There was supposed to be a show tonight but weather concerns put it off to later this week. If not for that, I could state music consumes this weekend. Nonetheless, I saw some really solid performances Friday and Saturday. Dead and Company performed Friday eve at Citi Field. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Never Forget Concert Saturday at Jones Beach featured a number of acts; John Fogerty’s inclusion on the bill remained a major reason we selected this show. Explaining attending this over The City is Back Central Park Concert earlier the same day, I explained in my world, Fogerty trumps Springsteen (And as we later learned Boss never got to perform!).

I often state when a performer plays a certain song, often an opening number, that’s all I need to hear. I felt just that when Fogerty and his band opened with my favorite Creedence (Clearwater Revival) tune, “Up Around the Bend.” I could’ve left then and considering all the rain endured before John took the stage (and came later), one could argue that made sense. Perhaps Jason Greenberg can share about the final act. I also particularly enjoyed Jesse Colin Young, Ann Wilson (of Heart) and The Steve Miller Band. Jesse performed but two songs including his signature tune (that he did not write), “Get Together” which Miller sat in on. Fogerty remarked how our nation came together 20 years ago after 9/11 and wished that for America today. The rest of the lineup included Journey, The Chainsmokers, Lee Brice, Wyclef Jean, Gavin DeGraw, Wé McDonald, Flo Rida, Danny Rodriguez, and Jax. The house band featured guitarist G.E. Smith and Paul Shaffer on keys.

When a band performs none of your most fave tunes and you come away satisfied it speaks well of the show. That was certainly the case Friday eve. No “Playing in the Band,” no “Truckin’,” no “Sugar Magnolia,” no “Dire Wolf.” The playing and jamming was sharp and precise and the songs fresh. My daughter remarked she never got to see The Band play “The Weight” but Dead and Company paid the classic its due. The lineup: Bob Weir (guitar/vocals), Bill Kreutzmann (drums), Mickey Hart (drums), John Mayer (guitar/vocals), Oteil Burbridge (bass/vocals), and Jeff Chimenti (keys/vocals). See the entire setlist.

Just as a show inspired last week’s commentary (See No Milk or Sugar.), the spate of shows that remain may give inspiration for upcoming blogs.

Dead and Company setlist:

Let Good Times Roll

Bertha

Good Lovin’

Big Railroad Blues

Ramble On Rose

They Love Each Other

Cassidy

Casey Jones

Eyes of the World

Uncle John’s Band

China Doll (Oteil sings lead)

China Cat Sunflower

I Know You Rider

Drums

Space

Spanish Jam

Althea

Stella Blue

US Blues

Encore: The Weight

Fogerty set:

Up Around the Bend

Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Bad Moon Rising

Proud Mary

Fortunate Son

Steve Miller set:

I Want to Make the World Turn Around

Fly Like An Eagle

Swingtown

The Joker

Keep On Rockin' Me

Ann Wilson:

Greed

Love of My Wife (Queen cover)

Dream On (Aerosmith cover)

Barracuda

Jesse Colin Young set:

Darkness, Darkness

Get Together (with Steve Miller)