8/27/2000 Reviews

August 27 The Gorge, George, WA
The Music Never Stopped >
Easy Answers
Tennessee Jed (Bruce)
Lost Sailor >
Saint of Circumstance
White-Wheeled Limousine
Only the Strange Remain
El Paso (Bobby, Mark, and Alphonso acoustic, Bruce on piano)
Deal (Bobby, Mark, and Alphonso acoustic, Bruce on piano)
Weather Report Suite >
Let It Grow >
Drumz/Jam >
Wharf Rat > (Bruce)
Valley Road >
He's Gone (Bob, Bruce and Mark)
Samson and Delilah
E: Good Lovin

OK, here goes my review of the Gorge show. In one word: amazing. This band is playing like possessed devils. MUCH better than the Phil shows this spring at the Gorge, IMO.
Music Never Stopped to open the show. Exquisite playing. Steve and Mark really work well together. The band nailed this one. Easy Answers came off well, and I was never a fan of it when the Dead played it. Tennessee Jed blew me away. Then LOST SAILOR!!!! I haven't heard this one live in 18 years. Perfect. With Alphonse, not missing Phil at all. St. of Circumstance rocked, plain and simple. These guys were putting everything into it, and it showed. The White Wheeled Limousine brought the level down just a hair, probably because most in the audience might not have heard it before. Only the Strange Remain was a fun selection from Mickey, with Bobby, Bruce, and especially Mark providing excellent backing vocals. Then Bobby and Mark put on the acoustics, Billy, Mickey, and Steve took off, Bruce donned the accordian, and they did a nice El Paso. Soft and sweet. A nice reworking of a classic. Then a surprise, Mark singing (strongly!) Deal. The electrics were put back on, and Weather Report Suite (prelude) started. My jaw dropped. I couldn't believe the song selection! Prelude moved into WRS Part 1, so soft, so sweet, we were in heaven at that point. The Let It Grow was HUGE, powerful, confident. Drums, and Mickey was kind enough to let Billy loose, alone, for a couple of minutes before the return to the Northwest of the Rhythm Devils. Who'd believe these two have played together only twice in the five years before this tour started? The space was nothing less than the Eleven jam. Seriously, I was thinking they might actually pull out the entire song, but instead went into, yes, Wharf Rat, with Bruce singing the lead. This, too, was extremely well played, reminding me of early eighties Wharf Rats. The segue into Long Valley Road was sweet, and the song itself was gorgeous. I hadn't heard this one since the Europe tour, and it sure sounded nice to me. Going into He's Gone, I started crying. I couldn't help it. It reminded me of the first time I heard it played after Brent's passing, and the vocals at the end of the song were just hypnotizing. A seriously big, primal Samson and Delilah was a perfect set closing song. I was really hoping Bobby would bring this tune out, and wasn't at all disappointed. The encore of Good Lovin' was smack dab delicious, what can I say? The only complaint there was the vocals got a little mushy in the mix, since everything was cranked up pretty loud at this point.
Feelings on the band after this show: Alphonse is the man. Phil isn't being missed, at least not last night. Steve and Mark: They're playing together last night was telepathic. I didn't think there was any stepping on toes, as far as solo's go. The two seemed really locked in on each other, and complemented each other beautifully. Billy and Mickey are, as always, incredible. Bruce was Bruce, tasteful and timely as always. Bobby Weir is simply amazing. This band is something else. I can only hope they tour at least once a year. I all ready know what my vacation plans are for next year!

--Geoff Hahn

* * *

My take on the Gorge show. A band as a work in progress. Better than NO band! The amphitheater itself is gorgeous, beautiful setting, an oasis in the desert ratlands of Central Washington. While the organization, traffic situation is excellent, the vibe is pretty sterile.

The Music Never Stopped had some fine moments and it seemed Mark and Kimock got out of the gate with some fine playing-a nice sign of things to come for them. The latter transitions of the song were a bit bumpy, uneven and not very sharp. Certainly a situation of a band still trying to get intimate and familiar with each other. But the spirit was there----

then Easy Answers, always a spirit killer for me. One of those rare ugly Weir numbers that I fear I will never warm to.

On to Tennessee Jed, ah now that's better. Nice vibe on it, but a bit sluggish by the rhythm section and the lead guitar transitions in the jam once again uncertain and off, but good melodically.

