jw harding

Really disappointing year to be a Deadhead. Held a lot of promise, highs and lows, no one gets out of this unscathed. On a happier note, working my way through the 30 trips box, and loving the 72 show, 9/24/72. The Dark Star jam> China Cat is perfect, and the rest of the show is insane. Incredible transition into Rider, of course, which may be the Dead's signature jam. Great Bertha earlier in the set, sure sounds to me like Phil is playing the bass line from Judy in Disguise, probably just me though.

Trey interview in the January Guitar World shares this fun tidbit on FTW. Did you know FTW backwards is WTF? The January 2015 issue of Guitar World magazine features an interview with Phish frontman Trey Anastasio. Anastasio also appears on the cover of the issue, which hits newsstands soon and is available for purchase here. Anastasio discusses many topics with journalist Alan Paul including the Fare Thee Well shows, the history and future of Phish and the recent changes to his guitar rig. Within Trey's chat with Alan, he shared a fascinating story about the "Attics Of My Life" that ended t

That Deer Creek Q setlist is real nice. I saw the night before at Alpine. Also real good, but I think that tour Phil was doing a lot of his Millenium Jams, long drawn out instrumental passages, that could be a little much, on top of all the other more familiar jams.

Agree with what BobLamonta wrote about Dead & Co. Also agree that as great as PLQ was in 01, too much jamming. From that 4/20/01 show you posted, a Dark Star/Blues for Allah sandwich that clocks in around 45 minutes. 12 minute slipknot, 22 minute wharf rat. Seeing them could be pretty exhausting.

Agree on Bob not being able to lead a band to save his life. Last time I saw Ratdog, the other musicians were watching him wondering what the hell he would do next, and he's just off in his own little world. He needs some stronger personalities and musicians to keep him in check. Bruce really was a waste of talent at FTW. Not sure why they bothered inviting him. Got the Relisten app on my phone, so listened to the 2/18/01 Q show while working out (humble brag). Only got through the first 2 songs in 45 minutes. Pretty good energy jamming and all, but a bit too much to start a show.

Pretty relevant statement on FTW and Trey vs. Mayer from Weir given some of the discussion in here: How does Mayer compare to Phish's Trey Anastasio, who was part of the "Fare Thee Well" shows? "It's hard to compare them," Weir said. "John plays a lot of way cool blues licks that Jerry never did. Trey has his own wheelhouse, but we couldn't manage to get as much rehearsal in as I would have liked. For me, Trey was the MVP of that event, but I think we all could have done a bit better in all our given roles with more rehearsal." http://www.twincities.com/music/ci_29139140/dead-kick-it-up-no

Generally just listen to post-Dead shows I've attended, exception being Ratdog which I find unlistenable, walked out on their last show I attended. Sooooooo boooooooring. Listen to a few other Q shows, and Phil with Trey. That's about it. Too much quality real Dead out there to devote much time to anything post 95. I've listened to a few clips of the Mayer stuff just to check it out. Sounds fine, but rather listen to the real thing. Seems some people are getting real excited about it. Can't relate.

This band actually rehearsed, as opposed to doing two warm up shows in San Jose instead. And removing Phil not only removes a source of personal tension among members of the band, but also one less dominant point of view on the direction the music should take. Fewer cooks to ruin the broth. Also, much less pressure and hype than FTW. I think those factors are more significant than what Mayer brings to the table, but certainly everyone's perception is reality in the land of the Dead. Just one show so far, kinda have to roll my eyes at how hyped it is getting. The last Dead tour with Warren had

People do like Jeff's songs better than Jay's. Just stating a fact.

Cassidy seemed like the musical highlight to me, but not surprised it didn't make the cut.

I'd say that's one of the most well written pieces I've ever read about the Dead. Just perfect.

Probably Ned. They did Seastones during those shows, and Ned sat in on portions of the Dead set. Check Nedbase. It's a real thing: http://nedbase.blogspot.com/

Love Broken Arrow. Maybe you had to be there.

I'm not sure that can be explained on a message board. Read up on the Wall of Sound. Bear, Meyer Sound, Alembic, were sonic pioneers. They were innovators in the field, and revolutionized concert sound. Bear's inspiration and insight of course came from hallucinations in which he could see the sound coming out of speakers, and then based his designs based on what he saw.

Days Between was the last of the big Jerry ballad's they played at the Chicago Fare Thee Well shows, 4th to last song. Tough to hear Bob's overbite on it, but the placement would indicate they hold it in high regard.

I would rank Days Between up there with Wharf Rat and Terrapin as Garcia and Hunter's greatest masterpieces. McNally recently wrote a retrospective article on the Dead in relation to the Fare thee Well shows. Included a deep discussion on Days Between's genius and origins. Love the lyrics and imagery, and the music is so intense and unique, unlike anything Garcia had written in years, if ever. Particularly the last 15 years or so, when he was just rewriting folk and blues tunes. I guess there are some people that prefer Believe it or Not or If I Had the World to Give... Never heard that vers

Those are bad, but Phil gets a lifetime pass because of Box of Rain and Unbroken Chain. Also, Passenger and Pride of Cucomonga, and his co-writing on tracks like St. Stephen, Truckin', probably some other doozies. Always hated IWTYH, but then found this cover version online, just bass and vocal. Really dig it, maybe because I have two young daughters: https://youtu.be/DibFt4L3z-I Also, here is 20 seconds of Jerry Garcia laughing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DXfwUN9M8k

I really like Way to Go Home, but that is the era of the Dead I grew up on. I was a post-Touch Head. Jerry has some real bluesy, ripping licks. Vince brings some intensity, and then a cool vocal breakdown. Fun tune, but agree it would've been better in the first set. How about Eternity? If you were in the right headspace, could be a great tune. But I saw it once in the second set, when they probably should've played Estimated, and another time to end a first set, which was a real let down.

You can find someone that likes pretty much every Dead song, except Samba in the Rain. Once had a conversation with a guy who thought the lyrics to Easy Answers were cool.

Choose: Brent version vs. Pigpen version. Death is not an option. I'm not offended by Day Job, find it listenable, but didn't see any Dead shows in the 80's. There's one or two worse Jerry tunes (Believe it or Not, If I Had the World to Give???). Lots of worse Bob tunes.

I enjoy the way CRB does West LA, and Dead tunes in general. Feel bad for the bass players (also Joe Russo's AD) when Phil steals their spot. Hope they get paid or at least get some pizza backstage or something.

I'm intrigued to see what Oteil brings to Dead and Co. as well, but not enough to get me to a show. They may as well have Mike Huckabee on bass at this point. Probably would rather get any Dead fix from Phil and Friends, Joe Russo's AD, maybe Billy and the Kids. I can support the idea of going with a group of friends and having fun. Feel sorry for anyone who takes any mind expanding chemicals at the shows.

If I knew someone who thought the Dead wrote Take Me to the River, I would never talk to them again.

In all fairness, even John Phillips didn't know he had written Me and My Uncle until the Dead told him he did. He was happy to receive the royalty checks, though. I don't associate with any Deadheads who are unaware those are cover tunes. But I suppose there are a few people out there dumb enough to not realize Buddy Holly wrote NFA.

Merriwether night 1, Philly night 2, and Nashville seem to be consensus best shows. But there are a lot of great moments throughout.