12/31/2000 Reviews

December 31 The Arena, Oakland, California
Sugar Magnolia > (midnight; Mickey's daughter dancing onstage)
Dark Star > (balloons fell)
Jam > (Other One tease, Long Tall Cool One tease, Loser jam)
Only the Strange Remain
Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad (w/ vocal breakdown)
Ramble On Rose
(technical difficulties; Mickey "We're working on a delicate situation here. We've got our crack equipment crew on it")
Down the Road
Samson and Delilah
Odessa (Bobby and Mark)
Friend of the Devil (Bobby, Alphonso, Mark, and Bruce on accordian)
White-Wheeled Limousine (includes one verse of "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance")
Weather Report Suite >
Let It Grow >
Estimated Prophet >
The Other One Jam > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Drumz > (very briefly w/ Bobby)
The Wheel > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Wharf Rat > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Valley Road > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Dark Star > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Sugar Magnolia > (w/ Steve Kimock)
Sunshine Daydream (w/ Steve Kimock)
E: Ripple (beginning w/out Billy and Mickey)

A pretty good show, very New Years-ish, by which I mean that it was long and muscular and loud and fun but not very subtlely or well played.

This one checked in at well over three hours, which turns out to be longer than I could really focus on and longer than they could really focus on either, I think. Estimated through Dark Star, in particular, were enthusiastic, but I thought they just didn't have the sharpness they achieved earlier in the show or especially the night before in LA. Kudos, though to Samson and Delilah, Wharf Rat/Valley Road, and to the acoustic Odessa and a very welcome Sunshine Daydream.

The countdown to midnight was either Spinal Tap redux or a major fuck-up or a piquant commentary on the nature of New Year's. I'm guessing one of the first two. Just before midnight, some circus performers -- someone said Cirque d'Soleil, but I have no idea -- twirled around in a desultory fashion on scarf-like ropes about halfway between the Arena floor and ceiling, then an amazingly buff guy did the same thing to much better effect, all with very cheezy taped music. A few minutes after midnight, The Other Ones started awkwardly on Sugar Magnolia (which did, to be fair, pick up nicely later). No countdown, no balloons. There *were* bags of balloons up by the ceiling, and most of them eventually came down about 20 minutes later, during part of Dark Star, and some more later during Only the Strange Remain.

I have no idea how the whole thing was supposed to look, but I'm guessing that it was nothing like it actually did. And if it was supposed to be that way, it was badly conceived.

One other production value type thing: whoever's doing the lights just does not measure up. The only arrow in the quiver seems to be standard lights, in standard patterns, with occasional flashes in the eyes of the audience. There was none of the unusual colors, blending or gorgeous sense of atmosphere that Candace Brightman used to do with the Dead. (Of course, for all I know, her people were doing the lights last night, too. But my observation stands.)

--J R Beresford-Howe

* * * * *

ACOUSTIC odessa!!!???? we love you bob man
peace

--Michael Lenahan

* * * * *

I've gotta tell you guys, I've been attending Dead shows since 1982 (ok, relatively late comer), but last night was one of the least well put-together that I've ever seen. I used to fly coast-to-coast for NYE shows (from Florida) to Oakland every year. It's a good thing that I live in the Bay Area now. I would have been VERY upset to have travelled for this one....

It was very loose starting out, which I've become accustomed to, waiting for the flashes of brilliance to increase in frequency and magnitude. It just didn't happen last night. It was the first show that I actually left early. I'll get over it. I guess we all have bad nights. But I was so excited when I saw the Shoreline show a couple of years ago. I thought the old sound was both back and exploring new territory. My mind was not in the least expanded last night.

PFunk was a trip, though.

Hope it all comes back together. I'll certainly be there to see you the next time I get the chance.....

Sorry for the bad review - but we can't bullshit each other - right?

Happy New Year.

