Sunday, August 30, 2009

Under The Blankets:Other People Playing Grateful Dead Music

The Grateful Dead have played a lot of other peoples songs in their long strange trip. To keep in that tradition lets explore other people playing Grateful Dead songs.










Next week I am going to explore the songs that the Grateful Dead covered by viewing the original artist play them.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Steve Kimock's Dead Family History


After I posted that long list of where to find the Dead on archive.org earlier this week, I sort of stopped listening to the Dead. So today's random blogging is goin to look at Steve Kimock. Sure I can talk about his bands, his influence, his history. Instead I have decided to take a deeper look at his musical interpretations of Grateful Dead music. This is a Grateful Dead blog after all.

When I think of Kimock and Grateful Dead music the first thing that comes to my mind is Phil and Friends. He had filled the guitar role very well I believe. His connection doesn't start there though. It began as early as 1980 with the Heart Of Gold Band. This was Keith and Donna's band after they left the Grateful Dead. Kimock was young. Yet he seems extremely experienced. His riffs were very Jerry-like yet they had his own personality behind each note. This band only played one concert. Then Keith had died in a car accident. After this Kimock was in a band called Zero. This would end up being his love affair for a better part of his musical career. Garcia even sat in with Zero for one concert. Click the picture Jerry and Steve for a download!!!

Zero became one of the most popular Bay Area band in the 80s and early 90s. Well other than the Grateful Dead (They were still a Bay Area band right?) Zero has adopted much of the Grateful Dead's style over the years without being a Grateful Dead cover band. They even have Robert Hunter write a few songs for them. Not many bands can get that kind of offering.

Zero has covered Crazy Fingers. This song is perhaps my favorite Grateful Dead cover...ever. (Next to Widespread Panic's 8-23-2008 Morning Dew) Track 10 is Crazy Fingers. The voice should be familiar since it is Donna Jean. Don't Let that scare you away though!!! Click Here To Download 5-25-07!!!

Another amazing Kimock band with yet another endearing cover is Steve Kimock's Crazy Engine. This band is with Melvin Seals of JGB fame on the keys. This band absolutely tears down the house with every show. With this band Kimock has covered a moving version of Stella Blue and a few other familiar JGB songs. Melvin Seals is in the band after all. Stella Blue is track 15.
Click Here To Download 4-17-09!!!

Now that I have covered this ground I can move onto Steve's work with Post Jerry Dead bands. The first I can think of was The Other Ones. This was the first "Grateful Dead reunion band" Since Garcia had died. The music was fun and Kimock added a lot to this lineup. The Other Ones plays Mountains On The Moon. The last time this song was played was way back in 1969 by a little band called The Grateful Dead. The same concert also has a great Scarlet>Fire. Scarlet Begonias brings Kimock full circle in the Grateful Dead universe, this was the only Grateful Dead song on Keith and Donna's Heart Of Gold Band's album which Kimock played on. Click on the picture of The Other Ones to Download 6-29-98!!!



Steve Kimock was also in Vince Welnick's Missing Man Formation in 1998. I am not sure if Missing Man came before The Other Ones though. Here is a full concert you can watch and enjoy. I really dig this band and Vince Welnick in general.



Then in 1999 Kimock had joined Phil Lesh's ever revolving door of musicians in Phil Lesh and Friends. This pretty much ended badly. When Kimock left the band he posted on his website "I ain't going to work on Maggie's farm no more." Either way this musical relationship ended the music was stellar.

Kimock may have been over shadowed with playing during the time that Trey and Page from Phish joined the band for a few nights. Yet Kimock could certainly hold his own. In many ways I enjoyed Kimock's playing better than other "friends" during that time peroiod. A favorite Kimock song of mine, Tangled Hangers, showed up on 10-21-99!! Click the Picture above for a Download of 10-21-99!!!


