From The Road

Back in the mid- and late 1980s, when my wife, Regan, and I used to put out a Grateful Dead fanzine called The Golden Road, our day jobs prevented us from going on the road as much as we liked, so we used to rely on friends to call and give us blow-by-blow show reports. We’d be working at our drafting tables putting together our magazine at 11 or midnight and the phone would ring: “It’s The Call!” And sure enough, there would be one our buddies, at 2 or 3 a.m. Philly time, on the other end. “Buddy… what a show… let’s see if I can piece this together…” and in his post-show haze he’d struggle to reconstruct the set list, which he hadn’t bothered to write down of course, punctuating it with little details along the way: “I kinda missed the ‘West L.A.’ because the girl in front of me passed out, and the medics were dealing with her during the whole song”; “Out of the ‘Terrapin’ they went into this jam where I thought they might go into ‘Dark Star,’ but nope, Jerry takes off his guitar and it’s ‘Drums’, which was amazing!” It was a blast getting to experience these shows vicariously until the tapes started trickling in during the weeks following the tour.

Gee, how things have changed! No late night calls were necessary to follow the action on The Dead’s latest tour (though we still got a couple of calls anyway, and that was Big Fun). Instead I was usually able to go onto dead.net or Deadnet Central and get the setlist as it went down live, often with opinions and commentary in real time: “Looks like there’s a ‘China Cat’ coming! Nope, they veer into ‘Uncle John’s!’ Yay!” (Of course, if I owned an iPhone, I could’ve had set lists, streaming audio and pix at my fingertips. Time for me to join the 21st century, I guess!) Three of the concerts—first night in Worcester, second night in Philly, and The Gorge—were broadcast live on Sirius Radio, so I got to hear those in the comfort of my own home, and excellent audience recordings of most shows were up on archive.org within a day or two, and that was a really cool way to keep up with the action. To my eternal regret I was only able to go to one show—first Shoreline, which had an outstanding second set—but through archive.org and also buying several of the superb soundboard recordings, I’ve managed to hear nearly everything by now.

And what a tour it was! I think it’s safe to say that it greatly exceeded most people’s expectations, and many believe that it was overall the strongest of the post-Garcia Dead tours. Why? Let me count the ways:

It starts with the Core Four! The rapprochement that began even before the Dead Heads for Obama show back in the winter of ’08 was real and has stuck. They appear to be getting along better than they have in many years, and they all seemed to be thoroughly dedicated to putting in the rehearsal time both before and during the tour to make sure that everyone was on the same page musically.

This has been part of Phil’s M.O. with his own bands for a number of years: They rehearse often and have long soundchecks; with the fundamentals solidified, they are then freer to improvise with confidence. Train wrecks were few and far between on this tour. Phil is obviously in love with that crazy new bass he’s been playing, and who can blame him—it sounds phenomenal. Bob seems utterly relaxed and confident, and I thought he and Warren often gelled in ways that were very reminiscent of Bob and another guitarist you all know…

Bill and Mickey played spectacularly—both with the band and during their amazing Rhythm Devils segments, many of which were centered around specific sonic motifs and space concepts. (This felt like an outgrowth of sorts of Mickey’s recent Global Drum Project tours, where Mickey and his percussion cohorts, aided by electronics wizard Jonah Sharp, explored various textural ideas that were rooted in some fixed composed structures.) For the first time ever, the “Drums” and “Space” segments were plotted out around certain themes. (In Jay Blakesberg’s fine photo books from the tour—available from blurb.com/thedead, the themes for each show are named in the set lists.) Some of the percussion ones were played several times (though with much variation, of course—this is still improvising on the fly), such as the “Obama Funk Jam,” which interspersed samples of Barack and others with some electronic legerdemain, “Music of the Roaring Seas” and “Magma”; while the “Space” jams were keyed around various celestial bodies and events: “Star Drone,” "Cosmic Debris,” “The Big Bang,” “Heartbeat of the Sun” and various jams named after planets.

Both drummers obviously benefited from being in good road shape—Bill was limber from playing so many shows the past year-plus with his great trio, and Mickey toured with the Global Drum Project and his eponymous, more song-oriented band. There were also all sorts of cool samples from the natural world and vocal samples from Africa and Asia which were all-enveloping (and which sound wonderful on the soundboard recordings). I give Mickey extra points for selflessly surrendering the vocal mike that obviously gave him such pleasure with the Other Ones and on the Dead tours of ’03 and ’04, and going back to being a percussionist extraordinaire exclusively. He and Bill played with tremendous power, clarity and sensitivity when it was required.

High Fives to the Other Guys! Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti has really come into his own the last few years. Anyone who paid attention to what he was doing with The Dead in ’04—and to what he does with RatDog all the time—was probably not surprised to hear him stepping out so effectively on this latest tour. But he was also given more opportunities for solos and he stepped into the fray and took solos, too, and he was always up to the challenge. His marvelously sympathetic organ and piano work provided the perfect coloration for so many songs, and he was at the wheel driving many a jam, as well.

As for Warren… well, he certainly rose to the occasion under the pressure of being the guy on this tour, without a second lead player backing him up. He took the time to really learn all the significant parts and signpost riffs, but he still put his own spin on things (outrageous slide!) and wasn’t afraid to diverge from the well-worn pathways carved by Garcia and others. And my own personal view (YMMV, needless to say) is that there is no one I’d rather hear tackling Garcia’s songs than Warren. He has truly internalized them—even the heaviest ballads—and he delivers them with unbridled passion and understanding. Check out what he does with “High Time” and “Comes A Time,” among others. That he can play so well in three bands (Dead, Mule, Allmans) is nothing short of remarkable; we’re so lucky to have him!

Variety is the Spice of Life! Thanks to the ongoing lists of Mr. Zomby Wulf on dead.net, we know that The Dead played roughly 150 songs (not counting “Drums” and “Space”) in just 22 shows—a stupendous achievement! No song was played more than five times, and 40 (or so; I suck at counting) were played only once. There were lots of intriguing left-field choices along the way, touching every phase of the Grateful Dead’s long career… okay, I guess it was a ripoff they didn’t play “Day Job,” “Money Money” or “Barbed Wire Whipping Party.” (Dare to dream, y’all!)

And what’s more, any song could turn up at any time. For the last few years, both Phil and Bob have been pretty good about abandoning the Grateful Dead’s rather formulaic approach to constructing set lists—where most songs generally appeared in the same spots in either the first or second sets. But even so, it was still somewhat shocking to find a “Stella Blue” or “Black Peter” in a first set (Buffalo and L.A. respectively), “Scarlet-Fire” as an encore (Shoreline), “Drums” and “Space” to open a second set (Madison Square Garden), and so on. With much of the traditional “first set” material mostly ignored (cowboy songs, blues covers), the band really delivered their best, most popular and jammiest stuff night after night, as well as really nailing a lot of their lesser-known songs, including Phil’s “Pride of Cucamonga” and “King Solomon’s Marbles.” You couldn’t even take for granted that the person you were expecting to sing a song on a given night would be the one to actually step up to the mike.

At different shows, Bobby or Warren might sing “Morning Dew” or “Days Between” or “Scarlet Begonias.” On some songs they’d trade verses—Bobby singing the first verse of “Bird Song,” Warren the second; or Warren singing “Lady with a Fan” and Bob taking over at the “Terrapin Station” part of the suite (“Inspiration…”). A nice touch.

Acoustic sets were few and far between but mostly appreciated by those who got to see them. Someday this band should consider doing an acoustic tour of smaller halls where that kind of music could really shine. But even in these cavernous environs, you had to love Bob’s alternately ethereal and roaring “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” and Warren’s great take on Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic.”

Everybody’s Playing in the Heart of Gold Band! It had been five years since The Dead toured, and even though Phil Lesh & Friends and RatDog and Mickey’s groups have done so much to keep the flame burning and the Dead Head Family together and dancing, there was something about these shows that made them feel like a reunion of sorts. There were lots of folks who hadn’t seen each other in years (and that tended to make the first sets most nights social occasions as much as musical ones, for better and worse). But there were also lots of newcomers—younger Heads who never saw the Grateful Dead, but who have clearly “gotten it,” either through the post-Jerry bands, or listening to recordings of Dead shows they got from friends, older siblings or parents. Young and old seemed to enjoy themselves, and I, for one, am cheered by the sight of new blood coming into the scene!

* * *

And now, some subjective favorites from the tour; really tough to pick among so much top-notch stuff. There were no truly weak shows in my estimation, and probably half of them would qualify as “really good” or “great.” Feel free to add your own favorites below.

Five (Yikes, Only Five?) Favorite Shows (in chronological order)

1. 4/25/09, Madison Square Garden, New Yawk
All right, back to a Gah-den one mo’ time! This was one of the toughest tickets of the tour, for obvious reasons, and the Dead came out with guns blazing (so to speak) to mow down the frantic New York crowd. Actually, truth be told, this show starts out weakly with a pretty awful (if heartfelt) “Cosmic Charlie” (couldn’t sing it in ’69 or ’76; it’s worse now). But all is forgiven once “China Cat” begins to unfold, and then the show really takes off with “Shakedown Street.” I love Warren’s faster take on “Ship of Fools,” and Bob handles “Cassidy” with typical fluid grace. The closing “Sugaree,” with Warren and Jeff all over that thang, is truly epic.

The second set opens with—WTF???—“Drums” and “Space” (or if you want to be technical about it, “Sphere of Io” and “Magma”)! From there, on paper at least, it looks like a psychedelic school bus ride through classic ’60s Dead, but listen to it and there’s no mistaking that this is today’s Dead. Dig: The “Cryptical Envelopment” is actually part of the “Space,” with Phil singing over an arhythmic electronic wash—much more like “What’s Become of the Baby” than a traditional “Cryptical,” and brilliantly realized. That’s followed by a careening “Other One,” a nearly perfect “Born Cross-Eyed,” a long, very meaty jam, and then “St. Stephen” (after all, “in and out of the garden he goes”!) and “The Eleven,” both in their more jammy, contemporary incarnations. But wait, they’re just warmin’ up! How about an lazy “Uncle John’s” to bring us back to earth, followed by a great “Unbroken Chain” (one of the best songs of the tour IMHO, and I’m not even that big a fan of it), and—WTF? Pt. 2—“Gimme Shelter,” belted with authority by Mr. Haynes. Yikes, I’m drenched in sweat just thinkin’ about it! (It’s another great soundboard. Take a moment to salute live mixer Derek Featherstone for a job very well done, in the hall and on disc!)

2. 4/28/09 Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
Sorry, but this will always be the Meadowlands to me (or the Brendan Byrne Arena)—old habits die hard. Both of the Jersey shows featured the great saxophonist Branford Marsalis sitting in with the boys, and each night the music was spellbinding. I’m going to go on the record right now and say that no outside musician has fit in better with the Dead over the years. Branford is confident enough to be a leader onstage on any type of material, yet he is also a completely sympathetic accompanist. His tone on tenor or soprano, his adventurousness, and his melodic inventiveness made him a perfect foil for Garcia the times they played together (Nassau ’90 being the most famous example), and he has fit in well with post-Jerry lineups, too: If you haven’t heard his playing on a Warren-sung “Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” or the Middle Eastern-flavored “Space” from Raleigh, 8/17/04, check it out. The guy is hands-down one of the great improvisers of our time, so is it any wonder that he fits in so well with The Dead?

At this show, Branford and company dig into several of the same songs they tackled at Nassau in ’90, but rather than sounding like they’re trying to recapture some past glory, everything sounds utterly fresh and alive, from the nearly 20-minute “Bird Song,” to “Fire on the Mountain,” “Dark Star” (of course), “Eyes of the World,” a wondrous “Space,” a brisk and honkin’ “Lovelight,” and, my favorite of all, Miles Davis’ “Milestones,” which really gives Branford and Jeff a chance to blow, jazz-style. Wow! Don’t miss this one!

3. 5/2/09, The Spectrum, Philly
Both Philly shows are worth seeking, but this one gets the nod because it was the last time The Dead will ever play the aging arena, which is scheduled to fall to the wrecking ball shortly (no doubt we’ll all be enjoying footage of its implosion on YouTube up the road!) and they really pulled out all the stops and kicked out the jams for a typically rabid local crowd.

The first set kicks off with “Saturday Night” (always good as an opener) and includes a very nicely rendered “Althea,” an emotional “He’s Gone” (we all know who that’s about these days…) into an affirmative “Uncle John’s,” and a rollicking “Mason’s Children” complete with meaty jam, to close the set. Set Two rocks hard from the get-go with “Good Lovin’” followed by “Cumberland,” then sets sail on uncertain seas with “Cryptical Envelopment” and “The Other One.” This show’s “Space” drifts into the first of just two versions of “Morning Dew” on the tour—nicely handled by Bob—and then the back end of the show is killer: “St. Stephen,” “Revolution” (thank you, Warren!) and finally “Help-Slip-Frank” to bring it on home. There could only be one appropriate encore choice, and thank God they made the right one: “Samson and Delilah” had all 18,000 souls on hand screaming “If I had my way, I would tear this old building down!” Whoo-ee! (Actually, that’s not a bad idea—let Dead Heads do the demolition!)

4. 5/9/09, The Forum, Los Angeles
This just might be my favorite show of the tour, a total winner from first note to last, with many an unexpected twist and turn along this golden road. So, there they are in glittering L.A., no doubt with celebrities in attendance—are they gonna play the “hits,” maybe open with “Truckin’” or some such? No, sir! Instead they jump off the high dive and into “Viola Lee Blues,” jamming it out to Phil & Friends proportions (i.e. a lot), and using that as a launch pad into other songs: “VLB”> “Bertha,”> “VLB” verse 2 > “Caution” > “VLB” verse 3 > “Black Peter” (expertly sung by Bob). A considerably-better-than-the-Garden-but-still-not-great version of “Cosmic Charlie” ends the first set.

The second set is a fabulous set list played really well, including another dynamite “Shakedown,” “New Speedway Boogie,” “Scarlet-Fire,” “Dark Star” sandwiched around a Warren-sung “Wharf Rat,” and then a surprise closer: a rippin’ “Satisfaction” (followed by the de riguer “Saturday Night” encore, also smokin’)!

5. 5/14/09, Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, Calif.
OK, I really screwed up not going to this show. When this second Shoreline concert was announced, I was still hurtin’ financially from the mail-in for the first one (5/10), so I thought I’d skip this and save a few bucks. Big mistake: I missed a really hot show. This is another one that is really consistently strong top to bottom, but I’ve gotta say, it’s the first set that really blows me away. I had wondered whether Warren playing two shows with the Allman Brothers (I went to the first; loved it!) at the beautifully restored Fox Theatre in Oakland between Shoreline Dead concerts would affect his playing at all. Hard to say exactly, but the little jamlet preceding the opening “Jack Straw” sure sounds a lot like (sweet) “Melissa” to me! There’s a kick-ass “Mason’s Children” mid-set, then another fine “Ship of Fools” (where Warren sings “49 years upon my head…”). Then Bob goes into a fine “Standing on the Moon,” but right after the bridge, instead of rolling into the next verse, it veers into a full “Terrapin”! After a mini-jam at the end of that tune, right on the beat, they go back into the last couple of verses and coda of “Standing on the Moon.” Totally cool!

The second set has more delights, including a rare “Estimated” opener, the Anthem of the Sun duo of “New Potato Caboose” and “Born Cross-Eyed,” a fine nod to Brent Mydland (and Jerry) with “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” and then, out of “Space,” “Morning Dew” with Warren on lead vocals this time—it’s interesting to hear him try a quiet ending for this song; I think it works. I seem to recall there’s a very brief quotation of the Allmans’ “Mountain Jam” between the set-concluding “China Cat-Rider” duo. Then, in keeping with the previous Shoreline show’s triple encore (“St. Stephen> The Eleven,” “Touch of Grey”), the 5/14 show goes on for another half-hour or so with “Scarlet-Fire” and “Deal.” Goooood stuff!

A Bunch of Cool Things From the Other Shows Worth Checking Out

1. “Truckin’” from Greensboro, 4/12

2. “Dark Star”> “King Solomon’s Marbles” from Washington, 4/12

3. “Crazy Fingers” from Charlottesville, 4/15

4. “Comes A Time” from Albany, 4/17

5. “Goin’ Down the Road” and “Mountains of the Moon” from Worcester #1, 4/18

6. “Slipknot” > “Let It Grow” > “Uncle John’s” from Worcester #2, 4/19

7. “Smokestack Lightning” and “Stella Blue” from Buffalo, 4/21

8. “The Golden Road” from Wilkes-Barre, 4/22

9. “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” from Nassau, 4/24

10. “Tomorrow Never Knows” > “Black Peter” from Hartford, 4/26

11. “Days Between” from Meadowlands #2, 4/29

12. “New Speedway Boogie” from Philly #1, 5/1

13. “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” from Chicago #1, 5/4

14. “Weather Report Suite” from Chicago #2, 5/5

15. “King Solomon’s Marbles” > “Stronger Than Dirt” from Denver, 5/7

16. “Saint Stephen” > “The Eleven” from Shoreline #1, 5/10

17. “Crazy Fingers” and “Dark Star” (verse one) from The Gorge, 5/16

Four Other Shows I Wish I’d Attended

1. Greensboro; 2. Charlottesville; 3. Worcester #2; 4. Philly #1

* * *

All photos seen here are from Jay Blakesberg's 2009 Dead tour books. Go to www.blurb.com/thedead to see more!

So…enough of my opinions: What are YOUR tour highlights?

Bill Kreutzmann New Year's Eve Shows

frogstorm — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:46:57 -0600

Announcing 2 shows to celebrate the end of 2008, and the start of 2009 - in Hawaii!

Dec. 29 @ Charly's in Paia

Dec. 31@ the Voyage East: 375 W. Kuiaha (Pauwela Cannery)

Tickets are available at Bhounty Music (Kahulaui), Wings (Haiku), Wine Corner (Paia), West Side Vibes (Lihaina)

For Credit Card orders call 808-269-0831

For more tour dates on the mainland, click here.

Furthur Winter 2010 Tour Announced

frogstorm — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:37:38 -0600

For on-sale dates and ticket information, go to furthur.net.

Fri-Feb-05
Miami, FL
Bayfront Park Amphitheatre
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Sat-Feb-06
Orlando, FL
Hard Rock Live
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Mon-Feb-08
Atlanta, GA
The Tabernacle
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Tue-Feb-09
Asheville, NC
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Wed-Feb-10
Charlotte, NC
Bojangles Coliseum
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Fri-Feb-12
Hampton, VA
Hampton Coliseum
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Sat-Feb-13
Fairfax, VA
Patriot Ctr @ George Mason Univ.
Doors 7 PM / Showtime 8 PM

Sun-Feb-14
Ithaca, NY
Barton Hall @ Cornell Univ.
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Mon-Feb-15
Bethlehem, PA
Stabler Arena @ Lehigh Univ.
Doors 6 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Wed-Feb-17
Buffalo, NY
Shea's Performing Arts Center
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Thu-Feb-18
Manchester, NH
Verizon Wireless Arena
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Fri-Feb-19
Amherst, MA
Mullins Center @ Univ of Mass
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Sat-Feb-20
Utica, NY
Utica Auditorium
Doors 5:30 PM / Showtime 7 PM

Mon-Feb-22
Newark, DE
Bob Carpenter Center @ Univ of DE
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Tue-Feb-23
New York, NY
Radio City Music Hall
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Wed-Feb-24
New York, NY
Radio City Music Hall
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Fri-Feb-26
Uncasville, CT
Mohegan Sun Arena
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Sat-Feb-27
Atlantic City, NJ
Trump Taj Mahal @ Estess Arena
Doors 7 PM / Showtime 8 PM

Tue-Mar-02
Chicago, IL
Auditorium Theatre
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Wed-Mar-03
Chicago, IL
Auditorium Theatre
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Mon-Mar-08
Portland, OR
Portland Memorial Coliseum
Doors 6:30 PM / Showtime 7:30 PM

Times local to venue. Please note all doors, showtimes subject to change. Backpacks, bags, subject to search.

For on-sale dates and ticket information, go to furthur.net.

NEW East Coast Furthur Shows Announced

frogstorm — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:42:31 -0500

FURTHUR

PHIL LESH * BOB WEIR
Jeff Chimenti * John Kadlecik
Jay Lane * Joe Russo

December 8 & 9 (SORRY,BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT)
Hammerstein Ballroom
New York City, NY
Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM

December 11 (SORRY, SOLD OUT)
Chevrolet Theater @ Oakdale
Wallingford, CT
Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM

December 12 & 13 (SORRY, BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT)
Asbury Park Convention Hall
Asbury Park, NJ
Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM

Please note all onsale, doors, showtimes subject to change!

Backpacks, bags, subject to search!

