and Bob have found JK. His voice is the closest we are ever going to get to having a Grateful Dead experience again, and his guitar work is a beautiful thing. The band keeps getting better and better, and The Dead have used set lists since the early 70's. It's better to be prepared and knowing what songs you are going to play each night. The Jams are flowing and expanding and bringing highs and lows and have all the ingredients that they ever had. We and them are just getting older physically and mentally. Why is everyone so critical instead of thankful.

Hey Robert
Working a 13 hr shift and jonesing for a show so throw stones if you must.
My point somewhere back there is what relationship does a pop rock Clash song have to the music of our lives?
Also not meaning to be down on anyone in the band. I saw Jk do a 73 show with DSO that was lights out.
How about a tune with some NYC flavor like Don't fear the reaper-BOC.
I wish Brent had a chance to perform Soul Man.
Bobby would really shine on something like THE WRECK OF THE EDMUND FITZGERALD.
Weir did the best Mack the Knife ever!( MIDWEST-only time played)
PHIL sounds great on a Broken Arrow.
And yes you are 110% correct the variety in the setlists and the combinations are top shelf right now.
I heard a jam opening a set that was very kind and unheard of even going wayback before Uptown band done by this FURTHUR.
My first concert was Yes in the Round 1979 and my first show was JGB in the summer of 83 so you have me beat but trust me IT HAS LEFT A SMOKING CRATER!!!
No place for a Cream Puff WAR so we walk away and maybe then shake hands!!!
Forget our weakness and dance , forget our sickness and dance,,
"JESUS IS just alright with me !!!
5 minutes on the day job!
2 weeks til Orlando

There's always a tradeoff on set lists. Everybody has there favorites that work for them. It doesn't matter when your 1st show was. I am an old-timer. What matters is the energy and connection in the house and with the fans. Having said that I think they were a bit spotty on Friday meaning there were better sets and shows on this tour. A few nights at Best were better. I also thought 2nd yy at Coney last year was better. IBut what hell tonight may the show of the tour. That's the beauty and that's why I'll be there. They are great musicians and know how to take off. I just want to be there for the ride. Yes it would be great to see more risks.

Cruisin' down Abbey Road to reach the Train in Vain?.........Cannot wait to see what April Fools has to bring!??!

But how does one cross that Great Divide between the stage and the audience, the Musicians and the Music Lovers?!!?

The Good Ole Days were deeply connected in this call 'n' response interaction without the pre-set set list. The unpredictable always holds the most exhilarating Magic.
Drums & Space, the Rhythm Devils all had their own added delights and explorations. Fortunately, The Furthur jam still provides these elements. The current Soundstream & Song Vault are now richer and deeper in quality and resonance than Ever!

More risks?? YES, let them Fly.......If we are going to write the Wish List, then Let it Be ~ Riding the Rockin' Rhythms of Rippin' guitar licks that run you up to the Rafters!

Can't You Hear me Knockin!?!?!?

and YES, the Dream of the return of the Broken Arrow.............

Listen to the River ~ to Rock my Soul*

Good to see the return of the great northern special. MIGHTY SWELL!!!

Check out the 'Let It Rock' on Wolfgangs from JGB the set opener!

All good points - the fact is the band plays music & we get to enjoy or not enjoy it - I choose to enjoy it every time, dance sing & rock w/ the people around me!! My first show was in '76 with many travels & shows since, some good, some ok some well, not as memorable (remember blown speakers @MSG in 79 or 80). Set lists or not it is about the music & the shows are all different - my cup is always empty when I arrive & full of joy because of the music when I leave...thanks to the band for allowing me to be a part of history

i'M GONNA TRIP YOU ALL OUT! FRIDAY ROCKED WHAT OTHER BAND COULD PLAY TRAIN IN VAIN, DEAR PRUDENCE AND DARKHOLLOW IN THE SAME NIGHT! JK IS HITTIN IT OUT OF THE PARK! BOB AND PHIL SEEM TO BE HAVIN A GOOD OL TIME. AS FOR THE SETLISTS PHILS WIFE WRITES EM. MY FIRST SHOW WAS ENGLISHTOWN. I SAW SATURDAY NIGHT AND WAS HO HUM. NICE FOR SOME OLD TUNES BUT TO MUCH SPACE. BAND IS HOT, ENERGETIC AND HAS A HELL OF A GROOVE. DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING!

These days I catch almost all of the shows from home. Have only seen Furthur once, in St. Louis on 11/11. Saw 66 GD shows in a period from 10/28/77 to 7/6/95. Have played lead guitar and sung in GD tribute bands for over thirty years. Am listening to Radio City 3/27/11 as I type this.

When it's all said and done, it's just music. It exists in the air in real time, then it doesn't. I spent some time in the 80's always thinking that I wouldn't be back, that The Dead had lost it, they were wasting away, etc.. There was always some kernel of truth that brought me back.

Cherish what you've got while you have it, because it all goes away in the end. I think the Furthur band does the best they can with what they've got, they put one hundred per cent effort and focus into their thing, and they are a really good band that are becoming a better band with every gig. Enjoy this ride while you can.