The Grateful Dead

[Vacant Horizon]

http://www.jambands.com/news/2014/11/08/bob-weir-talks-carrying-jerry-garcia-s-dope-on-tour-dealing-with-painkillers-and-more-in-revealing-interview/

 

article on a recent bob interview.  pretty revealing.  comments are interesting.  lots of conspiracy theories out there.

[HungryHippo]

The comments in that article are amusing. I've never heard any of those theories before. I'm waiting for the "Mickey is an alien" theory to surface soon.

 

All of this '77 talk inspired me to break out the 5/9/77 matrix from Hunter Seamons. I don't have much '77 in my collection but do love this show!

[Mr. Heartbreak]

HungryHippo, May '77 is one of the few things in life that deserve the overused word "epic." Enjoy.

 

I answered my own question above and tried to give 4/25 a listen. (Somehow, I like to go through most of my downloads in chronological order.) Attention all Deadheads: you can probably skip this one. The sound is very muffled for a soundboard. Not sure what happened, but it sounds like someone used noise reduction or something on a recording a couple generations old. It's not a fun listen, although there are surely some good performances (I suffered through the Scarlet > Fire just because I am a fanatic about that combo, but didn't listen to the whole show...it's a very nice performance of Scar>Fire. Too bad the sound sucks.)

 

On to 4/27, and wow, it's sounding excellent. This is a much stronger performance than the recent Dave's Pick. I would have chosen something like this for release, assuming it's in the vault. The comments on archive.org lead me to believe I have a lot to look forward to: the second set features Estimated, Scarlet > Fire and a much hyped Morning Dew. Today and tomorrow will be fun as I work my way through it, during my commute(s).

 

Sometimes I get into a deep Dead phase, where I don't listen to much else. This month is rapidly turning into one of those.

[Winston Legthigh]

I picked up the May 1977 box set a while ago, and have really been enjoying it. I just started really listening to GD shows about a year ago. Started with Europe 72, which led to Europe 72 II, then Live/Dead, then the Sunshine Daydream show, then a couple Dick's Picks (I forget the numbers, but they were both from Sept 72), then eventually the From the Vault I, and then the May 77 box.

 

I saw GD 2x - both times at Alpine Valley - for their entire runs there. I think it was in 89 and 90.

[calvino]

Must have been 89 (for the Alpine) - it was the last run there. I saw the last night.

 

I passed on the May, 77 set. Also still holding out on this latest Spring 90 set.

 

Anybody get the latest Spring 90 set - wouldn't mind hearing if it was a worthy investment. I got the 1st set, which I still revisit from time to time.

[Winston Legthigh]

Must have been 89 (for the Alpine) - it was the last run there. I saw the last night.

 

I passed on the May, 77 set. Also still holding out on this latest Spring 90 set.

 

Anybody get the latest Spring 90 set - wouldn't mind hearing if it was a worthy investment. I got the 1st set, which I still revisit from time to time.

Huh - I guess it was 88 and 89 then?

Was 90 the year they went to Tinley Park instead? I have bad stories about that one. Spent a couple nights in the hoosegow.

[calvino]

Huh - I guess it was 88 and 89 then?

Was 90 the year they went to Tinley Park instead? I have bad stories about that one. Spent a couple nights in the hoosegow.

 

 Yeah - 90 was the Tinley -- it wasn't the best. I use to live in the next town over from Tinley --- the locals didn't take too kindly to the influx. The sound sucks there - so I am kinda glad they never came back.

[NoJ]

I'll share my GD related hoosegow story if you share yours!

[Winston Legthigh]

Long story short: busted selling bunk opium to a cop.

 

Short story long: I was traveling into the show form out-of-state with a bunch of friends. None of us were holding any fun-time comestibles, but we were into the light stuff, bunch of potheads who dabbled in mushrooms. We didn't think much of our predicament, because our experience at previous Alpine Valley shows was that you could get what you desired at the show parking lot. 

 

