The Dead Lives!

This is the view we didn't see cause we were sitting behind the stage but it was cool seeing things from the bands perspective and we got to see them entering the stage.

Worcester was crawling with hippies when Tony & I arrived on the scene. The parking garage, littered with deflated nitrous balloons & discarded beer bottles, scruffy looking men peeing in random corners & the scent of burning herb thick in the air was nothing short of familiar to me. Tony on the other hand had never been to a Dead show, he didn't know what he was in for. After finding our way to the street we quickly spotted Pizzaria Uno, the predetermined spot where we were to meet up with AC. We had arrived a little early and she wasn't there yet so we decided to hang with the other freaky people and wait. This worked out well since one of the "freaks" needed 2 tickets and AC had 2 tix she needed to sell so when she arrived a deal was made and all was right in the world. Now we just needed to find some place to eat. Uno was out since it was packed and people were outside waiting. We headed for a little Irish joint located below a bar cleverly named Rehab that Tony & I had been to before, but a banner exclamed that it was taco night...hmmm...Irish tacos? Didn't sound right to us either.

Almost immediately upon our arrival Tony miraculously

found his double, I had to snap a photo of them.

In our wanderings we found 2 parking lots full of merchant tents where 'Shakedown Street' had been set up. We ventured over but the crowd was too thick and our growling tummy's just weren't into waiting any longer. We finally found a nice little Italian restaurant and hit the place at just the right time before it got crowded like everywhere else. The food was pretty good too and we had an Irish waiter, I think he was at the wrong place. After eating and putting our doggie bags away we decided it was about time to head into the show. Again, our timing was impeccable, we got right in, found our seats and it wasn't long at all before the band took the stage.

Bob Weir is looking more like Jerry these days

They kicked off the show with "Feel Like A Stranger" but the crowd didn't really come alive til they broke into "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad". From there on out it was celebration of dancing and shouts of joy. I was particularly happy to hear "Dupree's Diamond Blues" since I had never heard it live before, at least not that I can remember. The set closed with a jamming rendition of "China Cat Sunflower" leading into "I Know You Rider". Then we wandered out into the hallway for intermission. Happy folk wandered aimlessly about and we rested against a wall just watching the parade. After a bit we left the stagnant air of the hall and went back up to our seats to await the second half of the show. A happy balloon blowing drunk girl seated in front of us took a particular liking to me and I helped her blow up a few balloons and get them batting around. She wanted one to make it to the stage but that task was much easier said then done.

One of the best renditions of "Drums" I've ever heard.

The second set, in typical Dead fashion was much more subdued and tranquilizing. Most everyone was kicked back in their seats "zoning out" even through a slow and mellow version of "Dancing In The Streets". "Lady with a Fan" lead into "Terrapin Station" which had everyone up and singing once again until Mickey Hart & Bill Kreutzmann broke into "Drums" followed by "Space" which mellowed the crowd out once again. With the exception of 2 twirling hippies that were firmly planted next to Tony throughout the entire show, much to his dismay I might add.

Tony was less than impressed by the entranced twirling dancers beside him.

"One More Saturday Night" closed the show fantastically with cheers and jubilance abounding. Phil Lesh then came out alone pre-encore and pleaded with us to become organ doners afterwhich he was joined by the rest of the band who delighted us with an encore of "Johnny B. Goode". We quickly exited the venue to get ahead of the crowds, gave our hugs and said our goodbyes to AC at the corner and drove off without a hitch. A good time was had by all and despite my apprehentions about a Jerryless Dead I have to say I was quite impressed. Thanks AC, you can count me in next time as well.