Dead & Company kicked off the midwest portion of their summer tour on a perfect night at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio with a rousing rendition of Sam Cooke’s “Good Times.” It was then that I knew we were in for a special night. But when it comes to the Grateful Dead, it’s usually always a special night.
Original Dead members Mickey Hart (drums), Bill Kreutzmann (drums), and Bob Weir (guitar), as well as Oteil Burbridge (bass), Jeff Chimenti (keys), and John Mayer (guitar) are in their sixth year of touring together as Dead & Company and their chemistry continues to be undeniable. The first set featured “Next Time You See Me,” a song they haven’t played live since 2008, but it was the second set that really took the show to the next level.
Mayer continues to shine on “Althea,” and Otiel taking lead vocals on “Fire of the Mountain” was a treat. “Eyes of the World” bled into one of the more creative “Drums/Space” sections I’ve heard in years. Dead & Co concluded with “Not Fade Away,” which seemed to magically duet with the lightning off in the distance. The crowd begging for more, the fellas returned to the stage for an encore of “Brokedown Palace.”
Dead & Company hit Chicago’s Wrigley Field next before heading south and then west. They conclude their fall tour in Los Angeles on Halloween.
SETLIST
Set 1:
Good Times (Sam Cooke cover)
Feel Like a Stranger
Next Time You See Me (Junior Parker cover)
Loser (Jerry Garcia cover)
They Love Each Other (Jerry Garcia cover)
Cassidy (Bob Weir cover)
Bird Song (Jerry Garcia cover)
Set 2:
Althea
Scarlet Begonias
Viola Lee Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover)
Fire on the Mountain (Oteil on lead vocals)
Eyes of the World
Drums
Space
Standing on the Moon
Viola Lee Blues (Cannon’s Jug Stompers cover) (Verse 3)
Not Fade Away (The Crickets cover)
Encore:
Brokedown Palace
