Grateful Dead

[Simon]

32 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

I agree with this as well.  When I stream The Dead channel on Pandora and a JGB song comes on I prefer it. 
 

I do have a question for you big Dead fans.  I know some of you love the different “versions” of the band over the years since the passing of Jerry from Further to The Dead and Company.  I feel that Jerry was the heart and soul of that band. I joke that they’ve become a glorified cover band. I know that some of you will say “but you love the Allman Brothers and they continued on after the passing of Duane.”  I get that but the ABB didn’t “come back” after Duane was killed. They continued on and continued to write new music and evolve as a band. I know the real hardcore Deadheads will say “who cares the music transcends Jerry” or some other hippy dippy stoner BS ?. For me I think it’s probably more the event than who’s actually playing on stage. 
 

Thoughts?

 

No Jerry, no Dead.

8 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

 

I Joe Russo not too long ago, great show. I can't remember what he is calling his band.

Almost Dead

[Bill from NYC]

6 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

No Jerry, no Dead.

Almost Dead

That's right....JRAD

[Turk71]

41 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

I agree with this as well.  When I stream The Dead channel on Pandora and a JGB song comes on I prefer it. 
 

I do have a question for you big Dead fans.  I know some of you love the different “versions” of the band over the years since the passing of Jerry from Further to The Dead and Company.  I feel that Jerry was the heart and soul of that band. I joke that they’ve become a glorified cover band. I know that some of you will say “but you love the Allman Brothers and they continued on after the passing of Duane.”  I get that but the ABB didn’t “come back” after Duane was killed. They continued on and continued to write new music and evolve as a band. I know the real hardcore Deadheads will say “who cares the music transcends Jerry” or some other hippy dippy stoner BS ?. For me I think it’s probably more the event than who’s actually playing on stage. 
 

Thoughts?

When Jerry died they had a memorial at Golden Gate Park and when it was over I was waiting for my gal at the time at the car when Mickey Hart came walking up with one of his kids on his shoulders, he was parked right next to me. We were acquainted because I played Djembe in the GD Mardi Gras and New Year parades over the years with him and Wavy leading the way, in fact we had just played that afternoon in a procession circling the crowd.  I said "Hey Mickey, I just want to say thanx for all the incredible shows and unforgettable times" or something like that. He got all intense and told me "It's not over man, it's Not over". I didn't say anything because I could tell he was pissed but I knew it was over.

Edited April 10, 2020 by Turk71

[Rico]

53 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

When Kadlecik left Dark Star orchestra and joined Furthur, they were great. This band brought me back into Dead music. BTW their drummer (Joe Russo) was better than the GD drummers and the keyboard player (Jeff Chimenti) was comparable to Brent. Seriously.

They got rid of John and went with Trey Anastasio and sounded horrible imo. Then, they brought in Mayer who has talent, but this is not Grateful Dead music imo.

Bottom line? They went commercial and sold out.

 

We have a local band in NYC and mostly Long Island called "Half Step" that is very popular and does a good job. I still like to see John K when he comes around.

 

 

I saw John Mayer open for the Stones in Philly 2005, and I was not impressed at all. It may be unfair, but I'm not willing to give him a chance, way too many other things to listen to.

 

I am very impressed though with all the women has had,  Jennifer Aniston FTW.

[Uncle Joe]

I have never been a Deadhead.

I did see them in DC at Capital Center in the fall of 1976. They got off to a slow start and the crowd was restless. Then they starting jamming real well and got the crowd going. Everyone was calling for an encore but it felt like GD gave the crowd a FU for the beginning of the show and they did not come back out..
I will say I enjoyed their live show better than their albums. I like jam bands.

[gomper]

2 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

I disagree but that's what makes the world go 'round.

 

Was this in 89? I think that Jerry was at his best in 1989, to include the show at Rich Stadium.

7/4/89 at Rich. They always played well the hometown. Great scene too!

[Bill from NYC]

7 minutes ago, gomper said:

7/4/89 at Rich. They always played well the hometown. Great scene too!

