Anyone gonna be in Pittsburgh? Where's everyone staying?

Well I'm glad someone else is going besides us! We're staying at the Westin (sp?) --used to be a Doubletree, and it's supposedly pretty close to the arena. I don't know, though; I've never been to Pittsburgh. See ya at the show!

Peace,
Beth

Pittsburgh is going to be great. The day after we all fill our soul. The westin is 2 minutes walking distance to Mellon.

Thanks for the hotel info.

We are staying in the Sheraton at Station Square. I think that is really close too

Station Square is a 5 minute taxi ride, sorry.

This show is gonna melt my face off...see everyone there.

Thanx Astro. We are now staying at the Westin. Can't wait till next week...

any one know how far the marriott is from mellon

>>>any one know how far the marriott is from mellon

maybe a good 100 steps if that. you're right across the stree buddy!

so who wants to meet up before the show??? there are some bars down the street from mellon. nothing great but nice prices at least. a place called the souper bowl down the street might be a good start!

anyone know how security is?

Pittsburgh will be a awsome show.There are lots of bars in pitts to go to before and after the show.Everyone should go to this one.Security isent bad at all.Been there before.

Hey Now,
It's gonna be a good show! also if you are staying get a room across the street at the Marriot, see ya there

Welcome to Pittsburgh!

Hotels in downtown Pgh:

Marriott: across the street.
Ramada: 1 block away.
Omni William Penn: used to be Westin is the one that is 2 blocks away.
Westin: used to be Doubletree, is a 5 to 10 minute walk uphill to the Arena.
Renaissance: is 10 to 15 minute walk.
Hilton: is 15 minute walk.
Sheraton Station Square: is a 5 minute cab ride, but I suggest you take the 'T' from Station Square to the station at One Mellon Center then walk 2 blocks to Arena.

Just went to Sat show in Phila (great), going Friday here in my hometown.

if anybody has a good ticket for sale please post it on here before thursday night,
mydland89
Murph

We are pretty psyched. Hotels have a great rate for the holiday weekend. I hear Primanti Brothers is a good place to eat up. Any local advice on distance from Westin or venue to this establishment?

Best show I ever saw other than a Dead show.
George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers
Stanley Theater Pitts/PA 1982

Go, Pittsburgh, go. You lucky dogs.

It's early, but where's the miracle update? All of us in the Motor City wanna know

OK Im getting mildly(extremely) Obsessive Compulsive with this setlist thing. I have tix for both nights at Henry Kaiser in Oakland and cant wait. I go to these discussion boards and drool over the setlists on an almost hourly basis and I cant go to sleep unless Ive seen what the boys have played that night.
Seems like I've been here before..........

Somebody please phil us in on the setlists......freaky obsession kickin in.......
Must pull tubes and listen to livedead.......

Hunter's probably on stage right now

yeah!! Suck one up for me!! I'm chillin' w/the folks, gotta get out for some sound & smoke! How 'bout the opener?! PLEASE!!

His setlists have been lookin kinda cool, lookin forward to seeing him.

MSG show started streaming 10 minutes ago on Zone Radio [follow link from Chat and enjoy].

It'll be a whole different game in Oakland!

Somethings wrong with the soundcard on my computer cant listen to ANYTHING, LiveDead is kickin on the old homestereo though! Best DarkStar ever I think, even better that 8/27/72

What do you mean Dave?

West Coast, nice, small venue. VIBE

Did you have to log in for that webcast, Funky?

Right, West coast shows. Thats all I have seen actually. CA,AZ,WA,OR
I hear its a totally different vibe out east. I laugh when I see people writing about security harassing them about smoking at shows. I was at JGB at the Warfield in San Francisco and shared a doob WITH the security! no BS!

I dont know about the webcast

Right on! Saw a bunch JGB in 94-95 @ Warfield. Midwest & East Coast have a whole different 'tude about smoke! Drink yourself stupid, but don't lite up

I'm giving up on the webcast. This computer I'm on can't handle it.

Well funky, looks like we gotta be patient for some sorta update. Not too many zoners out tonight. I'm gonna split. Have a phine time @ the kaiser shows!!

I'll attest to that West Coast vibe. My 1st time out west was this summer. At the Phil Greek shows we were sitting next to a security guy before th show lighting up no problem. Try that here in NC and your ass is gone, maybe to jail Love that West coast laid back attitude. Y'all got the right idea.

Here's a funny smokin' story @ Red Rocks> young, girly security approached me as I was in mid-puff, "What is that you are smoking?" "Uhh...mmm...tobacco?" I answer. "Gimme that" She kneels down, takes a nice toke, smiles & walks away!! YEahhh!

I just checked OtherOnes.net, and it looks like a sick 'Burgh setlist so far! I too have tix for both Kaiser shows and have been checking Philzone.Com each and every show-night for a word on these amazing setlists! Can't wait!

Yangety!


From OtherOnes.Net at 6:35PST on 11/29/02:
------------------------------------------------
11/28/02 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
I:

Here Comes Sunshine >
Jam >
Only the Strange Remain >
Jam + >
Drums >
Hog For You Baby >
China Cat Sunflower >
The Eleven >
Unbroken Chain

II: (no report yet)

E: (no report yet)

*-with Susan Tedeschi
+-without Bill, Jimmy, and Bob
Robert Hunter played between sets
Thanks to Luc
------------------------------------------------

Thanx Yangety! So glad to see TOO Got "Strange" outta the way

any word if they did the normal musical intro for sunshine, or the multipart vocals to begin?

