The Grateful Dead

[Analogman]

It's up early today:

 

Taper's Section (January 18, 2010 - January 24, 2010)

 

This week we're going to listen to music exclusively from the summer tour of 1989, one of the most-requested eras we are asked about, and one of the finest years in the Grateful Dead's final 15 years of touring. We're going to focus on a week that would see the band go from the huge RFK Stadium, to the delightfully small Deer Creek Music Theatre (for the band's first visit there), to the tour closing shows at Alpine.

 

Our first stop this week is at RFK Stadium at the last of seven huge stadium gigs on the tour. This show, on 7/13/89, was the fifth anniversary of the last performance of Dark Star, and amongst us taper geeks, hopes were high that THEY'D remember, but it was not meant to be. As preposterous as that thought was, just about three months later they'd actually play Dark Star. We have the first set from 7/13/89, made up of Hell In A Bucket, Cold Rain and Snow, Little Red Rooster, Tennessee Jed, Memphis Blues, To Lay Me Down, Let It Grow. Parental discretion is advised on Rooster thanks to Brent's soulful contribution.

 

From the very next show on 7/15/89 at Deer Creek just outside of Indianapolis, we have the end of the first set, Jack-A-Roe, Queen Jane Approximately, We Can Run, Bird Song. This show was like a huge breath of fresh air. After seven straight shows at some of the east coast's largest and most impersonal stadiums (Foxboro, Rich, JFK, Giants and RFK) it was a real thrill to arrive at the brand new Deer Creek and find such a small venue. And the band rose to the occasion and played a great show.

 

Last year we played you the opening of the middle show at Alpine on 7/18/89, and this year we're going to listen to the end of the first set, made up of Minglewood, FOTD, Memphis Blues, Bird Song, Promised Land. We hope you don't mind two versions of Bird Song in a row.

 

Finally this week, we're going to hear music from the final night of the tour, at Alpine on 7/19/89. We'll start out with the opening combination, Hell In A Bucket>Sugaree and then will move on to Mama Tried>Mexicali Blues, Althea.

 

Stop in next week when we'll check out some music from 1973, 1977 and 1992. As always, we encourage you to write to me at the email address below. It's always great to hear from you with questions or comments.

 

David Lemieux

[calvino]

It's up early today:

 

Taper's Section (January 18, 2010 - January 24, 2010)

 

 

Finally this week, we're going to hear music from the final night of the tour, at Alpine on 7/19/89. We'll start out with the opening combination, Hell In A Bucket>Sugaree and then will move on to Mama Tried>Mexicali Blues, Althea

 

My first show. Hell of day. Rain and a bit chilly. I was 16 at the time and the only other concert I have been to was John Mellencamp concert, so when I got up to Alpine and saw all the deadheads at the end of wet three day run (and end of the tour) it was a bit of an eye opener. It was a great show.

[mountain bed]

My first show. Hell of day. Rain and a bit chilly. I was 16 at the time and the only other concert I have been to was John Mellencamp concert, so when I got up to Alpine and saw all the deadheads at the end of wet three day run (and end of the tour) it was a bit of an eye opener. It was a great show.

Oh, that final night at Alpine....I'm pretty sure I've talked on these threads at some point about that run - maybe the finest I ever saw in the last 5 years of GD touring. That first set the skies just pounded us - and there we are, out on the lawn soaked to the bone, and Jerry's up there crooning "In spite of all you've gained you still have to stand out in the pouring rain". That was some funny shit.

 

But - that first Deer Creek show. The place had just opened about a month before (my first one was a week or two before this - Dylan/Steve Earle) and at the time that area was nothing but the sticks. Farmland everywhere. Now today, just 20 years later, the whole fucking surrounding area is nothing but condos, office space, etc. But like I said it was nothing but rural. The local farmers were crazy with fear. Seriously. Scared of this crazy gypsy freak thing invading their quaint little space. They worried about the noise - quote "this is gonna scare my hogs" unquote.

 

Well, of course the thing went down without a slew of Manson-style slayings, and after this the overwhelmingly Republican county saw how much money was to be made. They quickly changed their minds over a couple of tours. All of a sudden the signs were out at local businesses - WELCOME DEADHEADS. Unbelieveable, man. After that, until the shit hit the fan on 7/2/95, EVERYONE knew that after a bunch of hellish stadium gigs The Creek was going to feel like an oasis. A Mecca, even. And actually with few exceptions they always played well there.

 

Man, I miss DC shows.

[NightOfJoy]

I saw quite a few shows in '88, and while they were fun in general, nothing stands out as being special (unlike '87 or '89).

 

That 4 shows in 5 nights run at Alpine was the most BRUTALLY HOT run I ever caught. Someday if I get a scanner I will post pics. The best part of that run was that Dylan played there the night before the Dead run, and it was the best Dylan show I ever saw. SPINE-TINGLING.

