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    Anyone who has ever seen the Dead can testify that one of its shows will add quite a bit of color to the environment here at Stanford. Anyone who has not seen one of these spectacles should have the opportunity to do so. The Grateful Dead are an important part of the Bay Area's cultural history. Those of us who saw them last week can testify that the Dead are alive and well. The Concert Network would be hard-pressed to find an act which would bring Frost Amphitheatre to life as the Dead would. - The Stanford Daily

    As you know by now, we'd certainly have voted aye on this motion, so much so, that we've loaded up DAVE'S PICKS 49 with not one, but two complete Grateful Dead shows from the Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 4/27/85 and 4/28/85. The first shows from '85 in the series, these back-to-back hometown performances couldn't be more different while delivering the same level of passion and precision, five hours of it, in fact.

    In 1985, the band were celebrating "20 Years So Far," a feat that found them on these particular nights confident with invention in terms of both setlists and playing. There are old songs renewed, rare covers revived, undeniably nuanced Jerry moments, and a few surprises from Brent Mydland too. While it's impossible to select highlights, we can say with certainty that the overall clarity of these shows is unparalleled, courtesy of Dan Healy's recordings.

    Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 49: FROST AMPHITHEATRE, STANFORD U, PALO ALTO, CA 4/27/85 & 4/28/85 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering.

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  • daverock
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    Bluesman

    HF - absolutely. None of us were there at the time, and it's curious why we believe what we do. Apart from the Buddy Guy documentary, I read a great biography of Howlin' Wolf last year by James Segrest and Mark Hoffman. "Moanin' at Midnight" it's called. The references to Willie Dixon suggest he was quite astute in his business dealings and approach. Drummer Francis Clay says that Willie was basically a lyricist and the music was constructed by the bands who made the records.
    "Spoonful" is a case in point. Is he credited with that one? It was based on a Charley Patton song, and the incredible power of the original Howlin Wolf record is down to Wolf and his amazing band. Jimmy Rodgers also states that Willie took ownership of many songs that were actually band compositions.
    But this is only what I have read - and those people mentioned above may be wrong. But the more you read, the more a picture builds that all wasn't quite what we have been led to believe.

  • Jambry
    Joined:
    First time disappointed…

    First time disappointed. Weak sounding sonically. Can't really get into it.

  • 1stshow70878
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    Good Context HF

    Mine was a generalization based on comments read elsewhere and was wrong. I think the key is that this was a common practice in the era and I sure can't judge the man. His writing stands up to the scrutiny and is a brilliant style all its own. Jump on in, the water's fine!
    I do like Eternity, which is likely not everyone's favorite 90s GD cover but I never really cared for The Same Thing for some reason. Spoonful is a classic no doubt.
    Cheers

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Honestly, maybe I stand corrected...

    I base my (possibly half-assed) view of Willie Dixon on the turns of phrase in "his" songs. That and I guess I just flat-out revere the man. The turns of phrase in the tight glove of chord progressions and turnarounds sure seems to me like a unique signature belonging to the man.

    But others here say otherwise. I therefore propose that all differences of opinion get a fair hearing, a little mutual head-nodding, and then progress to the bar after the pause that refreshes in the parking lot.

    1stShow, I will henceforth listen first, do a cannonball into the pool second.

  • dmcvt
    Joined:
    Angry Jack, hitch hiking to music

    It's all good, just wanted to comment about changing cultural demographics and highway system as relating to hitchhiking. Transition to Vermont from Maine in late 1980, soon after the Lewiston Dead show, had a car then, but did hitch hike late 60s and through the mid 1970s up and down the east coast from Virginia to Maine. Some great rides, some sketchy. Hitch hiked around Maine locally from Portland to Augusta and along the coast in the 70s, easy with significant population. Long a music lover, saw an incredible range of music in Maine in the 70s, after moving to Vermont, Burlington was big beacon, the only urban city in the state, though Rutland, Montpelier, Brattleboro came close. We went up to Burl for much music, mostly at Hunts but did see Miles at The Flynn in 1986. What continues to impress me is the amazing amount of hyperlocal high level performance thats out there, I had written more detail but got the hey now, so...

  • uncle_tripel
    Joined:
    classic blues...

    songwriters, and well, those musicians, guitarists, vocalists and arrangers from the 1930's thru the 1960's, man, oh man they greased the skids for the future of rock n roll! thanks everyone for talkin' about the artists willie dixon and chester burnett, gonna have to cue -up some of those classics!