HaPpY ThAnKsGiving!!!

wHO'S GOT THE 2 ND SET. iT'S ALMOST 1 AM Y'LL MUST BE PRETTY STUFFED. hOW DID IT END TONIGHT?

WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE??????????????

BONES - A HAT TRICK!!!!!!!!!!!!! hELP ON THE WAY

Set 1: Jam > Here Comes Sunshine, Only The Strange Remain *, Drums > Space > I'm A Hog For You Baby * > China Cat Sunflower > The Eleven > Unbroken Chain

Set 2: Mason's Children *, Dire Wolf *, Bird Song, He's Gone*, Mr. Charlie *, Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away, E: Stella Blue

It was like a ten ton locomotive doing oragami.

Set 1: Jam > Here Comes Sunshine, Only The Strange Remain *, Drums > Space > I'm A Hog For You Baby * > China Cat Sunflower > The Eleven > Unbroken Chain

Set 2: Mason's Children *, Dire Wolf *, Bird Song, He's Gone*, Mr. Charlie *, Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away, E: Stella Blue>Box of Rain

Absolutely phenomenal show last night. Hunter set the tone for the 2nd set with an unbelieveable Black Muddy River, after which he said "How many years has it been? We still miss him". I suppose I dont have to say who the 2nd set was all about, just look at the list.

Peace,'
J

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20021130other5.asp

Concert Review: Other Ones show the spirit of the Dead

Saturday, November 30, 2002

By Scott Mervis, Post-Gazette Weekend Editor


The only thing you knew for sure going into a Grateful Dead concert was that there were no sure things.

There was no predicting the band's mood, song selection, T-shirt color, overall enthusiasm or degree of free-form exploration. But there were some guidelines, mainly that the first set was shorter and punchier and the second more "out there."

The Other Ones, the remains of the Dead, threw out even those rules last night at the Mellon Arena with a spacey first set. It even included an abbreviated version of the patented "Drums"/"Space" and you'd have to get the Dead historian to look up the last time they did that before the intermission.

The Other Ones took the stage with an open jam that eventually got around to a sweet and delicate version of "Here Comes Sunshine," a nice choice for Pittsburgh on a cold November night.

If you were close to the stage, you could see that bassist Phil Lesh was quarterbacking the team, calling signals on their ear pieces (or monitors?) to indicate which direction the band should go. Aside from Lesh, everyone was in pairs: with Bob Weir (bearded and the only guy in the house in shorts) and Jimmy Herring on guitars; Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann syncopating on drums; and keyboardists Rob Barraco and Jeff Chimenti. Joining them on vocals only was blues singer-guitarist Susan Tedeschi.

Obviously no one's going to fill the late Jerry Garcia's shoes, but somebody's gotta try them on. Barraco does a very good Jerry on vocals, as he showed on "Sunshine" and later on a rousing "Dire Wolf." In fact, he does a better Jerry than Bob does, which was noticeable when Weir turned in a fairly colorless "China Cat Sunflower."

As for Herring, we saw him earlier this year playing more of a rhythm role to Warren Haynes' lead in Phil Lesh & Friends. Now, he's proving with the Other Ones that he can play naturally in Garcia's psychedelic style. If they aren't out there already, the Jimmy Herring bumper stickers are soon to be issued.

Anyway, the Other Ones' flexibility in the odd opening set extended as far as letting the nonsinging Hart take a vocal on "Only the Strange Remain." Pretty strange, indeed.

If the first set was an uneven one, the second, following an inspiring acoustic set by longtime songwriter Robert Hunter, was simply sublime. "The Bird Song," something of a group-sing, went deep into the band's improvisational territory, beautifully coming back to that simple theme.

"Mr. Charlie," sung by Tedeschi, and "Not Fade Away" had everyone in the house shaking their bones.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the night, midway through set two, was "He's Gone," which came off as both a lament and a celebration of the fallen member. Listening to Weir sing it boldly and watching the girls twirl, you couldn't help but smile.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott Mervis can be reached at smervis@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2576.

Set 1: Jam > Here Comes Sunshine, Only The Strange Remain *, Drums > Space > I'm A Hog For You Baby * > China Cat Sunflower > The Eleven > Unbroken Chain

Set 2: Mason's Children *, Dire Wolf *, Bird Song, He's Gone*, Mr. Charlie *, Throwing Stones > Not Fade Away, E: Stella Blue (Inst.) Box of Rain (Missing above)

Anyone have a more inspiring review? Love the book-ends on the first set and the double encore. How was the instramental Stella?

I wasn't 100% thrilled with the setlist, and it certainly wasn't what one would expect with a pretty complete inversion of the classic set structure, but highlights were definitely Mr. Charlie and Unbroken Chain. In my opinion, the real gem of last night was the crowd. It has been years since I've felt such positive vibes (the only detractor being the large number of asshole nitrous dealers getting in screaming matches with each other and anti-nitrous people.) The lot was jumpin' and friendly like I've never seen and it just served to bring back that feeling of family that I think has been lost on even most of the Dead-splinter tours (like Phil and Ratdog.) The energy was there, the vibes were positive, and I'm really psyched to see what these guys are up to next summer.

amazing amazing show last night, defenitly a bit weird with drums in the beginning but the crowd was beeeeeamming last night. there was something let loose in the arena, the crowd was pretty intense during throwin stones>nfa. highlight of the first set was china cat>the 11. second set had to be the whole damn thing. bird song, he's gone and mr charlie were all groovin full speed. the stella/box encore was the perfect way to send everyone home. a truely magical night. though i liked the setlist better in cleveland, last night was the better show imho. the playing, the jams, the energy, the crowd. jay and truckin867 great meeting up with you guys again. what a blast, can't wait to do it again. hope wvu pulled it out scott!

