Dead and Company Continue To Light Up The Left Coast. However The Second Set Was Not A Smooth Ride.

Dead and Company Continue To Light Up The Left Coast. However The Second Set Was Not A Smooth Ride. 

     Time is running out on the boys of summer. Since they have not even come close to laying an egg all tour, tonight was another complete barn burner. 

    "Iko Iko" opened another surprisingly loose first set. The Dixie Cups cover never worked for me, but thousands disagreed as it got the crowd involved instantly. I see and hear fans complain about John's voice. Those fans can't or will not hear the soul his bluesy vocals produce nightly. His "Candyman" was on point but if Jerry clones do it for you, he is not trying to sound like another artist. I hear most hang out at a restaurant in San Rafael. They must get a discount or thier parking validated. Back to the band beyond description who's have developed a special chemistry and the trip worth extending. "Big River" was nice to hear again but not near as much as the Ratdog classic "Even So". They played it in honor of Rob Wasserman in Boulder and it just worked. Imagine how new tunes would strengthen this band bond. The first half concluded with a pair of classics. "Sugaree" and "The Music Never Stopped". 

The set break was long and weird but that's only if you voted for paper. The first half of the second set was impeccable. But after "Space" it was awkward almost like Jill Lesh sneaked in to write another shitty set list. The jam that started the last half was intense and melted into a rousing "Trucken". Then my highlight of the show appeared in the form of a rare second set "Athea" and the legions of fans loved this curveball has it was treated like it belonged there with extended improvisation. One of my favorite experiences is hearing "Estimated Prophet" in California. It just adds drama to a already thrilling musical rollercoaster. Bobby nailed it as the home field advantage came into play with a delirious crowd. An adventurous"Playing in the band" closed the third quarter with some spacy jams by boy wonder. Following "Drums and Sounds" the show took a nosedive with a choppy Reprise. "GDTRFB" sounded more like going down the road losing steam. The awkward placement of Dylan's "A Hard Rain is going to Fall" was a shame. I felt like Bobby gave away two of the most powerful tunes, as I could not enjoy the cover and where the hell is my Jerry balled? The politically motivated rocker "Throwing Stones" got the show back on track as this political anthem has become a prophecy as of late. Even with the choppy song placement it was still better than the Las Vegas Elvis Tribute band. They only goal was for Jill to Furthur her wealth.A "Black Muddy River" encore can put a cherry on top of any show. Just two more shows until the tour and possible this band is finished. More on John Mayer's millionaire commitments soon. If a site was Deaned (Deadheadland) and posted fake fall dates don't hold your breath. In this level fall is already planned last summer. But the Dog will be back come this autumn. Until then let's savor the last two shows because I never dreamed it could get this good again. Tomorrow it's back home and I expect the show of summer. 

Kevin Long 

SETLIST 

Iko Iko

(The Dixie Cups cover)

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Minglewood Blues

(Cannon's Jug Stompers cover)

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Candyman

(Grateful Dead cover) (John Mayer on lead vocals)

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Big River

(Johnny Cash cover)

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Friend of the Devil

(Grateful Dead cover) (Bob Weir and John Mayer shared lead vocals)

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Even So

(Ratdog cover)

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Sugaree

(Jerry Garcia cover) (John Mayer on lead vocals)

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The Music Never Stopped

(Grateful Dead cover) (Bob Weir and John Mayer shared lead vocals)

Jam

(>)

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Truckin'

(Grateful Dead cover) (Bob Weir and John Mayer… more )

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Althea

(Grateful Dead cover) (John Mayer on lead vocals)

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Estimated Prophet

(Grateful Dead cover) (>)

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Playing in the Band

(Bob Weir cover) (>)

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Drums

(Grateful Dead cover) (>)

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Space

(Grateful Dead cover) (> "Playing in the Band" reprise)

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Going Down the Road Feelin' Bad

(Henry Whitter cover) (Bob Weir, John Mayer, and… more )

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A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

(Bob Dylan cover) (>)

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Throwing Stones

(Grateful Dead cover)

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Encore:

Black Muddy River

(Grateful Dead cover)

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