Bonnie Raitt, the Neville Brothers, & Gregg Allman "Midnight Rider"

A version of "Midnight Rider" by Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, and the Neville Brothers.

Bonnie Raitt, Aaron Neville, & Gregg Allman "Tell It Like It Is"

A star studded lineup of musicians, performing together.  This concert, features Bonnie Raitt, Gregg Allman, and Aaron Neville.  This is the first, of two videos, from the show, for "Tell It Like It Is".  Aaron Neville, first recorded this song, (written by George Davis, and Lee Diamond, 50 years ago, back in 1966.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tell_It_Like_It_Is_%28song%29

Jeff Beck with the Jan Hammer Group "Freeway Jam"

A classic tune by Jeff Beck, with the Jan Hammer Group.  Hammer, is of course, a well known and legendary, jazz fusion keyboardist.  Check out, "Freeway Jam". 

Jan Hammer "Too Much To Lose"

Cool song, by Jan Hammer, featuring some famous names, in the band.  Jan Hammer on keytar, Jeff Beck on guitar, David Gilmour on bass, and Ringo Starr, on drums.

The Living Legends of The Blues

A blues concert, called The Living Legends of The Blues, recorded for television.  Not sure what year this show is from.  But, the artist lineup includes:

B.B. King
Koko Taylor
James Cotton
Muddy Waters

Medeski, Martin, & Wood: Secret Session

The secret, is out.  In this bonus post, dig Medeski, Martin, & Wood jamming acoustically, in a studio, on a little number, that has a heavy New Orleans vibe.  John Medeski on melodica, Chris Wood on upright bass, and Billy Martin, on tambourine. 

Medeski, Martin, & Wood "Beeah"

A tune called "Beeah" from Medeski, Martin, & Wood.  It is off their record called, "It's A Jungle In Here".

concert review: Leon Russell @ The Cedar Cultural Center 1/24/16

Leon Russell, is one of the true troubadours of American music, and his work, has influenced roots music, just as much as it has, pop music.  Through his career, he has played jazz, rock, country, bluegrass, blues, pop, standards, gospel, and surf music.  Russell, is part of a quartet band comprised of himself on piano and vocals, guitarist Beau Charron, and the rhythm section of Jackie Wessel on bass, and Brandon Holder, on drums.  This band went through much of his well known catalog of songs, and through a number of covers, in their performance at the Cedar Cultural Center, in Minneapolis, on Sunday night.

Russell's piano, and singing, were right on target.  He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, and sings, with a drawl in his voice.  It is his songwriting, that has also won him acclaim throughout his career.  Though, on this night at Cedar Cultural Center, Russell played some original tunes, but stuck heavily, to well known covers.  He was not just interested in playing the music, but also, telling the stories, behind the songs he was playing, whether he had written them himself, or, if he covered a tune, by another artist. 

Russell would spin yarns about Bob Dylan, and about his playing with George Harrison in the all-star benefit concert, Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden back in 1971.  He spoke of tunes he wrote, before playing them like "A Song For You" (probably his best known number), "Delta Lady" and "Tightrope", or, of the covers he played, either songs he liked, or that he remembered from his youth, delving into such numbers as "Jumping Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones, (a tune he has kind of made his own, through covering it), "Roll Over Beethoven" (by Chuck Berry), and numerous others.

In fact, Russell played a medley, that featured two Rolling Stones numbers ("Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "Paint It Black"), also intertwined with The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", and "Kansas City".   Russell also delved into country, and blues, during his set.  He paid tribute to the late, great B.B. King, with "Hummingbird", to Ivory Joe Hunter, with "Kansas City Woman", and to Little Willie Littlefield with "Kansas City", and to Ray Charles, with "I Got A Woman".  Country music, has also been a big influence on Russell.  So, he threw in some meaningful covers including the traditional fiddler's number, "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms".  Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind" was another set highlight, leaning towards the idea that pop standards, are indeed still a relevant art, and can bridge generations.

Gospel music, was another big feature of the show, as Russell played Charles Hutchinson Gabriel's "His Eye Is On The Sparrow".  So, Russell's set, was a real melding of a good number of American music traditions, into one spectacular set.  The most significant song of the night, had to be, the encore, though.  "The Ballad of Mad Dogs & Englishmen", written by Russell, as a tribute, to the late, great, Joe Cocker.  Cocker and Russell, toured together and played together in the legendary ensemble that is the song's namesake.  He tipped his hat, too, to Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, who played a concert, last fall, at the 2015 Lockn' Music Festival in Arrington, Virginia, to pay tribute to "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" and to Joe Cocker's legacy.

