jw harding

Your description of the 80's is pretty accurate, but for me it comes down to Brent and the sound quality of the shows. Seems that people who saw Brent shows love him. Those of us that didn't, don't.

I'm about half way through the 80's on the 30 Trips box set. Really solidifying my dislike for the era. Weir really gravitated toward some lame covers in the 80's. What is the point of CC Rider? Is he trying to do an Elvis tribute? Other covers like Rooster, Promised Land, Beat It, El Paso are ok, but when you get 2 or more in a set it's overkill. Brent's organ added a nice sound, but otherwise don't care for his keyboard sounds, and his backing vocals. One exception would be Loser, which he helped make into a powerful, ferocious monster with the organ and vocals. Any other tunes standout in t

Garcia really didn't give a shit. Love the part of that interview where he talks shit about Eddie Van Halen.

Recently read an interview with Garcia from the mid-80's, Guitar Player I think. The interviewer describes Garcia's prodigious body odor, burnt fingers, and white powder covering his shirt. Garcia then proceeds to break up a giant coke rock and blow some massive rails during the interview. Great interview.

A lot of people have covered that one over the years, from Willie Nelson (used at the end of Slingblade), to Emmy Lou, to Dave Matthews (yikes), but Jerry's is the best.

I was in town for a conference, and stopped by to check it out. Cool place on the harbor. Phil's son's band was playing, and Phil was hanging out. Pretty weird to see him walking around and socializing. I just missed a sit in by Trey by 15 minutes, who was in town for rehearsals. It would be cool to see Phil play there, but they don't give much advance notice for the shows he plays, so it's hard to plan a trip for out of towners.

Lanois is a great producer, and I love Le Noise, but otherwise agree.

Queen Jane is ok, pretty close to the Dead's arrangement. The rehearsal tapes are where all the good stuff is. Man of Peace, Boy in the Bubble.

Phil was the only one who said "no" when Dylan asked to join the band. Given Dylan's condition at the time, he was right. Would've been cool though.

It is amazing how a lot of great rock musicians can be brilliant, talented, and even have some spiritual depth. But emotionally they are stuck in adolescence, as no one has pushed them to grow up. Neil Young, Dylan,etc., geniuses, but treat people around them like shit.

Not only did all the keyboard players die young, they were all pretty tragic, depressed people. Weird.

I think I saw one of Vince's last performances, if not his last. Sitting in with Dead cover band Cubensis for a few songs in San Diego. It was pretty sad.

That show is an all timer, particularly the seamless Truckin> thru GDTRFB.

Providence 74 China >Rider is probably my favorite thing.

Always loved that jam, haven't listened to it since I became aware that the Tighten Up jam was a recurring thematic jam. Great song, love they use it as a launchpad. https://youtu.be/uN7vm-k-AaA https://youtu.be/B4jOqjRA49c

Yeah, looking forward to streaming those Phish and Ween sets, and likely coughing up a lot of cash to do so. I think last year you had to pay to stream individual sets.

Was just looking for a few more examples where Bobby plays a lead solo, followed by or preceding one by Jerry. Rather than the abstract McCoy Tyner's left hand rhythm stuff. No need for reminders on Bobby playing slide. Oy. Maybe in one of his blues tunes, but no need to ruin Althea or Sugaree or whatever. A few other random thoughts: Feel like the transition from China into Rider is the peak/essence of the Grateful Dead. In some of those 74 versions, Bobby puts on a country guitar clinic, playing every riff in the book, followed by a melodic/ecstatic solo by Jerry, with the band barreling

Forgot to mention about that 81 show, the sound quality is terrible. A problem that plagued the Brent era. Sounds like a crappy audience tape at points, not an official release.

Guess I meant "Brent era" rather than 80's. Doobie Dead.

That Shakedown is a good one. Is that the song that gets the MVP for the 80's, best fit for their sound during the era?

Listening to the 5/16/81 show from 30 trips. Brent's keyboard sounds are less jarring than the 79 show, more assimilated into the band. Pretty nice friend of the devil, in which Brent, then Bob, then Jerry each takes a solo. Not sure if there are any tunes, other than the transition from China Cat into Rider, in which Bob and Jerry trade solos? Later in the show during the Nobody's Fault Jam, they're both playing the melody, with Bob on the slide. Cool, but it doesn't quite mesh, they sound like they're in two different bands, Jerry's sounds so clean, Bob's so dirty. Worth a listen.

Pretty good choices for Phish, but I would have to go with Wilson.

Yes on that for the Allmans. I'd take that over Don't Want You No More/Not My Cross to Bear.

I would rate Jack Straw as the Dead's best show opener, ahead of Help, Bertha, etc.

Potential for quite a scene in Wrigleville before and after.