A recommendation I would not have thought I'd be making. I've seen them before and they've been pretty good, not great. Just makes me nostalgic for the real thing.
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Saw them at Wrigley last minute to meet a buddy I haven't seen in years. Wow. Very impressive. Best I've ever seen or heard them. Didn't get nostalgic once during the show.
The drummer who replaced Kruetzman brings serious energy and really elevates them.
Mickey and Bobby are still holding their own. Chimenti is a bit of a Mydland knockoff but is an excellent player.
Mayer is still cheesy but damn can that guy play.
But the band is what they are because of Oteil.... the guy carries that band and is what is bringing them to their current heights. Mid 70s era Dancing in the Streets was FUNKY. And his bass banjo during drum space was ridiculous.Â
Catch them if you can before they break up
Been enjoying lots of Bob Weir and The Wolf Bros, Jerry Garcia Band and some of my first Dead shows lately.  All good stuff 😀 Feeling the vibe again!  Cheers!
I saw them a couple years ago in Hershey, PA and they were very very enjoyable. Caught my two favorite Bob Weir songs in the first set, Black Throated Wind and Cassidy and a nice Eyes Of The World in the second set. They're in Philadelphia tomorrow and unfortunately I can't make it, but I agree really fun band.Â
On a related note, I recently watched an Oteil & Friends show from earlier this year on YouTube and it was excellent and he does a nice mix of Grateful Dead and ABB material. Hoping to catch that outfit sometime.