I know I am leaving out Kimock's work with Mickey Hart here. Maybe that will be another day. Instead I am skipping to 2007 when Kimock sat in with Ratdog. The interesting thing about him playing with Ratdog for a tour was he had NO rehearsals. In his own words, "It’s stupid, man, with a capital ‘D’! [Laughs]. But there really wasn’t much time, either. Basically, I got in the car [in Pennsylvania, where he lives] and drove up to Milwaukee, hopped up onstage and said, ‘Let’s go!’
Obviously I know where this stuff is coming from, and I’ve been playing onstage with rock bands all my life, so it’s not like they grabbed a clarinetist out of a Broadway pit orchestra and said, ‘Here, cover this stuff.’ So I wasn’t entirely clueless on an energetic level. But on the detail-specific level of arrangements, I had a bit to learn or discover. As regards the whole band chemistry thing, that’s not something you can rehearse or second guess; you just have to get up there with the guys and play. Weir’s been playing some of this material all his life, and most of the rest of the guys have been playing in this band for ten years, so they have their thing down in a way, and to enter into that is a little tricky. But I usually know when to shut up and I usually know when to stick my little foot in it." Here is one of the first shows he played with Ratdog.


Click the Picture to Download 7-11-07!!! This show also features special guest Keller William sitting in on a few songs.

I might have missed some stuff but this gives you a good idea of Steve Kimock's history with Grateful Dead music.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Grateful Dead Family On Archive.org

Boombox (Keith and Donna's son Zion's band)
http://www.archive.org/details/BoomBox

Dark Star Orchestra (I am including this since John is in Furthur with Phil and Bob)
http://www.archive.org/details/DarkStarOrchestra

Donna Jean and The Tricksters
http://www.archive.org/details/DonnaJeanandtheTricksters

Donna Jean Band
http://www.archive.org/details/DonnaJeanGodchauxBand

Grateful Dead (we should all know this one by now!!!)
http://www.archive.org/details/GratefulDead

Henry Kaiser (1994 Japan show with Bob and Vinny!!)
http://www.archive.org/details/kaiser1994-08-27.shnf

Jackie Greene (From Phil and Friends..if you dig through it you will find Bob and Phil sitting in)
http://www.archive.org/details/JackieGreene

Melvin Seals and JGB (NO JERRY ON THESE RECORDINGS)
http://www.archive.org/details/JGB

KVHW (Steve Kimock, he has played in Heart Of Gold Band(Keith and Donna's post Dead band, The Other Ones, Phil and Friends, Rhythm Devils, Ratdog)
http://www.archive.org/details/KVHW

KVMW (Steve Kimock)
http://www.archive.org/details/KVMWBand

Little Feat (Shakedown Street's producer, Lowell George's band)
http://www.archive.org/details/LittleFeat

Mickey Hart Band
http://www.archive.org/details/MickeyHartBand

Moe. (Bob Weir has sat in with them a couple of times, you can find the exact shows though. I am too lazy for all of that)
http://www.archive.org/details/moe

Phil Lesh and Friends
http://www.archive.org/details/PhilLeshandFriends

Psychedelic Guitar Circus (Henry Kaiser and Steve Kimock...great version of Dark Star)
http://www.archive.org/details/PsychedelicGuitarCircus

Ratdog (For those that don't know Bob Weir's band)
http://www.archive.org/details/Ratdog

Rhythm Devils (Mickey Hart and I think Billy K. also Steve Kimock and Mike Gordon from Phish)
http://www.archive.org/details/RhythmDevils

Steve Kimock
http://www.archive.org/details/SteveKimock

Steve Kimock Band
http://www.archive.org/details/SteveKimockBand

Steve Kimock's Crazy Engine (SK and Melvin Seals)
http://www.archive.org/details/SteveKimockCrazyEngine

The Dead
http://www.archive.org/details/TheDead

The Other Ones NEW!!!!
http://www.archive.org/details/TheOtherOnes

Melvin Seals
http://www.archive.org/details/MelvinSeals

Vince Welnick
http://www.archive.org/details/VinceWelnick

Zero (Steve Kimock)
http://www.archive.org/details/Zero
****Jerry sits in with Zero here:
http://www.archive.org/details/zero1988-07-16sbd

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Dark Star From Sunshine Daydream

So I have been in the process of listening to every Dark Star performed. I decided to check out YouTube to see what I could find. To perhaps watch one as opposed to only listen. PS If you want to read my full Dark Star reviews these are all Lost Sailor Pub exclusives. That and I really don't want to copy and paste that much into this blog. So head on over to LSP Go to Songs Sang Aboard The Ship Of Fool and you will see my Dark Star Project at the top!!!




Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Half -Step>Rider?!?!

This show was suggested by a friend. After I looked at the second set I couldn't resist. We will get to that later though.

1st Set
I NEED to point out that the tuning featured a Morning Dew riff.This show opens with an upbeat, pretty rocking Touch. The entire band seems to be energetic from the get-go as they move into Hell In A Bucket. Brent as normal does shine through during the mini jam of Bucket. Bob's vocals are pretty good for this as well. With Bobby screaming "Ride! Ride! Ride! At least I'm enjoying the ride!" the song closes and the band finds itself in a strong Sugaree. This is a good version. Once Jerry finds the groove, he stays there and rides the tidal waves that Sugaree often offers. He adds a blues touch in the middle of Sugaree. Jerry sings the chorus one more time as the song ends. After some regrouping they launch into Cassidy. Bob is having fun with this song. Brent also adds a nice a element to the song. With his vocal work and key work. The jam in Cassidy has an amazing climax that I haven't heard in other versions. Stagger Lee is played with a certain amount of energy that the rest of the set has. It's All Over Now features some nice band interplay. Garcia once again finds his home on the fretboard as the song builds on top of itself. The vocal harmonies are also top notch. Great slide work from Bobby during Over Now. He was really coming into his own as a slide guitar player as of 1985. The closing jam features some really fun Brent keys. The next song is Row Jimmy. Sometimes this is an excellent song, other times is a snoozer and I want to skip it. This one has nice guitar work from Bob and Jerry. Yet overall, I want to skip it. I can say there are some outstanding harmonies in this version. I suppose it is something to get me through the song. The ending of the song picks up energy. After a quick tuning the band goes into Feel Like A Stranger. Once again the high energy of the entire set is brought back. Bob's vocals are once again in top form. Also the band goes into a funky little jam. This reminds me of a Shakedown jam but a lighter version of it.

2nd Set
1/2 Step is the set opener. The band still seems to be in full form. Jerry's vocals are a little Kermit The Froglike. It is a decent version of the song but nothing to crazy. Then comes what sounds like it could be Iko Iko. Wait no...its I Know You Rider!!! It could have been a smoother trasnition. Either way I am very happy with the execution. This Rider is very up tempo. Jerry's guitar work is very fluid, which at this point in the concert I am expecting for the rest of the show to be the same. Then they segue right into Playin' In The Band!!! This seems to be about an average 85 Playin'. Then Brent steps in and changes all of that. After that boost from Brent Jerry finds his footing as does Bobby. Overall, this mix doesn't showcase Phil too much. He finally gets a little room to move in Playin' though. From what I can hear I just wish he was in the mix better. Although, the Playin did take a quick turn from average to kick arse. Amazing musical thoughts happening on the stage that night. This segues very smoothly into Uncle John's Band. This UJB features some harmonies that range from 2 to 11. (on a 0-10 rating 10 being the highest). No need to worry about the vocals though as the music is above par. They nail every jam flawlessly. As the Supplication jam is underway. This also gets very spacey. The entangled notes just bounce off each other as the drummers become a little antsy. Drums is nothing special. It isn't bad, but it is very basic. The beginning of Space begins with a roar that could almost be compared to thunder. This space is very pretty and organized. It is very dreamlike. I often wonder what the themes were for Space. For a moment I think I can hear Stella Blue, just for a second. Instead the band settles on Truckin'. After a great vocal show for Bob Truckin' had to come up. He messes up lyrics like it was his job. Jerry also has some weird Kermit moments in it. Still the band was on fire as they continue into Comes A Time. Jerry seems to struggle through the vocals with a little Kermit in his throat. Yet the emotion that he conveys is very powerful. Brent and Phil seem to follow each other very closely behind Jerry's lead and Bob's rhythm. The drummers have also added a lot to Comes A Time. After the ballad slot comes Around and Around. It brings the energy back that was throughout the rest of the concert. This moves smoothly into Good Lovin'. Bob gets to scream a little during this one. The set closes to leave time for an encore. Another song with It's All Over Now in the title. This time It's All Over Now, Baby Blue. A pretty good version of the song. Bob adds a lot of color into the mix with some nice guitar playing. I would say this song suffers the worst from Kermit Jerry in this concert. Over all this is a great listen, worth the time to listen to the entire thing.


