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    frogstorm
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    And on the Third Night they really became a band.

    I’m underslept, my head is still buzzing and my feet ache from three nights of non-stop dancing (first time I’ve hit three consecutive shows since ’95), but I still have the ecstatic glow of last night’s show to keep me going (until I crash… later).

    The Sunday Furthur concert was one of those shows you hit every once in while where it’s clear from the first second that it’s going to be a great night: sound in the hall is fantastic, the parts are all fitting together smoothly—the band balancing itself, like a great orchestra—everyone looks happy and relaxed onstage and in the crowd, and any and all doubts fall away in the face of undisputable evidence that this music—this band—is really happenin’.

    It all started with drums— Joe and Jay, all smiles, Jay jumping around his setup like he was on springs— and it was a minute or so before it became clear that, no, thi

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  • frozenlogger_70
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    something to ponder...
    this discussion really doesn't change anything, but it's something i've been hung up on:I'm on the same page as lamagonzo, respect in the community for the Music and All the band members is something for me that sets the entire experience apart from other mere bands. However, in the words of Phil, every member of the Grateful Dead have always been "fingers on the hand" of a much greater organism. When Jerry passed, his absence was undeniably incapable of being filled. Yet to be fair, when pigpen, godchaux, or mydland died, the band kept on chuggin' along in memory of the dedication of the members. So it begs the question: in a general participatory sense was Jerry just as much a finger on the hand as those others? And would he want the name of their legacy retired because of his passing? I would go out on a limb and say he wouldn't. Nevertheless, the decision to hang up the name belonged solely to the remaining band members. The bottom line is that after such an emotional loss things changed, and here we are now. Much FURTHER from those last days! We can call it whatever we want, but when it comes down to it, it's still that good 'ol Grateful Dead music!! Amen.
  • Anonymous (not verified)
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    Hal'n'Fluff
    Deadheads wouldn't be deadheads w/o Hal's opinionMods wouldn't be mods w/o Fluff's take... Still, it's proper respect to retire the name Grateful Dead when Jerry passed As it is proper respect to retire The Dead when Bill & Mickey ain't there I think I read somewhere in the Furthur reviews where someone said: "If it wasn't considered proper till now to have a Jerry clone play, so be it. Now is the time we can start having fun again!" This is a very loose paraphrase. I know, I know -- John isn't just a Jerry clone -- and that's what makes Furthur even better! I like the name Furthur, because that is where Bob & Phil are taking it. And you have to give them A LOT of credit for that! Thanks Bob & Phil!!!
  • Deadead2
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    anybody know where I can download any of these "further" shows?
    I have had no luck checking the net so far!Can anybody tell me where to download em?Thanks Mark
  • cosmicharliesangel
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    Perfect!
    ~you can't take sides when you know the earth is round~
  • yemyem68
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    Feeling So Grateful!
    Wow. First things first: HEARTFELT THANKS TO PHIL and BOBBY for keeping the spirit alive, and for giving us so much all these years. Second, HOLY COW THIS IS IT!!! THE BOYS ARE BACK!!! These shows were the most fun I have had at a musical event since 1990 or 91. Really tremendous. I think this is the right lineup. The magic was happening, something special about this grouping and let's let it happen: Phil, Bob, Jeff, Joe, Jay, and John. Hurray!!! JK, TAG, YOU...ARE...IT! I really appreciated the singing of Bobby, Phil AND John. Of course it's different than Jerry. it is also real, and authentic, and heartfelt, and I LOVE IT! Finally, special thanks to Jay Lane. I just love looking up at the stage and seeing someone bouncing around as energetically as us down in the pit. Yahoo!! Great energy guys. Thank you thank you thank you. Keep on growin'!
