I always go to the Further Festival with somewhat mixed feelings, not really sure what to expect. There's always this gnawing feeling in the back of my head that something is missing, an emptiness that can't be filled. But maybe this is a good way to remember Jerry Garcia by performing his songs though I'm still not convinced even though I went this evening and had a super time. The band was really good featuring original Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzman along with Bruce Hornsby on keys and doing a remarkable job on some of Jerry's vocals. Phil Lesh declined to participate this year so there was a different bass player and two additional guitarists who had worked with them previously. I was impressed with their ability to play the guitar parts and leads so well but as well as they did play them, for some reason, being so close to the real thing it just falls way short. But on the other hand, it truly was a spectacular evening. High points were opening with "Help on the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower" , a "Terrapin Station" in the second half(with a "Samson and Delilah" interspersed), and a rousing, unprecented "St.Stephen/The Eleven" which I had never seen live before so thoroughly enjoyed. Bruce Hornsby closed the evening with an encore of "Black Muddy River", which was especially touching and very tastefully done. I must also mention that Ziggy Marley and his band had a killer set, doing mostly his own material as well as "I Shot the Sheriff", "Could You Be Loved" and coming back on stage to do "Stir It Up" with the Other Ones. Thanks for all of the Birthday Wishes! This has been a truly remarkable weekend. Victor
