Grateful Dead

Interesting post about the lyrics-which do add an extra dimension to the song. But its actually the pace of the song that puts me off a bit. I seem to like songs more for their rhythm, and then maybe their melody, than I do for the actual content of the lyrics. I also like up tempo songs, as a rule, more than slower songs. Friend of the Devil, for example, was much better for me in its earlier days, when it swung, than later on when it turned into a ballad.
I quite like seemingly nonsensical lyrics, as it happens. You are talking to a man who likes King Crimson, after all.

Thanks for Sharing this Jeff. I did not know about this "blog". Going back to read past episodes now. The last episode that you posted is timely. Reminded me of the release of History Channel's "Project Blue Book" Episode 1, which aired earlier this week, and their depiction of UFO or maybe weather balloon sightings???

Anyone else watching "Project Blue Book" or into "Ancient Aliens". Admittedly, I can't get enough!

Thanks Jeff.. Interesting read.

Courtenay Pollock's saga continues:
https://mailchi.mp/1ca5b05073b1/b377kbihs2?e=5fdd1f6bdc

Perhaps some of the discontent is the result of seemingly nonsensical lyrics, but it clearly had some meaning to Hunter.

I enjoyed many of the comments on David Dodd's Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics project. I think it's one of those songs that's so vague yet there is a lot of imagery there.. and the music has a dreamlike quality to it.. so if you let it form a bit - especially if you were in a dream like state to begin with, it tends to take on a unique personal meaning to the listener.
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Sorry for the length of the quote below but I think it captures the point. From Dodd's blog, a letter from a woman named Julie:

"It may sound silly, but because my name is Julie, I have always felt a special connection with this song.

When I was first being initiated into the Dead scene, I spent a LOT of time around half moon bay doing LOTS of LSD. The whole world was very alive to me, and there are certain musical works that really remind me of this time. Santana and John Mayall both have album covers that remind me of this time, and Call Any Vegetable and From the Heart of Me world of the unbelieveable [sic]. There was one particular time, when I felt like I was losing it (I was terrified over some delusion) and something happened with a jackrabbit. It's a little vague, but that line brings me to a memory of a time when I overcame fear, when I was swimming in enlightenment and confusion, and a time I lived a life where ordinary reality was absolutely suspended and I was able to open passages I cherish now. It was the beginning of a new life for me in many ways. By catching the rabbit.. I grasped an ambiguous and ever expanding indescribable concept. Come back stepping... is how I was transformed. The ability I have to rise above the mundane plane at shows and on other special occasions (when the contributing factors are aligned) can easily be described as walking on air. Getting comfortable with alternative realms happened to me out there between the Ocean and Hwy. 1.

Get back home... speaks to me of straying from a constructive path. Something of paramount importance when you have access to heightened awareness (inherent power).. for everybody's benefit. Deciding to acknowledge the responsibility of recognizing one's own power is a lot like jumping into a place with no visible means of support, initially. (Hitting the air). It takes incredible luck, self control, experience, meditation, guidance, and practice to find a way to deal with this realm (the double twist). It seems the effort is rewarded (the half dollar). But the reward is always token and passing.. for you are never in a place where you can relax and be aforded [sic] slack.

Look at Julie down below... "

It was never a favourite of mine, but unexpectedly it was a highlight of the first show I saw-in London in March 1981, and again, blow me, on 30th October 1990. Not the highlight of either show-but really, really good, nevertheless.

What can I say.. I usually like the guitar work, especially some of the better versions on the slide years. It flows, there's a groove there.

Interestingly, in his book Billy talks about Row Jimmy being one of his favorite tunes to play on. Here's a nice one:
https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1977/04/27/row-jimmy?source=91078

Oh, and 4-21-78 needs Norman's attention. Not sure if they will get to this one first, or some of the stuff between 4-6 and 4-16 (some which they probably just got back.) Set II Playin' sandwich is one of the best.
Playin' In The Band-> Drums-> Stella Blue-> Truckin'-> Playin' In The Band

-edit- Incidentally, 4-21-78 also has a Row Jimmy which I'm enjoying right now. :-)
-re-edit- Oh, and this one has Bobby on slide, not Jerry. For all you Bobby slide lovers.

... over the years, especially when I was younger, I started hand written journals very much in the format Dick used ( photos included in some releases ) also on my old computer I had lots of journals, notes, reviews, newspaper articles ect. Anything about the dead I could get my hands on. Started with reel to reels to vinyl to cassette to digital. In that order. My telephone is much simpler in terms of journal entries. More notes or list of shows I have, had and still look about for. I’ve been blessed from some members on this board with some Primo recordings on cd because I have no computer. I’m so humble for all the work everyone put into making them, you know you you are ;) over the years I’ve seen my Grateful Dead collection thin out do to my need for medical bills which is a bummer and I gulp every time a piece leaves my collection but in the end I believe it all comes back home some how some way. Even when it looks like rain the Grateful Dead can make you smile smile smile!
Thank you for sharing the link, I shall enjoy reading it. I enjoyed reading Dead essays website. Very rich loads of information about the good ol Grateful Dead the greatest band ever :)
Rock on brother and sisters, god bless!

http://bozosandbolos.blogspot.com/?m=1

This site is so retarded. I was already logged in, but it wouldn't let me post a comment. It told me I had to log in, so I kept hitting the login button, but it only took me to the top of the page, not to anywhere that I could actually enter my login credentials. So I started from the beginning of the site and logged in, but there's no Dave's Picks 28 in the music section anymore. I had to use my bookmark. That took me to Dave's Picks 28, but of course then I wasn't logged in anymore. Retarded. I'm not even sure what magic combination of buttons I hit to finally be able to post a comment here.

Anyway, so the link I found this posted at the top here. Lovemygirl, what notes do you have in your journal for other shows? I guess you keep those on your phone? I have a phone that lets you write notes on, and I tried doing it for songs once but it got a little bit cumbersome so I stopped.