Furthur Comments

Please feel free to comment on your Furthur experience(s)


Thank you for a real good time!
I'd have to say that Los Lobos shouldn't have opened. They were one of the best acts and should have been given higher billing. At camden hurricane bertha hit and the place exploded when they played it! Gotta do again next summer!
RatDog was much better than I expected. I'm sure the will get even better and jammed out Save for Bruce and, in some respects, Hot Tuna the music became very repititious. Micky Hart was interesting at first but just downright boring after the third With more varitiy the Festival might even be a tour.Not that I did not have a great time, it was a blast, it was simply not worth touring to see what was for a good part the same show. The scene was wonderful. Very relaxed.
I found John Wesley Harding to be the most entertaining, and funniest performer at the 2 shows I went to (both NJ's). He reminded me of early Bob Dylan. Songs were sarcastic and funny. I also chatted with him in Camden and found him very nice. I asked him what there was to do in England since I was going there next month. He said I would find enough great things to do without him recomending anything: he was right. Next favorite experience was Bruce playing (to my surprise since I didn't know setlists) Wharf Rat. This was always my favorite Dead tune (though I know John J.Wood & many others hate it) and it was great seeing a live version of it again.
The scene was too controlled and anticeptic. The in-house vending was ok, but there was no discernable vending village outside. I enjoyed the show and will certainly go again. After all, it's the closest I can get. But the experience was bittersweet, bringing an achingly clear focus to what has been lost. Frankly, I would have been more pleased with a selection of Dead cover bands. I hope the group will reform with guests. While it will never be the same, it can be approximated. Little Feat did a credible job of filling Lowell's shoes with Craig Fuller. I think Jerry would be pleased to know that the band survived him. Thanks for asking!
I had a fun time but I think it was some sad at the same time.
Bob Weir needs a new band. Every Ratdog show I've seen is dull and uninspired.
I had fun but it was not Dead Tour.
I thought the concert should have been held in a bigger venue to accomodate the amount of people that were there. It was crowded and we had to walk very far in the pouring rain (Hurraicane Bertha) to get to the venue, this was in Camden, NJ. The security was fine. There were no where near enough bathrooms outside for the amount of time we spent outside. The breaks in between the acts was too long sometimes and other times the sound of the guy trying to play in between the acts was bad and you couldn't even hear him. The parking lot was fun.
I personally was physically ill the whole time. I actually got harassed for laying down and closing my eyes by the relaxation police. Other than that I pretty much laid back and listened to the music all day. i thought the speed between acts was excellent although to many one bands starts to get old. Maybe a John Wesley Harding doing two sets!!! I think the response would have been great, he was a hit! Other than that it was a 10! Keep it up! - St Stephen Ames
I had a great time. The show was a little too long. I went to the ALpine Valley show and it was about 100 degrees. After a long day in the sun, Mickey Hart wasn't even on yet, and people were starting to get restless. The music brought my hopes back, but I was physically drained. It was a good Dead crowd, the scene was pretty genuine, better than at Soldier Field the year before, when most people there were just looking to party, and forgetting the music. I hope there will be a Furthur '97!! ws2.html
I had a good time, pretty much. It made me miss the whole experience, but on the whole I was excited about it.
fell in love with Hot Tuna, Bobby is so talented but in such a rut, Mickey was exciting to see , a pleassant surprise. Bruce was good as always.
The show I went to was at the Oregon Country Fairgrounds in Veneta. There was a degree of uncertainty I had before the show because I was afraid I would try to compare it with a Dead concert (as a tape trader, once I had accumulated about 1500 hours, it was tough to be at Dead shows and not compare them to great tapes I heard. But I beat that problem and learned to enjoy every single show for what it was) The same thing happened at Furthur (happily). Saw some old friends and enjoyed a great day of music. I like Bruce Hornsby ALOT and have seen him several times outside of Furthur. However, I think he tried to not upstage the other performers at Veneta and so, his show was a bit lackluster in relationship to the other bands. Mickey Hart's Mystery Box was a real surprise. It's not the style of music I would choose to listen to in my free time, but his joy at playing it was so contagious, I went out and bought the CD and find myself coming back to it again and again. We never got one of the "finale" jams. Kesey and Babbs kinda stole the show away from the performers. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed their presence and I think it made our show stand out from the rest of the tour. But based on the tapes I have heard from several other Furthur dates, we missed out on some good music. No matter, I'll go again if it comes around again. I'd love for the same performers to be there (including the Karamazov's!!!!!)
Overall the scene was great and the venue (Veneta) was great, but the music to me was very dissapoiting. I guess I always prefered the raunchy side of the Dead and I found that all the acts were just too damn pleasanr. I think that Ratdog should add a lead guitarist and really go after some songs. Instead I found myself just standing there, not dancing, not sweating, just plain out of it. They should add more bands and have Ratdog, Mystery Box be opening bands not the Headliners.
Loved it. Veneta, OR is a beautiful place.
Seeing my familiar and favorite crowd was definitely the highlight of the show for me. I enjoyed the music a great deal, especially Bruce Hornsby, whom I had never seen in concert. Although I enjoyed the music, when I heard a Dead tune covered or when I began to get really into the music, I became saddened, remembering what was and what will be no more. I think for everyone that had seen the Dead that was at a Further show felt Jerry come to mind and realized that he will never be forgotten or equaled in any musical format.
