Just Like New York City: Dead & Company Welcomes Joe Russo During Stellar 2nd Set At Citi Field

Dead & Company‘s Final Tour moved on to New York City on Wednesday for the first of two shows at Citi Field. After an up-and-down first set, the band delivered an impressive second set filled with adventurous improvisation that featured a guest appearance from drummer Joe Russo.

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While the Grateful Dead made the now-demolished Giants Stadium their regular New York City-area stop most summers from 1987 through 1995, Dead & Company has brought all seven of their summer tours to Citi Field. Last night marked the group featuring Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart joined by John Mayer, Jay Lane, Jeff Chimenti and Oteil Burbridge‘s 10th concert at the home of the New York Mets in the borough of Queens.

Guitarist John Mayer had back issues last night and played the second set seated in a swivel chair. However, Mayer’s injury didn’t hamper him from shining both instrumentally and vocally throughout the show.

Dead & Company kicked off the evening with “Shakedown Street,” a staple of the band’s performances in New York City. Mayer uncorked a fierce solo and then handled lead vocals on the clunky “Bertha” that followed an awkward transition. Next up was “Ramble On Rose” led by Weir with the “Just like New York City” lyric receiving a mighty cheer from the stadium-sized crowd.

“It Hurts Me Too” filled the Pigpen/blues slot last night in Queens featuring potent riffs and emotion-laden vocals from Mayer. Dead & Company went with “Dancin’ In The Street” next as once again New York City was shouted out. The sextet struggled to connect in launching the tune but took the jam outside the lines for a few memorable moments. From there Mayer stood out on an outstanding “Althea” as he mixed various styles within his solo and was urged on to a big crescendo by Chimenti. Both “Althea” and the ensuing “Let It Grow” set closer were the highlights of the frame. The band locked in on a cool progression at the beginning of “Let It Grow,” which was trotted out for just the second time this summer. Burbridge propelled the jam towards interesting directions to close the set.

“So I threw my back out yesterday,” Mayer revealed at the beginning of the second set. “I’m gonna sit for this set so I thank you for your understanding. But I feel great,” the guitarist added. “Someone gave me a white pill, and I took that, and then someone else gave me a blue pill, so I took that. And I think it’s gonna be great so thank you very much. I just wanted to explain.”

Oteil Burbridge, who has been struggling with back issues over his Dead & Co. tenure, stepped to the mic and told Mayer, “It’s your turn this time, John.” The group then launched into “China Cat Sunflower.” Mayer might have been sitting but he did move the rotating chair around depending on who was soloing or who he wanted to musically converse with. Chimenti’s barrel house piano rolls and Mayer’s effusive licks were at the heart of the transition jam that birthed “China’s” frequent partner “I Know You Rider.” Last night’s “Rider” was well played and set the stage for what was to follow.

Dead & Company picked “St. Stephen” to fill the two-slot and treated fans to one of the best versions in the band’s eight-year history. The 19-minute take saw the sextet explore bluesy, jazz-fusion and psych-rock terrain. Mayer was on fire throughout as Dead & Co. varied tempos and eventually hooked up on the progression that typically ends “St. Stephen” excursions. While Weir came in a little early on the last verse and the drummers hinted at the “William Tell Bridge,” the band came to a full stop to end “St. Stephen.”

The “Uncle John’s Band” that came next may not have been an all-timer like “St. Stephen,” it was still a standout take on the Workingman’s Dead classic. Dead & Company once again painted outside the lines for a lengthy improvisation featuring dark and eerie overtones. After 15 minutes the instrumentalists vacated the stage and “Drums” began.

“Drums” started with Mickey Hart working over his recently acquired xylophone-like instrument known as a Balafon while Oteil Burbridge strummed his banjo bass. Jay Lane stuck on his drum kit to back the pair. Then all three moved over to the large drums set up at the back of the stage, where they were joined by Joe Russo. Each of the four musicians banged out powerful beats with Russo keeping his eyes on Hart to follow any direction given. “Drums” concluded with the four crushing their respective drums in synchronized fashion. Hart then took up position at The Beam and let droning soundscapes wash over Citi Field.

The instrumentalists returned for one of the shortest “Space” segments of the tour. Hart and Lane quickly came back in time for “The Eleven.” Dead & Company picked up where they left off earlier in the set by nailing the Live Dead-era gem. John Mayer and Jeff Chimenti’s chemistry was on display as the pair traded melodies over the final few minutes of “The Eleven.” Weir then helmed a breathtaking “Stella Blue” that saw Mayer empty the tank for his poignant solo. The six-piece closed last night’s second set with a rollicking “U.S. Blues.”

John Mayer led his bandmates on a gorgeous version of the Hunter/Garcia ballad “Black Muddy River” to wrap up Wednesday’s concert. Dead & Company returns to Citi Field tonight. Watch Dead & Company’s last show at Citi Field and the rest of The Final Tour via nugs.net.

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Audio (Taped by Eric Lugassy)