When we got there, we started the grand tour of the parking lot, but we encountered nary an offer. Strange... So we made our way back to our car, and another friend had a super-secret stash that he was holding for just such an emergency, so we started to blaze one. If memory serves me correctly, a guy walked by our car, chatted us up, then it came up that he had some opium he wanted to get rid of. Not being a frequenter of opium dens, but having an open mind, we said "sure, why not" and purchased a little black lump. Not even sure what to do with it, we lit it up, waited, then were fairly convinced that we purchased a lump of incense, and not a proper narcotic. Super bummed that I contributed $50 to the cost (which was half of my whole weekend budget), we decided to attempt to recoup our losses by passing it on to the next sucker. A while later, another dude passed us by, asking if there was anything we could spare, and we sold him the bunk opium. Next thing we knew some kid told us that a bunch of cops were about to descend on our car, so we all split. Some of my friends got nabbed right away. I got away, but didn't really have anywhere to go, and I figured they'd all be back soon enough anyway. After all, after the opium sale, we weren't holding anything, and the "opium" was such a minuscule amount of something that wasn't even legit in the first place. So I figured my friends would all be released after getting a slap on the wrist. Eventually, a cop came up to me, and took me in. Escorted me to a holding cell, where I realized I was in big trouble. Only one other friend was there - the rest got the hell out of Dodge. They said we were the only two involved in the transaction (true) and that we were being arrested for selling an alleged controlled substance. I don't remember much after that, but we were transported to a real Cook County jailhouse, which was scary as hell. I ended up calling my folks. They were awesome, and came to get me out. I spent a couple nights in a cell - by myself. That was maddening. The light never turned off, and I remember passing the time by singing the White Album to myself over and over, then trying to grab some sleep on the hard metal bench when I could. Sunday morning came, and after a couple transfers to different holding pens in different buildings, we appeared before a judge. He set bail and a court date. 

 

All said and done, charges against me were dismissed, and the event on my record was sealed, because it was my first offense. Nothing's ever come of it.

[Winston Legthigh]

I'll share my GD related hoosegow story if you share yours!

Well?

[NoJ]

Woah!

 

So after the GD show at Soldiers Field in 92, me and my girlfriend (now wife) went back to the Blackstone hotel where one of our friends had a room. I had a BIG smile on my face, just so you know the state of mind I was in. We were drinking in the room when we noticed firecrackers and stuff falling outside. So I had the idea of going up to the roof or top floor to see what was going on (and maybe get a lil' nookie too). So the girlfriend, my old college roommate, a neighborhood buddy and myself took the elevator up as far as we could, got off and started following hallways and stairways up. At one point, about 20 laughing and yelling Heads came streaming down some stairs the entrance of which was hidden by some red velvet curtains. So we went up that way and made it to the top floor which wasn't in primary use by the hotel. Stuff was stored up there, it was kinda dusty. There were a few other heads up there milling around. All of a sudden this black guy in a cheap suit started yelling and telling everybody to congregate over by some elevator doors. Me, my girlfriend and the old roomie complied while the neighborhood guy said no way and boogied. A few other kids joined us. Elevator doors opened, we all got on. Once the doors closed the guy identified himself as the hotel dick and said "I hope you all know, yer going to jail tonite". I said what for? Turns out, we were being blamed for the firecrackers and junk being tossed out the windows. We all end up in this unused bar in the basement of the hotel (which was kickass; vintage 1920s look to it) waiting for the cops. I'm holding and not finding any opportunity to get rid of it. Then the cops show up and away we went, a first class ride in the Paddy wagon (except the girlfriend who was separated from us and put in a squad car) to 11th and State. I ended up eating everything while in the wagon which was, lemme tell ya, pretty darn difficult. It made the next 5 hrs while locked up very interesting though. I remember the jailer cops were loathsome people, just assholes making fun of us. Cell walls breathing, baloney sammichs on the floor, some hippy was weeping because he got caught with weight. About 4am, they I-bonded us out and we walked right back to the Blackstone Hotel, popped some beers and went to bed. Had to go to court a few months later, we pled down the trespassing and other charges down to disorderly conduct and that was that. Long story short, we got arrested for being on the wrong floor of the hotel.

[Winston Legthigh]

Ha. I remember the baloney sandwiches too. One per day.

[NoJ]

Btw, that soapium stuff is the worst. Just disgusting.

 

The heat must've really been on the lot at Alpine that day. My experiences there were more like a free for all, no holds barred type environment. edit-oh wait, you were busted at Tinley. We camped on a farmers front lawn along with anyone else who paid 20 bucks for the 3 day run. That was nuts.

[IRememberDBoon]

ha ha I sold three hundred hits of great lsd a day at soldier field with no problem! I would get a sheet for 70 bucks and sell it 2 for 5 and 10 for 20. kept gas in the tank and tickets in my pocket

I had the best system to stay away from the cops ever (especially at stadiums) I would go to the outer reaches of the parking lot and as people pulled in, parked and got out of their cars I would ask them if they needed any good acid (and it was GOOD) and 50 percent minimum were always like HELLS YES!. That way I knew they weren't cops and I also was a million miles from "shakedown" where all the idiots who were standing there saying "doses........doses........doses" and getting their asses busted and back in 89 90 91 when you got busted with LSD you could go to jail for a good damn bit of time!

[worldrecordplayer]

Some musings on the GD 50th year, and Lockn, by Scott Allen, the guy who wrote Aces Back to Back (anyone read that book?).  I loved Lockn this year, and I love Phish, but I'm not so sure I love Phish and all that entails at Lockn:

 

Since we last discussed the topic of a Core Four reunion of the Dead, a lot of things have changed, and plenty of divergent but credible opinions have emerged about what may or may not unfold in 2015.

