THE OTHER ONES
AT
HENRY J. KAISER CONV. CENTER
OAKLAND, CA.
12/5/02
THE OTHER ONES
AT
HENRY J. KAISER CONV. CENTER
OAKLAND, CA.
12/5/02
Well, it might not sound like the Grateful Dead, but it definitely has that Grateful Dead sound. Billy Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh have come together once again as The Other Ones. Billy had been performing with local musicians only in Hawaii for many years. It seems after one summer tour and one fall tour with The Other Ones, in their many variations, that Bill is back for good. Billy guest starred on Furthur Festival at Shoreline Amphitheatre in 1998 and also played on summer tour with The Other Ones in 2000. Just enough of a taste to get him to leave the peaceful iland solitude behind for the madness of the open road, much to the delight of deadheads all over the world. The distinctive sound of these two drummers is largely responsible for that patented Grateful Dead beat. The New Year's Eve 2000 shows were the sad evidence of the rift in the Grateful Dead family. Phil Lesh and Friends played on one side of town and The Other Ones played on the other side of town. Fortunately for the fans, conflict issues between band members have seemingly been worked out. Forces greater than the almighty dollar have prevailed. The spiral light of Venus shines down on us and the band keeps playing on. This is a good thing because music brings hope, happiness, relief, and vision to our hurried existence.The Grateful Dead family reunion shows this last summer in Wisconsin marked the beginning of a new era. This was the first time since the passing of Jerry Garcia that the surviving founding members of the Grateful Dead were all publicly slated to perfom on the same stage together. The tickets sold out immediately and the frenzy was nationwide as folks scrambled to get their hands on tickets. The shows were received very well by fans and critics alike and The Other Ones followed up right away by scheduling an entire fall tour. They have again become a tour de force and from what I heard the other night, watch out! Both shows completely sold out at the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center and the tour heads rolled into town in familiar fashion. The thursday night show was suddenly up on us we drove into the bay on this warm late fall night. We again found ourselves scurrying to find friends and get in the show on time, same old sh#*, different day. Seeing the droves of road travelling hippies made me envious and reminiscient of more carefree times. Nothing like seeing four concerts a week for a month, especially when your band caters to a completely different set list every night.
The concert started with no opening band as Robert Hunter was scheduled to play during the set break. The Other Ones came out on stage amidst the subtle roar of familiar masses acknowledging their presence. A capacity crowd, these people came to dance, not to scream. Jeff Chimenti (keyboards), Rob Baracco (keyboards & vocals), Jimmy Herring (guitar), Billy Kreutzmann (drums), Mickey Hart (drums and percussion), Bob Weir (guitar), and Phil Lesh (bass guitar). This is the current lineup of a band that has changed its guitarists, keyboardists, and drummers several times throughout its history. The absence of Warren Haynes was a surprise to me, but a welcome one. Apparently, after jamming the better part of the last two years with Phil Lesh and friends he hasn't been included in this incorporation of the Other Ones. I love Government Mule and The Allman Brothers and I think Warren is a premier guitarist, but his guitar playing does not sound right in Grateful Dead songs. The change is too drastic from what is to be expected. It had become too much like Warren Haynes plays the Dead's music when he plays with Phil. I want to hear the sounds of sweet "Melissa" and other Allman Brothers tunes when Warren jams.
The set lists from the Other Ones rewcent tour have been amazing, every night wide open with possibilities from a massive catalogue of Grateful Dead songs. Hey now, "Aiko Aiko" was the first song to come, grooving up quickly out of this funky little jam. The band was back in the the bay area, a delightful homecoming show for all present as the crowd jumped up and down in fits of joy. Many folks were there to see what all the buzz was about, since this was the first show of this Other Ones lineup in the bay area. Many others knew exactly what they were in for, as they have either been on tour with the band, or they saw the family reunion shows. For me, it made 1995 seem like yesterday, as if "The Music Never Stopped." The music was that right on, my body instantly became a flailing reflex of the music. The whole show I was dancing wildly to and fro. "The Eleven" was just awesome, incredible jamming and drumming. Mickey was all up in your face just having a blast singing effects into the mike.
The highlights were basically the whole show with special mention awards going to "All Along the Watchtower." I kept thinking there was this extra jam added between every verse which made it ever so powerful, but memory fades and maybe I'm just crazy. I do know it has been a long time since I have heard a "Watchtower" that sounded that good. The finale of the show was more than anyone expected. The "Help Is On The Way > Slipknot > That's It For The Other One > Slipknot > Franklin's Tower" medley left me absolutely breathless. Dripping in sweat and completely satisfied for the evening to end right there. The band came out on stage and the fans responded with raucous approval. Everybody came back to their feet, eyes, ears, and dancing shoes on for one more song. I looked at my two year old daughter as the first words of the encore came floating out to the crowd and asked her if she remembered the song fromwhen I sing it to her at bedtime. Althea told me, "Yes, I remember this song that you sing me at night." Loving emotions swelled in my brain. I looked into the eyes of my daughter and one more time I sang "Box of Rain" My backup band helping me make it sound so much better than I ever can at bedtime. Good, clean, fun, that's what it's all about. Thanks for reading and we'll see ya at the shows.
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