    Rhythm and Blues had a child, and it's name was Rock n Roll!

    peace all!
    uncle_tripel

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    I have a grand-daughter....

    ....who loves Alice In Chains.
    She rocks.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Decided to...

    have virgin listen of 49 on road trip later this month

    I feel like Newman with his jambalaya

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    And now....

    A song JGB should have covered

    Rock and Roll with Me - David Bowie

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    BOC....

    ....Imaginos.
    I have it on CD. Worth a little bit apparently.
    Then again, peeps are selling Dead tapes on Instagram.
    Not. For. Sale.

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Anyone who has ever seen the Dead can testify that one of its shows will add quite a bit of color to the environment here at Stanford. Anyone who has not seen one of these spectacles should have the opportunity to do so. The Grateful Dead are an important part of the Bay Area's cultural history. Those of us who saw them last week can testify that the Dead are alive and well. The Concert Network would be hard-pressed to find an act which would bring Frost Amphitheatre to life as the Dead would. - The Stanford Daily

As you know by now, we'd certainly have voted aye on this motion, so much so, that we've loaded up DAVE'S PICKS 49 with not one, but two complete Grateful Dead shows from the Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 4/27/85 and 4/28/85. The first shows from '85 in the series, these back-to-back hometown performances couldn't be more different while delivering the same level of passion and precision, five hours of it, in fact.

In 1985, the band were celebrating "20 Years So Far," a feat that found them on these particular nights confident with invention in terms of both setlists and playing. There are old songs renewed, rare covers revived, undeniably nuanced Jerry moments, and a few surprises from Brent Mydland too. While it's impossible to select highlights, we can say with certainty that the overall clarity of these shows is unparalleled, courtesy of Dan Healy's recordings.

Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 49: FROST AMPHITHEATRE, STANFORD U, PALO ALTO, CA 4/27/85 & 4/28/85 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering.

H Ha Conekid, I w a s T h I n k I n g t h e s a m e t h I n g! . R e m e m b e r w h e n h e s a I d “I h a v e t o w a t c h I t I’m o n l y b u y I n g t w o a m o n t h ” lol. J u s t t e a s I n g of c o u r s e, w h a t e v e r ma k e s y o u h a p p y, c a n t b e
t h a t wrong as the song goes!
And hey, compared to Dennis, w e r e all a bunch d I l et t a n t e s

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In reply to by nitecat

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Welcome back Thin! Good to hear from you.

This year's box, 10/16-10/20/74! Buckle up.

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I know “solo” Hornsby work doesn’t get a lot of comments here, but I’m just curious if anyone has heard his new release - Deep Sea Vents - and any feedback?

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In reply to by That Mike

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But I know who’s coming to T town tonight lol
And they’ll prolly get spanked ; )

I know Molos still got it, but Phil’s starting that Old Folks Boogie…
Hey, at least he’s still out there trying!
Onward!

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Going to see her play Bob Dylan's infamous "Judas" show from 5/17/66.
She Belongs to Me, Visions of Johanna, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, Desolation Row,
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues...all lovingly covered by the GOGD...plus all the other great stuff...4th row center, 600 seat theater. An edible is in order.

I had said 2023 would be my last year of physically attending shows. I am moving to more watching PPV shows from home.

Still haven't had time to listen/watch Phish Gamehendge from NYE. Hopefully, this weekend

However decided to go to a few more. An intimate evening with Joe Bonamassa, and an even more intimate evenings with Ricky Skaggs and then Los Lobos. Both playing a small local vaudeville turned movie theater.

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👍

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In reply to by That Mike

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....Phish returned from their 4 1/2 year hiatus in Hampton.
If you want to see something awesome, check out the crowd reaction on youtoob when they started playing Fluffhead. On second thought. Watch it all the way through.
I don't know about you, but I get goosebumps.
Good on Trey for avoiding the Garcia spiral.

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Love this show! The Ramble on Rose, Tom Thumb's Blues, and Drums>Space>The Wheel are exceptional! I just had to share my humble opinion!

...I went to a show in this Phish tour - on May 31st 2009 they swung through Boston and I recall hearing about it on the radio THAT DAY and looking for tickets; low and behold I scored two right on the spot and they were great seats, in a box right on the edge of the Fenway Lawn. That show was the initial resurgence of Phish back into my listening and appreciation repertoire after having fallen off the radar during their hiatus. Haven't looked back since.

