Grateful Dead

2nd set opener Jack Straw very well jammed... listening to the rest right now.

... give it up. We'll take it even if it's not up to standards.We're grateful

Definitely the show with the most energy so far. It sounded like they were actually toning it down it had so much intensity at the beginning. I think this is keeping with with the sound they are trying to achieve. It's like skeletons creeping through the attics of our minds. The sound quality of the one on archive was pretty good also. Thank you tapers! Keep'em coming!

"Took the Jerry ness to new heights? Light as a feather with it's perfect psychedelia? Guess you're a poet and don't even know it dude! Sorry, just couldn't let that pass. I think some might take issue with the "Jerry ness" comment. That still strikes a raw nerve around here. I mean, I really love John K. in this slot but the one thing he lacks, that every guitarist who fills this slot will lack, is the "jerry ness". Jerry put the black in licorice, which is to say he was the licoriciousness.

for heads like AmanaM and MaryS seems to be their insistence on a line from The Eleven, "Now is the time of returning." Just when did they ever go away? The only returning I see is Bob & Phil playing together and willing to let somebody get out in front of them on the jams (thank god). I hate to be one to tell you this but John K. is too old to be the reincarnation of Jerry. So this is NOT Jerry returning. John K. is a guy who has spent most of his life aping Jerry's voice and guitar and Phil just happened to shine the spotlight on him. My only point here is that while this makes it an enjoyable experience worth paying for, for people who like the music Hunter wrote for The Grateful Dead, there will be no returning. Things change and move on Furthur and for those of us who truly enjoyed the very essence of the Grateful Dead experience ANY lineup post Jerry will not be comparable. It's like comparing Starbucks to the store brand coffee. It's still coffee, but It just doesn't pack the same punch. I think this "Now is the time of returning." bullshit is a line laid down by some very slick promotional people and it is sad to see some older heads falling for it. I can see why the younger heads who never heard Jerry play are falling for it though. I think if you put it in perspective and take it with a grain of salt "It's all good." (I hate that cliche but it is way appropriate here). MaryS, if you have been to 660 shows you damn well should be able to tell the difference between Furthur & Good Old Grateful Dead. Then again, maybe the old synapses aren't firing on all cylinders anymore.

no sour grapes here, wasn't shut out. saw the lists for the christmas shows and am looking forward to hearing them. the wallingford show made me smile at moments as did a few spots in the oakland shows. i'm on board with furthur, no doubt... i'm happy there is no real crush for tix. they were there for the faithful if you tried in the first few days to get them. let's hope it stays that way - the crush was ridiculous after the early 80s. all I am saying is there ain't no going back. enjoy what is for what it is... s'all see ya long the winter trail ((<+>)); - {}

p. 34, 4 from the top. Capt. Theo wants your tix. You can PM him if you want to.