--Reed

* * * * *

3 hours of goodies. One hell of an estimated, a great W.R.S. A really nice wheel and warf rat. What a show!! I personally liked it much better than the shows with Kimock. I hate to say it but Karan really does give a close stab at the jerry songs. --not in any way does he replace him-- but he really played good. That estimated was so hot! Kimock came in near the end of the estimated and gave it an interesting little touch. The downside was that, it was at the oakland arena, and its really loud and muddy in there. If your up front and center, then it was a perfect show, but if your sitting in any of the chairs, then chances were didn't get the clarity that those up front did. MY ONLY COMPLAINT TO THE BAND: please tell the guy that does your lights to mellow out. I was blinded the whole night by those bright lights burning my eyes. I felt like i had a cop shining his light on me. It was so bright. Please aims those lights away from the crowd. Excellent performance though. George Clinton was good too, but he really needed to tone it down a little, it got really muddy. He'd have three guitars soloing away at once, and horns going. Good performance, but not mixed very well. I think it was worth the ticket, and I sad to see bruce go, he was great.

--Midnight Rambler

* * * * *

Decent show...wish Kimock was there throughout. Not sure what was up with the rough transition between "Cirque du Soliel" trippers and TOO...ran past New Years...no real official countdown...kinda weird...Bruce having audio problems on the keyboards...sick drum session...Pfunk made me funk in my pants...

--Ian C. Sanderson

* * * * *

I can't believe we wasted 70$ on that poor excuse of a performance last night! The boys should know better...they should take a break and refocus. Please don't spoil the magic for the faithful.

--Lisa Bell

* * * * *

Biggest disappointment of the NYE show was that the Other Ones didn't start playing till after midnight. It was hard to maintain the audience energy through a George Clinton set that never seemed willing to end, 2 hours of playing with only isolated glimpses of inspired music. Did we really need to spend that much time yelling "Booty"?

I really preferred the GD NYE format with a Dead set before midnight and the 2nd set after.

--Randy Warren

* * * * *

Happy New Year Dave and the band too!!!! This was the 1st concert i tried to stay for all of it, saw you at shorline in 98, I enjoyed the concert very much, it was good to see the gang again, crowd included.....

I was wondering why on a few things, maybe you can help. Why wasn't there a countdown for Midnight? No-one around us knew that midnight had come. What time did you start playing?, and fyi, the arena didnt let us into the parking lot til 5:40, and not into the arena until 6:45, most of us missed 1st band. Anyway the music was great and again, good job and Thank You for a great New Years Eve.

p.s. Sorry I had to leave after wharf rat, just couldnt stay, what time did it end?

Love

--Deb

* * * * *

A strong performance with tons of energy. Don't listen to LB: the show was terrific, raw and natural, not a waste at all. The boys need to keep playing and playing for us lots.

Why care about a countdown? We deadicated were there for the music, the rest is irrelevant.

Bobby: Thanks for working so very hard.
Mickey: Loved your rap.
Alphonso: Your bass was gorgeous, just like you.
Mark: Please face the audience more, we'd love to see those masterful
hands at work.
Bruce: Your improvisation during the "delicate situation" was perfect.
Showed we will get by. Please, please reconsider and stay.

--Beth

* * * * *

I thought it was a most excellent show. I'd never seen Kimlock's band before and was impressed. I'd catch him again. It was a nice mellow lead in to get us warmed up.

I loved GC and PFunk. I had a secret desire to see them get involved with this family, and couldn't believe when I heard the announcement. They surpassed my expectations. Has anyone seen them before to compare their show for us to what they have seen before? It seemed pretty tailored to a head crowd, especially that long guitar lead-in. I had never thought of PFunk as heavy on guitars, or that they ever played that mellow. They seemed very glad to be there, even though they had some troubles getting the audience involved at first. "Let's keep it simple people, can ya just move side to side?" It was definately an experience I'd repeat, non-stop excitement. All my friends could say was "WOW." And could someone tell me who that guy rapping about Booty was?

Cirque du Soleil was highly impressive. A very nice present for us. How many times did that guy have to practice those rolls before he stopped dislocating his shoulders??

TOO: I'm not sure what happened here. I hate to give a bad review, because I did enjoy the show but maybe I just expect too much. As for the lack of countdown, they started Sugar Mag just before midnight by my watch, and right at midnight I was picking up some slow-motion action. It was a neat gag if it was on purpose. My senses may have been playing tricks on me, or it may have been technical problems. I'm assuming it was on purpose, and was pretty cool. But it also seemed to keep happening again and just became frustrating.

