jw harding

Caught two shows at the Beacon this past weekend, and can't recommend catching this band one last time strongly enough. I hadn't seen them in about 10 years, as I had burned out on them for all the various reasons people have mentioned - no Dickey, Derek is technically amazing but at the same time emotionally underwhelming, Greg is burnt, too many covers, they're cashing in, etc. Maybe all those things have been true at times over the past few years, but they are bringing it hard now. They played the shit out of every song, and I was actually glad that Dickey wasn't there to screw up Blue Sky.

I'm not sure if that makes Mayer more or less of a douche, but I'm leaning towards more.

Can you post the youtube link? Wanna check that out.

It's the only Dead box set I've purchased, but I have copies of the others. But this is the only one I listen to on a consistent basis. It is absolutely amazing. Every show is strong, with some astounding moments in each. Sound quality can't be beat.

I wasn't aware that Jerry Band ever did Not Fade Away. Here it is from 77. I think about 20 minutes long. Vocally a lot different. Nice groove. http://youtu.be/b-Moqvg_Au0?t=1h46m3s

A whole lot of awesome in this interview with Bob Weir about collaborations with Wilco and MMJ. Particularly love the fact that it was Jeff's idea to play Dark Star. Knowing Jeff's previous ambivalence toward the Dead, he really decided to just go for it. And then to cap it all off on the last night with St, Stephen. A Deadhead/Wilco lover's dream come true. Although Bob Weir's inclinations can be questionable at times, the guy is a living legend and a musical genius in his own singular way. http://www.jambands.com/features/2014/02/14/bob-weir-ramps-up-ratdog/

I also think Live/Dead was a significant part of most people's introduction to the Dead, and the first track being that amazing Dark Star, it raises it up to mythical status. Although a lot of Dark Stars don't reach those heights, there are versions like the one from Veneta in 72 that are among the peak of their catalog. Add to that the rarity of the tune - it was only played 5 times between 1975 through 1988, then played another 30 or so times in their last 6 years. As for Playin in the Band, the tune pales in comparison for a lot of reasons: Bobby vs. Jerry tunes, goofy lyrics vs classic

Would be awesome if the Grateful Dead were Jeff's backup band!

Was just reading something about the Shining and wanted to see who the custodian guy in the movie was played by. Sure enough, Scatman Crothers. He was also in Cukoo's Nest with Nicholson. Would've been something to see him jam with the Dead. Might rival the time I saw Harry Dean Stanton sit in with Levon Helm for a few songs.

With a few exceptions, the entire set is almost a greatest hits compilation. But while the choices may be tired, they sure are classic. You can't beat the intro to Statesboro Blues. What a great opener.

I was lucky enough to catch Phish's legendary Tahoe Tweezer this summer. 37 minutes of blissful insanity. Their lengthy jams are not always so thrilling, but when they are they are as good as anything out there. Not bad for a band in their 30th year, the year of the Dead's demise. And while their songwriting is not as accessible or classic as the Dead's, with more quirky and avant influences, each song does have the possibility of going into the unknown. With the Dead, there were just a few tunes that filled that role - Dark Star, Playin, Other One, Truckin, any others? While the Dead often ex

Grateful Dead Marathon going on now: http://www.kpfa.org/home

Deadheads are likely pretty split on their enjoyment of Dark Star, though I believe all appreciate the mythology as some have already described. Seeing as it is a song likely created during an alternate state of consciousness, it is best appreciated in a similar mindset. While some may see this as a criticism of the music - the idea that you have to be high to appreciate something - those people are fools. There is value in all states of consciousness, and the normal waking state, while it helps you get through your daily activities, is the least interesting. As I spend most of my life sober,

I was born during that Truckin' jam, or around that time on that day. Pretty good b-day show.

Another one of my favorite transitions is this Sugar Mags>Scarlet Begonias. They paired the two together a number of times, but this transition is absolutely seamless, you don't even realize it happened.

Being new to the Dead, it is easy to get overwhelmed. As you preferred Live/Dead, I would recommend Dick's Picks 2, as it has one of the great Dark Stars of all time, the transition into Sugar Mags is amazing, and at one disc, it is easily digestible. Rest of the disc is rounded out by solid versions of Dead staples St Stephen, Goin Down the Road, and Not Fade Away. If you're still interested and looking for another performance in the same vein as Live/Dead, check out Two from the Vault: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_from_the_Vault Similar track list to Live/Dead, but a mind-warping ver

Thanks for sharing your criteria.

I think the current lineup has been together longer than any other incarnation of the band, and they've made some new music which is respectable if not as great as some of the classics. Also live they aren't just playing the hits like a tribute band, but trying to create and improvise in the same way the original band did. They do rely a bit too much on playing classic rock covers. There have been lineups with Dickey that have been far inferior to this one. I'd say the current incarnation is their 3rd greatest, behind the original lineup with Duane and Berry, and the 90's lineup with Warren, D

I've seen Dickey's son sit in with the Allmans as well as play in Dickey's band. He didn't really stand out. Regardless, can't imagine him going. Dickey would slash his throat. Devon has been around for a while, and I've never heard anything positive about him. I think he was in Cher's band for a while. Recall an interview with him where he sounded like a gigantic doosh.

After Greg started the false rumor that Oteil was leaving the band, it has been confirmed that 2014 will be the last year for both Derek and Warren in the Allmans. Unless Butch can find Zakk Wylde's number, I guess this means the end of the Allmans: http://www.jambase.com/Articles/120405/Derek-Trucks-and-Warren-Haynes-To-Leave-Allman-Brothers-Band-After-2014

For sure Greg wrote some good songs in the beginning, but since they got rich it's been downhill. He really hasn't written much in the last 40 years. Even the best of the later era Allmans songs were Dickey's or Warren's. And Dickey is definitely an ignorant hick too. I saw him play a solo show a few years ago, and he was completely wasted, made a fool of himself, yelling at his guitar tech the whole time until he finally just took his guitar off and let it fall to the stage and walked off while his band kept playing. They didn't seem to be too shocked, imagine they'd been through it before.

You can't judge someone unless you've been in the same situation? Not sure about that one. But regardless of Greg being a narc, he's an ignorant hick with a great voice who has been propped up by a great band, musicians, and producers for a long time. Go see his solo band sometime. It's embarrassing.

Thanks for that. Here's Butch's quote about the Dead from the interview I mentioned above: "There were bands that jammed, like the Grateful Dead. Their jams were very country and bluegrass based. Once in a while they would really lock in and find a groove. It was very few and far between but they would do it. The later years of the band it almost never happened. It is my opinion that there were only three guys in the band who could really play and that was Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann. The nights it was really good were when the three of them really clicked and the other guy

I read an interview with Butch within the past 5 years or so. He talked about seeing a Dead show in Florida in 95, discussed how lethargic it was, and that he became irate when Mickey started up his 'stupid drum thing' (paraphrasing), so he grabbed his wife and left. Think it was also the same interview he mentioned the Allmans felt the only ones in the Dead with any talent were Jerry, Phil, and Bill (I suppose there are probably a few Deadheads that agree with that). I get the feeling he was ambivalent about the Dead, friendly with the guys and liked some music, combined with envy and jealous

Read somewhere that Pole Guy is a real estate agent and refused to be interviewed for the making of documentary that was released with Sunshine Daydream. He probably has family, and I can understand the embarrassment, but what a great day that must've been for him. You gotta own that.