Entries from February 2008 ↓

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.

I had intended to post something first thing yesterday, but to be honest, I think I was still in a daze. I still can’t quite believe it. In the most incredible Super Bowl game in forty years, the Giants came from behind with just over two minutes left to beat the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17-14.The Giants started the game with a strong opening drive which took up nearly ten minutes. It was a a bit of a let down then when they came away with only a field goal. It seemed even worse when the Patriots took their first possession and scored a touchdown to make it 7-3 early in the second quarter.

The score remained 7-3 at halftime, thanks in large part to the Giants defense, which absolutely overwhelmed the Patriots offensive line, and in so doing, rushed, harried, hit and sacked Pats QB Tom Brady relentlessly.
The 3rd quarter was somewhat uneventful, both teams coming away with nothing. Then, in the fourth quarter, the Giants struck. Eli Manning found David Tyree on a perfectly threaded 5-yard pass into to the end zone, and the Giants were back on top 10-7.

Up stepped Tom Brady, and he marched the Patriots on a 82-yard drive , culminating in a touchdown pass to Randy Moss. 14-10 Patriots, and it seemed as though the Giants luck may have been running out.

However, there was yet another twist in the tale. Manning and the Giants continued to march down the field, converting a fourth down on a strong second effort by running back Brandon Jacobs. However, after picking up five on the ensuing first down, Manning’s next pass was incomplete. Facing a third and five, the Patriots decided to all out blitz. Eli was swarmed by at least five or six Patriot defenders. One of them even had a grasp on his jersey. Somehow, Eli wriggled out of the maelstrom, rolled to his left, and hurled a 38-yard pass to a waiting David Tyree. Somehow, someway, Tyree out-jumped two Pats defenders, squeezed the ball against his helmet, and came down on the Patriots 24 yard line.

It was a play that has to be seen to be believed.

Three plays later, Eli found Plaxico Burress all alone in the end zone with a perfect fade and it was 17-14 Giants with only 35 seconds to play.

The defense held the Patriots in check for those few final seconds, and the amazing journey was complete. The Giants were Super Bowl Champions. The perfect season for the Pats had been derailed.

Eli Manning had become a New York sports legend.

Two more goals from Emmanuel Adebayor, and an absolutely sick goal from Eduardo helped the Gunners earn a 3-1 victory over Manchester City earlier today.

Despite City’s impressive home form this season, it never seemed as though they’d threaten the Arsenal goal. In fact, their only sniff of goal came from a rare Gael Clichy mistake which lead to a Gelson Fernandes goal which cut the Gunners lead to 2-1 late in the first half.

The second half was simply a matter of waiting for Arsenal to score. Finally, with a few minutes left, Adebayor scored his second, wrapping up the points for Arsenal. The win means the Gunners are back at the top of the table for at least a few hours, or perhaps longer depending on how things turn out at White Hart Lane (I feel a bit sick just typing that…) today.

So, a bit of a rest now as the next match isn’t until Monday the 11th against Blackburn. Kickoff is 3 PM ET, and the match is being shown live here in the US on Setanta USA.