Lost Sailor and Saint was a complete treat, energetic, on the mark and Bob's vocals were tremendous as they were the entire night. Had not heard this one live and in person for nearly 2 decades and it sounded fresh and alive. Kudos to the band, nice job!

White Wheeled Limo was pretty re-tooled and still nice, but my saxaphone-conditioned ears missed that horn in there.

Only the Strange Remain was Mickey Rap-either you love it or hate it, but I thought this one was the best of his shtick. Delivered with gusto, good humor and a much animated Mick. Kimock threw in some wildly inventive lap steel toward the end of the song.

The semi acoustic El Paso was sweet. Great hearing it especially out in the sagebrush and jackrabbit mesa locale of the Gorge. Bob's singing and acoustic work was fine, tho' Mark's acoustic tone was a bit harsh, his licks had some Jer flair to them. Hornsby's accordion work was surprisingly pedestrian and in the background. But it was Bob's moment and he worked El Paso wonderfully.

Deal by Mark took some getting used to after being spoiled by too many great Dead versions for me. Great chorus work, though and Mark's playing and vocals were a good effort. The arrangement was a bit jerky and no drums to push it to the next level.

Weather Report Suite was a personal highlight. The beginning section was impeccably played by all, Alphonso nailing every important change in a very complex piece. They obviously worked hard on this song and a huge payoff. Absolutely beautiful. Part 2/Let It Grow got a great roar going, thanks to Hornsby, Mark and some more huge playing from Kimock. It was nice to see Steve really step up to the plate and lean into his leads tonight.

The magic continued with a very nice drum segment from Bill and Mickey, they worked the whole spectrum of sounds and the crowd hung out and really listened and dug the segment, giving huge applause at the end of their showcase.

Wharf Rat was next, Hornsby treats this song with loving care and the vocals and playing was fine. It bogged down a bit with some unsure rhythmic work between the band and sort of drifted into a nice, simple Valley Road with fairly low energy but good vocal work by all.

The slow/mid-tempo theme continued with He's Gone. Obviously a touching song and the sweet melody and sentiment of the song was not lost on the crowd. Technically, a few problems here and there. Bob did his best all night to give visual cues to Alphonso, but there were a few glaring bumps during chorus sections and transitions when not everyone was on the same page. Something tells me as the tour rolls on, this will get much better. The Gospel singing at the end of He's gone was nice, but kind of degenerated into a bit of over-the-top Hornsby falsetto crooning. Don't get me wrong, I love the guy, but a bit more restraint would have sufficed in such a gentle song.

Things finally got up and rolling with a fine, fine Samson and Delilah.  Very beefy and tight version, probably the closest sounding song to the original Dead version this evening. Kimock just tore through some stunning slide work during his break. A great crescendo build and the crowd was roaring hard for the first time all night.

And then, boom....show's over.... They came out for a garden variety average Good Lovin and with nary a work or a wave ('cept for Mark), they were done for the night.

My analysis? Not a GREAT show, but made me curious to hear more. This band is still shaking out the complexities of the material, not an easy task. So I will cut Alpshonso a lot of slack. He is undeniably talented and has worked hard to learn the material. But anyone who says, "who needs Phil?" is either dilusional or has little sense of musical history of the Dead's sound. Phil's melodic approach to the music is singularly unique in this context and the most oft heard comment I heard tonight was how much his stamp on the music is missed. Alphonso plays more conventionally and linearly and he is still learning the material, so it was a bit hard to get used to hearing missed cues to songs and some very uncertain transitions in the more complex passages. Not to pile on to Alphonso, though. At times, everyone but Mickey and Weir seemed very unsure, so many corners were ragged. But, like I said, all you lucky dogs out east will catch these guys when they are road honed and tight. You'll be in for a treat.
Enjoy

--Terry Woodburn

* * *

All I can say is where is Phil. This band was hurting so bad due to the lack of Phil it made me want to cry. It is about time Bobby gave up on Easy Answers, this song never worked and never will. The same goes for the Last Sailor/ Saint, how cheesy is this song combo. I will give a big hand to Bruce he really was the highlight for the show, this man is just packed for talent. After seeing the Other Ones with and without Phil I now realize that Phil was cement holding the Dead together all of those years. He is the greatest bass player that ever lived and without him this band is nothing........BRING BACK PHIL....