The Philly show was also amazing!

[Rico]

27 minutes ago, gomper said:

7/4/89 at Rich. They always played well the hometown. Great scene too!

I saw them play the Aud on a Saturday night in 1981, with the Stones playing Rich the next day. Quite the drugland weekend! Bills lost to the Bungles in OT though, never saw it.

[Steve O]

21 hours ago, The Real Buffalo Joe said:

I know I'm stepping on some toes here, but I'm honestly asking, not just trying to cause trouble. I can’t be the only person that’s tried, multiple times, to get into the Grateful Dead and just can’t. From what I've listened to, they’re just not that great. They come off as a poor man’s Allman Brothers. If there’s something I’m missing, let me know. Their guitar playing is average at best, their singing is atrocious. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about rock music, especially from that era. I just don’t hear it.

Don't have the patience to read through a 4 page thread, my apologies if this has already been posted, but your post reminds me of a joke I first heard back in the 80's. 

What did the Dead head say when he quit drugs? God this band sucks!

[Chef Jim]

2 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

When Kadlecik left Dark Star orchestra and joined Furthur, they were great. This band brought me back into Dead music. BTW their drummer (Joe Russo) was better than the GD drummers and the keyboard player (Jeff Chimenti) was comparable to Brent. Seriously.

They got rid of John and went with Trey Anastasio and sounded horrible imo. Then, they brought in Mayer who has talent, but this is not Grateful Dead music imo.

Bottom line? They went commercial and sold out.

 

We have a local band in NYC and mostly Long Island called "Half Step" that is very popular and does a good job. I still like to see John K when he comes around.

 

 

 

I'm a big fan of Warren Haynes.  I thought it was cool when I saw the ABB at the Fox in Oakland in 2009 (I think) and he had to head down to the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View the next day to play with The Dead.   That's talent.

 

You bring up drummers.  I'm a drummer as most of you know and I'm not crazy about Mickey and Bill.  They try to do "too much" sometimes.  I liked Butch and Jaimoe much better.  They complimented each other and we more in the "background" than Mickey and Bill.  Butch was in "in the pocket" drummer and Jaimoe added a real cool jazz feel to the music.  Just my opinion so don't kill me guys.  LOL

2 hours ago, Turk71 said:

When Jerry died they had a memorial at Golden Gate Park and when it was over I was waiting for my gal at the time at the car when Mickey Hart came walking up with one of his kids on his shoulders, he was parked right next to me. We were acquainted because I played Djembe in the GD Mardi Gras and New Year parades over the years with him and Wavy leading the way, in fact we had just played that afternoon in a procession circling the crowd.  I said "Hey Mickey, I just want to say thanx for all the incredible shows and unforgettable times" or something like that. He got all intense and told me "It's not over man, it's Not over". I didn't say anything because I could tell he was pissed but I knew it was over.

 

He got pissed??  Geeze Mickey.  Chll.  LOL 

[Bill from NYC]

31 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

 

I'm a big fan of Warren Haynes.  I thought it was cool when I saw the ABB at the Fox in Oakland in 2009 (I think) and he had to head down to the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View the next day to play with The Dead.   That's talent.

 

You bring up drummers.  I'm a drummer as most of you know and I'm not crazy about Mickey and Bill.  They try to do "too much" sometimes.  I liked Butch and Jaimoe much better.  They complimented each other and we more in the "background" than Mickey and Bill.  Butch was in "in the pocket" drummer and Jaimoe added a real cool jazz feel to the music.  Just my opinion so don't kill me guys.  LOL

 

He got pissed??  Geeze Mickey.  Chll.  LOL 

Off topic but how would you rate the drummer in YES? I always found him to be sensational.

 

[gomper]

1 hour ago, Bill from NYC said:

The Philly show was also amazing!

Oh God yes. Great Scarlet/Fire.

It was so hot. We parked early. Some Heads walked by dripping wet. I asked them what was going on and they said there was a community pool a block or so away. Really? It was true. I can't remember but maybe it was a 1.00 to get in. Heads took over the pool and the party was on lol.