Bill Kreutzmann at the Austin City Limits Festival

frogstorm — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:46:00 -0500

Bill Kreutzmann will be performing with Papa Mali at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 3, 2009. This will be Papa Mali's second appearance at the event which drew a crowd of over 218,000 fans last year and was ranked #5 on Billboard’s top festivals of 2008. Performing alongside Papa and Bill will be longtime Papa Mali drummer Robb Kidd (look for some double kit action), Matt Perrine (Bonerama) on sousaphone and Matt Hubbard (Willie Nelson and Friends) on keyboards, harmonica and trombone. A surprise guest wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities. This year’s ACL fest will also feature Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Beastie Boys, Kings of Leon and numerous other monsters of the scene.

Papa Mali, Bill Kreutzmann and Matt Hubbard will then head directly into the studio to record their new CD along with Reed Mathis (Tea Leaf Green) on bass. The sessions will be made up almost entirely of new material that has been co-written by Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan lyricist) and Papa Mali. The new CD is expected to be released in early 2010. Papa Mali featuring Bill Kreutzmann’s next gig will be October 31 and November 1 at the Las Tortugas Festival in Yosemite National Park. If you are looking for something to do on Halloween, come get your freak on in one of the most striking locations in the country.

Night Three: Furthur Finale at the Fox

frogstorm — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:53:56 -0500

And on the Third Night they really became a band.

I’m underslept, my head is still buzzing and my feet ache from three nights of non-stop dancing (first time I’ve hit three consecutive shows since ’95), but I still have the ecstatic glow of last night’s show to keep me going (until I crash… later).

The Sunday Furthur concert was one of those shows you hit every once in while where it’s clear from the first second that it’s going to be a great night: sound in the hall is fantastic, the parts are all fitting together smoothly—the band balancing itself, like a great orchestra—everyone looks happy and relaxed onstage and in the crowd, and any and all doubts fall away in the face of undisputable evidence that this music—this band—is really happenin’.

It all started with drums— Joe and Jay, all smiles, Jay jumping around his setup like he was on springs— and it was a minute or so before it became clear that, no, this was not going to be an actual drum solo, as it soon headed into that old Sunday favorite, “Samson and Delilah.”

Joe, Bob, Jay and John - Playing in the new band
Photo: Bob Minkin/minkindesign.com © 2009

The band was totally on from the get-go, Phil and Bob perfectly in sync, John firing short bursts of notes, Jeff adding organ sustain as a bed beneath. (Yes, I could finally hear Jeff—all night!) We all sang along lustily on the choruses, even though none of us wants to tear that old building down! The party had begun. “Casey Jones” was next—a total surprise to me—with John handling the lead vocals very well. This seemed like a pretty normal version until the “driving that train” chorus kept going on and on, getting faster and faster, until it was practically a blur (one of my old Dead Head pals, who hadn’t seen any post-GD lineup in several years, noted that he’d never heard the Grateful Dead play that fast!)

It was on the third song of the night, though, that I had my own personal epiphany about this group. I mean, I’d been digging it from the outset, for sure, but on this particular “Mississippi Half-Step,” John Kadlecik’s solo on the closing jam was so amazing, passionate, inspired, so… throw in your own adjective here, and the band had to keep going higher and higher just to keep up with him; it was truly that old familiar feeling in a new guise. That may have been my favorite tune of the whole three-night run.

Bob and John traded vocals on “Sugaree,” which started out slowly but picked up steam when Jeff took a huge solo that began deliberately, like climbing a tall spiral staircase, and just built and built until it crashed to a satisfying climax before the next verse. John later added his own marvelous solo construction on the tune, and before the final verse there was a great musical group-grope, as everyone played parts that interlocked like a giant mechanical wheel threatening to spin off its axel.

Furthur in action (L to R): Jeff, Phil, Joe, Bob, Jay and John.
Photo: Dave Clark/daveclarklive.net © 2009

“Pride of Cucamonga” was one of two or three songs this weekend that let John put his toe into pedal steel territory (Saturday, "Friend of the Devil" was another)—it's uncanny how much he is able to capture that sound on a regular electric guitar, and it was perfect for this tune, of course. The verse parts of the song were as perky and bouncy as the crowd’s “up” mood, and the bluesy middle passage went into some unexpected realms. But one of the most interesting jams of the night came directly after that song. While I was listening to it last night, there was a part of my brain that was saying, “Remember what they’re doing here so you can describe how cool it is,” but needless to say I had lost that thought in the next second and now I have no memory at all of what was great about it—except that it was great. I’ll be anxious to hear that again when I have a moment. Somehow, though, the jam ended up at “Throwing Stones,” which shocked the hell out of me. I hadn’t heard it in a coon’s age, and it was a truly powerful version—again, as he had on “Half-Step,” John took the jam toward the end of the song so far and with so much energy, it was a joy to behold. This guy is extremely impressive. He really speaks this language well; like a native! I thought “Passenger” was a great choice as the set closer. Bob and Jay did the vocals together and the whole band was cookin’. John didn’t go as far on his slide solo as I’d hoped he might (three nights, and I’m already gettin’ greedy on the guy!), but it was still rip-roaring fun. What a set. And you could feel it in the hall that almost everyone agreed. Sometimes it’s that obvious. You can’t miss it.

Set Two jumped out of the gate with a terrific “Viola Lee Blues” (verses one and two, to start), then went into another giant jam—John, Bob and Phil tearing it up on the front line—and eventually that moved quite naturally into “Cumberland Blues,” a song that is always great (really, I’ve never seen a bad one). At the conclusion of that speedy ride (it’s kind of like Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland), Phil led the charge right back to “Viola Lee Blues” and we got the final verse (though no big second jam). Phil’s fabulous but very rarely played instrumental opus, “King’s Solomon’s Marbles” (from Blues for Allah), followed, and that was another personal highlight. The band seemed to have no trouble at all negotiating the song’s myriad twists and turns and rhythmic shifts—indeed, it sounded like they’d been playing it their whole lives.

I now remember that when the aforementioned “Pride of Cucamonga” ended and the big jam after it began, I initially thought that it was going to go right into “Cassidy.” Wrong again! But they did play “Cassidy” in this second set, and it was a warm and heartfelt version with yet another astonishing jam.

A bona fide “space” jam followed, with strong hints of “Dark Star” and then “Dark Star” itself—another test for the new kids, and they passed with flying colors. Jay and Joe really threw themselves into this, mixing power-drumming with delicate shadings as the moment required (Jay had the shaker goin’), and needless to say, John was totally in his element on this tune, stretching out easily, driving the jam to this odd place and that.

And then… What the?... Out of the deep recesses of space, a chord sequence starts to appear, a melody, and all of a sudden we’re in a new song! Now, that was unexpected! Titled “Welcome to the Dance,” words and music by Phil, it was kind of hard to grasp on first listen. I couldn’t make out the words at all, and you know how those Phil tunes are with their unusual chords and rhythm changes… But I liked it, and the band seemed confident playing it, and its easy to imagine it becoming a real powerhouse tune, because the jam near the end was spectacular—sort of one part “Uncle John’s,” one part “Good Lovin’,” a dash of that almost waltz-time lead-in to “The Eleven” (on Live Dead), blended and stirred and mixed in with some other new secret ingredients. Pretty cool. Always fun to hear new stuff!

That drifted back to “Dark Star”—short but sweet flowing into the second verse—and then it was “Uncle John’s” and a sing-along for 3,500 very happy people. That could’ve ended the show and I would’ve been totally satisfied, but Bob tossed in a dynamite “Sugar Magnolia” to close. Wow, that place was jumpin’!

They had one more curve ball for us: A “Cosmic Charlie” encore, played as a rubbery shuffle; a neat way to end a fantastic set of shows.

Whew. This band is for real. Keep an open mind. And don’t miss ’em if they come to your town!

9/20/09, Fox Theatre, Oakland
Samson and Delilah, Casey Jones, Mississippi Half-Step, Sugaree, Pride of Cucamonga > jam> Throwing Stones > Passenger

Viola Lee Blues (v 1 and 2) > Cumberland Blues > Volia Lee Blues (v 3), King Solomon’s Marbles, Cassidy > space > Dark Star (v 1) > Welcome to the Dance > Dark Star (v 2) . Uncle John’s Band > Sugar Magnolia / Cosmic Charlie

Furthur at the Fox, Night Two

frogstorm — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 22:01:08 -0500

I realized when I got to my spot on the first tier for Saturday night’s show and I looked around the still-nearly-empty place, that I had not adequately described the grandeur of the Fox. What I neglected to mention in yesterday’s report is that the overall architectural style is kind of faux Moorish/Spanish Churrigueresque—there’s lots of intricate tapestry-like design (actually painted plaster) on the walls and all around the proscenium and above it, too, and fake window alcoves on the walls at the balcony level that look like they would go out to some enchanted Arabian Nights garden. The ceiling consists of an elaborate pattern of squares that resembles a giant Persian carpet but is stenciled plaster, with each square having a 13-pointed star design and angular cut-out lines; very trippy. Still not sure what to make of the giant statues/idols I mentioned yesterday. They don’t really fit in with the Islamic architectural feel of the rest of the place; it seems more Hindu, or something. But hey, it was the ’20s when the place was designed and the architects were probably just makin’ shit up. I love it!

Last night had an early start time (6:15) because, unlike the other two shows, there was a first act on the bill—a group called Vice. Who? Why? A quick Internet search the other day revealed the answer to both: It’s a band that includes Phil Lesh’s son Grahame on electric guitar and backup vocals, so the ol’ man was giving the group a shot to play before a Dead Head audience; a good gig if you can get it! There were probably about 300 or so folks in the place when the quintet sauntered onto the stage. Grahame, keyboardist Jesse Engreitz, bassist Mac Parish and drummer Eric Saar are really the backup band for singer/acoustic guitarist Brodie Jenkins, who is completely the focal point of every song. An attractive and charismatic woman, Jenkins has a commanding alto voice that reminded me in places of Linda Ronstadt (and Bonnie Raitt less so), and she moved easily from a mild growl to brief soprano/falsetto passages, but mostly stayed in a pleasing midrange. Their songs were mostly a semi-generic “classic rock” style—kinda countryish at times, kinda bluesy, kinda rockin’—but never committing too much in any one direction. Unfortunately, the Fox was not the venue for them—even in my excellent spot, I couldn’t make out one word of what Jenkins was singing (and I was trying hard)—the words just got eaten up in the cavernous, echo-y place. This is obviously a band best seen in a club, where the nuances of Jenkins’ singing (not to mention the content of the lyrics) could stand out more. The instrumental accompaniment was solid, especially bassist Parish, who seemed to me the most creative of the lot.

Now, I’m going to don my “I’ve been writing about music for 40 years, seen thousands of bands come and go, and know a bit about the industry” hat and give these fresh-faced kids some advice: 1) Play a solo occasionally! There was no solo more than a minute long, I’m pretty sure. A good solo bolsters a song immeasurably and gives the singer a momentary rest (and the audience a change in foreground). Using the Bonnie and Linda comparison (I don’t want to overdo that, ’cause Jenkins doesn’t sound that much like either), Linda had Andrew Gold and other great players firing off solos here and there and coming up with intricate arrangements; Bonnie has Bonnie, layin’ it down on slide (and often other soloists, too.) 2) Get rid of the name. Vice? Sorry, not happenin’; maybe if you’re a metal band. But there is nothing about this group that says “Vice.” You’re going to confuse people. Trust me on this. 3) Nashville. Get out of Stanford and the Bay Area and go someplace where soulful singer-songwriters still get respect (and gigs). L.A. could work, but it’s a tougher slog. Nashville is a friendly town filled with creative people. Even though Vice is not a “country” band, Nashville is no longer strictly a country music town. And while you’re there, after you land that deal (certainly a possibility given the type of material the group plays and Jenkins’ strong voice) bring in a fiddle player for a song or two, maybe some dobro—in other words, expand the instrumental palette, which is, as currently constructed, a little dull. Good luck, kids!

Critic hat doffed, we’re on to the main event! In speaking with the friends/DSO partisans we’d been with on Friday (and happily found ourselves with again on Saturday), I was quite surprised to hear that to a person none of them had particularly liked the first set Friday, but had loved the second set. I really enjoyed both sets, but maybe because they were seeing it more through the John Kadlecik lens, they were looking for/at different things than I was. Different strokes for different folks (oo-sha-shaaa).

Saturday night, the opening jam involved the full group but never really focused itself in any direction particularly before jumping into an exciting version of “Bertha,” with John and Bob trading off on the vocals. It seemed like the sound was better balanced from the get-go—I could hear Jeff fine on “Bertha”—though strangely enough, as the evening progressed I felt the sound got worse. We lost Jeff again for most of the night (what is the deal with that?) and the vocals weren’t turned up as much, so they frequently got lost in the instrumental wash (OK, sometimes that’s a good thing). But I also felt that the mix was a little less clear and less distinct in general. I was in virtually the same spot both nights, so I don’t think it was me…though ya never know. As “Bertha” crashed to a close the band immediately picked up the old-school (i.e. ’69-’72) intro of “Good Lovin’”—another classic combo brought to life again! It, too, was nicely executed, though when Bob tried to bring the vocals back up again at the end, after a meaty jam had already taken the band elsewhere, it felt a little strained and forced.

“Estimated” came next, and this was the first sign I’d had in two nights that maybe the high energy and best intentions of the newcomers in the band was not always going to be enough to keep the band’s tempos consistently bright. Because, frankly, I thought this version dragged. I still enjoyed hearing it, but I felt a little like my legs were trapped in taffy trying to dance to the lumbering beat. Bob’s timing seemed a little “off” much of the night, more in the first set than the second, for sure. The post-“Estimated” jam was varied and interesting, though. “Friend of the Devil” was peppy and upbeat (again John and Bob traded off on the vocals effectively) and the solo passages by Jeff, then Bob, then John, really cooked—it was almost “Cumberland” fast! “Feel Like a Stranger” was also too slow for my taste… Let me see if I can articulate this better. It’s not like the tempo is “wrong,” because it’s totally the singer’s choice, right? And it wasn’t that much slower than a regular version. But to me it sounds a little like a tape that’s running a tad slow—you do a micro-pitch adjustment up and all of you sudden the sparkle is there! Well, for me the sparkle was not there on this “Stranger” (and Bob even seemed a little lost on the ending vocal interplay), though again the last jam was really fascinating and John and Bob together brilliantly led it all back to the melodic denouement—nicely done, lads!

“Brown-Eyed Women” returned to the upbeat side of things and was beautifully played, John building his solo brightly as he shifted through different tonal colors. The set then ended on real high note with a spankin’ version of “Hell in a Bucket,” a tune I hadn’t heard in a long time and always enjoy live. Bob’s repeated falsetto refrain of “at least I’m enjoyin’ the ride” filled the old place from floor to ceiling, echoing through the hall, maybe even putting a smile on the stern faces of the seated gold-painted idols. My overall impression of the set was that it was very uneven, with more mistakes than either of the Friday sets, but on balance still pretty good.

What is it about Saturday shows that they always seem more crowded than other nights? Friday and Saturday were both sold-out (as is tonight’s) but it felt like there were a thousand more people packed into the place. That then usually leads to more people wandering about during the first set trying to find a decent place to dance and watch, which leads to a more diffused crowd energy in general. That was certainly the case in our little corner of the world during the first half of the first set, but by “Brown-Eyed Women” and “Hell in a Bucket”—not coincidentally two of the best songs of the set—people seemed to finally find their spots and focus on the music more, and it was smooth sailing around us the whole second set.

The jam opening Night Two, Set Two was tremendous and, I thought, had “Help on the Way” written all over it. You know how, as a fan, you lock into an idea about where a jam is going and you start to intuit how they’re going to get to a song from the jam? Well, in my twisted brain I could see exactly how this was going to fall into the majestic opening riff of “Help on the Way”! But I was completely wrong! What followed was one of those earthquake-inducing explosions into “Shakedown,” and you’re sure as hell not gonna hear me bitchin’ about that! It was phat and phunky, nicely sung by JK, with expansive jams between the second and third verse, and of course after the final verse. That eventually found its way to the ominous rumble of “New Speedway Boogie” (with more traded verses) which I thought was one of the best numbers of the night. I especially dug the jam after it when John switched on his octave divider and uncorked this deep but piercing line—good stuff!

But that tune was topped by the magnificent “China Cat”> “I Know You Rider” that followed. This one totally delivered the goods, going to all the places you want it to go, and then some. The jam between the two songs was a marvel, with John and Bob interlocking effortlessly on the unison passages, and in “I Know You Rider,” Jeff shined on a long passage before handing the solo to John, who leaped in with metaphorical guns blazing and took it higher still.

Sheesh, after that opening quartet of songs, I was sated and practically ready to call it a night. The group had other ideas, however! It started with “Playing in the Band,” always a pleasure, and well-performed, though it didn’t really go “deep” before it veered off into a lovely version of “Eyes” (with shared vocals). Again, Jeff had a wonderful solo passage (this tune lets him get his jazz on), and John’s playing was filled with imaginative flourishes.

A rare stop between tunes and then bubbling up out of the ether came “Unbroken Chain,” which has been so solid in recent years. I couldn’t really hear Phil’s lead vocal for some reason, but the playing was superb, the middle jam really taking off and flying away before eventually coming back to the song. Very nice. And then… I got my “Help on the Way”! Yay! Maybe I wasn’t crazy when I “heard” it earlier. Anyway, I was a happy man and I dug this version a lot, but things really got hot when (after a minor stumble) they flipped the switch on “Slipknot!” Here’s something I observed: Right as “Slipknot!” was getting started, Phil leaned over to the drummers and gave them a signal to kick it up a notch, and man, they did! Which brings me to a slight digression—I hadn’t been noticing the drummers as much Saturday as Friday. It could have been a sound issue, but methinks that they were playing less intensely Saturday, too, so it was great to see them really get into the “Slipknot!” with gusto. There were some transitional problems getting out of this particular “knot,” but then the “Franklin’s” closer was really action-packed; the last group of solos was particularly amazing.

You just knew what the encore would be, but that’s cool… it’s Saturday night! And it was a rockin’ version from the first notes all the way through the false-ending (!) followed by another round of “Hey, another a Saturday night…”

Finally, some props to the lighting designer—Groove by name; he works with RatDog. I’ve really enjoyed the subtle, slowly shifting shapes that are projected on the screen (everything from things that look like bubbles, to discs and other things) and the way what’s on the screen is offset by the colored stage lighting. It’s surprisingly psychedelic, without looking like a ’60s light show. (Though at points it reminded me of some of the more abstract moments of the old Joshua Light Show at the Fillmore East…. That’s good). And I really liked it when these slowly rotating pinwheel designs were projected above the proscenium, which is covered with incredibly intricate designs. Gorgeous!

Two down, one to go!

7/19/09, Fox Theatre, Oakland
Jam> Bertha> Good Lovin', Estimated Prophet, Friend of the Devil, Feel Like A Stranger, Brown-Eyed Women, Hell in a Bucket

Shakedown street> New Speedway Boogie> China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider>
Eyes of the World, Unbroken Chain, Help on the Way > Slipknot!” > Franklin’s Tower / One More Saturday Night

Furthur Rocks the Fox, Night One

frogstorm — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:31:31 -0500

I was as surprised as everyone else when these gigs by a new entity known as Furthur suddenly materialized a couple of months ago, with no warning. After all, Phil’s camp had been talking about him possibly taking the rest of the year off, and Bob was about to hit the road again with RatDog. And why was there a new band at all, when everyone was seemingly so pleased with the spring Dead tour? Where were Mickey and Bill? Too many questions, Grasshopper. Things change. Go with the flow…

OK, I can do that—and what better place to do it than at the newly restored Fox Theater in Oakland? The Fox, built in 1928, had been in crumbling disrepair literally for decades—a once grand showplace that had become another eyesore in a neighborhood that was in steep decline. But a miraculous thing happened: former Oakland mayor Jerry Brown committed to redeveloping the area around the Fox so the city built hundreds of new housing units in the vicinity, and then, over the last few years, the theater itself finally got a multimillion dollar makeover. The new Fox, which opened earlier this year is now a truly stunning venue—sort of like a cross between it’s beautiful art deco neighbor a few blocks north—the Paramount Theater—and San Francisco’s Warfield (which was also once part of the Fox chain) across the bay. Like the Warfield, it has a tiered general admission downstairs, but it’s wider and deeper; same with the mezzanine and balcony, which have plush, comfortable seats beneath the intricately patterned deco ceiling that is lit in a steely blue tint at all times. Capacity is around 3,500, considerably larger than the Warfield. On either side of the stage, out a-ways on the side walls, are massive gold-painted statues of these weird, slightly angry-looking idols sitting cross-legged in front of what look a little like drums, their eyes beaming white light—we joked that it was Mickey and Bill looking down on the proceedings. It’s a weird touch—like something out of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom—but very cool. I had been there once before, to see the Allman Brothers a few months back, and though I didn’t think the sound was great for that show, I certainly loved the venue—and its proximity to my house, which is less than ten minutes away, on the other side of Lake Merritt.

