Grateful Dead

I'm like an alcoholic falling off the wagon at an open bar when somebody mentions the Winterland 1973 box set. It only takes a little nudge. I stay away from this one to preserve its majesty...but if this is what the kids are doing I'm in. November 10, 1973, bonzaaai!!! Jimbo - you spent it on a green Gremlin??? This is worse than that time my kids got into my bitcoinage and went online at the five-and-dime. Ended up with a barrel full of squishy toys.

Pardon me while I pause for a prayer of thanks.... ...sorry, its a long one... That was my first "real" GD show. Man, those were the days (spoken like a genuine member of the sub-species fartus oldus). I walked out of Winterland half-expecting to find a different planet on the other side of the door. A bit disappointed to find out otherwise. And so it began - this affliction we all share for which the only known cure is...more shows!!

Chica-chicaaaah! Just got the shipping notice for my anthem of the sun Deluxe Anniversary Edition. Not so much interested in the anthem of the Sun, but I do believe there's alive show accompanying it. Somewheres around 1968 maybe? I forgot I ordered this. Did it on a whim one day. Maybe I'll double post to celebrate.

Chica-chicaaaah! Just got the shipping notice for my anthem of the sun Deluxe Anniversary Edition. Not so much interested in the anthem of the Sun, but I do believe there's alive show accompanying it. Somewheres around 1968 maybe? I forgot I ordered this. Did it on a whim one day. Maybe I'll double post to celebrate.

also, if you need a pick-me-up, listen to CCR's Ramble Tamble

Grateful Dead is the best live band everThe Beatles is the best studio band ever Motorhead is the best high-energy band ever 13th Floor Elevators is the best raw band ever CCR is the best "singles are our forte, but our other material is fun, too" band ever

So where’s the clue in that post?Winterland? Fartus oldus? More shows? Man, that’s possibly the toughest clue Bolo has ever posted. I’m going to have to go with “more shows”.

Grateful Dead are the best live band ever Steely Dan are the best studio band ever KISS are the best high-energy band ever Ramones are the best raw band ever The Police are the best "singles and all..." band ever Ask me tomorrow, I might give you five different bands.

Stoltzfus- I just listened to Ramble Tamble this afternoon. You're right on. Great track. Great band. Weird world sometimes. Just listened to it and here you are talking about it. Life is good. Box is soon. '69 or 70 for DaP 27. Short. Declarative. Sentences.

Stolzfus - Good list, but you forgot to mention Nickelback. LedDed - I was thinking Steely Dan "best studio band ever", as well. Yes, that knocks off the Beatles, but I would argue the Beatles are simply "best band ever", with no qualifier. It's their world. Every other band just lives in it.

