Grateful Dead 50th Anniversary

Songs and Failure

The two things that separate the Dead from other bands, IMHO, are the songs of Hunter/Garcia and thewillingness of the band to go together wherever their collective or individual inspiration led, even if it meant they sometimes got lost along the way. It was that willingness to fail on stage that freed them to achieve the transcendent moments.

Nail

Y'all are hitting the nail on the head with the jamband discussion. You're saying what I've been thinking -- that most of them are too quick to go for the easy groove without enough unpredictable exploration in the rhythm section. No one does it like the GOGD and that's a big part of it. The superior songs themselves are another vital ingredient. There are exceptions of course and your mileage will certainly vary. I'll take raggedy old space case Keith Godchaux over that Furthur virtuoso any day. Interestingly, there is a parallel discussion on classical music going on back at the Dave's #11 board (if you can find it). It also favors expression over technical "perfection".

Bands (Jam or Not)...it all starts with a song.

There are tons of bands/artists that stretch out songs and improvise on stage but they are never labeled as a Jam Band or heard on the Jam Band station or whatever... Why not? Who knows/who really cares? I think the main problem is that the bands that generally fall under the "Jam Band" Umbrella aren't the best at songwriting and place most of talents in the jam part...well, it shouldn't be a surprise that if you jam out a boring song, its still going to be boring. I say this but there are some "jam bands" I like but some really are just utterly boring, to me at least. Since I'm posting this post on Dead.net, I obviously think that Garcia/Hunter & Weir/Barlow are some of the best songwriters that ever lived. There were definitely songs that were built with heavy improvising being the main purpose but, for the most part, they were trying to write nice songs and the jams came later (I know some of this was already pointed out in previous post, but its correct). Playing In The Band, Dark Star, & Thats It For The Other One all started out as nice little songs, am I right? I don't really care if a band is considered a jam band or not or jams or not...if they write a good song, I'll listen to them and go to their shows.

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Grateful Dead Original Members Add Two Dates To Final Concerts

April 10, 2015

The original members of Grateful Dead have announced two additional shows at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on June 27th and 28th, as part of their “Fare Thee Well: Celebrating 50 Years of Grateful Dead” run. Along with the three shows at Chicago's Soldier Field on July 3rd, 4th, and 5th, the run will mark the original members' last-ever performances toget

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Leap of faith

I have a strong lead on a ticket, but not 100% yet. Hopefully solidified in a couple of weeks. SO... I BOUGHT A PLANE TICKET TODAY! My flights went down $30, I HAD to do it. $374 non-stop round trip to O'Hare. Bitchin' price. So I'm all in now baby...

Klangston town

I knew you would. And it's funny because I only finalized my trip just four hours ago too - I bought my train ticket to Chicago last night. Bought my plane ticket home tonight. Faithful.

@klang and stella

yay!To quote "won't you please come to Chicago, no one else can take your place" - true dat.

@ Klang...

I can only imagine you, brother, doing an on-line trade. You must shit bricks before hitting that enter key :-) Hey man, glad you "took the plunge" on the air fare - a wise choice !!! So, window, isle, emergency exit perhaps?

Take a step back...and another step back

Don't overload him. So many choices. So little time. So much to consider.

Bobby's crowd control

Don't forget aboot us in the back. 4 5 6 and another step back, it could get tight back there!

Bobby's crowd control

Don't forget aboot us in the back. 4 5 6 and another step back, it could get tight back there!

Is the Grateful Dead Screwing Over Its Fans? (No)

Here's a good read...for perspective. http://www.westword.com/music/is-the-grateful-dead-screwing-over-its-fa…

cover bands

My my, very touchy group. Defensive one might say. I saw my first show in 73 and saw many many thereafter. I am not exactly a Phish head - I am way too old for that. I was just expressing an opinion that I formed after stepping away from myself for a minute and looking at the scene objectively. All of us can benefit from trying that at times. Namaste.

