favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite

As was often the case at the Oakland Coliseum the middle show was often the best of the run and this is the case once again.



After a strong personal rebound for Jerry and a invigoration of the band with Vince fully finding his place, along with year of touring that produced many great shows, mainly in the spring and fall, but often too demonstrating that Jerry needed a well deserved break from the road.



This show picks up where the end of the second set left off the night before.



They bust out of the gate with a strong Jack Straw followed by a rare TLEO, which harks back to the days of ten years earlier, that Jerry thoroughly loves dusting off.



A nicely placed Spoonful has the band further raising up the energy level as Jerry is playing as well as at any time this year.



A faster tempo FOTD is pulled off quite well, as you think it is too fast but the band pulls it off.



Bob continues his love of Dylan songs this run with a stratospheric Masterpiece, Jerry's voice is starting to show the affects of that nasty cold he was battling, but the band pushes on and it is a set high light.



Tennessee Jed has Jerry really throwing down a hoe down.



The Easy Answers is the only lead balloon of the set, but Jerry invigorates things with an epic Deal, that features some great work from Vince, that finishes this excellent first set.



Set two starts with a excellent Way to Go Home, maybe not the best place to start the second set, but the tune was Vinny's best contribution to the band.



This quickly sprint into a huge China Cat Sunflower that is truly inspired and features more great work by Jerry and the band as they effortlessly glide through all the tough transitions.



The jam into INYR may be one of the best post 1992 and the band continues to push the envelope and Jerry hits some excellent peak.



The Rider is great, although Jerry makes one vocal flub, the only one of the evening. I am sure we can forgive him as I think it was more true excitement than a brain fart check out.



As mentioned before the Playing in the Band is great and the set high point is a majestic and fully played out Uncle John's Band with Jerry completely taking the song to beautiful peaks and playing the heck out of this grand old classic.



As was often the case the post jam out of Uncle John's continues that true improvisational spirit this band loved and this night is no exception as it is quite good.



As I have mentioned this D>S is very pleasing to listen to and features a rockin' Miracle into a spiritually uplifting Stella Blue, that features Jerry soaring at the bridge, with power, passion and distortion.



Yeah baby!



Granted his voice is rough but he lets the music do the talking and the end is quite unique as it ends with bitter sweet notes instead of the usual crescendo ending.



I loved it.



One more Saturday night blows the door open to rock the house and closes out this excellent second set.



Phil puts the icing on the cake with a joyful and exuberant Box of Rain, as Jerry continues to play wonderful sweet licks, the faithful roar in approval.



Well done gentlemen and God bless the Grateful Dead!



Happy Trails.

- April 5, 2015An outstanding performance.