Leon Russell, was part of that lineup, along with other band alumni.  A DVD is forthcoming of that performance, and should be released, in the not too distant future.  Leon Russell is a very gifted songwriter and entertainer, and this showed, at the Cedar Cultural Center Sunday evening, for sure.

As a final note, here is a Tour Statistics list, that highlights every song Russell and his band have played.

http://www.setlist.fm/stats/leon-russell-4bd64b2e.html

Listen to the New Tedeschi Trucks Band Album 'Let Me Get By'

The "Speakeasy" section of The Wall Street Journal, has a preview, of the new Tedeschi Trucks Band record, "Let Me Get By", which is going to be released, right at the end of this upcoming week, on January 29th.  Check it out. The track listing is:

1. Anyhow
2. Laugh About It
3. Don't Know What It Means
4. Right On Time
5. Let Me Get By
6. Just As Strange
7. Crying Over You/Swamp Raga
8. Hear Me
9. I Want More
10. In Every Heart

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2016/01/22/tedeschi-trucks-band-let-me-get-by-album-stream/

Bonus Post: Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli "Swing"

Happy Birthday, Django Reinhardt!  This is part of a series of videos, featuring both of these great jazz innovators. 

Tal Wilkenfeld "BC"

From her 2007 record, "Transformation", here is extraordinary bassist, Tal Wilkenfeld.  At one time, she played bass, with Jeff Beck.  The band line up is:

Tal Wilkenfeld “BC”

Tal Wilkenfeld: bass

Geoffrey Keezer: keyboards & piano

Keith Carlock: drums

Seamus Blake: saxophone

Wayne Krantz: guitar

Toto "Dave's Gone Skiing"

Toto, is more known, as a pop/rock group.  But, they have some real heavy hitters as musicians in the band, and this tune, proves it.  Check out the oddly titled instrumental, "Dave's Gone Skiing", featuring Steve Lukather on guitar, David Paich on keyboards, Mike Porcaro on bass, and Simon Phillips on drums.  This is nuts!

Ron Carter earns world record as the most recorded jazz bassist in history

Congratulations, on achieving a world record, to the great jazz bassist, Ron Carter.

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/1/ron-carter-earns-world-record-as-the-most-recorded-jazz-bassist-in-history-411828

Return To Forever, Live in 1974: "Hymn of The Seventh Galaxy" & "After The Cosmic Rain"

A Return To Forever concert, from around 1974, when Bill Connors was their guitarist, and the other three members of the band, would become the core of it's foundation, for it's entire existence.  Chick Corea on keys, (Rhodes piano & Moog synthesizer), Stanley Clarke, on bass, and Lenny White, on drums.  Featured songs include "Hymn of The Seventh Galaxy", and the epic, "After The Cosmic Rain".  

Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood "Tequila & Chocolate"

From their record "Out Louder", here is a track by Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood, called "Tequila & Chocolate".

Above is the studio track.  Below, is a live version, from the 2007 Lugano Jazz Festival, or as it is more appropriately titled, Estival Jazz Lugano. 

Pat Metheny Group "Daulton Lee"

From the recording, "The Falcon & The Snowman", here is the Pat Metheny Group, with the tune, "Daulton Lee".  The band line up is:

Pat Metheny - guitar synthesizer, acoustic / electric guitars
Lyle Mays - synthesizers, piano
Steve Rodby - acoustic bass & electric basses
Paul Wertico - drums, percussion
Pedro Aznar - voice

In memoriam: Glenn Frey

Rest In Peace, Eagles guitarist, and songwriter, Glenn Frey.  You will be missed.  Yours truly, saw The Eagles, perform at Target Center in 2008, and play all their hit songs. 

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/6844089/glenn-frey-eagles-guitarist-dies-at-67

One of the great songs of The Eagles catalog, that Frey contributed to, is, "Heartache Tonight" and it is also, a favorite of yours truly.  Joe Walsh, plays some great slide guitar on it.  A fitting tribute, to Frey's legacy.

Stanley Clarke (feat. Chick Corea, Jean Luc Ponty, & Billy Cobham) "Lopsy Lu"

A Stanley Clarke composition, featuring Chick Corea on keys (Rhodes, Clavinet, and Moog), Jean Luc Ponty on violin, and Billy Cobham, on drums.  Here's a version of Clarke's "Lopsy Lu", from 1974.

