Red Rocks 7-8-18

[PoetryGirl]

⛰⛰🌈....SAVE the DATE...♥️💫💙

 

DSO SEPT 8, 2019

RED ROCKS

[Tom Banjo]

I will take it. When I heard September I started hoping end of the month near my birthday but I guess my birthday come early. 

[Ammagamalin Crew]

9/8/83 my second show, right after my first 9/7. If they had choose 9/7 we would be up in the air as to whether 83 or 85? (unless they set the show time at 2pm, then we would know, right?)Both occurrences worthy of recreating, unless they want to set precedent and make RR a completely DSO thing with an original? Either way, Red Rocks has a way of crystalizing the experience. Maybe next year Cincy can be dosed with 6/24/19? That would certainly merit a move from the Taft to Riverbend

[Rude]

This was the 1st show where a band member seemed to be having more fun than everyone in the crowd. Rob K was grinning ear to ear the whole show. I thought it was awesome. You can’t fake the enthusiasm he was showing. Playing a 40yr anniversary show to a sold out redrocks audience has to Dso’s bands pinnacle if not most or all of individual members’. Playing with many of the original members has to be highlights, but as a tribute band all by themselves to sell out 9500 seats with a nugs broadcast which would have to be their largest viewship as well at home, this is an outstanding accomplishment and I don’t think I’ve seen the band have this much outward fun ever. Eaton was full Bobby rockstar the whole show too. Mattson was sporting a The Clash shirt which was prob the equivalent of a Jerry red shirt. I thought the musical highlight was how the 50 person family drums with all the kids was ended perfectly on 1 note. How hard is that!!! Having your kids and grandkids playing with you had to be a lifetime memory as well. 

 

Bravo DSO!!!! You guys were stellar. 

[Rbarracoph]

I can assure you we will keep giving our all everynight no matter if we play for 100 or 100,000. All bets are off when we start playing for crowds larger than that;-)

RB 

[Tom Banjo]

I’m confident in that Rob. I’m actually real curious to see how we (the fans) and you guys (the band) ride this high. I bet Hampton Beach is a monster weekend to kick off the next tour. 

 

See you guys in New Hampshire. 

[Hardpan]

4 hours ago, Mason's Child said:

I’m confident in that Rob. I’m actually real curious to see how we (the fans) and you guys (the band) ride this high. I bet Hampton Beach is a monster weekend to kick off the next tour. 

 

See you guys in New Hampshire. 

Agreed, pumped for Hampton!!

[Rude]

18 hours ago, Rbarracoph said:

I can assure you we will keep giving our all everynight no matter if we play for 100 or 100,000. All bets are off when we start playing for crowds larger than that;-)

RB 

 

 

 

So is the 100k+ show the rumors I’ve been hearing about Dso and the Stones doing a 50yr anniversary of altamont in 2019 complete with a 1 foot tall stage. You will need security. I’ll bring my pool cue. 

[John A]

On 7/12/2018 at 7:18 AM, Rude said:

 

 

 

So is the 100k+ show the rumors I’ve been hearing about Dso and the Stones doing a 50yr anniversary of altamont in 2019 complete with a 1 foot tall stage. You will need security. I’ll bring my pool cue. 

That would be an awkward recreation for DSO because they'd have to just mill around backstage looking concerned and then leave. Not great for their professional reputation of consistently going above and beyond.

 

(Side trivia: The Dead had a show at the Fillmore the night of Altamont. Not only did they smartly bail from the speedway prior to playing, but they voted, while back in San Francisco, that they would not play their scheduled show either. That's how shaken they were by the experience of Altamont.)

 

 

[Supplicated Velvet Thunder]

I miss home. I miss Red Rocks and the swirling faces forming a rose over the crowd. I miss you guys and girls. I'm so happy you were all there and I get to read the reviews and feel the thrill. Cause the thrill is never really gone. Especially because DSO makes us keep on dancin'.

We thought we would end up at Clifftop for the music competition but it's looking more like a Hampton Beach time......... never can tell. It all rolls into one so fast sometimes I can barely tell my pillow from a stone and the four winds keep blowing me.......

but.... I'm so proud of you all for doing Red Rocks!!!!! Dream come true. Don't stop. But please please please do come around the dives forever- it's about the light in the dark, that watchtower shit. And this band and their fans shine so bright! 

Kiss kiss

[Supplicated Velvet Thunder]

Also..... congrats, MC!!!!!!!! Jesse says he'll be happy to welcome ya to the club  

[gr8fulpair]

Just in case ya didn't know. Red Rocks show now up on the Archive and also complete show, including Keller opener is up on YouTube. From the nugs cast, excellent quality. What a grate job DSO did, all around! 

[topher44]

Now that Mike and I are back home in New Jersey, I am finally able to gather my thoughts around this phenomenal show, and what it meant for me to be there. I acquired a multi-generation soundboard tape of 7/8 sometime back in 1982, as well as a better sounding tape of 7/7. Both shows seemed to crackle with energy, and you could easily tell from them that the Dead were having a blast playing in such a place as Red Rocks for the first of what would be many times. I made a promise to myself then that I would make it to Red Rocks some day, and now after 36 years I have! 

 

Just driving into the valley from Denver, where we were renting a house for the week, the geology of the area was spectacular. I knew that the venue was on a steep hillside, but never knew how many steps would lead up from the road to the entrance. Mike has arthritis in his knees, so it was quite a challenge for him, but he made it up, and we climbed our way to the middle of the 35th row, where we found a nice stretch of open seats. The heat had been intense that day (close to 100 degrees), but, it being Colorado, and about 6,000 feet up, there was no humidity at all. Keller Williams was in the middle of his set, and you could tell it was all he could do to keep even one eye open staring at the crowd, as the sun was blazing right at the stage. We marveled at how relaxed and joyful almost everyone seemed to be, and their smiles were inescapable. The beer selection was terrific, and we were grateful that we could bring in our own food. 

