: )

Went to the Palace last night for the Pistons game, couldn't stop thinking about how great it will be when The Other Ones pull in for Sat. night of Thanksgiving weekend -- also the beginning of Hanukkah, watch for a 2nd set Dreidel Jam.

"There will be no money, but on your deathbed you will receive total consciousness..."

Who's all gonna be in Detroit? I'm truckin in from Pitt in the afternoon. Can't wait....

any predictions of a setlist for Saturday night?
How 'bout "GSET?" "Til the Morning Comes" was mentioned in an article in todays local rag!

ANyone in town early, cruise to downtown Pontiac. Decent brewpub BO's. It's about 10 minutes south of the Palace

as long as susan is still on the bus, I think
bobby should consider " Me and Bobbee Mcgee" !
not a barn burner, but would sound nice after 6 hours of truckin threw the cold rain and snow.
looks like a nasty travel day, lots of lake effect
snow. this reminds me of the good ol' days, when the boys ventured out in the snow !

Devil w/ The Blue Dress ... Just My Imagination ... Tears Of A Clown .. KICK OUT THE JAMS (MC5) ... Dancin ..

I have two extras for this. They are the FastTixx that you print on your printer.

I can email them but I wont be back to my home computer until like 5:30 est.

Please email me if you can use these tickets or if you will get rid of them.

I am going to try to sell them at check out time but will have someone post if they are sold.

Thanks and if there is any question on whether you should go or not .....go. Get up off your ass and go.

11/30/02 The Palace, Detroit, MI
I: Jam > Maggie's Farm* > Strawberry Fields* > Uncle John's Band* > Crazy Fingers > Big Boss Man*, Feel Like a Stranger*, Midnight Hour* > One More Saturday Night
II: Jam > Playin in the Band* > Scarlet Begonias* > Fire on the Mountain* > Drums > Space > Lazy Lightning > Supplication > New Speedway Boogie* > Caution* > Sugaree*
E: GDTRFB* > And We Bid You Goodnight*
*-with Susan Tedeschi
Robert Hunter played between sets

A good time had by all. See you in Indy

great show, somewhat loose venue. sound wss nice
and the light show is better than ever !!! seems like evergyone was having good fun ! keep susan in the band !! she fits in, she sounds great . and is mighty nice to watch.
the ride from chicago was an adventure in itself. there was lake effect snow all the way
up here. saw lots of jacknife semi's and lots of cars in the ditches.
the show was solid and I didn't mind the mickey rap either. I'm just glad to see them making music together again.
see ya in indy !!

Nice review, Al. Keep 'em coming, puhleeeeeze!

Sounds like a great show,Thanks Wizardsson for the calls.....

Big Al has had some trouble with the required rest necessary for a multiple show run. With this in mind, B.B. the trooper will be manning the wheel. Once again, great show last night and looking forward to this evening.

I thought this show began with a bang! The Maggie's Farm was one of the finest and most raucousy renditions I've heard. Strawberry Fields, which was absolutely gorgeous, ended with a Harrison-inspired jam that gained momentum and shifted into a high-speed Uncle John's jam, before being slowed down into a yummy-molassesy Uncle John's Band with lightening-crazy Jimmy licks and a tremendous cretiendoing jam. Of small note, it was nice to hear the "da-da-da-da da-da" vocals at the end. A brief spacey jam led into a Phil-thundering Crazy Fingers with another tremendous Jimmy-led jam. By the way, Weir’s playing was absolutely inspired throughout. He rarely played rhythm. Rather, he'd play a slow lead, almost a bass line, around which Jimmy would often play circles. Occasionally, he would even trade licks with Jimmy and hold his own. I haven't heard Weir’s playing sound this good ever. Susan's vocals really made Bossman, although I do seem to remember Jimmy and Bobby stepping on Jeff's organ solo a bit. Jeff whipped his head around, and Bobby and Jimmy smiled and backed off. It was all good fun from a band still feeling each other out.

