Deadheads for Obama

DEAD HEADS FOR OBAMA
The Warfield
San Francisco, CA
February 4, 2008

I. Playing in the Band*>Brown-Eyed Women†, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo†>New Minglewood Blues*, Come Together*

II. (Acoustic) Deep Elem Blues, Friend of the Devil, Deal, Ripple

III. China Cat Sunflower*†>The Wheel*†>The Other One*>Sugaree*, Eyes of the World*†>Throwin’ Stones*>Iko Iko;*†>Playing reprise*†

E. U.S. Blues*† %

Bob Weir, guitar and vocals; Phil Lesh, bass and vocals; Mickey Hart, drums and vocals; John Molo, drums; Jackie Greene, guitar, keyboards and vocals; Steve Molitz, keyboards and vocals.

* with Mark Karan, guitar; †with Barry Sless, pedal steel guitar; %with Hippie Bill, flag

Regardless of politics, Deadheads world over rejoiced last night when Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart stepped on stage together for the first time in four years to play a “Get Out The Vote” concert to voice their support for Democratic candidate for President, Barack Obama.

It’s the first time any member of the Grateful Dead has done a concert of this type, and you could tell this was Lesh’s idea, as he was the one who was the most visibly excited the entire evening. I was able to watch most of the show (before falling asleep) thanks to iclips.net who streamed the concert in its’ entirety.

As for the music itself, I have to say that I was pleased not just with the song selection, but with the musicianship as well. These guys obviously know the material, but the way they gelled after so long apart was wonderful to see and hear.

No word on whether there will be any more of these shows in the future. I suppose in some way it depends on today’s “Super Tuesday” primary election results.