 

We swam for hours and then came back to the lot to continue the party, refreshed and ready to go. Fantastic Loser and Blow Away that night as well. Last event ever at JFK.  They sent it off in style. 

 

[Rico]

3 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

Off topic but how would you rate the drummer in YES? I always found him to be sensational.

 

Bruford, hell yes. White, meh.

[Bill from NYC]

51 minutes ago, Rico said:

Bruford, hell yes. White, meh.

I was fond of White also.

 

[Rico]

Just now, Bill from NYC said:

I was fond of White also.

 

Well, Im not a drummer, I thought White was OK. I heard these days he can't play anymore, that they've got someone off-stage playing for him.

 

Bruford was all-World. I did prefer Crimson to Yes.

[Bill from NYC]

Just now, Rico said:

Well, Im not a drummer, I thought White was OK. I heard these days he can't play anymore, that they've got someone off-stage playing for him.

 

Bruford was all-World. I did prefer Crimson to Yes.

I was in Barnes & Noble last month and saw a YES greatest hits CD for $4.99 so I grabbed it. The last song is a live version of "I've Seen All Good People." In the last 90 seconds or so of the song he introduces Howe, Squire, Wakeman, and White who absolutely tore it up.

 

If I make it through this plague, a Yes concert is on my bucket list.

[The Poojer]

for my money probably their best show...i think Jerry and Brent were at the top of their game during that whole 89 summer tour, but Philly was the pinnacle as far as i am concerned

 

4 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

The Philly show was also amazing!

[Chef Jim]

3 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

Off topic but how would you rate the drummer from YES? I always found him to be sensational.

 

Which one?  Bruford or White?  Bruford is very good and the better of the two. 

[Bill from NYC]

52 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

Which one?  Bruford or White?  Bruford is very good and the better of the two. 

Actually I meant White.

[Turk71]

4 hours ago, Chef Jim said:

 

I'm a big fan of Warren Haynes.  I thought it was cool when I saw the ABB at the Fox in Oakland in 2009 (I think) and he had to head down to the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View the next day to play with The Dead.   That's talent.

 

He got pissed??  Geeze Mickey.  Chll.  LOL 

  I drank a couple shots of whiskey with Warren outside the back door of the Warfield Theater in San Fran after an Allman Brothers show early 90s sometime, Annabelle Garcia was there too. Last time I saw him was onstage with the Dave Mathews Band at the Gorge Amphitheater in central Washington a few years ago. I got to see him and his band Govt Mule a bunch of times as well. Great player.

 

  Mickey was a pretty intense guy and seemed upset that people thought it was over.

  He grew up in Brooklyn and was in the Air Force in Europe for a few years. He was very accomplished at judo (became a black belt) and taught combative  measures. He also played drums in the Airmen of Note, their elite big band. Another fun fact, both his parents were champion rudimentary drummers (marching band) so he started playing at a very young age. His father won the championship at the Worlds Fair in New York 1939 before he was born.

[Bad Things]

While one the subject... a shout out to all of those great, Grateful Dead tribute bands out there. 

 

The Park Ave Band were always a blast to see live in Rochester, while Shakedown Street filled those Northern Colorado canyons with sweet sounds.

[Turk71]

10 hours ago, gomper said:

7/4/89 at Rich. They always played well the hometown. Great scene too!

That was an awesome day. It was great to be back in Buffalo and see the Dead with childhood friends. The 'Cold Rain and Snow' really made me smile. I just remember seeing the look of amazement on a couple of friends faces who had never been to a show.

Edited April 11, 2020 by Turk71

[Bill from NYC]

4 hours ago, The Poojer said:

for my money probably their best show...i think Jerry and Brent were at the top of their game during that whole 89 summer tour, but Philly was the pinnacle as far as i am concerned

 

I agree 100%!!! @The Poojer.  How much better can it get than this? Watch Jerry smile while Brent went off. He just played rhythm guitar and took it all in.    

