1st Set: From what seemed like an eternity of tuning sprung something "Stranger." Scott's boards sound as tinny as the Dead would have been. The pace is quite measured but it reflects the trepidation I feel when approaching anybody here whose view of me is as unpredictable as the slant of their eyes. (How Spanish basketball team of me!)Neglected by the all-acoustic gig on 08-31 were JG's yearning romantic ballads - here's a "Roses" to make up for it. Strong harmonizing vocals but kind of a boozy version. A light/controlled twister is the following "On the Road." Hips continue to shake with "Jack a Roe." "All Over Now" inserts the notion that a good beer is manna from the heavens. This Bud's for you InBev! It's all over Anheuser. Cheery bversion. Blue-collar boogey continues to dominate with "Cumberland." John reaches some brilliant places around 3:30. Clap, if you will, to the opening threads of a smiley "Music." Good if nothing spectacular version ends an upbeat 1st.

2nd Set: With the exception of the climax and 8:30 a dull "Cold Rain" opens the second set. Now I ask you 'where is the Dark Star?' The "Lost Sailor" will float his way through this dreamy landscape til the power overwhelms in the early 6's. Like many tunes "Saint" most convinces in its later stages when its fuselage has been familiarized and most engaged. "Don't Need Love" is well meant but doesn't work as a fleshed out song, maybe because DSO hasn't performed it for over five years. - the GD performed it much better on 4-24-84 (good show, btw) Reassure us with "UJB" It's competent and followed by a brief tinkling of a melting jam into the rumbling of the dense jungle aka "Drumz." Machete swipe those enormous palm leaves from the face - return to be identifed - nahhh..it remains masked for along while skirting around a variety of untactile surfaces before resestablishing he is indeed reprisin "Playin." The taps on the snare drums are the first signal "Uncle John" wants us back - it's a brief stay before John remarks on what remains after a nuclear holocaust - "Morning Dew." It's a thunderous affair - full on assault - rolling thunder - little beauty. Crowd's screaming along. Worthy set-closer.
A couple minutes to relieve youtself and get ready for some 'Baby' and 'Doctor' exhalations during a spirited, charging "Good Lovin." Rob announces the concert's date and praises the original venue. Someone throws a shout out to the opener bluegrass band 'Hot Buttered Rum.' They got plenty of time for some more - so...
Funny - cause I heard two chords of it, silence for three seconds and then a confirmation that it's time to celebrate those "Scarlet Begonias" in her hair. A soothing though fluid outro jam leads to the squatting low-down song oriented "Fire." It's one of those renditions where you can very easily see credits strolling down your screen - visibly jealous of those in the crowd who experienced a good gig.
3 1/2 stars