WOW! What an amazing show! I felt like I was present for a baby being born, something new, whole and unbound. If you were there, you already know; if not, here's your big hugs, dancing, jumping up and down and laughter! The most harmonic contrasts danced together in the flesh, tuxedos and tie-dye, bouffants and dreadlocks. I'm 60 now, and have seen a LOT of music, this was pure magic; I've no other word for it. Exceeding ALL possible expectations, even the jaded Marin Symphony usher up past his bedtime with the carnation in his lapel gave up trying not to smile while he tapped his ancient toes.
Most rock musicians try to use an orchestra like sugar, a simple sweetening for the band. This is far, far more ambitious, a true living synthesis, not a graft. This was definitely not just “One More Saturday Night” (although they shined magnificently while they rocked that, too), this First Fusion was totally different, something unexpected, one gift growing organically out of the last. There were (at least where we were sitting) a couple of places where the composite sound of two instruments sounded EXACTLY like a harmonica; some of us later admitted trying to spot it... there wasn't one.
The band immediately became another natural section of the symphony, the hoped-for improv's were plentiful and outstanding, the transitions between genres were seamless. Time stretched and shrank like a rubber mobius. Songs grew like vines from other songs, sometimes returning, sometimes leaving on entirely new trajectories. The songs were beautiful, the arrangements were rich and inspired, and the individual performances were gifted, and at times truly transcendent, making full use of the unique dynamic possibilities. One of my all-time favorite concerts by anyone, Bob Weir and friends with the Marin Symphony Orchestra would play absolutely anywhere, at any time in history, and be a perfect fit for every hope and dream in the room.