Now I've got to preface what I'm about to say with this: I rarely have a disparaging comment to make about Garcia. Even in 1994 and 1995, I thought he showed at least flashes of brilliance throughout each show. He was a genius. That being said, the Stranger, Midnight Hour, and One More Saturday Night that closed the first set were all rendered with more energy and tight jamming than I ever remember from the latter-day Dead. Its sad, but Jimmy helped me realize just how much Garcia had lost by 1994 and 1995. Jimmy doesn't quite have Jerry's touch, but without using a MIDI, he's an extremely inventive player, and boy is he fast. Bobby and Susan looked like they were having a blast improvising a call and response gig on Midnight Hour, and Bobby and Jimmy had a great time dueling it out during One More Saturday Night. By the end of the first set, I was actually concerned that the boys would have little gas left in the tank for the second set!

Hunter was absolutely brilliant. I've never seen him before. Strong voice, solid guitar, a willingness to take risks and play the fool (i.e. singing notes he can't reach, letting his voice crack unapologetically), and a great sense of humor. Liberty > Easy Wind > Mr. Charlie > Easy Wind was great. His a-capella encore, which I'm not familiar with but sounded like an Irish bar song, was just great. He's a real modern-day bard.

I thought the second set started out a bit typical, confirming my fears that they band had spent their energy on the first set. Playing in the Band was par for the course. Bobby does a great job with the Scarlet vocals and Phil's bass solos really made Fire (despite Mickey's vocals... just my opinion), but as much as I love these songs, this part of the show seemed just average. I don't really care for the way that Scarlet goes back into it's coda and then suddenly breaks into Fire, as oppose to the inventive, gradual transitions where you're not sure if Fire has really started yet. Maybe that's the 100+ show picky deadhead in me speaking. Drums was very solid, with Mickey really leading the way. He beat the sh*t out of "home plate." But by the end of drums, and throughout a brief space, things just seemed to slow down, like there was an energy leak in the balloon.

Now, here's where the boys + Susan proved me wrong. Just when I thought they had run out of steam, they broke into a Lazy Lightening that was beyond words. The pace, the changes, the jamming... for those who remember Garcia struggling to keep up with those latter-day Unbroken Chains and saying that he thought he was too old to play Stephen anymore, this rendition of Lazy Lightening made me realize why the band stopped playing it. I just don't think Garcia could have pulled off what Jimmy pulled off at this show. I'm not sure I've ever heard jamming this fierce. New Speedway was solid, but the Caution that fallowed, lead by Phil's thundering and plundering bass lines, again reached that complex and tight Lazy Lightening ferocity. Sugaree (and Caution) was beautifully sung by Susan, allowing her voice to really shine on a night when her vocals were generally a bit too low. By the way, during Caution, when the Gypsy woman told Rob and Susan that all they needed was some Mojo Hand, anyone know what that means?

GDTRFB was well played (I can't believe they had anything left to give!), and We Bid You Goodnight was long and well-done (nice vocals, Rob).

Now, I haven't seen any other shows on this tour, but I know the boys well enough to know that this was probably a fairy typical show, and that they've probably played and will play shows that crumble a bit more than this one and that outshine this one. If I'm right (and you-all let me know if I am), and this show represents an average night for TOO, this band has really raised the bar. I was deeply impressed.

And, probably more importantly in the long run, I just had an absolute blast. The music and the people made the long and wintry drive from Buffalo well worth it (thank for driving, Mike!).

Nice review Mr. Benson. I enjoyed the show myself as well. This is the only show I will see on this tour, but I have heard several of the other shows via SHN downloads from buddies of mine. Your review is right on!

I would like to add that the interplay between the band members is wondeful, with more hugs than I remember the Dead giving in the all the years I saw them from 1979 'till the end. For example, during Big Boss Man, Rob patted Jeff on the back after an organ solo, as if to say, "great job man!"

Jimi is a great guitar player as well, and his solo in Scarlet Begonias was note-for-note with Garcia's from the album--must be due to Jimmy's experience with Jazz is Dead.

