The final California show of the Santa Clara/Levi’s Stadium two night run concluded with the Fare Thee Well version of the Grateful Dead picking up steam instrumentally, as the band showed more cohesion and arrived with a set-list that was rich in 80’s era Dead, while the prior night offered a hefty dose of 60’s Dead. Of course, although the band didn’t hitthe volcanic peak they could have, they left the fans wanting more and fortunately there are still three chapters left to this story. Here are the Highlights and Lowlights to night two in Santa Clara, CA.
HIGHLIGHTS
“Feel Like A Stranger” Everyone was hoping for a long, long, crazy, crazy night on Sunday. This Dead 80’s staple was offered in fine placement, and performed well. In what ended up being a hint as to who would run Sunday’s show, “Stranger” was a loose, fiery way to open the second of two shows at Levi Stadium. It set the right tone and brought the heat desired by all lovers of this unique music.
“Alabama Getaway” Perhaps the tightest take on any tune throughout the evening, Sunday’s first set highlights were caked in Grateful Dead 80’s staples, and “Alabama Getaway” was the clear winner. Guitarist Trey Anastasio sang, and people were happy. But it was his chops, and the cohesion amongst the whole band during “Getaway” that made this song so salient amongst the rest. It’s an example that stands true the day after the show, that when this group of seven is hooked up, the potential for greatness is dizzy, with possibility.
“Hell in a Bucket” By the end of set one, after a few rough takes and a couple of gems, it was very clear Bob Weir was in the control booth. Once again, an 80’s Dead staple was offered triumphantly in the first set with just about the whole band blasting away in unison. Bobby let his vocals ring true, and guitarist Trey Anastasio played as if he had practiced the song hundreds of times over. The result was a boisterous crowd, good energy leaving the stage, and a lasting glow that brought the whole circus into set break.
“Half Step”>”Wharf Rat” A surprise offering in the set two opener, bassist Phil Lesh took command, sang his heart out, and dropped trademark “Phil bombs”. His lead on “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo” was strong, and the band once again shared a moment of fluidity showing just how special this group of musicians is. The loose jamming out of “Half Step” was what any good Deadhead would order, regardless of what song the jam package was delivered in, and the smooth segue into “Wharf Rat” would’ve made Captain Trips himself proud.
“Wharf Rat” Anyone could’ve taken the vocal duties on this one, and once again Bob Weir took the reins. But this time Bobby nailed it and Trey took the jam out of the song proper into cosmic landscapes, while the rest of the group found a steady rhythm lofting this selection of music towards the highest point of the night. The next segue into “Eyes of the World” was equally as smooth as the prior transition, but it was in these first two songs of set two, and the resulting improvisation where the spirit of The Grateful Dead was most alive and well last evening.
Post “Drums” If Bob Weir didn’t choose the setlist from night two in Santa Clara, whoever did certainly wanted a big dose of Bobby. It was a Bobbycentric show overall, but the final four songs played after the short, but sweet drums segment had Mr. Weir on full display. “I Need a Miracle” brought the crowd to a nice sing along dance grove, before things slowed down with a tune that could’ve easily found a place in night ones setlist, “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”. While the energy of Levi’s Stadium seemed to wane with this song selection, it was another highpoint for Bobby. His vocals crushed, the bands tempo was in sync, and the springboard that set up for a blistering “Sugar Magnolia” was seamless.
Trey Anastasio Got Louder No matter what your thoughts were prior to these shows on the front man for the band Phish, Trey has been rock solid steady throughout each of the first two Fare The Well shows. On Saturday, he was turned down too low, but on Sunday someone got the hint and turned him up enough to make a HUGE difference. While the hashtag #letTreysing will gain further momentum if he continues to get passed over for vocal duties most thought he was partially recruited to fill, his playing has been a perfect fit for the band as a whole, and just like in “Alabama Getaway”, “Hell in a Bucket”, and “Sugar Magnolia”, the louder Trey gets, the better the music has tended to sound, and the crowd has responded positively each and every time.
There’s Bruce! Bruce Hornsby was brought into the mix on Sunday in a way he was sorely lacking on Saturday. From his vocals early on in “Brown Eyed Women”, to his dancing keys in “He’s Gone”, Bruce needs to be featured, heard vocally and musically for this unit to be the band they wish to be. His place was much better on Sunday, and hopefully that trend continues into the three Chicago shows.
Chimenti solos Keyboardist Jeff Chimenti took every sparse chance he was given to solo last night and simply killed it. At several points Bruce was seen nodding with approval, just as every Deadhead listening was, as the member of the band with arguably the least bit of media attention stole the spotlight a few beautiful moments of the show.
More Cohesion Than Night One Overall, the psychedelic journey experienced on Saturday was incredible for most, too out there for some, but ultimately had numerous slip-ups. Sunday was better in that regard, much better, but there’s still miles to grow for this band who, in the most respectful way possible, could really use these four off days before Chicago to practice their lead-in’s, outro’s, solo placements, and transitions to really achieve liftoff worthy of the name, Grateful Dead.
