Mr. Heartbreak

Bring the kiddies to see McCartney. Just be sure to cover their ears during Live and Let Die.

I will have to give that Englishtown show another listen...Pretty sure I have it at home. Many Deadheads consider '77 to be a high watermark or whatever, and it's true that there are many stellar versions of songs from that year. However, when they're not playing at a stellar level, they seem unusually cautious rather than sloppy. I think you have to be in a certain frame of mind for '77 shows. Although the 3/19/77 show I'm still working through has quite a few vocal flubs and even some instrumental train wrecks, there are also quite a few high points, especially towards the end of the fi

It's hard to overstate how true this is. My buddy Don the drummer always mentions how Paul's drummer is "a beast," and he is. The guy who sings harmony and plays lead guitar is very good, too. He's a real showman. For me, it's all about the catalog and the calendar. Those songs are timeless - Hey Jude, Yesterday, Let It Be - and anyone but Paul singing them is just not the same. In ten years, Paul will be what, 81? 82? His show is not like Buddy Guy's, with just a few vocals and a lot of solos and improv. He sings about 38 songs over a 3-hour period. It's just a matter of time before he eith

I finished that '73 show and moved on to a show from '77 that I hadn't heard before, Winterland from 3/19. I don't know, '77 has plenty of moments where the bands sounds just exactly perfect, but some of the versions of songs are kind of toothless. This show starts out soooooo slow. The typical wimpy '77 version of Bertha (contrast it with the versions from '71 and you'll see what I mean), a very tame Big River (they rocked this much harder in the 80s), and an incredibly slow They Love Each Other. It's all pleasant, but not exciting. Kind of funny, but during Looks Like Rain, Jerry really ov

Dang, you Illinois peeps get some class acts. Here's what we get in Florida for a similar event: http://www.tasteofpinellas.com

Part of it is the fact that, as you said, some of the music was recorded pretty poorly. But also, Ace Frehley is probably the only member who was above average in terms of musical ability. I feel like Paul, Gene, and especially Peter, always had pretty major limitations when it comes to actually playing music. It's quite possible that a highly talented Kiss cover band could play those songs better than the originals. The other factor is that their lyrics weren't just drivel, they were almost entirely phallocentric, to use a $10,000 word. I mean, Zappa did a lot of that stuff, too, but it was

I'm a huge fan. Always been a Beatle fan, but also never thought I would have a chance to see Sir Paul. I have seen him three times in the past four years, and the experience is among my best concert memories. Paul puts on a fantastic 36+ songs, 3-hour show. He switches between bass (lest we forget what a fantastic, ground-breaking bass player he has always been), electric guitar, acoustic guitar, ukelele and, of course, piano. I encourage anyone who can see him to go see him while we still have the chance. You can get a nosebleed seat, and it will still be well worth it - he really works th

Yep, sure is.

I may have to eat my words about '73. Been listening to the show from 2/17/73 over the past couple days, and it is a very solid, enjoyable show. Plus where else do you get a combination like this: Here Comes Sunshine > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider

I vote for Wilco's cover of Burned by Buffalo Springfield. That is, assuming you have it (I bet you do).

So some good came out of this after all.

That is a great show. I think I am more of a '72 guy than a '73 guy, though of course, they were still great then. If I had the cash, I would have totally bought that Europe '72 box....

Speaking of CDs, any of you fellow Deadheads have this? Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings November 9, 10, 11 1973 San Francisco, CA Thinking about it, although $100 for three Dead shows seems a bit steep.

Cool! Shore Power sounded waaaaaay better live, by the way.

Looks like rumors of their demise were premature: http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6053874/acdc-not-quitting-retirement-rumors

Lisa Simpson with a beard?

I didn't read the entire article, but having glanced through it and read sections of it, I have to say the author's level of obsession is possibly the most remarkable thing in there. Kind of borders on Proustian. I guess that is what makes the world go round, different strokes for different folks!

That is true. I'm under 50 (barely), and I prefer to have the CD for certain purchases. Although, for an old Dead show, I can live with mp3s. I was referring specifically to the many comments I have seen on the dead.net site from folks who mention that they saw the band in the late 60s and early 70s, and they invariably want a disc, the liner notes, etc.

CRB last night in a small club setting. Very lengthy show, hitting on pretty much every original song of theirs that I like. See these guys if you get a chance. Was right in front of Neal the whole time, man, the dude is just bringing it. Set I: Shore Power About A Stranger Meanwhile In The Gods Love Has Made A Fool of You Little Lizzie Mae Ramble on Rose (!) 100 Days of Rain Rosalee Set II: Let's Go Let's Go Let's Go Tulsa Yesterday Jump the Turnstile Crash on the Levee Star or Stone Vibration & Light Ride Appaloosa Sunday Sound E: Good Time Charlie Shake Rattle & Roll

Warren Zevon is another one who should be in there.

Certainly does not seem like a sustainable business model for the future, but who knows? Based on comments on dead.net, it appears that there are plenty of folks over 50 who desire the physical CD.

...And it's already sold out. I am not crazy about the "limited edition release" business model, but I can sure see why they do it. The fact that a band that was finished by 1995 can release a 1969 archival release and sell 14,000 copies online in a matter of a day or two is pretty impressive.

Moody Blues

I'd go if I weren't in Florida. I actually bought a couple of used records a month or so ago.

...plus Astronomy Domine, Set the Controls, Grantchester Meadows...these are boring tracks? Wow, okay.