Grateful Dead with Stephen Stills — L.A., CA (12/10/69)
China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, Black Peter, Me & My Uncle, Cold Rain & Snow, Mama Tried > High Time, Easy Wind, Dire Wolf, Casey Jones*, Good Morning Little School Girl*, Morning Dew*, Black Queen* > Turn On Your Love Light*, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > Cosmic Charlie
*Stephen Stills on guitar and vocals
Grateful Dead — London, ENG (9/11/74)
I: Scarlet Begonias ; Mexicali Blues ; Brown Eyed Women ; Beat It On Down The Line ; Sugaree ; Jack Straw ; Row Jimmy ; Me And Bobby McGee ; Tennessee Jed ; Big River ; It Must Have Been The Roses ; Playing In The Band
II: Seastones > Eyes Of The World > Jam > Space > Jam > Wharf Rat > Space; Around And Around ; Ship Of Fools ; Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > Sugar Magnolia
E:) U.S. Blues
“Me and My Uncle”
Being that this was the Dead’s most performed song in concert (616 times!), you’d think the song was theirs. Not so. It was written by John Phillips of The Mamas and The Papas in a tequila soaked evening with Judy Collins, Stephen Stills and Neil Young that he didn’t even remember, which leads us to this interesting anecdote:
- “John often used to tell the story behind “Me and My Uncle”. Years ago he began receiving publishing royalties from a song on a Judy Collins record with which he was unfamiliar. It was titled “Me and My Uncle”. He called Judy to let her know of the mistake because he hadn’t written any such song. She laughed and told him that about a year before, in Arizona after one of her concerts, they had a ‘Tequila Night’ back at the hotel with Stephen Stills, Neil Young and a few others. They were running a blank cassette and John proceeded to write “Me and My Uncle” on the spot. The next day, John woke up to the tequila sunrise with no recollection of the songwriting incident. Judy kept the cassette from that evening and then, without informing John, recorded the song for her own record. Over the years the song was recorded by several people, and eventually became a standard of the Grateful Dead. John used to joke that, little by little, with each royalty check, the memory of writing the song would come back to him.”
Jerry, Bob & Phil — “She Belongs To Me”
Here are three of San Francisco’s finest performing Dylan’s classic.
Did You Know??
A young, five year old Courtney Love was photographed with the extended Grateful Dead family for the back cover of 1969′s Aoxomoxoa. Courtney’s father, Hank Harrison was an early manager for the band and a roommate of Phil Lesh. If you look real close, she’s the little girl to Pigpen’s left.
Lost Art Of The Mixtape — Sunday Hangover
Here’s a mix that’ll help you through your haze, headache and nausea. Too bad it can’t erase what you did/said last night.
Kinky Reggae – Bob Marley
Cosmic Charlie – Grateful Dead
Guinnevere – Crosby, Stills & Nash
Scarborough Fair – Simon & Garfunkel
From The Beginning – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Little Martha – The Allman Brothers Band
4 + 20 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Sugar Mountain – Neil Young
Can’t Find My Way Home – Blind Faith
He Was A Friend Of Mine – The Byrds
Embryonic Journey – Jefferson Airplane
Talk – Phish
The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) – Simon & Garfunkel
Rosemary – Grateful Dead
The Sun King – The Beatles
Crazy Fingers – Grateful Dead
Music Is Love – David Crosby
Going To California – Led Zeppelin
Can’t Run But – Paul Simon
In The Waiting Line – Zero 7
Sleep – The Dandy Warhols
Across The Universe – The Beatles
Los Lobos/Jerry & Bob — “This Land Is Your Land”
Woody Guthrie’s classic folk song performed almost 21 years ago, on 7/2/89.
Grateful Dead — Copenhagen, Denmark (4/14/72)
Way the hell back when I was in high school, the Grateful Dead would always treat Atlanta to a spring run. This was when the band was getting pretty near the end, but were certainly still able to play soul shaking sets. Today we have a mid-70′s, spring-ish day in Atlanta that’s perfect for some good ole Grateful Dead. Here’s a classic show from ’72.
Set 1
Bertha
Me And My Uncle
Mr. Charlie
You Win Again
Black Throated Wind
Chinatown Shuffle
Loser
Me And Bobby McGee
Cumberland Blues
Playing In The Band
Tennessee Jed
El Paso
Big Boss Man
Beat It On Down The Line
Casey Jones
Set 2
Truckin’
It Hurts Me Too
Brown Eyed Women
Looks Like Rain
Dark Star ->
Sugar Magnolia
Good Lovin’ ->
Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) ->
Who Do You Love? ->
Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) ->
Good Lovin’
Ramble On Rose
Not Fade Away ->
Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad ->
Not Fade Away
Encore
One More Saturday Night
40 Years ago today…
The Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers and Fleetwood Mac appeared at The Fillmore East in NYC. The Dead’s setlist looked a little something like this:
Early Show: The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment, Dire Wolf, Casey Jones
Late Show: Not Fade Away, Cumberland Blues, Cold Rain & Snow, High Time, Me & My Uncle, Dark Star > Spanish Jam* > Turn On Your Love Light**
Encore: Uncle John’s Band
Wanna listen? Steam here.