Now, I didn’t really know what to expect musically going into these shows. I had seen Dark Star Orchestra just once, at the Fillmore a year or so ago, and though I was certainly impressed with the skill of all the players—particularly lead guitarist John Kadlecik—I wasn’t knocked out by the whole presentation, for some reason. It seemed a bit too much like an amazing simulation of what the Dead sounded like, but lacking in that feeling of transmission that was so much a part of the Dead’s thing—I mean, when Jerry played, you were hearing his soul and spirit and skill and everything in him that had led him to that moment. Hearing a good approximation of that is just that—a good approximation. And since Jerry’s demise, I think all of us have debated how much we want the guy who is filling the guitar slot in whatever post-GD band we were watching to sound like Jerry (knowing that he will never fully measure up to him), versus having his own style and approach to soloing.

Really, a lot of the evolution of Phil & Friends has been an experiment in finding what sorts of styles and timbres work with this incredible body of work that is the Grateful Dead repertoire. Some felt, for instance, that the classic PLQ, with Herring and Haynes, achieved its magical alchemy because neither player was based in the Dead tradition, so the repertoire went in some really fascinating and unexpected directions. But for every fan who loved the sheer unpredictability of that band, there were others who never had their Garcia Jones satisfied—who missed his melodic brilliance, the logic of his solos, the way he constructed his lines, etc. What’s interesting about Herring is that he took on more of Garcia’s playing personality as the years went on, and the same could be said of Haynes, if you’re comparing his work in the 2004 Dead and the 2009 Dead. One reason I always liked Barry Sless playing with Phil’s band is he was clearly from what I would call the “Garcia School,” but he still had a distinctive style. I think the same could be said for RatDog’s Mark Karan, who clearly “gets” Jerry, but also draws from so many more influences. (Steve Kimock, from those early P&F lineups—and the first Other Ones tour—is an example of a guy who seemed to have internalized a certain approach to playing that was reminiscent of Garcia at times.)

Which is all a long-winded way of saying I wasn’t sure if having the “Jerry” from a Dead cover band—John Kadlecik—would work. Would he just parrot this Jerry solo from ’77 or this one from ’69, as if he was reproducing some classic show with DSO. And what of the drummers? I’d never heard of Joe Russo, and I wondered if Jay Lane of RatDog—a band occasionally weighed down by sluggish tempos—would add the necessary rhythmic spark that Mickey clearly does. But hey, let’s keep an open mind… and I did. Our little group landed a great spot on the first tier, right behind some old friends who are serious DSO partisans. They were way psyched, as you can imagine, and their enthusiasm rubbed off on me.

In an interesting move, the opening jam this time ’round was a duet played by just Bob and Phil as the other members of the group watched—a neat touch, I thought. It sort of felt to me like they were re-connecting musically, asserting themselves at the leaders of the band (true), offering a little prologue to the proceedings. I heard some definite “Wheel” teases, and the jamlet went to some other interesting spaces, as well, but it was quite a surprise to me when the duet then exploded into a full-band version of “The Other One.” Oh, I see—these guys aren’t messing around! Although that was quickly replaced with an unfounded paranoid concern by yours truly: During the first few minutes the band was getting into the “Other One” jam, John was so tentative—really barely playing anything at all—that I had this worried flash: “Oh shit, he’s the wrong guy. He can’t keep up. His playbook of thousands of Dead shows stored in his brain has shorted out and he has no idea what he’s doing. Why did I get tickets for all three nights?” (Hey, I’m just bein’ honest here!)

Needless to say, after Bob sang the first verse and the jam picked up again, this time John was right on it, carefully building his solo, darting in and out of Phil’s bass punctuation and the slashing chords Bob was laying down. Behind him, the dreadlocked Jay Lane was hurling himself around the semi-circle of drums and percussion instruments before him, sometimes using just one stick while hitting other drums and cymbals with his hand, or using a shaker in one hand, a stick in the other. (Jay also offered vocal support on many songs; usually not that distinguishable, but always on-pitch!) It took me a while to figure out exactly what Joe Russo was adding on his traps set, but soon it became clear that he was in the steadier Kreutzmann role to Jay’s more Mickey-esque ornamentation. Together they worked up a solid beat behind the front line—the music never dragged at all, the tempos seemed brisk.

In general there was an appealing airiness to the arrangements that leant a real feeling of clarity to everything they played. I’m going to take a moment here to also praise keys man Jeff Chimenti (you know I’m a huge fan)—although in all honesty I could not hear him that well where I was, dead-even with John on the right side facing the stage. (I had the same problem with the stereo spread at the Allmans show I saw there. I sure hope that folks on the left side could hear John’s guitar OK; it was crystalline and loud where I was. But I wanted more keyboard in my mix.) Anyway, Jeff continues play with great sensitivity and power, when called upon.

“The Other One” got better and better as it went along and John settled in more—he started using more different tones as he’d expand his solos, and you could just sort of feel him warming to the whole proposition. (When I talked to my DSO buddies at the break and said that I thought John seemed nervous at first, they dismissed that completely—“No way!” I say, the guy has never played a concert with Bob and Phil in a new band before a true Dead crowd—not a DSO crowd; plenty of reason for nerves.) Following “The Other One,” the teased “Wheel” came rolling out and it was a good ’un that had everyone smiling and singing along. “Jack Straw” came next and that marked one of the first songs where John “went off” (as they say)—the jam in the middle was electric and he definitely brought his own flair and ideas to it. Phil was positively beaming (as he was often last night) and Bob was at his inventive best.

When “The Music Never Stopped” reared its head, I was wondering if we were going to get a Bob Weir’s Greatest Hits show—three of his best in the first four songs! This one was well done, too (OK, I think there might have been a couple of minor blips in there—John has to learn that Bob’s cues do not always make logical sense, but are rather subject to his whim of the moment, for both better and worse). The long jam before the final instrumental coda was one of the best of the night, with John really asserting himself in ways he hadn’t before, and taking some bold chances with tonalities and solo construction. I was really impressed!

That tune then flowed into a “Bird Song” jam, followed by the song itself. And that’s when a cool thing that happened: When John stepped up to the microphone to sing the first verse (his first lead vocal of the night), there was a great roar from the crowd that must have made him feel really good—“Yes, you are among friends; we’re with you, Mr. K!” Next came another highlight—“Born Cross-Eyed” done just about perfectly, John providing the essential guitar screams, ’68-style, before the verses. See, this is where it’s great that we’ve got a Dead-savvy player in the guitar slot—he knows the elements that should be there and he clearly has no trouble accessing them.

The first set ended with a killer “Let It Grow” that traveled miles away from the song’s usual course on the final jam, and ended up… jeez, I have no idea, really…before the concluding flutter of butterflies or birds or whatever it conjures in your mind magically materialized to bring the curtain down on the set (figuratively). Wow, quite a start. What a song list!

Set two wasted no time in getting right into “Lost Sailor” and “Saint of Circumstance,” two more of my favorite Bob tunes. It had been a while since I’d heard this played by anyone (actually, as fate would, the last time I heard it live was by DSO!), so I was thrilled, and it was a fine version, especially the “Saint.” The familiar opening of “Althea” came bubbling up after, and I wondered who would sing it, since Bob, Phil and John all tackle it in their respective bands. And the nod goes to… John! He acquitted himself very well on the song (again, the roar when he started singing!)—I give him extra points for sticking to Jerry’s impeccable phrasing and for not trying to blatantly imitate him. That said, his is not a particularly strong or memorable voice, and he lacks the authority and gravitas that someone like Warren Haynes brings so naturally to Jerry’s songs. (Needless to say, YMMV). But sincerity goes far in my book, and he’s got that for sure. The jam toward the end of “Althea” provided another highlight—smokin’!

“Scarlet” > “Fire” continued the Cavalcade of Great Song Choices, and it was pretty much a dream version, with John singing lead on both and nailing every solo—he was in full flower there, for sure. Here’s yet another example where its neat to have a guy who knows the Dead vocabulary so well: After the final vocals on the chorus—“Fire … Fire on the Mountain”—John launched into a note-perfect re-creation of that wonderful ’77-’78 Jerry line (which JG played only sporadically later)… heavenly!

Seems like every show I go to features “Saint Stephen”—not that I’m complainin’! It was big and beefy and the middle jam was masterfully constructed, then moved away from the song, then coalesced again on cue. The jam that came immediately after “What would be the answer to the answer man” was clearly pre-arranged, as they instantly switched gears and went into a different key and tempo which, it became obvious after a certain point, was still going to move us eventually to “The Eleven.” (John missed the first cue going into that jam, but quickly recovered and then sent it soaring.). There was a very brief “Foxy Lady” quotation after “The Eleven” concluded (not nearly as pronounced as the versions by The Dead with Warren in the spring), but mostly the jam went other places before ending up at “Terrapin,” where the "Lady with a Fan" section was sung by John and the "Inspiration..." part by Bob; it was all very heart-felt and well-played, especially the ending cascade.

John did some really interesting things during his solos on the concluding “Not Fade Away”—some great tonal shifts and jagged flurries followed by sustained notes. It was a short but hot version. A nice way to end a pretty awesome set.

The encore, “Touch of Gray,” was steady and sparkling, rising to the anthemic heights as you’d expect. I loved the way Phil, Bob and John all sang the “Oh, well, a touch of Gray” couplet together. Beautiful.

All in all, quite an impressive debut. A couple of minor fender-benders here and there, a few missed cues and blown words—nothin’ out of the ordinary or too serious. There were a number of times I wished John was a little less leisurely in building his solos and would instead just dive in and go for it; sometimes the energy dragged a bit as he went through his meticulous constructions (he was rather reminiscent of Steve Kimock in that regard). In fairness, though, there was always a big payoff at the end of his slow escalations. But he’ll undoubtedly become more self-assured with each show, and the band as a whole will get more comfortable. And I loved the youthful energy that John, Jay and Joe brought to the evening. (Why, they could almost keep up with Phil!)

I guess the ultimate question you want to know is, does having a true “Jerry” stylist in that slot make this group sound more like Grateful Dead than, say, The Dead? Yep. Whether that’s a good thing or not is for you to decide. Personally, I dug it a lot more than I thought I would.

The set list:

9/18/09, Fox Theatre, Oakland
Bob and Phil jam > The Other One > The Wheel > Jack Straw, The Music Never Stopped> Bird Song> Born Cross-Eyed> Let It Grow

Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance, Althea, Scarlet begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Saint Stephen> The Eleven> jam > Terrapin> Not Fade Away / Touch of Gray

Winterland Listening Party

frogstorm — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:04:26 -0500

Pre-orders for Winterland June 1977: The Complete Recordings have begun!

To celebrate we're streaming a series of Listening Parties with select tracks from each night. Each party will last about 5 days, and then we'll roll out another set of songs from the next night. Here's the latest installment with two amazing performances from June 8th:

Sugaree 6/8/77
As good as they come from 1977, which is to say as good as Sugaree ever was throughout the entirety of the Grateful Dead's performing career. As magical as any of the versions from the May 1977 tour.

It's All Over Now 6/8/77
A laid back groove defines this great version of what was becoming a staple of Grateful Dead sets since the Fall of 1976.

Click here to listen
(player takes a minute to load - but it's worth the wait!)

$99.98
Winterland June 1977
The Complete Recordings

Ongoing RatDog Summer Tour Setlists!

frogstorm — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:01:40 -0500

Getting mostly great reports from the RatDog tour. For those who like to keep track of the tour from afar, we’ll be providing regular setlist updates. For more details, fan commentary on the shows and photos as they become available, bookmark the fabulous fan site www.ratdog.org!

7/5/09, LC Pavilion, Columbus, OH
Jam> Jack Straw> Easy to Slip> Dark Star> Little Red Rooster, Mississippi Half-Step> Samson and Delilah> Milestones> stuff, Dear Prudence*> Dark Star+ > Touch of Grey+

* with Chris Robinson (vocals)
+ with Jackie Greene (guitar/vocals);

7/9/09, Snagajob.com Pavilion, Glen Allen, VA
Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> Easy Answers, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Odessa, Ramble On Rose, Playing in the Band> The Other One> stuff> Standing on the Moon, Quinn the Eskimo*> GDTRFB*

* with Al Schnier (guitar)

7/10/09, All Good Festival, Marvin’s Mountaintop, Masontown, WV
Jam> Truckin’> Tomorrow Never Knows> Lucky Enough, Big Boss Man, Money for Gasoline> Maggie's Farm, Loose Lucy, Eyes of the World> stuff*> Tomorrow Never Knows*> Morning Dew, China Cat Sunflower+> I Know You Rider+

* with Les Claypool (bass)
+ with Al Schnier (guitar)

7/11/09, Mark G. Etess Arena, Atlantic City NJ
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!> Cassidy> Bird Song> All Along the Watchtower> Lazy River Road> Big Railroad Blues, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall #, She Says> Two Djinn> stuff, Days Between> Bird Song (reprise)> Cassidy (reprise)> Slipknot!> Franklin's Tower / E: One More Saturday Night

7/12/09, Highland Bowl Amphitheatre, Rochester, NY
Jam> The Music Never Stopped> Big River, Senor> Loser> New Speedway Boogie> Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Samson and Delilah> stuff> Black Peter, St. Stephen*> William Tell Bridge*> The Eleven*> Lovelight* / E: Ripple

* with Jackie Greene (guitar/vocals)

7/14/09 Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA

Viola Lee Blues> New Minglewood Blues> Queen Jane Approximately> Walkin’ Blues, Tennessee Jed, Shade of Grey> Hell in a Bucket

Stealin@*, Oh Boy @*> Not Fade Away@*> Iko Iko*> stuff, Come Together> Sugar Magnolia / E: Gloria

@acoustic

*with Jackie Greene (guitar/harmonica/vocals)

7/15/09, Penn’s Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA

Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Casey Jones, Mission in the Rain> Crazy Fingers> Brown-Eyed Women> Dark Star

Blackbird@, When I Paint My Masterpiece@, Black-Throated Wind@, Lady with a Fan > Terrapin> stuff, Stella Blue> Dark Star> Johnny B. Goode / E: At a Siding> Terrapin Flyer

@ acoustic

7/17/09, Masquerade Park, Atlanta, GA

Jam> Dancing in the Streets> The Golden Road> Wang Dang Doodle* > Milestones*, Picasso Moon, Weather Report Suite

You Win Again@, Jackaroe@, Friend of the Devil@, West L.A. Fadeaway* > Scarlet Begonias* > stuff* > Knockin’ on Heaven's Door, Not Fade Away

* with Bryan Lopes on sax

7/18/09, Masquerade Music Park, Atlanta, GA

Jam> Shakedown Street> Maggie's Farm, They Love Each Other> Easy to Slip> Bird Song> Lazy River Road

Me and My Uncle@, Corrina, He's Gone@ > The Other One*+ > Stuff*+ > Sugaree* > Bird Song* > One More Saturday Night*+

@acoustic

* with Bryan Lopes on sax

+ with Al Schnier on guitar

7/19/09, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St. Augustine, FL

Jam> Playing in the Band> Cold Rain and Snow, Silvio> Tequila, Althea, Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall@, Looks Like Rain@, Mississippi Half-Step*> stuff > Dear Prudence*> Throwing Stones> Johnny B. Goode

@ acoustic

* with Chuck Garvey on guitar

7/21/09, Greenfield Amphitheater, Wilmington, NC

Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> Mama Tried, She Belongs to Me> Youngblood, Row Jimmy, Cream Puff War, It's All Over Now> Liberty

Catfish John@, Me and Bobby McGee@, The Weight@, Uncle John's Band> The Wheel > stuff, Death Don't Have No Mercy> Corrina / E: Brokedown Palace

@ acoustic

7/23/09, Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH

Jam> Casey Jones> All Along the Watchtower> Dire Wolf> Little Red Rooster, Odessa, Ship of Fools, Money for Gasoline> Eyes of the World

K.C. Moan@, Mexicali Blues@, Victim or the Crime@, Two Djinn> stuff, Wharf Rat > China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider / E: Touch of Grey

@acoustic

7/24/09, Casino Ballroom, Hampton.Beach, NH

Jam> I Need a Miracle> Truckin’> I Need a Miracle> Jus' Like Mama Said> Big Boss Man> Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Dark Star> Big Railroad Blues

Me and My Uncle@, Desolation Row@>, Estimated Prophet> The Other One> stuff, Dark Star jam> Come Together> Dark Star> Goin’ Down the Road / E: Attics of My Life

@acoustic

7/25/09, Gathering of the Vibes, Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT

Jam> Festival> Jack Straw, Lazy River Road, Bird Song> Bertha*, Silvio> Tequila> Scarlet Begonias*, Ashes and Glass> Iko Iko> stuff> Days Between> Bird Song, One More Saturday Night* /E: Ripple*

* with Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay on vocals

8/21/09, Britt Pavilion, Jacksonville, OR

Jam> Shakedown Street> Mama Tried> She Belongs to Me, Jus' Like Mama Said, Playing in the Band> Festival> Terrapin, Blackbird@, When I Paint My Masterpiece@, Mississippi Half-Step> stuff, Morning Dew> GDTRFB*

@ acoustic

* with Jackie Greene on guitar,harmonica and vocals

8/22/09, Cuthbert Amphitheatre, Eugene, OR

Jam> Jack Straw> Easy to Slip> Lazy River Road> Dark Star> It's All Over Now> She Says> Liberty, Two Djinn, Me and My Uncle@, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall@, Ashes and Glass> stuff> Dear Prudence> Dark Star*+ > One More Saturday Night*+

@ acoustic

* with Jackie Greene on guitar and vocals

+with Barry Flast on keyboards

8/23/09, Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA

Jam> Dancing in the Streets> Hell in a Bucket, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Milestones, Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance

Victim or the Crime@> Black-Throated Wind@, Shade of Grey> The Other One> Samson and Delilah> stuff> Sugaree> Sugar Magnolia / E: Ripple

8/25/09, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, Spokane, WA

New Speedway Boogie*+ > Smokestack Lightnin*+ > The Music Never Stopped*> Maggie's Farm, Mission in the Rain, Walkin Blues> Crazy Fingers, Lucky Enough> Tomorrow Never Knows

You Win Again@, El Paso@, Silvio>Tequila> Silvio> Althea> Iko-Iko> stuff> Wharf Rat> Touch of Grey / E: Johnny B. Goode

@ acoustic

*with Jackie Greene on guitar/harmonica/vocals);

+with members of Jackie's band

8/26/09, Wilma Theatre, Missoula, MT

Don't Let Go, Rock Your Papa, Walk through the Fire, Easy Wind> Feel Like a Stranger> Minglewood Blues, Bird Song> Big Railroad Blues

K.C. Moan@*, Fever@*, Friend of the Devil@5*, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl*, Tennessee Jed* > stuff > Come Together* > China Cat Sunflower* > I Know You Rider* / E: U.S. Blues*

@ acoustic

* with Huey Lewis on harmonica and/or vocals;

"Don't Let Go" through most of "Easy Wind" without Bob

8/27/09, The Knitting Factory, Boise, ID

Jam> Truckin’> Loose Lucy> Row Jimmy, Bury Me Standing> Greatest Story Ever Told, Salt Lake City> Truckin’ jam> Deal

Jack-A-Roe@, When I Paint My Masterpiece@, Ramble On Rose> Estimated Prophet> The Wheel> stuff, Ship of Fools> GDTRFB / E: Brokedown Palace

@ acoustic

8/29/09, The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT

Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!> Loser, Money for Gasoline, Cassidy> Book of Rules> Little Red Rooster, Odessa> At a Siding> Terrapin Flyer

Me and Bobby McGee@, Catfish John@, Looks Like Rain@, He's Gone> The Other One> stuff* > Death Don't Have No Mercy> Slipknot!> Franklin's Tower / E: One More Saturday Night

@ acoustic

* with Matt Butler on washboard

8/30/09, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder, CO

Jam> Casey Jones, Easy to Slip> Stagger Lee> Dire Wolf, Candyman@, Corrina@, I Need a Miracle> Playing in the Band> Mississippi Half-Step> Samson and Delilah> stuff, Black Peter> Touch of Grey

@ acoustic

8/31/09, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, CO

Here Comes Sunshine> Easy Answers, Queen Jane Approximately, Lazy River Road, Jack Straw, Peggy-O@, The Weight@, Lady with a Fan> Terrapin> stuff> Standing on the Moon> Playing in the Band (reprise)> Johnny B. Goode / Ripple

@ acoustic

Summertime Is Comin’ On (My, Oh My)! One Dead Show, Lots of Solo Stuff in the Offing

lilgoldie — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:23:24 -0500

If you’re kicking yourself because you didn’t get to see The Dead on their red-hot spring tour, you have one last chance to see them—at the Rothbury Festival in beautiful rural Michigan, on July 4. After that, it’s highly unlikely the group will perform together again in 2009, though most of the band members will all be criss-crossing America in different groups this summer.