Don't think I didn't enjoy the show though. The music was good, the people was excellent as always. Hearing Dark Star brought out some emotions and I was blown away by the Drums. Please don't ever stop guys!!

--Craig

* * * * *

i guess you have to be a hard core deadhead to be so critical.....i give TOO tons of credit for playing their hearts out for 3 1/2 hours without a break.....Thanks guys!!!!.....obviously the timing of the whole show didn't go as planned and there was way too much "bootie" from George Clinton.......but all in all i was really groovin' after midnight.......though the 4am Bart ride home was a drag......this was the latest concert this ol' gal has ever been to but hey, New Years comes but once a year!

--Beth Ann Briscoe

* * * * *

Love The Other Ones, love Bobby and the magic they're capable of, but felt badly burned by the New Year's show. The whole thing seemed really sloppy and half-assed! No countdown? No build up? Seemed really off! Also, just throwing the stage together after the debacle that was the George Clinton set, they were bound to have technical difficulties. Why the hell didn't T.O.O. come on like at 11 or so? Certainly they could've done two sets of music - taking a break at midnight!? We ended up hearing more of the openers than T.O.O. as we left at 2 a.m., exhausted!

I'll stick to my local San Francisco rock bands and save T.O.O. for the summertime Shoreline shows or some such, when I don't have super high expectations, and I know they'll come on at a reasonable hour!

Just offering some constructive criticism... don't mean to be harsh, but for $75 I'd expect more!
Peace out,

--TW

* * * * *

Nice show. Yes, the bizarre-o world, no count down, what the hell was the purpose of the balloons, one set after midnight situation, substandard light show was a mild disappointment. BUT Is it not true that it has ALWAYS BEEN THE MUSIC that has kept us around for so long? And on that note, was not the music REAL GOOD considering a large part of the underlying soul is gone with the death of Jerry and the sad departure of Phil? I, for one, and happy and satisfied to say I was at this show. Also, I'm sure that most of the truly negative reviews (on the performance, not the other stuff) are valid for those who were old enough and lucky enough to catch 10-50 shows a year for 10-20 years. But for those of us under 40 who have lived most of the great shows via boots on tape and disc, It's awesome to hear a "Wharf Rat" or "Dark Star", even it it's not "some of their best efforts". So, to the "hard core heads" who have seen it all and were left flat, sorry. Live with the knowledge and memory that you got to see the Greatest Rock Band to this point in time perform during their peak. You are all truly blessed. For the rest of us, be thankful that you "got it" and had your face stolen while there was still time to see the Fatman and enjoy some shows from "The Other Ones". NYE 2000 will never be a "Dick's Pick", but it was a show with a solid set list and quality, if sometimes workman-like, effort from the Band.

SO- BOBBY, MICKEY, BILLY- THANK YOU. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SO MANY YEARS, SO MANY SHOWS......SO MANY ROADS. THANK YOU.

ALPHONSO, MARK- YOU HAVE SHOES TO FILL THAT NO ONE OR GROUP OF PEOPLE CAN. YOU BOTH HAVE PERFORMED ADMIRABLY UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES

BRUCE- YOU WILL BE MISSED. SUPER EFFORT WITH GD AND TOO. I THINK THE FATMAN WOULD HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH YOUR VOCAL EFFORTS. I HOPE YOU, TOO AND PHIL CAN WORK THIS OUT. IF NOT, IT HAS BEEN GREAT. THANK YOU.

with that said, REMEMBER-IT'S THE MUSIC. Now go home, put on a boot, and thank god you get it!!!!

--Shawn Travers

* * * * *

When you go to a OO show, I think you have to understand what you're going to get from the start. Let me begin by saying that I go to their shows, but I listen to only Dead shows on tape. There's a difference between being loose (eg-jams from the late 60s through the mid 70s), and having the band members rarely being on the same page (ie-the Other Ones). I haven't gone to a ton of OO shows, but in the six recent shows that I've gone to, only once have they really been together (8/24 Universal). I've talked to a few others that really agree with that. Also, I don't always think that Bruce is the best improvisor; but he's a great musician, and when he said something about the band not focusing well enough, I was nodding my head.

