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This show is pretty much flawless. Look at the setlist, here isn't a bad song in the bunch. Okay Way to Go Home is a bad song but this is the best played GD version IMO. In fact, I think this show is one of Vinces finest hours. He's on point the whole night, vocally and on the keys. Check out Vince and Jerry trading licks back and forth during the Greatest Story and West LA for proof.

Set one is rock solid front to back with every tune offering something special. The Bertha is one of my favorites from any era. Phil is dropping bombs throughout and Jerry shines on the solo with some intricate fingerpicking. Jerry is enjoying this Bertha so much his solo is about twice as long as was usual. Bertha drops right into a powerhouse Greatest Story. As I mentioned before, Vince is in rare form. Bobby starts making his presence known during the jam, old Ace wasnt just going through the motions this night. West LA is among the most smoking versions of this slinky tune. Jerry is all over his solo's and Vince and the drummers are right there with him, Phil and Bobby add to the jam and it's starting to become apparent that this is no ordinary evening and that the boys are clicking big time. Big River features some spunky Jerry leads and Vince taking a rollicking piano solo. Sweet Ramble On Rose with Jerry finding that perfect tone. Soldier Field was the ideal venue for Masterpiece, nowhere else did the "inside the coliseum" line ring truer. Brown Eyed Woman is in fine form with Jerry pulling notes from the neck of his guitar like little nuggets. This is one of the best versions of Music Never Stopped from the 80s-90s, right up there with the Alpine 89 version, at just under 10 minutes is has to be one of the longest too. Jerry breaks out the midi flute and sends the first jam into outer space with Bobbys rhythm hurtling through an asteroid field then right on cue back to the MNS jam, people dancing on the field with wild abandon. Bobby takes the reigns and him and Vinnie conspire to take the jam completely over the top. "We'll be back in just a little bit"

Second set opens with a drum and organ driven Iko Iko, makes me wish that Vince had a real Hammond B3 like Brent. Steve Miller finds his way out during one of the jams. After Iko they start fooling around with the Schoolgirl riff. Schoolgirl had only been played once since 1970 and it was quite the rare treat for those of us in attendance. They had just released Two From the Vault with the killer Pigpen Schoolgirl and I think this was a tip of the cap to old Pig. While this one doesnt compare to the 68 Shrine version it's still alot of fun for everyone involved. Blues harp legend James Cotton lays down some downright dirty Chicago blues solos. Cotton is the real deal Holyfield, he used to be in Muddy Waters band, nuff said. James proceeds to give all in attendance a free clinic on playing the blues, Chi-town style. Steve Miller sounds better on these blues tunes than some of the other material he sat in on over this summer tour(Other One AM Dew etc), he doesnt have to stretch his abilities too much, just good ole 12 bar blues jams. Jerry slows it down with an old school fingerpicked solo, showing off his blues chops. Way to Go Home is probably the best version out there. Classic combo Saint>He's Gone into killer drums segment with the train horn that they were doing in 92. Very psychedelic swirling space. To pluto and back into a solid Wheel with Phil pushing the jams. Watchtower tease but Jerry's not done yet. He steers the band into my all time favorite So Many Roads, the overhyped 95 Soldier Field version pales in comparison. While this one doesnt have the vocal theatrics of some others it is much more tastful and Jerry's solo is as heatbreakingly poignant as they come, his notes come through crystal clear(unlike the sloppy but passionate 95 one). This is the all time best Watchtower too. No kidding! Just listen for yourself, Jerry and Steve Miller take turns blazing away and Bobby sings with passion. "NO REASON TO GET EXCITED!" This Lovelight is my favorite post-Pigpen for sure. James Cotton comes back out on harp and the sound harkens back to the days of old when Pig would really take this tune for a ride. Bobby is having so much fun that after a long drawn out ending, he keeps singing "shine on me yeah" and the whole band comes back for another round of pounding out that classic Bobby 'Blue' Bland riff. A false ending!?! AMAZING!!! GD music just doesn't get any better than that!

Oh wait...yes it does! Gloria! G-L-O-R-I-A GLOOOOORIAAAA!!! They bring back the whole crew(Miller and Cotton) for a rip snortin' rompin' stompin' raunch and roll romp through this garage band anthem. Everyone is giving it their all. "I say she knocked upon my door...I Said She Knocked Upon My Door! I SAID SHE KNOCKED UPON MY DOOR!!!!!!!" When Bobby says "She's walkin' up my stairs" Steve Miller drags his pick up the strings in classic rocker fashion. LOL Funny stuff. James Cotton gets another sick harp solo in and it's obvious that everyone involved is having a ball, audience players everybody. They drag out the ending to epic proportions while Phil drops bombs that shook Soldier Field to its very foundations.

This isn't the spaciest show, nor is it the most majestic, no darkstar>terrapin>H/S/Franks>Morning Dew ect. But it is Chicago blues rock party music at it's best and trust me, a fine time was had by all. Aint nothin but a party y'all!

5 stars for Charlie Miller SBD(the monitor mix sounds a little better but it's chopped up)

5 stars for rare tunes and guests.

5 stars for all the boys playing their hearts out. Special kudos going to Bobby, who is on fire the entire night. Vince, his playing and singing doesn't get any better. Phil, for his constant bombs. And Billy, who is the man.

I'm not just saying this cuz it was my first show either, I'm objective enough to know a bad show when I hear it(and I saw plenty!). This is one of the best shows of the 90s if you want a good time party vibe and classic blues rock with a strong Pigpen vibe. Pigpens spirit never shined so bright after his passing as it does on this night, especially with the blues harp on the old standards Lovelight and Schoolgirl, I'm sure he was smiling down from on high.

Vince haters please look elsewhere. Those with an open mind and no anti-Vince bias will be stoked with this show. As for the Brent/Bruce worshipers, go back to Alpine 89 or MSG 91.

(I give a show 5 stars if I think it is one of the best of that year/era. Trying to compare shows from different eras is impossible, the sounds are so different it's like apples and oranges)

- June 18, 2009My first show!