 

 

Yeah, this is as good as it gets imo.

Edited April 10, 2020 by Bill from NYC

[The Poojer]

Of course we all miss Jerry but Brent brought so much soul into the band, and his keyboard jams were otherworldly.  Drugs did a major number on Jerry, but i think Brent dying was almost as lethal.  Jerry had so much appreciation for him as you pointed out with his smiling as Brent took over.  Phil doesn't get enough credit either...sure we all hated when phil songs came on, but his playing was incredible.  I'm glad he felt strongly enough to get out and enjoy his life with his kids and play when and with who he feels like, but he was as important a piece of the band as any of them

 

49 minutes ago, Bill from NYC said:

I agree 100%!!! @The Poojer.  How much better can it get than this? Watch Jerry smile while Brent went off. He just played rhythm guitar and took it all in.    

 

 

Yeah, this is as good as it gets imo.

[BUFFALOKIE]

23 hours ago, The Poojer said:

I think I love you!!!!  ♥️?

You are easy. You told me the same thing once when I described Sponge Bob covering Twisted Sister versus BS comic book movies. But, we love you too bud!!!

[The Poojer]

perhaps my all time favorite Dead moment.  Brent at his best

 

 

[coloradobillsfan]

10 hours ago, gomper said:

7/4/89 at Rich. They always played well the hometown. Great scene too!

 

they are streaming this show right now 

 

 

[Turk71]

32 minutes ago, The Poojer said:

Of course we all miss Jerry but Brent brought so much soul into the band, and his keyboard jams were otherworldly.  Drugs did a major number on Jerry, but i think Brent dying was almost as lethal.  Jerry had so much appreciation for him as you pointed out with his smiling as Brent took over.  Phil doesn't get enough credit either...sure we all hated when phil songs came on, but his playing was incredible.  I'm glad he felt strongly enough to get out and enjoy his life with his kids and play when and with who he feels like, but he was as important a piece of the band as any of them

 

Phil was definitely not a good singer but I loved his songs. Unbroken Chain, Box of Rain, Pride of Cucamonga are all great songs imo. 

  I was at the last show in Chicago when they finished with Phil singing Box of Rain, the last song they ever sang together.

[The Poojer]

Just now, Turk71 said:

Phil was definitely not a good singer but I loved his songs. Unbroken Chain, Box of Rain, Pride of Cucamonga are all great songs imo. 

  I was at the last show in Chicago when they finished with Phil singing Box of Rain, the last song they ever sang together.

 

 

I'm just really happy to have the music continuing on.  I'd rather have John mayer than no Dead tours.  I'll go to the mat defending Mayer but I fully get the resistance.  I'm just happy to have fall and summer tours I can escape to

[Turk71]

4 minutes ago, The Poojer said:

 

 

I'm just really happy to have the music continuing on.  I'd rather have John mayer than no Dead tours.  I'll go to the mat defending Mayer but I fully get the resistance.  I'm just happy to have fall and summer tours I can escape to

Okay, I can understand that. I'm glad they are still playing too. I saw them last summer and thought Bobby was the problem with the music, he was dragging the tempo and looked like he was gonna fall over. I was glad I was there though and had fun seeing a lot of old friends.

  Not sure how my comment about Phil pivoted to John Mayer though.

[The Poojer]

3 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

Okay, I can understand that. I'm glad they are still playing too. I saw them last summer and thought Bobby was the problem with the music, he was dragging the tempo and looked like he was gonna fall over. I was glad I was there though and had fun seeing a lot of old friends.

  Not sure how my comment about Phil pivoted to John Mayer though.

 

Oh Bob is definitely keeping the tempo slow, but Mayer, Oteil and Jeff C are really sitting back and doing some really special things to keep the spirit of the band moving forward.  The trick is catching Jeff and Oteil in the smaller venues/clubs really honing their "Dead" chops then seeing them on the bigger stage

[Logic]

12 hours ago, Chef Jim said:

I agree with this as well.  When I stream The Dead channel on Pandora and a JGB song comes on I prefer it. 
 