LOWLIGHTS
In the end, Santa Clara was an amazing point in time. The people made it. From all corners of the country, to the Bay Area locals, all the beautiful people, the venue staff and the venue on the whole seemed to shine. That said, these can and will most certainly be looked at as warm up shows for the Chicago run. And in that spirit, it was the moments where Phil showed his frustration, when the drummers weren’t synced up, or when Bobby missed another verse to a song when the band showed that practice would truly serve them and the music as a whole in a monumental way.
Specifically, thinking about Sunday’s show, Bob Weir stepped up in the lead role, but as almost everyone familiar with this timeless music has asked by now, who signed up for the full Bobby show? It certainly wasn’t the band, and it definitely wasn’t the fans. The collective sigh when Trey Anastasio was passed over, yet again for vocal duties on “Row Jimmy” was contagious, not to mention the song as whole was a train-wreck. “Black Peter”, perhaps one of the greatest of the slower tunes in the vast Grateful Dead catalogue, was straight butchered. Why didn’t Bruce sing on this gem? Why did Bobby sing almost every song on Sunday?
Dear Bob Weir, we love you. Each and every single one of us in Deadhead land LOVES you. You are as essential to The Grateful Dead as snow is for skiers, but with as much respect as possible, you have nothing to prove. Your place with your songs are a major part of why we all still listen, everyday, and have put so much effort in to making these last five shows happen. Let the other boys sing where Jerry’s voice once filled the air, and the current band, fans, and experience as a whole will benefit immensely.
Was that Helicopter really necessary? While we’re on the theme of letter writing, to the city of Santa Clara, thank you. The venue was about as good as a stadium show could be, the Levi’s Stadium staff was exceptional, but what’s up with the helicopter after each show, especially the guy on the megaphone last night? Wasted money, wasted fossil fuel, what a waste of time and energy! Many of us thought it was a joke. “The show is over, you cannot stay here!” Really? Did you not think people were aware? The lots were not that raging this past weekend to warrant such a move. It just seemed so amateur for such an overall well done show to have a cop on a megaphone telling people to leave when everyone was clearly leaving the area, being cool, and just trying to wrap their collective head around the end of another chapter in the rich history of perhaps the greatest band that ever was.
18 Responses
Brennan, you nailed it again. Would have loved to see even more Chimenti keys. He brought the energy levels of the stadium to 11 every time he solo’d. More of that please! It was good to hear Bruce sing, and I could have used more Bruce singing. He has an exceptional voice, and he is the only singer on this tour who can convey the sentimentality, the heart ache, the joy, the sadness, the EMOTION that Jerry could. He absolutely should have fronted Black Peter… end of story. Gotta love Bobby’s take on Wharf Rat, though. And Trey… thank you Trey! He’s the one on stage who is open to taking the jams to places they’ve never been before, and that is what the Dead is all about. Experiment… go along for the ride. Trust me, when Trey leads the ship, they will hit multiple high points that erupt the crowd. Bobby rocks. Jeff rolls. Phil fills beautifully. Mickey innovates. Billy steadies. Bruce beautifies. Trey crushes. Thank you musicians. Thank you fans. Oh, and more after shows and places to eat and/or party after the show would have been welcomed if Santa Clara wants to truly capitalize and make additional millions heady events.
Whoever mixed this shows sucks ass. Trey, Bruce, and Chimenti were way too low. You had to strain to hear them. Is mixing that hard? Or is he deaf? Or was he specifically told to do it that way? (my guess)
Great time, but the sound kinda sucked. I’ve heard Pink Floyd in stadiums that size and every friggin seat in there sounds awesome, so it can be done. It was all mids, very little sub bass.
Kind of surprised that there are no Bob Dylan songs so far.
Best balanced review of the shows I have seen yet, Nice job presenting the good and the “could use some practice” parts.
Why can’t you find a deadhead to write the review?? Bobby forgeting lyrics is always a highlight of any show as are “mistakes” by the band. You sound like you want them to play a CD instead of being the live dead we all love.
Couldn’t disagree more on your comments on Weir’s singing ( the more he sings the better)…..You want more Hornsby? He couldn’t hold a tune and his voice was too fragile to pull off the vocals he did on Sunday. And everyone know’s Lesh has never been able to sing well.
Rat Dog tour in the fall dave and Steve. You guys ready? I’m not, and the majority of us is not either. That’s why Phil can do what he does and poor Bobby wonders why no one twirls to him singing Jerry. Of the shows ive seen with the author that’s maybe a few dozen of his few hundred you guys are THOSE guys. It’s ok. We can all get down on Chicago. B brings the love and said what’s up. Just wait till Bob sings Stella Blue…don’t forget love is real…
The helicopter! Super annoying when you can’t find your car!
When a great segue and a great song was developing and Phil stepped to the mic there was a collective sigh, it’s the pace that really needs to slow to accommodate his vocal stylings, which slows Trey down and the whole unit. Like in the day, he should sing Operator and have his big crowd moment. Then just drop bass bombs all evening.
But it was FUN!
I’m a hardcore and almost lifelong Phan. I know some of the words to many Grateful Dead songs and virtually all of the words to virtually all Phish songs. But Trey – as understated and absent as he may have felt – was perfectly utilized for what this event was supposed to be.