The Leigh Kamman Legacy Project

From Jazz Police, and Jazz 88 FM here in the Twin Cities, Jazz Police contributing editor, Andrea Canter, talks about a project to preserve the legacy and memory of legendary jazz broadcaster from the Twin Cities, Leigh Kamman.

http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/12046/68/

Brian Auger & Billy Cobham "Electric Man"

More wicked electric jazz, courtesy of Hammond B3 master, Brian Auger, and, Billy Cobham, on drums.  The tune is called "Electric Man" and the full band line up is:

Brian Auger: Hammond B3 organ
Lino Nicolosi: guitar
Pino Nicolosi: synthesizer
Rosanna Nicolosi: bass
Billy Cobham: drums

This track is from Cobham's 2009 recording, "Drum 'n' Voice 3", with Cobham's group, Novecento.

Clarence Carter "Slip Away"

Another track by soul singer, Clarence Carter.  This one, was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and is called "Slip Away".

Victor Wooten "The Sojourn of Arjuna"

Yes.  Bagpipes, in a jazz song.  You will hear that, on this Victor Wooten piece called "The Sojourn of Arjuna".  Yours truly, has seen Victor Wooten play live, twice.  But, this song, is a new one to me.

Davy Spillane - bagpipes
Victor Wooten - bass
Futch - cymbal
Raymond Massey, JD Blair - drums
Jim Roberts - percussion
Paul McCandless - percussion
Rod McGaha - trumpet
Joseph Wooten - piano

David Bowie "Sue (Or In A Season of Crime)"

More memories of David Bowie.  Bowie ventures to the outer limits of free jazz, and musical theater, on "Sue (Or In A Season of Crime)".  Check this out.

David Gilmour & David Bowie "Comfortably Numb"

David Gilmour and David Bowie play "Comfortably Numb" as the encore, to a show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, in 2006, which was made into a DVD called "Remember That Night... Live at The Royal Albert Hall", released the following year, in 2007.

David Bowie "The Width of A Circle"

Another David Bowie track, to honor his memory.  This jam, is called "The Width of A Circle".  It is from a show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.  Note, that Bowie's guitarist, Mick Ronson, is playing, a 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom, with the black finish, sanded off of the guitar, and, it is hard to see, but Ronson plugged the LP Custom, into a 200 watt Marshall Major amplifier, for a screaming lead tone.

David Bowie "Let's Dance"

One more song, remembering David Bowie.  Here's "Let's Dance".

In Memoriam: David Bowie

Rest In Peace, David Bowie.

http://www.nextavenue.org/remembering-david-bowie-a-look-back-at-his-biggest-hits/?utm_content=bufferbf57a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

...And

 http://www.aol.com/article/2016/01/11/david-bowie-dies-at-69-after-battle-with-cancer/21295155/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl2|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D1650371821

Remembering Bowie's musical legacy, here's my favorite Bowie number.  This one is called, "Fame".

Joe Pass & Ella Fitzgerald - Duets In Hannover, 1975

Joe Pass, performs in Hannover, Germany, in 1975, and features Ella Fitzgerald, during the concert.  The set list:

1. Wave (Vou te contar)
2. My Funny Valentine
3. You Stepped Out of A Dream
4. You Turned The Tables On Me
5. Darn That Dream
6. Ella And Joe
7. You Turned The Tables On Me (reprise)
8. Cry Me A River
9. Nature Boy Part 1
10. Nature Boy Part 2
11. You Are The Sunshine of My Life
12. Avalon
13. Stormy Weather
14. One Note Samba
15. The One I Love (Belongs To Someone Else)
16. How High The Moon

Widespread Panic (feat. Chuck Leavell) "Jessica"

Check out this seamless, and awesome cover, of "Jessica" by The Allman Brothers Band, done by their fellow Georgia natives, who yours truly has seen before, who has picked up the jam band mantle, along with others, from where the Allman Brothers left off.  This is incredible!  Great interplay between Jimmy Herring on guitar, and Chuck Leavell, on piano.

