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Certain days just dance along. Just as you think you've grasped something incredible the notion slips through your fingers. One day it pours cats and dogs, another day the sun pokes out its face and everything is beautiful. Saturday was one of those angelic days, full of lofty clouds that flirted with the sunlight. Another year gone and yet another line-up change. The Dead had returned to the Camden waterfront minus Rob Baracco and Joan Osborne, plus one Warren Haynes. The setlists I had been tracking floated like bobbers in heavy seas. It appeared that a gratifying show or two would rear its head every few days. Genuine praise of the line-up made me anxious to break in my ears with the new––old familiar sounds.
Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
The Camden waterfront is an agreeable spot for a warm summer day as the Delaware River traces the edge of the lot. Cool breezes just blew right on in across the tie-dyed haven. I parked my jalopy and was barely able to shut the engine off before a stiff cocktail landed in my hand. A friend let me in on a rumor floating around; apparently, Warren Haynes was going to play an impromptu set in the lot before the show. I thought to myself, "Man I love rumors."
The lot of a concert is essentially a different creature than the concert itself. Yet the lot can throw off the energy of the concert or can set it on fire. Case in point–-this lot and its scene were just heating up. Before getting into the show, fun was to happen and it would create a blazing mood for the evening.
The late afternoon was the perfect time to gallivant aimlessly, no cares in the world. The lots were fast becoming a rousing mix of dust, dastardly deeds, and smiling Deadheads. We crept around cars, passed tarp hideouts, through patchouli-laden pathways. We explored the very essence of ourselves as we strolled by the bluegrass tunes cranking out of an old Black and Decker tape player covered in Jerryfied stickers. Hot veggie burritos, smoking veggie enchiladas, killer veggie burgers, vastly veggie pizza, the calls and smells were enough to make a head go wild and taste buds whirl. Ahhh, but don't be fooled, what was the answer in the afternoon was a mistake late-night. The gaggle, the masses, the great-unwashed group of us basked in the August sun leaving all our worldly cares in the New Jersey dust. The afternoon faded and it was a drink away from time to head in.
Warren Haynes in The Lot :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
Do you remember that Warren Haynes rumor floating around? Oh, you don't believe rumors. Well, this was one you should have. Imagine this scene... strolling up to the gate to go into see the Dead. You look to your left, "Hey wait isn't that Warren Haynes singing over by the veggie pizzas?" "Hell yeah it's Warren!"
Warren had jumped on a stage that might have once been a decent vendors table. He was situated outside the main gates next to the Gov't Mule truck/booth. The performance wasn't long, but it sure was sweet. Warren strummed us through three acoustic numbers. Our crowd of three or four hundred stragglers enjoyed "Glory Road," "Real Thing," and just to leave us wanting more, he sang a Van Morrison classic that stoned me to my soul.
The sun started to part ways with us as we dwindled in to see the remainder of Robert Hunter's set. We took our place in the steadily growing mass about 16 rows back from the stage. The cool plastic of the seats felt splendid after being baked for hours by the sun. Robert was into his fourth or fifth number. His melodies were being carried through the open venue on the breeze. As he would finish one song, he would switch positions and go eagerly into the next. My mind wandered in the venue as he sang "Tiger Rose." I tipped my head way back to watch the sky change. It was lit up as if impressed with the playing of two old jazz musicians. Simply put, it was "Major Chill." Hunter's "Ripple" flowed well taking us thru the rough flamenco style crests and his aging voice. The sun broke the sky into blues and purples. Robert told us when he writes songs he draws pictures of cats with his left hand. He carries these cat drawings around with him until the drawing suggests something. His story led him directly into a throaty "Boys in the Barroom" and the finish of his set.
The Dead :: Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
All seven huddled in a circle in the shadows to the left of the stage. I wonder what over the years has been said in these pre-show huddles? Does it change much or lose feeling, do the emotions of times and people past take over, or does a new spirit carry them onto the stage tour after tour? The stage was swallowed right around 8:00 pm. After casual tuning the guys brought on a hunky-dory little jam that grooved its way into "Alligator." The Dead were tight from note one. I had expected it to be a bit rougher out the gate. "Alligator" chomped and jammed its way out eventually working into a "Mississippi Half Step." The song was done well especially the ending wrap-up. The energy from the gung-ho crowd was unmistakable. Good music was being hand delivered into our world like a perfect pass to be pulled out of the sky by each and everyone of us. The boys were exercising their legs and finding grand spaces to move about. The "Rio Grandios" in "Half-Step" were passionate and down right moving.
