My travels often get me to Chicago at the head of Route 66 on the banks of Lake Michigan and to the old Northside neighborhood known for baseball.  This was a different kind of night. 

A joyous show tonight with perfect weather and the history and tradition of 2 Great American Institutions; Century old Wrigley Field and The Half century old Grateful Dead (well, at least Dead & Company this time around) finding a confluence, not unlike the Chicago and Illinois rivers along the banks of Lake Michigan in Chicago- the great American city and long time and frequent host of this great American Band.

The first set was enjoyable and well played, but the second set was one for the ages for this band. An extremely hot Dancing in the Streets into Playing in the Band took the crowd from feet to heart to head in a completely organic and righteous way.  
The invocation of Jerry, although that was yet to be revealed fully, began as Oteil sang a pure and graceful Comes a Time. Scarlet Begonias was inspired, again incanting the dancers rolling into a unique and very well played transition into Fire on the Mountain, the latter also sung well by Oteil. 

A subdued but somewhat fierce The Other One followed out of space, with John displaying a dense psychedelic core not displayed in his own solo work. To say his playing was remarkable on this song would be an egregious understatement. 
It’s a cliche, but Jerry “was in the room” in a city that loved him and where he made his last live appearance when Bob offered a heartfelt and heartbroken tribute of Days Between to his old Marin County musical brother. A spirited Not Fade Away allowed John the chance to bridge the decades yet another, with solid rock and roll stylistic touches. The “Fare Thee Well” chorus of Brokedown Palace left hardly a dry eye. 

Maybe the most “complete” show I’ve seen by this band, (in person, For certain) a strong case made in Bobby’s on stage unspoken musical endorsement of his new musical brother, John Mayer. One can only hope for the future of this group.