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The Other Ones: (L-R) Bobby Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Jeff Chimenti, Jimmy Herring, Mickey Hart, Phil
Lesh, Rob Barraco
Calling all Deadheads –
They’re Baaaaaaaack!!!!
After an on-again, off-again, and Gratefully on-again, long awaited reunion of magical shows at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Troy,
Wisconsin, last August, The Other Ones blessed us once again with their presence in the Chicago area on Monday, December 2nd at their old digs the Allstate Arena (formerly Rosemont Horizon).
Surviving members of the
Grateful Dead (Phil Lesh,
Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart) were joined by two exceptional keyboardists,
Jeff Chimenti and Rob Barraco. Also joining in, with the
impossible task of filling Jerry Garcia's shoes, was lead guitarist Jimmy Herring. Herring, 40, originating from Georgia, is no newcomer in the music business, and also is no newcomer in filling some pretty big shoes. He had just recently replaced
Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, before getting the call from Phil Lesh to become a full-time member of
Phil Lesh & Friends, and finally finding a new home as a permanent member of The Other Ones.
Being a Dead Head from way back – I feel it is both my privilege and obligation to share with you the experience that I had.
The tie-dye clad, sandal-shod (yep-even with the few inches of snow that fell), patchouli-scented multitude was rarin’
to go. A brotherhood and sisterhood of anticipation filled the air.
And when The Other Ones ambled down the darkened stairway behind the stage and
appeared before the fans, I felt as if I was finally home again after a seven
year hiatus. Bobby, dressed in his signature shorts —in Chicago — in
the winter time — did the honors of singing the night’s opener, Golden
Road. The big smile on his face clearly showed that he was
thrilled to be there and he was thrilled that we were all there too.
Herring took the role of lead guitarist
into his own hands. Instead of trying to mimic Jerry,
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he deferred to his own Southern-style background to create a fresh, new
feel to the former Grateful Dead.
The mood was already upbeat, but became
even more so, with the newer, funkier tunes, like Bobby on acoustic for
Black Throated Wind and a Mickey Hart-driven Baba Jingo.
The old staples Brown Eyed Women, Friend of the Devil
(with Bobby on acoustic again) and Bertha also evoked the “can’t keep your body from moving to the rhythm” feeling from the crowd. All the while, the psychedelic, tie-dyed, swirling patterns of light and images danced endlessly across and around the three giant tapestry projection screens.
The Dead were never considered slackers when it came to special effects, and The Other Ones and their crew members certainly have not lost that talent.
As balloons bobbled and bubbles floated through the audience, The Other Ones produced an excellent version of
Standin’ on the Moon with keyboardist Barraco on vocals, which were hauntingly similar to the voice of Jerry himself.
Lead vocals were then returned to Bobby, who stumbled through the first verse of
Touch of Grey - but amended himself with the line “but it’s all right” that humorously seemed to fall right into place.
Long time Grateful Dead friend and lyricist, Robert Hunter filled the between-sets break with some slow groovin’ psychedelic beauties, including
Candy Man, Wharf Rat and Ripple, which just made for a more memorable evening. The Other Ones picked up the groove a little in the opening of the second set with the country-influenced song
Sittin’ On Top of the World, followed by Drums>Space where Bill and Mickey played simultaneously and never missed a beat – and we should have expected anything less? Phil also got his chance on vocals with a sweet, sultry
Unbroken Chain. More classics, including St. Stephen,
Terrapin Station and I Know You Rider (NOT preceded by
China Cat Sunflower on this occasion), kept the admirers admiring.
We were left with a smokin’ version of Truckin’ and conclusively
so, with all members of the band joining in the chorus-line style, for an arm-in-arm farewell. What a long, strange trip it was. Thanks Jerry – we know you were there in spirit. And thanks Jimmy. And of course, thanks to all the members of The Other Ones for yet another wonderful fun-filled, music-filled evening.
Grateful Dead
- Official Site
The Other Ones - Official Site
Allstate Arena - Official Site
Terrapin Station
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