Grateful Dead

....at the ole Vguy household. 10.27.79 it is. Are you ready for a brand new beat?

What's the show and how random was this selection?

But you could probably say the same thing about the Grateful Dead. I've been thinking about perspective when reading all the back and forth about this release, but I need to at least give this an attentive listen before I comment. The GD were a big tent band, I always thought there was plenty of room for comments that differ from our own. There's certainly no wrong or right so long as some fun and enjoyment comes of it. The GD was all about a grand and shared adventure.. 83 was certainly an adventure.

....like talking of Jerry's demons. Me? I'm playing a random Grateful Dead show. I'm sure it will be good, if not grate. My inbox is wide open btw.

I probably should have written "...so far up his ass they can taste Häagen-Dazs." I was thinking of Junior Soprano: "Federal Marshals so far up my ass, I can taste Brylcreem." Seemed a little harsh, so I went for a different sense.

phil said jerry's hygiene went south in the 80's before the first intervention.

I haven't been keeping up. I'm still immersed in the 30 Trips box, if you can believe that. I happen to be around mid-80s right now, and I'm marveling at the quality of those shows. So imagine my surprise that DaP 27 is not anywhere near the unexpected glory of the ones selected for the big box. Dave's cheerleading aside, does anyone really think that DaP 27 is worthy? I tried to like "Help on the Way" (because I almost always love it) and Jerry mangles every single verse. And the first set is so lame. There are moments, as always, but it is not even a "solid" show compared to many, many others. I'm not a Brent hater (except for "I Will Take You Home" and maybe his goofy verse in "Red Rooster"). Are there really so few great performances/recordings from the 80s? Rhino doesn't care - it sold out anyway. I'm not looking forward to my DaP subscription getting watered down by shows like this one.

I prefer Keith to Brent because I love acoustic piano, and I feel the 1970s were the band's peak musically. But I listen to it all. That last RFK box grew on me. The fact is, Keith was all used up by the time he and Donna left the band. He would have needed a rehab or some kind of re-boot to get energy back into his playing and the band. Brent certainly didn't lack energy! His vocals are distinctive and when he over-emoted they could be abrasive. But shit, some nights his enthusiasm really kind of elevated and helped carry the band. There are cringe worthy moments as there were with Donna, but not always. His keys and synths sure as hell moved these guys into another era, Brent adding more and more as Jerry diminished. There isn't one guitar solo from the 80s onward that matched anything on the E72 tour. Yes, there was great stuff, but Jerry the guitarist incorporated more and more effects and then MIDI into his playing. The Jeff Beck-like magic in his fingertips was blurred out and lost, gone forever. Look, I'm not saying he sucked - he had so much talent and fretboard knowledge he could half-ass it and sound great. As he did, many nights, well into the 1990s. I love Jerry but I understand the patchouli comments. You know, bad body odor is not made any better by a wash of patchouli over it. You're kidding yourself. If anything it adds to the pungency. No one but G.G. Allin would walk around with blood, semen and shit smeared across them in public. That is vile. Be hairy, be a freak, but for God's sake wash yourself. Brush and floss; do not have bad breath as a dog. Most of us have advanced past the dark ages.

I think the unevenness of the recording is what gets most of the bite. I think it's an interesting show and a unique setlist. I enjoy it if for no other reason (besides is a pretty good show) that it is truly unique and quirky. Much sounds like most of us, and what's not to like about unique and quirky.