Grateful Dead

Thin see what I mean my wiring is crossed for sure even without the caffeine. No but I meant writing. I do have a gift for coming up with very creative tyops though. Good times for sure!

I’ve generally enjoyed the various incarnations over the years. I’ve seen Phil and Friends several times over the years. My favorite post-dead memory is seeing Phil & Friends in a small place in San Francisco in early 2001 (Maritime Hall). I believe Warren was with him but I could be wrong– it was a blast. My girlfriend (now wife) and I danced all night and Phil, as usual, was candid and warm with the small(ish) crowd. I’ve seen DSO with JK and thought they were great. I also saw him front a band earlier this year (Golden Gate wingmen) with Jeff Chimenti as well. Fun times and I think he brings his own style to the table. I don’t necessarily think of him as a jerry clone. D&C is worth the price of admission. You can tell they like playing with each other and you get a sense that they are pushing each other too. See this band!

Yeah so I am off work today, sick, might have the flu. My coffee is doing its job so while the caffeine is flowing I am going to harness this energy. So no more commenting for me as I need to do some work. However i could use some help from all of you: I could use a few recommendations for shows to listen to today, preferably something under the radar. So not an official release and it has to be on the Archive. Any year or era is cool with me. Any help I can get from all of you would be great. Thanks!

You wrote: "I certainly don’t do well with putting thoughts into wiring" ;) Can you give an example??? LOL

Dennis had mentioned this previous regarding potential comments made towards Further , but the term tribute band or cover band gets thrown around a lot for post Jerry line-ups not just Further. Dennis I agree with you that Fruther was not a tribute band, more so none of the post Jerry line-ups were /are a tribute or cover band. Usually I see people who are angry that remaining members are playing music go right towards this sequence of name calling and complaints: they are only tribute/cover band > they are greedy > Jerry would be rolling in his grave etc... Basically when I see this I have often posed the question: At what point do musicians who are continuing to play their own music (which is their profession), who have played this music for decades prior, become a cover band? I always cite the Allman Brothers as another example as they retained their name, even after they lost their lead guitarist and bass played within a year. They carried on went and did great things. Please I know too that am not diminishing Jerry in any way. There is only one of him, irreplaceable, we all know that. That is why these line-ups are not the Grateful Dead and why they are different- they should be different. I think more than anything is that people are still upset about Jerry being gone as I know I am Yet some take it on out the remaining members. I am not saying that some criticisms aren’t warranted, but playing music isn't one of them. Again to quote Thin: “We are very lucky folks. Let's enjoy the bus-ride while it lasts.” Anyway I am not going to ramble anymore about this, but that tribute/cover band thing does bring a out a little fire in me.

“But ultimately it's still an homage and an interpretation of JERRY'S music and presence, and therefore could never equal the original. But that's cool - I can still experience authentic, primo live Dead featuring one of the best guitarists in the world (can't wait to watch the 3 mexican shows this wknd!), and thanks to Dave et al we have HUNDREDS of primo GD shows - the best of both worlds. We are very lucky folks. Let's enjoy the bus-ride while it lasts.” Thin- once again someone is able to articulate things better than me. At least I certainly don’t do well with putting thoughts into wiring. But yes I agree with what you said, that the experience of the post-Jerry line-ups is cool when I get to attend the event, but the recording not so much. When I focus on recordings it is going to be of the Grateful Dead. I don’t know about all of you but I can still get blown away from listening to shows for the first time, I even get goosebumps at times. Please everyone keep the recommendations for shows coming, it’s awesome! Yet as far as post Jerry line-ups go, I still am amazed that is now 2018 and we all the opportunity to see the rest of the boys playing, even if they are all not quite playing together as Phil has got his own thing. We do have the best of both worlds right now.

lol

All true.. sometimes it doesn't come through to the recordings.. like that enigmatic friend you have where photos don't capture the sparkle.. But the recordings seem to be getting better as is the live sound. I have enjoyed really.. all the reincarnations of the GD. I am just happy they are passing the torch and bringing in new talent. People bring in their own styles and personalities. I think we are being a little harsh on Warren and Trey, but I get it of some think it's a bad fit. More importantly, the music seems to have grown instead of dying out, at least to me.. besides sell-out pop acts, take a look at who is touring year after year and artists who have absorbed at least a little of the GD pixie dust are well represented. Still.. there's nothing like the real thing. Jerry was a magical beast. I get a kick out of all the critical comments, era wars, etc. It's like Zagat ratings on GD shows. When Jerry was on, I mean really on.. I could care less if Liberace was on the keys and Bam Bam Rubble on drums, I was happy to be there and just as happy enjoying it today. Don't take the wrong point from this, they were a complete band, a group mind.. and they all contributed amazingly well.. That's my take anyway, glad someone had the foresight to press the record button, nothing but smiles.. and I look forward to the listening part I carve out for myself each day.

Email your politicians. Point out that you were in the military and am now being treated unjustly. Unless you were dishonorably discharged.

That does sound insane. I'm really sorry to hear this.. I did not have to supply bank records or IRS documentation when I got my passport.. I would keep trying to get one, so you have it for the next opportunity. I'd gladly write a letter in your behalf, not that it would make a difference. Someone has a bug up their ass and needs to crap.