Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Grateful Dead Goes To Space And Beyond Vol. 01, #02

Today's song is Little Star aka Bob Star!!!

This is one of the few songs that has 2 names. Overall, if you haven't heard this it is basically an added verse for The Other One. They only played this song 3 times. I have seen it pop up on a Ratdog setlist a couple times though. The first time this song was performed was on 4-15-83. This is also the longest time.(Click the date to listen!!! Or right click to DL!!!) The very next night Bobby attempted Little Star again. This time the song was shorter by 5 minutes. On 4-16-83 The Other One was followed immediately after.

The song went into hiding after the second time it was played for about 2 months. On 6-20-83 Grateful Dead played Bob Star one final time. Once again this was a lead in for The Other One.

This is what Dead.net had to say about "Little Star"

Little Star
Lyrics By: Bob Weir
Music By: Bob Weir

Long as we got to be
Long as we are
I just wanna be
One of them little stars

One of them little stars
That'd just be fine
All you gotta do now
Just hang up there and shine
Hang up there and shine

Hang up there and shine
Hang up there and shine
Hang up there and shine

A fragment Bob Weir sang with the Dead three times in 1983. Sometimes called "Bob Star." It seemed to be a prelude to "The Other One." For a fuller description, see Ihor Slabicky's essay.

Revived by Ratdog in 2002 sandwiched inside songs such as "Lovelight" or "The Other One."

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Grateful Dead Goes To Space And Beyond Vol. 01, #01


This is the first in a series of space references in Grateful Dead songs. Sure I could go the easy route and direct you guys to a great version of Space, but where is the fun in that?

Standing On The Moon

This was chosen for many reasons as the first song in this series, mainly my little blog has the same name (a coincidence?).

I have been listening to this song pretty avidly for a couple days now. Hunter really out did himself with this one. This is also one of those songs that could have fit in any era. although it did end up in the end. Either way I am happy it was written and performed some 70 times. Right now I am listening to this song, yet again. The patriotism I get from this song and the longing to be with his love is moving. Garcia nails it on 3-20-90 at the Omni in Atlanta.

The first time this song was performed was on 3-31-89 and the last time it was played was 6-30-95. Interesting tidbit, the longest version of this song was played on 7-29-94.