Meet Three Country Badasses Who Are Shaking Up The Nashville Establishment

Disclaimer: The source for this article, is an odd one.  GQ magazine, does not have a whole heck of a lot to do, with music.  However, the three gentlemen mentioned in this article, are definitely turning modern country music, on it's ear, and bringing the genre, back to it's roots, where legendary names, put it on the map, over the past century or so, making it a definitive American art form.  Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, and Jason Isbell, are the artists, who are keeping country real, and making it cool again.

http://www.gq.com/story/meet-the-country-badasses-from-nashville

Joe Bonamassa & Bloodline "Dixie Peach"

The great guitarist, Joe Bonamassa, came to prominence, with a boogie rock band, called Bloodline, which also had other members, who are sons of other famous musicians.  Bloodline's lineup included (in addition to Bonamassa), Berry Oakley Jr. on bass and vocals (son of late Allman Brothers Band bassist, Berry Oakley), Waylon Krieger on rhythm guitar (son of Doors' guitarist, Robby Krieger), and Erin Davis (Miles Davis' son), on drums.  The band is rounded out by veteran keyboardist, Lou Segreti.  This song is a southern fried boogie jam, called "Dixie Peach".  The performance is taken from a gig done 20 years ago... September 23rd, 1995.

Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Live In Japan

Check out the late, great bass maestro, Jaco Pastorius, with his big band, live in Japan.  The band lineup is:

Jaco Pastorius: bass
Don Alias: percussion
Randy Brecker: trumpet
Peter Erskine: drums
Bob Mintzer: saxophones
Othello Molineaux: steel drums
Toots Thielemans: harmonica
Elmer Brown: trumpet
Forrest Buchtel: trumpet
Jon Faddis: trumpet
Ron Tooley: trumpet
Wayne Andre: trombone
David Bargeron: tuba
Peter Graves: bass trombone/co-conductor
Bill Reichenbach: bass trombone
Mario Cruz: saxophone, clarinet, flute
Randy Emerick: saxophone
Alex Foster: saxophone, clarinet, piccolo
Paul McCandliss: saxophone, oboe, English horn
Peter Gordon: French horn
Brad Warnaar: French horn 
 
The track listing:

1. Invitation
2. Soul Intro/The Chicken
3. Donna Lee
4. Three Views of A Secret
5. Okonkole Y Trompa
6. Medley: Reza/Giant Steps/Reza

Billy Cobham "Spanish Moss: A Sound Portrait"

Here is a neat piece of music, by jazz drummer (and a favorite musician of yours truly), Billy Cobham.  This is his composition "Spanish Moss: A Sound Portrait", recorded in 1974 for his "Crosswinds" record.  The band line up includes such notable players as Cobham on drums, John Abercrombie on guitar, George Duke on keys, and, the Brecker Brothers (Michael on tenor saxophone, and Randy, on trumpet).

The full band lineup is:

John Abercrombie - guitars
Michael Brecker - woodwinds
Randy Brecker - trumpet
Garnett Brown - trombone
Billy Cobham - drums, percussion
George Duke - keyboards
Lee Pastora - Latin percussion
John Williams - acoustic / electric basses

Arthur Conley "Sweet Soul Music"

Arthur Conley, paying tribute to his fellow soul music luminaries, with "Sweet Soul Music".  "Spotlight on... insert legendary soul singer's name, here."  Check it out.

Gregg Allman will record next album in Muscle Shoals

Another quick bonus post for Monday night.  Gregg Allman is slated to record his next record (tentatively being titled as "All Compositions By"), next month at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  So, it will be a record, completely based on songs Gregg has written.  This should be really interesting.

http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/01/gregg_allman_will_record_next.html

In Memoriam: Paul Bley

Rest In Peace, free jazz piano legend, Paul Bley.  Here is his obituary, in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper.

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/jazzblog/r-i-p-paul-bley?utm_content=buffer299d6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The Duck & The Bear "Going Up The Country"

Great instrumental cover of Canned Heat's "Going Up The Country" by a band of Atlantic Records session players, known as The Duck & The Bear.  Short, sweet, and awesome.

Eddie Hinton - Lead Guitar
Johnny Sandlin - Drums, Percussion
Duane Allman - Slide Guitar
Barry Becket - Keyboards
David Hood - Bass Guitar
The Memphis Horns:
Wayne Jackson - Trumpet
Andrew Love - Tenor Saxophone
Joe Arnold - Tenor Saxophone

Bonus Post: Happy Birthday, John McLaughlin!

