What a great write-up. Couldn't agree more. It was wonderful. I felt so lucky to be there and see not only how much it meant to the fans, but also how much they band enjoyed it. Most of them played with a smile all night long, for three nights in a row. And Trey.... What can be said? What an honor for him and how awesome that he not only rose to the occasion, but far exceeded anyone's expectations. He was simply brilliant to watch and listen to. As a guitar player I was in awe of not only his tone, but his ability to change his phrasing and attack. He used different scales than he normally does. He left the arpeggios at home. He truly fused his style with what he took from Jerry's and it was beautiful to watch.

My biggest hope after watching these shows is that Trey learned a little bit more patience from the old gents. From the granddaddies of the scene. I would love to see Phish lay back a little more often and see where the music goes, because the times they have that I have seen or heard usually produces some tremendous results.

I haven't been this excited for a summer tour in a long time and these three shows made me crack open the saving account and grab tickets for Hotlanta and Blossom Center, in addition to Alpine and Dicks that were already part of the summer plan. Bring it on boys.

And lastly to the Dead. I was lucky enough to be there when I was 16 years old for the last shows in '95. I "got it" immediately and delved into hours and hours of live Dead material, it was all I listened to. I made plans with all my friends to head out over our summer after junior year for Dead tour in '96. And I was crushed by that news in early August. Even after my few months with them I felt a sense of loss and could only imagine what was felt by those that had loved them from the start. Luckily a few weeks later my buddy Joe played me a little ditty called "Reba" by this band called Phish (while we smoked a joint in his car before going into a basketball game at our high school). I was blown away... And I had a place to focus my musical appetite. The more I learned about the band, the more I loved them. Gamehendge.... 20-30 minute songs... Secret language... I finally found something to call my own! And I am fairly sure it never would have come around if it wasn't for a small band from California called the Warlocks that grew into not only into the Grateful Dead, but a movement and a lifestyle.

So to the men that started it all... I can only say thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I simply can not imagine how empty my life would have been without the music of these two bands. It has provided not only the soundtrack to my adult life, but some of my fondest memories.