Westword Article

Thanks for sharing that, DevilsFriend. I think Gans and Lambert are incredibly biased so I tend to view their comments suspiciously. However, I couldn't be more thrilled that Trey Anastasio is filling the guitar slot. I'm not a Phish fan but one of the things I've always liked about the Dead is not only their improvisation but the fact that the music is ever-evolving. I think Phil gets this with his constant juggling of friends. Ryan Adams may not have been the best-ever choice for singer-guitarist of Dead music but it was certainly interesting watching his interpretation of the music a number of years back. I'll bite my tongue about the brash comments by Lambert regarding the tickets. Suffice to say I strongly disagree with his analysis.

A step back

"And take yet another step back". That's so all your friends up front won't feel real BUG-EYED!

And STAY there

...said (yelled) Bobby at my 3rd show.

step back

is what I've done, I cannot take 3 months of this with no ticket yet,but I do feel it getting closer......

Klangstone

Glad You booked Trsansport, I'm sure the rest will fall into place. I would love to have a beer with you, and all the SD Picnic crowd. I was at work today Daydreaming about 60,000 people rolling out of Soldier Field on the final night chanting,.."No Our Love Will Not Fade Away!!!"

beer is good

I LOVE BEER! Look forward to having one (or 2,3,4 etc.) with all my sunshiney dreammates...

where is the SD pic-a-nic thread?

CAN'T FIND IT!

re SD thread:

Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 Only for today (4/1 joke)

defensive?

I think some are taking comments and opinions as being defensive, well I guess if it is in response to an offensive comment, I guess you could see it that way. But, as I can only speak for myself, I'm just laying down my view on the rhetoric I read here. If it seems negative, it's only because it's an attempt to provide another viewpoint on the negative comments I read. Those who lay down these negative comments, are the ones who get defensive when someone calls them out. You can't have it both ways, hmmm you get back what you put out! So please, don't try to stifle my opinions and paint them as defensive and act like you can't believe someone would call you out on "what you really said." I don't create negativity, I respond to negativity! Be mindful of what you say and how it can be perceived! Honestly, the way people talk about the Chicago debacle, the hatred toward the band, and done with the Grateful Dead when this is all over > well, I feel sorry for you and apparently you stepped off the bus! Sincerely, Peace and love to you all Namaste

My 60+ Tunes for 3 Nights in Chicago....

Dark Star, Terrapin Station, The Other One, China/Rider, Cassidy, Unbroken Chain, Viola Lee Blues, Bertha, Looks Like Rain, Scarlet/Fire, Sugaree, Me and My Uncle, The Wheel, New Minglewood Blues, Days Between, Box of Rain, Playing in the Band, Row Jimmy, Morning Dew, Let it Grow, Cumberland Blues, Ripple, St Stephen, Reuben and Cerise, Estimated Prophet, Eyes of the World, Bird Song, US Blues, Loser, Throwing Stones/NFA, Peggy O, Sugar Magnolia, Smokestack Lightning, Black Throated Wind, Help/Slip/Franklin's, Hell in a Bucket, Stella Blue, Standing on the Moon, Lost/Saint, Crazy Fingers, Attics of My Life, Cosmic Charlie, Music Never Stopped, Wharf Rat, Black Peter, It's All Over Now Baby Blue, He's Gone, Black Muddy River, Brokedown Palace, All Along the Watchtower, To Lay Me Down, Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodleloo, Cold Rain & Snow, Althea, Uncle John's Band, Jack Straw, Friend of the Devil, One More Saturday Night, Candy Man, Ship of Fools, The Eleven, Dire Wolf, Jack-a-Roe. Looking forward to some great shows!!!!

@ hightimeloser

Heck of a 60+ multi-evening set-list. So here's my Q ?? What's your call song one, night one? My guess was Bertha. But given that's a Jerry lead vocal, that's won't play with me...

60+ tunes

Great list! I hope Althea and Cassidy are Friday night!

Night One Song One

The Music Never Stopped

Song One...

Bertha is a good choice, could be! Maybe Music Never Stopped or Hell in a Bucket? Or Jack Straw? I'll take anything, just great to be back on the road again!

Song One Night One

I'm kinda hoping for a 20 minute Shakedown: get the party rockin, let the crowd sing along, give each instrumentalist a chance to loosen up on a solo. Last song, first set? I'm thinking Deal. But when could possibly be the best circumstance to play He's Gone? PS GREAT 60 song list, High Time: every style, every era.

