Grateful Dead

Anybody know why JK is soliciting private information? I go the following information this morning: "You are receiving this message because John Kadlecik added you as a contact. I recently started using ReverbNation's FanReach system as my email provider. They hate unsolicited email and I do too, so we're sending out this courtesy re-confirmation email. You don't need to do anything to remain on the list. Thanks! -John Kadlecik" Your options: Confirm my email so that I will be eligible for any exclusives from John Kadlecik Do nothing and remain on the John Kadlecik mailing list. Unsubscribe from this list Report Spam or Abuse" Hit the link and all these field pop up...... Confirm Your Email Address - OR - Required Info *Birthdate: (example: 01/24/1989) Optional Info By filling in the form, John Kadlecik will be better able to email you with more relevant info (like shows in your area). This information will only be available to John Kadlecik for their use (for more info see Privacy Policy). First Name: Last Name: Zip/Post Code: Country: no zip code? Gender: Male Female I am interested in becoming a Street Team Member. Street Teams are made up of fan volunteers that assist bands with promotion (pestering, handing out flyers, etc.). Clicking this box will allow John Kadlecik to email you about Street Team opportunities, but does not commit you to anything." For the record, I like JK as the lead in Furthur but I'm not about to give him personal information about myself. I know, I know, it's all probably legit to building his fan base but I'm not giving him my personal information because of phishing risks. I notice Bob, Phil and the rest of the band don't feel the need for this....

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.

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 ~

I agree about Jerry and the respect issue; you can almost hear that throaty, bubbling laugh of his and see the raising of an eyebrow.As for The Dead '09, well i thought some of it was interesting; being a lover of drums and percussion, there would be no danger of myself taking a toilet break during that section! The "sounds of the universe" injections were most welcome. Wished they could've prolonged/interacted with those sounds a bit deeper (hard to tell from the speakers, but another "visionary" human at the sound desk would've been good; pan those sonic booms across the stereo spectrum in a righteous radical fashion.....damn, why does every Head always think that they could do better??!!!!). Not sure what you meant by "maybe the drummers are tired of playing Dead music" though; both are still playing the music. I thought Tim Bluhm was a great addition to the Rhythm Devils, Andy Hess too (i'll gracefully skip over Davy Knowles' american-accented vocalisations...!). And Bill still seems to be the only one adding a fresher slant to the Dead repertoire, in 7 Walkers. Witness the recent shows with the mighty Kirk Joseph parading that sousaphone; inspired. The performance of "Death Don't Have No Mercy" in the Relix basement, while not mind expanding, had WAY more feel and swampy soul than anything Furthur are going to muster. As for "a taste of what it used to be like"? With all due respect, i'm going to pass on that. I don't want a taste of something that has already evaporated into the ether. The Grateful Dead finished in 1995. Any similar ambience is, at best, illusionary. I too appreciate the evolution of the musicians, any musicians, but especially those shining "core four"; the times have certainly changed. I'm just hoping that some of those involved may recognise it a little more and truly blow our minds. (I don't buy the "mellowing with age" application; i don't think anyone's asking for coruscating noise and avant garde auditory strafing, but resting on that comfy cushion of predictability sure does leave one witha feeling of gentle lethargy). I know, i know... too much of this criticism helped drive a stake through the heart of the Dead's later years; all that expectation makes for a heavy weight on a human being who just wants to play their instrument. But i shudder to think that any "recreations" and "playing it safe" is a conscious decision on Furthur's part; the cold, kiss of death i feel. I'll take it for what it is. I'll continue to go with it. How long is another matter. I get the feeling Furthur might not go with it for much longer either. But as long as they're still playing music i'll be there. Every step of the way. Just to see what happens. I do believe it. I certainly need it. I'll leave it if necessary. And i DARE them to get WEIRDER!!!!!!! Thanks so much for replying to my initial post. It's really appreciated. Kynd indeed.

Think you missed some of my point. Which is that you can't help getting old. Getting old makes you slow down. It's not a conscious thing. These guys are late 60s, over 70. Unless they're mainlining human growth hormone they are going to slow down. These days I feel Furthur shows are like (pardon my drug metaphor) a heroin nod with an occasional ride on Casey Jones train. I'm perfectly happy to go but I think you'll find me dreaming dead dreams and surprisingly few of us who saw Jerry play getting up and dance unless we really feel like it and/or it's out favorite song or suite of music. This is my view. To each his own. I'm just a crusty ole' Deadhead. You want to hear tails of days gone past keep passin' the kind. I get the feeling you're a COD yuhself jonapi, just speaking about those wide-eyed Furthurtheads looking at me with those wide-eyes, hoping against all odds to climb out of a time machine. ~ Just one thing for me ~

