When I saw them in Boulder last June (2010) it was a superb show, Bill played like I had never seen before, he played like Bill of the 70s in some sensational ways, really subdividing and filling between sections like crazy.
That 6.5.10 show is on archive.org
I give the band credit, they seemed to be working hard up there, most of the time all but hubbard had their eyes closed during the varied and deep jams, and they were enjoying themselves. also, Bill was nice enough afterwards to greet me briefly and take a moment to listen intently. after listening to the kind taper's recording, hubbard's harmony on birdsong seemed different than the garcia arrangement, but you know what, it didnt' stop me from loving being there and seeing them play. heard part of the set out back of the venue then made it in somewhere just after wharf rat. clearly this is music inspired, given their new album, they have a gift and sense of inspiration to play passionately, both the gd tunes and their own catalog.
i respect that about them, even if Malcolm is not JG and doesn't sing like he or Hunter. And you know what, I give Billy a lot of credit, he seems to be following his heart, in the band, and in his life and how he decides to live and direct it. Just from his band and music projects since 01, when he came back to sit in with Phil and Bobby and Mickey at NYE, that takes a lot to want to be there and come play. I will not know these men personally, they're music being highly personal for me in my interpretation of it, but as a band, the surviving members had a lot to face with after 95, and each of them has now found their voice, their passion, and their gifts it seems like.
I think those guys carrying on, and not being surrounded by most of the old crew any longer has been great for them.
I look forward to more new music from furthur to complement what billy and mickey have put out officially.
"Step 3: WHAT DO I REALLY KNOW?
Ask yourself what do I really know and distinguish
what you know from what you think or hope for or want for
yourself or your world, what you are afraid of, what you believe in,
what you cherish and what you value."
STEPS TO KNOWLEDGE-THE BOOK OF INNER KNOWING, the book of daily practice.
www.newmessage.org/books/steps-to-knowledge.php