Rothbury Rocks! In just its second year, Rothbury has become one of the coolest and most talked about music festivals in America, right up there with Bonnaroo for its ability to attract so many great acts, big and small, and present them in an appealing environment. Rothbury hasn’t attracted quite the numbers that Bonnaroo regularly does—and that’s a good thing; smaller is beautiful. At last year’s inaugural fest, both Phil Lesh & Friends and the Mickey Hart Band (with Steve Kimock and George Porter, Jr., among others) were on hand, as were such acts as the Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, John Mayer, Trey Anastasio, Snoop Dogg, Govt. Mule and a slew of others. This year, the three-day fest has a larger and even more diverse lineup, including Bob Dylan, String Cheese Incident, Willie Nelson, Govt. Mule, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Flogging Molly, Toots & the Maytals, King Sunny Ade, Yonder Mountain String Band, P&F member Jackie Greene with his great band, bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and many, many more.

The festival prides itself on being a “green” event—eco-friendly and self-sustaining. The campgrounds are pleasant and well-run, and there’s lots to do when you’re not grooving to music on one of the many stages spread throughout the site, which includes woods, open meadows and a lake. The magical Sherwood Forest area is sort of a chill zone, with art installations, light displays and various bands day and night. The domed Tripolee is a multi-sensory dance/trance/rave spot that really kicks into high gear late at night. There are lectures and roundtable discussions about various issues at the Think Tank. Just lots and lots of neat stuff happening 24/7.

Contrary to any rumor you might have heard, this really is going to be the only Dead appearance for the foreseeable future, so… what the hell? See you in Michigan for the 4th of July? (Last year there were great fireworks, too!) For more info about this year’s festivities, and about the ideas and ideals behind the event, go to www.rothburyfestival.com.

RatDog Returns! With The Dead back on the shelf following Rothbury, Bob Weir and Jeff Chimenti will be going back to their mates in RatDog for what’s shaping up to be a really strong tour.

It begins July 5—the night after The Dead’s Rothbury performance—at the 4,500-seat LC Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio (just a hop, a skip and a jump from Rothbury for true Tour Rats). And the bill that night also includes the Black Crowes and Jackie Greene. From there, the tour bops around the Northeast a bit, heads South for a spell, then goes back up in to New England, before breaking after a July 25 show at the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jackie Greene or moe. will be opening at most shows, so you’re in for quite a night of music. Then, RatDog’s 13-show Western and Mountain States tour begins August 21 in Oregon. That jaunt ends in San Diego on September 6; Jackie Greene will again be the opener for most shows. For more info on dates and venues and all that good stuff, go to either the band’s official site, www.rat-dog.com, or the excellent fan site, www.ratdog.org.

The BK3 is Back for More! Bill Kreutzmann’s revamped group, the BK3, is back on the road, with a handful of shows in June and July, including festivals in Florida and West Virginia, and also a gig at the storied Oregon Country Fair in Veneta. Guitarist Scott Murawski remains part of the lineup, but bassist James “Hutch” Hutchinson, who has traveled the world with Bonnie Raitt for many years, is now in the bass slot formerly occupied by Oteil Burbridge (who is off with the Allmans this summer). And a more recent addition is the supremely talented multi-instrumentalist/singer from the great band Donna the Buffalo, Tara Nevins. This mini-tour sounds like it should not be missed! For more info, go to Bill’s MySpace page: www.myspace.com/billkreutzmann.

He Is Everywhere! That loafing slacker Warren Haynes will be touring with both Govt. Mule and Allman Brothers this summer. You can find Govt. Mule dates (late June through early August) here and Allman dates (mid-August into early September) here.

New Music from Mark Karan! On June 30, a new album by RatDog guitar phenom Mark Karan, called Walk Through the Fire, will be released on Mark’s own Quacktone Records label. The project has been many months in the making and includes a few original songs by Mark (such as the title track), as well a handful of cool covers, such as the Dead’s “Easy Wind,” the Robert Johnson blues “Love in Vain,” Randy Newman’s oft-covered “I Think It’s Going to Rain Today” and Joe Jackson’s “Fools In Love.” Should be a good ’un! Not surprisingly, Mark’s band mates from Jemimah Puddleduck helped out, as did Delaney Bramlett and Little Feat keyboardist Bill Payne. We’ll be posting an interview with Mark talking about the album down the road a bit. In the meantime, you can catch Jemimah Puddleduck on July 4 in Ohio, and at a few far-flung spots in August. For all your Mark Karan info needs, go to www.markkaran.com.

Riding the Range with the New Riders! The New Riders of the Purple Sage will always be Dead family, and the good news is the band is enjoying quite a revival. Not only have they been touring very successfully with their jammy current lineup (David Nelson, Buddy Cage, Michael Falzarano, Ronnie Penque and Johnny Markowski), but they also have an excellent new album, Where I Come From, which includes seven new original tunes co-written by David Nelson and Robert Hunter. We spoke at length with Nelson recently and will be posting it on dead.net in the near future! New Riders on the Web: www.nrpsmusic.com.

* * * All photos seen here are from Jay Blakesberg's 2009 Dead tour books. Go to www.blurb.com/thedead to see more!

Complete Setlists for Fall RatDog and Phil & Friends Tours!

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:47:55 -0600

For those who like to keep up with Phil and Bob when they’re out on the road, we’ve posted their complete fall tour set lists here. You can assume that, especially in the Phil & Friends set lists, that there are substantial jams between most connected tunes, though they are not individually noted here… You can always find more at http://www.phillesh.net, http://www.philzone.com, http://www.ratdog.org and http://www.rat-dog.com.

Bob Weir & RatDog
Bob, Mark Karan, Robin Sylvester, Jeff Chimenti, Jay Lane, Kenny Brooks

10/30/08 North Fork Theatre, Westbury NY
Jam> The Music Never Stopped> New Minglewood Blues> Queen Jane Approximately, Youngblood, They Love Each Other, Tomorrow Never Knows> Jus’ Like Mama Said> Playing In The Band

You Win Again* , Victim or the Crime*, The Last Time#> Ashes and Glass#>
stuff#> Knockin’ on Heaven's Door> Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad/ Might As Well

*Weir acoustic
# with Chuck MacKinnon on trumpet

10/31/08 North Fork Theatre, Westbury NY
Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> Mama Tried> It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue, Casey Jones, Bird Song> Easy to Slip> Supplication jam> Easy to Slip> Odessa> Big Railroad Blues

Catfish John*> Black-Throated Wind*, Silvio/Tequila> Iko Iko#> stuff#> Come Together> Bird Song> Touch of Grey / Werewolves of London

*Weir acoustic
#with Tom Pope on drums

11/1/08 Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead, Munhall, PA
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!, Big River, Easy Answers, Mission in the Rain, Loose Lucy, Little Red Rooster, Cassidy, Dark Star

Blackbird*, Lazy River Road*, Corrina*, He's Gone> Eyes of the World> stuff> Standing on the Moon, One More Saturday Night / Brokedown Palace

*Weir acoustic

11/3/08, The National, Richmond, VA
Jam> Truckin’> I Need a Miracle> Tennessee Jed> Shade of Grey> Picasso Moon> Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance

Peggy-O*, When I Paint My Masterpiece*, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Althea> Scarlet Begonias> stuff> Black Muddy River> Two Djinn / Johnny B. Goode

*Weir acoustic

11/5/08 Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Jam> Dancing in the Streets> Shakedown Street> Maggie's Farm> She Belongs to Me> Money for Gasoline, She Says> Liberty, Foolish Heart

Deep Elem Blues*, El Paso*, Estimated Prophet> The Other One> stuff> Morning Dew> China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider / U.S. Blues

*Weir acoustic

11/6/08 Warner Theatre, Washington, D.C.
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Brown-Eyed Women> Loser> Lucky Enough> Cream Puff War> Quinn the Eskimo, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl> Ashes and Glass

Me and My Uncle*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Mississippi Half-Step> The Wheel> Lady with a Fan> Terrapin> stuff, Black Peter> Throwing Stones / At a Siding> Terrapin Flyer

*Weir acoustic

11/8/08 Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA
Jack Straw, Easy to Slip> Bird Song> Book of Rules, All Along the Watchtower> Lazy River Road> Supplication Jam> Bertha K.C. Moan> Friend of the Devil, Masters of War, West L.A. Fadeaway> Good Lovin’> stuff> Days Between> Bird Song (reprise)> One More Saturday Night / Ripple

11/9/08 Klein Memorial Theatre, Bridgeport, CT
Help on the Way> Slipknot> New Minglewood Blues, They Love Each Other, Odessa, Crazy Fingers, Dire Wolf, Cassidy> Big Railroad Blues You Win Again*, Mexicali Blues*, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Uncle John's Band, Samson & Delilah> stuff> Sugaree> Two Djinn> Not Fade Away / Attics Of My Life

*Weir acoustic

11/11/08 FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre PA

Jam> The Music Never Stopped >Casey Jones, The Golden Road, Little Red Rooster, Stagger Lee, Slow Train Coming, Weather Report Suite

Stealin*#, Desolation Row*, Wrong Way Feelin'> Playing in the Band> Iko-Iko> stuff > Death Don't Have No Mercy#> Goin’ Down the Road / Johnny B. Goode *Weir acoustic # First RatDog version

11/12/08 Prudential Hall, Newark, NJ

Jam> Truckin’> Brown-Eyed Women, Tomorrow Never Knows> Jus' Like Mama Said> Cold Rain and Snow, Bury Me Standing> Silvio/Tequila> Greatest Story Ever Told> Scarlet Begonias

Me and Bobby McGee*, Victim or the Crime*> She Says> Liberty> Franklin's Tower> stuff> Knockin on Heaven's Door> Sugar Magnolia / Brokedown Palace

* Weir acoustic

11/14/2008 Tower Theatre, Upper Darby PA

Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> Big River> Row Jimmy> Money for Gasoline, Lazy River Road, Odessa> Dark Star> Bertha Catfish John*,

Jackaroe*, Corrina*, The Last Time> Ashes and Glass> stuff> Dear Prudence> St. Stephen> The Eleven / Touch of Grey

*Weir acoustic

11/15/08 Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA

Jam> Jack Straw> Cassidy> Little Red Rooster, Dancing in the Streets> Dire Wolf> Milestones, Shade of Grey> Hell in a Bucket

Friend of the Devil*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Mississippi Half-Step> stuff> Black Muddy River, Dark Star> Cassidy (reprise)> One More Saturday Night / U.S. Blues

*Weir acoustic

11/16/08 War Memorial Auditorium, Greensboro, NC

Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Mama Tried, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Mission in the Rain, Lucky Enough, Big Boss Man, Cream Puff War, Silvio/Tequila> Good Lovin’

Peggy-O*, Me and My Uncle*, Quinn the Eskimo*, The Other One> Samson and Delilah> stuff> Come Together> Goin’ Down the Road / Ripple

*Weir acoustic

11/18/08 Ruth Eckard Hall, Clearwater Florida

Jam> Shakedown Street> Easy Answers, Queen Jane Approximately, Loser, Salt Lake City> Ramble On Rose, Playing in the Band> Might as Well

Blackbird*, Artificial Flowers*, El Paso*, He's Gone> Eyes of the World> stuff > Playing reprise, Standing on the Moon, Foolish Heart / Attics of My Life

*Weir acoustic

11/19/08 Hard Rock Live, Orlando, FL

Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot> It's All Over Now> She Says, Wrong Way Feelin', Tennessee Jed, All Along the Watchtower> Weather Report Suite

Big Iron*> Mexicali Blues*, The Weight*> West L.A. Fadeaway, Man Smart Women Smarter> stuff > Stella Blue> Throwing Stones> Not Fade Away / Slipknot> Franklin's Tower

*Weir acousti

11/21/08 Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers, FL

Jam> The Music Never Stopped> Maggie's Farm, She Belongs to Me, Loose Lucy, Money for Gasoline, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Hell in a Bucket

Stealin’*, Friend of the Devil*, Victim or the Crime*, Estimated Prophet> Terrapin> stuff> Sugaree> Sugar Magnolia / At a Siding> Terrapin Flyer

*Weir acoustic

11/22/08 Mizner Park Amphitheatre, Boca Raton, FL

Jam> Bertha> Silvio/Tequila> Althea> Bird Song> The Golden Road> Lazy River Road> Bird Song> Big Railroad Blues

Candyman*, Me and My Uncle*, When I Paint My Masterpiece*, Dancing in the Streets> The Other One> stuff> Morning Dew> China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider / Box of Rain> One More Saturday Night

* Weir acoustic

# First RatDog version

Phil Lesh & Friends’ Nokia “Philathon II”

Phil, Larry Campbell, Jackie Greene, Barry Slesss, Steve Molitz, John Molo, Teresa Williams (some songs/shows)

10/31/08, Nokia Theatre, NYC
Jam> The Golden Road> Cream Puff War> Cold Black Devil> It Must Have Been The Roses, Next Time You See Me, Mason's Children> Casey Jones

Spooky Jam> (Phil offstage reading Poe), Boris The Spider> Frankenstein#> Cryptical Envelopment> Down in the Valley Woe> The Other One> What's Become of the Baby> Cryptical Envelopment> St. Stephen> Gimme Shelter/Werewolves of London

#First P&F version

11/1/08 Nokia Theatre
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Till The Morning Comes, I'm So Gone, Me & My Uncle, This Wheel's On Fire, Greatest Story Ever Told, Cosmic Charlie

Jam*> He's Gone*> Cassidy*, New Speedway Boogie*, West LA Fadeaway, Bird Song> Magnolia Mountain *, Born Cross-Eyed, Terrapin Station*> Sugaree * / Ship of Fools *

* with Neal Casal (of Ryan Adams & the Cardinals) on guitar, and lead vocals on “Ship of Fools”

11/2/08 Nokia Theatre
Good Lovin'> Bertha, Like A Ball & Chain, Deep Elem Blues, Crazy Fingers> Not Fade Away> Franklin's Tower

Feel Like A Stranger, About Cell Block # 9, Althea, Samson & Delilah> Uncle John's Band > China Cat Sunflower> The Eleven> Elevator> I Know You Rider / Box Of Rain

11/3/08 Nokia Theatre
Cumberland Blues, Gone Wanderin', Beat it on Down the Line, Loser, New Minglewood Blues> Brown-Eyed Women> Dancing in the Streets

#Jam> Passenger> Scarlet Begonias> Dire Wolf, Fire on the Mountain> She Said She Said> Viola Lee Blues* > Deal* > Viola Lee Blues* > Death Don't Have No Mercy> Viola Lee Blues> Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad / Stella Blue

# Entire second set with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
* with Danny Clinch on harmonica

11/4/08 Headcount Election Eve Benefit, Highline Ballroom, NYC
Franklin’s Tower, For What It’s Worth > Lovelight

(Phil, Warren Haynes, John Medeski on keys, Stanton Moore of Galactic on drums)

11/7/08 Nokia Theatre
Chest Fever, Doin’ That Rag, Friend of the Devil, Pride of Cucamonga, Mexican Girl, Candyman, Alabama Getaway

Shakedown Street> Jack Straw> St. Stephen> Fire on the Mountain> Revolution> Throwing Stones> Truckin’> Midnight Hour / Brokedown Palace

11/8/08 Nokia Theater
Good Mornin’ Little Schoolgirl, Good Lovin’, Hollywood#, Loose Lucy, Somebody Loan Me a Dime, Cumberland Blues, Johnny B. Goode

China Cat Sunflower> One More Saturday Night> Born Cross-Eyed> Elevator, New Speedway Boogie> Wharf Rat> All Along the Watchtower> I Know You Rider / Viola Lee Blues

#First P&F version

11/9/08 Nokia Theatre
Sittin’ on Top of the World, Next Time You See Me, Alligator> Big Railroad Blues, Shaken, Peggy-O, Tennessee Jed

Jam> Althea> Loser> Don’t Let Me Down> Cryptical Envelopment> Dark Star> The Other One> Mountains of the Moon> Dark Star> Cryptical Envelopment> The Music Never Stopped

11/11/08 Nokia Theatre

Jam> Me and My Uncle> Mr. Charlie, Big River, High Time> Bird Song> Spots of Time> Samson and Delilah

Feel Like a Stranger, Cosmic Charlie, Down in the Valley Woe> New Potato Caboose> I Am the Walrus> Terrapin> The Eleven> Cassidy / Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues

11/13/08 Nokia Theatre

Here Comes Sunshine> Till the Morning Comes, Doin’ That Rag, Deep Elem Blues, When You’re Walking Away, jam> Crazy Fingers > Cold Rain and Snow

Mason’s Children> New Minglewood Blues> Passenger> This Wheel’s On Fire, New Speedway Boogie, Sugaree*, Playing in the Band> Not Fade Away> Playing reprise / Attics of My Life

*Joan Osborne on lead vocals

11/14/08 Nokia Theatre

Ramble On Rose, Dire Wolf, Jam> Brown-Eyed Woman, Operator, Don't Let the Devil Take Your Mind, West L.A. Fadeaway> Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad

Greatest Story Ever Told, jam> Eyes of The World> The Wheel> So Many Roads> Uncle John's Band> Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain> Sugar Magnolia / Box of Rain

11/15/08 Nokia Theatre

Viola lee Blues> Bertha, Mississippi Half-Step, I’m So Gone, Let It Ride, Loose Lucy, Cosmic Charlie

Shakedown Street> Deal, Jack Straw> Loser, Cold Black Devil, No More Do I, Help on the Way> Slipknot> Franklin’s Tower / Not Fade Away

11/16/08 Nokia Theatre

Jam > The Golden Road, Gone Wanderin’, Dupree’s Diamond Blues> Easy Wind> Bird Song> Built to Last> Dancing in the Streets

Samson & Delilah, The Music Never Stopped, Cumberland Blues, Throwing Stones, St. Stephen> The Other One> China Doll, A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall / Lazy River Road

11/18/08 Nokia Theatre

Jam> Terrapin> Slipknot> jam> Elevator, Down in the Valley Woe, Morning Dew

Born Cross-Eyed> New Potato Caboose> Gimme Shelter> Eyes of the World> The Eleven> Unbroken Chain> Dark Star> Mountains of the Moon> The Wheel> Midnight Hour / Turn on Your Lovelight

Global Drum Project: 2008 Tour Dates

frogstorm — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:52:22 -0500

Date	City, State	Venue
8 Oct	Davis, CA	Mondavi Performing Arts Hall
9 Oct	Los Angeles, CA	Royce Hall
10 Oct	San Diego, CA	Stephen & Mary Birch North Park Theater
14 Oct	Wassau, WI	Grand Theater on Artsblock
15 Oct	Iowa City, IA	Hancher Auditorium
16 Oct	River Falls, WI	North Hall
17 Oct	Minneapolis, MN	The O'Shaughnessy
18 Oct	Chicago, IL	Old Town School
19 Oct	Houston, TX	Cullen Theater

More Dates TBA

Click here to purchase the Global Drum Project CD in the Dead.net Store.

Ratdog Fall Tour Dates

ccasal — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:57:08 -0500

October

Thu 10/30/08 Westbury, NY Capital One Bank Th. At Westbury

Fri 10/31/08 Westbury, NY Capital One Bank Th. At Westbury

November

Sat 11/01/08 Pittsburgh, PA Carnegie Music Hall

Mon 11/03/08 Richmond, VA The National

Wed 11/05/08 Washington, DC Warner Theatre

Thu 11/06/08 Washington, DC Warner Theatre

Sat 11/08/08 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre

Sun 11/09/08 Bridgeport, CT Klein Memorial Auditorium

Tue 11/11/08 Wilkes-Barre, PA F.M. Kirby Center For Perf. Arts

Wed 11/12/08 Newark, NJ New Jersey Perf. Arts Center

Fri 11/14/08 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre

Sat 11/15/08 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre

Sun 11/16/08 Greensboro, NC War Memorial Auditorium

Tue 11/18/08 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall

Wed 11/19/08 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Cafe / Hard Rock Live

Fri 11/21/08 Fort Myers, FL Barbara B. Mann Perf. Arts Hall

Sat 11/22/08 Boca Raton, FL Centre For The Arts At Mizner Park

RatDog and Phil & Friends Tour Updates and Setlists

Jonathan Lane — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:09:21 -0500

Warren Haynes, Mark Karan and Bob Weir at the
San Jose Performing Arts Center, July 10.
Photo: David W. Clark © 2008

Well, Dead Heads across the land have certainly had copious opportunities to see the former Grateful Dead members play live lately. Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Weir & RatDog, the Bill Kreutzmann Trio, the Mickey Hart Band and Donna Jean & the Tricksters were all truckin’ down that Golden Road in the late spring and into the summer, sometimes crossing paths at festivals, and all making some fine music along the way.