Live-Grateful DeadStudio-Yes

Live - Grateful DeadStudio - Pink Floyd

Studio:Beatles Steely Dan Pink Floyd Live: Grateful Dead Bob Marley Santana

pretty decent sounding phish AUD shirdeep

relates to the Dead era of this upcoming box set release, however this location was the midwest, instead of the northwest. But still 1974. This was my first show and it was on 6-16-74 in Des Moines, Iowa. This was a musical road-trip starting in Lincoln NE and four of us traveled down to Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium on Friday night (6-14-74) to see the Allman Bros. Band. That was quite a hot show and ABB were loud and the guitar work on their raucous blues and rock was stratospheric. We got up early and were travelling in my convertible VW bug (top down) and took country roads back up to the Des Moines Fairground. Yes, back roads because we were not fit to drive on the interstate (nor the highways) with regular citizens, but staying on those gravel roads with occasional stops for exploration fit the bill in our crazed state. These were the 70's I remind you, so this era commanded a sort of reckless abandon. And we answered the call, but were unprepared for the aural adventure on tap in Des Moines. I recall our tickets to see the Grateful Dead ($3.75?) said the show starts at 1:00 on Sunday. This would be quite a treat, as I had never seen the Dead before, but I had listened avidly to Europe 72, Skeleton & Roses (Skullfuck), Workingman's Dead the new one Wake of the Flood. And the weather was wonderful as we traversed those back-roads, laughing, partying, and goofing to our hearts content. Needless to say the statutes of limitations have lapsed on that prankster period but I will stick to the show story as opposed to the side trip. We pulled into a campground and set up camp and as was our penchant 'back in the daze' began furiously rolling smoke-able party favors for the looming Dead show. The next day we arrived at the Des Moines State Fairground and it turned out to be a wonderful outdoor spot with the 'Wall of Sound' erected several hundred yards in front of the Fairgrounds covered grandstand. We were standing out front milling about, being part of the show and watching others do their part, frizbee, t-shirts (still have mine, a threadbare wonderful homemade "Garcia" image, not quite my size anymore ;o}), sales of various items and all of a sudden we hear a bullhorn announce "the show will start at 12:30." So we decide to head on in. I heard later they heard a storm was blowing into the plains so they started early to beat the rain. I never since saw or heard of an early start of a Dead show, have you? It is hard to describe how striking that 'Wall of sound" was sitting in front of us. It was simply immense. As you approached it, the massive assemblage of speakers seemed to grow outward and upward. So many stacks upon stacks. I thought the Allman Bros. sound system was loud 2 nights before but their system was absolutely dwarfed by this massive scaffolding & speaker construction. Crosby Stills Nash and Young's system wasn't even 1/2 this size and they blew our socks off. So what would this behemoth sound like? We all ran about in the crowd before the show started and there was a little stand for Rounder records with some miniature album covers advertising Jerry's new album (his second solo), a Kingfish album and the Grateful Dead's upcoming release "Mars Hotel". I marveled at the wonderful illustration of a seedy hotel on a Martian landscape for the new album. Ugly rumors indeed! Little did I understand what I was about to witness. Party favors circled about and the crowd swelled against that elevated stage in anticipation. The Dead had played here last summer and I had heard from my grinning buddies about the "double rainbow' that appeared on cue (as was so prone to happen at the Dead shows) during that show. The Dead ambled out to tune up. There is Keith on his grand piano, Billy at his drums in the middle under this cylindrical-suspended-speaker-section, Phil in his shades and a beard, and Bobby with a flannel shirt (to ward of the cool breeze blowing in). But who was that in a red 'Mars Academy' sweatshirt? It looks like a chubby Dustin Hoffman? No, it's JERRY! He shaved off his beard! He still had massive sideburns (ala the sixties). They tuned up and began playing and off we go-"Bertha" yes!!!!!!!!! and the crystalline sound of that system. Unbefuckiin'liveable, just off the charts, beefy bass, and loud!!!! I can hear everyone clearly...Weeee!!!! And the Grateful Dead took me on a journey, of Americana, country, space, rock, jam, fable, fun, roller coaster, and turn on a dime. An aural feast extraordinaire. That first set gifted me with my first Scarlet Begonias. When I first heard those shimmering leads and I first thought it was going to be China Cat Sunflower. No, it was a stand along Scarlet Begonias- from their new album (not yet released). A couple songs later after that was my first live China Cat> I know you Rider. Just exactly perfect. Mexicali-Blues, Row Jimmy, Around and Around and others were in that first set. Then the first set break. This was the old days and this was to be a 3 set show. We were terribly spoiled in those days, my friends. A bounty of riches that hazy overcast day in Iowa. Second set started with a US Blues and then The Race is On. However then the fabric of time slowed and expanded when an ethereal sounds of Eyes of the World soared out of that Wall of Sound. Garcia playing those 'catch me if you can' cascading leads, with Bobby's shimmering upstrokes in alternate rhythms, all the while Keith is playing the keys either in counterpoints or delicate mirrors to Jerry's leads. And Billy's effortless jazzy fills punctuating and driving the boys and Phil's bass dancing low and then those impossibly high bass notes. Bass leads, wait who has ever heard of bass leads? Then the Dead magically segued into Big River (a segue complete with a whiplash collar). This was a glorious Big River for us in the middle of the country right by the big river that Johnny Cash wrote about. Other tunes followed both old and new. This was stupefying, and after Donna joined the boys for Ship of Fools, then Phil delivered bass bombs during a staggering Playin' in the Band to end the second set. The sight of the wall of sound was remarkable but with this speaker construction of Owsley's, transformed Phil's bass notes into a pulsated sonic pressure right into my chest, sneaking into me physically and synchronizing with my breathing. I had to lean forward to not tumble over backwards. End of the second set. Whew... My mouth was hanging agape, I look to my buddies, and they stared wide-eyed back at me, grinning with anticipation. The Dead will be back for more? Another set? How much more can they show us? I thought that I am saturated, no more wonder will fill this cranium. My buddy who had been at last year's show smiles knowingly at me and then leans back to laugh with a Neal Cassady guffaw and we all break up giggling. Then yes, the Dead come out to astound us with more tales, mysteries, and celebrations,.... Set 3 Truckin'> Wharf Rat > Nobody's Fault Jam> Going Down The Road Feeling Bad and then we got an encore of Casey Jones. Aural delights that created a response with the crowd that would ebb and flow, an ocean of sound in Iowa, where the Dead would roll sound out at us and we would all respond with primal howls and cheers back at them, only to have them return with increased energy back to us in the next refrain. I really had no context for this experience. It was beyond belief........... Afterwards we all staggered back to the VW bug to make the trek home to Lincoln, Nebraska. What!! It is really 6:00 p.m.? How long did these guys play?!!!!!!!!!! How long indeed ;o} So my brothers (and sisters) that is how I got on the bus back in June of 1974. "Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself"