Stream the soundboard

Download The Aud!!! Click The Ticket

Monday, August 17, 2009

Two shots of whiskey, This show is looking good


So this show was suggested to me by Sugarmag. According to her this is a Swami pick. Go to Lost Sailor's Pub for more picks like this one. Anyway lets get on with the show.

The first set features a solid '84 style first set. Minglewood and Dupree's are both highlights. Then Far From Me, a song I normally skip, has excellent key action from Brent. Ramble On Rose is also played excellently. Next up is the "power slot" in the 1st set. Sailor>Saint features some nice keyboard work from Brent. Also the whole band seems to be on for this set which always works.The band is getting warmed up for the set that follows with this combo. During the 4 minute mark they begin to really get on fire. A very tight jam which leads back to the chorus. In the chorus Bob gets carried away and raps, "I just want to fuck you I do". The audience cheers at the improv lyrics and the band soon ends the song. Then the set closes with Deal. A solid version which features an amazing jam at the end of the song. The four minute mark is to be taken note of. You can instantly tell they are about to rock the song, which of course they do!!! Jerry's lead is precise yet, the whole band really takes credit. You know how sometimes you hear a song and think to yourself, "Jerry just rocked, I wish the rest of the band could have been there with him." Ha Ha this is not one of those moments.

On to set 2!!! Which opens with Shakedown Street. I really love the '84 Shakedowns. When they nailed them they were perfect. Phil comes through excellently, as he should on Shakedown. Brent's backing vocals are very prominent on this as well. Then the real jam begins. Oh wow!!! Check out Bob adding color under Jerry and Phil in the Shakedown jam. Then Shakedown melts into a rockin' Playin In The Band. Very focused and straight to the point during the verse and chorus. Then they begin to stray. When the stray it is pure beauty. Which sits really well in this otherwise high energy show. You can hear hints of Terrapin being played in the ending jam of PITB. Once we get that Terrapin Brent adds some nice keys to help keep the beauty alive. Jerry also compliments Brent during this Terrapin intro. Terrapin is very hypnotic as you can hear the drummers begin to get restless. The Rhythm Devils are at it again in this concert. Sometimes I wonder how electronic music fans can not like the Grateful Dead. If for anything just the Drums segment of each show in the 80s and beyond. Space carries over the same theme with some excellent guitar work from Jerry. The space also showcases Jerry's love for brass instruments. His timing reminds me of Miles Davis or John Coltrane. Then as space cools down they smoothly move back into PITB. A high energy performance to balance out the beauty part of the show. After a rousing Playing Reprise they move full throttle into Truckin'. I am not able to listen to the rest of this show at the moment. I can tell you there is a Day Job encore, which in theory means its a hot show. I really wanted to finish this show too. My internet keeps acting up and I have had to reset it like 5 times during the listening of this concert.

Click On The Ticket To Download!!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Primal and Woodstock

I have chosen to feature some "Primal Dead" in this weeks Sunday Video. The video is rough at times but historically important.



And now to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock some videos from The Dead and more from that historic concert. I know the Dead's set was way below par but we have video of it!!!




Saturday, August 15, 2009

Bob's 1st Tribute To Jerry


I am not a huge fan of Ratdog, yet I do find 8-9-95 a very moving show. I am sure most of you have heard this concert. I was hoping to post this last week but then got busy and forgot. Let us flashback to 1995. August 9th to be exact. We all heard the news of Jerry passing. Camera crews went to parks to film the gathering of Heads. Well in New Hampshire Bob Weir had a show scheduled with his then new band Ratdog. If he canceled I believe everyone would have understood. He didn't cancel though.