--Jeff Nowakowski

* * *

Fun show last night, it's great to see the boyz back out at it. Lots of highlight, Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance, Weather Report Suite > Let It Grow, Mark singing Deal and just about every note Steve Kimock played are all still stuck in my head. Gotta say that Alphonso does an admirable job of filling in for Phil, but he just can't lay down the bombs in the same way Phil does. But we can't have it all at the same time (3 shows at the Gorge this summer between P&F and Furthur is GOOD WITH ME!). Really different musically than the P&F shows, tough to compare them. P&F is so much more jam and improvisation oriented, The Other Ones seems to be much more song oriented (no real surprises there given the players). Thank goodness Billy is back to keep things rolling in the rhythm section, it's so good to see him back in the fold. It's great to see Mark singing too, they desperately need that 3 voice in the mix (and really could use one more, how about Vinny too next time around, someone that can really sing that high harmony part). I think it's more then safe to assume these guys are going to just keep getting better!

--Rick Winfield

* * *

I simply thought that the Gorge show was incredible. In many ways I think it was better than some of the GD shows of the past. I thought Bobby was on fire and IMHO I think Alphonso adds a little more"funk" to the sound. I wish these guys toured all the time!!!!

--James Halloway

* * *

This show at the Gorge really was amazing. It is true that the Gorge is a fairly sterile environment and that the band is not as together as they were the first time around (in 1998). Indeed, there were several glaring mistakes in the show (Bob blew the beginning of Samson) and some timing problems between players. It is also true that Phil is missed and that his amazing rich bass really was the foundation of the Dead. This is not the Dead, though. It is the Other Ones. That said, the Other Ones were great and played an amazing and challenging set list.

The Gorge, although commercial like most arenas, is simply beautiful. The amphitheater is perched at the top of the Columbia River Gorge with a spectacular view below of the river itself. It is almost as if one is looking down into a miniature Grand Canyon with a view that goes for at least 20 miles. This view forms a backdrop for the stage, lights, music, etc. and adds to the ambience.

As for the band, they have really evolved into their own group with a unique, thick and lush sound. While I miss the folky nature of the Grateful Dead with upbeat, bouncy songs, I still greatly love this version of the boys. Hornsby is simply brilliant as he is in his solo career. He should have remained the Dead's keyboardist after Brent died. Bruce has taken over many of the vocals done by Jerry and is truly the rootsy/folky member of the group now. Of course Jerry won't ever be replaced, but Bruce fills in a certain void that would otherwise be hard to fill by any other musician.

Ziggy was very good with his best songs coming towards the end of the show.

The Other Ones started strong with Music and then went into a nice version of Easy Answers. Although the guitars are not as clear as I would like them to be in the first half of this show, I do like the interplay between Bob, Steve and Mark. On Easy Answers and Only the Strange Remain, for example, there was a nice funky interplay and rhythmic magic between the three guitarists. Tennessee Jed was great with Bruce singing and then the great surprise of Lost Sailor and Saint. Really nice!

White-Wheeled Limousine started off a bit slow but really picked up. It was a highlight because I love Bruce's solo work, especially on the last three albums (Harbor Lights, Hothouse, Spirit Trail). I went to relieve myself during Only the Strange Remain (not a favorite of mine), but still savored the guitar work in that song. I then went to dance near the right side of the stage as a beautiful, Mexican version of El Paso was played with great accordian work by Bruce. Deal was great (good job on vocals, Mark!) and then the show really took off. Weather Report Suite began and I couldn't believe it. The whole thing was really good, especially the burning Let It Grow with an interesting hot jam in the middle. The boys could make some smoother transitions in their jams as they seem to sometimes simply stop playing an interim jam and then resume the original song.

Drums was excellent, drawing huge applause from the crowd and then Wharf Rat began! A beautiful Wharf Rat with Bruce on vocals melded perfectly and surprisingly into a great Valley Road. A second Bruce song was very welcome. He's Gone was great, played smoothly, slowly and ending with a great a cappella section at the end. Finally, another dance song with a great Samson ending the set. Within Samson, the band really hit the fast groove and had the whole place dancing. The encore of Good Lovin was decent.

