Thoughts on Furthur?

[groovy1967]

Anyone else seen them on this tour?

I went last night, and here's what I thought of the show: http://ferdmania.blogspot.com

[McGregor]

I love this
The resulting “Hard to Handle” had a very odd feel to it. The 8-6-71 version with Pigpen is one of the high watermarks for the Grateful Dead...
and agree completely. What a show!

nice review as well. I enjoyed the one show I listened to on sirius a couple of Sunday's ago

[RitaZero]

Anyone else seen them on this tour?

I went last night, and here's what I thought of the show: http://ferdmania.blogspot.com

Great review Groovy!

This California Deadhead is VERY happy with this line up of musicians. I had pretty much given up on P&F. I have mixed feelings about RatDog, sometimes they are great; sometimes, not so much.

I rung in 2010 with Furthur and I kept saying, "the magic is back," all night. I also got to see them in Oakland last year. I look forward to Phil's 70th birthday party next month, and if there's a summer tour, I'm back on the bus!

[duende]

Nice write-up, Brian! I officially got on board the Furthur bus 12/30, but I'd been downloading shows since the Fox Theater run and giving'em to anyone who'd listen. I think your opening comment about the legacy of the Dead's music is spot-on. I think it's worth noting, however, that the faithful renditions Furthur is performing could be a fly in the ointment down the road. I wonder if it might wear on you to hear a passage and to have to look over to see if that was Jerry playing, or not. For better or worse, Kadlicek has that kind of effect (on me, anyway). That said, I'm diggin' the shows & I'm eagerly anticipating Phil's birthday... the list of "friends" is getting pretty durned long!

[denideadhead]

Thanks Groovy!! THE REVIEW was great!! I was on the fence about these shows I so appreciated your insightful perspective and just may get myself to the casino for Friday now that I know what I can realistically expect!!

[groovy1967]

Thanks, guys. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

The occasional aimlessness of Phil & Friends that became increasingly common when Phil supported himself with an inferior cast is almost entirely missing from Further. On the downside, the true adventurousness seems to be missing, as well. I'm hoping they loosen things up and really start to let go more over time. Comparing what I heard last night to what I heard in the Fall is like listening to two completely different bands, so that's a good sign!

[DougNSharon]

Thanks for the update and review, G!

Looking forward to the SF show on the 12th, too. As many have posted, you can tell that this combination has the potential to be something special.

It was also really gratifying to see them playing so many "open rehearsals" around the Bay Area in December and January. I thought it showed a real commitment to developing band dynamics while trying to take some pressure off the new guys.

On the other hand, I am incredibly ambivalent about the nostalgia/museum aspect of many of these post-Jerry combinations. Half the time I'm dancing; the other half I'm gritting my teeth!

[linza22]

We should hear from Katybell later today. i do believe she went last night.

[denideadhead]

.

On the other hand, I am incredibly ambivalent about the nostalgia/museum aspect of many of these post-Jerry combinations. Half the time I'm dancing; the other half I'm gritting my teeth!

I hear ya!! or I am just plain sad!! but this sounds promising in a dancing way!!

[Lit]

I hear ya!! or I am just plain sad!! but this sounds promising in a dancing way!!

Hey D, not to post jack here, but I just got an e-mail announcement of this show in our neck of the woods that I know will interest you:

http://www.capa.com/newhaven/events/event.php?e=185

BTW, I'm firmly in the camp that just gets wistful at any of the post-Jerry combinations I've attended. If I'm going to relive old glory, I like the DSO, because at least I know I'm getting a tribute show. As we've covered here before, I can't take Bobby trying to be Jerry. He was bad enough just trying to be Bobby.

[marignygreg]

I am seeing Furthur this Wednesday in Chicago. From what I have heard on bootlegs, this is the best post Jerry/Dead related band to date. I like them much more than The Dead with Warren, although Billy and Mickey will be missed. Thanks for the positive review.

[groovy1967]

If I'm going to relive old glory, I like the DSO, because at least I know I'm getting a tribute show.

I've been saying this for years during all the "Why don't they just use John Kadlecik?" debates. That's why I always preferred what Phil did because it was risky and took familiar songs to new places. On the other hand, when Phil did not have a dominant lead player (Larry Campbell & Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell & Barry Sless, Larry Campbell & Larry McCray, Robben Ford & Paul Barrere, etc.), the music rarely went anywhere. Throw Warren, Trey, Derek, or even Jimmy in that band, and you're suddenly talking about a house of fire!

Now you have the conundrum of doing something that is almost DSO but not quite. They exist in this weird space between Phil & Friends and DSO, but I'm hopeful, they'll loosen up more as they continue to gel.

