Grateful Dead

I watched it today finally. Pigpen is so cool!! I never heard him speak before what a blast. I laughed so hard when Bill said he often forgot what song they were playing after they had entered the jam part. All rock n roll to him! I wonder if he sat back there sometimes just thinking damn these guys are good! It made me sad though. Poor Jerry. I miss him.

it is a sound only a Deadhead could love

I would have been like, wtfuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...

What great memories you must have of that time. You were definitely in the right place, at the right time. I came across Spirit through a Dead fanzine in England in the late 1970s, called Dark Star, that championed Spirit, and interviewed Randy and Cass whenever they came to England. I was impressed, and bought Future Games, Spirit of 76 and Son of Spirit. Also a great live album called Made in Germany-that was actually recorded in England and Florida. I have never heard Potato Land. In fact, it hadn't come out then-I can remember the magazine campaigning for its release. I haven't heard the other album you referenced either-Kaptain Copter and the Twirly Birds.

I also saw them-just the once in about 1981-the three piece of Randy, Cass and Larry Knight-I think.. A truly great band. I actually prefer the 1970s version of Spirit to the late 60s one-although Dr Sardonicus is a classic also.

I concur with you on your pick of Future Games being Spirit's best lp, totally wore out 2 copies of that lp, listened to it a lot when it first came out, being a big Randy fan and was dosing a lot back then and that is a great album to trip to. I asked him about that lp and he just smiled a big cosmic smile and said it was a "late nite" in the studio, with eyes as big as saucers. If you listen to the version of All Along the Watchtower on that lp, it's notes are different than Jimi's version kinda backward progression if that makes sense. Don't think that one is on cd, at least I have not been able to find it. Potatoland is also a very good lp, with Kaptain Kopter and Commander Cassidy in orbit. Take my hand, going to potatoland..... (which was Randy's name for the mainland when he was living in Hawaii). I was living in Florida back in the 70's and 80's and Randy and Cass had a home there on the time coast (Tampa/St Pete) we partied several times back in the day, he was a great man, as was Cass. Cass had a big crush on my wife at the time, he loved big chested women :) (and she had biguns)

A classic.. doesn't get discussed much. One day they will get around to releasing Maples Pavilion 2/9/73 which for some reason I put in a similar category as the Cow Palace 74.. both somewhat flawed and early in the year but classic nonetheless.

I will have to check out the recording, but I am not surprised of your comment. I think something between 8 and 10 years ago something clicked with the remastering process and we started getting cleaner sounding releases, all other things considered. I first noticed it on Road Trips Volume 3 Number 3, Fillmore East 5/15/1970. Listen to acoustic stuff and compare it to Harpur College and a few of the other 1970 acoustic shows.. perhaps he found a sweet spot with compression techniques.. who knows, but we are seeing cleaner sounding releases now than when they first started, all other things remaining equal.

Actually had clue not 1 what was going on. Six to nine months before, couldn't spell Greatful Dead, thought they had to be HEAVY METAL DEVIL MUSIC. Hell I was grazing on Andy Williams, disco and 50's "oldies". It was only maybe a month before I had tripped for the first time. Now here I was freshly divorce, living the life with this hot babe, almost no clue to the music (she had skeletons in the closet on cassette and I like Friend of the Devil), in the old small theater, tripping balls,,, so no my mind wasn't blown at that point, sensory overload must have prevailed.

Month or so later went to a midnight showing of a Pink Floyd, once again no idea who this Mr Floyd was. Tripping once again and still not being a veteran, a little paranoid (THEY know I tripping!!) The movie starts gets about 1/2 way thru first song and bang, the movie stops, the house lights come and this old usher looking guys comes down, first flash,,,,, THEY DO KNOW!!! Then he mouthing words,,,,, They people came later, were going to restart the movie from the beginning, sorry. That blew my mind a bit. I never had a movie stopped and restarted for late comers!!

We did that Rocky Horror thing around them, tripping once again,,,, meh,,,, still don't really care for the RHPS.

Firesign starting to arrive!

Give Me Immortality or Give Me Death!

My People Were Fair and had Sky in their Hair, But now they're Content To Wear Stars on Their Brows- Tyrannosaurus Rex
Impressions John Coltrane
Blue Train John Coltrane
Blonde On Blonde Bob Dylan
Nassau Coliseum 3/29/90 GD

Also-re Randy California-listened to Future Games for the first time in years last week-Spirit's best album in my humble opinion.

Stoltzie I enjoyed the March 3rd 1981 China Rider. I finally started bringing my headphones to work and listening at my desk. I don't know why I didn't start doing this years ago. Not only is it quality listening time, but people approaching my desk know to f*** off now, without me having to figure out a polite way to convey the sentiment. Also partook in Feels Like a Stranger and Bird Song. It sounds like Bobby stopped playing the Bird Song melody alongside Garcia by '81. I miss him, because he always went high when Jerry went low.

Butch, I recognize your user picture - "Sunshine Daydream" poster (not to be confused with the album / movie release). I have it hanging framed over my fireplace.

Jimbo & Butch - count me on board with DaP 17 "Coattail Skeletons" there are some shining moments in set 1. Set 2 is solid - WRS, Jam, Eyes of the World top 5 for me. Even the China Doll keeps my attention. That song usually depresses me, along with Black Peter. I can't imagine they ever played the two back to back. But what I wanted to add about DaP 17 are the great harmony vocals - mixed so well. Dig it.

GD81 was always "yeah, that's nice... I like a few of the shows..."

until I was gifted a bunch.

bloomin', bloomin' like a red rose

It's like being a freshly minted Deadhead all over again.

THANK YOU, CRAIG!!! :)))

the opening must've blown yer funky mind