I'm disturbed by the various reports that the audience was primarily made up of deadheads who were there only reluctantly and as a poor replacement for the Dead. This may be the case for the disinterested few, but those of us who care about the spirit of the music can understand context of the festival. It's immature to take it out of its intent!
I enjoyed Further in the sense that it was like being at a nice family picnic. I enjoyed all of the musical acts, especially the surprise of Phil at Shoreline. I would attend again.
I had a bad experience at Librty State Park with traffic. 2 1/2 hours to get in, and I missed some of the show. Otherwise, the setting, weather, and music was great. Oh yeah, someone's gotta break Bob the news that people are only going to see Ratdog because Bob used to sing in the Grateful Dead. It amazes me how many people I've talked to, mostly long-time deadheads, who loathe Ratdog (myself included). They come across as morose, dark, and with very little energy. (Except for Johnnie Johnson, God Bless Him!) No wonder we all miss Jerry! Quite frankly, if Ratdog were playing in my backyard, I'd go to the window and pull down the shades....
Futhur was the closest thing I will ever come to a Dead concert. I'm seventeen and have been a Deadhead for three years, but the Dead have never come close to Toronto in those years (accept for the cancelled fall '95 tour). Furthur let me share in the incredible Deadhead experience, and Bobby sounded great woth Ratdog.
more acts would be cool. i also enjoyed the finale but think a longer jam would improve it
It was fun but the main problem was Rat Dog playing last. The show built up intensity with each band until the expectations are sky high for Rat Dog and then it's a complete let-down because Rat Dog has a weak, hollow sound. I love Bobby but for him to have a good band, he needs a talented lead guitarist to round out his sound and act as a foil for his rythym guitar. So at the end of the show I was feeling mostly disappointment. Los Lobos was by far the most rocking band that performed. They should have been closing the shows.
The show was too long and didn't leave enough time for free form jamming between artists. Th eplanned jams were excellent but just that... Planned jams
Furthur was more bittersweet than enjoyable for me, although it is fair to say that I did have a good time. A large part of me felt quite glad to be "there" again, but at the same time, I did feel that it was almost a case of exploitation: How can we continue to make money off Deadheads w/out the Dead themselves? Being somewhat unsatisfied with what I perceived as "7 opening acts in search of a headliner", I came away not totally put off, but somewhat disappointed.
it was most excellent. the best time i've had at any concert outing in the past couple of years. no hassles lots of kind people. please don't stop this.
I was happy to be back in the scene, but it was lacking the main attraction the Dead. I like the idea and I think it should continue with a few big bands and a lot of new bands like the Horde started out. I can definately appreciate the lack of people just there for the party.
It was good music. You had to go with the attitude that this was not the dead. If you did I think you would have been disappointed. I felt that Bobby did an allright job. I mean this must have been hard for him. People were expecting to experience the same thing as a show but it was not a show. It felt good to at least hear Bobby, but I sure wish the boys would get together and play for us. No it won't be the Gratful Dead but it would be some excellent musicians doing what they do best. Play.
went to saratoga further and had a great time overall enjoyable experience brought back memories of 1988 seering the Dead there.
THE BEST PARTS OF THE SHOW WAS WHEN BRUCE GOT TOGETHER WITH RAT DOG I WENT TO SARATOGA AND HAD ONE OF THE BEST SHOWS EXCEPT FOR THE TREMENDOUS WANT FOR JERRY TO PLAY I KNOW THAT NOBODY CAN REPLACE JERRY BUT IT WOULD BE SO COOL TO HAVE THE DEAD REFORM WITH A GARCIA STYLE GUITAR PLAYER AND MAYBE A SINGER ----MAYBE IT STILL WOULD NOT BE THE SAME------OH WHAT TO DO---HE'S GONE.
Rat Dog Should have played more. Too many bands.
Furthur was great, but it's time to take it to the next level. The guys have had lots of time to try out various configurations, now it's time for Bob, Phil, Mickey, and Bruce to put together an exciting band for Further II.
Overall, the Further Festival was a good time. I was incredibly disapointed in Bob Weir's Ratdog, almost enough to make me go back and question his contribution to the Dead. Bruce Hornsby and Mystery Box were the best acts, in my opinion, because they maintained an improvisational air with substantive musical talent.
great time. looking forward to the next one.
Ratdog needs: 1. a lead guitarist, 2. better song selection, 3. to play more Dead tunes other than Walkin' Blues, Minglewood, and Wang Dang consistently, 3. to get rid of Matt Kelly
I had a wonderful time at the Further Fest. show I saw at SPAC this summer. There was a vibe there that reminded me of the days of old. Very Mellow, which I like. The acts were superb!! It was great to see electric Hot Tuna. Jorma and Jack are truely the S.F sound. Los Lobos blew me away!! From the first notes of their set they were off and running. Bruce Hornsby, what can you say, a class act. We also got to thank him in person during Mr. Youngbloods set. He came out to speak with one of the tapers by us. Mickeys Myst. Box were a great suprise. The Mint Juleps were great. It's nice to hear Mickey inventing some new sounds, with the help of Mr Robert Hunter. I only wish the Ratdog Revue could have been a little different. I love Bob, but he needs to write some new tunes. Its not to say that they did'nt sound tight and pumped. Johnny B. Goode Johnson, what can you say, maybe a founding father of Rock. The Jam was rockin but, during the Saturday night, I was happy for the younger heads who could feel that energy, but ther was definately something missing. We all know who that was , Ol Jer. The place was a shrine for him which I was happy to see. I thought the museum and that area was great. Myself and friends had a great time and would do it all over again next year. Thanks for listening.

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