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Video and Audio Title: “Good old Grateful Dead”?: Furthur delivers Yeah, Fake Jerry!, screamed an enthusiastic, middle-aged man from about six rows back. I heard more than a few fans laugh above the music as Furthur guitarist John Kadlecik riffed and sang through a beautifully bouncy version of China Cat Sunflower to open the second set of Thursday nights show. Like many Furthur audiences Ive seen in the past year, Eugene openly embraced this ensemble of Grateful Dead veterans Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. Phil Lesh (bass, vocals) Bob Weir (rhythm guitar, vocals) Filling out the band were drummer Joe Russo, lead guitarist Kadlecik and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, Jeff Pehrson and Sunshine Garcia Becker sang backup. The band played to a near-capacity crowd at Eugenes Cuthbert Amphitheater, and sold out the venue Friday. Since Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcias death in August 1995, former members of the band have played in several configurations, either together, or with others. Among those bands, playing mostly staples from the Grateful Dead repertoire, were Phil Lesh and Friends, the Other Ones, and the Dead. Each group had stellar musicians in the lead guitar spot, including, variously, Jimmy Herring, Mark Karan, Steve Kimock, and Warren Haynes. While all are fine guitarists in their own rights, many Deadheads felt they didnt quite fit. One often heard comments like, Warrens great, but I miss that Jerry sound, or Its good, but Jimmys reinterpreting. Since 1997, when Kadlecik co-founded Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra (DSO), hes made it his art to emulate Garcias voice and playing style. Furthur played its first show in September 2009. As late as their 13th show together, New Years Eve 2009, Kadlecik still seemed determined to sound as Jerry-like as possible. Since then, though, something magical has happened. While he still somehow channels Jerry Garcia on vocals and lead guitar, his own voice, his own textures, and his own complements grace the music in subtle and affirmative ways. He plays with more ease now, as himself, yet brings to the stage a more authentic rendering of what Garcia fans long for. Yeah, Fake Jerry! was an appropriate, enthusiastic and hilarious endorsement for him, and for the group, as they brought their show to a town of devout Jerry worshippers. The skies over Eugene threatened rain all day Thursday. The promised precipitation never materialized, though, leaving fans instead with cool, comfortable weather, and even some sunshine. As the first set opened with the disco-funky Shakedown Street, the crowd immediately was on its feet and dancing. The sound system at Cuthbert, though, didnt quite seem to carry the songs heavy bass licks and plucky guitar, and the crowd-band rapport seemed a bit hesitant. As Furthur transitioned out of Shakedown, and smoothly into the melodic, jammy The Music Never Stopped, they pulled the audience along. Celebration, a song that originated with Phil Lesh and Friends, followed, making its fourth appearance ever in a Furthur set list. It was clearly new to most of the audience. After Celebration came a string of longtime Deadhead favorites. Doin That Rag showcased Kadleciks purposeful vocal cracks at the top of certain notes, and alternately started and stopped the crowd with its many tempo changes. Bob Weir contributed tight vocals and rhythm guitar as the band rolled out Johnny Cashs Big River. The Western theme continued with a soulful, importunate rendition of the Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia tune Loser. Finally, an upbeat Bertha was followed by a driving rendition of Cumberland Blues, giving Jeff Chimenti the opportunity to shine with some pumping piano passages. As the audience dispersed for intermission, they seemed upbeat, if not completely fulfilled. The first set, though tight and technically masterful, was slightly tentative by old-school Deadhead measures. During the second set, Furthur brought the magic. Under darkened skies, moonlit cloud patterns imitated the light show projected on the ceiling of the Cuthbert stage. Strange fractal projections on the trees behind kept the audience spellbound. Sage smoke and patchouli oil mixed with the scent of smoldering pipes on the soft night air as fans toked up to enhance their musical journey. Starting the set with the playful, nonsensical China Cat Sunflower, Furthur delivered a succession of long-enduring Grateful Dead jam favorites without pause. China Cat flowed seamlessly into Playing in the Band, Dark Star, and The Other One, as the crowd became part of the show, flailing, swaying, and singing to the music. Many in the audience expressed surprise to hear The Other One on Thursday night. The song features a line about late author Ken Keseys famous Further bus: The bus came by and I got on. Thats when it all began. Many expected Furthur (the band) to punctuate Fridays show what would have been the Lane County residents 75th birthday with the number. I noticed a small hiccup in the flow of the music as the band transitioned into Eyes of the World from The Other One. Its a rare occurrence during a Furthur show, but Ive seldom seen them pile so many jam-oriented songs into one set. The delighted crowd didnt seem to mind, as Eyes carried them into a rapturous sing-along chorus. Furthur rounded out the second set with two more Dead standards. Kadlecik delivered a plaintive rendering of the Hunter/Garcia tune Black Peter. Then the band revved the energy again, to finish up with Buddy Hollys Not Fade Away, another crowd sing-along favorite. As has become standard at Furthur shows, Phil Lesh took the stage prior to the encore to share a story and a plea with the audience. Phil is a liver transplant survivor. He uses every show to thank his donor, Cody, for his nobility and generosity of spirit. During this show, Lesh also extended that thanks to a recent, local donor, Makalan, and dedicated the nights show to his memory. The plea that he shares, of course, is that the audience emulate Codys actions by telling their loved ones, If anything ever happens to me, Id like to be an organ donor. You can find out more about Leshs transplant and becoming an organ donor at his site. With barely a dry eye in the house, Lesh brought the band back on stage for a beautiful encore of Ripple, leaving a very satisfied audience in town that loves its Grateful Dead and will certainly welcome Furthur back at any time. I heard more than one fan lament the absence of original Grateful Dead drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman from the lineup. Rumors abound that financial disagreements with Weir and Lesh have caused a rift, keeping them away. Current Furthur drummer, Joe Russo, turned in an amazing performance Thursday on a very challenging set list. However, the loss earlier this year of second Furthur drummer, Jay Lane, to the band Primus has had an impact on their overall sound. Nonetheless, the show was spectacular, providing a full experience as close to the good old Grateful Dead concert as any Ive seen. View the rest of Claire Flints photos from that evening here. Furthurs Friday setlist proved even stronger, despite torrential rains drenching a packed house. Check back soon for a complete review. From setlist.com 09/17/10 (Fri) Cuthbert Amphitheater - Eugene, OR Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine, Truckin > On the Road Again, Estimated Prophet > Passenger > Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance, Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion) Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Bird Song > Uncle Johns Band, The Mountain Song, Terrapin Station > Terrapin Flyer > St. Stephen > Sugar Magnolia E: Playing in the Band (reprise), Touch of Grey Furthur - Shakedown Street 6/26/2010 MCU Park, Brooklyn NY
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#1. To: Ferret Mike (#0)
Probably in the top three of my favorite songs. Rarely played when Jerry was alive. Now it's a regular part of the set from what I hear. Couldn't tell you how many times I saw the Dead but it is well over 100...saw them do Scarlet Begonias once. Saw them play He's Gone only a couple times. Cannot recall a time that they did Dark Star...
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