As I have stated twice, it is a fact that concert promoters have been demanding exorbitant insurance policies for any show, tour, or series of dates involving a Core Four reunion that includes Bobby.

For example, it was revealed earlier this week that promoters required the Rolling Stones to take out a $29.2 million insurance policy for their 18-show tour of Australia and New Zealand earlier this year in the event a show, shows, or the tour were canceled due to death in the band, a death in the band's family, or a sickness or illness.

From what I understand, the Core Four's "camp" has developed a strategy to deal with the insurance policy issue: The band plans on playing just one or two major headlining gigs this summer at a festival or festivals, and a series of residencies on the West and East coasts.

The "camp" sees this as a way to circumvent concert promoters' demands, with the goal to work with as few promoters as possible.

A 2015 reunion of the Dead featuring the Core Four seems, suddenly, despite my earlier-given lack of optimism, very real.

The afore-mentioned strategy of having the Dead limit their appearances in 2015 made promoters more amenable; as stated, the Dead, apparently, are looking to headline a single festival or two and play a series of West Coast and East Coast residencies - in arena settings or a handful of stadium dates.

Phil and Bobby still have a little patching up to do, as Mr. Lesh privately rode Bobby pretty hard during the past 18 months. The Furthur cancellation at Lockn' in September put a serious dent in everyone's coiffeurs, none more so than Phil's close friend, Lockn' co-promoter Peter Shapiro.

Speaking of Mr. Shapiro, and Phil, and knowing of Phil's deep loyalty and appreciation to Peter for the highly-successful and concept-redefining residencies the pair will conclude on December 30 and 31, 2014 with the Phil and Joe Russo shows at the Capitol, I'd say it would not be a longshot to predict that any festival headlining slot by the Dead in 2015 would most likely go down at Lockn', the pre-eminent jamband festival in America, and fast becoming the most-exciting festival, period, in the U.S.

My "sources" in the music industry have confirmed that the Dead are already in negotiation with Lockn' to headline the Arrington, Virginia-based festival that's held on hundreds of acres of pristine, starry-skied countryside.

Should a 50th anniversary tour and a headlining slot at Lockn' go down, my hope is the Dead will study the model on 50th anniversary tours or shows utilized by the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones (as well as the Allmans' farewell shows). All were tributary, involved all or most of the past members, and were anything but hokey.

And should it happen, this is what I am hearing about the Dead lineup in 2015: the Core Four plus Bruce Hornsby on keyboards. Apparently, to my disappointment, Jeff Chimenti will not be involved. I hope that changes. Hornsby makes sense on a number of levels, including financial, but Chimenti would be the man, for me, at the keys.

A number of what may be described as near-silly issues have/ had to be resolved, from what I understand, before the choice (or choices) on lead guitar could be worked out.

For one, Billy, who unmercifully ripped Furthur's choice of John Kadlecik as guitarist in 2009, had to make repairs there. For another, in order for Steve Kimock to be involved, an issue dating to 1999, between Kimock and a "camp insider," had to be hashed out.

And, from what I hear, should this reunion unfold, the band is seemingly committed to, and working with, the concept of using more than one lead guitarist.

How that would work is unclear. Would a different, lone lead guitarist play each night or for each short residency ? Would there be a night-long rotation of leading men at each gig ?

The guitarists are known to be John Kadlecik, Steve Kimock and Warren Haynes, with a fourth, unnamed guitarist, possibly Trey Anastasio or Barry Sless, also being considered; Stu Allen, according to my music promotion source, is not, to my disappointment, on the short list.

The Core Four with Bruce and a three or four guitarist rotation.

Something for everyone, we hope !!

My same booking "source" is reporting that Lockn' is deep in negotiation with the Dead to be the host for the band's 2015 major festival headlining gig.

In fact, Mr. Shapiro and the Lockn' Festival are attempting to pull off the greatest coup in jamband festival history in 2015: having the Dead and Phish headline on alternating nights.

As the String Cheese Incident and Umphrey's McGee did at Lockn' in 2014, expect to see Phish and the Dead playing alternating sets.

The plan is to have Phish play an opening set, followed by an opening set from the Dead. Phish would then play their "closing" set, followed by the Dead, who would also perform the night's closing set.

The following night, the order will be reversed, with the Dead up first, and Phish closing.

Phish fans, meet the Deadheads. Deadheads, say hello to the Phish fans.

We hear that Lockn' is also trying to nail down another special treat. As you know, Widespread Panic backed John Fogerty in 2013 for a set of Creedence and Fogerty classics and did the same this past summer with Stevie Winwood. For next summer, the goal is to have WSP back Teresa Williams and Larry Campbell for a set of Band and Levon Helm classics !!