That's some tale Oroboros.. many thanks. Muy celoso. Wow.. great story.

https://www.rhino.com/article/out-friday-graham-nash-over-the-years -First he was a member of The Hollies, then he joined forces with David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and sometimes Neil Young, and whenever the opportunity has presented itself, he’s also had a significant solo career. Now, Graham Nash is about to issue a two-disc compilation which features some of his most notable compositions from the CSN(&Y) years and the work he’s released under his own name, and while it doesn’t technically feature anything by The Hollies, it does kick off with a song that he offered them but which was rejected. Yes, the song in question is “Marrakesh Express,” which went on to become a classic CSN track, and it’s joined on this new compilation - OVER THE YEARS – with a number of other tracks which will immediately ring a bell, including “Immigration Man,” “Simple Man,” “Teach Your Children,” “Our House,” “Wasted on the Way,” and “Just a Song Before I Go,” among many others. Better yet, it’s a 2-disc set, one which features 15 studio tracks on the first disc and 15 original demos on the second disc. OVER THE YEARS will be released digitally and as a 2-CD set this Friday, and it will also be released as a 15-track, double-LP version on August 31, one which has music on three of its sides and an etching on “Side Four.” You can find the track listing for all of these formats below, but in the meantime, you can spin the Graham Nash playlist we’ve compiled. Over The Years... CD Track Listing Disc One 1. "Marrakesh Express" 2. "Military Madness" 3. "Immigration Man" 4. "Just A Song Before I Go" 5. "I Used To Be King" * 6. "Better Days" * 7. "Simple Man" 8. "Teach Your Children" 9. "Lady Of The Island" 10. "Wind On The Water" 11. "Our House" 12. "Cathedral" 13. "Wasted On The Way" 14. "Chicago/We Can Change The World" 15. "Myself At Last" * Previously unreleased mixes Disc Two: The Demos 1. "Marrakesh Express" - London, 1968 2. "Horses Through A Rainstorm" - London, 1968 3. "Teach Your Children" - Hollywood, 1969 4. "Pre-Road Downs" - Hollywood, 1969 5. "Our House" - San Francisco, 1969 6. "Right Between The Eyes" - San Francisco, 1969 * 7. "Sleep Song" - San Francisco, 1969 * 8. "Chicago" - Hollywood, 1970 * 9. "Man In The Mirror" - Hollywood, 1970 10. "Simple Man" - Hollywood, 1970 11. "I Miss You" - San Francisco, 1972 12. "You'll Never Be The Same" - San Francisco, 1972 13. "Wind On The Water" - San Francisco, 1975 14. "Just A Song Before I Go" - San Francisco, 1976 15. "Wasted On The Way" - Oahu, 1980 Previously unreleased demo versions, except * LP Track Listing Side One 1. "Marrakesh Express" 2. "Military Madness" 3. "Immigration Man" 4. "Just A Song Before I Go" 5. "I Used To Be King" * Side Two 1. "Better Days" * 2. "Simple Man" 3. "Teach Your Children" 4. "Lady Of The Island" 5. "Wind On The Water" Side Three 1. "Our House" 2. "Cathedral" 3. "Wasted On The Way" 4. "Chicago/We Can Change The World" 5. "Myself At Last" * Previously unreleased mixes ...anyone else give this a listen ? :)