One of the coolest developments of recent months has been the continuing emergence of iclips.net as a reliable source for music fans everywhere to catch bands like these (and many others!) on the Internet: All but RatDog made one or more appearances on iClips; Phil & Friends were on three times in July alone.

For Phil & Friends, the momentum created at their amazing five-night run at the Warfield in San Francisco (you can read about that here) carried over to their shows up and down the East and Midwest. Several of the songs they’d broken out for the “album shows” at the Warfield found their way into the summer concerts, and an added treat was the ongoing presence of singer Teresa Williams (guitarist Larry Campbell’s wife), who offered assured vocals on a variety of tunes, including “Dancing in the Streets,” “China Doll,” “Till the Morning Comes,” “High Time” and others. Levon Helm and a horn section joined the group for a rousing version of the Band classic “W.S. Walcott Medicine Show” at the group’s New Hampshire show, and there was also one new Jackie Greene breakout on the tour—“When You Return,” a tune from his Giving Up the Ghost album.

Jackie will be on a Western tour with his own band from mid-August to mid-September (for details go to http://jackiegreene.com), with a Phil & Friends show at the Slow Food benefit in SF at the end of August, in the middle of all that. Then Phil & Friends pick up again in early October for a six-pack of shows with the mighty, mighty Allman Bros., one with the Black Crowes, and finally, beginning on Halloween, a 14-show run (dubbed the Philathon) at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. For all Phil-related info, go to http://phillesh.net.

Meanwhile, as we write this is mid-August, RatDog is on the road for a 13-date tour, with 12 of those shows billed with the Allman Bros., sure to be a great night of music! The ’Dog has had a great year so far, with Mark Karan comfortably back in the fold and playing better than ever. On their late June/early July tour, they played many dates with Government Mule opening, and to no one’s surprise there was lots of cross-pollination between the two bands, with Bob and other members of RatDog often joining the Mule for a song or two, and then Warren Haynes (and often Mule keyboardist Danny Louis) coming on during RatDog’s set. The result was some great, spirited jamming. So it was no surprise, either, that there has been some inter-band action between the 'Dog and Allmans, too, on the current tour. For RatDog info, go to the band’s official site at http://www.rat-dog.com, or the excellent fan site http://www.ratdog.org.

What follows are the Phil & Friends and RatDog set lists from the late spring and summer tours.

Phil & Friends Set Lists

06/12/08 Lifestyle Communities Pavilion, Columbus, OH
New Minglewood Blues> Doin' That Rag, Gone Wanderin', Dire Wolf, Mama Tried, Cumberland Blues> Bertha

Passenger> Don't Let the Devil Take Your Mind, High Time, St. Stephen> The Other One> The Wheel> Scarlet Begonias, Sugar Magnolia / Cold Rain and Snow

06/13/08 Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island, Chicago
The Golden Road, Jack Straw, Mexican Girl, Viola Lee Blues> Big Boss Man> Viola Lee Blues>About Cell Block #9> Viola Lee Blues

Help on the Way> Slipknot> Wharf Rat> Eyes of the World> China Cat Sunflower> The Eleven> I Know You Rider, Mason's Children> Franklin's Tower / Brown-Eyed Women, Ripple

06/14/08 Bonnaroo Music Festival, CNN Tent, Manchester, TN
(acoustic performance by Phil, Larry, Jackie and Teresa Williams)
Friend of the Devil, Gone Wanderin’, Till the Morning Comes

06/14/08 Bonnaroo Music Festival, Which Stage, Manchester, TN
One More Saturday Night, Uncle John's Band, Feel Like a Stranger, I'm So Gone, Bird Song, Born Cross-eyed, New Speedway Boogie, Loser, Fire on the Mountain, Death Don’t Have No Mercy, Dark Star> Unbroken Chain> Stella Blue> Dark Star> Sugaree / Truckin'

06/15/08 Bonnaroo Music Festival, This Tent, Manchester, TN
(acoustic performance by Phil, Larry, Jackie and Teresa Williams) Friend of the Devil, Deal, Gone Wanderin’, Deep Elem Blues, Drifting Too Far from the Shore, Texas Crap Shooter, Cry Yourself Dry, Sing Me Back Home, Till The Morning Comes, Lorena, Peggy-O, Tell Me Mama, Ripple, Brokedown Palace / Dire Wolf

06/17/08 Innsbrook Pavilion, Glen Allen, VA
Jam> Shakedown Street> Like a Ball and Chain, This Wheel's On Fire, jam> Althea, Candyman, Cosmic Charlie, Loose Lucy

Jam> China Cat Sunflower> New Potato Caboose> Dupree's Diamond Blues> Mountains of the Moon> Terrapin Station (Inspiration)> All Along the Watchtower> Goin’ Down the Road / Box of Rain

06/19/08 Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA
Big Railroad Blues, Deal *, Easy Wind > Cold Black Devil, Alligator, Dancing In The Streets *

(acoustic set) Friend of the Devil, Gone Wanderin', Deep Elem Blues, Drifting Too Far from the Shore, Big Mon, Ripple

Samson & Delilah *, Till The Morning Comes *, High Time *, Playing In The Band> A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, Cryptical Envelopment> The Other One, Good Lovin', Midnight Hour / Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

06/20/08, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia
Sittin' On Top of the World, Tennesee Jed *, Mexican Girl, Bird Song, Peggy-O *, When You're Walking Away, Cumberland Blues

Uncle John's Band, Lazy River Road *, Scarlet Begonias * +> Fire on the Mountain, St. Stephen> Not Fade Away> St. Stephen> The Eleven, Rosemary * > Morning Dew * / One More Saturday Night

* with Teresa Williams on vocals
+ with Greg Osby on sax

6/21/08 Bank of America Pavilion, Boston
Bertha*, Dire Wolf*, Me & My Uncle, Pride of Cucamonga, Loser*, So Hard to Find My Way*> Lovelight

Here Comes Sunshine*, Eyes of the World, The Wheel, New Potato Caboose, Revolution, Unbroken Chain, Wharf Rat> jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot> Franklin's Tower* / I Know You Rider, Attics of My Life

*with Teresa Williams on vocals

06/22/08 Cellular Pavilion at Meadowbrook, Gilford, NH
Playing in the Band> Mississippi Half-Step, W.S. Walcott Medicine Show +, Alabama Getaway*, Big River*, Gone Wanderin'*, Loose Lucy

Shakedown Street*> jam> Jack Straw, Like A Ball And Chain*, Viola Lee Blues> jam> Dark Star> China Doll*> Dark Star> Mason's Children> Sugaree*, Truckin'* / Dancin' In The Streets*

+Levon Helm on drums and vocals, Jay Collins and Eric Lawrence on saxophone, Steven Bernstein on trumpet, Jimmy Vivino on guitar and vocals
* With Teresa Williams on vocals

07/03/08 The Pageant, St. Louis
Bass solo> The Other One> Truckin' ^> Next Time You See Me, This Wheel’s on Fire, Alabama Getaway *, When You Return *> Casey Jones

^Here Comes Sunshine *> Doin' That Rag, Don't Let the Devil Take Your Mind *, Mason's Children> He's Gone *> Black Peter> All Along The Watchtower> Midnight Hour * / Cosmic Charlie, Brokedown Palace *

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/4/08 Summerfest at Marcus Amphitheater, Milwaukee, WI
Shakedown Street*, Pride of Cucamonga, Me & My Uncle, Gone Wanderin’*, Sittin’ on Top of the World, Loser, Bertha*

The Golden Road*, Don't Let Me Down, St. Stephen*> The Eleven> Wheel tease> Wharf Rat> The Eleven, Scarlet Begonias*> I Know You Rider*, Sugar Magnolia* / Ripple*

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/5/08 Grandview Park, Sioux City, IA
Friend of the Devil*, Deal*, Like a Ball and Chain*, Peggy-O, Cumberland Blues> So Hard to Find My Way*> The Wheel> Bird Song> Chest Fever> jam> Caution> Cold Rain and Snow / Box Of Rain

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

07/6/08 Rothbury Festival at Double JJ Ranch, Rothbury, MI
Here Comes Sunshine*+ > Althea+ > China Cat Sunflower+ > Mexican Girl+, Dire Wolf*, About Cell Block #9, Sugaree*

Help on the Way> Slipknot> Franklin's Tower*> Eyes of the World> Uncle John's Band, Mountain of The Moon> Unbroken Chain, New Speedway Boogie> Fire on the Mountain* / Dancin' In The Streets*

*with Teresa Williams on vocals
+ with Warren Haynes on guitar

7/8/08 Charlottesville (VA) Pavilion
Jam> Alligator, Beat It on Down the Line, Tennessee Jed *, When You're Walking Away, Brown-Eyed Women, Loan Me a Dime, The Weight

Passenger, Mississippi Half-Step, Tell Me Mama, New Minglewood Blues, Casey Jones, China Doll *, Midnight Rider, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Truckin' / Good Lovin'

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/9/08 House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Big River*, Like a Ball and Chain, Pride of Cucamonga*, Loose Lucy*, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down*, Bertha*

Sittin' On Top Of The World> Deal*, Doin' That Rag> Mason's Children*> Wharf Rat*> Cosmic Charlie*> A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*> Midnight Hour* / Stella Blue

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/11/08 All Good Music Festival at Marvin's Mountaintop, Masontown, WV
Feel Like a Stranger> Til the Morning Comes*> Loser, Ripple*, Gone Wanderin'*, Goin’ Down the Road*

TheGolden Road *> Viola Lee Blues> New Potato Caboose> Revolution> The Elevator> Jack Straw*, Not Fade Away* / Brokedown Palace

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/12/08 Highland Bowl, Rochester, NY
Saturday Night, Cumberland Blues*, Me & My Uncle, Brown Eyed Women*> Operator, Cosmic Charlie*

New Speedway Boogie> He's Gone*, Candyman*> That’s it for the Other One> Morning Dew, Help On The Way> Slipnot!> Franklin's Tower* / Truckin'*

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

7/13/08 Jones Beach Amphitheatre, Wantagh, NY
Playing in the Band *> Bird Song, When You're Walking Away *, The Wheel> Mountains of the Moon> Uncle John's Band, Sugar Magnolia

Jam> China Cat Sunflower *> Fire On The Mountain *> Sugaree *, St. Stephen> jam> The Eleven, Unbroken Chain> Dark Star> Born Cross-Eyed> Dark Star *> I Know You Rider * / Attics Of My Life *> Playing reprise

* with Teresa Williams

7/26/08 10,000 Lakes Festival at Soo Pass Ranch, Detroit Lakes, MN
Shakedown Street #, Alabama Getaway #, Like a Ball and Chain #, New Minglewood Blues #, Beat It on Down the Line #, Althea #, Cosmic Charlie #

Casey Jones, Don’t Let Me Down> Eyes Of The World> This Wheel’s on Fire> Masons Children> Viola Lee Blues> Deal> Viola Lee Blues> Bertha> Viola Lee Blues / Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

#entire first set with John Scofield, guitar

8/2/08 Gathering of the Vibes at Seaside Park, Bridgeport, CT Here Comes Sunshine* > Good Lovin'*, Gone Wanderin'*, Cumberland Blues, Dire Wolf, Loser, Cold Rain and Snow

Scarlet Begonias> All Along the Watchtower*> He's Gone*> Goin’ Down the Road*, Wharf Rat> The Elevator> The Eleven> I Know You Rider*, Not Fade Away / Box Of Rain*

* with Teresa Williams on vocals

8/31/08 Slow Foods Rocks Festival, Great Meadow at Fort Mason, SF
Playing in the Band> Bertha, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Deal, China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider, Sugaree, Uncle John's Band> jam> Help On The Way> Slipknot> Franklin's Tower> Sugar Magnolia / Box Of Rain

Entire show with Mark Karan on guitar and vocals, instead of Larry Campbell

RatDog Setlists

(* indicates acoustic songs)

05/31/08 Hampton Beach (NH) Casino Ballroom
Jam> Shakedown Street> Maggie's Farm, Jus’ Like Mama Said> Tomorrow Never Knows> Hell in a Bucket, She Says> Liberty, Eyes of the World

You Win Again*, Lazy River Road*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Ashes and Glass> Iko-Iko> stuff > Dear Prudence, Throwing Stones / One More Saturday Night

06/01/08 Mountain Jam at Hunter Mountain, NY
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot> Easy Answers, She Belongs to Me+, Money for Gasoline, Loser#, Loose Lucy, Two Djinn

Masters of War*, Friend of the Devil*, Mississippi Half Step > Sampson and Delilah > solos > Lady With A Fan > Terrapin Station > Terrapin Flyer > Sugar Magnolia / Ripple

#with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
+with Levon Helm on drums

6/20/08 Cuthbert Amphitheater, Eugene, OR
Jam> Shakedown Street> Maggie's Farm, Loser, Money for Gasoline, Loose Lucy, Catfish John, Masters of War*, West L.A. Fadeaway*, Iko Iko*> stuff> Come Together> Touch of Grey

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

6/21/08 Wa-Mu Theater, Seattle
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!> Jack Straw, Little Red Rooster+, Bird Song#> Big Railroad Blues#, You Win Again*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, She Says, Two Djinn > Stuff > Standing on the Moon > One More Saturday Night E: Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower

+ with Danny Louis on keyboards
+ # with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

6/23/08 Idaho Botanical Gardens, Boise
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> New Minglewood Blues, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Tomorrow Never Knows> Playing in the Band, When I Paint My Masterpiece*, Me and My Uncle*, Cream Puff War> Scarlet Begonias> stuff> Black Peter> Goin’ Down the Road #

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

6/24/08 The Depot, Salt Lake City
Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> Casey Jones #, All Along the Watchtower#, Weather Report Suite, Peggy-O*, Mexicali Blues*, Quinn the Eskimo, Silvio/Tequila> Ashes and Glass> stuff> Wharf Rat> Throwing Stones / Not Fade Away

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

6/27/08 Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys, CA
Lady with a Fan> Terrapin> Cassidy> Lazy River Road, Victim or the Crime*, Juke *^, West L.A. Fadeaway ^+#> October Queen^> The Deep End^> The Other One> stuff> Dear Prudence> Johnny B. Goode / Ripple

^ with Matt Kelly on harmonica
# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
+ With Danny Louis on keyboards

6/28/08 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, CA
Jam> The Music Never Stopped> Easy Answers, Senor, Loose Lucy, Brown-Eyed Women, The Winners*, El Paso*, Truckin> The Wheel> stuff> Stella Blue, One More Saturday Night / Touch of Grey

06/29/08 (Sun) Greek Theatre - Los Angeles
Hell in a Bucket, Easy to Slip> Dark Star> Bertha#+, Black Throated Wind*, Friend of the Devil*, Mississippi Half-Step> Samson & Delilah> stuff> Morning Dew / Goin’ Down the Road

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
+ With Danny Louis on keyboards

7/1/08 Humphrey’s Concerts By the Bay, San Diego
Jam> Shakedown Street> Big River, Money for Gasoline, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl> Althea, K.C. Moan*, The Weight*+, Bird Song#> He's Gone#> stuff#> Sugaree# , Johnny B. Goode#

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
+ with Danny Louis on keyboards

7/2/08 Humphrey’s Concerts By the Bay, San Diego
Jam> I Need a Miracle> Big Boss Man> Lucky Enough, Tennessee Jed#, Estimated Prophet, Jack-A-Roe*, She Belongs to Me*, Eyes of the World> stuff> Looks Like Rain> Touch of Grey

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

7/3/08 The Joint, Las Vegas
Tomorrow Never Knows> Playinh in the Band> Jus' Like Mama Said> Playing jam> Deal, K.C. Moan*, Corrina*, The Last Time, Ashes and Glass> stuff> Black Muddy River> St. Stephen> The Eleven / Brokedown Palace

7/5/08 High Sierra Music Festival at Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds, Quincy, CA
Jam> The Golden Road> Jack Straw, Dark Star> Little Red Rooster, Big Railroad Blues, Blackbird*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Liberty, Two Djinn> stuff+> Days Between> Dark Star+> One More Saturday Night+ / U.S. Blues+

+ with Mitch Marcus on sax

7/6/08 Britt Pavillion, Jacksonville, OR
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> New Minglewood Blues> Queen Jane Approximately, Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance, Book of Rules, Dire Wolf, Bertha

You Win Again*, Me and Bobby McGee*, Masters of War*, Ramble on Rose, Uncle John's Band> stuff> Ship of Fools> Not Fade Away / Ripple

7/9/08 San Jose Center (CA) for the Performing Arts
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!, It's All Over Now> She Says, Greatest Story Ever Told, Iko Iko#, Peggy-O*, Me & My Uncle*, Truckin> The Other One> stuff+> To Lay Me Down> China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider / Johnny B. Goode

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
+ with Brian Melvin on percussion)

7/10/08 San Jose Center (CA) for the Performing Arts
Casey Jones, Easy to Slip> Dark Star+> Odessa+, Dark Star jam+> All Along the Watchtower, Catfish John*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Money for Gasoline+> Shakedown Street+#, stuff+#^%$> Morning Dew+#^, Throwing Stones+ / Franklin's Tower+#

+with Brian Melvin on percussion
# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals
^ with Danny Louis on keyboards)
% with Matt Abts on drums
$ with Andy Hess on bass

8/10/08 Up North Music Festival at Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds, Hiram, ME
Jam> Feel Like a Stranger> New Minglewood Blues, Mission in the Rain, Casey Jones, Dark Star, Big Railroad Blues, You Win Again*, Lazy River Road*, Dark Star Jam> The Other One> Lady with a Fan> Terrapin> stuff, Standing on the Moon> Dark Star jam> Samson and Delilah / Good Lovin

8/12/08 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Easy Answers> She Belongs to Me, Mama Tried> Truckin’, Jackaroe*, Mexicali Blues*>Brown-Eyed Women> He’s Gone> stuff> Black Peter, Two Djinn / Goin’ Down the Road

8/13/08 Jones Beach Amphitheatre, Wantaugh, NY
Jam> help on the Way> Slipknot!> It’s All Over Now, She Says> Liberty, Corrina, Peggy-O*, Masters of War*, New Speedway Boogie#, Mississippi Half-Step#> stuff> Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door> Slipknot!> Franklin’s Tower

#with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

8/15/08 PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, NJ
Jam> Cassidy> Bird Song, Dire Wolf, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End> Shade of Grey, Hell in a Bucket> Milestones> stuff> Days Between> Bird Song reprise> Cassidy> reprise / U.S. Blues

8/16/08 Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA
Jam> The Music Never Stopped> Maggie’s Farm, Money for Gasoline> Dark Star> Little Red Rooster> Odessa, A Rain’s A-Gonna Fall*, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Ashes and Glass> stuff> Dear Prudence> Dark Star> One More Saturday Night

8/19/08 Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, NY
Jam> Tomorrow Never Knows> I Need a Miracle> Playing in the Band> Big Boss Man> Playing in the Band> Might as Well, The Winners*, When I Paint My Masterpiece*, Cream Puff War, Scarlet Begonias> stuff> Sugaree, Two Djinn> Foolish Heart / Johnny B. Goode

8/20/08 New England Dodge Center, Hartford, CT
Jam> Lady with a Fan> Terrapin> Jack Straw, All Along the Watchtower, Weather Report Suite, K.C. Moan*, Victim or the Crime*, Tennessee Jed, Uncle John's Band> stuff > Knockin on Heaven's Door> Touch of Grey> At a Siding#> Terrapin Flyer#> Uncle John's Band (reprise)

# with Warren Haynes

8/22/08 Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center, Canandaigua, NY
Jam> Feel Like a Stranger, Casey Jones, Easy to Slip> Supplication Jam> Easy to Slip, Big Railroad Blues, Catfish John, Corrina*, Althea, Ashes and Glass> stuff> Black Muddy River, China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider / Revolution

8/23/08 Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ
Jam> Shakedown Street, Loose Lucy, Queen Jane Approximately, Money for Gasoline, Eyes of the World, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*, Bird Song> The Other One> stuff, Morning Dew, Bird Song (reprise)# / One More Saturday Night#

# with Warren Haynes

8/25/08 Star Pavilion, Hershey, PA
Jam> Here Comes Sunshine> Big River, She Belongs to Me, Lucky Enough> Deal, Blackbird*, Friend of the Devil*, Estimated Prophet> The Other One> stuff> Stella Blue, St. Stephen# > The Eleven#

#with Warren Haynes

8/27/08 DTE Energy Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
Jam> The Music Never Stopped> New Minglewood Blues, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Jus' Like Mama Said, Tomorrow Never Knows, Dark Hollow*, Black-Throated Wind*, Lost Sailor> Saint of Circumstance> stuff> Black Peter, Goin’ Down the Road / Ripple

8/28/08 Charter One Pavilion, Chicago
Jam> Playing in the Band> Ramble On Rose, Cold Rain and Snow, Even So> October Queen> The Deep End, You Win Again*, El Paso*, Brown-Eyed Women, Mississippi Half-Step> stuff> Dear Prudence, Sugar Magnolia / Attics of My Life

8/30/08 Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
Jam> Help on the Way> Slipknot!> Loser^ > Bird Song# > Loose Lucy #> Bertha#, Looks Like Rain*, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall*%, West L.A. Fadeaway> Ashes and Glass> stuff> Morning Dew / Not Fade Away

^ with Derek Trucks on guitar

# with Warren Haynes on guitar and vocals

% with Susan Tedeschi on vocals

Bob Weir and Ratdog - Summer Tour 2008

almanac — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:07:08 -0500

After starting out with a quick little hop East for shows in New Hampshire and upstate New York, Bob Weir and RatDog hit the road for real late in June, first with a bunch of dates out west (most of them in tandem with Gov't Mule). Then in August the 'dog reconnects with old pals the Allman Brothers Band to rock the Northeast and Midwest, ending up at the beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.