I do have a question for you big Dead fans.  I know some of you love the different “versions” of the band over the years since the passing of Jerry from Further to The Dead and Company.  I feel that Jerry was the heart and soul of that band. I joke that they’ve become a glorified cover band. I know that some of you will say “but you love the Allman Brothers and they continued on after the passing of Duane.”  I get that but the ABB didn’t “come back” after Duane was killed. They continued on and continued to write new music and evolve as a band. I know the real hardcore Deadheads will say “who cares the music transcends Jerry” or some other hippy dippy stoner BS ?. For me I think it’s probably more the event than who’s actually playing on stage. 
 

Thoughts?

I'll leave this one to Ken Kesey, who wrote a letter after Jerry died that started this way:
 

Hey, Jerry-- what's happening?  I caught your funeral.  Weird.

 Big Steve was good.  And Grissman.  Sweet sounds.  But what really stood

 out -- stands out -- is the thundering silence, the lack, the absence of

 that golden Garcia lead line, of that familiar slick lick with the uptwist

 at the end, that merry snake twining through the woodpile, flickering in

 and out of the loosely stacked chords...a wriggling mystery, bright and

 slick as fire... suddenly gone.

         And the silence left in its wake was-- is-- positively

 ear-splitting.

I'll just go with that. The silence...the space...is absolutely ear-splitting. Nothing...absolutely NOTHING since Jerry died can hold a candle to the music WITH Jerry. Nothing. I've been to dozens of shows, from The Dead to Furthur to Dead and Co to Wolf Bros to Phil and Friends to Ratdog to Dark Star Orchestra, and NOTHING holds a candle. Jerry was the sun around which the other planets (players) orbited, and his absence is ear-splitting.

So why do I still go to the shows? Because it's still church. It's still chasing transcendence. It's still going and seeing some of my favorite musicians chasing the muse while I still can. It's still the same community, and joy, and pursuit of IT, and love and magic. That's why I still go. It still FEELS mostly the same, out in audience land. It's still church. But the silence...the gap where that magical Garcia solo should be...it's ear splitting.
 

Edited April 11, 2020 by Logic

[Chef Jim]

4 hours ago, Turk71 said:

  I drank a couple shots of whiskey with Warren outside the back door of the Warfield Theater in San Fran after an Allman Brothers show early 90s sometime, Annabelle Garcia was there too. Last time I saw him was onstage with the Dave Mathews Band at the Gorge Amphitheater in central Washington a few years ago. I got to see him and his band Govt Mule a bunch of times as well. Great player.

 

  Mickey was a pretty intense guy and seemed upset that people thought it was over.

  He grew up in Brooklyn and was in the Air Force in Europe for a few years. He was very accomplished at judo (became a black belt) and taught combative  measures. He also played drums in the Airmen of Note, their elite big band. Another fun fact, both his parents were champion rudimentary drummers (marching band) so he started playing at a very young age. His father won the championship at the Worlds Fair in New York 1939 before he was born.

I’ve rode the rail for many a Mule show. They did their Muleoween show in Oakland for a few years. Best one was with Robby Krieger. Great music great stories. 

5 hours ago, Bill from NYC said:

Actually I meant White.

Oh. He’s very good too but personally I like Bruford better. 

[Turk71]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

So why do I still go to the shows? Because it's still church. It's still chasing transcendence. It's still going and seeing some of my favorite musicians chasing the muse while I still can. It's still the same community, and joy, and pursuit of IT, and love and magic. That's why I still go. It still FEELS mostly the same, out in audience land. It's still church. But the silence...the gap where that magical Garcia solo should be...it's ear splitting.

I still go when I can but I just don't travel much to shows anymore. We went to the Gorge in WA a couple times, I think the best was in 09 when all the boys were there and Warren took Jerry's place. The Doobies and the Allman Bros opened. Phil and Dylan did a tour together years ago and we saw shows from Seattle down to San Diego. That was a great trip and the music was really good. I definitely see them whatever form their in when they come to Oregon and I still enjoy the whole experience but it's obviously not the same without Jerry. 

