Grateful Dead

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Glad you enjoyed your shows; too bad about the parking lot scene. I recently checked out the website for Red Rocks and WOW! That looks like about as nice a venue as I could imagine!I went to my first Phish show earlier this week. It was fun and they played my two favorite Phish tunes (Bug & Antelope). But I'll definitely never have the passion for Phish that I have for the Grateful Dead family of bands. Still had a good time though. It was interesting timing after reading Blair's blog post and all the comments about other jam bands. I guess I see the Phish vs. Dead thing as a false dichotomy - two totally different animals and no reason not to enjoy both if one is so inclined.

I enjoyed reading your heartfelt comments. I tend to agree with you in most aspects except BK's unfortunate comment and JK's playing. In the first three shows in Oakland JK did some jamming that blew my mind. Then it was like a few gigs and a lot of rehearsal to put a collar on him. In other words, Phil & Bob want the spotlight and they're not giving much to JK as much as a lot of us would love it. Respect for Jerry? Nahh, that would not be the way Jerry would want to be honored. Chimeti, Russo & Lane are a bit more than adequate and the back-up singers add a spritz but nobody ever said this was the Grateful Dead. The Dead 09 had the Rhythm Devils and a stellar lead guitar and they sucked big time while we paid double. Maybe the drummers are just tired of playing Dead music. Lastly, if you never had the chance to see a Grateful Dead show, here you can have a taste of what it used to be like. Maybe that hit wouldn't be big enough for you. Certainly not for me. But as I get older and I can see the music and whats left of the original characters slowly fade away -- sort of like NFA to end a show then the band and the crowd letting that fade bleed out, I appreciate something more about the evolution of musicians and how times have changed. Take what is for what it is and go with it or don't go. ~Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare ~

But the Mnt View cops have destroyed the once fabled and hallowed Shoreline parking lot. Their presence was obnoxious - driving around, walking around, under cover, circling the perimerters with binoculars, completely shutting down vending, sniffing cups for alcohol - SHEESH!! I have never seen anything like it ANYWHERE. What a shame. What the hell happened?? Thank god for an upcoming Red Rocks run where we won't get hassled by the man. Rant over. "It's got no signs or dividing line and very few rules to guide"

