The Dead at Shoreline

Ok, my apologies for taking so long to post this.  I'm behind in my blogging, what can I say?  Too many gigs, too much travel.  Also, I'm updating some of the reviews to include updated videos.

At any rate, I did manage to see the surviving members of The Dead play at Shoreline Amphitheater on Thursday May 14.  I'm not a deadhead (this was my second dead show, last one about 20 years ago), but there have been times in my life where I thought The Grateful Dead were pretty good.  I've always enjoyed "American Beauty" and the "Grateful Dead" (e.g. Skull & Roses)  live CD.  That said, I think about half of The Grateful Dead's material is excellent and half is somewhat uninspired.  That may be sacrilege to those who have committed their lives to following the Dead, but even that's got to be getting old since Jerry Garcia died back in '95. 

The setlist was decent, including classics like "Ship of Fools," "Friend of the Devil," "Morning Dew," and "China Cat Sunflower," "I Know You Rider," "Scarlet Begonias" and "Fire on the Mountain."  I though the second number "US Blues" has always been fairly lame and it doesn't get any better live.  But as with most dead concerts, about half of it was brilliant and half of it bordering on dull. 

But even with that caveat, I gotta say when it works, it is pretty impressive.  I think a lot of people dismiss The Grateful Dead's musicianship and in that regard, the band is really unique in what they do.  And despite Jerry Garcia's passing, the four surviving members (Phil Lesh on bass, Rob Weir on guitar, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann on percussion) have a musical chemistry that is unique, inspiring and perhaps more resilient than anyone would have expected.   Add to that the impressive guitar and vocals of  Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule), and you have a band that still has as much firepower as they did twenty years ago.  To be clear, Warren Haynes isn't Jerry Garcia (and he's not trying to be), but he brings an intensity and freshness to the band that builds on the foundation that was layed down over many years.

I've posted some photos and videos online. And I'm grateful to the fan who swapped seats with me for the second set, getting me closer to the stage in the 103 section.  That's good karma, dude!

• Grateful Dead:Official Site, Wikipedia
• Amazon: Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses), American Beauty
• Photos & Video: PicasaWeb, YouTube

Comments

[Richard Salit]

Great recording!
As someone who is a Deadhead, but who was not at the show, I would agree with your assessment for the most part. The Dead have always had their good nights and bad nights and sometimes huge variations within a show. They became more consistent over time but Deadheads live for those transcendent moments when everything gels. That's the thing that keeps drawing them back.

[Clive Lovett]

Hi
This is unrelated to the post but related to your adventures.
Have you been to San Antonio? I am heading there on business and am looking for a good live music club to go to (I appreciate most music and always appreciate good guitar playing). Also, looking for any good guitar stores. I have looked online for a club but nothing jumps out.
Hope you can help.
Thanks
Clive

[ZUrlocker]

Sorry, not really familiar with that area. Plenty of good music in nearby Austin though.

--Zack