Fathom Events was among a number of media outlets that hosted all three nights of what are now the historic Fare Thee Well - Celebrating 50 Years Of Grateful Dead concerts. Anticipation had been high for months leading up to the July 3-5, 2015 gigs. The performances featured the four original members of The Dead (Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir) with keyboardists Jeff Chimenti and Bruce Hornsby along with Phish frontman Trey Anastasio. SoundPress.net was at the AMC movie theater in Paramus, New Jersey both Friday and Sunday nights to experience the shows on the big-screen in surround sound compliments of Fathom Events.
In 1965, The Grateful Dead rose out of the San Francisco hippie movement. The Dead were loved for their eclectic and expansive music that fused bluegrass, country, folk, jazz, psychedelic and rock. The Dead had legions of fans that traveled far and wide to see them. These folks called "Dead Heads" created a sub-culture of people who camped, played music and sold goods at shows all under the banner of a "Steal Your Face" flag.
The Dead, the scene and the symbols (dancing bears, roses, skulls, etc) that followed them was one of a kind. The Grateful Dead along with other improvisational bands begot what is now known as jam with Phish taking it to the next generation of music lovers. Interestingly, it was Trey who had the challenging task of crafting the no repeat Chicago set-lists that had to capture the essence of 50 years of the Grateful Dead. Anastasio did an excellent job of choosing fan favorites spiked with a few obscure numbers.
Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh on stage at Soldier Field.
(Photo by Jay Blakesberg).
Chicago's Soldier Field was selected as the location for the three day event as it was the football stadium where the iconic guitarist/vocalist Jerry Garcia performed his final show with The Dead prior to his untimely death in 1995. Thus, it was appropriate for the Grateful Dead to open Friday's concert with "Box of Rain" the last song they had played with Jerry. They followed it up with a spacious "Jack Straw".
A beguiling "Bertha" into "Passenger" allowed ample jamming with Trey aptly handling his lead guitar solos all night. Anastasio has his own tone. He decided to be Trey playing with the Grateful Dead rather than try to imitate Garcia. Much of The Dead's signature sound is rhythm which comes from the core four. Bill and Mickey aka the "Rhythm Devils" both on massive drum kits kept time to Phil's big six-string bass lines paired with Bobby's guitar. Jeff who was using some of the late Brent Mydland's keyboards with Bruce on a Steinway grand piano added more accents and atmosphere to the music. Weir handled a lot of the lead vocal parts with a smiling Trey also singing plenty of the classics.
Record breaking crowds celebrate the life of The Dead in Chicago.
(Photo by Jay Blakesberg)
Attending a live stream at a movie theater was obviously different than being in Chicago encircled by the energy of your fellow Dead Heads but there were pluses. The shows started at 7:30 CDT running four hours with a one hour break that featured original music from Neal Casal. There was also after concert commentary, so it was nice to be able to sit in a comfortable seat for this marathon of music.
The sound at the AMC in Paramus was stellar as was the footage. People still clapped or cheered after songs and solos. A few folks were even dancing. On the big screen we were treated to numerous camera angles, some coming from a drone that would slowly pull in and out of stage shots. Lingering lens let fans watch jams without jumping too quickly to another scene. The close up-shots during "Drums" were outstanding. We watched the "Rhythm Devils" utilize their different drums and percussion toys, which included Mickey playing The Beam. The Dead also had a vibrant lighting rig corresponding with graphics and photos on big screens. The filming and sound were well done, which means the CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray box sets of Fare Thee Well-Celebrating 50 Years Of Grateful Dead should be of high quality when they are released later this year just in time for the Holiday Season.
Bobby Weir takes center stage at Fare Thee Well.
(Photo by Jay Blakesberg).
Friday's set featured many high points including the rare "Mason's Children" going into a colorful "Scarlet Begonias", a fiery "Fire on The Mountain", a playful "Playing in the Band", a lengthy "Let It Grow" and finishing up with a feisty "Franklin's Tower". The Dead are not a chatty band but Lesh after thanking the fans made it a point on all three nights to encourage listeners to consider donating organs. Phil was the recipient of a liver transplant and he pointed out that he would not be present if not for Cody. The Dead closed Friday's show with a compelling version of "Ripple" sung beautifully by Bobby.
Per an online setlist the July 4th gig took fans on a trip down "Shakedown Street" and later into the 1980's with "West L.A. Fadeaway" and "Foolish Heart". The Independence Day concert closed as one might have thought with "One More Saturday Night" along with "U.S. Blues".
Fare Thee Well was an American Celebration on the July Fourth Weekend.
(Photo by Chad Smith).
Arial views of the stadium were woven into the footage from Sunday's show. Around 7:30 pm The Dead strolled out taking a moment to look out into the audience before a group hug. Trey and Bruce shared lead vocals on a colorful rendition of "China Cat Sunflower > Rider". They took fans on a bunch of twists and turns during "Truckin' " which opened the second set that was packed with fan favorites such as "Cassidy", "Althea" and a terrific "Terrapin Station" all captured with cool and varied camera angles. It was another stand-out setlist with perhaps a few statement songs declaring the longevity of the band with "Built To Last" and later "Not Fade Away". The Chicago fans kept singing that hook even after The Grateful Dead had exited the stage. They returned for the encore of "Touch Of Grey" followed by the reflective "Attics Of My Life" as their "fare thee well" to their dedicated fans.
If you missed Fare Thee Well - Celebrating 50 Years Of Grateful Dead have no fear as the box sets can be pre-ordered at www.dead.net also, be on the lookout for more concerts from www.FathomEvents.com - a distinctive entertainment forum for Broadway productions, comedy, concerts, opera and sports. Their limited run events are presented in digital surround sound with super sized screens creating an all encompassing experience that is as unique as The Grateful Dead!
Related Links: For more information on FARE THEE WELL and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- Dead.net | Fathom Events