Sphere shows are going to be INSANE. I hope people have harnesses to keep them on their feet and in the stands!

THIN, good to see you lurking and popping up! It's been too long brother!

Be Well People!
Sixtus

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11 years 7 months

In reply to by bigbrownie

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Have tried multiple to post recently, no dice, hey now. Gary Farseer, same thing, stopped going to larger hall concerts, still hit the smaller rooms and a few outdoor things. However, a great friend has invited me to join him at Phil's birthday concert a week from tomorrow at the Capitol Port Chester. Can't wait to see those special guests! Deep Sea Vents can be heard on utu be.

Getting excited for the big 5-0 Dave's Picks. It will be interesting to see how it stacks up against 4/30/77 (Download Series #1) from the same venue. Not often talked about but definitely a top tier 77.

And let's get that box announced.

Still owe reply from event spaces previously sent. Will get to it. Never done a deep dive on Capitol. Known about it for years, of course. What a beautiful space. Karl Denson crazy crazy excellent. Seen him a few times down New Orleans way. Just an incredible artist!

And Sixtus: How is the fruitful bough? Hope things well with all of yours.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Wow! What an event calendar. So many I would go see there if I were close. Maybe I should move? Especially now that feeble pops passed away almost 2 weeks ago.. In the words of one super group: "Don't Look Back, the Dawn Is Breaking..."

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In reply to by Gary Farseer

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It's a big deal for me too, not quite as old as Phil, but extra careful these days with various exposures, so pleased to consider being there. Saw Phil & Friends five years ago on the Burlington waterfront. Weather permitting, will drive down to Boston from Vermont then ride with a most kind friend down to Port Chester. My benefactor has been to many shows, for years on medical support staff. He says we have killer seats.

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In reply to by dmcvt

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Just figured out John Mayer is playing through John Meyer's PA systems. Go figure. Go...Panther!

EDIT: John (and of course, Helen's) PA. If memory serves she is more technical than him.

Have fun at the Capitol. It’s an awesome venue. Never saw a bad show there. Make sure you spend some time on the floor before you head up to your seats. There’s also a ton of good restaurants in Port Chester.

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Y'all this show is amazing! Gotta love the Playin' sandwich!

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In reply to by Angry Jack Straw

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My friend has been there a bunch, a first visit for me, a holy grail place with every indication of being a peak experience. Late life trifecta, hit MSG and Fillmore East back in the 70s. Fingers crossed for good travel weather, so weird there's no snow cover up here, lilacs budding, daffodils poking up.

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Wait till they release 1982.

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In reply to by billy the kiddd

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Happy Heavenly B-day Townes Van Zandt!
RIP John Perry Barlow!
Peace

Pigpen passed over to the other side...I was working for the Cal Forestry driving a truck that day from our spike camp at Big Sur to our main camp at Los Osos, midway between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay...we had the radio on and heard the news... such a sad thing, had been hoping he could get his health together but it didn't happen...turned out the Hollywood Bowl show the previous year was his last...Sail On Bro', Sail on...

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Doing American Beauty.
Cut from orig. stereo master tapes.
5000 limited. 180 g.
And Cars Candy-O too.
Dennis you in?
Cheers

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9 years 3 months

In reply to by TN John

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Wow first time I have seen Townes Van Zandt on this site.

Have you ever seen Heartworn Highways. Movie came out in 1976. Has Townes Van Zandt, Charlie Daniels Band, David Allen Coe, Guy Clark, et al. Playin, travelling, etc. on the true Redneck Highway. I love the movie, partly because it reminds me of me. Great footage of CDB setting up, speaker stacks onstage, and some playing in a small college or high school gym with probably with 500-700 in attendance. Think it also has some tennessee sippin shine about the various locations.

Mmmm love me some tennessee corn squeezins, blow ur head clean off. Yeehaw, Heehaw!

OK, back to civilized persona.

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TN, you have now conjured up a great visual of those two swapping tales on some porch in the great beyond.

Saw Mr. Crowes Garden (now know as the Black Crowes) at a a local dive bar in late 1990 early 1991. It was a power punch of blues based rocknroll. And, was a hell of a lot of fun. Saw then last in 2022 at our local amphitheater, and a bunch around the south east. So locally, they went from a venue with a capacity of 80 to one of 8,000.

