Dead and Company have become a band beyond description. A review of the grateful holiday weekend in Boulder, Colorado
Dead and Company were just a rumor this time last year. In the span of twelve months this band that started as the center of so many jokes, in this reviewers opinion has become the best band since 1998’s incarnation of The Other Ones to celebrate the Grateful Dead. The group I witnessed last fall in Nashville and St. Louis was not the same band that just knocked a crowded Folsom Field on their collective psychedelic asses over the weekend. Last year, Oteil and John were merely playing the songs. Now that they are comfortable with most of the tunes, they are infusing their own styles into the notes resulting in a band that is actually taking the music further. They performed two brilliant shows with each one being as different as they were extraordinary. The whole band but especially John Mayer and Oteil turned in bravura performances.
The first night got started off with a spirited “Bertha” to open the first set. John Mayer won the historic stadium fully over with his confident lyrics and blazing guitar solos. Next up was an enthusiastic version of the upbeat cover “Good Lovin”. Bob Weir looked amazing and sounded even better as he delivered the song with extra cheese. By the time the band arrived at “Tennessee Jed” over 30,000 shit-eating grins were dancing and singing along as we strangled to get our heads around just how good this band had become. Then, my favorite moment of the first set took place when Bobby stepped up to the microphone and dedicated the song to Rob. His dear friend and bandmate Rob Wasserman had just passed away and he played the Ratdog staple “Even So” with vigor and heart. The band delivered a tight version of this bluesy tune as if they had played it a hundred times before. A large projection of Rob was shown on the screens as Bobby and thousands of others howled in unison for their fallen friend. This was just what the band needed as an expansive “Uncle John's Band” followed and this anthem was given the royal treatment to the delight of everyone. The crackling first set came to a rowdy end with a blistering “One More Saturday Night” as the near capacity crowd sang into the sunseT
After another weird setbreak, Dead and Company got the magic started early has they launched into a joyous “Scarlet Begonias”. The masses quickly began to dance in a tribal-like fashion as many gave themselves to the band. It was clear as “Scarlet” bled into “Fire on the Mountain” that most did not have a say in the matter, except the six members on the elaborate stage that were clearly letting the music play the band. The inspiring “Fire” reached several musical peaks only to be torn down, then the band would play the musical notes back into a recognizable pattern to the familiar cheers of thousands. On this mystical weekend, most fans got the songs they clambered to hear as a trippy ”Saint of Circumstance” gave way to the coveted “Lady with a Fan” sung by Mayer into a Weir led “Terrapin Station” as this version exploded with originality as Oteil pushed the jam into another realm before the stadium screamed in unison “TERRAPIN”. This madness subsided into “Drums” and Space” where some danced, some celebrated, while others got their heads right. All the variables had lined up and we were a part of a special weekend and a heart-wrenching version of ”Stella Blue” did little to change anybody’s mind. Bobby handled the delicate lyrics while Mayer shared Weir’s heart with his guitar strings. The beloved Jerry ballad was followed by Bobby’s political anthem “Throwing Stones” which put a bolt of electricity in the colorful crowd as they sang “ashes to ashes we all fall down”. Bobby proved he had plenty in the tank as the band united to deliver a version that had a galvanising effect on the crowd. “Not Fade Away” ended this marathon set of music as the crowd chanted those famous lyrics the band came out to send everyone home with misty eyes as they performed a beautiful rendition of “Black Muddy River” as the encore. John Mayer handled the lyrics tastefully and put a perfect amount of his own flavor on the guitar licks. The bittersweet encore was a perfect way to call it a night.
The big eyed crowd descended out on to the streets to celebrate as I smiled knowing I had another date with this band the following night.
One should never miss a Sunday night show and we knew Dead and Company was well in tune with one another that they were going to perform another gem in paradise.
Early thunderstorms gave way to another near perfect day as the heads gathered on and around Shakedown Street for another dose of Dead and Company. The vibe was electric as most were still basking in the radiance of last night's show. If it was not for all the hipsters, it could have been the early nineties. I am only kidding, it was beautiful to witness the kind culture this band still inspires in its fans.We all piled into Folsom Field one more time with the vibe even looser than the night before. The band took the stage and acknowledged that vibe with a sultry “Feel Like a Stranger” opener. They were looser than the previous night as the jams stretched out early and often this show. An extended opener led to the evening's bust out in the form of the blues staple “Next Time You See Me” the vocals and the bluesy jam was a great fit with the kid’s sound as he and Bobby traded off solos. It was time to go to church next as Bobby led the boys through a charged up rendition of the Sunday staple, “Samson and Delilah”. This sent the crowd as well as the band into another realm as the rest of the night would border on perfection. John Mayer gave everyone a taste of what to expect with a jammed out “Bird Song”.
Everyone stretched their improvisation muscles has this version soared with the magic of yesterday. The exceptional”Bird Song” disappeared into a “New Speedway Boogie” to end the first set on a high note. After yet another strange set break the band plays the weekend's definitive set. It opens with a monster “China Cat Sunflower into I Know You Rider” that got the stadium on their feet and most would rarely sit down again. That went into a “He’s Gone” that was played to perfection. During the vocal jam they threw in a “Smokestack Lightning” before melting back into He’s Gone”. Instead of Drums we got a monster “Let it Grow”. This is the tightest Dead project in twenty years. They proved that with the epic “Space” into “Dark Star” into “Morning Dew”. Then a double encore of “Brokedown Palace and U.S. Blues” sealed this weekends' fate as historic. The fact that after fifty years that Dead and Company are so good and relevant is a testimony to the music. I think it's always been about the songs and this project is the best at performing them in some time. The fact at forty one that the Dead can still blow my mind is right on so many levels. Dead and Company are the real deal and we are lucky to have them adding miles to our long strange trip.
Written by: Kevin Long
Edited by: Greg Heffelfinger
Photos: Emily Takacs
© 2016 Grateful Music LLC
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