@scottmmoore said:

"because it seems like it would be so easy for the band to do this"

Dude, don't say that, unless you really think anything that they do is "easy". Its just poor form. I say this with total respect for your comment and the one's you've made previously, and I agree with most of what you said, but let me propose a reason for the multitude of short songs in their sets.

They just don't tour like they used to... they spoiled us back in 97 when they could play pretty much their entire catalog and also extend pretty much any song for as long as their curiosity (and chops) allowed it to. That was a perfect combo of over a decade of dedication to their craft and a new-found interest in (and ability to play) funk, trance, and other infuences. With an abbreviated tour schedule (these guys do have families), they are trying to balance actual live experience with their catalog (which is vast) with improvisation. Their simply aren't enough tour-hours available anymore for them to play a 50 min Jim, except for every once in a while... maybe... hopefully

Well I hear you, there. That's entirely possible. I suppose I could have instead said "I believe that they could do this." Basically I'm saying, "I think they have it in them." Maybe that's wishful thinking. I'm not even comparing to the glory days, or saying they should be playing 4 song second sets every night again (though more shows like 11/28/09 would be nice). Let's take 2009 as an example ... I feel like they were crafting pretty interesting setlists by August that year, leaving room for more jams in both sets... and something fell off by 2011 in terms of playing way more songs (hence hearing lots of the same ones more often), and the jams getting shorter. Take a look at a show like 8/7/09.


Sure the first set ends with a Cavern, but the Sneaking Sally and ensuing jam eat up a huge chunk of time, and gloriously so (still one of the best jams of 3.0 imo). Moma to open set two unpredictably, a gorgeous long jam in Light in the second set than segues into Taset. A Bathtub Gin that puts all these watery 2011/12 vintages to shame. Hood closer, Slave encore. Ok, not every show is going to be a tour highlight. But let me reiterate: I believe it can be better.

Don't you?