Guest Book

Stevef1961: Ok, so you clarified, and OK you expressed your views. I gather from your clarification that your first ABB show was about 1981 or thereabouts. So, your reference to the ABB is from a band that was at that time, quite frankly, significantly "different" in its sound than the same band in 1970, '71. Very, very different. The Band was experimenting with a jazzier feel (as evidenced in Dollar Gas LP), but Dickey was bringing a new tone in as well. I only mention this to you because first off the band in the '80's was "different" than its original concept, and, was jazzier, and, was older. And some people I presume did not like them at that time for the same reasons you mentioned today. So, here we are today. New players, older original cast members and so forth. No Dickey, and he is not even missed. I know that its different, and no in a few areas its not as good as the original (i.e. the Duane era), but in some respects, its better than the original. 35 years of touring makes you a better player, even if you are older. So, all in all, I really dont know if it is appropriate to compare human performance in ANY venue to the same standard as when a person was young. Even the Beatles would sorta suck today, but would play some stuff better than in '64. So, its about balance and about a little give and take in my opinion. Not to take up for the Band here, but what I tend to read in your posts deals more with the issue of Dickey and his firing than anything else. Point is, if your mouth is full of vinegar, taking a sip of a $100 bottle of wine, the wine is still going to taste like *****, but it is not the wine's fault. Clean your musical palate, and give the Band another listen. Rick Tomlinson