Dead and Company were back at MSG to finish their two night run in the Big Apple. After a stellar kick-off to the fall tour last Sunday, Deadheads have a lot to be excited about for the next month.

Johnny Lightning and the boys started the evening a little slow. The tempos were a little slower and Bobby flubbed the lyrics on a couple of occasions. Regardless, tunes like “Tennessee Jed” were a hell of a lot of fun.

The band came out after the set break with a vengeance and got kicked off the second set with a killer “Help > Slip > Frank.” “Franklin Tower” is becoming one of those tunes that Mayer completely owns and takes to another level. Next up, Oteil took center stage on a beautiful “China Doll.” Things got funky on “Estimated Prophet” before Billy and Mickey took over on “Drums.”

Out of “Space” grew John Coltrane’s immortal “A Love Supreme” before a drop dead gorgeous “Stella Blue.” Mayer brought the Garden back to their feet for an absolutely nuts “St. Stephen” and then kept them chanting well after they left the stage with “Not Fade Away.”

Dead and Co came back out for a “US Blues” encore that wouldn’t quit before calling it a night. Last night’s second set ranks among the best I have seen the band perform.

Set I Intro
Hell in a bucket
Cold Rain & Snow
Me & My uncle
Brown eyed woman
Tennessee Jed
Bird song
Man Smart Woman Smarter
Set I Outro

Set II Intro
Help on the way>
Slipknot>
Franklin’s Tower
China Doll
Estimated Prophet
Drums>
A love supreme >
Stella Blue
St. Stephen
Not fade Away

Encore Break
Us blues
Set II Outro

Thanks to Phishrabbi for the recording.

Photo credit: wavytrainmusic