after a stop at Mike 'N Angelo's...w/ all the typos!

From the fourth row, dead center, I watched waited, wondering what Phil, Warren Jimmmy, Rob and John would dish up for us tonight. the lights come on and all the band members walk out. Warren picks up his guitar and walks up to the mic, with the music stand right next to it. Warren seems to open a music folder in front of him, squints and focuses to look at the set list and, unless my eyes deceived me, grimaces and turns the page in s seeming frustration. He shows no emotion upon seeing the second page, then turns away. The first two songs are older, slower Dead songs, the second I think was Brown Eyed Women. During those two songs, Warren seems very agitated and distracted, an probably on;y plays for half the song. After BEW, Warren eases over to Phil and says something. Phil says something like, "okay, okay - you're right," with a big grin on his face. Warren then calls the "play" that he has audibled to Jimmy, Rob and John. And in the next instant, we hear those familar chords for "And It Stoned Me". And Warren is suddenly fully engaged, focused and everything but distracted!! He belts and wails the words to this tune, and as it wraps up, consutls with Phil again, who seems to once again agree with Warren. From there, they launch right into Soulshine!!! And just kick the shit out of it. After another Dead tune, the lights shift and its clear that Dickey Betts is coming out. Out he comes with that gorgeous, burnt orange Les Paul, and his white 10 gallon cownoy hat. Dickey hits those opening chords for Franklins' Tower, which all ABB fans knows to mean that Blue Skies are about to appear. WAren, Dickey and Jimmy set up a pretty mean set of jams, and then seem ready to let the tune go. But Mr. Dickey Betts would have none of that. He stepped out front of all the band members and rips a riff while looking stright at Warren,and lifts his head as he does so, as if to say to Warren, "come on!'. Diceky repeated this "baiting" behvior several times, and Warren stepped out fropnt with Dickey, looking as close to intimidated or uncomfortable as I have ever Warren. He watches Dickey string out a set of note, then focuses down on his fingers and freboard, and suddenly seems very at ease, And Warren responds to Dickey with his own soulful, yet blistering solo. They trade mentor and former mentee lickes as absolute peers, illustrating, as I saw it, complete respect, admiration and love for one another. Warren and Dickey were as locked as anytime I have ever seen them locked during their ABB days. It was absolutely over the top.
And for PHil and Friends, it just got better from there, An extremely energetic and soulful show. Warren and Jimmy lift one another to higher planes, and in the process, lift everyone in their circle.
And the road goes on forever......

Excellent example of the Guyz in action. From the quality of the jams including the Ornette quotes to the energy crackling throughout, definitely one of the best PnP shows I ever witnessed.

I think , note for note, this deserves to be in the Phil top 10. It blows the roof off from the opening jam. One of those special shows for sure.

but this show was HOT!!! My first show in the South and what a show it was! Ratdog opened and wasn't half bad but Phil and the guys blew the top off my freakin' head!! An absolute MUST HAVE!!! One of those shows where you think you might have glimpsed GOD!!! heh!!