From the shows I have heard in all their digital splendor, Bobby was louder than usual last night, and I am grateful for that as he is a very creative guitar player. Regarding the changeup up in Scarlet->Fire, I believe they do that because they drop down a major 2nd to accomodate Mickey's singing.

Lazy Lightning->Supplication was stupendous, and recapped the Supplication tease that appeared in the first set prior to UJB.

As Hunter sang in his last song before "Bars in the Barroom", "Let there be sings,to fill the air!"

Regarding the hugs... how about Mickey kissing Bobby goodnight on the back of the head during "We Bid You Goodnight?" There's a whole lot of love going around in this band.

Yup Benson. Lots of love!

One other thing. I want Jimmy to listen to 10/08 or 09 1984, Worcester, to get a feel for how Jerry played Supplication. IMO, that is one of the ultimate performances.

Another review about last night, did u notice how Susan did not sing the last verse of Sugaree, u know, "shake it up now Sugaree, I'll meet u at the jubilee..."? Didn't happen. They just kept on singin' the chorus after the pentultimate verse. Kind of cool, but also, a taste of the weird.

Show review:

Maggies farm sucked, the leading jam sounded like a China cat or perhaps Viola lee...The sound started out with promise that dwindled once I figured out that Bobby would be singing every lyric, unlike GD versions, and including the 'everybody wants me to be just like them' final lyric that Phil used to charm the crowd with...Sounded like Grateful Ratdog. Strawberry fields was good but PLQ members really kept that song together and the transition into Uncle Johns was cool...Jimmy Herring is awesome...I thought we were going to just get the Crazy Fingers tease, ala Aspen, but they played it...Big boss man was kinda cool if anything just to hear it live. Susan seems to be keeping Bobby in line and not cheesing it out too much. I thought Stranger was hot although not near GD versions in 90's...but definately showing promise. Jimmy used some Jerry/Kimock sounds during his solo with success, maybe he should use the effect on other songs as well. Saturday Night was actually cool.

Ripple by R.Hunter was a crowd sing along, very nice.

Set 2: Playing> was hot, Jimmy is all over the place almost having to slow down for the drummers it seemed(Missing Molo?)...and for a moment I thought we were going to be punished by a Banyan tree(like Alpine)...but they segued(not smoothly)into Scarlet. Yeah! A Phil tune! No wait, that is Bobby singing, when are they going to let Phil sing?...maybe the last lyric. Nope., all Bobby. Lame. The jam was good but then scarlet came to a stop before going into Fire. Mickey Hart wasn't as bad as Alpine with this one but it still was very painful to hear...Again, Phil should be singing this one. Premature Drums/space sounded reminiscent of '94, '95 but Bralove is missed...Lazy lightning was pretty hot, although I never have really liked that one except for the fact that you will get a Supplication jam, which was hot. Next up...is that Easy Answers?! God, please, no. Phew! That must be Truckin...no, it is Speedway Boogie and Jimmy is on fire! Finally a Phil tune! Wait that is Bobby singing again! Please don't dominat the Rap Bobby! You have got nothing new to say...I couldn't believe Bobby was singing another one, and now we are running out of time. Caution was hot and Barraco kinda reminds me of Pigpen at times and Tedeshi sounds great...but they couldn't finish the jam after the 'all you need' rap like PLQ did in Vail (spring '02)...they are definately not as tight as PLQ. That just left me hanging when suddenly Sugaree...It was cool that Susan sang this one instead of Bobby. I miss Warren.

Donor rap: My personal highlight. Fair is fair.

Encore: Please Phil sing Brokedown! Nope. GDTRFB. GD singalong. and a pretty cool Bid you goodnight.

Notes: During drums, Mickey was doing more of his lame Showboat crap, again. He seems to think it is some comercial event for everyone to watch, rather than meditation vibration.

What happened to Phil singing songs? Why can't Bobby just sing his songs? Stranger>Saturday Night was a good example of how good this band can be...if he would just stick to singing his songs everything would be great. Let Phil sing Scarlet, or New Speedway, or something. Bobby can't lead this band, he does not know how to end a song,e.g.Speedway. I would rather hear Barraco sing jerry tunes, or of course Phil. I'm glad I went to the show so I now know that it is not worth it to make the next two shows, maybe if Phil sings more. This band makes me miss Jerry, PLQ doesn't. This was like a GD celebration, rather than serious GD music. I guess if you want to see real deal Grateful Dead music, you had better start hoping for a Spring PLQ tour! I am.