As we've covered here before, I can't take Bobby trying to be Jerry. He was bad enough just trying to be Bobby.

I'm what you might call a Weir-hater, and I have to admit that Tuesday was one of the best performances I've seen from him in the past ten years. He only flubbed the lyrics once or twice, and he essentially steered clear of the Jerry tunes, aside from "Days Between," which he delivered surprisingly well, especially for a guy who can't sustain any vocal notes. And his guitar playing was pretty solid.

[groovy1967]

I am seeing Furthur this Wednesday in Chicago. From what I have heard on bootlegs, this is the best post Jerry/Dead related band to date. I like them much more than The Dead with Warren, although Billy and Mickey will be missed. Thanks for the positive review.

It's just my opinion, but unless you're pining for Drums->Space, I don't think you'll miss Billy and Mickey too much in this combination.

[Lit]

I've been saying this for years during all the "Why don't they just use John Kadlecik?" debates. That's why I always preferred what Phil did because it was risky and took familiar songs to new places. On the other hand, when Phil did not have a dominant lead player (Larry Campbell & Jackie Greene, Larry Campbell & Barry Sless, Larry Campbell & Larry McCray, Robben Ford & Paul Barrere, etc.), the music rarely went anywhere. Throw Warren, Trey, Derek, or even Jimmy in that band, and you're suddenly talking about a house of fire!

Now you have the conundrum of doing something that is almost DSO but not quite. They exist in this weird space between Phil & Friends and DSO, but I'm hopeful, they'll loosen up more as they continue to gel.

I agree. One of my best friends, and the one with whom my musical tastes align most closely, saw all their Bay-area warm up shows for this tour and assured me that this is the best alignment he's seen; and he's seen them all.

I have seen and/or heard most but not all post-Jerry groupings, and I'm just trying to make sure I didn't miss something here: were Trey or Derek ever in any of them, or were you just adding them as examples? I know Warren and Jimmy were, but I didn't think Trey or Derek ever played in any of the constelllations, and if they did, I'd be bummed to have missed that, to put it mildly.

I'm what you might call a Weir-hater, and I have to admit that Tuesday was one of the best performances I've seen from him in the past ten years. He only flubbed the lyrics once or twice, and he essentially steered clear of the Jerry tunes, aside from "Days Between," which he delivered surprisingly well, especially for a guy who can't sustain any vocal notes. And his guitar playing was pretty solid.

Yeah, I'm in that camp too; as is the friend to whom I referred above. "Hater" is probably a bit strong, but that's what I would be considered given my general attitude about him. Though there are some of his songs that I always liked and still do to this day. But back in the day I'd take the JGB over the Grateful Dead every day and twice on Sundays, just to have Jerry picking all the songs. I have always loved Phil, and I enjoyed Brent, Bruce and Vince during their respective tenures, but the JGB was all goodness all the time for my tastes.

[Freakwinox]

Summer Tour:
June 25 Rochester, NY—Highland Bowl Amphitheater
June 26-27 Brooklyn, NY—MCU Park
June 29 Jim Thorpe, PA—Penn’s Peak
June 30 Lowell, MA—LeLacheur Park
July 3 Herkimer, NY—Gelston Castle Estate
July 4 Oxford, ME—Nateva Music & Arts Festival
July 5 Shelburne, VT—The Green @ Shelburne Museum
July 8 Buffalo, NY—ArtPark
July 9 Masontown, WV—All Good Music Festival
July 10 Philadelphia, PA—Mann Center for the Performing Arts

[swag]

With the return to Barton Hall, some reminiscences of the '77 Dead show there.

http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Feb10/GDConcertAlumni.html

[marignygreg]

I should have known that Furthur show never happened on 3/4/10....I mean, that set list was too good to be true...."were they ever here at all".

[chopitulas]

That was an awesome set list. The other ones I've seen seemed kinda all over the map. There looked like a real organic synergy in that 3/4... Me likie...

[Music is Art]

I saw Further at their Buffalo show a couple weeks back, and have my tickets for both Rochester and Artpark this summer.

The Buffalo show (at Shea's) was good. First set was a little slow, but it picked up nicely in the second set and was well worth it.

[Jim]

I've seen Furthur once and that was last September at the Fox in Oakland. I thought the band sounded great, especially Joe Russo-the guy can swing. However, Kadlecik just didn't do it for me. He tried too hard to sound like Garcia, both playing and vocally. There were times I almost cringed. I didn't find any of his solos to be inspriring or very creative. I'll be going to Phil's 70th birthday party next Friday so I'm hoping these past few months have allowed Kadlecik to open up and play in a more individual style. It's not enough to go for the right tone, he really needs to improve his chops.