  • marye
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    more on the above
    at http://www.furthur.net/
  • Hal R
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    here you go - just saw this on Phil's site
    PHIL LESH *** BOB WEIR Jeff Chimenti * John Kadlecik Jay Lane * Joe Russo December 8 & 9 Hammerstein Ballroom New York City, NY Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM December 11 Chevrolet Theater @ Oakdale Wallingford, CT Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM December 12 & 13 Asbury Park Convention Hall Asbury Park, NJ Doors: 6:30 / Showtime: 8:00 PM If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • Greg SC
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    hamal
    Hey, I agree. Earlier in the year I was saying to myself how vacant the mix sounded with just Bobby and Warren (Spring tour), but now with John K in there, the gaps are music in themselves, similar to the way Jerry played with strategic holes, and dramatic pauses, which had you craving the next note. It is all in the chemistry I guess. And I think this group has it. But ... I do think Donna Jean should at least come out for a few songs per night. Screeching chalk, well I kind of liked it. Either way, let it rock. Greg SC
  • hamal
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    to Greg SC
    NO DONNA!!! She had her place in some songs and then others are like nails on a chalkboard...like on Playing in the Band. As I said before, I'm sure there are reasons Billy and Mickey are not involved. Either they don't want to participate or Bob and Phil prefer Jay and Joe. Either way, I'm perfectly fine with the lineup...Although I have to admit I am not the biggest Mickey fan either...and the tapes from the spring sound less energetic than Furthur did to me (in person).
  • Dancingbear.dk
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    BOX SET! BOX SET!
    'nuff said!
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And on the Third Night they really became a band.

I’m underslept, my head is still buzzing and my feet ache from three nights of non-stop dancing (first time I’ve hit three consecutive shows since ’95), but I still have the ecstatic glow of last night’s show to keep me going (until I crash… later).

The Sunday Furthur concert was one of those shows you hit every once in while where it’s clear from the first second that it’s going to be a great night: sound in the hall is fantastic, the parts are all fitting together smoothly—the band balancing itself, like a great orchestra—everyone looks happy and relaxed onstage and in the crowd, and any and all doubts fall away in the face of undisputable evidence that this music—this band—is really happenin’.

It all started with drums— Joe and Jay, all smiles, Jay jumping around his setup like he was on springs— and it was a minute or so before it became clear that, no, thi

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WOW only got to go to this show but holy shit like Blair said first 4 or 5 songs blew me away WHAT A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL !!! Loved the smiles on jeff and phil's face's after samsonI had si much fun !!! ^%&^$#@%#()*& won't miss 2 shows again with these boys!1 peace I am going to bed i 'm wasteed
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Great shows! I'll never forget them. I suggest the band keeps playing residences like this three-night Oaksterdam run.(If they're up for it). This weekend was a great opportunity for deadhead family to share time together on the days between. networking and sharing will make us stronger. I would love it if Furthur came to oregon next.The home of the furthur Bus. The Hult Center in Eugene or the Crystal Ballroom or Paramount theater in Portland. If they go any Further, so will I.
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Forget comparisons and just listen to the music play... you will definitely see, hear, and feel how the music these guys make is always going to be greater than the sum of its parts being played. Truly exceptional shows, the kind of magic and intensity that brings us back again and again. Many thanks to all for making it happen! Farrell Timlake president, Homegrown Video timlake@homegrownvideo.com
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"Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right" I am chomping at the bit to see these guys. When can we expect some east coast dates?
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Thanks for the sharing your hearts of gold, they're priceless! Hope ya'll can see me ripping it up in my computer room, and various other places as I get the goods on You Tube! Wheeeeee! It feels ohhhh sooo good to have my face smiling so big! Thank you each so much for sharing the songs and beautiful love inside of each of you. I've sighed at the amazing team you guys turned out to be. But then again, I didn't doubt it for a second! Kudos darling ones. I just wish I could do something as wonderful for ALL of you. Hope you will find a "majical" peace on you as you have given this unto me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Bravo! Awww I'll sing a few lines for you guys... I open my eyes at night I wonder what I would be without you in my life Everything was such a bore ALL the things I've done you know I've done 'em before But you brightened up ALL of my days With your love so sweet in so many ways I want to stop and thank you baby I want to stop and thank you baby How sweet it is to be loved by you How sweet it is to be loved by you ...yep. ----------------{---------@ What miles? SherBear
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Blessed be the tapers for they make these shows available to all. Now it's on to a waiting game over at Furthur.net to see if the make soundboards available for download. Wouldn't that be sweet. "When I die bury me deep, put two speakers at my feet, pair of ear phones on my head, and always play The Grateful Dead."
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Nice! Great to see new song(s?) creeping into the rotation, as well as of course new life ever-breathed into the old goodies - warms the old belly to see creation on all levels from the boys. See you this Spring on tour! Right? Right?
