Not Fading Away.

Last Friday night June 1 I saw Dead & Company play the second show of their latest tour. The show was the first of two nights at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ. Alas, Saturday’s show was shortened by rain early in the 2^nd set, so obviously Friday was the better night to attend.

I continued to be enthralled by the energy and lasting power of the latest Grateful Dead incarnation, Dead & Company, which was born from the ashes of the 2015 Dead’s “farewell” Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago. Like a boxer coming out of retirement, their career continues, except in this case they added “young legs” to the veteran crew.

Dead & Company include original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir (70), and drummers Bill Kreutzman (72) and Mickey Hart (74). “Youngsters” John Mayer (40) on lead guitar, Oteil Burbridge (53) on base guitar, and Jeff Chimenti (49) on keyboards provide youth and energy. It works well, and keeps the band fresh and sounding great.

Given the ages of the original members (and Phil Lesh, 78, who does not tour with the band), I feel it’s urgent to see them as often as they tour because once the original members fade away (or gulp, pass away), the band will be no longer.

I am in my 47th year of Dead concerts as my first show was in 1971 at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. What’s good is that Dead & Company still play  tons of material from the late 60s and early 70s on tour. Jerry is long gone (and nothin’s gonna bring him back) but John Mayer continues to provide his own musical excellence as lead guitarist and frequent vocalist.

I was happy to once again take my daughter, Carolyn, and also my nephew Bryan, to this show. This was Bryan’s first show, but Carolyn is now a veteran of the post-Jerry era and has seen several shows during the past 10 years, including Rat Dog, Furthur and Dead & Company.

The set list was stellar (so what’s new) and was laden with great songs, but unfortunately absent many others.

Here was the Friday night June 1 set list:

Set 1:

1. Jack Straw
2. Cold Rain and Snow
3. Deep Elem Blues
4. Jack-A-Roe
5. Loser
6. Bertha
7. Cassidy
8. Jack Straw (reprise)

Set 2:

1. Not Fade Away
2. Dark Star
3. St. Stephen
4. Black Muddy River
5. Drums
6. Space
7. The Wheel
8. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
9. Wharf Rat
10. Not Fade Away (reprise)

Encore:

1. Ripple

Hearing Not Fade Away at the top and bottom of the second set was classic. And any show that ends with Ripple leaves the audience satisfied, yet wanting more.

Once again, as always, There’s Nothing Like a Grateful Dead Concert. Can’t wait for my next one.

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