 

I probably mentioned this before but what the hell......me and my crew got up to Alpine for the Dead a day early, knowing full well that Dylan was playing, so we could beat the crowd and get our camp set up properly. After doing so, we walked up one of the ski hills and listened to the Dylan concert waft up and around. While the sound wasnt the best, we had a really really good time. Oh yeah....one of my buddies who had 2nd row seats for Bobby that night passed out in his chair and missed most of the show.

[calvino]

In 89, The Who played a day or two after the Grateful Dead at Alpine. I remember hearing people whose car was stuck in the mud say that they might just stick around for The Who.

[Analogman]

In 89, The Who played a day or two after the Grateful Dead at Alpine. I remember hearing people whose car was stuck in the mud say that they might just stick around for The Who.

 

They actually played some shows together in 1976. (Of course, the people who post in this thread know that.)

 

Oddly enough, I have known about The Who since around 1977, but I did not get into the Grateful Dead until sometime in the 1990s.

[calvino]

They played some shows together in 1976 also.

I think in the early 80's they shared a bill, too. I seem to remember a European show where Townshend sat in on Miracle and Not Fade Away (not sure on the songs.) I remember it being not too good, though.

[Analogman]

I think in the early 80's they shared a bill, too. I seem to remember a European show where Townshend sat in on Miracle and Not Fade Away (not sure on the songs.) I don't remember it being too good, though.

 

They took over a tour that The Who were suppose to do. Pete played with them. I think there are clips of if out there. It was a Rockaplast show (if I recall correctly).

[calvino]

They took over a tour that The Who were suppose to do. Pete played with them. I think there are clips of if out there. It was a Rockaplast show (if I recall correctly).

 

Yep, that's it. I think I saw the clips on a link that you posted a while back.

[Lammycat]

Yep, that's it. I think I saw the clips on a link that you posted a while back.

 

Grugahalle in Essen, W. Germany. Townshend sat in from after Drums on (NFA->Wharf Rat->Around-> Good Lovin'//Sat. Night.

 

I think I still have the Dead's part of the double bill (Who played too, I believe) on VHSsomewhere.

 

Here are a few decent clips of NFA->, Around->, AND ->WRat:

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=de1Miicm3Bc

http://vids.myspace....ideoID=29322658

http://video.tiscali...1135186943.html

[mountain bed]

In 89, The Who played a day or two after the Grateful Dead at Alpine. I remember hearing people whose car was stuck in the mud say that they might just stick around for The Who.

Yeah, it was the next day. I was sleeping in the shotgun seat of old Bertha (the Ford Club Wagon) and a couple of buds were crashed in the back (our tents were completely soaked) when this security guard woke us up by beating on the windows, shouting "You guys gotta leave! THE WHO are coming!" And we were still higher than coons, laughing..."Who? Who'dat?"

[Analogman]

I always thought that was a weird mix. Pete was in his Soccer Hooligan/New Romantic/New Wave/dressing up like a teenager phase around that time (early 80s). Dave Marsh talks about that time in the Who book he wrote. I can't recall what the deal was exactly. I just remember a passage where Pete meets with Jerry and asks him to do the dates The Who were suppose to do.

 

I think the 1989 tour was "The Who On Ice" as Pete calls it. They had a whole bunch of players on stage with them.

[HungryHippo]

Yeah, it was the next day. I was sleeping in the shotgun seat of old Bertha (the Ford Club Wagon) and a couple of buds were crashed in the back (our tents were completely soaked) when this security guard woke us up by beating on the windows, shouting "You guys gotta leave! THE WHO are coming!" And we were still higher than coons, laughing..."Who? Who'dat?"

[mountain bed]

I always thought that was a weird mix. Pete was in his Soccer Hooligan/New Romantic/New Wave/dressing up like a teenager phase around that time (early 80s). Dave Marsh talks about that time in the Who book he wrote. I can't recall what the deal was exactly. I just remember a passage where Pete meets with Jerry and asks him to do the dates The Who were suppose to do.

 

I think the 1989 tour was "The Who On Ice" as Pete calls it. They had a whole bunch of players on stage with them.

That Dave Marsh book - are you talking about "Before I Get Old"? Damn fine book, although as I recall Marsh kind of had a hard-on for the Dead. He didn't particularly care for them.

 

I'm having a hard time recalling the passage you describe from that book (it's been many years since I read that one), but Scully's book seemed to imply that Pete was in a VERY bad way with drugs, was missing the loss of Moon, and knew his band was close to calling it quits. The Who's roadies knew their gig was about to end and (of course) did a king-hell demolition-style job on whatever hotel bar they were at.

[Analogman]

That Dave Marsh book - are you talking about "Before I Get Old"? Damn fine book, although as I recall Marsh kind of had a hard-on for the Dead. He didn't particularly care for them.

 

I'm having a hard time recalling the passage you describe from that book (it's been many years since I read that one), but Scully's book seemed to imply that Pete was in a VERY bad way with drugs, was missing the loss of Moon, and knew his band was close to calling it quits. The Who's roadies knew their gig was about to end and (of course) did a king-hell demolition-style job on whatever hotel bar they were at.

 

That's it. I once read a post on Pete's blog (some years ago) where he took Dave to task for some things he said in that book.

