As for the first set, yes, it was very typical of the band's shows this year so far. Recognizable tunes, the "established New" tunes, all well sung, well played, with remarkable precision! The crowd was well-sized and extrememly receptive to it all. I spoke with several people who hadn't seen them in several years (always the same questions, "is Grace still with the band," and always the same reply, "You're gonna get your socks fucking knocked off!") as well as quite a few young kids hungry for their first JA experience (one guy, about 16, had a copy of Surrealistic Pillow in hand for an autograph).
But then, the second set...
WOW.
We are talking vintage, in your face, full on acid-psychedelic music in its finest form, here. Right from the first tune, St. Charles (who's heard THAT one in the past 20 years???) with Diana's voice rising above the guitars and the melody pulling at us.... this song really features her voice, perhaps more than White Rabbit, as there's so much free-form vocalizing in it. I just stood there, blown away, and said to myself, "God! She's good." Jack Casady was about five feet in front of me and was reading my lips... he dipped his head, did a quick eyebrow raise, and mouthed back, "She sure is!"
The setlist should read St. Charles->Wooden Ships because the two songs were melded together seamlessly, wonderfully. I can't describe what a treat it was to hear so much of the new album. After the rousing reception the band got from Let Me Fly, Paul said, "You seem like a pretty adventurous crowd...Maybe we'll do some more of the new songs."
And as you can see from the list, they did just that. Windows of Heaven has got to be my favorite of the new numbers, and is clearly equal to the best of Paul's songwriting from the 1970-1974 period (his finest, IMHO). Other Side of This Life was the closer, or supposed to be. By then, the grown-ups were gone to bed and all the kids were in line for their 30-story free fall ride (what a rush, by the way!) and there were maybe 30 or 40 of us left crowded around the stage. When it was left to Jack and Praire, I told my friend, "You're in for a treat," and indeed we were. Jack pulled out all the stops, chording the bass, doing runs with harmonics, etc., and Praire just bashed the shit out of his sticks (I know...he tossed one of them to my friend after the show...). After the band left, the few of us who were there just yelled and shouted and clapped, and then Marty walked on and picked up his Ovation and said, "This is a song that's taken me around the world more than once... I hope you enjoy it," and started off into the song, solo. (I'd NEVER heard him do it before, and it was everything I'd dreamed...). Midway, I became aware of the snare, and realized Praire had come back on, then Jack came back, as well. After the song, Paul stepped up to the mike and said, "We're going to leave you on a saucer," and that was my first clue of what was coming. Then, of all things, the intro to Sunrise, and after about a minute of that, two quick notes and I knew it was Have You Seen the Saucers, indeed (another song I have'nt heard since the Bowl show in '73). And play it they did, wonderfully, intricately, tightly, with an edge to Slick's guitar that evoked the fondest memories of Papa John and the way he'd wail on that number. All told, they played about 20 minutes past what they were paid to play, for a handful of crazy, but very appreciateive, people. It was truly a very special night, and I want to thank the whole band for making it so.
November...so far away! See y'all at the Fillmore?
Created August 24, 1998. Review written by Michael DeLoyr.
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