26/03/05 The Grand, Wilmington, DE

[BillK522]

84/07/06  Alpine Valley Music Theatre,  East Troy, WI

 

Iko, Jack Straw>Big Railroad Blues, Little Red Rooster,

Candyman,  Me and My Uncle>Mexicali Blues,

Bird Song, Let It Grow.

 

China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider, Ship of Fools,

Women Are Smarter>D>S>Dear Mr. Fantasy>Other One>

Black Peter>Do It In the Road>Sugar Mags>Sunshine.

 

E:  Touch of Grey.

F:  Piece of My Heart.

 

Praise DSO.

[BillK522]

Tour opens with a mid eighties recreation

at a lovely old opera house downtown.

First set littered with fine selections, can't

go wrong with Jack Straw, I dig Big Railroad.

Bird Song stretched out nicely, as did the

Let It Grow.

 

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring teases before

second opened, a nod to the surroundings.

Recently, the first few notes of China Cat

have really been the rush, and this one

did not disappoint.  Rest period Ship,

Women had a nice groove, band really

picked up momentum after Space.

Top shelf Fantasy, Pete delivered the

goods.  Do It appropriate surprise and

Sugar Mags a lock down closer.

Lisa deployed as secret weapon to

close the precedings.

 

After all the talk a few threads over

about dance space and getting there.

Thought I would share.  Theatres are

tricky.  Slanted floors.  Closed doors.

Blocking others view of the band.

Needless to say there are obstacles.

Happy to report I found a triangle oasis

behind the seats upstairs Skip's side

that provided more than adequate space

with killer sound.  It took me most of

the first set to get my center, but was

locked in for the second.  

Thanks Band and Crew.

 

Praise DSO.

 

 

[Tea]

Wow!  Hard outta the gate with that trifecta, and a beautiful duo chaser to close.  Post-space looks like a beaut!   The original had an extended Around x2 intro jam before Sugar Mags picked up.  Did they give that a shot too?

 

 

[BillK522]

42 minutes ago, Tea said:

The original had an extended Around x2 intro jam before Sugar Mags picked up.  Did they give that a shot too?

 

Saw that on DBX list and missed it,

not saying did not happen.

Lost in the fog of DIITR maybe.

Greg from Chestertown was down

front and may be able to shed light.

 

Praise DSO.

[Greg from Chestertown]

Eh, I was overwhelmed with negative thoughts on the ride home. Some of the people around me pretty much ruined it for me. This is dominating any memory of the music. Sorry, folks, that one didn’t get it for me. It’s not the band’s fault. I got a real  bad taste in my mouth this morning. 
  I don’t know now, I just don’t know….

[BillK522]

The Grateful Dead did seven

Do It in The Road.

Last night number 54 for DSO.

 

Praise DSO.

[Greg from Chestertown]

Something in there had a really cool intro, I just can’t put my finger on it. I  wasn’t sure what the song was until they were into it a little bit. Worth mentioning the Skip zone was in full force. He had the floor vibrating all night. Everyone in the band was in full force and spot on. I tried my best also. I never got lost in the music, though. Shame. After Black Peter, I thought we would get a truckin sugar mags, Beatles tune was a nice surprise and changed my guess from 82-83 to 84. Sitting in the first row, I think I was too close for good sound. The speakers were behind me. Just saying. 

[John A]

Mr. Fantasy at the Alpine show, only the 3rd version, makes a case as the best one The Dead ever played. It's so raw the structure isn't settled in yet, yet also arguably the hardest they ever jammed it. Epic!

 

Less than a month earlier was the bust out 6-14 at Red Rocks, and there's a story about Brent proposing to Jerry in the limo on the way to the show that they tackle Mr. Fantasy. Jerry, never one to dispute a cool notion, went all in. The story assumes they hadn't worked it up in any fashion until hours before showtime. And being The Dead, they didn't put any energy into settling on the structure for a few more months. I really want that story to be true, 'cause it's awesome!