Bobby and Phil sang so much because this show was a beautiful wake for Jerry, held by his four best friends and attended by three of his brightest students. Phil and Bobby certainly did not sing as well (by most definitions of “well”) as Trey and Bruce would have. But the sentiment of the songs – especially the EIGHT slow and thoughtful ballads – demanded their voices.
If you want to hear Bruce sing Dead songs, go see a Bruce show. If you want to hear Trey sing Dead songs … well, you’re pretty much screwed, unless there’s another Phil and Phriends thing coming up. Or unless Phish drops their longstanding unwritten “no Dead covers” rule. But that’s the way it should be.
This show was FILLED with technical flubs and bad vocal performances. But it was perfect.
Your comment about night two of the dead show is so bang on. So glad it came from someone who identifies more as a Phan then a Dead Head.
You get it.
Thank YOU for the stoke Grateful Dane!
Not sure, Jason, but agreed that those guys were turned too low. All three were better on Sunday, hopefully it’s all sorted out now for Solider Field!
Some people are adamant that Bob D will be out in Chicago, Mark. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Thanks Sean! Trying to be as respectful as possible, but you can’t keep everyone fired up in this circle (which is a major part of its beauty:)…
…can you Dave and Steve? Apologies guys. Dave, there’s a big difference between organic mistakes and a group who has come together for 5 shows and has clearly not practiced enough with each other to hook up. BIG difference my man. And if I had a CD for them to play, to maybe stoke out Steve too, let’s go for a complete take on Bobby and Midnites first one when Brent was still in the band, with a 45minute+ “Festival” to wrap up set one, night one in Chicago! Cool? Respect guys, for real, appreciate you offering your thoughts.
HelpSlip, NFA my man:)!! We both know when a massive Sailor>Saint crushes Solider Field all will be good. But hopefully the balance vocally and musically plays out as well.
Yes, I think that was the case overall with the “Eyes” from Sunday. Phil should for surely sing what he used too in the GD, let’s not forget the “Box” bustout in Nassau 86′ and all the stoke from the “Let Phil Sing” scene. But in post-Dead years, those of us still on the bus have heard him sing just about everything in the catalogue, which he is just as entitled to do as Bobby. The thing is, with the power and spirit of this music, some of the magic is simply lost because the vocalist who delivered the goods for 30 years hasn’t been around to sing and play for the last 20. Bruce and Trey have that asset to share, there are a ton of us hoping they get a better chance in Chicago. I still remember that first Furthur show in Oakland….JK didn’t sing until “Althea”, he was specifically tuned down so low, but even turned low, when he sang, the crowd got fired up and it just showed that part of the Grateful Dead magic is the balance in players, vocals, sounds and everything in between. If it needs to be a spotlight on one, that’s where the individual projects shine. This is the biggest effort to honor the spirit of the true roots of the music since Jerry passed, and as such, many feel, myself included, that the duties should be shared accordingly to fit such a bill.
At the end of the day to be a part of what just went down in Santa Clara and what’s about to go down in Chicago is a gift. As Bill G famously said, “They’re the greatest band who ever was, The Grateful Dead”. Two more days until the bus comes by and we all get to get on again!
The good thing about a grateful dead show was I never had to put up w/ more than 3 Bobby tunes in a row. Weir has a certain way if singing that works great on his songs. But its gut wrenching and ear bleeding to him sing Jerry’s songs. His style just doesn’t work. Look none of these guys is Martin Sexton, but of the 4 that sang Trey and Bruce sound the best trying to pull off a Garcia tune. It’s not even close. Trey singing Black Peter might have been awesome, but we got to hear Bobby’s roster version and it sucked ass. Bobby needs to let go, he seems a bit anointed.
I was there, and yes, the mix was not balanced. And yes, I wish Trey and Bruce sang more. Each time they did, the crowd ate it up, and they sounded terrific. Trey and Bruce’s smiles were contagious!
That said, the shows rocked, and the 1960’s ballroom setlist on Saturday night was much appreciated. It was great to have Sunday’s show offer the diversity of songs, a nice contrast to Saturday night’s psychedelic extravaganza. Not going to be critical of any specific song. It felt like I was back at a Dead show, and SF certainly embraced the vibe. I hope Chicago gets more voice from Trey and Bruce, and that Trey is given the opp’s. to shred.
Jerrieeeeee!!!! Help!!
Great shows hands down, and so appreciative that I got a chance to be part of this again. That is what this is all about, Being a part of it again… The stoke is back I and I want MORE.
Never heard so much Bobby hate from this writer. What a joke ! Bobby was great on every tune. Next time try finding a real DEADHEAD to write an article about a LIVE DEAD SHOW. Ughh
Everyone has there own Grateful Dead paradigm. Every show was someone’s favorite ever while someone else had an issue with the show. This was true in 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90′ as well as fare thee well! The more things change, the more they stay the same. It’s fun to read the opinions , I thought the band played well and I was happy to be there, that’s my paradigm!
I miss you John McClearnen…