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In reply to by Gary Farseer

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Great line-up this year. The Rolling Stones being the main headliner. Also Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Widespread Panic. Seems I may have seen Panic doing 2 shows with day-off in between. 2003 Panic did 3 sold-out shows at New Orleans Arena. Was same weekend I saw Gov't Mule filming of the deepest end, Moe & Umphrey's Mcgee, killer the Funky Meters show. All I have written about here. Also having so many more, Bela Fleck, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Wish I was a younger man and I would be going. Although, after I started going to day shows, I moved over to Jazz Fest at night. These were promoted by company that then launched Bonnaroo and Outside Lands, and others

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Great article on Townes in April issue of UK magazine of Uncut.

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In reply to by frankparry

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I was in the lucky position to see him on Dec. 1st 1996, in Offenbach. Just a month before he died.
It was a very intense show in a small venue. You could notice that he was kind of weak.
But still a great performance of many of his wonderful songs.
I'm glad, I had the chance to see him, right in front of the stage.
A good soul, an impressive songwriter, love his music!
Cheers,
G.

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In reply to by gratefulgerd

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....joined the TTB in Washington D.C.
Very cool.
VGK dropping like Phil's bass lines.
Not so cool.

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14 years 11 months
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had a comment about Trower and the New Day Festival in Faversham, Kent this August but was denied.

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In reply to by PT Barnum

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That movie was shot in late 75/early 76, but it wasn't released to theaters until 1981. I was just finishing my freshman year of high school. Had a few Dead shows under my belt, but was just starting to learn more about the songs. Had just gotten turned onto The Band, and was flipping out over that. Then I saw Heartworn Highways, and fell down the Americana wormhole.
Peace

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Had a hometown show of a great new grass band from NJ that I've loved since they started playing in 2001. Hadn't seen them in maybe 15 years somehow, and they had to cancel the show back in November due to singer Todd Sheaffer having vocal issues. He was in From Good Homes that opened for the Dead in '95. So, reschedule was last night, and almost forgot and almost didn't go due to long week and day at work. My wife encouraged me, and glad I went. Fantastic show, some of my favorite tunes, and new ones. The encore is what makes this more on topic: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo! Tim Carbone's fiddle was like seeing Vassar playing it. Big sing along. My first time seeing them play that, but 20 years ago, I was there when they debuted their beautiful rendition of Terrapin Station at the Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash in Tera Alta, WV, still the best festival I've ever experienced. I shot video of most of Half Step and uploaded it to the youtubes.

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They have done much in 5 or 6 albums than many other bands. For Cash the american recordings can match Townes's.
Alvaranso, don't worry everybody is out of the topic, wich is not the encore of an unknown show.
listening to my dozen of hot tuna shows, conclusion is Jorma, master on aocustic, if Jerry is on electric.
shady grove is the best.

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In reply to by nappyrags

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51 years ago!!! Nappyrag hope you are retired, it 's time to let trees grow. Did you read Austin Powers?

The funniest thing to me, Sheik, is that all my pertinent potential posts over the past couple weeks got halted by the Hey Now gestapo. Such is life on deadnet

Let's see if a quick brief of the pertinent post gets through, since I seemed to have luck with the RRE post. 49 sound is really good, guessing BetaMax or VHS, not cassette source, fuller bass than other PA mixes. On the topic of slide, Little Red Rooster was truly horrific, perhaps the very worst I've heard. The Playing sequence was quite good, especially the jam out of China Doll (which goes back to 10/4 before they do the intro/outtro tease of Playing then jam into Drums). Jerry's voice sounded better than the Archive versions, but mercifully China Doll went to a jam after one La La La La La La round, that one round of it was rough. Overall a B release, but better than #s 35, 36, & 39, which didn't sound as good to my ears.

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In reply to by alvarhanso

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....the A's artists renderings of the ball park on the corner of Tropicana and LV BLVD.
Hey now.

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In reply to by PT Barnum

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Nice to be reminded of a birthday instead of a deathday. The last time I saw Robin Trower - it feels really recent, but it was probably about 10 years ago, he and his band were still tremendous. "Bridge of Sighs", from 1974, is a stone cold classic.

