Dave's Picks Vol. 49: Frost Amphitheatre, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA (4/27/85 & 4/28/85)

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January 19, 2024 - 8:00am

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Dead Admin

Joined:
April 28, 2021

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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February 14, 2024 - 8:23am

#681

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

3

Seems there’s no accountability anymore, anywhere, but when you basically kill someone you should have to pay, HARD!
This truly pisses me off, and I didn’t even know your Bro.
What I don’t understand is how there’s not some safeguard or other opinion or some kind of advocate specifically for such situations?
February 14, 2024 - 8:22am

#682

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

2

It would be one thing if they did the right thing and something went wrong etc, but to basically kill another human being because of what? Greed?
I’m all about moving on and not getting hung up on past shit that you can’t change, but this motherf@##$& needs to feel real pain!
February 14, 2024 - 8:21am

#683

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

1

My goodness, that’s a horrible story and can’t imagine what your going through!
I’ll I can recommend is keep busy, long walks, and lots of Dead…if you get confused just listen to the music play.
Eventually, time may not fully heal, but like all the heavy shit you’ve been through in life, this will pass.
February 14, 2024 - 8:20am

#684

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Needful

Tried to respond but this ridiculous nonsense won’t let me post!
February 14, 2024 - 5:24am

#685

Doingtheneedful

Joined:
June 11, 2007

Thank you!

Thanks vguy and Dave! Your words mean a lot. Kevin was indeed special. Incredible social conscience and extremely intelligent. Never once raised his voice and was always measured and deliberate when he needed to be, and fun and surprising when he felt like it. The fact that we were solid and firm friends since the early 90’s speaks volumes. I tend to piss off most folk within weeks! lol. I’m not nasty at all, but I somehow seem to be a bit obvious when suffering fools… Precious little poppet that I am.

My wife grew up with Kevin in Carshalton when they were kids. They even dated for a while a long time before I appeared on the scene. In one of life’s funny little co-inky dinks, we probably passed each other all the time when I was living in Putney as a young teen. Turns out we even used the same video store!

It just destroys me that the coroner concluded he would almost certainly be with us today had he been admitted and given intravenous antibiotics. It’s one thing to be a hoity insecure pillock, but when a life is lost, and it’s not a “mistake”, then surely there’s something that needs to happen there. It won’t bring him back and I won’t claim sheer altruism in the “just so it doesn’t ever happen to anyone else” vein. No. I want the SOB to pay the price out of sheer anger and venom. I wish I could be a bigger person about it. I’m just not there yet. Nor do I expect to be any time soon. Sorry, but a line was crossed when it comes to my ability to forgive.

For what it’s worth, I genuinely feel good about how my wife and I have picked up his widow and given her the safe space and sanctuary she needs. And she’ll have it forever. We’re even giving the spare bedroom in the place we’re moving to a name… “Julie’s Room”. She’s such a good and kind person. Just like Kevin. It makes us feel a little better that we can at the very least give her our unqualified support and affection and always have a place for her to feel safe in. And, she’s using it, so that in itself shows that it’s needed and that it’s a good thing for her.

Anyway. Thanks again. Sincerely. It needs to be shared so I can lessen the empty anger that the finality of it all brings.

I’ve been dwelling on the nature of “void” and the fact that I’m terrified of it - and no, the argument that I won’t be around to miss it just makes it worse. Even typing this is making my chest tighten, breathing laboured, and skin feel like it’s slow burning - anxiety to the max. How do you rationalise the unacceptable? All I can take from it is that if I feel this bad about losing life, I must really love it, and I’m trying oh so hard to use that as my “FU” to the reaper…

Still. One of the terrible compromises that we’re all born with. “I’m going to give you something so magical, that when I take it away, and I WILL take it away, you’ll have never existe”. Jesus. Sorry, but now I’m having a full blown panic attack. Any ideas anyone? I don’t even drink anymore nearly two and half years sober, and thank god because if this wasn’t an excuse to bury myself in a bottle, then I don’t know what would be. So, if I qualify that question to “Any holistic ideas anyone?” Then maybe that’s better.

