The Deadcast finishes our tour of St. Louis at the Kiel Auditorium in fall 1973, featuring Warlocks-era insider Steve Brown, local heads, the return of musicologist Graeme Boone to go deep into Dead’s jams, & a visit from Rich’s parents.
Listen To The River: Kiel Auditorium, October 1973 supplementary notes
by Jesse Jarnow
In this episode of the Deadcast, we welcome back the musicologist Graeme Boone to discuss the Dead’s improvisation in “Dark Star” as well as the various jam motifs the band was exploring in the early 1970s. This segment of the episode (and the Deadcast in general, really) wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of Caleb Kennedy, proprietor of the companion sites Grateful Dead Guide and Dead Sources, who also contributed an excellent essay about these 1973 shows to the Listen To The River box set.
The Grateful Dead Guide hosts a guide to the band’s early thematic jams, as well as this more detailed dive into the bass theme that appeared often in this period, sometimes called the precursor to “King Solomon’s Marbles.” For even furthur reading, there’s also Dani Ruby’s account of touring with the Dead in October 1973, including the Kiel shows.
Comment
Analysis of Dark Star jams
Hi, I just want to say how much we enjoyed Graeme Boone's segment on that gorgeous Dark Star jam. All the Deadcasts are interesting, but this is probably the best feature we have heard. It is great to hear the music analysed with such knowledge and love. Thank you, Graeme.
Graeme Boone analysis
As a respectful counterpoint to the praise of Graeme Boone, I just need to say: Generally it's a buzzkill to hear analysis of music while you are listening to it. Like the nerdy guy in the room while you are enjoying the music just fucking up the groove. I completely respect all the work he has done, but I have to fast forward past his narrative to simply hear the music. Maybe it's just me but I really needed to say that. The music speaks for itself.
As a respectful counterpoint to the praise of Graeme Boone, I just need to say: Generally it's a buzzkill to hear analysis of music while you are listening to it. Like the nerdy guy in the room while you are enjoying the music just fucking up the groove. I completely respect all the work he has done, but I have to fast forward past his narrative to simply hear the music. Maybe it's just me but I really needed to say that. The music speaks for itself.
Hi, I just want to say how much we enjoyed Graeme Boone's segment on that gorgeous Dark Star jam. All the Deadcasts are interesting, but this is probably the best feature we have heard. It is great to hear the music analysed with such knowledge and love. Thank you, Graeme.