What a talent, and considering who he worked with and through what years.. a great diplomat. I have been to Marrakesh once, and had a grand time. Flew into Casablanca.. met some friends, spent a few days here and there but the train trip to Marrakesh and back, plus the time we spent in the city was quite the event. I can't remember when I went there, but it must have been before 9/11 or shortly thereafter because I don't recall any of the related travel hassles that seem to come with visiting a predominately Muslim country, it was easy travelling both here and there. It was a spectacular trip and I highly recommend it. Sorry for the tangent.. guilty as charged. That songs just always reminds me of a poignant period in my life.. as good music should. I highly recommend seeing as much of the world as you possibly can.

...amen to that, I couldn’t agree more my brothers & sisters :)

The band I have listened to most this year, apart form the Dead, has been King Crimson. They are as different from The Dead as night is from day, but they might just have been the most effective improvisational rock band to come form Britain in the 70s. They had three main line ups in the 70s, but the one I am listening to most is the final one. They made three studio albums-including "Larks Tongues in Aspic"- with an extra percussionist- "Starless and Bible Black" and "Red". I have got the whopping box set "Starless" which features many jaw dropping live concerts in superb sound quality. Its a bit much to buy, if you haven't heard them before-so I would recommend one called "Nightwatch " which is included in the box, or The Collectable King Crimson Volume 1.-which features two great concerts from the same lineup-one of which, Mainz 1974, is included in "Starless". Its not for the faint hearted, though.

I grew up loving CSN/Y. It was part of the soundtrack of my youth. I've always been an acoustic guitar/harmony loving guy. Love James Taylor, Neil Young, and they all inspired me to play guitar, which I do to this day. But there were a ton of CSN songs I'd always skip - they seemed too sissy-ish and effeminate. I eventually learned that all the songs I skipped were Nash's. Then I saw them live and I was wondering what was wrong with Nash? Is he drunk? Did someone dose him? Nope, that's just how he rolls: writhing his body to every lyric and nuance of the song like a melodramatic 8-year old girl singing into her hairbrush. It was beyond distracting - it made me uncomfortable. Why the cartoonishly over-wrought emoting? Is he self conscious that he's not playing an instrument? Clamoring for attention on a crowded stage? Every time I saw them after that, I had to look away and focus on the others. But mad respect. The guy is the R&R Hall of fame 2x (I think?) and helped pull Crosby out of a ditch many, many times. He knew the Beatles before they were the Beatles. But his music is absolutely NOT my bag. Sorry for the negativity, but I'm curious how many others feel the same. Is it just me?

He gave us the Nash Strat and hence the E72 sound, that's good enough for me. I like the pedal steel on Teach Your Children too. I think he had a strong influence on their harmonies and direction. I do tend to prefer the Stills tunes though if that's fair to say. I don't listen to CSN that much anymore.. but sometimes I have an itch to scratch. I also somehow don't think CS would have nearly the staying power as CSN or CSN&Y.

Yes, respect to Nash for giving Jerry the blonde Strat he used in '72. I agree he added the baking soda that made the CSN cake rise. Baking soda works well, but in small doses. To me, Nash is basically CSN's Garfunkel. (fav Veep insult: "You're the Secretary to the Vice President - thats like being Garfunkel's roadie.")

I always thought Stills was a bit under-rated too.. he's really a great guitarist and songwriter. I would have a higher opinion of Crosby.. but some of the interpersonal things he has done and the carnage left behind leaves me feeling a bit woozy.. but the guy could sing.

I'm a guitar guy so Stills is easily my fav of the CSN trio (Neil Young of course being THE star of CSNY). Stills has some great solo albums that flew under most people's radar. I always thought his "Treetop Flyer" was brilliant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IV4PI0Vt6nU

I never really got into these guys when they were together; always thought the bands they each came from were better, Hollies, Buffalo Springfield and the Byrds.

