As a Father's day present, my wife sent to me to Chicago, where I needed to be on Monday, early. I hooked up with a friend and co-worker and went to venerable Soldier Field where the monstors of the midway play. James Cotton was fantastic. The show closer and encore Gloria, phenomenal. I could almost use the Comic Book Guy quote and say: Best Show Ever. However, who can say. The next day we headed to the other sports shrine in Chi-Town, Wrigley Field, where we sat in the bleacher's for a Father's day in the sun. A 40 something African American gent was there with his dad and son next to us - warm and fuzzy, americana, three gen! I did my best to ingratiate myself with the locals by putting on my Chicago accent - you know - nasaly - and proceeded to get very drunk. Long about the seventh inning streetch I was toasted in more ways than one, when my buddy asked those in our vicinity for sunscreen. I was greeted with several bottles being chucked at my head. I deserved it. Afterwards, we headed to a nearby sports bar to watch the Jordan threepeat against Barkley and the Suns, with yours truly loudly rooting for the opposition at my own peril. My buddy hauled my ass quickly out the door at game's end before the crowd got me, and we jumped into a camp that just happened to be racing by. The driver was very doosed, but managed to get us to the Fairmont off the Lake safely, and me and my bud drained the mini-bar while we watched the riots on TV. It was a gas until I woke up on Monday and had to head to work. I realized I had forgotten a toothbrush and a razor. I will survive.

First time in the Windy City - 1st time into OHare - 1st time on the L - 1st time to Soldier Field - Never had such a good time....See my show reviews for the rest...

Howdy folks,

I saw 1993 soldier field, and the "last ones" in 95. Unbeknownst, at the time; in 95 during the US blues encore, I mean Garcia just blew it, and I mean bad. They even had the teleprompters by this point. I mean , I'm not going to really be harsh becuase as a musician myself I know how difficult it is to remember lyrics, and Garcia probaly knew over 2000 plus songs w/ lyrics and chord changes. That's quite a accomplishment. But, I remember saying to myself "how much longer can it go on like this" That summer tour of 95 was really , really painstaking. I mean the riot at Deer Creek after dire wolf , the place went nuts becuase everybody knew that the "dark star" was coming that night or the scheduled night after. Also, the deaths from a campground deck collapse from the previous run of shows before soldier field really hit the scene hard too; you just don't think of that kind of risk when hanging out with friends. The feel on tour was different, the young crowd of "tree hungers and extremists" was really , really tough to take, and not all of them were young, but most of the folks in riot were young. Rebellion is a great cuase, but you've got to have a cuase. There was no doubt that the scene would change forever.

Ursa Minor

I wish that for just one time, You could stand inside my shoes, and for just that one moment, I could be you - Bob Dylan, Positively 4th St.