Alright I actually have some time to write a little something. :0)
This whole day was nothing short of wonderPhil. From meeting with the mayor and Sargent and his staff at ten am to the last notes played at 1:15am, all the effort and work that went into it all was well worth the smiles on so many faces. And the show sandwiched in between was such a delight.
After the 83 show, and the events following, never thought I'd see the day you guys played the Arena again. Hopefully the love you felt and fed right back through the music filled you up as much as it did us. Really excellent show. Right out of the gate, Passenger > Music Never Stopped > Crazy Fingers what a way to open the night, from a personal standpoint, three songs I really hoped to hear last night were Passenger and Music Never Stopped along with Black Throated Wind. Race is on is a tune Im not usually all that crazy about but last night, I loved it. Seemed to have a little something in it last night that reflected some of the happenings around this area rather well. Peaceful Valley was well played, I do enjoy a couple RA tunes and that is one of em. Black Throated was a nice gem and something both Amy and I wanted to hear. And very nicely done. Sugaree always is nice to hear to these ears anyhow, and deliver you guys did indeed. Bertha brought some tears to my eyes, just because my Grandma's name was Bertha, and well, ever since she passed that song took on a whole new life for me and to end the set with a smashing version was such a pleasure.....
Set two got going with a nice jam got us all moving and shakin and took off into Truckin > New Speedway. Considering there has been a bit of darkness surrounding this show in the local scene with some people unfortunately, New Speedway was a perfect reflection. Then into Cosmic Charlie.... ((((Gitmo)))), brought tears of joy to our eyes. Wished many of our PZ friends were there with us physically. Just beautiful. Then Something. Man I have the best wife, well one of I guess I should say cause I'm sure there are a few of em. But there's something in the way she moves indeed that makes me smile and she was movin all night long. Just fitting. And then we have Mountain Song. This was my first time ever hearing this song. Was hoping to get one of the new tunes and this is a Monster. I am looking forward to sitting down with the lyrics. Just sheer POWER in them words ((((Breathe)))) and the energy in the song is excellent, I will be looking forward to hearing this more often. We both commented on it a few times as we sat there and just listened till JK really got into it and I had to stand up to watch. <---- more on that in a moment. Thought for sure Scarlet>Fire was gonna end set two and much to both our surprise onward the show would go. and would it indeed. With all thats gone on lately, Bear, Adam the latter hitting a little closer to home since we know Adam personally and have seen quite a few shows with him SOTM was such a fitting moment. And I love it when Bobby sings SOTM too. I don't care, give me shit about it, lol. I love it. GDTRFB was a fitting tune as well and very reflective of some local situations. And We Bid YOu Goodnight, I love what you guys have done with that, beautifully played and I loved it. US Blues allowed for an early exit and we were able to beat the crowd and the N2O shitheads....
I felt the band was incredibly tight, which says alot about the focus of this band on the music and it comes through in their playing and energy coming off stage. I felt they do a really great job of exploring within the music, playing off each other tremendously. I mean I found myself watching the band play more than listening last night many times. Watching Bobby and John play off each other was great. John really is the perfect fit for this music. IMO. He's done a tremendous job standing up there and playing his ass off. Phil's bass was just piercing. Bombs away many times over last night. Jeff just seems to be a highlight of every show we've ween so far, Furthur or The Dead. The Silver Fox just prances all over the ebony and ivory. And Sunshine your voice is pure gold, in both our minds, just listen to that Bid You G'Nite your voice over everyone at the end just shines brighter and really stands out. From a music standpoint I believe they have indeed gone a little Furthur than they've gone before.
I hope they feel the same way after yesterday & and last night and decide to return to Binghamton & make this a regular stop again. Thanks for coming fella's, and fellette. Much love and safe travels....