"So our departed friend, if he proved anything to us, he proved that good music can make sad times better. We got out work cut out for us, so lets get this thing started." With those touching words from Bobby Weir the band started right away. This whole set of music is very moving and heartfelt. Wasserman proves to be the perfect foil for Bob in Bombs Away. Then Walkin' Blues sounds excellent. Yet you can feel the missing presence of one Jerome Garcia. The rest of the show is also as heartfelt. Other highlights include Fever>Eternity, Blackbird. Then the meat of the show is one of my favorite moments in Ratdog history (granted I have steered clear of most Ratdog stuff). The Winners>This Time Forever>Shade Of Gray>Heaven Help The Fool>Drums>Bass. The emotion that Bob sings is extremely evident. Especially in This Time Forever and Heaven Help The Fool. There is a Throwing Stones in this set. It isn't bad but once again is missing a guitar that we have all come to love. The line "We are on our own" from Throwing Stones fit the mood and in a weird Bob Weir way expressing his loss of a friend. He also added the line "Papa's Gone" to the "We are on our own" refrain. Bob's vocals are perfect for it though. Even the encore of this concert is moving. "A tribute to Jerry" can be heard from the stage before they play the encore. The encore is an Audience patch. Not the best around, however it does add some life to this SBD for an emotional encore. You can hear people yell "Yeah Jerry!!!" over the music. At the end of Every Little Light Rob says, "Thank you very much Mister Jerry." Now for the tear jerker part of the show. If Little Light didn't do it for you. Knockin' On Heaven's Door. Which is also a first time played for Ratdog. You can actually hear Bob's vocals start to crackle through the song. I am almost positive there was not a dry eye in the building after this. Then at the end of Knockin' is a Grateful Dead Not Fade Away audience chant. As the audience continues to sing the chorus and clap hoping to never leave.
Download This Concert!!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Thinking Man's Dark Star


To be honest with everyone I am a pretty big fan of the song Dark Star. With that said I am pondering on actually choosing a favorite. That would be 11/11/73. This Dark Star is busting at the seems in every possible way. This has been called The Thinking Man's Dark Star. My interpretation of this name could be because almost every note, riff, musical phrase is thought out like no other. Then again this Dark Star is perfect background music while you are reading or studying. The first part of this song is very upbeat. Keith really shines through Garcia's hypnotic guitar swirls. Not only do we get a great Dark Star we get an almost even better Mind Left Body Jam!!!! Overall this whole show just rocks from beginning to end. If you don't have this concert and call yourself a Deadhead, what have you been doing all these years? Get it now and let the ride begin!!!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Fare Thee Well

Today marks the 14th anniversary of Jerry Garcia's passing. Today's Sunday Video will be in tribute to the man that has brought so much happiness through song.

An Elegy for Jerry

Jerry, my friend,
you've done it again,
even in your silence
the familiar pressure
comes to bear, demanding
I pull words from the air
with only this morning
and part of the afternoon
to compose an ode worthy
of one so particular
about every turn of phrase,
demanding it hit home
in a thousand ways
before making it his own,
and this I can't do alone.
Now that the singer is gone,
where shall I go for the song?

Without your melody and taste
to lend an attitude of grace
a lyric is an orphan thing,
a hive with neither honey's taste
nor power to truly sting.

What choice have I but to dare and
call your muse who thought to rest
out of the thin blue air
that out of the field of shared time,
a line or two might chance to shine --

As ever when we called,
in hope if not in words,
the muse descends.

How should she desert us now?
Scars of battle on her brow,
bedraggled feathers on her wings,
and yet she sings, she sings!

May she bear thee to thy rest,
the ancient bower of flowers
beyond the solitude of days,
the tyranny of hours--
the wreath of shining laurel lie
upon your shaggy head
bestowing power to play the lyre
to legions of the dead

If some part of that music
is heard in deepest dream,
or on some breeze of Summer
a snatch of golden theme,
we'll know you live inside us
with love that never parts
our good old Jack O' Diamonds
become the King of Hearts.

