Whatever You Do, Take Care Of Your Shoes

You could say I was “miracled” last night.  I was “miracled” in the sense that I went down to Times Square without a ticket and walked around for an hour only to be approached by scalpers and dirtbags looking for $200+ for a ticket to see Furthur.  I get it…it’s the Nokia Theatre and it’s small, but man those tickets were expensive.  I walked around the venue like hundreds of others with my arm extended above my head, fingers in the “one” position, shouting the normal “Who’s got my extra” and “Cash for your extra.”  I nearly walked away from it all, when a decent gentleman approached me and said he had an extra he was looking to unload for face.  I was shocked that of all the scumbags walking around, this guy managed to somehow connect with me.  I took the offer and was in with ten minutes to spare.

Furthur hit the stage a little after 8pm.  Before the music started, Phil announced that he told Bobby, “never drink out of something you haven’t poured yourself.”  He then preceded to give Bob a hug.  It was a very tongue-in-cheek moment.  Bob said nothing, instead letting the music speak for itself.

Set one kicked off with an appropriate “Dancing In The Street.”  Everyone was dancing along and the band got into a great groove before transitioning to the Warren Haynes penned “Celebration.”  I’ve always loved this song, and it’s easily my favorite off of There And Back Again.  “Alligator” was a huge treat and Jon Kadlecik really owned the vocals.  “Tennessee Jed” was a definite highlight of the evening, and I like how John and Bob swap vocals.  “Jed” was very well executed and the crowd was digging every minute of it.  “Reuben and Cherise” really took me by surprise.  It’s easily my favorite Jerry solo song and again, John delivered perfectly.  “Money For Gasoline” followed, allowing Bobby to showcase some Ratdog, before picking the vibe right back up with “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo.”  This song kicked ass and the ending jam deserves special notice!  This transitioned right into “Let It Grow” and the set ended in style.

The band returned for round two, opening with “So Many Roads.”  A strange choice, and I think it took the crowd a little bit to get into.  This is a great song, and one that I’m always reminded of Jerry whenever I hear it, but a strange set opener.  What followed, was a set chock full of old school Dead.  We were treated to an amazing “Dark Star” sandwich, with “Unbroken Chain > The Other One > The Eleven > Death Don’t Have No Mercy” as the meat.  Truly an amazing experience.  “Death” was hands down the greatest Bobby performance I’ve ever seen.  Now, I never saw the Grateful Dead, but I’ve seen Phil & Friends, Ratdog, The Dead, Furthur, and other incarnations of the band.  Bobby dominated here, and redemption for the previous evening was had.  The set closed with “Goin’ Down The Road” and an a cappella rendition of “We Bid You Goodnight.”  After Phil’s donor rap, “Touch Of Grey” sent us packing.  A great night indeed.  Below are some HD vids I shot from up close…enjoy!

Thursday 7/29/2010 Nokia Theatre In Times Square, New York, NY

Set I: Dancing In The Streets > Celebration > Alligator > Tennessee Jed, Reuben & Cherise > Money For Gasoline, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo, Let It Grow

Set II: So Many Roads > Seven Hills Of Gold > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Dark Star > Unbroken Chain > The Other One > The Eleven > Death Don’t Have No Mercy > Dark Star > Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > And We Bid You Goodnight
 
E: Touch Of Grey

setlist courtesy of www.furthur.net

download the show here.