The Lost Art Of The Mixtape: The College Years
TLAoTMT:
“While going through an old box of cds I found a few mixes that I had made for hanging out with my friends in college. The trickiest thing about these mixes was the balance between a broad range of musical tastes. The song selections were sometimes to teach, and other times to appease. The result was usually a very odd mix, but ultimately a snapshot of that time in my life… 2002.”
Ain’t Life Grand – Widespread Panic
Kidney In A Cooler – Keller Williams
Roses Are Free – Ween
Good Souls – Starsailor
Tangled Up In Blue – Bob Dylan
Changes – David Bowie
Someday – The Strokes
Rock & Roll – Phish
Golden Years – David Bowie
It’s Gonna Be (Alright) – Ween
Ripple – Grateful Dead
The Wind Cries Mary – Jimi Hendrix
Terrapin Station – Phish
I’ll Be Here A While – 311
Push On ‘Til The Day – Trey Anastasio
Castles In The Sky – Ian Van Dahl feat. Marsha
Tell Me Something Good – Chaka Khan
Walk This Way – String Cheese Incident
Roses Are Free – Phish
Werewolves Of London – Warren Zevon
Meatstick – Phish
Underneath It All – No Doubt
At Last – Etta James
Amber – 311
Weekapaug Groove – Phish
R.I.P. — Bill Graham (1931-1991)
Legendary San Franciscan concert promoter Bill Graham died on this date in 1991 after his helicopter crashed following a Huey Lewis concert. A charismatic and controversial personality, Graham helped define the San Francisco music scene in the late 60′s, opened the Fillmore, East and West, was a permanent fixture at every Dead New Years show, organized The Band’s “Last Waltz” and even co-starred as “Lucky” Luciano in Warren Beatty’s Bugsy. RIP Uncle Bobo.
Grateful Dead — Alfred, NY (5/1/70)
How do you like your Dead? Song or jam based? Well, with this show all bases are covered.
(Acoustic Dead:) The Race Is On, Wake Up Little Susie, New Speedway Boogie, Cold Jordan, Uncle John’s Band (NRPS Set, Garcia on pedal steel: Dirty Business, Last Lonely Eagle, Cecilia, Rainbow, Louisiana Lady, Honky Tonk Women) (Electric Dead:) Drums > Not Fade Away, Hard To Handle, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment, High Time, Turn On Your Lovelight
Happy Birthday — Brent Mydland
Brent would have been 57 today, but sadly left us in 1990 at age 37. I found this cool video that shows Bob, Billy and Brent at a hotel bar with a brief cameo from Jerry. Also included is the band’s take on Chuck Berry’s classic, “Johnny B. Good”.
Grateful Dead — “Looks Like Rain”
“Time for a crying song, folks.” One of Bobby’s many shining moments from Rockaplast ’81. Check out their version with Jerry playing pedal steel from Dick’s Picks 30 at The Academy of Music in NYC from 3/28/72.
Space (and beyond)
‘nother great mix here. Check it out..
Beam Me Up – Spock & Capt. Kirk
Space – Grateful Dead
Also Sprach Zarathustra – Deodato
Mountains Of The Moon – Grateful Dead
Space Oddity – David Bowie
Under The Milkyway – The Church
Man On The Moon – R.E.M.
The Killing Moon – Echo & The Bunnymen
Walking On The Moon – The Police
Moondance – Van Morrison
Venus – Shocking Blue
Mr. Spaceman – The Byrds
Rocket Man – Elton John
St. Judy’s Comet – Paul Simon
Moonshadow – Cat Stevens
Late For Supper – Jerry Garcia
Dark Star – Grateful Dead
Big Black Furry Creature From Mars – Phish feat. Giant Country Horns
Infrared Roses – Grateful Dead
Close Encounters Space – Grateful Dead
Moonage Daydream – David Bowie
Brain Damage – Bim Skala Bim
Eclipse – Pink Floyd
Grateful Dead — Veneta, OR (8/27/72)
Promised Land
Sugaree
Me and My Uncle
Deal
Black Throated Wind
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Mexicali Blues
Bertha
Playing in the Band
He’s Gone
Jack Straw
Bird Song
Greatest Story Ever Told
Dark Star
El Paso
Sing Me Back Home
Sugar Magnolla
Casey Jones
Grateful Dead — Alfred, NY (5/1/70)
Acoustic: The Race Is On, Wake Up Little Susie, New Speedway Boogie, Cold Jordan, Uncle John’s Band; Electric: Drums > Not Fade Away, Hard To Handle, Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > The Other One > Cryptical Envelopment, High Time, Turn On Your Lovelight
36 Years ago today…
The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead and The Band held what many estimated as the largest outdoor rock show. Over 150,000 tickets were sold, but over 600,000 devotees showed. The festival actually started on the 27th, as the band’s sounchecked in front of a live audience, including the Dead’s two set marathon “soundcheck”. Here’s more info from Wiki.