Pittsburgh was AWESOME last night!!!! Wow, my first show, and it couldn't have been a better one. I've got a rough setlist from Hunter's set, there's a couple of Hunter tunes I didn't recognise, but I'll get it up later. And WVU beat Pitt!!! WOO HOO!

>>And WVU beat Pitt!!! WOO HOO!

grrr, haha. glad you're happy, pitt lost but it won't stop my glowing from the TOO show

This was my last show for this tour. I don't know what to say. I probably shouldn't try to review it. I left with mixed emotions.
Just to put it into perspective a little, I did eat one of those candy things that have pretty much dominated the visual scene, if you know what I mean. But I wasn't too far gone. Just really disconnected. Like I was watching the show instead of being in it. Usually, it's the other way around.
I had seats in section a, back row, but I think the whole front row hopped the wall, cause it was completely empty (except for me) the whole first set. Second set people were more afraid to hop so it was a little more congested.
The jam> Sunshine was nice. Nothing too over the top, but a good start.
Only the Strange. What can I say? It's funky. And they rocked the hell out of it.
The drumz were very nice and I loved the 3rd song placement. And the female vocals wailing through it is something I wish the dead would have done more.
It's explodes into a fiery Hog For You. Now this whole set, people are walking right over the wall to the floor, which was about waist high so the whole back of the floor is packed with people dancing wildly. You may think this is a given at a "dead" show, but I'm starting to think it's a thing of the past. This crowd had more energy than I've seen at any other ones show short of Alpine. And security was relatively lax. I only saw one person get escorted out and I puffed within 6 feet of a guard.
The energy was kept at a high with a nice China segueing unexpectedly into the Eleven. Hot, hot eleven, but not quite as hot as some of the p&f versions.
Unbroken Chain was nice, but not quite as nice as some of the p&f versions.
I watched about half of Hunters set. I did catch the part where he talked about Jerry. Perhaps that's what set the rest of the tone for me. I also caught Promontory Rider and Boys in the Barroom, which combined with the Aim at the Heart from Roanoke pretty much completes everything I wanted to see from Hunter. During his set, the security mostly cleared out the isles on the floor of anyone not wearing a bracelet.
Was there a jam before Mason's Children? It had to be shorter than the first set opener. Mason's erupts and now you got a bunch of people in my row (well, not my row, but at least it was my section) wanting to jump over the wall, only to see the former old security guy replaced by his younger more buff counterpart. You had to be very stealth to get past this guy, so only the truly slick were even trying.
Masons cruises right into dire wolf. Dire Wolf. It was played well, but who cares?
Next was by far the highlight for me (possibly of this tour for me, with competition only from the Caution in Philly. Bird Song. It was the epitome of pschelelia. Phil sang the whole thing. One point, right before the verse, he just slows the whole band down. Everyone is right on it. Perfect. He changes the words to "him" as a nod to Jerry, which almost gives it a religious feeling. At one point the jam just completely melts. I tried to find someone playing a rhythm but I couldn't. It was all so erratic, but not in a wild crazy way. It just seemed to crawl along like a snake. I couldn't imagine this kind of jam being possible without those two drummers up there.
Feeling totally ecstatic at this point.
He's gone. Another nod to jerry. It was good, but with three distinct "jerry-type" things, I'm starting to feel like I'm at a wake.
Mr. Charlie is a bit of a throw away song. Fun rocking dance tune that was executed pretty much perfect. Sometime around this point, the security guy left for a couple minutes. The second he was gone, those that were ready were over the wall. Truly professional. Didn't miss a beat. The back of the floor started to fill up a little. With the first onslaught over, moral was raised and people started taking the risk over the wall again pretty much throughout to NFA.
The Throw>Away ending was kind of strange. It was incredible. Throwing Stones was jammed to levels of intensity I haven't heard in a long time. Jimmy is the man. The NFA seemed short, but it was sweet. It just seemed strange. I don't really know how to explain what I was thinking, but it was like they were trying to make you remember jerry and then ended the show with how you would remember your last shows. It seemed more like nostalgia to me than I have gotten at any previous other ones shows. But, damn, it was smokin. The crowd went totally nuts during throwing. All this time, I'm listening to the band while watching people get on the floor. Some hippies would just come flying in and breeze right over the wall like it wasn't there. Thirty year old chicks would just wiggle down, hop over, stand there and straighten out their skirts and dance along. It was so easy. A friggin dude with a cane walks up and almost falls over the thing. But dances along. Then this younger buffed up jock-looking dude comes up and tries to crawl over the wall. He's taking forever, gets stuck on this three and a half foot wall only to be the first person to get caught. What a douche. Maybe you had to be there but it was funny as hell. So he just stands there smiling at the guard for a couple minutes before politely asking if he could jump over the wall. Too f-in funny.
Anyway, Stella. Can we cry for Jerry some more? I mean, it was good, but at the same time I'm eating up every note, I feel like walking out. It was just too much in one show.
I knew it was going to be a double encore and it was Box. Written for Phil's dying father, the song of the man to has taken it "further". I left feeling blown away and depressed at the same time.

