Grateful Dead

Kingfish
10/04/75
Winterland
SF,CA

Setlist:
0:00:00 - Rattlesnake
0:03:55 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:05:17 - Bye And Bye
0:09:18 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:10:29 - Overnight Bag
0:14:16 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:15:45 - C.C. Rider
0:21:22 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:24:23 - Wild Northland
0:27:03 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:28:20 - New Minglewood Blues
0:32:21 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:34:33 - Juke
0:37:38 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:39:08 - Asia Minor
0:43:21 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:44:54 - The Promised Land
0:48:27 - Stage Ambience / Tuning
0:49:50 - One More Saturday Night

Personnel:
Matt Kelly - harmonica, guitar, vocals
Robbie Hoddinott - lead guitar
Bob Weir - rhythm guitar, vocals
Dave Torbert - bass, vocals
Chris Herold - drums

Summary:
The original Kingfish line-up was fronted by multi-instrumentalist Matthew Kelly and ex-New Riders bass player Dave Torbert, the primary songwriters in the group. Fleshed out with the impressive instrumental skills of Robbie Hoddinott, Chris Herold, and Mick Ward, the band became a popular club act in the Bay Area. Following the death of Mick Ward in a car accident, the group soldiered on as a quartet. When the Grateful Dead officially retired from the road in late 1974, all the musicians were free to pursue outside projects, so Bob Weir, a long-time friend of Matthew Kelly, began sitting in, officially joining the group by the end of the year. Weir's arrival had two major impacts on the band, which can be seen as both a blessing and a curse. The Dead's organization ran their own label, Round Records, so the musicians could essentially produce and release albums free of record industry interference. The upside was that Kingfish got a contract with the Dead's label, recording an impressive debut album, which considerably raised their profile. However, to the existing band member's eventual dismay, the vast contingency of Deadheads now perceived the group as Bob Weir's backing band. Regardless, the group became a very popular touring band and delivered many a great performance.

Headlining a hometown bill that also featured The Sons of Champlin and the Keith & Donna Godchaux Band, Kingfish deliver a high-energy performance to close the night. Needless to say, this was a fine night for Deadheads, who got to experience four members of the Grateful Dead performing on the same bill, but outside the familiar musical context. Performing selections from their debut album as well as several choice covers and yet-to-be recorded originals, this set captures Kingfish during the peak performing months of Weir's tenure with the group.

They kick the show off with Dave Torbert fronting the band for the rocking shuffle of "Rattlesnake," a song the group hadn't recorded. Bob Weir takes lead vocals on "Bye And Bye," a rearranged gospel number that gets a reggae treatment from the band. Next up is "Overnight Bag," another unrecorded number at the time. This straightforward rocker finds the group hitting their stride before they relax into a nice bluesy "C.C. Rider," which Weir would eventually resurrect into the Dead's repertoire several years later.

Following a slight delay to tune back up and determine what to play next, the group treats the audience to "Wild Northland," a delightful country flavored Torbert track from the first Kingfish album. Its live debut, this song is not known to have been performed since and this may indeed be the only live performance. Bob Weir fronts the band again for a rollicking take on "New Minglewood Blues," a classic jug band cover from the Dead's first album. A staple of Weir's repertoire throughout his career, Kingfish's take on this song is arguably more compelling than the Dead's own version, thanks in large part to the harmonica embellishments from Matthew Kelly which propel it along. Kelly gets an opportunity to really cut loose on the following number, "Juke," a high-energy harmonica fueled instrumental in the tradition of James Cotton.

One of the best songs from their debut album is next, with Torbert's "Asia Minor," featuring scorching solo breaks from Hoddinott and a propulsive rhythmic backing from Torbert, Weirm and Herold. The first set ends with an energetic romp through Chuck Berry's "Promised Land," another Weir-led staple borrowed from his Dead repertoire. Hoddinott, who is delightfully high in the mix, cooks up a storm on guitar.

Unfortunately the recordings of the second Kingfish set from this night is currently MIA. However, the encore is also here; a more relaxed, but nonetheless celebratory take on Bob Weir's most popular rocker, "One More Saturday Night," which brought this monumental night of Bay Area music to a close.

RIP Peter Green..passed today,may the four winds blow you safely home..Founding member of Fleetwood Mac and extroadinary guitar player..He admired Jerry and was big fan..One of my first dead shows was 2/11/70 Fillmore East.late show with Duane,Gregg and Peter Green joining for Dark Star and beyond.(Allmans also on the bill)..it was amazing and all should take a listen if you havnt in a while.. https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/grateful-dead-allman-peter-green-1970/

Wonderful Sugaree!

I think this is the first time I ever posted to a message board anywhere about anything; the first time is always unique. This is a real shot-in-the-dark, but does anyone know where I might find a digital or physical copy of The Dead from Bonnaroo 2004? Been looking everywhere for that one. Mahaloz!

This album has continuous music, each song connected by a musical bridge. Andy Williams doing "into's"!!!! AND he could rock a fuckin' sweater!

Make It With You On Now!

Mission in the Rain 6/29/76 https://youtu.be/YXBKtLPCQxs

A Change of Heir
-Field Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2tpEGNFuvU

Madison Cunningham.........No One Else to Blame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NvPPqmVmzo

Wharf Rat live at Fillmore East April 26, 1971

Courtesy of MaryE - thanks, Mary!

https://www.dead.net/forum/pick-day-discussion