Lesh and Weir :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
The projections on screens screamed color as green and blue splintering fragments exploded. A short jam out of "Half-Step" pulled into a killer "Mr. Charlie" during which the music was passed around in true jam style. This really gave me a chance to see the new line-up melding together in full action. "Broken Arrow" showed us the beauty of Bob Weir and Warren on the vocals. The song wasn't as special as the mood around it. Phil Lesh was in his own world draped in a soft glow. Bob's daughter joined him on stage and it was a nice touch. She snagged a yellow balloon that had floated near her and tapped it out in to the audience. This pushed the front rows into frenzy mode.
Jimmy Herring :: 08.07.04 |
The show was going grand and apparently many other folks felt that too. I wandered out to snag more liquid refreshment as "Strange World" was beginning. I was standing deep in the heavy air of the urinals and could hear Jimmy Herring pulverizing this tune, the Mickey Hart tune, of course. This faded into "Smokestack Lightning" as Bobby took over to sing and Warren linked up with Jimmy to rip their guitar parts. "Casey Jones" was well done with a nice frantic finish. The crowd was loud and nuts all the way thru.
Set break found things getting more wild and weird. The effects of Camden's hottest commodities had started to take over folk's bodies and minds. There was a strong male presence in the house tonight, lines for the men's rooms but none for the women. It was at this point that I realized that this show had its own pulse. It was really just a feeling, but the place was rolling onward into new unexplored areas of tomfoolery. One sight that can't go untold is of the folks actually attempting to extract money from an ATM with a few French fries. I asked what they thought was going to happen--a simple, googly eyed smile was all I received.
The Dead :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
In the Beer's of the World line, I overheard folks talking about Jerry. It seemed fitting tonight "...I don't miss him... He is always with us." It's shows like this that straighten you out and guide your mind back to reality.
A fun little jam into "China Cat" started the second half. A bit of turmoil took over at this point. It sounded like Bobby was abandoned at the top of the "China Cat" transition. He played the well-known part by himself until it faded into a brown sounding transition that led to "Uncle John's Band." The jam in "Uncle John's Band" really traveled and was well road-worn by its end. From then onto the "Drums," it was truly awesome.
The Dead :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
Warren guided the notes down into "Morning Dew" but he really should have explored more and let the spirit of the night take over. He had luscious leads on guitar and soothing vocals all night. He played so very solid and savvy, but I kept wanting him to push his own limits more to create musical voodoo. The older guys in the band really played their hearts out towards the end of Warren and Jimmy's solos. The untamed "Terrapin" contained some stellar work during the light shedding section. Phil had a chance to sling it in the finishing jam that he forced back into the inspired section where "Terrapin" ends. This entire section was vicious, incredible music, and great spirit.
Phil Lesh :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
The band and crowd continued to gain momentum through the last leg of the show. This was set-off by a welcome piano solo by Jeff Chimenti. He brought a nice element to the show all evening with his smiles and inspired playing. I was ready for "Drums" but wait, what's this, the "Rider" doorstop. We hammered our way into "Drums/Space." During "Drums," Mickey had a variety of instruments working. The music was moving and many stayed up and danced thru "Drums." "Space" was peaceful, rhythmical and melodious. The guys and girls in front of us glistened as the lights turned red and the screens went orange. Bobby's mild pace on "Golden Road" had us gravitating and moving.
The Dead :: 08.07.04 :: Camden, NJ |
Then the first chords and whispers of "Viola." This was my highlight of the show with a traverse into "Midnight Hour" after the second verse. Mickey took the drum roll into "Midnight Hour," and the projection screen was showing Bob. He shrugged his shoulders seeming to say, "Where are we going?" Warren lent a hand and Bob took over again doing a nice take on the song. This tore back into a ragging third verse of "Viola." The "Viola" suite was just flat out hell-raising, knock the earth off its axis rock and roll on a Saturday night. It was our desert of a tremendous five course meal of the post "Drums." "One More Saturday Night" and a "Cosmic Charlie" encore to send everybody home. During "Cosmic," there was a point when they killed all the stage lights except those shining down on Phil and Bobby. The Tweeter, crowd, and band had a last moment together.
The band was listening to one another all evening. The music was as good as the reports describing it. I was left with a feeling of satisfaction as I meandered through the loads of people making their way home. The night was ending. I sat surveying the dark lot. I thought back to hours ago when it was so alive and full of hordes of humanity. I closed my eyes and could still feel the buzz of the day and it felt wonderful. Close your eyes, picture a sunny day and a dusty lot. Picture yourself walking around leaving your cares in the dust for a few hours of musical bliss. Become one of the gaggle, the masses, the great-unwashed group of us.
All Words & Images by: Jake Krolick
JamBase | Philadelphia
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