Thanks for the review Paul. I got some of the same feeling you apparently got, I felt as if the He's Gone was sung almost with sarcasm. Then again maybe it was just me.

Koko, I felt that Bobby sang He's Gone with conviction. He really nailed it for me. I personally could feel the emotion Bob put in it, but that's just me. I had a blast, and I REALLY hope they TOOr this summer.

Great show - does anyonyone have Hunters setlists from Pittsburgh? if you do e-mail it to me amvedock@hotmail.com Thanks!

Death Don’t Have No Mercy— November 29, 2002
Mellon Arena - Pittsburgh, PA

Someone mentioned that there was no darkness in the Other Ones shows as of late.
I also heard someone say that now that the confidence factor was high the band should take the leap into the great unknown.
Still another conversation revolved around the transitions and lack of delicacy between tunes.

For all of this I offer their performance in Pittsburgh for a frame of reference.

This show seemed to be steeped in all the things I have fallen in love with. I said after the show that there were things that I heard that night that I won’t understand until next week; but I will probably wait to remember them until next month. That is the feeling I got from the show.

The atmosphere was very laid back and plugged in. It felt like it was a west coast crowd actually. Very accommodating and fluid. There was no doubt that it was going to be a special show, one that to me had huge undercurrents of Death and feelings of Thanks.

The opening Here Comes Sunshine was a great nod to Thanksgiving and just set me on the right track. This to me was such a great choice giving its storyline and inspiration.
The band then geared up and, from within a swirling mass, just propelled forward with Only The Strange Remain. If there is a darker death related song, then let me know. Rhythm Devils/Space was perfectly placed for me. I drifted in to Space with the pod doors opening and Candace just knocking me out. “My God. It’s full of stars”.

This space jam had a definite nod to George Harrison with While My Guitar Gently Weeps being toyed with throughout. It was the 1 year anniversary of his passing.

During this space jam I noticed how not only can this band drift between decades with song selections and styling but Candace can do the same just with her lighting setups.
The space segment at one point just locked into this 80’s feel with starched lights and crystalline sound patterns. As I watched the band and the stage slowly transform little by little back in time as they rolled out I’m A Hog For You, Baby. Very, very cool. China Cat was very danceable with Jeff laying down the original organ lines of “China Cat –deedle deedle dee, China Cat” very nice. The Eleven formed and rolled into the night. I was distracted by something during this song but never found out exactly what it was.
Unbroken Chain. Written by Bobby Peterson. I have a picture from where someone etched the names of fallen brethren in the sidewalk out front of the Dead Office and those hand written words flashed in my mind when his name came up in conversation with my wife on the way to the show.

Hunter played a great Black Muddy River which led me to more thoughts of Death and those that are gone.

Second set started with us relocating to the upper deck to get that ROCK CONCERT feel. Mason’s Children was superb as I sat and watched the concert unfold in front of me. Stories of Death and acceptance of it. I thought and thought about Jerry and felt his spirit jump forth and as Rob belted out Dire Wolf. “Don’t murder me” Of course what should roll around next but He’s Gone.

What with the addition of Susan this line up is pretty close to how it must have felt on the Europe 72 tour. Two keyboardist’s; one on organ, one on piano. I thought of how they are playing all the songs from all the generations. Showing us younger heads what it was like as best they can. Sharing memories with the older heads and reflecting back on all the years with each other. I know that a lot of people are seeing these shows as their first shows since Jerry died. I think about how those people must be going through the same process we have been going through these last few years with Ratdog and PLF. I thought about everyone grieving Jerry but then I thought about what it must have felt like losing Pigpen and still going on. I felt like they are reviving his soul with Susan belting out his classics. Slowly I am shifted from my own thoughts back to the reality of the present day, slowly I am shifted down to realize that I am not alone in my thoughts but am in the middle of a swirling dome of rock and roll, slowly I am shifted down as Susan is showcased in a 7 or 8 min rocking rendition of Mr. Charlie. I was so impressed by her vision of sneaking Mr.C around to the side door so her man wouldn’t know. Please keep her for the next tour. Please.

Throwing Stones snapped me back to the present with thoughts of the Thanksgiving Day and thoughts of Home. My home for thanksgiving, the feelings of the rock arenas around the country that are our home, the kids on tour that have no home, the road as their home, and then, just as I am beginning to drift away again, Bobby stops the show, the lights dim and he sings, “We will leave this place an empty stone
Or that shining ball of blue we call our home”
A real centering point to take stock in what we do have here and now and a chance to be grateful for those that are still around us.

Needless to say Not Fade Away was great. I didn’t think until right now that it could also have been a way of saying thank you to those that have passed and a way to say we won’t forget you. That you will never fade away.

Stella Blue. All I could think of was Jerry scuba diving for the rest of eternity. Serene peaceful and loved. I found I was so lost in the visuals that snapping back to reality was hard.

But Box of Rain did it for me. Delivered quickly as if they were saying, “we have been faced with our mortality. We have picked our successors. We want to teach them our cultural craft and ask them to carry the torch. This is the new family. We need to get this message out before we do die. This is all a dream we dreamed long ago and we want this to last.” It never even dawned on me until after the show that it was the song that Phil wrote for his father when he was dying. In fact I realize I might not have attended a rock concert but more of a séance.