 

I like the part where they are amazed that the Dead played so many different songs. At the time (1976), Keith actually had a set list painted on the side of one his drums.

[Moss]

So I was just listening to the 4/2/89 show (Pittsburgh it looks like). Very cool hearing Dear Mr. Fantasy into Hey Jude! I was wondering who that is singing lead vocals on those songs? Very bluesy voice, sounded kind of like Warren Haynes or something.

[Analogman]

So I was just listening to the 4/2/89 show (Pittsburgh it looks like). Very cool hearing Dear Mr. Fantasy into Hey Jude! I was wondering who that is singing lead vocals on those songs? Very bluesy voice, sounded kind of like Warren Haynes or something.

 

Brent and/or Phil

 

I could have been at those shows.

[Lammycat]

Yep, Brent. Always a big fan of the guy. There were detractors to be sure....

[Moss]

Yep, Brent. Always a big fan of the guy. There were detractors to be sure....

 

Really? Detractors? For his singing? I thought he sounded amazing.

[Lammycat]

Really? Detractors? For his singing? I thought he sounded amazing.

 

I knew plenty of folks who called him the "Michael McDonald" of the band, thought his lyrics were too dark, thought he stunk the joint up, basically. He really brought new life to the band in '79, imo. He wrote some great tunes, added tons of color to the tunes with his amazing playing, and was really strong with the backing/harmonizing vocals. You could tell Garcia loved having him up on stage, too. There were times when Garcia would turn his back to the rest of the band and he and Brent would just play off eachother, both with huge, beaming, endearing smiles on their faces. I think Bob may have felt his toes we being stepped on a bit, but whatever. I loved what Brent brought to the band and was really bummed when he checked out.

[NightOfJoy]

Back in the day, I never cared for his harmonies with Bobby and Jerry. I just wanted him to shut up and play. I've since changed my mind.

[mountain bed]

I knew plenty of folks who called him the "Michael McDonald" of the band

Whoops! Lammy just called me out.

[JohnO]

I was bummed when Keith left the band but I enjoyed the harmonies Brent sung. I never have gotten into Brents tunes. Over time I came to enjoy his keyboard playing but Keiths period with the band is still my favorite keyboard sound. My order of preference is Keith, TC, Hornsby, Pig, Brent and Vince.

[Analogman]

Taper's Section (January 25, 2010 - January 31, 2010)

 

Welcome back to the Tapers' Section, as we wrap up January with a good variety of music spanning almost 20 years, from 1973 to 1992, with a stop in 1977.

 

Our first stop this week is at Kezar Stadium on 5/26/73, one of the Grateful Dead's very, very rare appearances in the Bay Area in 1973. Aside from Kezar, the band only played for its hometown fans on 2/9/73 at Stanford, and the three night run at Winterland in November. Obviously, what they lacked in quantity of performances they certainly made up for in quality. This Kezar show was the third consecutive major weekend show for the Dead, with the previous stops being 5/13/73 in Des Moines, and 5/20/73 in Santa Barbara. From Kezar, we have a Looks Like Rain, They Love Each Other, Playing In The Band. Although the Des Moines show on 5/13/73 is my favourite of the three May shows, Kezar only falls a fraction below that on the list, with 5/20/73 being just as good as Kezar.

 

Speaking of Santa Barbara on 5/20/73, we figured we should give you a taste of that one as well. So, from that show, we have Rider, BIODTL, TLEO. All three of these big shows followed a similar set list, but all are worth seeking.

 

Next up, we have music from the penultimate show of the magnificent Spring Tour of 1977 (that's three weeks in a row we've used the word "penultimate;" this will be the penultimate time we use it for the foreseeable future...). This is the opening sequence from 5/26/77, and features The Music Never Stopped>Sugaree, Mama Tried, Sunrise, Deal, Passenger, Brown-Eyed Women. There have been plenty of CD releases from this tour, for very good reason.

 

Lastly this week, we have music from Shoreline Amphitheatre from 5/24/92, a show that a good friend of Dick Latvala's turned me on to. From the second set, we have Samson and Delilah, So Many Roads, Long Way To Go Home, Corrina, a good bunching of the then-new songs that we haven't played too often here at the Tapers' Section.

 

Tune in next week when we'll be playing you music from the 1980s exclusively here at the Tapers' Section. Feel free to write the email address below with questions or comments about the Tapers' Section, or any aspect of Grateful Dead and CD releases.

 

David Lemieux

[mountain bed]

No self-respecting Head should be without 5/26/73 in their collection. It's long, and uniformly strong.

 

Regarding the batch of new tunes that started dribbling out in '92 - one of the great losses (to me, at least) was Phil's "Wave To The Wind". The first times I heard that tune I KNEW it had the potential to become a modern-day "Eyes"-style tune...but they constantly tinkered with the arrangement, and after a few tours (to lackluster reception) they dropped it from the rotation.

 

How many times did we see Jerry rescue "Boring-a" with a tasty jam at the end? That song ruined a number of second sets for me. Thank God Jerry DID take it somewhere at the end.