Happy Birthday to the great jazz guitarist, John McLaughlin.  Here he is, on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, playing with the brass section, on the tune "Cherokee", in 1985.

Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Dennis Chambers, & Lincoln Goines "After You"

A live performance at the 1991 Jazz a Vienne festival, by a quartet including Mike Stern on guitar, Bob Berg on tenor saxophone, Lincoln Goines on bass, and Dennis Chambers, on drums.  The tune is called "After You".

Medeski, Scofield, Martin, & Wood "Chicken Dog"

A jam, from John Medeski, John Scofield, Billy Martin, and Chris Wood.  Yours truly, saw these guys, of course, in 2014, on what would be their farewell tour.  This jam, is called "Chicken Dog", and the performance is actually, an older one, from the 1997 North Sea Jazz Festival, in Holland.  Video playback, is only available, through a direct link, to YouTube.  Check it out.

Here too, is Scofield's album version, from the "A Go Go" record.

Grateful Mule, The Mule, and The AllMule Brothers at The Beacon

Gov't Mule's New Year's Eve set, at The Beacon Theater, highlighted the 1973 Watkins Glen Summer Jam concert, that featured the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, and, The Band.

http://www.jambands.com/news/2016/01/01/grateful-mule-the-mule-and-the-allmule-brothers-at-the-beacon/

In Memoriam: Natalie Cole

Rest In Peace, Natalie Cole.  She was the daughter of Nat King Cole, and, a great singer, in her own right.

http://www.aol.com/article/2016/01/01/natalie-cole-dead-at-65/21290576/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D-1226188558

Natalie Cole, sang, with the Allman Brothers Band, as well as Phil Lesh, David Crosby, Graham Nash, and others, as part of a benefit show they did at their spiritual home, the Beacon Theater, in New York City, for the Tune In To Hep C benefit concert, on July 27th, 2011.  Natalie, and Gregg Allman, both went through, with that illness, and so, a collaboration, between Natalie and the ABB was done, as part of this show.  Here's the entire concert.

The set list.

1. Don't Want You No More
2. It's Not My Cross To Bear
3. I Walk On Gilded Splinters
4. One Way Out
5. Into The Mystic
6. Statesboro Blues
7. Blind Willie McTell
8. Black Hearted Woman
with James van der Bogert, drums
9. Change Is Gonna Come
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Ron Holloway, sax
10. The Weight
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Ron Holloway, sax
11. In Memory of Elizabeth Reed
with Bill Evans, sax
Set II
12. Teach Your Children
with David Crosby & Graham Nash, guitar & vocals, Derek, guitar
13. Guenevere
with David Crosby, guitar & vocals, Graham Nash, vocals
14. Find The Cost Of Freedom
with Crosby, Nash & Haynes a capella
15. Cowboy Movie
with David Crosby; Graham Nash; Phil Lesh, bass; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
16. Almost Cut My Hair
with David Crosby; Graham Nash; Phil Lesh, bass; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
17. Shake Down Street
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
18. Sugaree
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; James van der Bogert , drums
19. Franklin's Tower
with Phil Lesh, bass & vocals; Danny Louis, keys; Bill Evans, sax; James van der Bogert , drums; Oteil, vocals
20. Whipping Post
with Natalie Cole, vocals
Encore:
21. Midnight Rider
with David Crosby, Graham Nash, vocals; Devon Allman, guitar & vocals
22. Will the Circle Be Unbroken
with Natalie Cole, vocals; Billy Gibbons, guitar, Crosby & Nash, vocals; Danny Louis, piano

Click the YouTube link, to hear the whole show.  No video.  Just audio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfLms5f6nQ

concert CD & DVD review: The Grateful Dead "Fare Thee Well", Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, July 5th, 2015

The dictionary defines longevity as the length of time, of someone's career.  50 years, should definitely qualify as longevity, for The Grateful Dead.  In that time, they have become an institution of American music and of the counter-cultural hippie generation, through the power of their songs, and the lyrics they contain.  Most of those lyrics, can be attributed, to two men.  Lyricist, Robert Hunter, and the late, great, Jerry Garcia... the founding member, of the band.  It is that songwriting tandem of Garcia, and Hunter, and their mastery of the pen, that makes the songs, so memorable.  Founding guitarist and vocalist, Bob Weir, also makes several contributions, as does bassist/vocalist, Phil Lesh, to the Grateful Dead's musical cannon.