I do know that I left that concert a different person than when I left.
So I guess you could say the theme of that show was one of giving thanks and of death. Or you could say of being thankful for what you have and mourning the passed.
Of being Grateful and the Dead.

....Very well put and heart felt...Your words are very compassionate and true..."We are it we are on our own"....Looking forward to the day our paths will cross (Probably already have) Wink...

By Deadbugman (Deadbugman) (64.12.96.232) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 05:55 am: Edit

Not Bad Glad Rob sung some of Jerry's Songs much better than Bobby. Seen over 100 shows and finally got my first Mr. Charlie. Very nice job by Jimmy on that Stella Blue. All in all a pretty good show !


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Richardgrandall (24.52.56.105) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 10:00 am: Edit

I thought that this show stunk! They never really got going. I think that I may have been the only to see it, but in the start of the show when they went into Only the Strange Remains. I thought I saw Mickey Hart get angry about being cut off by Phil toward the end of the song. I got the impression that he didn't even want to play. He was fliping his drumsticks and not even trying to play with the rest of the band. I hope that they can reconcile there differences. I would say that all in all I was very dissapointed with the show in Pittsburgh. Someone please let me know if I am crazy or if I saw what I saw when Mickey backed of from playing and cross his arms with his drumsticks as if to say forget it, forget it I don't want to play it now, when he was cut off.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By WVJackStraw (129.71.113.167) on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 09:21 pm: Edit

I think Mickey was just being intense during the tune. IMO, they had no trouble keeping it together, and I had clear sight of Mickey all night, and thought he looked like he was having a blast!

Robert Hunter Pittsburgh Setlist-

This is the best I can remember from hunters pittsburgh set- if anyone has anything different let me know-

RH:

Warf Rat>
Loose Lucy
Rio Dorado???>
Nothing To Say???
--R.H. Asks crowd "any requests?"
Black Muddy River>
Promotory Rider>
Ripple
Boys in the Barroom (accapella)

Lessthan
Your review was the best that I've seen all tour. Many, many thanks!
Some really hearfelt words from someone who gets this kind of music the way I get it.
I'm drooling at some of the reports back in. My friends, Al and Brian, are seeing Rosemont tonight and Brian told me that Indy smoked.
It's refreshing to see reviews that don't only stress the jammy>jam>jammy>fuck Hunter>lose Susan>jammy>no fuckin' Stella Blew, no way>jammy jam.
For me, the Dead wouldn't have been the Dead without Hunter. After all, he is the one who turned Garcia on to Acid, by all reports, AND he's the one that wrote the classic lines. Talk about dripping with IRONY...listen to Loser and get back to me. I recommend ya pull out a Wharf Rat and listen real close to the pain in the lyrics and get back to me.
Peter Townshend and Roger Water's lyrics are trite, banal little dittys in comparison.
Put on Money from Dark Side of the Moon and get back to me. No, I know, put on Another Brick in the Wall.
Townshend is better but c'mon now.

Well this isn't the thread to discuss hunter vs anyone but I would have to say that the whole idea of Hunter vs. anyone is kinda ridiculous.

It was a really great show.

hunter is the backbone of the majority of the deads songs- as a lyricist i would say he is amoung the best if not the best ever produced, i'd put him up against lennon/mcCartney any day. who else can write lyrics that can put a tear in your eye and at the same time give you a sence of hope? hunter deserves just as much acclaim if NOT MORE than the grateful dead- for his lyrics allow one to understand the meaning of 'soul', allow one the opportunity to see the depth of the human being, the depth of the universe, and to see ones existance as trite/meaningless while at the same time as an important and essential facet of the world that would be all the less special without the existance of any single person. Hunter should be viewed as one of the most notable poets/philosphers of our post-modern society.

with all due respect and kind thoughts and not that it matters and not that I think my opinions are more valid than anyone's, but I didn't see it the way some of you saw it.

for me pittsburgh was a blast- not a death-themed time warp... just great music being played on a cold night in Pittsburgh in 2002...I had more of an alternative universe trip going-

The Strange Remain was better than ever- more funky and dancable- with a little double clutch at the end as if to emphasize- "we ain't doin' it the same way...it's all new." For me, that thought kept coming back- the "Season of WHAT NOW"...

Hog For You- was the same way- I knew the song- but this wasn't the song I knew- but it was GOOD

China- no Rider?! - Eleven "Now is the time..."

Mason's Children seemed far more upbeat and fun- not the sing-songy Dead tune that wasn't worth putting on an album- a real rockin' rendition...

Dire Wolf: A sign language interpreter was right in front of me during the whole show, so I got to learn to sign, "I beg of you, please don't murder me." which could come in handy some day... "I'm not just dancing- I'm learning!"

smile smile smile

Mr. Charlie told me so- I could see and hear the drummers - "voodoo all night long" - Mickey was berzerk- I can't wait to hear the tapes because I know there was one point when he was jack hammering like mad- fast and hard- can't remember when- I just remember that it cracked me up- I just had to laugh...