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The best post-Garcia shows by far!!!Loved the Fox.love the new band.loved the 3 nite run.Please play @ Fox 4 NYE!!!!!and a shout out 2 Janelle,the sexy bartender@ FoxTheatre.Hope 2 see u soon!!!
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janelle, the tall blonde with glasses? Beautiful! And Jessica too. Fox employees were great hosts. This is undoubtedly my new favorite theatre in the Bay. Nye would be great here if not a bigger venue. the 6" vents cut into the dance floor helped tremendously.
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Best post-Garcia configuration/shows so far. I think Bob and Phil needed the younger drummers to light a fire...and JK adds a dimension that none of the other Garcia stand-ins have. King Solomon's Marbles was a MONSTER! Haven't seen anything that tight or firey in a loooooong time.
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...mind you I love Billy, but the tapes I heard from The Dead this past spring lacked some bounce.
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Blair: Thanks for you for your unbiased descriptions and balanced critiques. When ya hear the usual "smokin, best show ever" stuff all the time from heads who were simply having a good time (rock on fella's -- i ain't dissin' ya), the reader doesn't get a taste of the real deal -- your reviews deliver that. Thanks. But do tell -- c'mon, I know you got your ear to the ground and know these cats -- are they comin to a town near me or any other town in the future. I know you do not want to be a rumour monger, but c'mon give us somethin' m' man. . . whatta ya know?
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drchampagneI attended the inaugural outing Friday evening & drew many of the same conclusions as you. I knew then that with a few more gigs under their collective belts. this outfit would be formidable, surmising that Sunday's climax would probably be "the night". Sorry I missed it but your recounting of the event again agrees with my initial assessment--"these guys'd be nuts if they weren't planning a comprehensive multi-city strafing run!". I've advised anyone that would listen to me to be sure & catch them as they are indeed MONEY baby! John the Jerry guy seems to be a very decent fit for that chair in so many critical ways--maybe most notably in the vocals dept. It is a very natural & organic evolution from what he has been doing these past few years to what he is & will be doing for the next few. Now if we could just figure out how to squeeze Rob (the Bobby guy) Eaton into the mix... Cheers, Jerry Horn
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I honestly don't know anything. For somebody who maybe appears to have it all wired, I'm actually pretty far out of that particular loop; I don't really have contact at all with Bob's or Phil's current "people." But I would be shocked if they didn't tour, 'cause why go to all the trouble for just three shows? I don't have a clue of when that might be, though. It's hard to imagine they could resist the lure of a fat NYE paycheck, but in the immortal words of Sgt. Schultz on "Hogan's Heroes," "I know nothing!"
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the utube vids are telling. the boyz w/some youth & John sound awesome. playing in front of a white curtain in that small hall -- you can hear echoes from 40 years ago. A tour of small halls and pacs is definitely called for.
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BY Sunday Night everyone was just glowing, These shows were amazing, tight, bright, exciting, different-and joyous, elevating I hung with some true lifelong senior Deadheads and THE MAGIC has come Furthur ! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8pjVSqeMYo evrybody that travelled far and wide for these shows, has sore feet and a big smile on their face today. Were ready for more THANKS play on :)
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Your reporting is well written and even-handed. Anyone have the link to posts of the shows on Archive.org?
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Blair it sounds like you got it big time on Sunday. Listening to Saturday's show right now and the IKYR smokes!!! Loved the jam to open the second set too.This band flows much more effortlessly than the spring incarnation and when they turn it on, it is ON!!!
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drchampagneSomeone mentioned a tour of theaters & clubs? Fergeddaboudit! This machine was designed up to go for the gold. This'll play sheds & stadiums multiple nights in each stop Spring & Summer 2010 & rake in a ton of cake when it's over. This is a must see ticket for any self-respecting Deadhead & they're/we're painfully aware of it. Blair, you mentioned a nice NYE payday--I'll bet DSO has Johnny all wrapped up for that night & has for months. & if we're thinking unlimited shelf life on this model, think again as ol' Uncle Phil hits the big seven oh next March--he's older than Keif Richards & more fragile too. We'll be really lucky to get another giant tour outta him--heck we're lucky to have him thumpin' away now! Line up folks--this is gonna be big!
