@SmokeyJonez said:

quote]

In response to Set 2 openers and the songs 'being' 20 mins long; the 'jams' sound very similar.

In response to Set 2 openers and their being 20 mins long; it'd be cool to see the band open with different jam 'vehicles.'

In trying to remain upbeat, I seem to have used to many words.

In light of this fact, I apologize for taking your time.

So you are saying the jams in the most recent Tweezer and Kill Devil Falls (both recent 20 min + Set II openers) sound similar? I find them very unique and unique from one another after a few listens...to each his own I guess...[/quote]

This was only to make a minor point in regards to something a tad different THIS year that I'd like to see continued. And you're cherry-picking two (although KDF has Tweezer jamming in it / 'reprised,' anyways) of the last four, which all go 20 plus I think. But here I go again.... I'm not writing in the pejorative.

It's beyond debate that the past couple YEARS has the band opening Set II with Dust, Disease, Carini, Fuego.... (Simply take a look at the lists if you hadn't heard, couldn't make it....) All the music is cool. Your Tweezer is a bit of an exception - and extremely great. KDF, for me, falls in category of 'Dust with jam tacked on;' or 'unfinished Disease.'

In no way was I trying to take away from this year.... I agree with all the positive reviews. The point was simply to suggest that it isn't necessarily the fan but the song choice that is jaded (using the term liberally here.... as in worn out) to open Set II.

When tours are so 'short,' it all adds up. I was simply pointing to the fact that we're getting all these fresh encores. My hope was that the next move would be to see 'all things reconsidered' and some new energy applied to open the frame. It's not to say that the playing is poor - I really love Trey's tone; moreover, I really like the control he seems to have (re)asserted.

I'd never come here and post something negative about the band all of you love. I love them too. But if every post is a victory lap, or a self-congratulatory pat on the back, I don't see the point. I'm not going to complain about the length of Tube, or bore with anecdotes about (forget Bowie - which I, too, Love) Mockingbird in 94.

But to point out that Dust and Carini opened sets 8 or 9 times last year seems fair and not mean-spirited. Are they chasing after something? And yeah: I do think those particular excursions sound similar - and based upon Fish's cues and Mike's Bell and Page's 'face,' I think the band has felt that way as well.

I agree with another writer who posted this is as great as they've sounded in years.

Again: long way of saying.... I'd love to see some different tunes to start the set. Mainly because this isn't 94, and you only get a handful of shows.