Song One Day 2

Jack Straw (4th day of July...). Or maybe they don't want to be so cliche. Doesn't really matter. It'll all be great.

Night one song one

Dancing in the street!

1st 1st

I'm Dancing in the street with a Mic Jagger and David Bowie cameo :)

what happened to SD thread?

i finally made some time to check in but cant find it/ guess i've been pranked...found it. forgot the date

first first

I've said since this was announced...music never stopped would be perfect..but so would so many others. First night closer or encore: Knockin on Heavens Door...sometimes things are too obvious for a reason.

60+ cherish well your thoughts

great set list(). would LOVE to hear my favorite cowboy song...get the crowd bouncing with some Mexicali Blues

Night one (Levi??)

Since I don't have tics to Chi Town, Im gripping' for an anouncement for Levi. If it is to be so, my prediction for night 1 in Santa Clara (to kick this whole 50 year celebration off and I live about an hour & 1/2 drive) is "Let the Good Times Roll"!!! That should get things going...then again it could forever be just a rumor......:(

California Dreamin

we should know soon

Help on the Way!!!

-Slip-Frank or Music never Stopped is by all means what I'd love the boys to open with. Shakedown is what I'd lay money on though. All good things in all good time. It will all be welcome. I can see the multitude of smiles and dancing fam from here carried by the universal rhythm.

CHITOWN OPENER

FEEL LIKE A STRANGER

'Watch What You Hear Now, Make Sure It's Clear Now...'

Others here mention perceiving a sense of bias on the part of team Gans/Lambert, and I find it hard not to agree. In my opinion, they should sometimes be viewed as the House Organs, hired mouthpieces projecting pre-programmed psychedelic palaver and propaganda. I also think Gary and David know much more than they are telling, particularly when they talk of the 'franchise ending', and 'new projects', some of which they themselves may be involved in. To call the Dead experience a franchise speaks volumes as to what is likely going on behind the scenes, and it reeks of sharpies, hip lawyers, accountants and suits. Even though its actually been over for twenty years, the Grateful Dead will be officially killed off in grand style in Chicago, thereby allowing the surviving members to finally be clear of the encumbrances of estates, wills, wives, ex-wives, and all the other bad noise that came with the Good. I suspect you will see big changes on the satellite radio channel soon, with a movement away from 'traditional' Grateful Dead (read 'Jerry Dead') towards 'The Other Stuff'. I hope to be proven wrong, but I look at it this way: in the final summation, I could not have picked a better 'non-group' to fall in with. It's been a joyous, wild ride for me, and I'm Forever Grateful.

future dead

well said

cynicism

Man, there are a lot of cynical Deadheads. After Jerry passed, the potential existed for it all to just go away. Bob could have reunited the Midnites and done his best Huey Lewis impression; Mickey could have gone to the rain forest permanently and studied drumming techniques of indigenous peoples; Bill could have partied like a rock star crazy man; and Phil could have stopped playing to oversee the vault, never finding a show to his liking because of a flaw in every show. Instead, they wisely hired some folks to oversee the operation so they could continue to play the music they love and keep the bus going around. The 'suits' that so many deride have helped keep the vault releases flowing with well over 100 full live shows released to date-- and years to continue doing so. And generally, their releases have been very fairly priced. This Fare Thee Well series of shows was well-intentioned, but it appears they did not know how popular they still are. My guess is if they could do it over, they would have announced three weekends of shows-- one west, one east and one midwest. But alas, that announcement of these being THE ONLY AND LAST shows was a tough statement to walk back. So, demand far surpassed supply and lots of folks are on the outside looking in. Everyone looks for someone to blame when things don't go their way, and unfortunately, lots of folks are blaming the band, promotor, GDTS TOO, and anyone else associated with these shows. Reality is that it is simply an event that has more demand than availability of tickets. Sad for many, but true. I would be shocked if the Sirius channel changes format to play more of the post-Jerry bands-- that channel would quickly disappear. Bad marketing and the GD has long done better marketing.

extra room

Hey all I have a hotel room booked for 3 nights in Chicago that I will not be using. Before I cancel my reservation I wanted to see if any one here could use it. I want NO money for the room just want to transfer reservation to someone who can use it. It is the Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago North Shore 5201 Old Orchard RoadSkokie (Illinois), IL 60077. The price I got hotel for through booking.com was $597 check in fri and out mon If you want it please pm me. Thanks

very kind!

