Grateful Dead

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It's good to get a cross section of opions regarding Fare Thee Well. I went to Chicago to pay tribute to a band's music that has given me immense pleasure and great enjoyment for the last 45 years. I did not set the bar high and was pleasantly surprised and delighted by the overall experience. I thought the band played the best they could, the shows were well organized by the promoters, the atmosphere was magic and the city was buzzing for the whole weekend. I went to the MAX and hit the Guinness hard and enjoyed every minute! I agree with your comment about the Other Ones 12-31-2002 show. It is indeed an excellent show. Jimmy Herring is quite superb, tremendous set list, a great high energy show altogether. To make comparisons to the present day is both futile and obsolete, as stated in an earlier response on this post. I also disagree with your statement that Built to Last and West LA Fadeaway are weak songs? All I know, it was an incredible experience and a privilege to be part of the scene at GD shows when Jerry was blowing it away night after night. Although Chicago may not be a fitting end for some, it was fine for me!!

It's all good...yes the music matters...and correct it was not the best performance I experienced but memorable.....peace And whoaaaa Listen to the music....all the time..... mmmmbop bop, bop bop

You guys are correct. So much of life and especially in regards to them is experiential. I can play the shows repeatedly and pick apart each nuance, but I am approaching the event differently.In truth, my only interest was the music. As heinous as it must sound, I found the crowds annoying. I embrace all the values and openness,but once I was in my early 20's I valued room. I made many friends throughout my years, but I was either blessed or cursed having made a bunch of money young. I would buy tickets as business expenses and had "brokers" who would get my friends and I first 3 rows for ridiculous amounts of money. Arguably, not the hippie ideal, but a great ride while it lasted. Life caught up with me, so I remember a certain time of life with great fondness.