Factual error CJ . .this is the "LAST" tour of Dead and Company. So if you missed this one you are out of luck for this iteration. However, I hear from inside sources that next summer RATT DEAD will be touring. This is the same lineup of Dead and Company performers with John Mayer replaced by Stephen Pearcy of . . .you guessed it Ratt. As as a special treat, no other than Donna Jean Godchaux will depart her double wide to help with the "harmonies". Good times!
I think the Sabbath t-shirt would have been just fine - more fandom crossover than you'd think between these two legendary bands. Also highly recommend 'Ace' which is Bobby's record that has "Cassidy" on it (if you feel the need for anymore Dead-related things). Great second set and that buffet sounds like it was a good one!
As always, CJ and I have diametrically opposed taste in music. My quick text review of night 1:
“BEW was great with Jeff killing it on keys. Loved Oteil singing China doll. Other one-terrapin was tasty. And enjoyed the black Peter/Casey Jones ending. Did not need miracle or Jed. All in all pretty good but they're not the best band. It's the most real GD scene though. Feels like the early 90s.”
For reference I think RatDog 03-09 is the best post-Jerry band.
Mitch, as a more seasoned DH, have you noticed that in the last couple years the tempo of every song has equalized to a shuffle? Explanations on Dead forums (fora?) include: (1) additional time for more Mayer notes, (2) Weir can’t read the promoter at normal tempo, (3) drummers have arthritis and faster aggravates.
That’s Bobby’s tempo. He’s always slowed songs down since the RatDog days. It works well with a more jazzy approach, as evidenced with the Wolf pack.
They sound better this tour because Jay knows how to play with Bobby while Bill pushed against him. Jay gives more power to the songs even at a slower tempo.
To me, the strength and weakness of D&Co is Mayer. He’s a great player but he’s a blues player - he solos but he doesn’t really jam - and he doesn’t scratch the psychedelic itch than Karan and Kimock and Kadelick get at. Of course, Mayer is also what makes them the longest lasting and most successful post-Jerry band. And it’s also impressive that John subsumes his ego to Bobby and the legacy.
For me the scene is great (corporate types have replaced frat bros) and the music can be great - depends on the song. JRAD is my favorite Dead band at the moment, but Bobby Weir will always be my #1 love!
Factual error CJ . .this is the "LAST" tour of Dead and Company. So if you missed this one you are out of luck for this iteration. However, I hear from inside sources that next summer RATT DEAD will be touring. This is the same lineup of Dead and Company performers with John Mayer replaced by Stephen Pearcy of . . .you guessed it Ratt. As as a special treat, no other than Donna Jean Godchaux will depart her double wide to help with the "harmonies". Good times!
To paraphrase a friend of mine, I wouldn't go to see Ratt if they were playing in my backyard. DJG notwithstanding
I think the Sabbath t-shirt would have been just fine - more fandom crossover than you'd think between these two legendary bands. Also highly recommend 'Ace' which is Bobby's record that has "Cassidy" on it (if you feel the need for anymore Dead-related things). Great second set and that buffet sounds like it was a good one!
You know, in retrospect the Sabbath T would have fit in nicely...acid rock and all. But I was undercover. Deep, deep undercover
As always, CJ and I have diametrically opposed taste in music. My quick text review of night 1:
“BEW was great with Jeff killing it on keys. Loved Oteil singing China doll. Other one-terrapin was tasty. And enjoyed the black Peter/Casey Jones ending. Did not need miracle or Jed. All in all pretty good but they're not the best band. It's the most real GD scene though. Feels like the early 90s.”
For reference I think RatDog 03-09 is the best post-Jerry band.
Mitch, as a more seasoned DH, have you noticed that in the last couple years the tempo of every song has equalized to a shuffle? Explanations on Dead forums (fora?) include: (1) additional time for more Mayer notes, (2) Weir can’t read the promoter at normal tempo, (3) drummers have arthritis and faster aggravates.
That’s Bobby’s tempo. He’s always slowed songs down since the RatDog days. It works well with a more jazzy approach, as evidenced with the Wolf pack.
They sound better this tour because Jay knows how to play with Bobby while Bill pushed against him. Jay gives more power to the songs even at a slower tempo.
To me, the strength and weakness of D&Co is Mayer. He’s a great player but he’s a blues player - he solos but he doesn’t really jam - and he doesn’t scratch the psychedelic itch than Karan and Kimock and Kadelick get at. Of course, Mayer is also what makes them the longest lasting and most successful post-Jerry band. And it’s also impressive that John subsumes his ego to Bobby and the legacy.
For me the scene is great (corporate types have replaced frat bros) and the music can be great - depends on the song. JRAD is my favorite Dead band at the moment, but Bobby Weir will always be my #1 love!