I feel your silent laughter
at sentiments so bold
that dare to step across the line
to tell what must be told,
so I'll just say I love you,
which I never said before
and let it go at that old friend
the rest you may ignore.

--Robert Hunter












Some closing words from Jerry Garcia

1984 Update

Here is the petition. Please sign. You can post this in other blogs or forums as well.
http://www.petitiononline.com/dogstarz/petition.html

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Call For Action Dead Freaks Unite And See 1984 Released

There is no live releases for 1984. I am going to start a petition here and now to end this over look by Rhino Records. Sure 1986, 1994 and 1995 are all missing as well but 84 is uncalled for. We will work on '86 if this works!!! I am working a petition and that will be posted soon, so keep checking in!!!

Money, Money

So Zoooma (from Inspiration, Move Me Brightly) and I were discussing another blog that offers downloads of Grateful Dead music but has a donation box set up. I would like to denounce this practice and say that you will never see such a thing on my blog or any blog that is in my blog roll. If I happen to miss the donation box on a blog please let me know.(I am human and generally not looking for those things).

Listening Party At Lost Sailor Pub


Hey now!!! I am hosting a listening party at Lost Sailors Pub. Come and join in the fun. We are going to listen to 6-10-73. In order to join in on the fun just sign up and register (it is free)!!!

Music To Phil The Air



Lately I have been listening to a lot of Grateful Dead. When I am not listening to Grateful Dead proper I am rocking out to Jerry bands or Phil Lesh and Friends. Today I want to focus on Phil. A great live album that I always fall back on is Live At The Warfield. First off let me get this out of the way now. I have been a Joan Osborne fan for more years than I care to admit. I find her to be one of the most passionate female(or any for that matter) vocalist around. When she joined The Dead in 2003 I was really excited, yet missed out on that experience since she was gone by 2004. This Phil show also has jazz guitar legend John Scofield present. This is a combination for the ages ladies and gentleman. Phil is able to keep true to Grateful Dead songs yet breeding new life in classics. Check out Lovelight for an example of this. Joan's vocals on Morning Dew are heart wrenching. The pure emotion that rings out of her soul is something that I will always cherish. The best part about Joan is she has the perfect blues vocals. I wish her and Pigpen could have shared a Lovelight or Hard To Handle. Dark Star is also a grade A performance. Very jazzy and reflective to the roots of the song, yet totally different. If you haven't given Phil's band a chance yet this is a great introduction.

Sorry I couldn't find any video of the Warfield DVD to post. I did find a Sugaree with Joan on vocals.

This is a 1/2 Step with Scofield and Joan

A favorite of mine New Speedway Boogie with Sco and Joan

Friday, August 7, 2009

We Got Speed Racer and His Arcade Androids


Hey its Friday and I wanted to post something before I go see Larry Keel. Well this is what you guys get. 1986-03-27 which features the only performance of Brent and Phil's Revolutionary Hamstrung Blues. This one had a lot of potential to my ears. I wonder why they didn't try it again.

Revolutionary Hamstrung Blues

(as transcribed from a tape of 3-27-86, Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, the only performance of this song-more dubious guesswork in italics)

Halfway past cool, clear Monday to the side of the room,
Rolling down Wild Hair Boulevard with the rising of the poon.
Hot damn! It's Mother's Day. Don't you all look fine?
Promenading down the long carwash, passing snipes and sniffin' wine.

We got poets, shuckers, and godzillas
Ground by the sweep, little frozen, no soup.
We got Speed Racer and His Arcade Androids,
Revolutionary hamstrung blues.

Say, now mama may I tighten your cap?
Now honey may I loosen your load?
You hold on to this hand grenade, while I...

I remember some chicks from the shit club,
Coming on to Silly, squeeze toe.
Silly says, "I'll say it once.
For you it's cold steel, and slow."