I was wondering if they would end the show with an instrumental Stella (sorry, I couldn't hear the ghostvocals)... but they didn't have the "plums"...

such a long long year of PHIL!


ps. the great thing about Hunter's lyrics are their evocative quality- they spark new thoughts and ideas. strange-ambiguous images - unknown fables that you think you've heard before - mystic koans...good stuff

Just want to say that I had a blast too.
Believe me. So much so that I dropped of tour there instead of going on to Detroit becuase the show was so good I wanted it to be the last one I saw.

This show was truly amazing, inspired, rockin, soulful, deep, beautiful....

"Here Comes Sunshine" set the reflective, hopeful mood that continued through the rest of the night. The harmonies with Susan were right on; the groove was mellow but solid.
When the band moved from the second “jam” into “Only the Strange Remain,” I have to admit I was disappointed (especially since there were hints of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” which would’ve been soooo fabulous to hear). “Only the Strange” hasn’t really spoken to me in the past, so I thought it would be kindof a letdown after the sweet “Sunshine” opener. I took a bathroom break, and on the way back, to my surprise, I heard Susan chanting (or what Mickey Hart calls “supralingua” in his journal) the most gorgeous melodies at the end of “Only the Strange Remain.” Unbelievably cool, and it made me rethink my judgment of the song. Okay, maybe it’s not too bad if Susan is there to sing the end. (And, by the way, I wouldn’t complain one iota if Susan stuck around with this band forever and ever. She adds a whole new dimension to their sound—kindof a female Pigpen/Donna with a better range. A real blues woman in her own right, but God she sounds great doing this material.) I loved Susan’s voice during this part of the first set, and it also intrigued me because I don’t remember the Dead ever doing much with vocal experimentation like they did with their instruments. I really like the way that her voice mixed with the more experimental, spacey/drumzy style; the music at that point seemed more, well, human or accessible or something.

Anyway, that little space didn’t last long, and then the band turned the corner into “Hog for You Baby” which was just good clean fun all the way through. Though I had never heard that song live, I hadn’t been a big fan of it on tapes; however, this version rocked, and I thought Susan added so much to its power. The “China Cat Sunflower” had been coming in teases since the first “jam” so I wasn’t surprised when I heard Jeff’s keys hitting the same notes as the “na-na-na, na-na-na” part on the album. This is always such a fun, playful song to hear and to dance to at a show. This night was no exception. Though it was predicable, I wasn’t at all upset to hear “The Eleven” coming out of “China Cat.” For this version, Bobby sang it like he does, but the others in the band were singing the backup parts like the old version. I thought it was much better than the Alpine version where it’s just Bobby singing.

By the time Phil started singing “Unbroken Chain,” I was the happiest clam in the place. This is one of my all-time favorites, sung with such sweetness and sincerity. I could feel the love all over that place. We had found a great spot to dance; the sound was much better than at Roanoke or D.C., and there was ample spinning space (very important for the “China Cat” through “Unbroken Chain” part of the set). Ushers were just smiling and having a good time right along with us. No hassels about dancing or smoking…

Half-time: Hunter’s set was quite good. The crowd was very respectful and into it (unlike the crowds in D.C. and Roanoke), singing along with him during “Loose Lucy” and “Ripple.” Of course “Black Muddy River” evoked all kinds of Jerry thoughts for me, and apparently for Hunter too, since he mentioned how much he misses him at the end of the song. I thought “Ripple” sounded like a real and important truth: “there is a road, no simple highway / between the dawn and the dark of night / And if you go, no one may follow / that path is for your steps alone.” It was about the journey that we all must take for ourselves; yet, the whole idea that a “ripple” has long-lasting effects that move beyond the stone tossed by that one individual means that our lone journeys are never just about ourselves but about as much and as many as we touch. It doesn’t seem so profound now to write this as it did when I heard it this way on Friday night. Anyway, the way Hunter sung it, it sounded real and important and heartfelt. And that “Boys in the Bar Room” was great fun for me. Nice to hear Hunter end with “May the good lord deliver our kind.” The crowd just erupted with cheers. God bless the freaks. Yes, indeedy.

After we finished a serious smokefest in the rafters (thanks to folks in section C!), the lights went down for set two. I was still feeling the Jerry vibe after Hunter’s set, so I heard “Mason’s Children” as a song about what happened after Jerry left his body, the death of the father/leader. After they resurrected him on Tuesday, he “taught us all he ever knew / we never knew so much before / we may never know so much again.” Now I know this might be a stretch, but I was hearing this part of the song as about what Jerry continues to teach, through his music, to his fans and to the rest of the band. His teaching and spirit lives on in the music, and we can continue to learn from him and grow even now that he’s gone. The lights during this song were super-intense too, fitting the intensity of the song. In fact, the light show was fantastic throughout this show and the other two I saw on this tour. That psychedelic layering of fractals was just sick, and somehow the shifting images were perfectly in time with the music. Very nice.

