Grateful Dead

ugh accidentally deleted my post, frustrating, although i did just now realize i forgot a few things, time to recreate. I got on da bus a couple months ago, however many of you dont know me as i havent been active (although i intend to change that) anyways im a young'n at only 16, and i like to my consider myself among the net generation of, if we may even call ourselves, deadheads. I was lucky enough to see the dead on the fourth, something i thought id never do, and had the time of my life, being around the best group of people imaginable, in the middle of a culture id only seen in daydreams and documentaries. Each day I grow to love the dead more and more, the moment it became more than music for me was at the concert, I learned then what the grateful dead really was, i was giddy before the show in anticipation of the feeling so many have attempted to describe and it didnt disappoint. I understood why people so often call it a family, and i had a wonderful time at the family reunion. I recently discovered a website some of you may have heard of but if not i highly recommend giving it a look: https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead since finding it I've set a goal (conditions permitting) to listen to a concert a day. About half of teachers nowadays allow students to keep a single earbud in and listen to music during class, I find it makes school much more bearable, but also it makes my goal possible, in fact i listened to a concert today. I was wondering if any of you were planning on going to the dead & company show with john mayor, and what you thought about it. Also what you guys think about the term deadhead, how do you define it? Is the title only for hardcore fans? how hardcore? would a casual listener be wrong to call themselves a deadhead? cant wait to get to know you all better, ive never met a deadhead i havent liked :)

Thank you T...... Nice choices....but....why? The why is the key to this exercise......we all love certain music...what is it in our souls that makes us choose the Yes Album over Fragile or Tales or Relayer or Close to the Edge.....or Tormato for chrissakes... That's just an example....for me it's where I was when I heard a certain album, or more importantly....who I was with....that changed my musical life forever.....memories and experiences embed certain music more deeply in our brains than others....it's not just the music, it's the memories and feelings music brings.... Just think on it....on a deep meditative level you will know.... Gonna take some time to think mine out, want it to be just exactly perfect ;-)

Now we are talking, brother.....thanks to my sons classical training, I am familiar with most all referenced....but those Northern Alabama gems from a wunderkind have eluded me..... Yes, it's about cleansing the minds palate so to speak.....and being open to anything..... Oscar Peterson's West Side Story or Sonny Rollins Way Out West need a spin..... Hell, Pat Metheny and Ornette Coleman Song X.....heard it when it first came out and shunned it, recently gave it another listen, after 30 years and now I get it! And yes George, 5..... Genre doesn't matter......

Tall order, to pick five albums... I liked Tony's selections, and would second a couple of his picks...but only 5? I'd have to get a mix of classical, rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and then maybe one I haven't heard yet. I've always had a hankering for some of the classical orchestrations, as my youth/adolescence, from the age of 12 to 18, had music and "the band" as its center. Those six years were spent playing numerous symphonies and concertos, which will always be embedded in my mind. Our little Jr. High School and then High School band ended up winning first place at the state every year, and culminated in first place at the southeast regional level as a senior. We were too broke to take it any further. Granted, this was Alabama, but it was North Alabama, where all the intelligent 'bama citizens lived. Actually had my first solo efforts put on vinyl at the ripe old age of 15 or so, as a proud member of the Whitesburg Jr. High Concert Band. Try giving Antonin Dvorak's "Finale to the New World" Symphony a listen...or if you are brave, the whole Symphony No. 9 (New World). And maybe "Finlandia" by Sibelius...that one has some cool riffs in it too. Any European Orchestra, or Russian Symphony, would do justice to the two pieces...and youtube has quite the variety. The above are mentioned because, as Rich said, "I want to know what magic I've been missing out on....life is short and I remain on a musical mission....and I need your help...." I pick New World for its cleansing of the mind thru soaring violins, its ability to keep your heart beating at a rapid pace with the powerful brass backed by perfectly pleasing percussion. The music of my adolescence is forever imprinted in my soul...and it started there... By the way, if you are giving advice to your kids or grandkids, and they wonder, "What will make me popular with the chicks (or boys)", you might pass on telling them to learn the clarinet....just sayin... Cheers and thanks for asking Rich. Next week I'll pick an album from my 20's to bring things more current. ps...if you come across "Clarinet Escapades" anywhere on the net, as performed by said Jr. High band, listen very very closely...

I've been at this a long time and have come to realize that our common bond may be the Dead, at least on a superficial level. I believe our camaraderie and affinity goes much deeper. it is the eclectic universal love of music, of all types. the acceptance of each other's tastes and the therapeutic value that music brings to our lives.....some of us are lyric freaks....some melody, some rhythm. Some just can't define it....and that's ok.... Since March, when this group jelled thanks to the efforts of a Mr.Tony Fonts (applause) there are times randomly during an average day that I marvel at what we were, what we are and what we will become.... The one burning question I had from day one and still have is the following... for those of you that still read this drivel...and thank you for that.... If you were stranded on a desert island, what 5 recordings would you bring along, if that is all you would have until your eternal dirt nap. To be fair, let's exclude greatest hits albums, compilations and bootlegs.....limit it to commercial studio and live recordings...my main reason for asking, is I want to know what magic I've been missing out on....life is short and I remain on a musical mission....and I need your help. I don't expect a quick response, as I have just begun to think about this myself....and my OCD at times, won't let me commit.... We don't need lyrics here, just albums....in no particular order....5 each....and most importantly why you chose them....I don't care, but you should....you don't need to post the reasons, but they should resonate with your selections..... Thanks for your time and consideration.... If you agree to participate, respond with the title Desert Island Selection...to keep things simple...and organized..... Maybe Tony can do a spreadsheet ;-) Let there be songs to fill the air....

Very nice choices.... My hope is we all end up on that Island together, and if we each bring 5.... Minus the duplicates....we will be in rock and roll heaven.... but why Al? Astral Weeks over Moondance, Tupelo Honey....something in that music grabbed you....what was it? A song, a melody, a lyric, a memory? Think on this, it's the most important part of the game...not for me but you.... Thanks for playing....I will compile and distribute so we all, those of us who are still around, can say hey, I don't know that one....better give it a listen.....

Any chance of smuggling a few extras onto the island? 1. Van Morrison--Astral Weeks 2. Bob Dylan--Blood On The Tracks 3. Neil Young--Harvest 4. The Band--The Last Waltz 5. Grateful Dead--Skull and Roses

This really is a tall order....let's hope I'm not forced into the deserted island situation but here goes, in no particular ranked order: 1. Grateful Dead - American Beauty 2. Yes - The Yes Album 3. Allman Brothers - An Evening With... 4. The Beatles - Abbey Road 5. Bruce Springsteen - Hammersmith Odeon, London '75

@ Klang- great to hear from you...thought you were abducted... @ Tony-Glad you didn't get blown away! @ mkav- you musta been a boyscout! hope you're doing good. Have a great Day everyone!

Life has gotten crazy busy since FTW! Just wanted to stop by and say hi and let everyone know I miss you...(sorry for being so aloof, not intentional I assure you)