Reviewer:
drifterhatesleafblowers
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 10, 2009
Subject:
Bootleg Review
I took this review from one of the other versions of this concert on the archive.
It tells the story
Reviewer: timbolimboli - - May 21, 2006
Subject: A very special day
I was down front pretty close to the stage most of the day. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band jumped up in a flatbed truck and did a slow circuit around the track at the Polo Fields doing a N'awlins-style jazz funeral parade, a bunch of folks following, to start the show. Satriani was cool, his set was inspired. Robin Williams (yep, Robin Williams) did a moving eulogy thing. Journey did their Lights song and they may have played another song or two. Los Lobos rocked, as they always do. Carlos was truly emotional, his playing was sweet and joyful and yet beautifully mournful. I forget who was playing while Evelyn Cisneros, the ballerina, danced, but I'll never forget the visual image of her dancing, couldn't take my eyes of her. CSN came out and did a few, I recall a sweet Judy Blue Eyes (pun intended), and I think they may have done Helplessly Hoping. Of course, I was thinking ALL DAY LONG, where is Paul Kantner, Jorma, Jack, Marty Balin, Grace, Spencer Dryden, David Freiberg, Pete Sears and the rest of the Airplane/Starship alumni??? Even Papa John was alive at the time, so they ALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE. I was really disappointed they didn't play, especially since Uncle Bobo managed them for so long. But, they didn't, and I still haven't forgiven them. I love Jorma like I love my own family, and that they didn't play will always be a sore point for me. We were all relieved when the boys came out, because as an earlier reviewer mentioned, no one was really sure if they'd come since they'd just done the four shows the week before. But, they played an exquisite short set. And yes, Popper was great on Wang Dang Doodle, which is hard for me to write, since I've never been much of a BT fan. Fogerty came out and was great, voice strong, he played well and the boys backed him well. Some folks may have been at the show at the Oakland Coliseum in 1989 right after when Fogerty won the copyright infringement suit filed against him by Saul Zaentz of Fantasy Records. After he won, he was free to start playing the Creedence songs without fear, and he came out that day-it was an AIDS benefit-with Steve Jordan on drums, I forget who on bass, and Jerry and Bob on guitar. They were great! And he sounded BETTER this day! Only four songs, but fabulous stuff. The crowd sang along with each of his tunes. Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, Neil Young, CSN, and pretty much everyone else came out, or at least stood on stage, for the Forever Young finale. A young reviewer wrote about the plane flying over head, it was an Otis Spunkmeyer plane (the cookie company) and dropping carnations, as did another reviewer. That was extra-special. An incredible, incredible day. Few dry eyes in the Polo Fields, but much, much joy!