re: Dead & Co Jazzfest check in

no doubt that’s the case but why not just say that? Nobody would think it was unusual

quote:

---

no doubt that’s the case but why not just say that? Nobody would think it was unusual

---

If it was a medical issue, i feel like billy wouldve just came out and said that. There is way more going on than that imo.

sorry for this long arse reply, but it gives perfect insight into Kreutzmann's decision to leave D&C and move on

I think he got tired of the same old shite and no new musical direction or vision from Bob and Dead & Co. Playing the same boring style for the last 7-8 years got stale and he decided to take his vision of the music to a whole different level. If you go back and watch videos from the prior Billy & The Kids shows, BK looks happy and always smiling, having a great time. During recent D&C tours, he looked bored as if he was just going through the motions.

I support Kreutzmann 1000% as he said "Fuk It, I'm doing what I want to do, and what makes me happy". Realizing he won't live forever, now was the best time for him to leave the band play his musical style. This was apparent based on his interviews and posts following this weekend.


Here are some of his Instagram posts: Decipher what you want out of Billy's own words.

interview with Billy confirming he didn't want to tour with D&C and play 35 shows

billkreutzmann - Dear Friends,
Covering @harrystyles and then taking a personal favorite @gratefuldead classic deep with my band @billykandthekids last week was so much fun; I can’t stop watching this segment from the livestream and I decided that, on my birthday, I wanted to share it with all of you.

A great song reimagined, a great melody reinvented, and then a wild, exploratory jam that carves fresh tracks under a classic tune that I’ve loved for more than fifty years now, making it feel renewed and redefined - because even at 77, life can be inspiring; every day is a new opportunity. That message is embedded in this music and it is my birthday wish to all of you. ????? (Watch: link in my bio)

Thanks to @nugsnet for offering up this segment from their beautiful livestream of the entire evening. For my birthday, they extended the window for another day or two. Get the entire show and then watch on-demand at your leisure. -> nugs.net/billyandthekids

I’m so grateful - truly - that I still get to play the rhythms that literally move me, that we all get to come together while dancing our own dances — whether on stage or in the nosebleeds — in celebration, in release, in a shared experience. It’s truly a sacred space, isn’t it? We’re lucky that we get to do it at all, let alone for this long. Thank you all for your love, support, and birthday wishes. Hope to see all your beautiful faces this coming year!

NFA,
Billy

Molly Tuttle 25-minute Sunflower > Bird Song

billkreutzmann - As a fan of new and exciting music, I had been wanting to check out Daniel Donato for awhile and last week at Jazz Fest, I finally had a chance. When we discussed a potential sit in, I wanted “Dire Wolf” - since we had to cut that the night before with @billykandthekids when we ran out of time - and “Dark Star” because, you know… it’s “Dark Star.”

Daniel asked if we could also do “Cumberland Blues.” You betcha.

You can’t really rehearse a “Dark Star” jam - so we didn’t. Taking musical risks and going for it is kinda what I live for and I always thought that was the point of that one. We all trusted that it would work. And boy did it ever. We realized only after returning to earth that we had just gone on an unexpected 45-minute journey across time and space.
- #billthedrummer

billkreutzmann - Last night was so much fun - we played for four hours and I didn’t want to stop! So I’m not going to! There’s something about the Big Easy that makes it easy for a music-lover like me to fit right in. I love how we’re surrounded by legends and up-and-comers alike — all on the same stages and even on the same nights.

I’ve played the room now known as Republic NOLA since it was the Howlin’ Wolf and tonight it’s Daniel Donato’s turn. He happened to have an extra drum kit so I told him to set it up, just in case I feel like dropping in on a couple tunes, early on. (If you’re not in town, it’s streaming for free: LINK

So catch me if you can — I’m going to soak up as much music as possible this weekend before I have to go home.

Let’s geaux!

45-minute Dark Star

Brother - I don't doubt what you heard on the streets, but I don't believe that speculation.

This is Bob Weir's band. For 3 decades, Bob played second fiddle to Jerry who ran the show. EVERYTHING ran through the fat man. When Jerry died in 1995, Bob took over the leadership reins and started: Ratdog, The Other Ones, The Dead, Further, etc... Listen to Bob's recent solo album, Blue Mountain.... it's just played at a slower tempo. Nothing upbeat that makes you wanna get up and dance.

I honestly can't see Bob allowing John Mayer to dictate live musical tempo over the opinions of Mickey, Billy, Jeff, and Oteil ... all who have played the music longer than JM. Ponder this, roughly 8 years ago (2015), John Mayer had never even heard of the Grateful Dead or could name a GD song. It was all by coincidence that he heard Althea on spotify that was halfway through the song. If Bob is allowing Mayer to control the tempo, I will have lost a lot of respect for Bob. Just how I see it.

quote:

---

I honestly can't see Bob allowing John Mayer to dictate live musical tempo over the opinions of Mickey, Billy, Jeff, and Oteil

---

Jeff and oteil have literally no say, they arent even considered members of the band. Look at the press release when billy left.