Great show! For those who think everything is lost without Phil, you are certainly entitled to your opinion. I miss Phil on bass and the group is different without him, but I still greatly enjoy the Other Ones. They are a very high quality band with the same vibe as the Dead, although different sound. No need for competition between Phil and the Other Ones. Both are great and hopefully will continue into the coming years.

--Jeff Blend

* * *

The Gorge....WOW!!! The boys rocked tonight. After a little disappointing Shoreline performance, the day of rest did them well. It seemed everything was well in Washington State....from the landscape, to the crowd, to the weather, to the music. Steve came out for this show, and smiling exchanges were seen often between Bruce and him to see whom could play the hotter lick.

Highlights included the fitting "El Paso" acoustic, He's Gone, Saint>Sailor, Music, WRS.... damn, nearly the whole show was a highlight. Good to see Billy back in action....Can't wait till they make the east coast swing!!

--Scott Beatson

* * *

I have to agree with most of the other reviews.I had a front row seat and from my vantage point I definitely saw a "work in progress". (I wish I was on the east coast right now...) Don't get me wrong, the show was great. WRS was a definite surprise for me. I had heard about RatDog playing this tune, so I was hoping that the Other Ones would carry the tune themselves. When they played Lost Sailor > Saint... My hopes were broken down but they played it... and played it well.I think it started off a bit rough though. But the jam into Let It Grow was out of this world and so was the jam in the song. It was very cool to see Billy behind the set again and Drumz did not disappoint. Although I couldn't see the drummers from my seat!? The Wharf Rat was nice and sweet but I really liked the Valley Road and I believe that this was the point when the band actually became one.(I grabbed the set list off the stage at the end of the show and this song was not listed) Nice improv. I thought the Deal was nice and it was cool to see Mark doing something new. Now, about Steve Kimock...WOW! Kimock went off several times. He is one amazing player to watch. Being up front I got a chance to finally really see this man in action. The inter-play between him and Hornsby throughout the show was almost cosmic. It's worth finding a tape of this show if just to hear Kimock and Hornsby exchange harmony and vibration on the stage. Very cool indeed. I felt the show was short as were the jams. It seemed the band would get things going and Bob would cut things short.i.e.:Music> Easy. About Alphonso...he's getting it. I would be a fool and a liar if I was to say I didn't miss Phil. But this is The Other Ones and not the Dead. By the time they hit the east coast I believe they will be jamming. But for right now they are a song thats just not quite fully written yet. Have fun back east.

--Desert Dan

* * *

As I drove up from Portland I realized it had been since 12/97 since I had last seen Mr. Weir and I was quite excited for the show. In short I would describe my first Other Ones show as a solid show although nothing "magical." Music to open into Easy Answers. I'll say this I NEVER liked Easy "Cheesy" Answers when The Dead did it but they jammed this tune particularly at the end and I found my self danc'n. Next was Ten Jen which I will comment on later. Several songs later we got a Sailor>Saint which was amazing with Bobby very solid on the vocals... the Saint jam right before we rocket into the "sure don't know what I'm gonig for" chorus was good but not quite up to Dead standards (that is pre-1993). The clear highlight for the show was a full WRS. I lost my sh_t whan I heard the first notes of WRS. It was crazy good although the jam at the end of Let It Grow became repititive and a little boring but hey I wasn't around in 1973-74 so to hear a full WRS.... I will never forget...... quite memorable.... and dancible..... El Paso was sweet-I enjoyed hearing Bobby do that one again. The show ended with a very rock'n Sampson and with Mickey and Billy on percussion and Bobby on vocals it sounded as good as I have heard. Good Lovin was the encore and Kimock and some sweet guitar licks at the end to finish the song. Very nice. A very good show but here is my one big beef. I love to hear Bobby do Bobby... I enjoy RatDog shows just like I use to enjoy Garcia Band Shows when Jerry was still alive. However, I really have a problem with Bruce doing Jerry tunes. That was my problem with this show. I thought the band played well.... not anything spiritual but solid.... (I'm typing this as I am listening to Winterland 6/9/77 II... now THAT is spiritual). I wouldn't mind a musical rendition of Wharf Rat or the like... but no one could sing that song like Jerry and to even attempt.... to hear Bruce do Wharf Rat... or Ten Jed.. it just turns me off... The Other Ones sound pretty polished but they do not have the credibility or the authenticity of The Dead and that is what was disappointing to me. I don't care if these guys sound like The Dead... I frankly know they can't and so do not want them to try.... I just want something that is real and.... well... authentic.. even if it is not polished.... Anyway.. happy danc'n to you all.. hope you get the vibe....

