photo by: Allison Murphy

Wednesday July 27, 2011, Beacon Theater

I got in late, close to the end of the first set and I missed Natalie Cole and Ron Holloway, (darn it.)   I did, however, hear an incredible Liz Reed with Bill Evans on sax – making it a spacy, raging, beautiful jazz/guitar mashup jam before setbreak.  Warren tells us they are going to take a short break, a really short one and to stay tuned for more really special guests.  Time to hit the restrooms, wrestle the crowd for a drink, and get back for more.

photo by: Allison Murphy

Second set, David Crosby and Graham Nash were already on stage with Derek Trucks when I walked in (I was dealing with a large unmovable crowd), and the three of them are on stage, Derek strumming his guitar while Crosby and Nash sing Teach Your Children.  My eyes at this point are bugging out of my head, I don’t think I have ever seen Crosby and Nash live before, and I’m frozen in watching these three men on the stage.

The whole theater was on their feet, I was in awe seeing Crosby and Nash only 10 rows away from me.  Couldn’t get the grin off my face, but did not sing along because I wanted to hear these two sing, play acoustic guitar, with Derek.  It was so beautiful and special, I had goosebumps.  I doubt I was the only one.

Crosby and Nash alone sing Guinnevere .  Guinnevere.   Yes, really.  If I didn’t have goosebumps by then, I really had them now.  Liftoff to my blissful music high, this is when I began to swoon.  Warren Haynes comes out and the three sing Find the Cost of Freedom a capella. David Crosby then tells us “…how he hasn’t played the next song for a while because, well, he couldn’t remember all the words.  Since he wasn’t stoned tonight,” he continued, “he wanted to play it.”  Chuckles from the stage and audience started Cowboy Movie song.

photo by: Allison Murphy

Afterwards, Phil Lesh comes out to join for a plethora of Dead tunes including Continue reading →