I'm standing by the rupture,
'Mid chairs and flying glass.
Silly smack dab in the soma,
Shouting verse and kicking ass.
Back then, the sweep-you hopped the 90,
Don't make the six o'clock news.
Speed Racer and the band kept playing...

[instrumental break]

As I recall I went for the window
But I never did get clear
Henry Hawkins' hickory stick
Was the last thing I saw that year

Drag me down to the tangle, you carry the charges, if you please.
Hey, 30-day up on my shelf or a feeling we meant to be
Mama may I tighten your cap?
Your honor let me loosen your load
You hold on to this grenade for me, while I...

The full moon irradiates Wild Hair Boulevard now.
Dumbshits talk so bold.
Reminds me of old Silly, and how we
Did it all over...
Did it all over...
Did it all over the road.

We got poets, shuckers, and godzillas
Ground by the sweep, little frozen bowl soup.
We got Speed Racer and His Arcade Androids
Revolutionary hamstrung blues.
(Track 4)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

New Songs Galore '70



So someone at Lost Sailor Pub suggested I listen to this show. Thank you Z. This show is very focused and featured many new songs. To start the show off was the FIRST TRUCKIN'. This was perhaps one of my favorite versions of the song. It was played acoustic (as was the entire first set). Bob and Jerry harmonized beautifully. This was really the spawning of the new Grateful Dead. This historic set also included Ripple>Brokedown Palace and Operator with first time plays. All these new songs sounded like they have been playing them for years. Then the second set was the exact opposite of what the Grateful Dead were known for in 1969. Second set is electric, just not crazy. That's It For The Other One sounds amazing. It is both driving and intense, just not nearly as crazy as other versions. Attics Of My Life is brilliant and soulful. I am really impressed with the quality of this AUD as well. Considering that it is 39 years old. The band comes through very well.

Download Archive.org VBR MP3 of this concert!!
Click On The Poster!!!!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Grateful Dead Brass Band


I haven't had the time to listen to this whole show....yet. Either way I wanted to get it on some people's radar. The highlight of this show for me is Let Me Sing Your Blues Away through Let It Grow. There is a brass section that adds so much texture it is oozes with goo.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Mardi Gras 1990 Show 3: The Night of the Living Drums



I have been a huge fan of the Mardi Gras run from 90. Brent really shines throughout this series of shows. I am going to focus on 2-27-1990 though. This show had me with the Good Times show opener. Near the end of this song, listen to Brent rock those vocals. Next up is Feel Like A Stranger. This is also high energy with Jerry in midi mode. This also has a great call and response section with Brent and Bob with a mini Bob rap for good measure. After listening to some 70's show lately I have really missed the midi sounds. They work for later Dead songs and Feel Like A Stranger is a great example of this. Then the band fires into Sugaree. This is a solid version, it is no 12/28/79 but it gets the job done. I also like the way Garcia's voice sounds on this song. When he got older his voice sounds more sincere at times, this is an example of that. Brent also shines on the keys in this song. Check out the solo from Garcia as Bob keeps the groove going along with Phil. The song picks up energy and moves into an X factor. The band slows down, right when I think it is over they bring it back for another run of the chorus. Now its time for another late 80's Bob rocker...Victim Or The Crime. I am going to admit this song always seems to let me down. I do like it, I just think the jam in the middle could have gotten a lot darker. I mean the music could have been darker than the lyrics. It did sometimes but not often enough for me. The spacey jam in this version is good though, just not enough for my liking. Phil does sound excellent, Brent also helps build the jam into new territory. Garcia does get in some great riffs as the jam builds. This does have a pretty fun space section in it at the end. A total breakdown of any rhythm occurs. I think this was part was introduced by Phil in this concert. Bob gets a little tired of it and tries to bring the main riff back one final time. The band follows and closes on some great Phil Bombs. After that short craziness the band finds something a bit more upbeat and not as much of a downer. Mississippi Half Step always something that will get me dancing. Great vocals and playing throughout this song. Brent gets the job done multiple times in this song. Nice Phil and Jerry interaction in the closing jam. Here comes the Dylan Slot with When I Paint My Masterpiece. Bob's vocals aren't bad on this, but for some reason I don't find them to be the strongest I have heard on this song. After Masterpiece is over the band plays a beautiful Bird Song. Brent is all over the place here. The band as a whole seem to be in an exploratory mood and it shows the most in Bird Song so far. Midi is used to perfection. I also want to point out that Phil sort of teases The Other One, look in the 7:00 minute time frame to see what I mean. Jerry gets down with some fanning in the 9 or 10:00 minute area. After a dreamy part, Jerry brings the main riff back...almost. Wow that is what I like to hear in a Bird Song. Somehow they bring it back to the chorus. I really have no idea, nor was I expecting. This is what always brings me back to the good ol' Grateful Dead.

