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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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
- Big_riverJoined:Looked at a little youTubeLooked at a little youTube on Furthur, and am definitely on-board with JK! When I went to shows in the 80's I always felt the Grateful Dead were a completely different entity--more self-contained and mystical--than other bands that played big arenas. There was a context and multi-voice dialogue involving the band and, as importantly, the Dead Head community. Long-time show heads at the time always seemed to state then that the band was just a shell of some earlier line-up, which was probably a legitimate gripe in their minds. Being new, everything was fantastic. The band's ability to bring in new players (in the wake of Pig Pen and the Godchauxs leaving the group) and still jell and amaze led my mind to believe there would always be a Grateful Dead, growing like the Master Musicians of Jajouka--who have retained the spirit for multiple generations. After Jerry died, it seemed very much so the opposite, that the chemistry and mysticism was contained in the spirit of Garcia, and that the rest was business. In the years that have followed, some of the reunion line-ups and side projects have worked, sometimes addressing the group personality the Grateful Dead expressed. Furthur is another vehicle to get to those issues--this time balanced with youth along with experience. The context of the music is important, and subtleties like JK's road-weary voice and ability to react in a Garcia-like manner to the changes Phil & Bob lay down is influencing the new band in a positive manner.Concerning Jerry's spirit, his presence always seemed to override the group mind during the 80's and beyond. Shows and later whole tours depended on his state of mind. It seemed Garcia's role in the band began to elevate him about the time of American Beauty. The notion of "fingers on a hand" or "multi-headed hydra" began to fade as Pig Pen contributed less, and his focal point shifted to the emotionally heavier songs Jerry sang. I always wondered which 'Grateful Dead' was referenced by the buttons that said "Good Ol' Grateful Dead." Seems Jerry was an entertainer who exhaustively worked in the spotlight, and had a mixture of influences--L.A. and Marin County, comic books and the oral tradition of the old folk songs, being there and not wanting to be there. Other members of the core balance their own extremes, all leading to the musical dialogue presented. It would be nice to think Furthur is approaching the balanced model that the early Grateful Dead had--"when the music played the band." We'll have to see on tour. And that's a good thing. The context of the post-1970 songs and the ever-lingering Jerry emotions will make it difficult, but perhaps this is one line-up which will be able to coax some of that "Good Ol' Grateful Dead" feeling. If not, my notion of a perpetual Dead spirit will go on the "heap of bad ideas," which include "grateful DEAd" and "jerry garCIA," if you catch my drift... It's all arts and entertainment, but it is still spirit and family as well. May there always be newbies who are amazed, and those who know the history and context.
- fluffhead042Joined:ahhh....I see...but it's those differing opinions and perspectives that make us ALL Deadheads :) Pre and Post-Jerry...but heads full of dead nonetheless I still think he wrote 'Lucy' about someone else ;) "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."
- Anonymous (not verified)Joined:It's very zen, FluffMods are deadheads who haven't seen Jerry play in person, who turned on to the Dead without seeing a show. It is what it is (a zen cliche). Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's... No disrepect intended and nor do I believe all mods think the same. I sure know all deadheads don't! And thats what makes all the colors in the rainbow. PS -- Today Lucy of John Lennon's Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds died, she was 46 and had a beautifull smiling face.
- tphokie1Joined:Just downloaded this show from archive.organd am listening to it as I write. I'm in the midst of Cassidy right now and I must say I'm impressed. I have always been skeptical of the whole "sound like the Grateful Dead" thing. As I result I avoided Dead cover bands like the plague until last year. I finally decided to go see DSO for the benefit of my 13 year old son, figuring this might be as close as he would get to the real thing. I enjoyed them so much that we ended up seeing them twice last year! John has something special going and does sound very similar to Jerry at times. I was once again skeptical when I heard about the Furthur shows. I was concerned that having someone trying to sound like Jerry would be a flop. What I'm hearing here is not someone trying to sound like Jerry, but someone who has a Jerry feel to their playing. The jams in this show sound more energetic and enthusiastic than any I've heard since the death of Jerry. I enjoyed the Dead this spring and thought Warren did a good job, but there is something about this show that has a bit of the "x-factor" to it. It would be nice to hear John doing all the Jerry vocals. Sometimes the shared vocals are kind of a bummer and while I love Bobby doing Bobby songs he often doesn't do justice vocally to the Jerry songs. I would definitely be anxious to see these guys if they come east!
- fluffhead042Joined:mmhmmm....Amen..."Mods wouldn't be mods w/o Fluff's take" and what's a "mod"? Should I be insulted? Am I any less of a deadhead because my opinion differs? hmmm. :( "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."