To many this band was simply one of the best bands, if not the, of high energy improvisational psychedelic rock music of all time. To the die harder follower of this band this weekend reunion has been long over due and some thought it might never happen. From the reviews coming out of the first two shows this band has picked up right where they left off back in 2002. If you hang out on the Philzone you know what I'm talking about.
It is the buzz for sure.
I will honor this reunion with a review of my one and only " Q" show from February, 9th 2001 at the Fillmore in Denver, Colorado. For many of us who were major Deadheads for the last fifteen years of the band's run, it was the best of times and it was the worst of times. In hind sight we all know now we asked for far more than Jerry could give those final years and we regret it to this day. When Phil had a liver transplant a couple years after Jerry's passing who knew how the music would carry on? Phil Lesh also recognizes how the past played out and began the resurgence of his musical career and life by honoring the present. This is clearly best represented by his performances of live music with the large family of fellow musicians who have joined him over the last seventeen years. This begin to come back in a big way with The Other Ones in 1998 and solo projects of the core four continued. One of the most important and influential was Phil & Friends. If you were a Jerry head back in the day more than likely you were a Phil head too. You understood that Phil was the heart of that band and when your heard him play live he could move you in so many ways.
With his Phil & Friends projects Phil did the most justice to the Grateful Dead song book. He also took that very same song book and turned it on its head and went on wild and magical rides many nights, and the "Q" best represents those efforts.
Flashing back to Denver, this for me was the only the fourth or fifth time I had seen Phil live since Jerry's passing. The summer before I saw my first Friends show in Albuquerque and guess who sat in? Warren Hayes. That show was sort of a culture shock for me as Phil was taking the music in a very different direction from what I knew and loved. These were the days of what my friends and I called the" noodle jams." Some times these jams worked and sometimes they did not.
By the time I saw this show in Denver the "Q" had really become a force to be reckoned with as they had been playing together for over six months. As was typical a jam opened the show and this one is ok, as after seven minuets they drop into "1/2 Step". It is a good version but the energy seems off in some ways. My reaction at the time was that the song did loose some of its emotional appeal and power when they were deconstructed it and inserted jams that were not there before.
The jam into "Smokestack" is a much better example of when the band gels and they create something quite good. Warren's raspy vocals worked well in this old Pig Pen cover.
Now the intensity of this band is best exemplified by the explosion into "Shakedown Street". The tempo is kicked up and the band just plays it so fast, they rip it apart but make it work. Many have called this band "southern fried" Grateful Dead and with Warren and Jimmy's style that is very true at times and this version would reinforce that claim.
Either way the band raises the roof on this one.
Rob, who is a strong vocalist, delivers a more text book reading of " Ramble on Rose" The highlight of the set has to be the "Broken Arrow" that Phil sang. This was one of my favorite late era song the GD performed and on this night it was done so well. They added more solos but not to the point of loosing the melody and theme of the song. Sadly this was the last time I have heard it live. They do a wonderful jam that leads to a ferocious "Cold Rain & Snow." Warren is in the wrong key when they drop into it, and as like " Shakedown" this version is played at break neck tempo. Phil sings his heart out and they soar on it. The ending verses is unique as Phil sings it as a chorus and this leads into a well played high energy jam that ends the set.
Set II begins with a another jam, this one being much more on mark and even has a " Wheel" tease in it before they explode into a text book reading of " Help on the Way" which blows the crowd away with its intensity and precision. The jam into "Slipknot!" is another wild example of how this band gets out there and I even hear a " As My Guitar Gently Weeps" tease before they end the jam and enter the final melody before racing into " Franklin's Tower."
The audience roars in approval as Phil's sings a joyous reading of this well loved classic and John Molo' s drumming is stellar and hard hitting.
The band jams out of it and teases the " Other One" before dropping into a sweet and lovely " Crazy Fingers" again sung by Rob. This features some of Phil's most delicate playing so far and is well done.
They once again jam out and arrive at a cranking " Not Fade Away" that has the " Q" twist of this Buddy Holly classic.This leads into a intense version of Warren's classic "Soulshine" which is excellent and showcases his strong vocals and playing. Rob's work on the organ is quite impressive as well. This leads into a uptempo, too uptempo for my ears, version of " Fire On the Mountain". The "Q" can be guilty of sacrileges at certain times and I have to say this interpretation of this one is a good case in point. The melody is so fast s the song looses it heart, yes it is full of jams and energy but...I will let you decide what you think?
Phil then ends the set with a emotional riveting and understated reading of "Morning Dew". At this time playing one of Jerry's huge numbers was always walking on sacred ground and Phil's sing this with conviction and testament to his fallen brother. It was simply the highlight of the night for me and Jimmy's solos are very nice. The song does not end with a intense peaking jam but on a somber reflective note. I agreed and thought was very appropriate.Most of the crowd just stood in awe and tears ran down many cheeks.
Phil comes out for his donor rap and shares some kind words about himself and the band and the blood drive the next day.
They launch into one of my favorite post GD encores I ever saw. They jump right into "The Wheel" which I thought was another wonderful tip of the hat to good ole Jerry. This is a heartfelt and joyous version featuring Phil's strongest singing of the set and they stay true to the song and then explode into the "Other One." Once again this band takes us on a wild and passionate ride lasting over three minutes before switching perfectly back into the " The Wheel" and that ends the show.
After the band leaves you get a rare treat and hear the song that comes on over the PA. Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" in its entirety and yes as it was true back then and is today.
"I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world."
Welcome back guys.
You can enjoy this show here
Poster courtesy of deadnet
If you want an added surprise I would highly recommend listening to the opening of the first set from Portland
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