Author Topic: Thoughts on the dead tour (Read 182 times)

flaxattack · « **on:** May 17, 2009, 09:36:56 AM »

ive listened to a good number of shows. There were some really fine moments.
But.
would someone please tell bobby to lower the key he plays in since he cant hit the high notes and get him a case of red bull. seems like every tune he does is way too slow for my tastes.
phil's bass sounded real fine on the satellite broadcast last night. who says a bolt on cant sound good? but there are some songs he shouldnt be singing.
i thought warren did a fine job as lead guitar. he didnt try to be jerry and he held back not being govt mule warren.

my opinions - feel free to kill me- lol
`

crobbins · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2009, 10:32:51 AM »

Warren sounded better this tour, as opposed to the 2004 tour, but I still say he uses leslie effect way to much. Imho.....

tom_z · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:51:51 PM »

What I heard and saw at the show in Los Angeles was a group of very talented, highly experienced musicians playing some great rock and roll. The songs were well-crafted and the band is still taking improvisational risks that can either get you there or not. At the Forum show, I was spell-bound most of the time. The only real notable exception was Scarlet > Fire, which was a matter of personal taste - I've just heard too many versions of those songs where Jerry's solos combine with the band's groove to achieve lift-off.

On that night, 05-09-09, the band was focused, funky, soulful and they rocked. I would say without hesitation that the LA show rivaled any of the shows I've seen (well over a hundred) since 1977 when I saw my first. In the last fourteen years I've seen dozens of shows - Phil & friends, Ratdog, The Other Ones, Rhythm Devils, etc... that were quite enjoyable, but The Dead 2009 really hit the spot!

This was the only show I saw on this tour and I haven't really listened to recordings of any other 2009 shows. So I don't know if 5-09 was the rule or the exception. What I can say is I hope they tour more!

Your mileage may vary ....

Peace

staemius · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:11:06 PM »

Overall, I thought they did an excellent job and I hope they tour in the Fall. Fun set lists and very fine playing. I was worried about Warren - thought their might be too much slide - but he did very well copping some nice Jerry sounds and licks without trying to be him. Some of the tempos were slower than I would like - I know Bobby has been trying to put new spins on some songs and it's a bit hit/miss. I thought he played well and was nicely 'up' in the mix which was refreshing.

glocke · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2009, 04:39:51 AM »

I went to both philly shows, and have since downloaded them and listened to them in a more clear headed state.

1) Vocals: Phils voice has gotten better. I just watched his Live at the Warfield DVD, and the difference between his vocals between than and now stand out, but there are still some things that are rough. I agree with Jeff about Bob's vocals. In this lineup Warren has both of them beat when it comes to vocals.

2) Tempo: Pretty much every song was slowed way down to the point of boredom. Songs that should have been upbeat and uptempo were not, and songs that should be played slow were waaaay to slow. Makes me wonder if Bobby is the musical director on this tour. Recent Ratdog shows Ive been to, everything is played very slow.

3) Warren on guitar: No thanks.. He seems to be trying too much to not be like Jerry. On the philly shakedown his tone was pretty harsh, and really missing that signature shakedown tone.

despite my negative comments, I did enjoy the philly shows, good song selection, especially Saturday night, but this band is not as good as it was for the 2002 tour...

(Message edited by glocke on May 18, 2009)

pas · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2009, 06:23:20 AM »

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Alphonso Johnson sitting in for Phil in 2000?

tom_z · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:02:08 AM »

You are correct Paul.
2000 Lineup - The Other Ones
Bob Weir
Mickey Hart
Bill Kreutzmann
Bruce Hornsby
Alphonso Johnson
Mark Karan
Steve Kimock (part)

glocke · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2009, 07:05:57 AM »

Sorry, got the year wrong. It was 2002 I meant.

phylo · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2009, 12:11:33 PM »

Jeff and Warren are key:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ph4iM98vks

phylo · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2009, 12:25:07 PM »

Jeff and Warren are key:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ph4iM98vks

zappahead · « **Reply #10 on:** May 19, 2009, 07:01:08 PM »

The show I saw was a pretty big disappointment (Verizon center, DC). The set list was the worst of the tour IMO. No highlights at all. The acoustic set was terrible and was repeated, song for song, later in the tour. The extra 20 min break also was a bummer. They also began space with a pre-recorded piece of music, which was absurd.

Warren does not do it for me. I think he is boring to be honest. He can sing very well and sounds great with the Dead, but his solo's are generally weak and lack any kind of punch. He can play blues and rock but he bores me to tears with the Dead songs that drift from standard rock and blues. He can rip it up on Alabama but on a lot of the Dead's catalog he just goes nowhere.

Ive been to over 30 shows and after this one I will probably not be going to anymore. The ticket prices were embarrassing and the show was not worth it on any level.

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** May 19, 2009, 08:20:58 PM »

Last Thursday at Shoreline (Bay Area) the weirdest part for me was drums when a bunch of girls with flaming batons ran around the stage twirling their batons in the dark. It was well choreographed and entertaining, but the drums were relegated to the background, keeping a beat going for the fire-twirling girls (one even had a flaming hula hoop). This just wasn't the Dead. What's next, Ed Sullivan and Bobby together introducing the guy who spins plates on tall wooden sticks?

Bill, tgo

flaxattack · « **Reply #12 on:** May 19, 2009, 10:07:57 PM »

followed by phil doing a duet with topogigio!

zappahead · « **Reply #13 on:** May 20, 2009, 01:20:15 PM »

Yep, they also had Tipper Gore on drums at one point in the concert I attended.