MAY
Sat 31 Hampton Beach, NH Casino Ballroom

JUNE
Sun 1 Hunter, NY Mountain Jam

Fri 20 Eugene, OR Cuthbert Amphitheatre*
Sat 21 Seattle, WA Wamu Theatre*
Mon 23 Boise, ID Idaho Botanical Garden*
Tue 24 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot*
Fri 27 Murphys, CA Ironstone Amphitheatre*
Sat 28 Indio, CA Fantasy Springs Casino
Sun 29 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre*

JULY
Tue 1 &
Wed 2 San Diego, CA Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay*
Thu 3 Las Vegas, NV The Joint*
Sat 5 Quincy, CA High Sierra Music Festival
Sun 6 Jacksonville, OR Britt Pavilion
Wed 9 &
Sun 10 Saratoga, CA Mountain Winery*

AUGUST
Sun 10 Hiram, ME Up North Festival
Tue 12 Bethel, NY Bethel Woods Center for the Arts†
Wed 13 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater†
Fri 15 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center†
Sat 16 Mansfield, MA Tweeter Center†
Tue 19 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga PAC†
Wed 20 Hartford, CT New England Dodge Music Center†
Fri 22 Canandaigua, NY Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands PAC†
Sat 23 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center†
Mon 25 Hershey, PA Hershey Star Pavilion†
Wed 27 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre†

Thu 28 Chicago, IL Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island†

Sat 30 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre†

* with Gov't Mule

† with the Allman Brothers Band

Phil & Friends Complete Historic Warfield Run

Analise Dubner — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:37:15 -0500

Gather ’round all you young’uns and I’ll tell you a crazy story about the old days. See, when I was comin’ up as a Dead Head, back in the fall of ’69, all we had were vinyl albums to listen to. Sure, I learned much later that there were tapers here and there back then, but I sure as hell didn’t know any of ’em; neither did any of my friends. (I seem to recall getting my first Dead tapes in ’71, when the band generously decided to broadcast a number of their shows. I also bought my first Dead bootleg album outside Gaelic Park in the Bronx in August 1971. Wow, was I happy!) Anyway, I played my Grateful Dead albums constantly, much to the annoyance of my high school and then college mates. I knew every microsecond of each one of their albums. Of course they were completely different from the way the band played live, but I loved the albums for being weird and wonderful in their own ways. As the years went by and I began to accumulate more and more (and more!) tapes, I listened to the commercial recordings less, but I never abandoned ’em; I always thought they were pretty damn good and had merit.

Now flash forward a few decades (man, I am old) and Phil Lesh & Friends are booked to play five nights at the intimate and homey 2,200-seat Warfield Theatre in San Francisco for what may well be the last time: The venerable venue is closing for major renovations of some sort and then will reopen under the auspices of the entertainment/sports promoter AEG, whereas P&F and others in the Dead camp have for eons been comfortably associated with Bill Graham Presents and the behemoths that absorbed that company following Bill’s death.

The band comes out the first night and opens with “The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion),” not an unusual opener for the group. “Beat It on Down the Line” is next, with Larry Campbell on lead vocals, followed by the Jackie Greene rearrangement of “Good Mornin’ Little Schoolgirl.” Nice. But all of a sudden, it starts to dawn on some of the people there: “Hmm, that’s the first three songs from the first Dead album. I wonder…” And, indeed, the next tune is a fantastic version of “Cold Rain and Snow.” Yep, for the first time ever, a member of the Dead was playing a complete album live onstage! How cool is that! Bob Weir came out for a raucous version of Garcia’s “Cream Puff War” (accompanied by sultry go-go dancers onstage and in the side balconies) and then stayed on for the closing numbers, “Morning Dew,” “Minglewood” and a very jammed-out “Viola Lee Blues.” Can I hear you say, “wah-hooooo!”?

Now, this was not just an exercise in nostalgia—the group wasn’t trying to sound like the albums. Instead they used the structure of the album sequence as a form within which to re-explore those songs in the group’s current context. There were no doubt many (most?) in attendance who probably had no idea what the sequence of tunes on that album was, so as it unfolded it still had some mystery. For others it became a game of anticipation and expectation, which some might argue runs contrary to the Grateful Dead experience, but hey, at least it was something different, special and fun, and I think you’ll find few complaints among those lucky enough to attend any of the “album” shows.

When Set Two of Night One began, with Bobby still part of the band as they glided into Anthem of the Sun’s opening track, “Cryptical Envelopment,” the next piece of the puzzle was revealed: They seemed to be playing complete albums, in order, no less. Again, with the exception of “Born Cross-Eyed,” these are all songs that are or have been part of the P&F repertoire, but it was still tremendously exciting to hear it presented in that way, with long connecting jams. (It would’ve been nice to hear Bob sing “New Potato Caboose,” as he does on the album, but it’s Phil’s tune and he sings it with P&F, so I suppose it was one less “new” arrangement to work out.) Bob sounded tremendous in the instrumental mix and he and Phil both seemed to be having fun re-visiting old places in a new way. There was one twist, too: Bob tucked a short version of the Blind Willie Johnson blues "Nobody's Fault But Mine" into the middle of "The Other One."

Needless to say, word spread fast about the “concept” of the first show, and by Night Two there was a tremendous buzz in the old place. Sure enough, there was “St. Stephen”—track one of the Dead’s third album, Aoxomoxoa—opening the show. Jackie handled “Dupree’s Diamond Blues” with his characteristic swagger, but the little-performed “Rosemary” is worth a special mention here: Singer Teresa Williams (wife of P&F guitar ace Larry Campbell) materialized in one of the boxes above the left side of the stage and, illuminated by golden light that made her look like a fairy princess, sang the song so beautifully, with spare accompaniment from Larry on bouzouki and from the others; very classy! Of course, if they’re playing Aoxomoxoa that meant that the incomparably strange “What’s Become of the Baby” would have to be played. Yikes! Run for your lives! It ended up being pretty cool, too, with Williams again up in her perch, trading off verses with Phil, who was onstage but directing all his energy towards her, like a long distance duet. Unfortunately, the crowd was so noisy (I chalked it up to nervous excitement after the destructo "China Cat") it was very difficult to hear the subtleties of the arrangement, but I thought I heard sort of an electronic tamboura drone in the background, and other assorted dreamy weirdness. (We’ll have to hear the soundboard version, I suppose, to get the full effect.) “Mountains of the Moon” has been a cornerstone of P&F from the beginning and it continues to evolve in a fascinating ways. There were parts of it that sort of reminded me of In a Silent Way-era Miles, others that had an early '70s Pink Floyd vibe; both very good places to go. An ultra-sproingy “Cosmic Charlie” was the perfect capper for the set—as it is to the album.

The Vegas handicappers were busy between sets Night Two trying to figure out if the band would next tackle Live/Dead (which followed Aoxomoxoa chronologically), or skip it because they’d already played “St. Stephen” in the first set, and maybe they were only going to cover the studio albums. (Life is so complicated, isn’t it?) Well, Live/Dead it was, and it smoked! It opened, as it must, with “Dark Star”—RatDog guitarist Mark Karan sat in for the entire set, and added tremendously to every song. He and Larry Campbell seem to have a great musical rapport—both are such assertive and melodically inventive players, they feed off each other’s ideas easily and naturally, and you already know that Phil is going to be right in the thick of things with his bass. This “Dark Star” went in many fascinating directions over the course of about 45 minutes (!), and when it eventually gave way to “St. Stephen,” it didn’t feel like some repeat from the first set—in the new context, and with Karan in the mix and Jackie now playing electric instead of acoustic guitar, this was the kind of big bopping “St. Stephen” that gets that Warfield balcony a-shakin’! For some reason, the band elected not to sing the “William Tell” bridge (Unforgivable! Five points from Griffindor!), but instead they launched into some completely different, but still compelling, jam which eventually led to “The Eleven,” “Lovelight” (first verse by Jackie, the rest, including a minor Pigpenesque “pocket-pool” rap, by Mark K), and then Jackie did a bang-up job on “Death Don’t Have No Mercy,” one of the highlights of the night. He was also strong on the encore, a slithering “King Bee,” more Slim Harpo than Pigpen, but just right.

So if we’re going through the recorded canon in order, that must make Friday’s show Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, right? Correctemundo! Talk about your can’t-miss setlist! Most of these tunes are cherished by nearly all Dead Heads, and many of them turn up frequently in sets by this version of Phil & Friends—Jackie and Larry seem to have a special affinity to a lot of this folkier, more country-oriented material. Helping out this time was good ol’ David Nelson (who played a little on each of the original albums)—as warm and comfortable as a favorite pair of shoes (or Birkenstocks); always nice to see (and hear) him! Besides pickin’ some nice gee-tar, he sang the plaintive lead on “High Time,” handled "Friend of the Devil," and shared vocals with Jackie on “Easy Wind.” This repertoire also gave Larry the chance to break out the fiddle, pedal steel and mandolin (all of which he plays with great skill and impeccable taste), and once again Teresa Williams brought her golden pipes to the affair, adding luster to both “Till the Morning Comes” and a truly haunting and majestic “Attics of My Life,” which had a lone guitar as accompaniment. A Jackie-sung “Truckin’” then sent the crowd home dancin’.

Saturday night, and the question hangs in the air like the smell of fine sinsemilla…oh, wait, that was the smell of fine sinsemilla. Anyway…will it be Wake of the Flood and Mars Hotel, or will they play “Skull & Roses” and/or Europe ’72? Again, the answer comes quickly: They charge out of the gate with a dynamite “Bertha”; “Skull & Roses” it is! Right away we knew we were in for an interesting set because that (double-) album is a stylistically varied collection of cover tunes and just a few Dead songs. One of the neat things about this particular version of P&F is that Jackie and Larry don’t necessarily refer back to the way the Dead played their covers, so what we get is usually something a little different, maybe a little fresher. F’rinstance, their version of “Mama Tried” was clearly based directly on the Merl Haggard version (with that distinctive guitar riff that opens and closes it), rather than Weir’s take. “Big Boss Man” was closer to Jimmy Reed than Pigpen. And “Me and Bobby McGee” was considerably faster than the Dead’s. Though on “Skull and Roses,” the early version of “Playing in the Band” was only about four and a half minutes, this one was artfully extended and eventually segued into another careening, tire-squealing version of “The Other One” (quite different in feel from Tuesday’s Anthem version—again, context is everything!) Larry handled the lead vocal on a scorching “Johnny B. Goode” (end of disc three of the original album, so an interesting spot in the show for what became a traditional set-ender/encore), and Jackie sang “Wharf Rat,” which was powerful despite a narrow escape from some mid-song quicksand. And to show they were paying attention to the source album, the closing “Not Fade Away> Goin’ Down the Road” ended as the album did—with the instrumental statement of “We Bid You Goodnight,” instead of returning to “Not Fade Away,” as was normally done.

Set Two of Saturday broke the consecutive albums streak by presenting an album I think it’s safe to say no one expected them to perform: the 1981 live album Dead Set. There was some method to this particular madness—the album (along with Reckoning) was largely recorded at the Warfield Theatre during the band’s epic 15-night run in 1980. Though it’s stacked with “first set” tunes one normally wouldn’t expect to hear in a second set, it gave the group the opportunity to play a number of songs they don’t normally perform, such as “Samson & Delilah,” “Loser,” “Little Red Rooster” (which was shorter and peppier, more Stones-style), “Feel Like a Stranger” and “Greatest Story Ever Told,” as well as P&F favorites like “Friend of the Devil,” “Deal” and “Franklin’s Tower,” the last a wild end to the second set. After a short break, they picked up with side four of Dead Set: a drum segment, which had John Molo and talking drum titan Sikiru Adepoju trading rhythms, before avant-guitarist Henry Kaiser came out for an extended “space” that was appropriately out there, his bizarre axe making sounds you just don’t expect to hear out of a guitar. That then led into “Fire on the Mountain,” with Henry, Larry and Jackie all wailing, followed by “Greatest Story” and a lovely “Brokedown” to close. Schweet.

The final night, Sunday, was a tough, tough ticket to come by—everybody wanted to be there to say good-bye to the Warfield (and to see what the hell the band would pull out of their hats next). Large plastic sacks of balloons arched across the ornate ceiling, so clearly there was going to be a celebration at some point, adding to the excitement and anticipation. Then, around 9:10 (an hour and ten minutes after the supposed starting time), Phil came out and announced that they had no idea what they were going to play that night (OK, so much for the album concept) and that there would be a bunch of different configurations onstage, and that the show was going to go real late (a Phil & Friends specialty since 1999!) Finally around 9:30, the house lights dimmed and a trio consisting of Bobby, Phil and John Molo hit the stage. This was gonna be interesting!

And it was. Opening somewhat tentatively with “Come Together” (the first song not covered by the Dead during the whole run), things began to gel in the jam after the song, as the trio locked in and really started to find their group groove. Surprisingly, the jam segued into “Dark Star” and that evolved into a very cool piece of music, with Bob and Phil darting in and out of each other’s lines, answering and accenting, each driving it forward as Molo continually challenged them with his propulsive rhythm. Without a “lead” instrument in the mix, it was fascinating to listen to the trio do their thing, filling in the spaces with unusual touches and ornamental flourishes. It was certainly one of the highlights of the run for me. However, the “Loose Lucy” that followed sounded a little thin, and when RatDog keyboardist Jeff Chimenti sat down at Steve Molitz’s rig about two-thirds of the way through “West L.A. Fadeaway,” followed moments later by Larry Campbell, the sound filled out nicely, and it was a rockin’ band that took the set into the third “Not Fade Away” of the series. At the set break, Phil explained that playing with Bobby in that sort of configuration had long been a dream of his. It’s always fun to shake it up!

After a very short break, the lights went down again and Jackie and Larry came out together and played an excellent seven-song set of acoustic old-time music that included Jackie’s take on “Sing Me Back Home,” “Deep Elem Blues,” a fiddle romp populariuzed by the Sons of the Pioneers called “Texas Crapshooter,” a lovely, slow “Goodnight Irene” and even an instrumental tune Larry wrote for the occasion: “Warfield Waltz.” The intrepid duo often plays tunes like these on the tour bus and in hotel rooms, so it was a treat to get to see it onstage!

The first true Phil & Friends set of the night was gimmick-free: just a rock-solid collection of tunes performed with an almost unbelievably high level of energy. Personally, I found it liberating not knowing what they were going to play again (though I wouldn’t have traded the earlier “album” concept for anything), and I couldn’t have picked a better set list, from the crashing “Shakedown” opener, to one of the finest “Althea’s” you’ll ever encounter, to two of my favorite Jackie tunes (“Like A Ball and Chain” and “Mexican Girl”), the sublime Larry Campbell pedal steel instrumental version of “Stella Blue,” and yet another awesome “Sugaree.” I thought it was the best- played set I saw; obviously YMMV. Once again, Mark Karan was a stellar attraction on the back half of the set.

Set four was another, shorter acoustic offering, this time featuring the Skinny Singers, a.k.a . Jackie and his friend Tim Bluhm of the Mother Hips. They have their own repertoire apart from their solo and band ventures, and if these songs were typical, it’s good stuff—rich with melody and featuring great harmonies. I’ll definitely make a point of seeing them next time they play around SF.

The next P&F set started after 1:30 a.m. (that’s okay, Phil, none of us has a life, or anything to get to on Monday morning!) with a triumphant “Sugar Magnolia.” I’d totally forgotten about the balloons, so when they started drifting down from the ceiling it was a great surprise, and all of a sudden it was like New Year’s Eve, any year you’d care to name, all over again. This band really kicks ass on that tune; it was sheer jubilation from the pit to the back row of the stately old theater. I could’ve gone home a happy man after that (or into the medical tent for some fluids and new bionic legs), but you know Phil—he never tires! So we were treated to a spectacular version of “Unbroken Chain” (truly one of the best I’ve seen), another spacey “Mountains of the Moon,” one of those hang-onto-your- seats speedy versions of “Terrapin Station” (beginning with “Inspiration…”), an over-the-top “I Know You Rider,” and the last encore: a jam into “Truckin’” and then “We Bid You Goodnight.” I stumbled onto Market Street at about 3:20. Inside, though, a bunch of Warfield/BGP employees, some of whom are losing their jobs, partied and reflected and cried until well past dawn. Bill would’ve loved these shows. His spirit was all over them.

(For lots more photos, check out J.C. Juanis’ excellent work HERE, Bob Minkin's work HERE and Dave Clark's work HERE.)

SET LISTS

05/13/08 Warfield Theatre, SF

The Grateful Dead (first album): Jam> The Golden Road, Beat It On Down the Line, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Cold Rain and Snow, Sitting on Top of the World, Cream Puff War *, Morning Dew *, New Minglewood Blues *, Viola Lee Blues *

Anthem of the Sun: That's It For The Other One> Nobody’s Fault But Mine> New Potato Caboose> Born Cross-Eyed, Alligator> Caution / Not Fade Away,

* and entire second set with Bob Weir.

05/14/08 Warfield Theatre, SF

Aoxomoxoa: St. Stephen> Dupree's Diamond Blues, Rosemary *, Doin’ That Rag, Mountains of the Moon> jam> China Cat Sunflower, What’s Become of the Baby*, Cosmic Charlie

Live/Dead: Dark Star> St. Stephen> jam> The Eleven> Turn on Your Lovelight> Death Don't Have No Mercy> Feedback> We BidYou Goodnight / King Bee

* Teresa Williams on vocals from the side balcony.

Mark Karan on guitar for entire second set.

05/16/08 Warfield Theatre, SF

Workingman’s Dead: Uncle John's Band, High Time*, Dire Wolf *, New Speedway Boogie *, Cumberland Blues *, Black Peter *, Easy Wind *, Casey Jones

American Beauty: Box of Rain *, Friend of the Devil*, Sugar Magnolia, Operator, Candyman, Ripple *, Brokedown Palace, Till the Morning Comes + / Attics of My Life+, Truckin' *

*with David Nelson, ^ with Teresa Williams.

05/17/08 Warfield Theatre, SF

Grateful Dead (“Skull & Roses”):Bertha, Mama Tried, Big Railroad Blues, Playing In The Band> The Other One> Me & My Uncle, Big Boss Man, Me & Bobby McGee, Johnny B. Goode, Wharf Rat> Not Fade Away> Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad

Samson and Delilah, Friend of the Devil, New Minglewood Blues, Deal, Candyman, Little Red Rooster, Loser, Passenger, Feel Like A Stranger> Franklin's Tower

Drums*> space+> Fire on the Mountain+, Greatest Story Ever Told+, Brokedown Palace+

* Sikiru Adepoju on talking drum; + Henry Kaiser on guitar.

05/18/08 Warfield Theatre, SF

#1: Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and John Molo: Come Together> jam> Dark Star> Loose Lucy, West L.A. Fadeaway*, The Wheel*, Not Fade Away*

* Jeff Chimenti on keys, Larry Campbell on guitar

#2: Jackie Greene and Larry Campbell (acoustic): Lorene, Sing Me Back Home, Deep Elem Blues, Texas Crapshooter, Warfield Waltz, Love Please Come Home, Goodnight Irene

#3: P&F Set One: Shakedown Street> Like a Ball and Chain, Big River, Mississippi Half-Step*> jam*> Althea*> Mexican Girl*, Stella Blue*> Sugaree*

*Mark Karan on guitar

#4: The Skinny Singers (Jackie Greene and Tim Bluhm): The Ballad of Spider John, Where the Rain Don’t Go, Squeaky Wheel*

*Nicki Bluhm on backup vocals

#5: P&F Set Two: Sugar Magnolia, Unbroken Chain> jam> Mountains of the Moon> Terrapin Station (“Inspiration”)> I Know You Rider / jam> Truckin', We Bid You Goodnight

And for all you listomaniacs, here are the shows that preceded the Warfield run on the P&F spring tour….