 

By the time DSO came on stage, the breeze had picked up, and the sun was just beginning to set behind the rear of the venue, bringing welcome relief to all (and, yes, Mr. Barraco...we were never happier to feel that breeze, too!). The energy and enthusiasm emanating from the band members was palpable even before the first note was played, and it radiated right through the crowd. Happy to see Jeff sporting his Travis Bean, which has such a warm and unique sound, but I was kinda hoping he would be lent the Wolf for this show, as he had been given the honor of playing in Boston recently. Bertha got things started with a bang, and Jeff tore through his leads with obvious pride and focus. Good Lovin' found Eaton almost on fire, and in very good voice. Both Roses and Minglewood shined, and stood out to me as highlights.The rest of the first set was just played with similar gusto, and you could tell everyone one stage was having so much fun. It almost seemed like they were in some kind of rapturous vortex, acutely aware of what they were re-creating on this very special night, and relishing every minute of it! A thunderstorm developed in the distance to the East, replete with a few bolts of lightning, but thankfully never came in our direction. We also noticed that the temperature had dropped several degrees, and the breeze continued, making it quite comfortable compared to earlier in the day. A rainbow even appeared to the South as the storm passed, to the delight of everybody.  Donna Jean was invited on stage beginning with Promised Land, graciously helped by Lisa, and the crowd gave her a properly rousing greeting. It was so nice to see her expression of gratitude, and the smiles grew even wider on our faces knowing that she was helping the band mark this re-creation with extra clout. Deal closed out the set raucously, with everyone singing the refrain back at the band, and then came a much needed break.

 

We enjoyed our picnic dinner, and relaxed with our neighbors, marveling at our incredible surroundings! The beauty of Red Rocks cannot merely be expressed in words... it is magical, entrancing, and as close to utopian an environment as we had ever been immersed in! Even the little kids and babies seemed lost in a blissful fog! 

 

After almost an hour, the band reappeared looking fresh and ready to carry on with the magic. Samson blasted forth with immense energy, especially from both drummers. Rob Koritz played with the crowd by jubilantly pointing one of his sticks at the crowd and goading us to respond, which we did in kind! Eaton's voice was so powerful, and really came close to sounding like Bobby in 1978 at times. Ship of Fools was given a tender and heartfelt treatment by Jeff, and his vocals were spot on, as well. The Estimated that followed has already been lauded in previous reviews, and rightly so. I found myself spinning with my head back and allowing the jams to take me to heights I seldom experience, almost lost in the sheer joy of Jeffs leads. The Other One brought me back to earth, with Skip unleashing the best bass intro I have ever heard him perform! Eaton once again shined brightly, owning the lyrics, and spitting them out like a man possessed. Eyes was another treat, and I actually liked this version much better that the original. Drums were made even more special with the invitation to the stage of family and friends of the band, and the looks on those lucky kids faces I will never forget! 

After a decent Space, Wharf Rat appeared, and what a fantastic version it was! I would call it a highlight of the show for me, but there were so many, and more to come. Franklin's got the crowd whipped into a frenzy, singing back to the band, and Jeff ripped through the leads. Eaton then went all rock star on Sugar Mags, leaning into the mic and shouting the lyrics, almost bordering on hysteria. The crowd went nuts, of course, and I found it hard to stay earthbound during SSDD. 

 

A short break, then we were treated to a simply gorgeous take on Terrapin, which built up steam as it progressed, and had everyone on their feet again. Soulful delivery by Jeff, to say the least, and I could have gone home happy right then and there! As the final notes of Terrapin faded, Eaton introduced Saturday Night with just the right timing, and it sure pleased the crowd immensely, even though it was a Sunday night. The Werewolves that followed was a highlight from the original show that I looked forward to perhaps more than any other song. Lisa and Donna sharing the backing vocals lent an extra special quality to the tune, and Jeff once again leaned hard into the lyrics, while allowing the audience to respond in kind. Howls were abounding, and seemed to echo from every corner of Red Rocks!

 

We knew there would be some filler songs, and the ones they chose were absolutely perfect! Box of Rain gave Skip a chance to be in the spotlight, and he carried its weight with crystal clear voice and powerful bass. Another highlight, for sure, with the final line of "such a long, long to be gone, and a short time to be there" bringing tears of joy to my face, as well as many others'. But it was the China Cat>I Know You Rider which I had hoped would cap this show, and the opening lines of China Cat caused me to leap so high in the air I thought I might break an ankle upon descent!  So strong and focused were these two closing tunes, and, of course the "I'd shine my light..." line gave the crowd reason to howl yet again! Such a fine, fine way to bring this historic show to a close, and looks of sheer happiness were on every face in saw. 

 

The trip back to the car was easier than the climb up, but Mike still wasn't too thrilled with having to negotiate all of those stairs again. He came with me because he didn't want me to drive back to Denver while less than sober, which I deeply appreciated, but next time I will either take a shuttle, or car service if not going with friends. He was quite a trooper during the whole ordeal, and actually enjoyed the festive crowd, along with some of the music. I will give props to the security, who were very cool, calm, and not at all offensive. Getting out of the parking lot was a breeze, and kudos to all of the staff at Red Rocks for helping things run so smoothly. 

 

Peace to all, and so glad Nugs provided a live video stream for those who couldn't attend. Thanks to everyone who made that possible, and thanks to the band and crew for making this one of the most special nights of my 54 years.

Edited July 16, 2018 by topher44