“Dire Wolf” was well played, nothing too intense but nice. Another song about death but not a heavy song. I liked that as a way to balance the deeper, more serious moments, like “Bird Song.” When the first notes of this came, I knew the whole darn second set really was about Jerry. Phil’s voice sounded as good as I’ve ever heard it, like he was trying really hard to do that beautiful song justice. And he did. I thought about how that song was about Janis (wasn’t it?) and then I found myself just so happy that, though Janis is gone we have Susan up there singing; and, though Jerry is gone, we have Jimmy, Rob, and Jeff up there playing their hearts out. The music will live on folks, in one form or another, and it gave me great, great pleasure in that moment to feel that. Though this show was obviously about death and the past, it was so hopeful and sweet that I wasn’t in the least bit depressed. It seemed to be more of a celebration or tribute than something mournful. Also, I liked hearing the crowd (deadheads who probably haven’t seen PLQ yet) get all excited when Phil changed the lyrics (“all I know is something like a bird within him sang.”) “He’s Gone” was a good good good choice since the whole show was adding up to be a Jerry tribute. It wasn’t sad at all. “Nothing left to do but smile smile smile.” The dead were always about looking at the dark side, at death and seeing that transition as a natural part of life, something to consider, not something to avoid contemplating.

I was so happy to hear the first few notes of “Mr. Charlie.” This song seemed to mark a transition away from the Jerry theme and into a more state-of-the-world theme about war and politicians. “Gonna scare you up and shoot ya, cause Mr. Charlie told me so.” Has this song been resurrected because it makes sense to sing it now, as the US is on the verge of war? Maybe, maybe not, but Susan Tedeschi tore this song up! My girlfriend and I were falling in love with her about this point of the evening. “Throwing Stones” seemed to be about the state of things too (“and the politicians throwing stones”) and how “we’re on our own.” I like the hopeful ending here, though; this is not a depressing song: “picture a bright blue ball just spinning spinning free / it’s dizzying, the possibilities.” “Not Fade Away” just flat out rocked the house. Even people who had been glued to their chairs all night (not that there were too many) got up and boogied for this one. Thematically, I thought this song was the perfect conclusion of both the Jerry celebration and the state of the world idea. To me, it said, the love won’t fade away for Jerry or any others we’ve lost. And, it said to me that the antidote for war and hate in the world is always always love. The encores also took these same ideas and reworked them: I think the “Stella Blue” instrumental actually conjured Jerry’s spirit for at least a few moments. It was quite sweet and inspired. “Box of Rain” was the best song to leave us with. “And love will see you through.” Back to the love, the love, the love. Yes, that’s the bottom line.

So, if you made it this far, thanks for reading. Obviously I had a “real good time” and I wanted to share it. Thanks to the band and all you great folks out there who came to these shows and renewed my faith in humanity. I love you all.

Peace,
Beth

Great review Beth, we share many of the same thoughts. I felt Jer' during the entire second set, and had tears in my eyes during much of it. Great show.

beth, awesome awesome review! i had a real good time too!

Truly a unique experience. In the lot we were chatting about what kind of set it might be.... a "cowboy-first set"? - maybe a "cryptic-otherone" second set ?... it was a holiday weekend - old friends in town - decent weather for late November - great Shakedown Street in the lot - smiles everywhere - tickets for all - no worries - perfect - its 7 - lets roll in.
Sunshine greets us - what a nice hello - such a warm foundation - then the Strange..whoa..whoa..whoa…. being swept up for a ride….chants...incantations .. rhythms …. space..(1st set…yes..it is).. enjoying the ride..hey driver where u taking us..Hog for u baby.. holy 65 in a san fran pizza shop.. the roots are exposed ..how deep shall we go...im smiling like a china cat...but where’s my rider...its Eleven.. but its fine.. the unbroken chain holds true...time for a break.
Then the Requiem Mass begins... trapped by words to explain...edge of seat ..a communal dance of celebration ..it all lives within and without ..dusting off rusted strings one more time….the song sings itself.....a short time to be here - but that’s what makes it so special. Thanks - We Enjoy!

-this show needs to circulate for all

Great review Beth...you should post that to r.m.gd. Alot of people there were chatting about the same things..

I am glad to see it wasn't just me that was overwhelmed by the clarity of the evening.

I am really really hoping they recorded this show for another TOO album like they did last with OTSR.

They could have that album out within 6 months I bet if they wanted.

Man how freaking cool would that be....

i agree lessthan, i was hoping there would be an official release from this tour. i would prefer an entire show as opposed to bits and pieces. i think pittsburgh would be the perfect show to release also. you have the new and the old and the crowd that night just shined along rigth with the band. what a night!

Thanks LessThan. I really liked your review too. What is r.m.gd?