05/08/08 The Fillmore, Denver

Loose Lucy, Like a Ball and Chain, Mississippi Half-Step> Doin' That Rag, Chest Fever, Scarlet Begonias> Fire on the Mountain

Truckin', Gone Wanderin’, Eyes of the World> The Eleven> Caution> Cryptical jam> The Other One, Loser, Help on the Way> Slipknot> Franklin's Tower / Cold Rain and Snow

05/09/08 The Fillmore, Denver

Jam> Brown Eyed Women, Mama Tried, Alligator, Gone Wanderin’, Bird Song, High Time, Casey Jones

Feel Like a Stranger> Sittin’ On Top of the World, Don't Let the Devil Take Your Mind> Playing in the Band> Dark Star> New Potato Caboose> Dark Star> The Golden Road> Uncle John's Band> Sugar Magnolia / Dire Wolf

5/10/08 Branson School Scholarship Benefit, Corte Madera (Calif.) Recreation Center

One More Saturday Night, Me & My Uncle, Bertha, Sittin’ on Top of the World, Friend of the Devil, The Weight, Pride of Cucamonga, So Hard to Find My Way, Deal, Not Fade Away / Sugaree

5/11/08, Greek Theatre, Los Angeles

Shakedown Street> Friend of the Devil, Bertha, Like a Ball and Chain, Beat It on Down the Line, Cumberland Blues, Sugaree

New Speedway Boogie> Don't Let the Devil Take Your Mind, Jack Straw, China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider, Unbroken Chain> The Wheel> Franklin’s Tower / Box of Rain

Bill Kreutzmann, Oteil Burbridge & Scott Murawski Kick Off Tour May 28, 2008

ccasal — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:08:45 -0500

Legendary drummer Bill Kreutzmann, bassist Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers Band) and guitarist Scott Murawski (Max Creek) have joined together to form a POWER trio sure to capture the interest of music lovers of many genres of music.

Kreutzmann and Murawski were introduced in Costa Rica at a meeting facilitated by none other than PHISH bassist Mike Gordon. Their musical chemistry was limitless and compelling. Shortly after, Burbridge joined the band and it became obvious that the trio should pursue further musical adventures. The trio is currently working on a debut release slated for the fall of 2008. In the meantime, KBM is hitting the road this summer where fans can capture the MAGIC of this electrifying combination. Confirmed tour dates thus far:

Wed, May 28-Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel- Providence, RI

Thurs, May 29-State Theater- Falls Church, VA

Fri, May 30-New Alhembra Arena- Philadelphia, PA

Sat, May 31-Recher Theater- Towson, MD

Sun, June 1-Rocks Off Concert Cruise- New York, NY

Tues, June 3-Tupelo Music Hall- Londonderry, NH

Thurs, June 5-Roxy- Boston, MA

Fri, June 6-Toad’s- New Haven, CT

Sat, June 7-Higher Ground Ballroom- S. Burlington, VT

Sat, Aug 2-Gathering Of The Vibes Fest- Bridgeport, CT

Sat, Oct 25-Magnolia Fest- Live Oak, FL

Information about tickets may be found on-line on the websites of the individual venues.

Mickey Hart Band Featuring Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr. Confirm Summer Run!

Analise Dubner — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:24:51 -0500

Grateful Dead drummer and percussionist Mickey Hart will launch a 20 city tour this summer including appearances at many of the nations premiere festivals. The outing comes on the heels of the Shout! Factory releases of The Mickey Hart Collection out this spring. The Mickey Hart Band will feature Steve Kimock on guitar, George Porter Jr on bass, Jen Durkin on vocals, and talking drum master Sikiru Adepoju. After headlining appearances at Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa on June 6 and Wakarusa on June 8, the group will head out on an 18 city trek beginning July 3 at the Rothbury Festival and continuing through July 24 at 10K Lakes Festival. The shows will feature the Robert Hunter penned songs debuted by the Rhythm Devils in 2006 including Fountains of Wood, The Center, and Your House, in addition to Grateful Dead staples such as New Speedway Boogie and Fire on The Mountain.

This spring, Shout! Factory will release The Mickey Hart collection which includes the Grammy winning Planet Drum in addition to At The Edge, Diga Rhythm Band, Superlingua, and Mystery Box. Hart’s Planet Drum won the first ever World Music Grammy and still stands as one of the genre’s benchmark albums. Mickey reunited with some of his Planet Drum band mates including tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, to form Global Drum Project in 2007 and released a record to critical acclaim followed by an extensive tour.

Mickey has kept quite busy over the past few years including tours with Hydra, Rhythm Devils, and Global Drum Project in addition to continuing his work with the Library of Congress. He also performed at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s inauguration in 2007 and more recently appeared at the “Deadheads For Obama” event along with fellow Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. On April 20, Mickey will headline Golden Gate Park with a mass drum ensemble in celebration of Earth Day as part of the Green Apple Music Festival.

Fans will also be treated to a new Rhythm Devils DVD this summer filmed in Chicago during their fall tour in 2006. TheDVD will be available this summer on The Mickey Hart Band Tour and online at various outlets.

The summer run will take the band to festivals, theatres, and outdoor events across the east coast and Midwest beginning July 3^rd at Rothbury Festival and continuing on to Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Lakeview Music Festival, and Nelson Ledges rounding out July 4^th weekend. East Coast stops include Great South Bay Festival on Long Island, Penn’s Peak in PA, and Thursday in the Park in Buffalo . Select tour dates will offer pre-sale and VIP tickets which include a special after-show meet and greet with Mickey. Check out the new www.mickeyhart.net website for all tour dates and on-sale information.

June 6-Santa Rosa , CA-Harmony Festival

June 8-Lawrence, KS-Wakarusa Festival

July 3-Rothbury, MI-Rothbury Festival

July 4-Garretsville, OH-Nelson Ledges

July 5-Chicago, IL-Lakeview Music Festival

July 6-Milwaukee, WI-Summerfest

July 9-Alexandria, VA-Birchmere

July 10-Morristown, NJ-Morristown Community Thr.

July 11-Jim Thorpe, PA-Penn’s Peak

July 12-Patchogue, NY-Great S Bay Music Festival

July 15-NY, NY-Fillmore NYC

July 17-Buffalo, NY-Thursday in the Park

July 18-Binghamton, NY Magic City Music Hall

July 19-Pittsburgh, PA-Palace Theatre

July 20- Baltimore , MD -Ram’s Head Live

July 24-Detroit Lakes, MN-10k Lakes Festval

www.mickeyhart.net

www.myspace.com/mickeyhartmusic

www.myspace.com/rhythmdevils

Bob Weir & RatDog: Getting Out the Vote With HeadCount

almanac — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:16:38 -0500

The RatDog spring tour is underway, with Mark Karan back on board and the band, by all reports, right back at the top of its game. And while Bob Weir is out there gettin' the job done, as he has for more than 40 years, he's taking the time to do some work he finds equally important: encouraging members of his audience to make their voices heard as participants in the democratic process. Bob is a member of the Board of Directors of HeadCount, a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to registering voters, with a special emphasis on outreach to live-music fans. In this historically pivotal election year, HeadCount has launched its most ambitious effort to date, with a stated goal of adding as many as 200,000 new names to the voters' rolls. Bobby and RatDog, along with numerous other bands, are doing their part by inviting HeadCount volunteers to set up voter registration and information tables at their concerts.

When RatDog visits the Baltimore/Washington, DC area for a pair of shows in April, Weir and Jay Lane will also participate in a private, intimate event to benefit HeadCount. It's an invitation-only affair, but the organization has set aside a handful of spaces for fans. Those few spots will surely be grabbed fast, so if you'd like a chance to attend, visit the HeadCount site now, or directly contact events@headcount.org

Phil Lesh & Friends - 5 Night Run at Warfield Theater

Analise Dubner — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:39:37 -0500

Phil Lesh & Friends Announce Unique 5 Night Run at Warfield Theater to Celebrate 29 Years of Grateful Dead History

(San Francisco) Phil Lesh and Friends have announced that they will be performing a Spring tour beginning May 8th & 9th at The Fillmore in Denver, CO, May 11th at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles and will conclude with five unique evenings at The Warfield Theater in San Francisco that will celebrate 29 years of Grateful Dead history in that hallowed theater. Phil Lesh & Friends have also signed on for Bonnaroo Music Festival, the Rothbury Festival, The All Good Festival, the 10K Lakes Festival, and the Gathering of The Vibes ~ with more summer dates to be added soon. Joining the former Grateful Dead bassist will be a world class band consisting of: Americana music sensation Jackie Greene (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm), electronic keyboardist Steve Molitz (Particle), and drummer John Molo (Bruce Hornsby & the Range). Tickets for this tour are on sale now through Phil Lesh Ticketing and GDTS-TOO.

Phil Lesh & Friends will play the following places.

May 9-10 The Fillmore ~ Denver, CA

May 11 The Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA

May 13 -14, 16-18 Warfield Theater, San Francisco, CA

For more information:

www.phillesh.net

http://www.philtickets.musictoday.com/PhilLeshFriends/calendar.aspx

www.gdtstoo.com

Donna Jean & The Tricksters Celebrate New CD With Rex Benefit, Live Sirius Broadcast

almanac — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:34:28 -0600

Photo: Susana Millman

Donna Jean and the Tricksters celebrated the release of their self-produced, self-titled debut album in style, before a packed house at New York's Knitting Factory. The release party, which officially kicked off a lengthy tour in support of the CD, also served as a benefit for the Rex Foundation. A splendid time was had by audience and band alike, for a great cause.

Just before the event in New York, DJ and the gang stopped in Philadelphia, for a live broadcast on public radio station WXPN at World Café Live. The performance has been archived for your listening pleasure here.

Next up: a live in-studio appearance on Sirius Satellite Radio's Grateful Dead Channel, on Monday, March 3rd at 9 pm.

For all Donna Jean and the Tricksters tour dates and info, visit the band's official website.

Bob Weir & RatDog Spring 2008 Tour Dates (P.S. - MK is BACK!!!)

almanac — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:26:55 -0600

It's about that time again: Bob Weir and RatDog take to the road beginning March 21st, cutting a swath through the Midwest and Northeast before finishing off down Florida way.

UPDATE

This happy news got to us shortly after we first posted the tour dates: As we've all been hoping, our dear pal Mark Karan has been given a clean bill of health and will be back on the bus for spring tour!

Details here.

Note also the newly added date in South Carolina (April 11)

The Dates:

MARCH

FRI 21 St. Paul, MN O'Shaughnessy Auditorium
SAT 22 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theater
MON 24 St Louis, MO The Pageant
TUE 25 Covington, KY Madison Theatre
WED 26 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
FRI 28 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Theatre
SAT 29 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
SUN 30 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre

APRIL

TUE 1 Stroudsburg, PA Sherman Theater
THU 3 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
FRI 4 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
SAT 5 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
TUE 8 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
WED 9 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
FRI 11 N. Charleston, SC North Charleston PAC
SAT 12 Live Oak, F Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park
(Wanee Festival)

MAY

Sat 31 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom Hampton Beach, NH 6:00/8:00
PM $34.00 General Admission

AND LOOKING AHEAD TO SUMMER...

JUNE

SUN 1 Hunter, NY Hunter Mtn. Ski Area
(Mountain Jam Festival)

Sun 29 The Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA 5:30/6:30 PM $54.00
Pit & General Admission
$44.00 Bench Seats

JULY

Tue 1 Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay San Diego, CA 5:00/6:00 PM
$76.00 Reserved

Wed 2 Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay San Diego, CA 5:00/6:00 PM
$76.00 Reserved

SAT 5 Quincy, CA Plumas/Sierra County Fairgrounds
(High Sierra Music Festival)

AUGUST

Sat 8/16/08 Tweeter Center Mansfield, MA 6:00 PM Show
w/ Allman Brothers Band

Sat 8/23/08 Tweeter Center @ The Waterfront Camden, NJ 7:00 PM
w/ Allman Brothers Band

Details at:

www.rat-dog.com

www.ratdog.org

Ticket info at:

www.gdtstoo.com

New Show Dates from Phil Lesh & Friends

Analise Dubner — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 11:35:45 -0600

Phil Lesh & Friends

Phat Phriday 1/25/08 -- Phillmore, San Francisco
Mardi Gras Ball 1/26/08 -- Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco
Crystal Ballroom 1/28 & 29/08 -- Portland

More Info:
phillest.net
Phat Phriday

Bob Weir & Ratdog

"The Music Never Stops" A Rex Foundation Black Tie-Dye Ball - December 15, 2007
Warfield Theatre, San Francisco

For more info:
The Music Never Stops

Hot Nights in NYC: Phil & Friends Complete Their Marathon

blairj — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 14:04:11 -0600

Well, the New York City Marathon is over, and for a change the winner wasn’t a Kenyan runner—it was Phil Lesh & Friends’ fans, who reveled in the group’s just concluded ten-night marathon at the new Nokia Theatre on Times Square.

On this last leg of their fall tour, the band pulled out a number of new tunes, and also welcomed a couple of special guests along the way: Ryan Adams played at two different shows (11/2 And 11/5); singers Amy Helm (of Ollabelle) and Theresa Williams turned up on 11/2, and Los Lobos keyboardist/saxophonist Steve Berlin (who is also Jackie Greene’s producer) laid down some cool riffs on the first set of 11/5. The cavalcade of new tunes began with the wild Halloween show, which included Jackie’s “Don’t Let the Devil Take Your Mind,” Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ menacing “I Put A Spell on You,” Phish’s “Story of the Ghost,” The Who’s “Boris the Spider,” Jimi’s “Voodoo Child,” the Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil” and, of course, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” (which was also the encore at RatDog’s show the same night!). Other songs introduced at Nokia were a new Jackie tune called “Like A Ball and Chain,” the Louvin Brothers’ “Lorene,” the Stones’ “Dead Flowers” (the last two during the acoustic set 11/2), Pink Floyd’s “Eclipse,” Jackie’s “Downhearted,” The Band’s “Chest Fever,” The Beatles’ “Revolution,” Bill Monroe’s “Jerusalem Ridge” and a bunch from the Dead repertoire—“Beat It on Down the Line,” "Peggy-O," “One More Saturday Night,” “Till the Morning Comes” and “Attics of My Life.” Wow—good times!

A slew of MP3 and FLAC downloads are available for sale from phillesh.net, and you can audition audience recordings of most shows from the tour at archive.org. Next up for Phil & Friends: Jackie Greene’s Birthday Celebration at the Warfield Theater in SF on November 27!

SET LISTS

10/31/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Shakedown Street> Loose Lucy, Don't Let The Devil Take Your Mind, Candyman, I Put A Spell on You> jam> Story of the Ghost> Casey Jones

Jam *> Cryptical Envelopment> Boris The Spider> Caution (Do Not Stop On the Tracks)> Voodoo Chile> The Other One> Cryptical Envelopment> New Speedway Boogie> Fire On The Mountain, Sympathy For The Devil> I Know You Rider, E: Werewolves Of London

* Offstage, Phil reads from Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum”

11/01/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Friend Of The Devil, Gone Wanderin’, Deep Elem Blues, Ball & Chain, Deal, Seven Jealous Sisters, Alabama Getaway

Jam> China Cat Sunflower, Althea, I’m So Gone> Cumberland Blues> Uncle John's Band> Don't Let Me Down, Help On The Way> Slipknot> Franklins Tower, E: Ripple

11/02/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Jam> Birdsong> About Cell Block #9, Dire Wolf, Midnight Rider, Passenger

(acoustic) Friend Of The Devil, Lorene, Cry Yourself Dry, Big Mon, Dead Flowers, Mama Tried

Wharf Rat> Franklin's Tower> Stella Blue> Fire On The Mountain> Dark Star> Eclipse*> Terrapin Station> Sugar Magnolia / Feedback jam> Darkstar> Box of Rain

Third Set with Ryan Adams. * with Amy Helm and Theresa Williams, vocals

11/03/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Good Lovin'> Downhearted, Pride of Cucamonga, This Wheel's on Fire, Mississippi Half-Step> So Hard to Find My Way, Big Boss Man

Playing in the Band> Spots of Time> The Wheel> Loan Me a Dime> Jack Straw> Unbroken Chain> St. Stephen> The Eleven> Lovelight / Casey Jones

11/5/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC
Brown Eyed Women , The Golden Road+ ,Viola Lee Blues*> Operator*> Viola Lee Blues*> Next Time You See Me*> Viola Lee Blues*> Chest Fever*> Sugaree*

+ Steve Berlin on keyboards

* Steve Berlin on saxophone

Happy Birthday Ryan, Eyes of the World> Scarlet Begonias> China Cat Sunflower>
Bird Song> Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad> Ripple> I Know You Rider> Uncle Johns Band> Dark Star> Franklins Tower> Dark Star / Wharf Rat

Set two with Ryan Adams

11/06/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Bertha, Deal, Big River, Gone Wanderin', Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Cosmic Charlie

Brown Sugar, Shakedown Street, Revolution, Beat it On Down the Line> Cryptical Envelopment> The Other One> Death Don't Have No Mercy> The Other One, Brokedown Palace / Not Fade Away

11/08/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Passenger, I'm So Gone, Mexican Girl, Pride of Cucamonga, Deep Elem Blues, Bird Song, Alabama Getaway

Playing in the Band> Althea, Cold Black Devil, Caution (Do Not Stop On The Tracks)> New Speedway Boogie> Jam> Unbroken Chain, Scarlet Begonias> Fire on the Mountain / A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall

11/09/07 Nokia Theatre, NY

Loose Lucy, Mississippi Half-Step, So Hard to Find My Way, Cold Rain and Snow, Tell Me Mama, Loan Me A Dime, Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad

Ball and Chain, Next Time You See Me, Lovelight, Down in the Valley Woe, Don't Let Me Down, Mountains of the Moon> Terrapin Station> Viola Lee Blues> Mason's Chidren / Johnny B. Goode

11/10/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Good Lovin', Friend of the Devil, Spots of Time, Dire Wolf, Operator, Beat It On Down the Line, Shakedown Street

China Cat Sunflower, Jack Straw, The Wheel> Eyes of the World, China Doll, St. Stephen> The Eleven> Help on the Way> Slipknot> One More Saturday Night> Franklin's Tower / Box of Rain

11/11/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC

Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion, Chest Fever> Brown Eyed Women, Candyman, Bird Song> Sugaree

(acoustic) Attics of My Life, Till the Morning Comes, Jerusalem Ridge, Deep Elem Blues, Ripple

Peggy-O *, Cumberland Blues> Uncle John's Band> Cryptical Envelopment> Dark Star> Morning Dew> I Know You Rider> The Other One> Cryptical Envelopment> Dark Star> Sugar Magnolia / Unbroken Chain

* with Theresa Williams, vocals

Notes from the Phil Tour II

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:52:57 -0500

Updated Set Lists and Another Chat with Jackie Greene, Boy Wonder

With the Phil & Friends tour now on a much-deserved break before the big ten-night “New York City Marathon” at the spankin’-new Nokia Theatre in Times Square, we thought this might be a good time to look in at the second leg of the tour and point up some highlights and cool happenings.

There seems to be near-unanimity among the band members that the group has gotten stronger as the tour has gone on, tighter in some ways but also looser and more flexible in the big jams that have become more frequent; indeed, who would expect otherwise? The mood has been very upbeat out on the road and by and large the tour has garnered strong, favorable reviews from most fans. Since our last tour update there have been a few song breakouts, including versions of Dylan’s “Leopard-Skin Pill-box Hat,” “All Along the Watchtower” and the triumphant return of “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (a Phil standard since the mid-’80s); the rarely played Mars Hotel nugget “Pride of Cucamonga”; a smokin’ take of Big Walter’s mid-‘50s R&B hit “Pack Fair & Square” sung by none other than former J. Geils lead singer Peter Wolf during the Boston run; the spry, fiddle-fueled instrumental showcase “Big Mon”; “Wharf Rat,” “Unbroken Chain”; and a few more Jackie Greene tunes, such as “About Cell Block #9” (from his Sweet Somewhere Bound album), “Cry Yourself Dry” (from Gone Wanderin’) and “The Gambler” (from the recent Small Tempest EP). There have been two more acoustic mini-sets since the first go-round at Red Rocks: one at the Riviera in Chicago and one at the Tweeter Center in Jersey; good stuff! And fans (and synapses) are still buzzin’ from the appearance of Trey Anastasio at the Glens Falls concert: The band played two of his tunes—“Shine” and “Plasma”—and from all reports, the T-Man definitely added some psychedelic gravitas to the proceedings. Yowza!

