Grateful Dead

I read it was because LB got the boot. Could have been logistical, timing related with their upcoming tour. Would have been a trip if they could have gotten Peter Green.

Ritchie Blackmore is a legend. His tone, solos and phrasing are right up there with the best. Of course the Mark II lineup is a favourite, but don't forget the Glenn Hughes/David Coverdale era. Stormbringer and Burn are great albums! Rainbow was a serviceable pop/hard rock outfit as well. It was always a pleasure to listen to Ritchie play electric guitar. He has just re-emerged with all new players he's calling Rainbow and has done a few shows in Europe over the last couple of years. It's sub-standard. The fire is gone from his playing. He plays like a gentleman now, which I imagine he is. His very recent Guitar World interview shows him happy and perhaps more humble and amiable than his old caustic self. Unfortunately, the edge has come off his electric playing. Too many years hopping around playing that hobbit music (Blackmore's Night, for the uninitiated) has taken it's toll. No matter, Smoke On The Water lives forever. Having just seen Steve Morse with the Dregs from the 2nd row, Morse is a brilliant player. He's not one of my favourites, but seems a nice enough chap and he has chops to burn. It's one of those businesslike, modern rock band economic decisions for him to anchor the guitar chair in Purple. As he should, he pays respect to the songs and the basic framework of Ritchie's most memorable solos without being a clone, he stretches out and expresses himself well within the music. Unfortunately, it doesn't really do it for me, and once-superhuman shrieker Ian Gillan has lost much of his power. No matter, he sings tastefully and uses what voice he has left very well and, last I've heard, is nowhere near the embarrassment some claim. Ironically, at 70 he and Ritchie are in about the same place regarding their slow decline. Which brings me to, we bought good floor seats for the upcoming arena tour of Deep Purple/Judas Priest. I never thought I'd see Priest again, but goddamn they still deliver even with new guitarists. It's a great band and Rob Halford is the Freddie Mercury of metal. Hell, yes, Purple and Priest! It'll be a blast one classic tune after another. I go see live music to enjoy it, not to nitpick at things that aren't the way the were 30 years ago. That goes for all iterations of the Dead, as well. Shit, it's 2018 and I'm seeing 17 rather large shows this year: Robert Plant Michael Schenker Davy Knowles Dixie Dregs Phil Lesh As The Crow Flies (seen) Stone Temple Pilots The Alan Parsons Project Ween Dead & Co. Dead & Co. Dark Star Orchestra (on the Rocks with Donna Jean Godchaux) Electric Light Orchestra Ry Cooder The Magpie Salute Deep Purple/Judas Priest Fleetwood Mac (still to come) I'm stoked to see Mike Campbell and he's the only reason I'm seeing the Mac again. They're rumoured to be doing some Petty songs! Tom Petty's death has left a rather large hole in my heart and I love Mike Campbell, the epitome of class and taste on the instrument. \m/

Is playing with Fleetwood Mac?Whoa, that sounds interesting. Was this because of LB getting the boot, or was it already happening?

There's a place in hell for whoever created the Dolby hiss sensation.. Too funny.. Hated it! I wonder if it still comes up on some of these 80's cassette masters from time to time.

https://youtu.be/eDWQkRW2r2E Yes, there is more than 1 Oro Oroborous is currently a frequent poster. Oroboros made the sculpture of the dragon eating its tail and gave it to the band. He posted a link to a video that showed the dragon by the drums. I think he also gave us some first hand accounts of the shows that make up the July 78 Box.

too funny!

Indeed!First, I don’t think I’m the oro some of you kind folks think I am? I have occasionally been a voyer but have not posted in many years. I believe their is more than one of us, since I’ve seen different spellings over the years.... I think I copped mine from THE DEAD, that old Hank Harrison book? Any-who, thanks for the kind words, I’ve missed talking the talk! Next, I can’t tell you how nice it was that at least someone understood what I’ve been rambling on about the last couple days. Both your responses were great.

Wait, that’s the purple right?? Uh huh huh....anyway, Deep &+$#@ Purple, man one of those great bands that gets waaay overlooked.Led; glad to see that folks like you are doing their part to keep live music, well, alive and well in America! That’s the spirit, ITS ALL GOOD, don’t get hung up, even if the show doesn’t move ya, maybe you’ll have a great time anyway, meet that special someone etc Rock On Brother!

A big NC YAAASSSSS, great post

Captain Trips taps into an endless flow with his guitar channeling the sound of water replenishing the barren landscape with his melodic tones