Ha, ha! Don't we humans just love complicating matters?!!But seriously though, folks, i hope my comments don't come across as too critical or mean-spirited or a "downer". Real hard to see what they read like in another person's mind. I am writing it with nothing but a big smile, a twinkle in the eye and a rippling excitement in the fingers. I'm certainly not "bashing" Furthur, by any means. Far from it. I have enjoyed listening to some of their shows. There is some wonderful playing and it is has been my great pleasure to lose myself in their flickering jams; like bobbing in warm water, the brain gently rocked in it's cradle. I definitely don't sit there "anal(anal?)ysing" the music furiously. No way. Not what music means to me. Let it wash over you and warm your heart. I truly believe if one let's that beautiful human ability of intuition, of spontaneity, of open improvisation to manifest itself, to flower and bloom in the most natural way (what makes life so INCREDIBLE! we truly live in a universe of sheer WONDER) that we cannot "control" what the music means to us. When it's happening, when it's "on", and the joy and warmth in your heart begins to rise, then complete surrender is the only logical state to exist in. I'm sure Furthur will do that for me at some point. Just cannot explain why my mind can start to wander, to drift off and not fully "connect". It's by not thinking at all; by being so completely open that i've seemed to arrive at these feelings, so i have to honour that emotion. Would be disrespectful of me not to. And i certainly don't mind the "slowing down", ha ha!! I heartily encourage it!! As i get older too, (nearly 39 and counting), a more languid pace is the more appealing. I really enjoyed the Scaring The Children sets at Jam Cruise, and Ratdog's laid back approach to the Dead cannon. I love hearing songs completely reduced to a crawl. I think it can open up a whole world of possibilities in their meaning. I find that by "versioning" songs in my own head, hearing what they would sound like if the framework was almost on the very verge of collapse, makes you hear the words in an astonishing way; they can sound positively incantatory. (Helps of course when the words are the quality of Hunter's/Weir's/Barlow's - Lesh's too!). A little example...... A slight fork in the road here folks, just a little tangent, so forgive me - I was listening to the Grateful Dead, i do believe it was 9/16/90 - Madison Square Garden (but could've been 12/29/77 - Winterland) while doing overtime at work, the year of 2004, July 24 ; my father was terminally ill with cancer; visited him at home in his bed that morning. Told him a joke and made him laugh, my lasting memory (for the record? "What do the donkeys on Blackpool beach get for lunch? Half an hour..." Guess you had to be there....!). Mid-morning and suddenly, THAT phone call comes; "Has he?..." "Yes..."; dying, thankfully, in my mother's arms. While locking up and making my way straight to the family home, i realise that the time at which he died, coincided with Bob singing "Looks Like Rain". It certainly does... That was when the song began drifting through my mind, entering my consciousness with the most natural of ease, like it was just meant to be there (just absolutely PERFECT), on my way to catch the train, in the slowest version ever (not) heard. That ending vocal refrain, in that wonderful song, almost spoken so slow instead of sung, the melody almost buckling under the funereal pace, became revelatory. Try it with other songs, in your own head. They shine in a completely different way. (Thurston Moore does a great slow take on The Beach Boy's "Here Today", that is well worth listening to). I don't know. Maybe putting these thoughts to paper (screen), only makes you travel in more and more circles. Is it really necessary? Is any "criticism" or point view worth a ... Can sometimes have the ability to generate chinese whispers, and the original emotion can twist and turn and you end up going off at a tangent. Er, what was i saying again?! Case in point? Please see above... Knowing me, i will probably fall head over heels after one glorious "meeting" with Furthur and then not even recognise the person who wrote what he wrote! (will probably happen tonight too, just to reinforce a position of "the butt of some great Cosmic joke"!!). I guess the Dead in it's many hydra-headed forms and configurations compel this kind of "deep thinking" (or waffling)!! How many other bands can stir such emotion? Thanks everyone, especially lamagonzo, for the replies. Feels good.

I.Aiko-Aiko>Passenger; Doin; That Rag; Loose Lucy; Althea; Mission In The Rain>Two Jinn>Might As Well II Folishe Heart>Too Hard To Handle>New Potatoe Caboose>Estimated; Scarlet Begonias>Fire On The Mountain>King Solomon's Marbles: Dear Prudence> NFA E Liberty Despite the 96 heat, the 2/3 full venue was just enough for a great show and friendly vibes. Bobby Ace and the rest of boys were playin' their hearts out. JK was outstanding on Doin' That Rag. Major meltdown during New Potatoe, came back during Dear Prudence. This was a killer show. 4-5 stars. My first show at this venue since "The Rainbow Show" Furthur Festival in 98.

Everything you said. I was floored when Bobby started Mission. You're right, if you wern't happy with this show you wouldn't be happy with anything Grinning ear-to-ear!!

...about doing the whole Furthur West Coast swing and doing a day-to-day journal here of a Long, Strange Journey To The Heart Of The American Dream. If Hunter Thompson was right in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, the whole thing should culminate at the Hard Rock Cafe with midgets on the high wire above the boys in the band. Or maybe not. I'm thinking that Furthur could be heading for a wind-up this New Year's & I may not be able to do that. You all know how it is, the last show I went to was so hot I want more, yet I know that they can't keep up the same kind of intensity every night at their age. So, I need a rider or two to share expenses. I'll be leaving from Vermont to Eugene around the 15th of September. PM me if you're interested.

Well, my wife might divorce me, but I'm pushing through all obstacles to do the West Coast swing. I used to live in Missoula. Loved the show there (on tape) in '74. I'll do a day-to-day journal here (as if anybody really cared!) on this one and put out the set list as soon as I can. My intuition tells me this is the last tour for Furthur. If not, I don't care. Riding from Missoula to Salt Lake City through Yellowstone is going to be one fun ride. Remember these guys started out in Calaveras and they are going to end up in Monterrey. I think they will probably do a New Years run. Next year is another year...

4 nights i a row in different venues? Amazing! Go Furthur!

I'm up for it. Tix are never a problem these days (for most shows), I'd actually like to see Manchester, Portland and Amherst. Which two or three did you want to see?

...to hook up somehow at the show in Manchester, I don't think there will be much of a shakedown unless we catch a wicked good November day. Maybe in the center in the back of the floor before the show? Whatever works. Now it looks like I might not make all three, probably skipping Amherst to go to Portland. Amherst should be a good show though, lots of student energy!