The Dead Tear Down the Spectrum

by Andrew Overton in Concert Reviews, Honoring Lives, Musician Reviews

I never had the chance to see the Grateful Dead. Jerry Garcia died when I was 7, but since high school I’ve been a student of jam–the Dead, Phish, Allman Brothers, etc. I not only have admired the musicianship of these bands, but envied their fans for the epics concerts they were able to attend.

My parents, both well aware of this envy, gave me an early birthday present this week: tickets to see the remaining Dead at the Spectrum.  Warren Haynes (lead guitar) and Jeff Chimenti (keyboard/organ) were asked to join the original members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann for an American tour. For most of the tour the setlists have been packed full of hits and Saturday night was no exception. It became almost immediately apparent to me that these old fellas could still play. 

Hart and Kreutzmann are still deadly with the beats. Lesh who has been touring constantly with “Friends” hasn’t missed a beat, and Haynes, one of the best living guitarists, was a very respectable replacement for Jerry (Blashemy, I know).

As is tradition for Saturday shows, the old fellas opened with “One More Saturday Night” followed by a personal favorite “Brown Eyed Woman.” Hart and Kreutzmann on the drums really anchored the band. Towards the middle of the second set an extended drum performance displayed how powerful their music still could be. Mixing the synthesizer with the drum solos brought a 21st century instrument to one of the greatest bands of the 20th century.

Following the drum performance came a seamless trio of songs of the night: “Morning Dew,” “St. Stephen,” and the Beatles “Revolution 1.” “Morning Dew” was the best executed jam of the evening; “St. Stephen” was the loudest; and in typical fashion the Dead made a cover song entirely their own.

Weir took care of most of the vocals although Lesh’s voice was stronger and clearer and the audience recognized it. Every time his baritone flowed throughout the speakers the Deadheads went crazy.

As many Philadelphia natives may know the Wachovia Spectrum is going to be demolished in fall 2009. The Grateful Dead have quite a history in the Spectrum (a record 53 shows) in the 60′s, 70′s, 80′s, and 90′s and this was a chance to wish it a final goodbye. As many Deadheads correctly predicted, the encore was “Sampson and Delilah”–the perfect goodbye kiss to this Grateful Dead landmark.

Bob Weir sang the chorus with some extra clarity that seemed to be lacking during most of the show: “If I had my way/If I had my way/If I had my way/I would tear this old building down”

It was a memorable night for the Spectrum, for Philadelphians, for Deadheads, and especially for one particular 20-year old who never dreamed he would ever see the Dead live.

Set 1

One More Saturday Night

Brown Eyed Woman

Good Morning Little School Girl

Althea

He’s Gone ->

Uncle John’s Band ->

Mason’s Children

Set 2

Good Lovin’ ->

Cumberland Blues

Cryptical Envelopment ->

The Other One ->

Drumz ->

Space ->

Morning Dew

St. Stephen ->

Revolution 1 ->

Help On The Way ->

Slipknot! ->

Franklin’s Tower

Encore

Samson & Delilah