Knowing what I was going to get from NYE, I must say that I enjoyed the numbers they played. Mickey's Strange Remain is beginning to sound a little less like sloppy rap music, and Mark had his moments here and there. However, for someone to go on about how wonderful Estimated was, I have to think, how many Dead shows have you even heard? Even on an off night the band had it a lot better together, and even if stoned out of his mind, Jerry had more surprises on guitar. There is looseness, but the Dead most always had it together, and sounded like a "band". The Other Ones can be disappointing in that regard. Lastly, song selection and setlist formation... Sometimes I feel that they spend too much effort trying to mix in newer stuff, that they dramatically change songs to give them an identity other than the Dead's, and that overall their shows can be very fragmented. How about cutting out the two acoustical numbers one night, and doing something else if that's what feels natural? How about throwing in a 15 minute jam after Dark Star > Strange Remain? That would seem a whole lot more fitting than jumping to a lively GDTRFB and Ramble On Rose.

With Bruce gone, I think they need to get Phil back into the fold and again start doing what they do best. However, is this too much to ask for? Yes, it probably is. Billy enjoys being retired 3/4 of the year. Phil enjoys headlining on his own. Bobby and Mickey enjoy their side projects, and maybe one or both are going to start considering retirement sooner than later.

I see the Other Ones as being, at worse, a tribute band whether or not they accept that. At best, I see them helping us along with a funeral for a friend. We couldn't have expected the groove to totally die along with Jerry, and a lot of us are getting out there in order to re-live some old times. All in all though, and my last comment, the longer they go without really putting something together, the more of a joke they're making of themselves. I would rather go and see them together, performing songs I'd never heard of; then see them play Dead tunes, and be totally off track four times out of six.

Overall, I didn't expect the best so I wasn't too disappointed. I liked the songs they performed, but some of them were out of order; even in accepting the musical shortcomings, I still expected a little bit more in putting the show together. The countdown act and the timing were a little confusing. This band is a little confusing. Let's see where it all leads.

--a Wharf Rat

* * * * *

I wrote once or twice for you before about TOO shows. This time, my wife and I flew in from Delaware (yes, we did the East-to-West Coast trek) for the Oakland show, and we refused to be disappointed. I've been going to Dead shows since the '70s, and we've seen 30-plus of the post-Dead Furthur productions. We've never been out to see the band on New Year's, since we missed our opportunity in the late '80s. We started planning for this in late September, after a Mark Karan told me on the last night of the late summer tour they were trying to arrange a four-night stand in the Bay area to mark New Year's. His idea, he said, was that each of the solo bands (RatDog, Mickey Hart, Puddleduck, etc.) would get a turn in the spotlight, leading up to a big blowout on New Year's. We felt fortunate they were able to get together for one show. We already had ordered our tickets from GDTS when we got word the NYE show would be Bruce's last, which further convinced us we wanted to be there.

>From a musical standpoint, we saw better shows on tour this summer. For that matter, the last show of the RatDog tour (Dec. 2) was superior; the Hornsby show last month in York also showed more masterful musicianship. But the New Year's extravaganza certainly was entertaining, from the full-blown circus that is P-funk right on up until the final strains of "Ripple." All things considered, it was worth the trip and it was a worthwhile way to spend New Year's.

We were especially pleased to see Bruce, because we're sorry he's leaving The Other Ones. Last year's New Year's Eve, we went to Williamsburg to see Bruce and his band, sat in the front row and had the opportunity to meet Bruce and chat with him afterward. I was concerned Sunday night that he really didn't appear very happy at any point during the set, even during "White-Wheeled Limousine" and the "walk-walk-walk" chorus of "Valley Road" that Bobby seems to enjoy so much. He was not alone in the "just going through the motions" complaint -- there's obviously more at work here, under the surface, with the personnel and personalities of this band. Bobby really didn't do much to step up, and technical problems plagued much of the first hour of the set. That always seems to put him in a bad mood, and I'm not sure he ever recovered.

