Events

[TRIBUTE] For those that need a miracle, Dead and Company truly delivers. Granted, it may not be every day, and it also may not be the Grateful Dead… not exactly, anyhow. But for folks that don’t mind the personnel differences, Dead and Company are doing a stellar job of carrying on an American music tradition that many fans would prefer to keep alive – provided that the talent and passion is genuine. Enter John Mayer, a perpetually misunderstood guy with guitar chops to spare and a gift for making things swing. Naysayers and Grateful Dead purists continue to express shock over Mayer’s addition to the fold, but it’s not nearly as far flung as it might seem when you consider that he went to Berklee College of Music, which boasts a curriculum steeped in jazz and improv. When his debut, Room For Squares was released in 2001, the jamband community was paying attention, much in the same way they’re paid attention to Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. But neither of those guys have the musical dexterity to woo Bob Weir into letting them join what remains of the Grateful Dead. And Mayer has dabbled in blues throughout his career, most notably in his John Mayer Trio, which released its first album (a double live set entitled Try!) in the wake of his most commercially successful records – a sure sign that he’s more interested in following the muse than following the money. It’s true, Mayer has scored commercial success with something akin to soft pop, but he’s no one trick pony. So, while it’s certainly a pity that bassist Phil Lesh declined to participate, Dead and Company is what remains for folks that want to experience a Dead Show.

Those that say this is nothing more than a fancy cover band obviously aren’t listening, since it’s far better than any barroom imitators have ever managed. Mayer brings some vocal ear candy to the mix as well, which is something the Dead have sorely needed all along. Donna Godchaux certainly tried during her 1972-1979 tenure, but often ended up wailing off key due to not being able to hear herself beneath the Dead’s infamous Wall of Sound speaker system. With both Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann working up the polyrhythmic rubble between them and the incredibly talented, versatile Oteil Burbridge (Allmans, Derek Trucks Band) on bass, Dead and Company’s current rhythm section is a force, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti was deemed good enough to play at the Fare Thee Well shows in Chicago – what’s not to like? Quite honestly, this is the most energized and inspired any Dead configuration has sounded since well before Garcia passed… and the setlists have been phenomenal. While they’re not coming back to Buffalo this year, you can catch Dead and Company at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (right by Cleveland), on Wednesday, June 28.