Have a happy Wednesday —

Scott

[Lammycat]

I read the above yesterday, too, (and in the middle of Aces... currently), and while I don't necessarily doubt his word and/or "sources" it's been said by more than one person to take his word with a grain of salt. Makes sense, though, as the Furthur split-up set the stage for a 50-year series of shows. It seems like he's just bringing up old news with the JK/Billy K thing and Phil camp/Kimock stuff, though. Whatever set up they have, it's such a shell of what the GD were, anyway, that it's hard for me to get too excited about this "reunion". More like a glorified Furthur, no?

[Doug C]

"The Furthur cancellation at Lockn' in September put a serious dent in everyone's coiffeurs,..."

[Lammycat]

 and back in 89 90 91 when you got busted with LSD you could go to jail for a good damn bit of time!

Yep, and anyone foolish enough to still risk it for a few bucks had a screw loose and (almost) deserved what they got. I wouldn't wish the ridiculous penalties enforced on folks back then slinging doses (many are STILL incarcerated because of this) but come on, everyone knew the price for getting caught....

[mountain bed]

I read the above yesterday, too, (and in the middle of Aces... currently), and while I don't necessarily doubt his word and/or "sources" it's been said by more than one person to take his word with a grain of salt. Makes sense, though, as the Furthur split-up set the stage for a 50-year series of shows. It seems like he's just bringing up old news with the JK/Billy K thing and Phil camp/Kimock stuff, though. Whatever set up they have, it's such a shell of what the GD were, anyway, that it's hard for me to get too excited about this "reunion". More like a glorified Furthur, no?

I agree. I thought maybe a couple of shows (like the "Family Reunion" they did at Alpine in '02) would be enough. Pay lip service to the milestone but a tour doesn't get my motor running, that's for sure.

[worldrecordplayer]

I read the above yesterday, too, (and in the middle of Aces... currently), and while I don't necessarily doubt his word and/or "sources" it's been said by more than one person to take his word with a grain of salt. Makes sense, though, as the Furthur split-up set the stage for a 50-year series of shows. It seems like he's just bringing up old news with the JK/Billy K thing and Phil camp/Kimock stuff, though. Whatever set up they have, it's such a shell of what the GD were, anyway, that it's hard for me to get too excited about this "reunion". More like a glorified Furthur, no?

 

 

What I took away from that is the distinct possibility of appearances at Lockn'. Which makes perfect sense. I love Phish, but fear having them on the bill would overrun the festival.

[Winston Legthigh]

"The Furthur cancellation at Lockn' in September put a serious dent in everyone's coiffeurs,..."

That's some serious hair damage.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Taking a break from my group of '77 shows to get some earlier, earthier Dead from 11/14/71.

 

https://archive.org/details/gd1971-11-14.sbd.lai.6254.sbefail.shnf

 

This set seems to have been, at least partially, released as a bonus disc for RT 3.2. It's the previous night, that is. Oddly, all the other copies on archive.org show it starting with Tenn. Jed and having less tracks. So I'm not sure what I've got here - a mix of tunes from both nights? The setlist on the show, as I have it, is as follows:

 

Bertha 
Beat It On Down The Line 
China Cat Sunflower ->
I Know You Rider 
El Paso ->
Sugaree 
Jack Straw 
Big Railroad Blues 
Me And Bobby McGee 
Loser 
Playing In The Band 
Tennessee Jed 
You Win Again 
Mexicali Blues 
Casey Jones 
One More Saturday Night 

Set 2

Truckin' ->
Drums ->
The Other One ->
Me And My Uncle ->
The Other One ->
Wharf Rat ->
Sugar Magnolia 

Encore
Johnny B. Goode

 

Anyone have insight as to whether this is all from 11/14 or not? I don't believe I have RT 3.2, but I would have to check.

 

In any case, some really nice versions of these songs. The Playin' still has the "just to look to see the sights" line, which I have always much preferred to the silly "lookin' for their kites" replacement. It's also much shorter than the vehicle for outer space travel it would become in the next couple of years, but Jerry's solo shows the seeds already. And, mercifully, no Donna caterwauling. Me & Bobby McGee is beautifully played as well. This is the era when it was still not firmly established to get the Jerry and Bobby alternating songs pattern that would soon follow, so you get treats like a slightly speeded up Tennessee followed by You Win Again, and a Truckin > Drums > Other One > MAMU > Other One sandwich. Really, really good stuff.

[Lammycat]

Yes, that's the complete TCU show.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Right after I posted, I found this:

http://www.thebestofwebsite.com/bands/grateful_dead/reviews/RoadTrips_Vol3_No2.htm

Breaks it down more. Digging this show a lot. I prefer the slightly more polished '72 versions of some of these songs, but I have to admit I don't miss Pigpen in this show either. 

[calvino]

That's a good release, for sure.