Absolutely smoking show last night at Terrapin:
Thunder & Lightning at Terrapin Crossroads
Weds Aug 2, 2017
Sugaree
1/2 Step (PL)
I Ain't Never
Sitting on Top of the World (RJ)
Crazy Fingers>
Cumberland Blues
Mission in the Rain
Cream Puff War
Reuben & Cherise
Brown Eyed Women - RJ
Doin' That Rag
Terrapin Station >
(Southern Man Jam)
Terrapin
China - Rider
Brokedown
Donor Rap
E: Midnight Moonlight
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Stu Allen ain't creepy - no sir. He frikkin' shreds in my opinion and if you don't think so too fuckin' bad for you.....
Over the past many years and the past 2 nights he was killin' on stage.
Tuesday's Mar's Hotel was fantastic but at times hampered by a song list that carried with it a few meh moments.
The performance had zero issues though - pure jammy bliss.
Last night's Thunder & Lightning stepped the game up a few major click with the presence of Phil tossing around bass bombs like Zeus sending lightning bolts down upon Mt Olympus.
From a shreddy and widely dynamic Sugaree to a melodically blissful 1/2 step, the opening pair set the room ablaze with happiness.
The often criticized presence of Ross "Motherfuckin," James did a lot to acquit his guitar playing skills with a fat debut GD LP Style Sittin' on top of the World.
Ross has been really going off as of late in a good way. I'm still not a fan of his generic hum-bucker tonality but he adds a lot of excitement and raging energy to the mix.
His vocals are a whole different story.... The Crazy Fingers > Cumberland possessed worthy jams and a great transition. Seeing Phil get heavy on songs he's only handled rarely was pure pleasure and Mission in the Rain was no exception. The appetizer set closed with a raging take on Cream Puff War, which though toyed with by Phil and Stu over the years was only performed 5 times in '66 and '67 by the Dead. It is also, the only song Garcia wrote both the lyrics and words too and the energy of last night's rendition was palpable and emphatic.
The TXR community was bouncing with energy and happy heads and the bar band - Colonel & The Mermaids were celebrating singer/drummer/guitarist Alex Korford's Bday before a happy crowd that included some extended jamming from RMFJ's fresh from the Grate Room.
Set 2 kicked hard with Reuben & Cherise with Stu getting heavy with the Envelope Filter and the lengthy conclusion jams. A very fat teast of some of the Terrapin melody surfaced but was quickly replaced by jamming that rebuilt the R&C theme.
The interesting but bizarre approach to Brown Eyed Women by the "intoning," not really singing, Ross James was to me the low point of the set in it's less then energetic vocal approach, but it still remained interesting for it's alternative lilt. We were transported quickly thereafter to the primordial, psychedelic era with Doin' that Rag - expertly voiced by Stu with a ton of jammy details propelled by super tasty drumming from Ezra Lipp and great B3 and Nord work from Scott Guberman.
Working from a clean break the opening strains of Terrapin Station brought the crowd to a place of joy. When it was Ross Jame's time to shine he pushed and cajoled the assemblage into an urgent Southern Man Jam (having just come off stage in the Bar where he was playing Neil Young alongside Alex Korford and the Mermaids) but Stu steered the ship back to Terrapin. A fat and tasty China Rider with a really interesting transition jam heavily affected by Ross's heavy hand ultimately landed on a crowd pleasing Rider followed by a sweet, but melancholy Brokedown Palace. A clear nod to the beautiful muse of Garcia to end the show.
Phil surfaced with some curious words about "being pissed off and missing this place," which were difficult to de-mystify, just before he gave his requisite Organ Donor Rap.
The encore was a classic take on Peter Rowan's Midnight Moonlight which was notable only in that it's rare that Lesh has covered this prime piece of Garcia Band sonic-real estate.
In summary, the performance, and performer - audience feedback loop were all set on 11 and between the smoking hot grooves, heavy jams, Phil Bombs and incredibly varied and interesting set list, this was one for the ages!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Painted Mandolin Treblemaker
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 03:05 pm
I neglected to mention "I Ain
I neglected to mention "I Ain't Never," which frankly confused me in this context. It's an old acoustic country song from Webb Pierce that Jerry did a few times with the Almost Acoustic Band and with David Grisman - but thrown into the pot in an electric context, alongside Phil made me scratch my head. The head scratchin' was also further encouraged by the clear blues approach instead of a lilting acoustic country thing. I can't explain the motivation for doing this one, but I liked it.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jj abrams sonomajon
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 03:29 pm
Love Stu...Unfortunately Ross
Love Stu...Unfortunately Ross James is not very good at Grateful Dead music...He's a novice when it comes to the music and approaches every song the same way...For my ears he ruined several tunes last night...Mission and Crazy Fingers and that BEW was absolutely horrible...But as my Mom used to say "to each his own"...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Painted Mandolin Treblemaker
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 04:19 pm
I'll grant you that he ruined
I'll grant you that he ruined some songs last night - but I perceive that Phil likes alternative perspectives on the catalog.
RMFJ is a maverick but as time passes I see his skills increase - thow there's no hope at all for his voice.
I do like his energy but his licks seem intentioned to disturb, not please listeners.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jj abrams sonomajon
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 04:44 pm
I felt like having Ross sing
I felt like having Ross sing that Brown Eyed was straight up disrespectful to Garcia and to those of us in the room having to digest that crap. Maybe Phil relates to Ross' horrific voice?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: My Name is Bart
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 05:28 pm
I would love to see Stu play
I would love to see Stu play this new guitar put out by the JGF called Ocean
Jerry Garcia Foundation Reveals Eco-Friendly "Ocean" Guitar
http://www.jambands.com/news/2017/08/03/jerry-garcia-foundation-reveals-...
more info on the guitar here
http://www.guitarworld.com/gear-news/plastic-free-ocean-guitar-unveiled-...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call" Knotesau
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 05:32 pm
I think Stu's guitar is nicer
I think Stu's guitar is nicer than that Ocean guitar.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk fabes
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 06:55 pm
Plastic free guitar
Plastic free guitar
So in other words there is no pick guard
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jonaspond Jonas
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 07:00 pm
I somehow missed that Leiber
I somehow missed that Leiber co created Tiger with Irwin?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Back to Back UncleSam
on Thursday, August 3, 2017 – 08:06 pm
What bass was Phil playing?
Great review. What bass was Phil playing?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway daylight
on Friday, August 4, 2017 – 12:49 am
>>>Stu Allen ain't creepy
>>>Stu Allen ain't creepy
oh man i had forgotten about that. good old philzone.org
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway daylight
on Friday, August 4, 2017 – 12:55 am
>>>He's a novice when it
>>>He's a novice when it comes to the music and approaches every song the same way<<<
thats the thing tho, he isnt a novice to GD music. he has been playing it constantly for the past 5 years...he is just a shitty improviser who constantly relies on just repeating the same licks over and over with increasing volume and tempo, as if speed and volume are what is needed to create the trance state
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Jelly roll Mckenna
on Friday, August 4, 2017 – 07:01 am
Disrespectful to Garcia..
Disrespectful to Garcia...high-larious...can u throw bobby murdering black peter every 4th night in the disrespectful pile? or Mayer on black muddy river...and the list can go on and on...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jj abrams sonomajon
on Friday, August 4, 2017 – 09:15 am
Comparing Bobby to Ross James
Comparing Bobby to Ross James IS hilarious...