Beth

rec.music.gd

it is a usenet newsgroup.
to see what it is like go to mid tour diary

If need info on how to set up a newsgroup reader then email me off-board

Beth,
why is your review so exceptional?
Because you have not really written about the music. You wrote about feelings. The best reviews are usually about music (e.g. Bucky). The big difference to the "I love it"-reviewers was the depth of feelings that were invoked in you. It sounds very technical if I say I like your approach. A whole lot of my deepest feelings, I had in my 33 years of life, happened during Dead and P+F shows (I did not have a chance to see TOO). What makes it very interesting reading your thoughts is the fact that those feelings were provoked not only by the music but even more by lyrics. Your impressions listening to Mason are very enlightening. I have not yet put these lyrics in this "post-Jerry-light". The only funny thing is, that the line "we may never know so much again" is not true for some of us. At least for me. Why?
In 1995 I thought, like all Deadheads, that we were at the end of the line. Until that I saw most of summer 93, all of west coast summer 94 and most spring 95. My first show was in Frankfurt in 1990 (BTW: I am from Germany). For some more years (after 95) tape trading kept me on the bus. But things wear out, when they are not refreshed. From 1999 until 2001 I sometimes read stuff on the Internet about Phil's solo approach with his varying friends. Early summer 2001, don't know what drove me, I contacted Ruby at GDTS. I bought tickets for three P+F shows and planned my holiday across the ocean. Will the bus come by again? Until this point I have not heard a single note from P+F. Then I stood on the lawn at Saratoga on 7-22-01. I did not know what to expect. Didn't know Jimmy, Warren or Rob. First set kind of rushed by me. Same goes to Viola: too much multi layered jams for a P+F newbie. But then!!!! The pumping rhythms of MASON rolled up the lawn. I only heard it a few times on tape. But the way P+F played it, the energy evoked feelings and memories that were so strong. several songs later sugaree finished the show with the same undescribable power that began with Mason.
The reason why I had to write all that down (with probably many mistakes) is simple. As Phil often says before his Donor Rap: You completed the circle - with your thoughts about the lyrics. From now on I will always think about the old man when Mason comes around. But you were wrong in just one point. If we stick to Phil, then we might be able to know even more. Only if Phil keeps on keeping on.
Needless to say: since SPAC 2001 I am a P+F junkie who returned for spring 02 and sucks in P+F music on a daily basis.

marc (sorry for not sticking to the TOO topic)

There was a posting earlier in this thread about Mickey. Check out his road journal that's linked on the philzone homepage.

Here's part of what he had to say about the Pittsburgh show:

Bill and I are playing so well together these days. We have never played like this on a nightly basis. Very consistant and inspired. It reminds me of a quote from the great John Blacking, scholar of the anthropogy of music. He said once that,"Music is not an escape from reality; it is an adventure into reality, the reality of the world of the spirit. It is an experience of becoming, in which the individual consciousness of the community becomes the source of richer cultural forms. For example, if two drummers play exactly the same surface rhythm, but maintain an individual inner difference of tempo or beat, they produce something more than their individual efforts." Blacking could have been talking about us when he said this many years ago.

We play "I'm a hog for you Baby" after taking a detour for drums w/Susan, sandwiched between these songs. She is starting to become integrated into the vocal arsenal of this band. Tonight it is Sally(Jeff), Rob, Bill, me and Bobby at the helm of a first set Drums.We want to break out of some of our old habits like Drums in second set every night. It works well as Susan spits out the supralingua with no bass and lead guitar in this configuration.

The Eleven stands alone without its tether to St. Stephen. Another break in tradition.A beautiful instrumental Stella Blue just stops me cold. Candace, Queen of Lights, had this circular movement to the lights which were moving in perfect order on my timbale head. It looked like the head of the drum was moving round by itself. I stared for a while and drifted into its trance. I was transported back to Winterland in San Francisco, circa 1978. It is funny how a song can take you back to a time and sense of place. Tonight was one of those nights.

Beth, the visuals ARE sick, and if anyone with a moderate to fast pc wants a good program to play with the visuals besides winamp, go to synthesoft.com and play with the psychedelic toys they have to offer. It's more fun than a barrel of "minkeys" to paraphrase Inspector Clouseau. Lessthan nailed it and Beth enhanced THAT, so I just have one minor addition. I'm stuck on the He's Gone > Mr. Charlie from this show for a number of reasons, but the downshift of tempo as they start the lead to Susan's first lyric is the main thing. Simply outstanding. Out of the four shows I saw, this was the best. So many factors conscious and otherwise go into how you come into and exit a music environment...but everyones view is valid, because it's their's. I felt that this show was very much in keeping with a seventies show in atmosphere. MOST SATISFYING, INDEED.

Since it's always about ME at a show I'm at
{;-)} the eleven was simply a closure thing since they left it out in Roanoke and obviously knew I couldn't make it to the west coast. THanks to the Other Ones V3 beta for HOG, MASONS, BIRD SONG, UNBROKEN, and once again, MR. CHARLIE. Oh yeah singin he's gone, too Yeeehaaaaaaa...

damn it..less than..did you do pitt..did i know that..??? would have been nice to see you there.. i do live in a haze..tho..

my review..the show was spacey first set. one of those you needed to be on the tour for. if it was your only show of the tour you might be like.."wow..these guys are way mellow on each others groove--"..almost like they have been together a long long time..(like the 90's dead--whereas plq is like 68-76 dead-era..)...but the second set was quite proper. hes gone was great and the bird song drifted in and out of many other songs that night..

HUNTER!!!! any one reviewing hunter on his performances or voice or anything of that nature is just plain off their rocker and they dont get it. flat out. it doesnt matter if his voice sucks...if he doesnt play the songs the "jerry or GD" way..or ANYTHING!!!!! it doesnt even matter if hes that good at guitar. he wrote the words. he is a poet. he wrote the songs mainly to 2 chord jams and jerry reworked them his own way musically or just used the words on stuff he wrote on his own...so there is no standard to judge hunter by. he is just hunter. and hunter is a god on this scene. or messenger. whatever. but he is gd family royalty worthy of the mic, or stage for anything he wants. to sing, to rant and rave..whatver....it will take some people along time to ingest the importance of these post-jerry years. some get it now.

the indy show was hot from start to finish. the venue itself lead one to imagine being at a 90's dead show. large place..steep like atlanta omni...clean and friendly like they enjoyed us..!!!(pitt was friendly too..but smallish place reminds me of older dead shows i didnt have the pleasure of viewing..indy reminded me of nassau or omni or something...