G-Regulator

Salmay, your opinion is your own I guess, but my opinion is that you are clueless.

>>>this was probably a fairly typical show, and they've probably played and will play shows that crumble a bit more than this one and that outshine this one. If I'm right (and you-all let me know if I am)...

Well-done, Mr. B. (Can we blow you straight to hell now?)

Think you're right about "fairly typical." I've just seen two (+ Shoreline), but from what people are reporting, they're playing well even when the setlist isn't spectacular (like the two shows before yours).

I would have been very happy with the songs you saw.. Some good stuff there, in Set II especially...Thanks for making it "come alive."

Salmay you're hilarious.

So, you're a big Bob Weir fan, huh Salmay?

I thought the show started out pretty slow and that they only got into a really nice groove by Stranger. But, from that point forward they were ripping it up.

Just back from Detroit. My first show of the tour and I'll catch the Chicago show tomorrow night. I'm really glad we made the effort to see this one, especially since Susan won't be singing Monday. Her Sugaree was knee-melting.

Running late to the venue, trying a short cut that got us semi-lost, feeling a little frustrated and bitterly cold as we walked from the lot, we caught the end of Maggie's Farm, which reminded me of Steve Kimock not wanting to work on "Maggie's Farm" no more. I don't know Steve from Adam, haven't heard any of his shows with Phil, or otherwise (unless he played one of the Other Ones tours that I saw a few years ago) but if he hadn't left PLQ, we probably wouldn't have Jimmy Herring around now, for what its worth.

I started to catch up with the mood with Crazy Fingers. The graphics were mesmerizing, and I started to wonder if the Auburn Hills staff was dosing my Michelob Light. Not likely I guess.

Alpine Valley was nice, but based on the reviews I've been reading for this tour, and the show I saw last night, they're really starting to find themselves. (I shouldn't even bite on the whole PLQ vs. TOO thing, Phil wouldn't be involved in this if it wasn't going to be worthwhile. More than that, its about the music, not the musicians.)

The rest of the set was very bluesy with Big Boss Man and Midnight Hour, with Stranger thrown in there, and Saturday Night ending the set. Stranger would never make my fantasy set list, but the jams in the middle of the tune were really strong.

I thought the sound was OK. Its been kind of an issue, so I tried to pay closer attention to it. It could have been a little louder, but the second was louder than the first. The separation seemed OK, although I couldn't always distinguish Jimmy and Bobby, but maybe that's my ears. Susan was not very out front, at least not until later in the show, but I could usually hear her harmonies.

I was curious as to what Jeff would add to the mix, and in this bluesy show he played a lot of organ that fit in really well.

(More in a bit)

Hunter's set was very nice. He's improving as a performer, and holds the large crowd's attention pretty well. The one song I didn't know was Wind Blows High, and it was a highlight. Check out his online journal when you get a chance.

His musicianship suffers by comparison with the gifted people he's touring with, and he almost has to play solo, because his phrasing and song form is so loose, but he's very balls-y to lay it out like he does, and he somehow manages to charm the "thousand-eyed beast" (his term for an audience) in the end.

As a lyricist, he's a giant. The Dead would be a fraction of what they are without him.

I'll try and get the second set in later.

Thanks for your insight about Hunter. I agree totally.

After Detroit, I fell in love with Susie T.! From where I was sitting, she looked like Janis, maybe it was my state of mind-or a lady in red! Who knows but I hope they bring her back.

Anyone see Mickey's Journal entry about this show? Seems like he had a great time. I remember what he's talking about with respect to the UJB w/ Playin' elements and the UJB tempo shift, and both were pretty groovy. Goes to show, you don't ever know...

hey bobboge, stay away from susan, she's mine !