I agree, King Crimson is amazing. That band has been an incredibly satisfying discovery for me since 2012. While waiting for your favorite live Dead to come out of the vault, check out the many great improv and jazz-fusion bands that emerged from England in the late 1960s and early 1970s. For me, the bookends are Soft Machine and Robert Wyatt's solo brilliance. In between at least a dozen artists rank very high in my head e.g. early Nucleus, Ray Russell, early Surman, Chris McGregor. I think a good percentage of Dead listeners might thrill to KC early records up through amazing Red. And if you really find yourself smitten by KC, head to Japan for some KC-inspired Altered States (truly great below-radar group), and the several AWESOME duo discs of Altered States guitarist Kasuhisa Uchihashi and Ruins drummer Tatsuya Yoshida.

Not familiar with all those, thanks for the infoHow bout Brand X? and not English but always have held Return to Forever at top of the heap. Was fortunate to see them in early 80s as well as the reunion tour in I believe 2004? Edit: I guess I’m crossing swords a bit between Jazz fusion and prog rock. Sorta tastes the same to my palate, but I’m sure some of you more scholarly connoisseurs, like Daveroc could elaborate...

Love your recollection of your trip up from Kansas City to Des Moines to see the Dead on 6/16/74. It's eerily similar to my experience. I was living in one of the KC suburbs at the time. I skipped the Allman Brothers Band show (wasn't that the one where Dickey Betts had his leg in a cast?), but drove up to Des Moines on the morning of the show with my buddies, also in a VW bug. One of the reasons for driving the back roads at that time is that the interstate had not been fully completed at that time. You had to get off I-35 somewhere in northern Missouri (maybe near Bethany) and take back roads through southern Iowa before rejoining it south of Des Moines. There was a pretty nasty stretch along one of the state highways that was had a reputation for being dangerous because of the large number of accidents that occurred along a very winding 20-mile stretch. I knew that road well from traveling to Des Moines a couple of times every year to see my grandparents when I was growing up. They finally completed the final stretch of interstate there a couple of years later. I remember that the morning of the show was very cool and I too remember the dead starting early. I think Phil said something from the stage like, "We're gonna start early so we can play all afternoon." In the end, the late afternoon ended up being sunny and warm. It was an excellent introduction to the Wall of Sound. I always loved the "I've been working on the railroad" riff during the China Cat Sunflower - I Know You Rider transition jam. We spent the night after the show with some friends from Grinell College who were living in Des Moines for the summer.

Always liked most of their stuff, but as some of you have replied, kinda have to be in the mood. Saw them live a few times, including opening for the dead, I think? Kinda feel like their an author you like, but who can’t seem to get out from behind their own coffee breath, as the Great Author Jon Evison would say...Also their egos seam to leave an aftertaste....great musicians, great music, just wierd personalities and weirder chemistry..

I remembered I still had this tape of 06/22/73 P.N.E. Coliseum - Vancouver B.C., actually a 3 tape set and I listened to most of them last night - amazing, to say the least - one great show! Tapes: Betty reel> PCM> DAT> cassette 3. Maxell XLII C90 with man sitting chair logo. J-cards: semi-custom printed (typed) set lists. I wish I could find a good j-card creator program that Windoze 10 will accept. Tape 1/Side A: Bertha is cut in the beginning of the song and the tape flip comes after Bird Song. Side B starts with The Race Is On and ends with Jack Straw. Pretty much it's Disc 1 of this box set. Pretty decent sound. Tape 2/Side A: China>Rider, Big River, Tenn Jed. Side B: Playing in the Band (and a lot of empty tape after that.) Tape 3/Side A: H.C. Sunshine - Big RxR Blues Side B: He's Gone> Truckin'> Nobody's Jam> The Other One// nasty cut near end of tape. Tape: Maxell XLII C100. I had upgraded to CD-R a few years ago (at least 10), but they are currently MIA (or AWOL - may have been loaned out and not yet returned) but I can't remember if those discs are the complete show or not (3 or 4 discs) I am thinking when this box arrives in September that I may tape over this show, especially tapes 2 and 3 and have the complete show on tape and J-cards will be a surprise for a future listener, or I just may keep them as is.