For me, stuck as i am in London as present, though soon Yokohama bound (nope, they probably won't play there either), it's only footage of Furthur online that allows me to witness their music in a live context. Some good ones too; see here - http://www.vimeo.com/user4180524Difficult to really gauge music when not feeling the air being pushed; that beautiful loop of participatory energy between audience and artist; that tactile quality of sound as it travels in waves through the ether. Completely different medium to the computer screen, high-end speakers or not. But until my wife and i's visit to that mad Head in Oakland, it will have to suffice. The result? Jury's out...... Some moments do shine brightly, no doubt; the sheer enjoyment of their faces can carry you through; some exquisite jams certainly and it's still early days (hopefully). Their commitment to improvisation unquestionable. And yet, so far, that feeling of slight indifference; an unconnectedness that draws me (kicking and screaming) out of the "zone", seems to permeate every experience thus far. And i wonder, just why is that? What breaks the spell at that moment when you are about to enter deep space? What slowly envelopes the Soul, like an encroaching blanket of feather-like fog? What is that voice that gently breaks you out of a cushion of bliss, to bring you back to the material world with a lingering feeling of disappointment and mild disillusionment? I read a review this morning on Jambase of Furthur's June 3rd show at Shoreline; there was a quote of Phil, upon acknowledgment of the audience, saying "without whom, the music couldn't get this weird". True, i wasn't at the show; i haven't seen any video, or heard any audio. But i wonder just how "weird" was it? So far, none of the music or footage i've experienced has paid a visit to those shores. Some inspired moments certainly, but really? Weird? Reading the February/March 2006 issue of Relix, Bob Weir, annoyed at the reception a "jazz diversion" in a Ratdog show was received by the audience, the "Deadheads who went limp", said "I hate those guys, they only like it when it's an old Dead song". Now truly stretching out into a more experimental, more "out" territory may well not be Furthur's basic modus operandi. Fair enough, absolutely. Personally, i only want the musicians, ANY artist to fulfill THEIR creative urges, EVERY SINGLE TIME. I don't want to be pandered too; I want them to take THEIR music in any direction that their muse requires, no, DEMANDS. As long as it's from the heart, then complete respect is deserved every time. And i give it to them always. But, for me? I'm left a little wanting. This could well change in the future, of course. I've always found different locations, different hours of the day or night, different settings and different emotional states can produce vastly different results. And trust me, i'm in it for the long haul, i assure you. Now this next bit might be more appropriate in a different post; kinda new here (not to the Dead or this site), but recently felt the urge to dip one's toe in this black muddy river. Could my nagging emotional response to Furthur be down to the drums and guitar? Honestly? I think it is. From the bottom of my heart; not an ounce, a drip, a molecule, an amoeba (nothing against amoebas), a speck or a fleck of disrespect against Joe Russo or John Kadlecik, but this is where the contribution to "beigeness" lies. I just don't get an emotional payoff with these two. Could happen of course, as i said, but so far? Sad to say, no. And i don't even know why this is so. But once that suspicion creeps in, maybe analysis is pointless and a fool's errand. It presented itself and i have to acknowledge it. Drums: In other contexts, Joe has impressed. But i just don't know. Something is missing. It's all there and yet it isn't; the limbs moving but the journey tethered to the point of departure. My own wish to see.... Glenn Kotche? (Tony Williams? bless his SOUL). Hamid Drake? Chris Corsano? Jean-Paul Gaster? (in that pocket but jam to spare....) Claude Coleman Jr.? Tatsuya Yoshida? Gerry Hemmingway? Guillermo E. Brown? prime time Jack DeJohnette? Junzo Tateiwa? Steve Gorman? Gerald Cleaver? Guitar?....whoa......... I have to say i'm with Bill Kreutzmann on this regarding Furthur's approach and veiled reference to John. Although, his comments, that still show up in a google search of Jambands as headers, was wildly and shamefully taken out of context/exaggerated; he has said on many an occasion the respect he has for Furthur. I have read it. Lets hope others take the time to do the same. True, true, he might grow (and i truly hope so) into demonstrating a more personal form of expression, taking greater artistic control (and license) with the Dead material. Who knows what's in store? But can years and years of recreating Jerry's playing really be broken? Can his own inner voice really shine through? Does he have one? Will it be allowed to flower even if he does? What is the greater need for the Furthur followers (and the members themselves)? More of the same with occasional tangents, or real musical liberation within the framework of the Dead's gorgeous material? I know that he must feel an amazing amount of weight on his shoulders; i did think twice before contributing to any additional burden but it's only an opinion. Keep doing what you do John, whatever the outcome (let your life proceed by it's own design). As for an alternative? Well damn, i'll admit that i'm at a loss, still. The balance of down-home grit; earthy resonance and deep emotion to the very core, balanced with abstraction, dark space to the very edge of all that we hold secure; the frightening realm that berates as it inspires; that shatters all our notions of comfort, yet propels us into beauty and blissful uncertainty, strangely ripe with reassurance. The home at the edge of the world; the sunset after the end of the world. A six string equivalent of late period Coltrane. Full of soul, inquisitiveness, spirit and warmth. Brown earth and space dust on the tongue; a honey throat coat in a shimmering void. Maple and Ash. No negativity intended; no mean-spiritedness drifting from my heart. Just a gentle outpouring. Something for my fellow travelers to contemplate, i hope. What say you? A pleasure to swim in this beautiful sea we call DEAD. Responses and private messages/contact welcome. Everyone welcome. All the time. Keep safe everybody.

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Furthur will be doing a tour of the west starting with 3 nights in Eugene, OR. Sept. 23,24,&25, and ending at the Monterrey Co. Fairgrounds Oct. 7 & 8. Hmm...

One of the best shows I have ever seen! what rain? the band was smoking all night long

Great setlist last night! Who was there? Some of us east coasters are eager to live vicariously through your experiences!We're looking forward to Mansfield in July, and a Bob Weir solo show in Portland ME in August. Oh, and I'm going to my first Phish show on 6/7 - should be fun :)

the weather is weird. We have had a good downpour yesterday and today, although neither one lasted long. This is not normal for this time of year at all.

in mountain view this weekend