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In reply to by daverock

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Thanks for the reminder on Robin's birthday...he has always been one of my fave guitarists....I first saw him play with Procol in early '69 on the "Salty Dog" tour...when he did that killer solo on "The Devil Came from Kansas" I thought he was going to fall off of the front of the stage...that solo, the opening to "Shine On Brightly" & "Juicy John Pink" are always in my top faves...I saw him about 6 times with Procol but I missed his initial solo tours dammit! I'm going to have to do a road trip the next time he plays anywhere semi-close...The '69 gig was at a horrid venue, The Rose Palace in Pasadena...it was a large quonset hut type of a building with horrid acoustics...it was used to store and decorate the floats for The Rose Parade...an extra plus for the gig was the opener...The Carlos Santana Blues Band! And Sheik, I am "Semi-retired"...

In all my years on this site, I don’t ever recall them being mentioned. What an outstanding band. Railroad Earth as well.

The slide guitar doesn’t do it for me. Never once have I thought to myself, “Boy, could I go for a CC Rider right now.”

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In reply to by Angry Jack Straw

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Potentially one of the most beautiful forms of musical expression. In the right hands. In the wrong hands it sounds like someone stood on the cat's tail.

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In reply to by daverock

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are a 'must see' for me.

Jamtastic + wonderful song-writing!

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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In reply to by Oroboros

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After Mr. Hanso saw RRE in Rutland at The Paramount, a friend in MA saw them next night and raved. Procol Harum was big for me back in the day, finally saw Robin play in a double header with Dave Mason at Catholic University in DC about 1972, not a typical venue for a rock show. Just wanted to add a shout out to one of the best guitar players ever, Jeff Beck, who could make that Strat sound like he was playing slide, without one. He did play slide on Truth of course, Ole Man River and Becks Bolero. Truth has Morning Dew too.

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Loading up the R train in this post. First, a SO to Robin Trower and Procol. Whiter Shade was one of the first bits of piano I ever taught myself.

And the Rose Palace! I haven't heard anyone mention that barn in awhile. Instantly makes me think of the Dark Star from 3/22/69...

But I was compelled to post only after seeing people mention Railroad Earth. Until the start of this month I'd never heard of this band! A younger head whose parent(s) has a connection to the group mentioned and recommended them to me. I haven't even had a chance to listen yet, and now a couple of y'all are mentioning them right here. So I gotta ask: what's a good starting point for a total stranger trying to check out Railroad Earth? Thanks in advance

Two great concerts that I saw 20 years ago at the Jerry Garcia Birthday Bash on ArchiveDotOrg August 7 and 8 2004, the first has their debut of Terrapin Station amid a set of their classics you're likely to hear any night now, the next afternoon they debuted The Wheel, and Bill Nershi from String Cheese joined for two songs. They have expanded their catalog beyond when I last caught them, as well as their sound. Anything on the Archive after 2019 will have a similar sound to now. Or so I'm finding after diving back into them. They did a stint with Phil and Friends around Christmas 2004 and a few shows a few months later. Album wise can't go wrong with Black Bear Sessions and Bird in a House, their first two, and Elko, their first live album.

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In reply to by alvarhanso

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....has released his bands first record. Instagon - Ghost Hunting.
The LOB and VGuy lore goes wayyyy back.
Like, 1988 way back.
It's available on loveearthmusic.com.
Warning. They're noisy.
Good job my dude.

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Caught Los Lobos the night of the anniversary of Pigpen's passing. First off, in March '73 I was six months past my first GD show, three months until 6-9-73 and 7-27 & 28-73 and March 8 is my brother's birthday, so easily remembered -- although I'd rather celebrate Pig's birth. But death always comes last (yes, open to debate!) so seems to stick in memory.

BTW, I have seen and partied to Los Lobos for nearly 30 years (only half their existence) and a few years back they came out of covid a little shaky, with Bugs the drummer leaving due to anti-Mexican rhetoric and Conrad Lorenz out after hip surgery (his son filled in). Oh they rocked, but that elevation thing ("transportation" in Mickey's words) had gone missing.

Last Friday the band came out blazing on The Midnighters' "Love Special Delivery" and never let up for two solid hours, mixing favorites with covers (they ended with Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl"). Their original (after Louie) drummer is back, Conrad is back, the spirit is back. They sang, they were squeaky tight, they jammed loosely but effectively and Hidalgo and Rosas were concise yet imaginative.

That is all....... HF

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