Things Change.
Walking to the venue and not knowing what to expect I ran into some of the familiar sites and sounds of my past (tempted to say "my youth"). The closer I got the more familiar it was. We were walking out of the college neighborhood of Bridgeport and into our world. I see all the categories.... middle aged music fans, earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to be earth loving hippies, kids trying hard to show you that they are earth loving hippies, families trying to explain "it" to the first timers that they are bringing, people that are looking for an excuse to party and freaks (you know the ones...they could be at a hard core punk show or here with this crowd and either way, it makes sense). The scene was benevolent and I was happy to be in it as I always have felt at home in this scene. It was good to be here with my big brother, Greg. Greg was the person that brought me to my first Grateful Dead show and we haven't been to a show together for 20 years (our last show together was Brent's last show with the G. Dead). After we got past the campgrounds, Greg and I set up shop behind a screen slightly stage left about halfway back from the stage.
I cant find a set list anywhere online to go over the specific tunes in order but, I can go into a few tunes that I liked. They opened with Golden Road and it was solid. Estimated Prophet was the highlight of the first set. Second set highlight was the closer of Help>Slip>Frank. The bottom line is the songs are the songs and some are better than others and some are better than others on one night vs. another.
The real thing to talk about hear is the band. There was something that happened at a Grateful Dead show and anyone that has been there remembers it well. When you were there, there was an energy exchange. You gave the band what you had and they gave it back to you with some mind blowing and sense tingling music. It would rev you up and you would give it right back to them just so they can give back to you again...this was the "Unbroken Chain...the connection between us and them. I am likely to harsh some people's mellow when I say this but, this is what is missing. Do you remember what the feeling was like to travel to see the G. Dead and finally get inside the venue after hanging in the lot...right before the lights go out, you see that grey mop of hair walk out behind the amps....the energy increases as you realize the fat man is going to take you for a ride? Appreciate that part of your own personal history because as enjoyable as the music is, that part is no longer here. All is not lost, Furthur was good. Phill Lesh deserves his spot amongst the great bass players. He is always on point but seems to have gotten better as time goes on; furthermore, his singing was better than I have ever heard it. Bob Weir is much better in this environment then he was with Rat Dog and it is good to see him back in shape. Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti was fantastic on keys he gave a great sound to the band this night. John Kadlecik sounded good. He has been described as a Garcia savant. The "Garcia-like" riffs are where I am torn. Kadlecik played very good Jerry Garcia music. I like the sound but what is missing is that energy exchange. Jerry played what he did because we gave him our best and he in turn gave it back to us. Kadlecik is playing this style because that is what Jerry did. I will call this the difference between art and craft. Kadlecik is a first rate craftsman and I enjoy his music.
I will go to see Further again. Part of it is to reminisce but another part is to enjoy the music that I love.
Eric