Thanks for the hotel offer, it is right in with the spirit of things.

Tickets!

Hi all! I know you've heard it a million times, but I would love to pay for your extra! Help a sister out! (((hugs)) Worth a shot anyhow - without love in the dream it will never come true

So Grateful!!!!!!!

A lifetime, truly "DEAD"icated to the music that enriched all our lives and connected kind souls from all walks of life. Still Truckin' 50 years to infinity! What a world to share. Three more months!!!! "If I had a song to sing I'd sing it to you, long as you live Lullaby or maybe a plain serenade...Wouldn't you laugh, dance and cry or be afraid at the change you made? I may not have the world to give to you but maybe I have a tune or two" -Hunter

Skokie is not Chicago

That Hampton Inn in Skokie is far from being in Chicago, and it sure isn't close to Soldier Field, or public transportation to the show. There are three decent hotels in Evanston, which is much closer to the show, on two train lines that drop you off a few blocks from the show, walking distance to bars and restaurants, and is very Deadhead friendly. Nothing wrong with the Hampton Inn mind you, but to suggest it is in the Chicago city limits is a stretch. If anyone is still in need of a hotel, I suggest trying Evanston hotels, two of them even have pools.

Tickets Will Get Cheaper By The Dozen - Part Deux

254 more tickets on StubHub in just 3 days!!! Even as they sell some tickets to fools with more money than brains, the inventory grows. More tickets, better seats, and lower prices will be what follows over the course of time. Mar 7 Mar 31 Apr 3 Friday 1611 1769 1853 Saturday 1578 1786 1826 Sunday 1407 1620 1743 3 Day 829 847 854 Total 5425 6022 6276 +254 in 3 days!!

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FennarioXRDS

9 years 10 months ago

Songs and Failure
The two things that separate the Dead from other bands, IMHO, are the songs of Hunter/Garcia and thewillingness of the band to go together wherever their collective or individual inspiration led, even if it meant they sometimes got lost along the way. It was that willingness to fail on stage that freed them to achieve the transcendent moments.
One Man

9 years 10 months ago

Nail
Y'all are hitting the nail on the head with the jamband discussion. You're saying what I've been thinking -- that most of them are too quick to go for the easy groove without enough unpredictable exploration in the rhythm section. No one does it like the GOGD and that's a big part of it. The superior songs themselves are another vital ingredient. There are exceptions of course and your mileage will certainly vary. I'll take raggedy old space case Keith Godchaux over that Furthur virtuoso any day. Interestingly, there is a parallel discussion on classical music going on back at the Dave's #11 board (if you can find it). It also favors expression over technical "perfection".
mustin321

9 years 10 months ago

Bands (Jam or Not)...it all starts with a song.
There are tons of bands/artists that stretch out songs and improvise on stage but they are never labeled as a Jam Band or heard on the Jam Band station or whatever... Why not? Who knows/who really cares? I think the main problem is that the bands that generally fall under the "Jam Band" Umbrella aren't the best at songwriting and place most of talents in the jam part...well, it shouldn't be a surprise that if you jam out a boring song, its still going to be boring. I say this but there are some "jam bands" I like but some really are just utterly boring, to me at least. Since I'm posting this post on Dead.net, I obviously think that Garcia/Hunter & Weir/Barlow are some of the best songwriters that ever lived. There were definitely songs that were built with heavy improvising being the main purpose but, for the most part, they were trying to write nice songs and the jams came later (I know some of this was already pointed out in previous post, but its correct). Playing In The Band, Dark Star, & Thats It For The Other One all started out as nice little songs, am I right? I don't really care if a band is considered a jam band or not or jams or not...if they write a good song, I'll listen to them and go to their shows.