Set two begins with Drums. This reminds me of how The Dead in 2003 opened the second set. I would also like to mention that Drums through Woman R Smarter has Michael Doucet & Beausoleil sitting in. This rendition of Rhythm Devils gives electronic groups like The Orb run for their money. Phil steps out and begins to join in the electronic madness. Once again he is really pushing for The Other One, at least to my ears. Then as the guitarist get in the middle of this craziness you can hear Iko Iko begin to form. They actually start to sing to actually get the spacey stuff to stop. Ha Ha that is hilarious. The percussion is very strong, giving more room for Phil to get the groove actually going. Iko Iko leads to Man Smart, Woman Smarter. These two songs are very similar, so to hear them paired doesn't surprise me. There is a nice little jam in Woman Smarter. This has a nice zydeco feel. Oh yeah Mardi Gras is the theme of this run and this jam reminds you of that. This songs comes along with a vocal harmony that almost falls apart until Bob brings it back together one last time. Now comes an early second set ballad with Standing On The Moon. (This is the first SOTM that has been reviewed on this blog!!!) The band seems to be ready for business in the first post drum slot. Brent adds much to this song under Garcia's voice. Jerry's singing almost seems frail after the energetic Iko and Women Smarter. It is amazing to me how this band can feed off of pure energy in one song then the next feed of beauty. It doesn't happen too often, when it does it is priceless. Then the band seems to tease The Other One but decides on Truckin'. This has its moments like Bob adding some profanity for good measure. The music is pretty standard for '90. Not a standout version of Truckin' by anymeans. Like always though the closing jam gets the momentum of the song going. A perfect transition into Spoonful makes the Truckin' worth it. Spoonful also makes up for Truckin' the band seems to be more into it. Bob's vocals were better as well. We are brought back full circle to Drums. This Drums was a lot more calm with hints of electronica near the end. Space picks up where drums left off in weirdness. This is another kind of weirdness though. No where near electronica, it seems like many unfinished thoughts from each band member on stage equals this space. It has its moments, but there are better Spaces out there. In the end of Space you begin to hear The Other One thought of again. It seems that Phil finally got his way. This version of TOO comes complete with the Dan Healy vocal make over, making Bob sound like he has been inside of a helium balloon (or would that be a nitrous balloon?). TOO morphs smoothly into Morning Dew. This does what a Dew is supposed to do. There is some nice moments for Phil in this as the band explodes at the end of the song. Throwing Stones is next. A pretty good version but not a stand out by any means. The band moves into Not Fade Away. After listening to some '70s shows I miss that style of NFA. They had more energy and did not always signal the end of the concert. I do like what the drummers are doing in this one. It adds to the overall feel of the concert. Then the vocal jam begins and the audience takes over until the We Bid You Goodnight encore. Very reminiscent of Dozin' At Knick.

Set 1



Let The Good Times Roll
Feel Like A Stranger
Sugaree
Victim Or The Crime
Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodleloo
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Bird Song


Set 2



Drums* ->
Iko Iko* ->
Man Smart, Woman Smarter*
Standing On The Moon
Truckin' ->
Spoonful ->
Drums ->
Space ->
The Other One ->
Morning Dew ->
Throwing Stones ->
Not Fade Away

Encore
And We Bid You Good Night


* with Michael Doucet & Beausoleil


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