Edited April 11, 2020 by Turk71

[Logic]

55 minutes ago, Turk71 said:

I still go when I can but I just don't travel much to shows anymore. We went to the Gorge in WA a couple times, I think the best was in 09 when all the boys were there and Warren took Jerry's place. The Doobies and the Allman Bros opened. Phil and Dylan did a tour together years ago and we saw shows from Seattle down to San Diego. That was a great trip and the music was really good. I definitely see them whatever form their in when they come to Oregon and I still enjoy the whole experience but it's obviously not the same without Jerry. 

 

I still go to see Dead and Company at the Gorge whenever they play there. Best venue in America.

 

I usually do DSO or JRAD in Portland and Eugene whenever possible, too. The live experience is still a whole lotta fun. I just don’t personally feel that it can hold a candle to the genuine article, musically. But that’s okay!  It is still about as much fun as one can have at a live show of any kind. The community is still there. The lot is still there. The pursuit of IT is still there.

 

I am so thankful to still get to go and see this music live, 25 years after Jerry left this earth.

[Turk71]

1 hour ago, Logic said:

 

I still go to see Dead and Company at the Gorge whenever they play there. Best venue in America.

 

I usually do DSO or JRAD in Portland and Eugene whenever possible, too. The live experience is still a whole lotta fun. I just don’t personally feel that it can hold a candle to the genuine article, musically. But that’s okay!  It is still about as much fun as one can have at a live show of any kind. The community is still there. The lot is still there. The pursuit of IT is still there.

 

I am so thankful to still get to go and see this music live, 25 years after Jerry left this earth.

   We were at the Gorge last summer for Dead and Co. and had a blast. Played music at a few different camps and saw a lot of good friends at the top of the campground Shakedown street. Love that venue.

  I thought it was last year I caught them at Autzen but the wife tells me it's been 2. Time flies. I too am grateful I can still gather with my tribe.⚡

Edited April 11, 2020 by Turk71

[Logic]

Just now, Turk71 said:

   We were at the Gorge last summer for Dead and Co. and had a blast. Played music at a few different camps and saw a lot of good friends at the top of the campground Shakedown street. 

  Love that venue. I thought it was last year I caught them at Autzen but the wife tells me it's been 2. Time flies. I too am grateful

I can still gather with my tribe.

 

That show at Autzen was SO GOOD!!! As the bassist Otiel Burbridge says, Eugene is like “an old growth forest of Deadheads”. Very cool town to see Dead music in. 

 

And I so love my summer Gorge trips and will miss seeing them there this year. First time at that venue for me was The Dead in ‘04, with Robert Hunter and the Allman Bros opening. That’s when I really and truly got “on the bus”. My only complaint about the Gorge is that the nitrous situation in the lot has gotten out of control. It’s beyond gross. Nothing I hate more at shows than hearing the hiss of the nitrous tanks. Ugh. Ah well, as the lyric goes: “It’s one in 10,000 that comes for the show”.

[Rico]

See to me...

Love Jerry

Love the band

Love the music, love the jams

Love the songs (60's and 70's, with a few later exceptions)

BUT

Have never, ever had any use or love for the Deadheads at those shows. 

Edited April 11, 2020 by Rico

[Prickly Pete]

9 hours ago, Rico said:

See to me...

Love Jerry

Love the band

Love the music, love the jams

Love the songs (60's and 70's, with a few later exceptions)

BUT

Have never, ever had any use or love for the Deadheads at those shows. 

 

zing.

[ExiledInIllinois]

11 hours ago, Rico said:

See to me...

Love Jerry

Love the band

Love the music, love the jams

Love the songs (60's and 70's, with a few later exceptions)

BUT

Have never, ever had any use or love for the Deadheads at those shows. 

They're Trust Fund Babies now... Somebody has to invest their money.