Avl Dug

Much larger crowd Saturday night. Lots of slower tunes in the first set, it got almost lethargic for a minute there. It didn't help that two couples right behind us were having a book club discussion during the set until we politely asked them to either hold their conversation elsewhere or STFU. They moved. I pegged this for 77/78 during the first set but knew it was Egypt the instant the second set started. The Hamza percsussion into Fire was suh-weet. There were some hard transitions in the second set. Sunrise was supposed to go between It's All Over Now and Shakedown. They left the stage after Around and Around (which had both really nice and some flubs in the interaction between Rob and Lisa when they brought it down), and when they came out for the encore Jeff said, "We messed up. We're going to rectify that right now." So we got a two song encore. Cotter and I discussed the Egypt shows a couple of years ago, I was saying if I had a time machine those are the shows I would go back to first. He disagreed, said the music wasn't all that great and rattled off a half dozen shows he'd go to first. He was right - without the pyramids as a backdrop this was a totally unremarkable show. Of course, it was still a Dead show, so that's not a complaint.

We enjoyed this set more than Saturday. This was a very uptempo show. It felt really 1980ish until Lay Down Sally, then we knew it was an elective. The B3 was there but I would swear Rob only played it on Alabama. Skip was booming during Playing, and Cotter had a field day during Space, which was very Rhythm Devils-ish. Smaller crowd Friday, a more intimate feel. Really nice show.

Tulsa Feb 6 '79. One of the few shows with no known recording.

Aw, I get the holy trinity thing, and of course Duke's, but a truly righteous tomato sandwich has Lay's potato chips on it. Original, plain, not ranch or barbeque and especially not wavy or ruffled chips, just plain ol' original Lay's to add both crunch and salt to said sandwich, making it an edible work of art to be savored.

Honestly can't tell you exactly. We stayed at Jewel both times we went. They run a small mini bus, think airport shuttle, back and forth, seats about 12-16 people. It runs from an hour before the first music each day until the wee hours of the morning. Is it better to be at Jewel? Probably. Is it better to be in Jamaica rather than at home? Absolutely!

Did Barraco and Eaton play nights two and three? I think I was at that '83 show (night two).

This was our second JITS, the first two years ago. Ran into a guy who said it was his eighth. What a fabulous set up. The only thing I can compare it to is is the 3 day Hampton runs we went to in the 80s. The coliseum there was at the end of a short, dead end road with about six hotels on it, and they would all fill with Heads. You could walk to the show, hang out in the lot, walk back to the room, and everyone you came in contact with for three days was a kind soul. JITS is just like that, but better. It's four days, it's on the beach, you can swim in the ocean, one of the pools or just spend the day on a chaise lounge. As it's an all inclusive resort all the meals at multiple restaurants are included, it's open bar, and they even set up a buffet at midnight on the beach for those post show cravings. The best part is the people. Everyone is cool, happy, kind, and warm. You can chat with any one, about the show last night, their cool t-shirt, where they're from. And the people working are just awesome, will bend over backwards to make your stay happy. And then there's the music. The band is also staying at the resort so you see them during the day, at meals or on the beach. They can feel the vibe as well, and it shows in their playing. The shows rocked, soared, glistened with brilliance. This year there was the added covid element, and a survivor's mentality pervaded the first two days. As stress faded it was replaced first by relief and then exaltation. The last day was pure celebration. Personally I enjoyed the afternoon elective show the best. For me there is something special about spinning in the sand at the back of the crowd, blowing bubbles in the sunshine and seeing people smile. People liberate themselves and happiness abounds. The first two nights, the back to back 78 shows were just delightful. The last night's set was outstanding, fantastic, wonderful. The entire event was... Fabulous.

My my my. That was quite something. Thank YOU for a real good time. 72 elective. (Stage banter: "We're doing stuff from '72!") Other than Feel Like a Stranger, lol. First set Easy Wind always fabulous. 2nd set Dark Star/drums/St. Stephen/Morning Dew sandwich was yummy. Band cooking on all cylinders. Tight, rocking, happy. It was infectious. JK sat in for Lazy River Road. Rob channeled his inner Pig in a long rap in Good Love. Quinn the Eskimo sent us home. Gotta pack.

Day three an afternoon show, began at 3 pm, ended at sunset. Elective. Love the afternoon show, what a great change of pace, lighting, atmosphere, mood. Today's vibe is party. Everyone is here, has finally shaken off the travel stress and it's party time. Tomorrow will be explosive. Last line of Box simply resonated. Such a long long time to be gone, such a short time to be there. Chills.

Night two Burlington Vermont, 5/6/78, the day before the first night show. Outrageous Sugaree opener, one of those, "And that was just the opener" moments. Three drummers in drums (what?). Rocking Sugar Mag to close the show. Oh, yeah, Sat night encore no filler. Vibe is still one of, I can't believe we're all here. People swapping stories of passing the covid gauntlet to get here. So far weather perfect. Om.

No filler, ran late. Long set break.

First night, RPI from May, '78. Scintillating Scarlet/Fire to start the second set. Highlight was the bombs in Other One. Duh duh duh duh duh BOOM! lol. Rob before the Jack Straw opener: "It's a miracle we're all here." That attitude is pervasive through out,it's like we're all walking on air. Best vibe I've felt since the three night runs at Hampton in the mid 80s.

We'll be there. Been living in a bubble for the last ten days, want no exposure to any one. Signed up for a rapid test, got to the site and all they did was the 24-48 hour turnaround one, so we were on pins and needles for two more days. What a relief. I'm calling it here, now, a Bertha opener tomorrow night. Test me test me...

The next one.

PITS canceled.

Not to throw water on the thread drift, you all seen this? https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dead-and-company-cancun-cancellation-refunds-1276662/

What Rude said (in the first sentence, above) is the key here, isn't it? You have to test negative within three days for entry into Jamaica. You can test all you want before that, but if you don't have a negative test in that three day window you cannot enter the country. What happens then, if one (or more) of the band, or Cotter, or anyone else in the traveling crew tests positive? They cancel Jamaica on three days notice? What then for the several hundred fans who have booked airfare and the resort package? I'm a long time reader of the forum, I just never felt the need to join. FWIW, 70+ shows before Jerry died. Been on the bus since the mid seventies. The virus is real. 800,000 people have died in the US alone. The current spike in infections is going to dwarf past surges. Like the common cold, IMHO we are all going to catch covid at some point, but if you are vaxed the symptoms will be mild. Right now, right NOW it's all about timing. Will the band, their families and crew, and those with tickets to Jamaica all test negative within the government imposed window to allow entry into the country? You know that everyone going on this junket will be on pins and needles until late next week when they can get their test. So what Rude said: hope everyone is well and can pass the test. Be well, all.