Garcia, and a number of other members of The Grateful Dead, have passed on, through the years.  For the 50th anniversary shows, particularly those captured on the CD and DVD, held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, friends of the band, were asked to be a part of the celebration.  On lead guitar, along with Bob Weir... Trey Anastasio, the vibrant front man of Phish and the Trey Anastasio Band.  On Hammond B3 organ, and electric keyboards, Jeff Chimenti, and on piano, a great songwriter, and someone who has come from songwriting, and recording his own solo albums, to being a fixture on the jam band scene... Bruce Hornsby.

The Grateful Dead, were one of the first bands, probably, to openly "jam" during shows.  In later years, other bands, would put their own stamp, on improvisational music, in a rock and roll idiom, even though the improvisation idea, clearly came out of jazz.  Grateful Dead songs, strike a fine balance, between lyrical poetry, and musical nuance.  Trey Anastasio (much like Jerry Garcia), finds places, to bring the guitar, to the fore.  But, let us not forget, the importance, of Chimenti's organ, and Hornsby's piano, in the instrumental nuance department.

Chimenti and Hornsby, follow in a long line, of keyboardists, for the band, including Tom Constanten, Keith Godchaux, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Brent Mydland, and Vince Welnick. Most of the songs, are instantly recognizable to Deadheads everywhere.  If you are a new fan, take a good listen to each one.  This is truly, a listening experience, for the lyrics.  To this day, these songs, stand up, and are rock solid, as an intertwining of counter-cultural rebellion, and, genuine storytelling.  Fans in attendance, had to know, that the presence, of the dearly departed was being felt.

Phil Lesh, said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine's David Fricke, that the band, used to envision, (and talk about), a psychedelic "rock and roll satellite".  Beam me up.  Peace and love, daddy-o.  Many of the jams, did reach for the stratosphere, especially in the interplay between Anastasio, Lesh, Chimenti, and Hornsby.  The ethereal magic, is felt, in a number of the songs, while others, are more concise, instrumentally, while the lyrics, paint vivid pictures, in many hues, and are full of authenticity, and integrity.

One of the songs, early in the set, is a Garcia/Hunter composition, called "Built To Last" from the band's final studio album, of the same name, released in 1989.  The chorus, and a following verse, epitomizes the concept of lyrics written by Garcia and Hunter.

Built to last 'til time of seven
Falls tumbling from the sky
Built to last 'til lightness fades
And darkness falls on all

Built to last 'til years roll back
Our couch perched in the sky
Show me something different
Or something built to try

All the stars, are gone but one
Morning dreams, we found the sun
Show me something built to last

Well, The Grateful Dead's songs, are most definitely, "built to last", even though their half century career, has come to a close.  You can name, any of the great songs, that were played, and they were instantly recognizable, especially those like "China Cat Sunflower", "I Know You Rider", "Samson & Delilah", "Mountains of The Moon", "Truckin' ", "Cassidy", the somber tones of "Unbroken Chain" (sung by Phil Lesh), and "Days Between" (sung by Bob Weir), the uptempo "Not Fade Away", (the Buddy Holly classic), "Touch of Grey" (Trey Anastasio, sings the first verse, and Bob Weir, sings the rest, wearing a "Let Trey Sing", t shirt... too cool!), and, the set closer, for the July 5th concert, and the whole reunion, "Attics of My Life".

"Attics of My Life", was another poignant reminder, of the band's legacy.  Each and every distinct song, has meaning, and purpose.  The band, embraces each other, and gets a roaring applause from it's fans.  Mickey Hart, adds one more poignant thought, just as Jerry Garcia would say.  "Be kind, to one another."   

Listen to the CD, and watch the DVD.  This record, is definitely worth your time, as a listening experience, and as a viewing experience, with the two DVD discs.  A masterful documentation, of the final triumph, of one of the greatest bands, in musical history.  Here is the set list, though, in different order, for the CD and the DVD, from the show, which is split into two DVDs, and three CD's.

Grateful Dead "Fare Thee Well" Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, July 5th, 2015

1. China Cat Sunflower
2. I Know You Rider
3. Estimated Prophet
4. Built To Last
5. Samson And Delilah
6. Mountains of The Moon
7. Throwing Stones
8. Truckin'
9. Cassidy
10. Althea
11. Terrapin Station
12. Drums
13. Space
14. Unbroken Chain
15. Days Between
16. Not Fade Away
17. Touch of Grey
18. Attics of My Life