--Mike

* * *

Expectation management and an open mind are the best things to bring to an Other Ones show. With that approach, there is so much to enjoy.

Even though I am a Washington State resident and native, I had only seen one show at the Gorge previously, back in 1990 (Fleetwood Mac), when it was called the Winery at George and fist fights would break out for the last remaining bottle of local product at the wine tent. Much has changed and I can now understand why all the hype. It's just an amazing place for a show. And being in the 22nd row helped.

In many ways, I enjoyed this show more than the Shoreline Other Ones shows I saw in 1998. It was less adventurous, sloppier, but somehow leaner and funkier. I did not miss Phil butchering "Half Step," "US Blues," and other tunes with his horrible singing, and to be honest, I never even really missed his amazing bass playing either! The groove had that laid back, percolating feel that only Hart and Kreutzmann can provide. As a drummer myself, I can vouch for John Molo's talent -- I loved his playing in '98 and with Bruce. Technically he can play circles around both Mickey and Billy. But those two together provides "that" groove that you just can't get anyplace else. That was the secret weapon at this year's show. Billy looked healthier than I have ever seen him.

I loved "The Strange Remain." Spacy guitar work and Mickey's almost self mocking delivery made it for me! "Sailor->St.," "WRS->LIG," "Music->EZ" -- all terrific choices played with much vigor. Sloppy transitions and timid backing vocals plagued the show to a small degree -- as could be expected. But when you put it all in perspective -- it was a hell of a show. In the fine Dead tradition, they are unrehearsed and painfully out of synch at times. But what I love is the same non-predictable, fly by the seat of your pants approach to the setlists and the jams in general that was displayed in '98.

As more time goes by, it gets easier to accept that Garcia is gone and to enjoy the Other Ones and spin-off live Dead bands for what they do offer instead of chronically missing what has been lost.

I have always been conservative and skeptical about what these musicians should do in Garcia's absence, but I am all for this Other Ones concept. New material is needed to make it a legitimate band. I think they should go for it. Bring Phil back, bring in Welnick for synths and organ, keep one or both of the guitar players. Why not? Don't call it the Dead, but bring back as many of the players as possible, generate some new material, and we could have a SERIOUS force on our hands, beyond just mere summer time entertainment. Karan is great, but I sure would like to hear what Kimock could do alone (I am sure this has all been said many, many times).

It will probably never happen -- and that won't stop me from enjoying what is being offered. Because the Other Ones are still seriously good for the soul.

--Thad

* * *

Oh too bad there couldn't be two nights at The Gorge; the camping scene at the gorge is killer and they let the lot go off so here's to The Gorge. Who is Steve Kimock and why does he keep blowing my mind. Bobby is rockin and he's pulling out killer tunes like Lost Sailor/St, and WRS/Let It Grow.... Awesome. Better then expected. It's great to see the Rhythm Devils back together. Drums Space what else could a Deadhead ask for.  I sure hope these boys tour again real soon cause you know they're only gonna get better, and even though Phil's not there (greatly missed), Alphonso is rockin and I pray for more nights of shows and maybe if we're really nice they'll do two sets next tour! Be Good Family. R.I.P.Bryon the Lyon, greatly missed but still spinnin   jahirish

--Kevin McBride

* * *

Better late than never, but here goes. Having seen Phil & Friends and The Other Ones at the Gorge, I believe that Phil needs the rest of the band and the rest of the band really needs Phil. For me, Phil was the one who kept the music flowing, kept the beat and, in many ways, was the leader of the band. Without Phil in there, Bobby had to assume that role. As much as I'm trying not to Bobby Bash, I don't think he is comfortable or inspired enough to be the leader. There were a number of spots in the show that really needed somebody to take command (e.g., Weather Report Suite, acoustic songs) to go somewhere. Nobody took command and they went nowhere. BTW, are they only paying Kimock part-time wages? That would certainly explain why he sat around staring off into space for most of the show. I was up front and it looked like he didn't want to be there. I think he actually played for about 1/3 of the show. Overall, what amazed/disappointed me most was that there was an incredible amount of talent on stage, but at least for this show, it seemed wasted.

--Steve Hultberg