he was just awsome how happy is that friggin guy !!!!

thank you. I liked everything you had to say. That's the whole point of the group experience I guess, we help each other keep things in perspective. Much love, Cat Dancer

i love this whole band. John is fantastic.

When I explain to people that I flew from Toronto on friday to LA to see two shows and then drove to Santa Barbara for a third, then drove to LAX and flew back on Monday, they can't get their head around it (if they don't know already).

They can't get how I saw all different songs that i loved for 3 hrs a night as it's something they don't think of when they think of rock concerts, that I had no problem being at shows alone (certainly not the first time i've seen Furthur or GD alone) and why I would do it all.

It's okay they don't get it. It's not for everyone.
I feel deep down that we're lucky to have this unique and special relationship with these guys and this community in our lives. We must never take it for granted and be loving and respectful of all the work and care it takes to make it happen.

It includes the band and everyone there. Couldn't be a nicer place to be with a nicer bunch people.

I love the comments on this page. Thanks.

Well said SaintStephen. I would have done the same if I lived in Toronto. You know there is an old saying among deadheads.

"Some ask, why play Grateful Dead music??
For those that know, no answer is necessary,
For those that don't, no answer is possible."

Dude, I totally know what you mean! I saw three shows (sd,la,sb) and drove alone for the first time to GD or furthur.... I hate leaving that little microcosm of what our world could be like... The whole band seemed much tighter than last year, and John was kick ass! I couldn't believe how it sounds like hes playing pedal steel on his guitar on songs like Pride, etc... Cant wait for next year, hope to do red rocks and hear broken arrow...

Indeed! I've been listening to the tour and can't wait for the band to come around east again. John sounds great.

Well said -- I know what you mean about not wanting to leave our little piece of how the world could be. I am so very grateful to find it again after all these years. These guys played some incredible music & the X factor was totally there on 10/7/2012 in SB. It has been almost a week since the show and it hasn't worn off at all. It feels good to feel so good and see all the good people and hear all the good music! I know that's not very eloquent, but it's the only way I know how to say it . . .

You said it -- so happy to be someone that doesn't have to ask! And that's not to say that I don't love enjoy the huge body of work that all these musician's offer in addition to -- but man it was good to be home!

He was playing slide guitar in SB or was that the Greek!?
I think he's very talented!
Bobby and Phil really dig him and that's good enuf for me!
I think him being between Bobby and Phil on stage is a good fit!
He must be so psyched !!
Who wouldnt be!!

trisha wrote:


he's "living the dream"

he had the slide out during passenger the first night of greek.

speaking of john on slide. the furthur original, "seven hills of gold" features some stunningly beautiful slide work by john

this version sticks out in my head i just remember my smile could not get any larger and every time john moved his hands the slide produced the nicest waves of sound

archive.org/details/furthur2011-02-12.sb...ficial.113304.flac16

John and the whole band were on fire every show of the tour!!! He went nuts during the Sugaree at Santa Barbara, and though it was definitley not the best version as a whole, there were some moments of bliss thanks to John. I used to not be very fond of Jon back when he was playing in DSO. I am liking him more and more now and he never ceases to suprise or amaze me.

John turned a corner sometime late summer 2011 and has been on fire for about a year now. He's slowly taken more and more command since then, finally coming to fruition this tour.