CCR; a virtual hit machine! Perhaps somewhat overlooked because of all the “supergroups” and amidst all the ridiculously great music at that time. Bolo; that’s one hell of an initiation! Like in the old,old days when you’d turn 18 the old timers would take you to a bordello, to “become a man” only when you got there it was full of supermodels! ; ) I was definitely very lucking with some of the shows I was able to see, but you, Anatexis, Oro et el were truly blessed.. Dam, if only mom, god rest her had got knocked up in high school.....lol Speaking of Oroboros, thanks for another great story! I don’t know about all y’all, but stories from the oldus farticus faction of our lovely little community are one of my favorite things here. As far as I’m concerned, please keep em coming. Especially like hearing how folks got their preverbial cherry popped. Not just the geezers either, love to hear anyone who has interesting tale of “firsts” Edit: speaking of 11/9,10,11/73, late fall 73 is perhaps “MY” fav, or E72 (tough choice), but as I’m totally not familiar with Summer tour 73, I’m hoping maybe this new Box might cause me some cognitive dissonance!

my CPAP machine is broken. waiting for a new one. my sleeping has been affected negatively. sleep deprivation is an interesting mindset. if you want to scare the crap out of someone, play Jefferson Airplane's Chushingura at medium to high volume as someone is slowly waking up. Hilarity ensues. as does insults, screaming, and throwing of objects. GNash is a little soft in his songs, but he got the babes.

4/29/71 is a righteous show. one of the all-time greats.

4/29/71 is a righteous show. one of the all-time greats.

Agree.. 4/27/71 is playing on SiriusXM right now. It's no slouch either and you get a little beach boys banter.. but 4/29 is the bomb.

Just dialed er up. Thanks for the heads up, NICEeeeeeeee!

There's two of you guys? Oroborous and Oroboros? I was having a hard enough time with the Jack Straws and the RV 3s. One more guess for the next Dave's. High time for another one of those '76 Orpheum run shows.

Having seen them live a couple times the only other band that sang four-part harmony that well in a rock context, to my ears, were the Eagles. Deja Vu was undoubtedly their high-water mark as an lp. You could almost listen to it all the way through. Many of their later offerings would have one, maybe two singles or worthy tracks and just a bunch of filler. Stills was the best guitarist in the band - no disrespect to on again/off again member Neil Young. When they were together, and "on," those dual lead lines were just incendiary. I occasionally really like to jam up "Long Time Gone, Almost Cut My Hair, Woodstock, Just A Song Before I go," etc. They had their thing, man, they were great for a short time and serviceable throughout their career. But, terribly uneven. Crosby put out a couple of complete turd records there with one good song on them just for drug money. Can't do that anymore!

I think we came to the conclusion that Oroborous is Oroboros' evil twin. They seem to get along ok though.. I think we have and need an evil twin. If you are the evil one, then be thankful somewhere out there exists your saintly double. It balances out all the calamity. RV3 likes 80's, RV 3 digs the 70's. Makes sense to me. :D

Ledded, once again you nailed it! Stills was definetly an underrated guitarist imho. Just too many persality quirks, at least according to things I’ve read....

The evil twin will of course have a goatee.

There last night. Those boys actually practice.

Jim, Evil is a strong word. I may be many things but I don’t think that is one lolThat’s why I prefer the Seinfeld analogy of Bizzaro Oro, like the Bizzaro Jerry episode, 10/3/96 137th episode. If you have not seen check it out, it’s well, Bizarre. Yuck-yuck

I did when I shaved my head years ago. Now full beard. Sorta look like Jerry only bald untop ; )

....if you ever see Vdude72 post something, he is of no relation to me. Dudes sketchy....

@ Stoltz - came in for my buddy's 50th celebration a few years back and we went to Robert Plant and partied back at his house. I left the cpap hose at home, was a sucky night of sucking air, so I feel for you brother... I liked what Neil brought to the foursome for both lead guitar and songs, but Crosby is probably my favorite of the trio. What a magical voice and a truly gifted poet. CCR was a hit machine, too bad the interpersonal relationships left that a smoldering mess. Looking forward to AOTS delivery tomorrow. Been hitting up the later 80s 30TATS lately along with July 78.

How about that dust storm before the show. It was so windy I thought Peter Otoole was gonna walk out of the desert eithers into shakedown st as Lawrence of Arabia. I was telling friends it was like the Sahara or Morrocco or New Mexico or somewhere. Driving north yesterday up the Rio Grande Valley my men's intuition kicked in and I took a guess at the opening song, Mississippi 1/2 Step. Weir nailed Hard Rain.