As was the case with the first part of the tour, there are a of number audience recordings of shows from the latest leg up on archive.org which you can access by going to that address and then typing in “Phil Lesh and Friends 2007.” The big news since our last update, though, is that now there are also downloads for sale of any show on the tour at Phil’s official site, www.phillesh.net. The live soundboard recordings have been lovingly prepared for release by long-time Grateful Dead mastering engineer Jeffrey Norman, so you know they’re gonna sound fantastic. Downloads are available in two formats: MP3 and the beloved top-quality FLAC. (There’s technical information on the site about format differences, etc.)

We managed to track down Jackie Greene on the P&F bus as it sped from Atlanta to Baltimore, and peppered him with a few questions about the tour…

So how’s it goin’ out there on the East Coast?

It’s goin’ really well. The shows are going good, we’re playing a lot of different songs, and I think the band is really playing well together and getting better. I think we’re all getting a better sense of how each other play these songs. It’s still really lively and free, but I think it’s also gelling a little better.

What would you say has been the hardest aspect of it?

For me it’s been learning some of the songs that I have to sing that I wasn’t as familiar with. It’s funny, though, the same thing that’s hard about this gig is the thing that’s easy about it.

How so?

Well, Phil is fearless. He likes to try new things and it’s okay to come within inches of falling on your face every night. It takes a while to get used to that notion, but when you can embrace that idea, it makes it sort of an easy thing to go out there and try new things all the time. It’s a cool way to do music.

That’s the Grateful Dead ethos is a nutshell. What have you discovered about a song like “Dark Star”?

That’s been a lot of fun for me, because it’s one of those songs we’ve been doing that always goes into other songs and other songs go into it, so it’s a challenge figuring out how to develop it and play with it. Phil sings that one so I’ve been enjoying being back there making sound effects and stuff and playing off Larry [Campbell] and Steve [Molitz]. It’s only a two-chord song, so there’s so much room to interpret the mood of what direction it’s going. From my perspective—and I don’t know how it is for the audience—I really get off on the fact that when we get into stuff like that, we have the freedom to interpret it however we want, all of us at the same time. It can turn into something really, really beautiful, or really aggressive and nasty. It can even sound kind of sexy and smooth, which isn’t maybe what you’d expect from it. But it can go anywhere, really.

How has playing your own songs in the context of all these Grateful Dead songs affected how those songs sound to you?

That’s an interesting question. I’m not sure. A lot of the songs of mine we’ve been doing seem to be going over pretty well and seem to work well in that framework. There have been a couple of times we’ve been able to go out of one of my songs into one of the [GD] staples, which is cool. God bless Phil for figuring that out; I would never thought they would fit like that, but he heard it somehow. Of course a lot of my songs are a lot longer with this band than they would be in mine. [Laughs] We jam on them more and we change around the groove sometimes. There’s one song of mine we’ve probably done four different ways already—“Tell Me Mama, Tell Me Right.” It’s a blues tune, basically, but we’ve done it acoustic; the other night I turned around and said, “Let’s do it really slow, 6/8 time”; and we also did it sort of as a faster boogie-woogie on the piano one night. That’s a lot of fun for me.

What’s this instrumental you guys have done a few times, “Big Mon”?

Oh, that’s a really fast, barn-burning, traditional fiddle tune.

So I presume Larry brought that in?

Right, it’s Larry. He’s so great. Actually, some of the most fun I’ve been having on this tour is on the bus playing music with Larry. It turns out he knows a shit-load of old folk and bluegrass songs, and I grew up with a bluegrass influence, too, so we’ll jam for hours on the bus. That’s how that one came into the set, I guess. It’s a good chance for Larry to show off! [Laughs]

Are you the one who brought “Loan Me in Dime,” which I presume you got from Boz Scaggs’ first album?

Yeah. I thought it would be a good slow song that would give the band a chance to stretch out a little and also get really big. I thought it would be a neat moment for us. It’s pretty straight forward, but it can be really powerful.

And I see you played “Leopard-Skin Pill-box Hat”—nice choice!

Phil likes to do Dylan songs and I like to sing no more than one a night—I already get enough flak for being like Dylan, so I don’t want to overdo it! [Laughs] I figured that was a pretty easy one for everybody to learn. It’s a blues, and so you can make it funky, do it as a shuffle, whatever.

Your song “Cold Black Devil” has been sounding good.

Thanks. It’s kind like of swamp jam; it’s a good excuse to jam, which is probably why Phil likes to do it.

Are you enjoying playing this big variety of places, from Red Rocks to those intimate theaters in Chicago and Boston?

Oh, for sure! Chicago was a little rough because the building was very old and it was packed—it was like 90 degrees in there. We were a having a hard time in there even though we had fans on us. The crowd must’ve been miserable.

Ah, they can take it. They’re troopers. Every one of ‘em has been through worse, I guarantee you!

You’re probably right. [Laughs]

Why have there been so few acoustic sets?

I don’t know. I’d like to do it more often. Probably because it involves a whole ’nother level of setup for the crew and we haven’t always had the luxury of a lot of time in some cities. I like ‘em a lot. The Red Rocks acoustic set was definitely one of the highlights of the whole tour for me, because I really got the sense that it meant something special; it felt “important” maybe. It’s such a nice way to present some of those songs. I really love a lot of those tunes.

Have you had much interaction with fans?

A little bit. But we’re on a pretty tight schedule here. We’ve been leaving after every show and getting on the bus. But what interactions I’ve had, everyone has been really nice and warm. They seem to be digging it. I know I am.

Phil looks and sounds like he’s digging it, too.

Phil is having a great time. He’s smiling, dancing…he’s excited. He can’t wait to get out there. We have to hold him back sometimes: Wait, Phil. It’s not time yet! He’s pretty amazing, actually.

Set Lists for the Second Leg

10/03/07 Uptown Theater (Kansas City)

Alabama Getaway, About Cell Block #9, Big River, Candyman, Leopard-Skin Pill-box Hat, Mississippi 1/2 Step, Cold Black Devil, Good Lovin’

Brown Sugar, Bertha, Uncle John's Band> Scarlet Begonias> The Wheel> Sugaree> Tom Thumb’s Blues, Casey Jones, Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad / Ripple

10/05/07 Riviera Theater (Chicago)

Deal, Mississippi 1/2 Step, Deep Elem Blues, Loose Lucy, When You're Walking Away, Cumberland Blues, Seven Jealous Sisters, Cold Rain & Snow

Cosmic Charlie, China Cat Sunflower> Eyes Of The World> St. Stephen> Mountains Of The Moon> Midnight Rider> I Know You Rider> The Golden Road> Sugar Magnolia / Tom Thumbs Blues

10/06/07 Riviera Theater (Chicago)

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Pride Of Cucamonga, This Wheel’s on Fire, Scarlet Begonias, Spots of Time, Althea, Tell Me Mama Tell Me Right, Bertha

Playing In The Band> Uncle John's Band, Birdsong, Loan Me A Dime, Dark Star> New Speedway Boogie> Fire On The Mountain> Dark Star> Viola Lee Blues / Alabama Getaway

10/07/07 Riviera Theater (Chicago)

Good Lovin', Mexican Girl, Candyman, Let It Ride, Sugaree> Casey Jones

(Acoustic) Ripple, Cry Yourself Dry, Friend of the Devil, Big Mon, Brokedown Palace

The Wheel, Cryptical Envelopment> All Along the Watchtower> Other One, Help on the Way, Slipknot > Franklin's Tower, Lovelight / Not Fade Away

10/09/07 Orpheum Theater (Boston)

Jam> Friend Of the Devil, Pride of Cucamonga, Big River, I'm So Gone, Loose Lucy, When You’re Walking Away, Pack Fair and Square*, Brown Sugar*

Spots Of Time, China Cat Sunflower> Eyes Of The World> A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall> Viola Lee Blues> Althea> Viola Lee Blues> Cold Black Devil > Viola Lee Blues, Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain / Ripple

* with former J. Geils Band frontman Peter Wolf

10/10/07 Orpheum Theater - Boston, MA

Cosmic Charlie, So Hard To Find My Way, Deal, Tell Me Mama Tell Me Right, Cold Rain and Snow, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Alabama Getaway

Shakedown Street, Mississippi Half-Step> New Speedway Boogie> Loan Me A Dime> The Other One, Down in the Valley Woe, St. Stephen> The Wheel> Sugar Magnolia / Brokedown Palace

10/12/07 Tweeter Waterfront (Camden, NJ)

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Deal, Mexican Girl > Scarlet Begonias > I'm So Gone, Lovelight

(Acoustic) Lost Highway, Tell Me Mama, Deep Elem Blues, Friend Of The Devil, Big Mon

Playing In The Band > Cumberland Blues > Uncle John's Band > Mountains Of The Moon > Terrapin Station > I Know You Rider / Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower

10/13/07 Charlottesville Pavilion (VA)

The Golden Road> Bertha, Candyman, Bird Song, Big River, Gone Wanderin', Cold Rain and Snow

Althea, The Wheel> This Wheel's On Fire, Cryptical Envelopment> Dark Star> Eyes of the World> Dark Star> Sugaree, Cosmic Charlie / Not Fade Away

10/14/07 Echo Project (Fairburn, GA)

Friend of the Devil, Pride of Cucamonga, Loose Lucy, Deep Elem Blues, Tell Me Mama Tell Me Right, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, Althea, Alabama Getaway

Shakedown Street, Casey Jones, Midnight Rider, New Speedway Boogie> Loan Me a Dime> Fire on the Mountain> China Cat Sunflower> St. Stephen> Franklin's Tower / A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

10/16/07 Lyric Opera House (Baltimore)

Playing In The Band> This Wheel’s On Fire, So Hard To Find My Way, Mississippi Half-Step, Deal, Mexican Girl, Good Lovin'

Gone Wanderin'> Cumberland Blues, Jam> Eyes Of The World> Brokedown Palace, The Golden Road> Viola Lee Blues> Why Don't We Do It in the Road> Viola Lee Blues> All Along the Watch Tower> I Know You Rider / Box Of Rain

10/18/07 Shea's Performing Arts Center (Buffalo)

Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Big River, Leopard-Skin Pill-box Hat, The Wheel> I'm So Gone, Scarlet Begonias> Fire On The Mountain

Cosmic Charlie, Althea, Cold Black Devil, Cryptical Envelopment> The Other One> Caution, Help On The Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower, Sugar Magnolia / Lovelight

10/19/07 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Shakedown Street, Gone Wanderin', Mississippi Half-Step, The Gambler, Candyman, Loan Me a Dime, Brown-Eyed Women

China Cat Sunflower, Uncle John's Band, Down in the Valley Woe, Mountains of the Moon > Terrapin Station > St. Stephen > Stella Blue (instrumental) > Sugaree > I Know You Rider / Not Fade Away

10/20/07 Glens Falls (NY) Civic Center*

Alabama Getaway, Pride of Cucamonga, Friend of the Devil, Deep Elem Blues, Deal, Bird Song, Bertha

Shine, Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues > Viola Lee Blues > Cumberland Blues > Viola Lee Blues, Plasma, Unbroken Chain, Dark Star > Wharf Rat > Dark Star > Help on the Way > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower / Box of Rain

*entire show with Trey Anastasio on guitar

10/21/2007 War Memorial at Oncenter (Syracuse, NY)

Ripple, Gone Wanderin', Althea, Sugaree, Spots of Time, The Wheel> Cosmic Charlie

The Golden Road> The Other One> Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad> Eyes of The World> Scarlet Begonias, New Speedway Boogie> St. Stephen> Terrapin> Fire on The Mountain / Brokedown Palace

:: Phil & Friends Tour Schedule

Global Drum Project -- 2007 Tour Dates

Analise Dubner — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:43:52 -0500

Date	City, State	Venue
11 Oct	Annapolis, MD	Maryland Hall
12 Oct	Storrs, CT	U Conn
13 Oct	Burlington, VT	University of VT
14 Oct	Poughkeepsie, NY	Bardavan Opera House
16 Oct	University Park, PA	Penn State
17 Oct	New York, NY	Highline Ballroom
18 Oct	Pittsburgh, PA	Byham Theater
20 Oct	East Lansing, MI	Michigan State U
21 Oct	Columbus, OH	Southern Theater
22 Oct	Glenside, PA	Keswick Theatre
25 Oct	Glen Ellyn, IL	College of DuPage
26 Oct	Madison, WI	U of Wisconsin
27 Oct	Minneapolis, MN	Minnesota Orchestra Hall

More Dates TBA

Click here to purchase the new Global Drum Project CD in the Dead.net Store.

Bob Weir & Ratdog '07 Tour Schedule

Analise Dubner — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:41:42 -0500

Date	City, ST	Venue
10/26/07	Hampton Beach, NH	Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
10/27/07	Hampton Beach, NH	Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
10/28/07	Lebanon, NH	Lebanon Opera House
10/30/07	Westbury, NY	North Fork Theater at Westbury
10/31/07	Westbury, NY	North Fork Theater at Westbury
11/2/07	Burlington, VT	Memorial Auditorium
11/3/07	Albany, NY	Palace Theater
11/4/07	State College, PA	Penn State Univ-Eisenhower Auditorium
11/7/07	Norfolk, VA	The Norva
11/8/07	Charlotte, NC	Ovens Auditorium
11/13/07	St. Petersburg, FL	Mahaffey Theater
11/14/07	Jacksonville, FL	Florida Theatre
11/16/07	Lake Buena Vista, FL	House Of Blues
11/17/07	Boca Raton, FL	Mitzner Park Amphitheatre

Phil Lesh & Friends Fall Tour '07

Jonathan Lane — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:04:35 -0500

(San Francisco) Phil Lesh and Friends have announced that they will be performing a fall tour beginning in Santa Barbara, CA on Sept 22nd and will conclude with shows at the Nokia Theater in New Your City. Joining the former Grateful Dead bassist will be a world class band consisting of: Americana music sensation Jackie Greene (guitar, keyboards, vocals), multi-instrumentalist Larry Campbell, (Bob Dylan, Levon Helm), electronic keyboardist Steve Molitz (Particle), and drummer John Molo (Bruce Hornsby & The Range). Tickets for this tour will go on sale beginning July 25th through Phil Lesh Ticketing and GDTS-TOO.

for more information:

http://www.phillesh.net

http://www.philtickets.musictoday.com/philleshfriends/calendar.aspx

www.gdtstoo.com

Day	Date	City, ST	Venue
Fri	10/19/07	Uncasville, CT	Mohegan Sun Arena
Sat	10/20/07	Glens Falls, NY	Glens Falls Civic Center
Sun	10/21/07	Syracuse, NY	War Memorial at Oncenter
Wed	10/31/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Thu	11/1/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Fri	11/02/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Sat	11/03/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Mon	11/05/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Tue	11/06/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Thu	11/8/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Fri	11/9/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)
Sat	11/10/07	New York, NY	Nokia Theater Times Square (16 years & older)

Big GD Family Presence at Gathering of the Vibes 2007

almanac — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 23:32:37 -0500

For more than a decade, the Gathering of the Vibes has been one of the highlights of the summer festival season. It started in 1996 as a Jerry Garcia memorial event called "Deadhead Heaven," and has been growing in size and reputation ever since. Many musicians number the Vibes, as it's called for short, among their very favorite events to play, and audiences feel much the same.

On August 9-12, the Vibes will return, after several years in upstate New York, to Seaside Park in Bridgeport, CT, a gorgeous 370 acre space on the shore of Long Island Sound that hosted memorable editions of the festival in 1999 and 2000.

This year's Vibes will live up to the event's original "Deadhead Heaven" heritage in a big way, with several members in good standing of the Grateful Dead alumni association providing some of the musical thrills: Bob Weir and Ratdog make their third consecutive appearance; the Mickey Hart Band will feature a very special lineup of players, including Steve Kimock, George Porter, Jr., John Molo, Jen Durkin and Sikiru Adepoju; Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay will be on hand with her new band, Donna Jean and The Tricksters, and also is slated to sit in with Zero.

There will be plenty of friends of the GD family to be seen and heard as well, including Dark Star Orchestra, Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, George Clinton & P-Funk, The Wailers, Dickey Betts and the Great Southern, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, David Gans and many others on three stages. Also: an area hosting a variety of vitally important non-profit organizations, a "kids' corner," and much more.

For full details and schedule, visit the official website.

Phil Lesh & Friends San Francisco Show July 21st

ccasal — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:03:00 -0500

We are pleased to announce that on Saturday, July 21st, Phil Lesh & Friends will be performing at The Independent in San Francisco. Phil Lesh, Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell, John Molo, and Steve Molitz will be joined by special guest Barry Sless in what will be Phil Lesh & Friends’ first San Francisco appearance in over a year. Opening the show will be Vice, who will be performing an acoustic set to complete this exciting evening of music.

Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday July 17th at 10AM PST and will be available at www.ticketweb.com

Tickets will also be available on Wednesday, July 18th through Phil Lesh Ticketing, visit www.phillesh.net; to get additional information. Be sure to continue to visit Phil’s homepage for other exciting announcements in the coming weeks.

Check out the Phil Lesh Tour Dates Page for a list of upcoming fall shows.

Phil Keeps It Small, With Big Results

Analise Dubner — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:31:02 -0500

Jackie Greene and Phil at Sweetwater, 7/7/07
(Photo: Bob Minkin)

Phil Lesh, while showing that he can still rock a large crowd in a large way (as he did in June at the Mountain Jam in upstate New York, with a Phil & Friends ensemble featuring the formidable guitar tandem of John Scofield and Warren Haynes), continued his recent trend toward off-the-cuff, under-the-radar shows at some remarkably intimate venues. Last month we reported on his quick hop into New York City for two club dates. And in the days around the Fourth of July, Phil, in collaboration with the Unbroken Chain Foundation, presided over a very special series of events to benefit a cause dear to his heart: Homeward Bound of Marin, a provider of transitional and long-term housing and support services for homeless people in Marin County. For this endeavor, participants were asked not just to donate funds, but also their time, skills and sweat in helping Homeward Bound build a new classroom for children of homeless families. As thanks for their efforts, the volunteers were invited to a party at a private residence in Marin, complete with a barbeque dinner and a poolside performance by Phil and some of his talented Friends. To warm up for that shindig, Phil decided to do another stealthy little gig the night before the pool party, at the tiny, legendary Mill Valley musicians’ hangout, the Sweetwater. Along with old Friends John Molo, Barry Sless and Steve Molitz, Phil welcomed someone new to the fold: the phenomenally talented young singer/songwriter/guitarist Jackie Greene. The evening (which was dedicated to Mark Karan) featured a generous helping of Grateful Dead standbys and some intriguing covers, and the consensus among the lucky throng that made it into the cozy saloon was that the Phil/Jackie connection could be the start of another beautiful friendship.

NOTE: Just after we went to press (or whatever the heck it is we "go to" in this post-paper age), it was announced that Phil Lesh and Friends had scheduled another Bay Area club date, on July 21, at The Independent in San Francisco. Larry Campbell rejoins the lineup for this one.

Phil and Friends, Rockin' By The Pool, 7/8/07 (Photo: Bob Minkin)

Global Drum Project Tour

ccasal — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:55:46 -0500

The GLOBAL DRUM PROJECT Tour brings Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju, and Giovanni Hidalgo together again in a reunion sparked by the 15th anniversary of the ground-breaking album Planet Drum.

For more information visit:

mickeyhart.net

Click here to purchase the new Global Drum Project CD in the Dead.net
Store.

RatDog Rocks NYC for HeadCount

almanac — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 03:16:46 -0500

Photo: Gary Lambert

On June 14, Bob Weir and RatDog slipped stealthily into New York City to headline a party/fundraiser for HeadCount, a non-partisan organization devoted to using the multi-faceted power of music to enable voter registration and participation in democracy. The organization’s volunteers have been a familiar and welcome presence at major music festivals as well as concert appearances by RatDog, Phil Lesh & Friends, Dave Matthews Band and numerous others. Since its inception in 2004, HeadCount has registered over 50,000 voters, more than any all-volunteer group in the U.S.

The event, held at TriBeCa’s intimate Canal Room, also featured a solo performance by Warren Haynes, who sat in with RatDog for a couple of tunes later in the evening.

After the show it was back on the bus and off to Tennessee for Bonnaroo, and the official start of RatDog’s summer tour.

Look for the good folks from HeadCount out there on the road this summer, and if you haven’t registered to vote yet, please do! Our democracy’s only as good as the people who make use of it.

For more on HeadCount, visit their website: www.headcount.org

Canal Room
New York, NY
June 14, 2007
Jam> Shakedown Street> Easy Answers> It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue*, Big Boss Man*, Lucky Enough, Me and My Uncle@, Desolation Row@/#, West L.A. Fadeaway> Stuff> Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door> Throwin’ Stones.
E: Bertha

*with Warren Haynes, guitar; @Bob on acoustic guitar; @/#Bob on acoustic, then electric.

-GL