[McGregor]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this did not suck. Wow.

audio > http://www.ustream.tv/channel/taperrob

http://www.philzone.org/discus/messages/459920/518090.jpg
Furthur & Friends
Phil Lesh's 70th Birthday Bash
03/12/2010
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
San Francisco, CA
A Benefit Concert for the Unbroken Chain Foundation
Proceeds to support Haitian Earthquake Relief

Set 1 Acoustic:
Phil Lesh (on Ritter bass)
Bob Weir
John Kadlecik
Jeff Chimenti
Jay Lane
Sunshine Becker
Zoe Ellis
Steve Molitz
Chris Robinson
Jackie Greene

Ripple (BW)
Lazy River Road (JK)
(Bobby says were gonna do yet another tune in the key of G)
Peggy-O (CR)
Two Souls in Communion (CR)
Brokedown Palace (JG)
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall (BW)
They Love Each Other (CR)
Mountains of the Moon (PL)
Attics of My Life (All)
http://www.philzone.org/discus/messages/459920/518480.jpg
Set 2:
Phil Lesh
Bob Weir
John Kadlecik
Joe Russo
Jeff Chimenti
Jay Lane
Sunshine Becker
Zoe Ellis
Jackie Greene
Chris Robinson

Scarlet Begonias (JG)
Minglewood Blues (BW)
Easy Wind (CR) >
New Speedway Boogie (JG)
Viola Lee Blues V1 (All) >
High Time (CR) >
Caution Jam >
Viola Lee Blues V2 (All) >
Hard To Handle (CR)
Viola Lee Blues V3 (All) >
Like A Rolling Stone (CR) >
Sugaree (CR)
http://www.philzone.org/discus/messages/459920/518491.jpg
Set 3:
Phil Lesh
Bob Weir
John Kadlecik
Joe Russo
Jeff Chimenti
Sunshine Becker
Zoe Ellis
John Molo
Steve Molitz
Jackie Greene

Not Fade Away Jam (w/parade of floats) >
Happy Birthday, Dear Phil! (w/balloon drop) (All, including audience and us) >
Not Fade Away Jam >
meltdown >
break/popping balloons >
Playin in the Band (BW) >
Other One Jam >
Jam >
St. Stephen (All) >
Other One (BW) >
Elevator >
Unbroken Chain (PL)
Comes a Time (CR) >
Cream Puff War (CR) (go-go dancers on stage) >
Franklin's Tower (PL)
Donor Rap
Johnny B. Goode (BW)

[duende]

I can attest that this did not suck! :D The acoustic set was a great way to open and the dynamics were the thing in that set - 4 acoustic guitars at times and you could literally pick out what each player was doing. I wondered how they would equitably divide the trap drum thing, since there was no percussion "station" on stage, but that got answered when Jay played - very nicely, I should add - during this set. The keyboard interplay with Steve & Jeff on grand & B3 was inspired!

You can guess that the electric sets ramped-up to a fever pitch, but I kept being drawn back to the little things like watching Chris Robinson looking down the line of pickers, grinning ear-to-ear & Phil laughing when Chris would throw out a little riff on guitar. Jackie was a great utility player during the show, taking a few lead vocals, tasty parts on electric & acoustic guitars, mandolin - even B-3 at one point.

Joe Russo & John Molo thundered during the 3rd set - still no massive "peaks" or "waves" in the show, but I wonder if it really has to happen at this point. I'll take driving, committed playing throughout an entire show as a fine consolation prize! Download the show & check my objectivity... I get a little gushy thinking about this night.

[RitaZero]

I loved Phil's birthday show. I'm very excited about the 3 day Memorial Day weekend Mountain Air Festival!

http://www.furthur.net/

[DougNSharon]

Someday we're going to meet at one of these shows, Duende!

It was a great show and equally great to see at least four generations in the crowd celebrating Phil's 70th.

[DougNSharon]

OK. I officially declare a meet-up either at Mountain Aire or the Greek in August, Duende and Rita.

[Jim]

Yeah, I had a great time. I must say I like Kadlecik's playing much more this time than when I saw him last September. The entire band brought their "A" game for Phil. I think Joe Russo is a great fit for these guys. I prefer him over Molo. One other thing I noticed about this band as opposed to seeing Ratdog or Phil & Friends-Neither Bobby or Phil is trying to lead the band. They both just got down to playing without trying to direct so much. It was refreshing to see and hear.

[duende]

OK. I officially declare a meet-up either at Mountain Aire or the Greek in August, Duende and Rita.

Agreed! it's going to get embarrassing to have nearly-missed at so many shows soon. ;) I've already got leaned-on for the Friday preceding Mtn Aire to go see the Desert Rose Band at Cache Creek casino, I'm hoping day tix will be available!