R.I.P. — Brent Mydland (1952-1990)
Keyboardist number 4 for the Grateful Dead and perhaps their most well rounded on the ivories player, Brent Mydland passed on this date in 1990. Keith filled in for Keith Godchaux after he and Donna split from the band in early ’79. Brent struggled with being labled as “the new guy” during his 11-year tenure in the band, but set himself apart from the previous players with his mastery of the B-3. I’ve always found the following version of “I Will Take You Home” moving, as his daughter Jessica was seated beside him on his bench as he performed. Check it out:
R.I.P. — Lowell George
Slide guitar extraordinnaire Lowell George, passed on this date in 1979. After a brief stint with Zappa’s Mothers Of Invention, George founded Little Feat (named for his small, fat feet), whom he triumphantly lead throughout the 70′s. George also tried his hand at producing, most famously taking the helm for the Dead’s Shakedown Street. Here’s a ripping “Dixie Chicken” from 1977:
Click here to check out Little Feat at Ultrasonic Studios from ’74.
Grateful Dead — San Francisco, CA (3/23/75)
Blues For Allah>
Stronger Than Dirt>
drums>
Stronger Than Dirt>
Blues For Allah>
Johnny B. Goode
*First “Blues For Allah” – first “Stronger Than Dirt” – with Merl Saunders and Ned Lagin – without Donna – FM broadcast KIOI-San Francisco – Students Need Athletics Culture & Kicks (SNACK) benefit – also: Doobie Brothers; Graham Central Station; Mimi Farina; Jefferson Starship; Joan Baez; Santana; Tower Of Power; Bob Dylan with Neil Young.
Grateful Dead — American Beauty (Rolling Stone 1970)
Sometimes we like to check out old school album reviews. Here’s a great one from Andy Zwerling of Rolling Stone in 1970.
For once a truly beautiful album cover is more than matched by the record inside. The dead just refuse to keep within any normal limits, and I hope that it stays that way for a long time. Workingman’s Dead was a lovely album, lush, full, and thoroughly real in musical and lyrical content. American Beauty is a joyous extension of the last album. If possible there is even more care on vocal wok. Everyone in the band sings, and sings well alone and together.
A complete contentment shines through the vocal work on this album. A full contentment. The instrumentation is rich with sound that moves through, under, and into the listener. Damn it all, the album is American beauty, of the best possible kind. The positivity of the Dead just can’t be kept down. Look at the cover. “American Beauty” can also be read as “American Reality,” thanks to Mouse Studios. If more of the American reality were this album, we’d all have a lot more to be thankful for.
“Box of Rain” takes plenty of time, and moves surely. The band isn’t in any great hurry. Layers of music weave in seemingly simple patterns—deceptively simple patterns. Phil Lesh’s singing is just right. The chorus is fine: “A box of rain will ease the pain/And love will see you through.” “Believe it if you need it/If you don’t just pass it on.” Praised be Bob Hunter. Countrified Dead is so nice to listen to.
From “Box of Rain” they zip into “Friend of the Devil,” which is a snappy little country number, with some extremely fine bass and acoustic guitar interplay. Jerry Garcia’s voice now makes him a perfect wobbly cowboy.
Pigpen drops by with “Operator.” Pigpen songs are always enjoyable, because they’re Pigpen songs. That would be enough, but they are often good too, which is an added bonus, and this one certainly is good. Pigpen growls as ever.
“Ripple” and “Brokedown Palace” are coupled by a vocal chorus, a little reminiscent of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but only in a complimentary sense. The songs meld together and are strongly pretty and sad, as is “Attics of My Life,” which has some very, very nice harmony work.
The two songs that come closest to being rockers on the album are “Till the Morning Comes” and “Truckin.” “Truckin” is just the story of the Dead—going on the road, losing old friends, gaining new ones, trying to keep everybody happy, trying to play some nice music for people, and succeeding on all counts.
The Dead are getting pretty big commercially now, and if ever a band deserved it, it’s them. They have given us all something to treasure with this album. It’s one for now, and one for the kids in 20 years too. American Beauty’s like that, you know. (link)
Grateful Dead — “Ramble On Rose”
From RCMH, 1980.