Mojo Hand is a voodoo symbol of power. it is said the severed hand of a Gorilla is supposed to have immense power when wielded by the individual who knows how to use it. Apparently it was used primarily as tool to "get" a member of the opposite sex, or same sex I guess, to give into your wishes. just a touch is all it takes.

Well, here's what I've been able to find about Mojo Hand. The following was lifted from this web site:

http://arts.ucsc.edu/gdead/agdl/ramble2.html#mojo

Mojo Hand
A note in Golden Road, Winter, 1984, stated that "'Mojo Hand'... was a common term among rural blacks for a person with extraordinary or seemingly magical abilities, and was the name of a song recorded by Lightnin' Hopkins. This reference brings the blues into the song. There is also a 1986 book by J.J. Phillips entitled Mojo Hand, published by City Miner Books.

The Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.) does give a definition for "mojo": "local U.S. [Prob. of Afr. orig.:cf. Gullah moco witchcraft, magic, Fula moco'o medicine man.] Magic, the art of casting spells; a charm or amulet used in such spells."

Further down in the definition, an example of usage speaks of a synonym for "mojo" being "lucky hand."

And yet another definition in the OED equates "mojo" with morphine.

According to Hoodoo--Conjuration--Witchcraft--Rootwork: Beliefs Accepted by Many Negroes and White Persons, These Being Orally Recorded Among Blacks and Whites by Harry Middleton Hyatt (Hannibal, Mo.: Alma Egan Hyatt Foundation, 1970):

"A hand is a magic helper, an object or act, which aids a person in obtaining a desire... hand has other names, among them--toby, guide, shield, roots, mojo, jomo (transposition of syllables in mojo), and hoodoo bag."

Why go to TOO shows if all you go for is TOO compare them TOO GD and PLQ? Stay the fuck home and quit complaining, I'm personally tired of the shit. Salmay, what fucking show were you at??? You are truly full of shit man. Detroit rocked, so stay home next tour if all you want TOO do is compare TOO, TOO GD and PLQ. It's lame because if you haven't noticed: THEY'RE DIFFERENT BANDS, JACKASS!!!!! Big Boss Man was KINDA cool???? WTF are you talking about?? Clean your ears out dickhead, no, better yet, stay home, because you sound like the kind of pain in the ass who complains during the show and if you ever sit near me I will personally tell your ass off during the show.....and trust me, I will.

RIGHT ON FARKY !!! it's shitheads like salmay that should just stay away from the scene
all together ! it's apparent he never "got it"
and never will. I personally loved the show !
I'm sure he'll be seeking tickets for the 2003 summer tour.

Gee Farky...your diatribe above really exudes the ideals that The Dead are purportedly known for...
The Right to Free Speech and all o' that.
We are the 'Heads...the Fans...the paying customers, why shouldn't we have the right to critique?
Not EVERY note played...EVERY syllable sung from these guys is a "Holy Golden Nugget".
These guys are JUST an fallible as anyone else...and if someone wants to compare one "Dead-based Band"...WITH former members OF The Dead IN IT...to another which falls within the same parameters...why shouldn't he?

Now that being said...if this is being said DURING a Show...now THAT'S WRONG.
Shut the f**k up and listen...form your opinions.
But here...in an OPEN FORUM...there is NOTHING WRONG with not embracing EVERYTHING these guys do.

Well said, Keyshawn.

Salmay seems to be a Hard Core Philhead, a heavy Phil and Phriends fan, and not at all a Bobby fan. So, he's naturally going to be dissapointed by shows that don't prominantly feature Phil. Phil's bass playing was awesome this show, but Phil didn't sing much (his only lead vocal was UJB) and some of TOO's song arrangements were different than Phil and Phriends'.

Personally, I loved this show.

But Salmay, you go with your bad-ass, Phil-lovin' self. Phil's next tour will be here before you know it, and you'll be flying high and loving life. Loving Phil and being dissapointed by the fact that TOO didn't feature Phil prominantly this night does NOT make Salmay a shithead. It just makes Salmay a Hard Core Phil Phan with a right to his passionate opinion.