It's time for people to start giving Mark Karan more credit for what he does. He really appears to enjoy himself, and his solos conjure up visions of Garcia without being disrespectful. And it was delightful to see Steve Kimock out there noodling again with them (and if you missed the close of his opening set, shame on you!).

Despite their physical presence, I kept getting the feeling all night that was something was missing in the chemistry onstage. There were highlights, to be sure -- I'll never tire of the acoustic FOTD, and "Estimated" was the perfect exclamation point for our trip to California. "Wheel" and "Wharf Rat" are personal favorites, and perhaps more fans should have thought a little more deeply about the decision to include "message songs" such as these in the set.

Let's give credit where credit is due, rather than judging what we've seen against incredibly high standards. If you want to hear the Dead perform, stay home, strap on the headphones, and pop in a live tape (or MP3). Not to get preachy, but ... (cue up Dennis Miller-like rant here) -- If you want to pay homage to legacy and trace how the music has evolved over the past 5 years, come on down to the show. But don't come to the show and then complain because it's not the Dead. That's not to say that a group of talented musicians can't get together, play Dead music, and do a good job of it -- we have seen this happen many times. But you're not going to "recapture the thrill" of that time when you were 19, ate a bag of mushrooms, drank a case of honey browns and watched the heavens open up over Garcia as he soloed. Those days are gone, just like your hairline and your waistline.

As far as the fans who were confused or upset about the band's failure to officially mark midnight, my advice is to buy a watch or go to Times Square next year.

I would rather have the opportunity to continue to watch and enjoy the evolution of this music -- much as I did for the 30 years between 1965 and 1995 -- than to not have this opportunity. Before the naysayers register their disgust and petty beefs, they should consider the alternative. This music is much too vital, too beautiful, and too carefully thought out to be left on the shelf gathering dust. It needs to be taken out regularly, played and re-interpreted. In case you missed it, that was a big part of Garcia's message -- paying tribute to the musical influences that had passed before him, through constant reflection, interpretation, and performance.

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on the show and the situation in general.

--Charlie Walker

* * * * *

Charlie Walker hit the nail squarely on the head. I had a great time at NYE at the Arena and thought that "The Other One Jam" was just spectacular. It did seem, however, that a vast portion of the crowd was not as into P-Funk as I was. Seemed I was one of only a handful of people dancing in my section. Oh well . . .

Two notes from Alphonso Johnson (from his website), first regarding the lack of no countdown, the balloons falling at the wrong time, etc.
"Okay time for some clarification.........the problem was that no one assumed the responsibility of maing sure that the band knew that we should wait until the performers from Circue de Sole were finished before we started Sugar Magnolia. Also the clock in the auditorium was not a real clock and I think it got Bobby confused as to what time it was so we started playing before midnight actually hit."

And the other, regarding the future of TOO:
"I got the feeling that NYE was the last gig for that version of the band. After Bruce decided he wasn't going to do it anymore Bobby announce that without Bruce he also didn't want to do it either. As you know there is always something that seems to rise out of the ashes whenever this band goes through a change so I'm positive that something new will be created in the future."

--Kevin C.

* * * * *

I too agree, Charlie hit my feelings right on. The only other thing I wish to say is how much I enjoy the whole crowd experience. There are very few music events I go to that give me the feelings and enjoyment I get from a Dead show or a Further show. I miss all those people and their search for love and fun and peace and MUSIC.
May I see you all again soon,

--Micki

* * * * *

I agree with Charlie Walker completely. No, the musicianship was not outstanding, and the timing was off, but I am still elated that I was able to attend. It surprises me that some of you who have been to or heard so many Dead shows are so critical, the Dead played poorly many nights and there were many shows plagued by technical difficulties. Its not about perfection, it never has been, its about the environment that is created by the songs and the people. The atmosphere was great, the setlist was awesome, and my spirit was enriched- that is the main goal of these types of shows and the happiness that these beloved members can create. My advice, don't expect more than what you try to get out of the shows. They're not the same, but they're all we've got. Be thankful and be moved! Thank you to all of you guys who allow us to participate in the experiences that we hold so dear! We love you, no matter how well you play!

--Nancy Shumar