I hope whoever had the idea at Nugs to give everybody a free stream has the best year of their life. I hope they’re blessed coming in and blessed on the way out! Thanks a million Nugs! We Love You Forever!
Take a few days off and my pal, Marty becomes a star. He’s sleeping in a park outside of Pittsburgh as we speak. Dude got hooked by the experience and left everything to search for the sound. We’ve all been there… I ever tell ya about the car I left in Philly after the California Earthquake show in 89? The night before, 10-19-89 was among the best shows I’ve seen. The second set was almost like both nights at Hampton merged. Great show! Anyway, I was having problems with this ’78 Lime Green VW. It crapped out on my way out of the parking lot that night. I had to get to Charlotte for the next shows and just grabbed my bag, tapes and anything I might need and left the car in the lot at The Spectrum, never to be seen again. That’s about the shape Marty is in right now…
I don’t know if the brothers have air conditioned clothing or some kinda shit rich people might have but how did none of them sweat last night? Atlanta was a steam bath and those dudes came walking off the stage like they just signed an endorsement deal with an antiperspirant manufacturer. There were people that had sweat pooling in the folds of their neck and somehow 6 dudes that just got done jammin for 3 hours looked like they just stepped out of a limo…
I don’t have a lot of time because whenever Dead & Company is on tour, I completely abandon everything else in my life to chase the musical dragon. I’m gonna have to attempt to impose time limits on my own contributions. Wish me luck… West Coast swing had me wore out for a couple of weeks and I’m thankfully getting to sleep at reasonable hours for the duration of this tour. Here’s how it went down…
My phone started buzzing like an electric razor during soundcheck. Something about one of my favorite musicians singing one of my favorite songs. I began to get nervous and stayed that way until after Knockin’ when I realized it was only some practice. There’s some hesitation on letting that one out of the bag. That’s all I’m gonna say about that…
Scarlet was a dangerous way to kick off the first set. A bunch of old ass folks in the crowd goin from zero to full blown boogie is liable to get somebody hurt. No time for stretching or warming up there. Most likely injuries galore during that tune. Shit was fun and tight even with John and those atrocious Donna Harmonies… The DeadHead brain is wired to receive Fire following Scarlet but got Shakedown instead. It was great but it took a little while for the mind to accept the sonic algorithm. As Shakedown started my body innately moved according to Fire. It took a while to shake it off but Shakedown rocked and displayed moments of creative excellence from everybody. I could talk about it all song by song but jambands or relics can give you a set list.
The next moment that really hit me was during They Love Each Other. It’s a fine example of how Grateful Dead music can find a completely rocking place to set up camp in the middle of a tune that’s kinda mellow. I loved the early TLEOs from 73 and I think this band would really sound great returning to that form. In Atlanta, the segments between verses found power and massive energy to move around within the framework of a typically slow-moving number. It showed how having Jeff on keys makes a good song a great song and a great song even better yet! Inspired music was the order of the evening and continued with my favorite first set Weir tune, Black Throated Wind. Weir sounded great and I was so happy his pants were the proper length. I won’t allow a dude in Capris to melt my mind. That’s just me tho… Half Step closed out a first set that was full of life and the band is getting tighter and starting to reach levels of play that make every night a good night to see Dead & Company.
I thought Here Comes Sunshine died a painful death after its last appearance at Shoreline but it was resurrected like Jesus in Atlanta. Shit sounded great and the jams went to unique places with the hive mind in full gear. Playin continued the party with the contents of confusion that allow the mind to be challenged by the music. Uncle John’s contained a Supplication Jam that only could’ve been better if Lazy Lightning was attached to it. It reminded me of that Supplication Jam at Cal Expo in 91 that came out of Estimated and lead into Uncle John’s. I had a dream they busted out Lazy Lightning the night before and became a taper that morning. I bought a DAT machine as soon as I woke up and a ton of tape and spent the next 2 years in the taper’s section. Those were the days…
Moving on, Playin got finished after Uncle John’s which I thought was great since the Finish usually has to wait until the end of Second set. Great to hear it all delivered like that. That would’ve been plenty but once again, we get an extra. Not just an extra, we get The National Anthem Of Grateful Dead Land! Terrapin says everything that needs to be said in way that only Garcia and Hunter could’ve crafted. Drums was Drummy and Space held my favorite segment of the night when Lakewood turned into the World’s Largest Jazz Club. Bustin out some Miles Davis was healing salve to my soul. The jazz elements that have long existed in Grateful Dead culture took full bloom when Milestones showed up unexpectedly. I’d suggest you go back and listen to Oteil all through that space. It’s a wonderful treat for the ears and mind! Chimenti signaled the Days Between that got lost in space at Boulder and found its way to Atlanta. While opinions on all performances vary, I don’t hate Weir on The Days Between. Sure, he butchers some lyrics at times, but he’s Bob Weir and I’m not. Being Bob Weir offers him an abundance of forgiveness as well as praise that at times isn’t even deserved. I’m just glad to be hearing him play this music through massive sound projecting equipment. Sugar Mags closes the set! The story of a fine lady that “Bakes my chicken, when I sleep!”
I love Knockin and I think John does a great job letting that song play through him. Mayer had a gig with his pal Dave Chappelle so I think the sets may have been cut a little short so he could get there. Viola Lee got scratched from the first and The Wheel from the second. My buddy Matt said he felt like he bought an ounce and got shorted a quarter. I personally felt pretty fulfilled following Atlanta! I gotta close it down but the thing that really got me about Atlanta was how much fun the band and all of US are having. It was so evident from beginning to end that band and fans alike have worked out some of the wrinkles and are beginning to fire on all cylinders with great consistency. While there have been great moments or sets from the start, the hiccups and fuck ups are dramatically decreasing and the transformational ability of this music through these musicians is beginning to reach new heights. The last 3 shows have been an ideal combination of what appears to be great camaraderie within the band as well as among those of US that are on the journey with them. I’m totally outta time, Love You! TONS of great stuff yet to be revealed!
Photo Credit goes to Brande Jackson. What a great shot!