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Anyone think that these guys would've had a bigger slot than 3:00-4:30??? I was hoping for a little more I guess.
it's the same slot they had in 05, i think. i thought they would be playing longer. they probably will run over. i think i'm going to have to miss it though.
I agree, Bob got the shaft. He'll probably show up somewhere else, possibly with Mule or Panic, but it's still a shaft job on that time slot for one of the engineers of the jam scene. I'd much rather see Bob/Ratdog than Phil/Friends and they let Phil headline last year. What gives?
Ratdog isn't anything overly special to me. I will be there watching them I am sure, but they aren't as good as Phil and Friends, in my opinion. Not by a long shot.
Post by suspendedzen on May 25, 2007 12:40:12 GMT -5
Out of curiosity, why do some of you think Phil/Friends is so much better than Bobby/Ratdog? Is it a musical thing or is it because of their contrasting views on downloading/money/etc issues?
Bobby just isn't the musician that Phil is. Besides Phil has some really really great friends and Bobby's band is just kinda.... there. Still good but not AS good as Phil.
the downloading/$$$/etc. makes me like Bobby less but if he could jam like Phil it wouldn't matter.
Phil is great but I love Bob, I think it the amount of cheese Bob brings people don't like. Bob does sound a hell of a lot better but Phil bring a better band with him.
Post by suspendedzen on May 25, 2007 13:46:32 GMT -5
I have alot of respect for Bobby largely carrying the band in the 80s/90s while Jerry struggled contantly with his heroin problem. Weir took alot of the weight of Jerry's shoulders as far as both guitars and vocals went while still quietly allowing Jerry Garcia to remain the obvious centerpiece of the band.
I personally prefer Ratdog to Phil/Friends only because of Bobby's vocals, I like both acts instrumentally. Weir's recent annoying-ness in interviews and such has been rather disappointing, though.
I still don't get the whole smiting people for different tastes thing. Has always seemed very un-Roo to me. +1 for branham.
Out of curiosity, why do some of you think Phil/Friends is so much better than Bobby/Ratdog? Is it a musical thing or is it because of their contrasting views on downloading/money/etc issues?
I have to chime in on this one. I thinks its really difficult to say one is a better musician than the other. I think they approach the music in very different ways. Bob is obviously looking for tightness and to get some group cohesion going. He's had this lineup together for several years now, and I think they are better now than they have ever been. The group is getting comfortable and Mark Karan is really stepping up with some epic playing. I saw the three night run at the Beacon in March, and they were on fire the whole time. Ratdog is a more reliable band, IMHO.
Phil is obviously looking to push the envelope more, and willing to experiment more with the music in terms of extended jamming and constantly bringing in new people to play with. I think this makes him very hit or miss. The two stealth NYC shows back in April are a good example of this. The first night, with Molo out sick, was just horrendous and barely worth the time. The second night was much better and the band seemed to come together more cohesively.
So while Phil may be pushing the envelope with his performances, he can be hit or miss, while Bobby will deliver a more packaged show that be more consistently solid but lacking some of the epic improvisational jamming.
The other issue with these two is simple supply and demand. In the last few years Ratdog has been touring about twice as much as Phil, so there is much more demand to see an occaional Phil show than to see one of Bobby's three tours every year.
For me, you can't go wrong with either. What do you prefer, doorways or hallways?
Post by augustwest on May 25, 2007 14:43:10 GMT -5
I like Bob because he has a better voice, but unfortunately the rest of the band currently sucks in my humble opinion, and Phil puts together a lot more talent. Does anyone know why Rob Wasserman is not in RatDog anymore? I know he has been gone for awhile, but never heard why.
Post by weatherbill on May 25, 2007 18:02:23 GMT -5
Phil is more intense. Bobby seems unpassionate on stage at times, like he's gotten too comfortable there and is not challenging. Phil let's it rip more! Love em both, but Phil's got my vote!
I will almost garuentee that Bobby will be up with Panic for some Dead tunes. I would have been much happier to see RatDog as the Pre Headliner and up against the Stripes. thin the crowd alittle but it will still be alot of fun.
Granted, I'm a relatively new convert to the obsessive focusing on the Dead, but Ratdog was excellent at McDowell Mountain. For all I know, it was a phenomenon, but I really don't think so. The band was tight without seeming overly rehearsed, they turned the songs on a dime where needed, built an awesome setlist, and played to the crowd perfectly. We'll see what happens I suppose, but I'll be there for Bobby.
Don't get me wrong, I will be there for Ratdog and do not dislike them, I just think Phil's groups are better than them and that his shows are better (having seen both). That doesn't mean Bob Weir doesn't put on a good show, because he does. And his recent interviews haven't done anything to endear me to him more.
i think its ridiculus hes thinking that a majority of the people at what started out as a jam band festival would not know who the grateful dead are and not have atleast some knowledge of their impact on the scene and know a little of their vast repertoire.
If I didn't think the show would be pretty good I would almost skip Bobby because of that interview alone. I mean, the Dead are right behind Dylan as my favorite of all time and so any opportunity to see someone from that band is hard to pass up for me, but that Weir interview (not to mention his views on sharing the soundboards, etc) piss me off. And I also don't think Ratdog is that fantastic a backing band from having seen them before.
Rat dog is gonna rock as usual. I listened to his interview and don't know why so many people are crying about it. I guess we hear what we want to hear. Just think people are little oversensitive. As far as Phil vs Bob I always get a kick out of arguments. I take the oppurtunity to see either any time I can. I have seen smokin shows by both . To be honest I have seen Phil sound alot better than he did at last years ROO. I have also been to Ratdogs shows that blew my mind and hope they bring to ROO.
Post by weatherbill on May 27, 2007 19:18:20 GMT -5
I wish Ratdog lead player was more passionate in his playing......that's what I liked about the Allman Bros a couple years ago......they tore it up and played with passion........I'm a guitar player, so I am a bit critical on the lead......I wanna hear some passionate jam get me off....Ratdogs lead player just doesn't do it for me, but since I'm so addicted to all the dead's great songsd, I enjoy it anyways......haven't kept up as much since the days of Jerry.........
Last Edit: May 27, 2007 19:24:30 GMT -5 by weatherbill - Back to Top