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Hey Now Thanks Blair for your insightful thoughts on the 3 Furthur nights at my new favorite theater The Fox at Oakland. What an amazing venue. They got every inch of that place perfect, including the staff, the decor, the den that played some very good and loud GD music 3 hours after the shows all three nights. My thoughts on the music is... Incredible!!! I am blessed to see the birth of Furthur. One can only hope that the run in NYE will materialize. That being said... I hope it is a prelude of The Dead 10'. As much as I loved * Jay Lane * Joe Russo which buy the way more that surpassed any expectation, I hope to see Mickey and BK with the boys again. I have always chased JG, Bob , Phil. Mickey and Bill and never saw DSO. I was more than impressed with JK and loved the guy at first sight. I really cant compare Warren and JK for a Dead line up but I must say I was more than ecstatic to see Warren for the 09' spring run. I think JK had allot of nerves and he did not really have the time to warm with up with his heros.One can only ponder what the future brings. I thought it was funny to here from all the DSO friends at the shows. They wanted JK so badly for him to sing all of Jerry songs. Me personally thought Bobby sounded very good and brought it, big time! This is a band of 4 decades of music and tradition, of course Bobby was going to sing the first 9.5 out of 10 songs. Patience young grasshopper JK will rock and did!!! Phil was the absolute and of course the driver of the bus. He was truly amazing like all the times I have seen him. Only 69 and still and bring the house down at any point in time and space. He is soooo good! Thanks again Phil!!!!! No Drums and Space?? Back to Mickey and BK. This was some of my favorite parts of Spring Tour 09' transcending me to parts of space words cannot speak of. I feel that I should be on the road, plane, or train to see the next show. One can only hope...
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This particular chemistry of a GD incarnation is infectious...I haven't been this jazzed in years. Phil and Bob were ON this past weekend. I figure John has his thing going on with DSO (who are a great band) but it would be fantastic if he could accommodate a decent amount of time around Phil and Bob for some furthur shows in the future. Hey good folks, if you get the opportunity to see Furthur, CHECK THEM OUT. The vibe that we all know and cherish continues to be with us.
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We were open minded enough, to check out Dark Star back in 1999. I mean, its just another Dead cover band. Boy were we wrong! I've been seeing these guys for 10 years! And I always knew who I wanted in the lead guitar slot whenever I saw Phil or Bob's band play. I love all the guitarists that play. But I wanted to hear John up there with the boys. And now its gone FURTHUR! Congratulations Johnny. Now, its time to come home and be with your family. If you're a good boy we'll let you go play with your friends again real soon.
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drchampagneDSO just announced today their end of year 4 night run in, Virginia (yes Virginia, they luuuvs them some Dead tunes in Virginia...) so we'll be waiting until Spring to catch the next Further junket(s).
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This line-up completely vaporizes every other post Jerry Dead project!!!! PLEASE BRING ON SOME SERIOUS TOUR!!!
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well i also had a fu---in great time only made sunday but WOW i had alot of fun and by the way i love Warren!!! with that said these guys were are really fun and it seems to show Phil looked 35 or maybe 65 but was all smile's him and Jeff were a grinnin where i was seated i couldn't see jay and john but sure sounded great !!1 So like any good dead head i started looking DSO just put up NYE shows !!!! shit !!!in MD!!! so how bout mid DEC shows ?? lets all send our Vibes out and hopefully , well everybody seemed to have a rippin good time so i think they will get the message..... Sure was fun to have all that energy the next couple of days after the show i saw .....just like well you know ! peace to all wolff
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So you're saying no Mickey or Billy in the line up??? Wow. "I've stayed in every blue-light cheap hotel. Can't win for tryin. Dust off those rusty strings just one more time. Gonna make em shine."
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No Billy or Mickey=if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Furthur seems to be energized with the two drummers they have. There must be reasons they are not involved and the current lineup is great. The Furthur show I went to sounded more up-beat than any of the Dead '09 shows I listened to. I noticed that DSO is not playing around Halloween. Another Furthur run? My aren't we a speculatin' bunch.
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Just hearing night two. I instantly started yelling HOLY SHIT!!!!! . It sounds F*#@&ing Amazing...........Then I get to Unbroken Chain>>>>>HOLY SHIT??????I know I'm posting on night three, but pardon me and all the respect, but what took so long.....I was standing next to John after a show inWilliamsport PA last November, and I asked him about playin with the "BOYS". He said he would if he was asked. They asked you John, and you answered the call. I think he's the best and I am proud to have told him that. I don't care. This stuff sounds so good, chills go up and down my spine. I thought I would not hear it sound like that ever again. I think he's the best choice. Right on John...Much respect and love to you....God bless ya brother......Thanks for doing it. It sounds so sweet I cried. Again, what took so long?I can't wait to run into him so I can congratulate him.....
