Week of July 19, 1993
This program, taken from a live broadcast on KPFA, features Phil and Jill Lesh announcing the results of the Rex Raffle, a fund-raising campaign that took place over several Grateful Dead shows in the spring of '93. Proceeds went to the Rex Foundation. We actually did the prize drawings live on the air!
Since that time, the Leshes have started another philanthropic organization, the Unbroken Chain Foundation. The Rex Foundation continues its good works in the world as well.
As I said in the program, if you have not heard the original recording of "Laughing," on Crosby's 1971 solo album If I could Only Remember My Name..., "your life is incomplete!" I still feel that way. Stephen Barncard's recording of Phil's bass, David's guitar, Joni Mitchell's soaring vocal overdub, and the rest, are a must-hear.
The cover of "Unbroken Chain" is by thismoment, led by bassist Duane Day. "thismoment is kind of like Brigadoon," Duane told me in email in September 2013. "It flashes into existence every 100 years or so. It's Mike Sult (guitar/vocals) and me, with whomever we're playing with (occasionally as a duo). It started out as a songwriter partnership helping each other demo some originals. The recording of "Unbroken Chain" was my arrangement, done as my submission to Neticated, the rec.music.gdead covers compilation (shortly after the release of Deadicated). Besides Mike and me, it features Wally Schnalle (drums), Steve Steinberg (tenor sax), Sue Crosman (keys), and Carolee Robbins (backing vox). A one-shot line-up; everyone but Carolee was in Breezin', a top 40 band that Mike and I played weddings and office parties with."
Enjoy!!
The music:
David Crosby 5/27/93 Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
LAUGHING
Grateful Dead 5/20/92 Cal Expo, Sacramento CA
BOX OF RAIN
John Coltrane Quartet, Africa/Brass
BLUES MINOR
thismoment (unreleased)
UNBROKEN CHAIN
Every Wednesday, we post a program from the Grateful Dead Hour archives for your enjoyment and enlightenment. You can browse or search the playlists at gdhour.com or on the GD Hour Search page, and let me know what program(s) you'd like to hear by emailing me at gdhour@dead.net.
Thank you for listening!
- David Gans
Producer/host