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Looks like the show from the 20th just showed up on Archive.org (I am not a fan of bit torrent). By the way, are the shows streaming on the GD Radio soundboards? Greg SC
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No, but they're pretty good-sounding audience recordings
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Uhhh ok whatever.. "I've stayed in every blue-light cheap hotel. Can't win for tryin. Dust off those rusty strings just one more time. Gonna make em shine."
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Would love to be able to download them from the store like with The Dead tour
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Hard to say what my favorite moment in the three nights was but certainly Pride of Cucamonga ranks pretty darn high. Also really dug the new spin on FOTD. Farrell Timlake president, Homegrown Video timlake@homegrownvideo.com
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Ok,looks like DSO is open between Dec.5th untill they start their NYE shows.also the FoxTheatre in Oakland is not booked the weekend of Dec.18-20. Exactly 2 Months from the last Furthur gigs.I can only pray Phil & Bob are thinking what I'm thinking.MORE FURTHUR!!!!!!
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Oops,exactly 3 months.brain still recovering.
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Coming from someone who was too young to go on tour in the glory days, yet old enough now to share the experiences of the Dead and now the Further squad, my excitement is inexplicable. I've always wondered what the outcome would be if someone with a distinct jerry-esque playing style was added to the band, and needless to say the scene seems to be dripping with happiness. Thank you to everyone for sharing the joys of the past and dancing to the hopes for the future, and I hope these guys oblige us all with a tour! How's about ya'll Half-Step it on down to the South for a few shows?? Respectfully grateful...
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I second "upholding's" emotions....all of them....I also am too young to have seen Jerry live and this is truly something I have been hoping for over the past coupla years....I think Stu Allen would've been a better fit musically/vocally as his song catalogue is more diverse and I personally think he's a notch above John...but John...is perfect! This was bound to happen...it is time. It's trippy....kinda like a resurrection of sorts...headiness! I'm glad the older heads dug the shows too..that means a lot...a WHOLE lot. I figure they should've gone with the Jerry vocals from the get-go....it's what has brought us all here in the first place...the Ol' "If it ain't broke" philosophy should apply. I can't wait to see "The Grateful Dead" for the first time!!! I think they should go back to calling the band 'The Grateful Dead' too...call the tour "furthur" but 'Grateful Dead' fits...esp with Jerry having passed....and us all....well.....eternally Grateful....not dead...just grateful. "In a bed, in a bed, by the waterside I will lay my head. Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul."
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sorry man but without Jerry this is not going to be the Grateful Dead and what about Bill K. one of the founders and Mickey, it seems like everybody is just writing them off. It is too bad you never got to see Jerry in person because only then would you understand what he meant to us and why it isn't the Grateful Dead without him and never can be, no matter how awesome the guitarists are and there have been some grates that have played with the boys since Jerry moved on. There was a presence that can not be named and who dares to name it that touched us and that is what it is. Magic, wonder, mystery, joy like you will never see again (not that there are not many other facets of these realms that are yet to be realized and enjoyed and loved for the moment). So be it. Furthur to the next time and space. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
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Was it just a ploy or was there meaning behind the story of the Grateful Dead?This world needs the Grateful Dead and it should be supported like the institution it is. As one member passes another takes his/her place, there fore paying the debt of the life and funeral of the previous member. I've been waiting for a school to be started since 95. Is the music and the scene not deserving of immortality? Maybe I'm a dreamer but Im not the only one, the Dead, should live and small minds should reopen
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ummm....why is Bob singing 'Sugaree'?he just doesn't do it for me on the Jerry songs...they were...and are...meant to be sung with Garcia's vocals...and they're onstage!!! WTF? seems ridiculous....I don't hear JK singing lead vocals on Cassidy...doesn't make sense to me...use what u have! Maximize the experience....to each his own I suppose...I just haven't heard anyone praising Bob singing the Jerry songs and neither am I. That being said...It's all good....very good. "In a bed, in a bed, by the waterside I will lay my head. Listen to the river sing sweet songs, to rock my soul."