One thing I can say with utmost confidence. The music of the good old Grateful Dead certainly helps. One thing I was really apprehensive about with sobriety and “being straight” was how it might alter my relationship with and enjoyment of the music. Turns out, not a jot! If anything it’s better than ever. My playing is improved and I can add thought to my guitar playing that allows for more “play” and less “see what sticks”. I guess the analogy would be the painter who knows how to use texture and layers as opposed to your Jackson Pollocks who luzz stuff everywhere and see what happens. They both produce interesting results and there is nothing to stop the chucking it about but, but having that extra layer in the arsenal gives you more toys to play with.

How I got here from there I don’t know. But let’s end on a positive… Anyone considering changes around chemical self medication… I will assure you that YOU will still be YOU on the other side. You might do things a little differently, or require yourself to get “there” a different way, but don’t worry about losing yourself. I think it’s a bit of a common thing that folks can worry about when they’ve become dependant on certain addictive behaviours. That loss of one’s self. I’m here as living proof that you’ll still be there on the other side and what’s more, it’ll be earned and more valued, and dare I say, it’s not inappropriate to feel a little smug about it.

Right. I’m much happier for having let all that out so thanks again all! It’s really, really appreciated.

Now back to “how do I get my undelivered copy of DP48?” Again, any pointers would be brilliant. I’ve no doubt it was sent, but I’ve lost a few packages in the last six months or so… Never been a problem until recently, and ties up with when Evri started doing the “last to the door” legs. They recently (last week) put a watch in a “safe place”. Well. They threw it in the recycling wheelie bin actually. But hey, could have been a bush, right?

:-)
February 14, 2024 - 2:59am

#686

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Doingtheneedful

Great to see you back on here - I wondered what had happened, and am sorry I didn't reach out earlier. You have absolutely no need to apologise at all - it sounds as though you have been to hell and back since we last communicated. Terrible what happened to your mate Kevin. He sounds as though he was a great person to have known and hung out with. What a tragic thing to happen to him. My heart felt condolences to you and his wife.

Yup- I am still interested in the 1978 Daves Picks on vinyl - I'll send you my address by email - if not now - I am due out in a minute - but later today.
As you guessed, I have got Dicks Picks 2 on vinyl - but thanks for thinking of me.
My eyes lit up when I saw Ozric Tentacles in your post - but dimmed again when you talked of Phish. I have never heard them really - I'm not quite sure, but the very idea puts me off. Very unfair -I'm sure they'll survive ! Ozric Tentacles on the other hand - I've seen many great gigs by them over the years. Incidentally - they also sound great on vinyl.
All the best - cheers - Dave
February 14, 2024 - 2:32am

#687

gratefulgerd

Joined:
June 7, 2007

#49 Scarlet...

This Scarlet... is absolutely top tier. Jerry is taking off and gets 'lost in the ozone'. I think.
Wunderschön!
G.
February 13, 2024 - 8:52pm

#688

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Neil Young & Crazy Horse....

....announced their Spring Tour.
Guess I need to gas up and set my sights for Phoenix.
Edit. Khruangbin is playing here.
Nevermind.
February 13, 2024 - 7:52pm

#689

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Rant away doingtheneedful....

....doesn't sound like a very good way to go imo. So sorry your friend went through that. Having a life saving surgery delayed twice in a year is unacceptable. Sigh.
Just remember this. Surround yourselves with kind people.
Turn away from the people that spew hate and vitriol.
And drink plenty of water.
Comicons are awesome. So many cool nerds. And I mean that as a compliment.
Phish's Ocelot and Scents And Subtle Sounds are, imo, their most "Dead" like songs. I get the lyrical nonsense point though. Until Gamehendge comes around lol.
I'm still on my Mavis Staples thang.
February 13, 2024 - 7:22pm

#690

Doingtheneedful

Joined:
June 11, 2007

Daves 48 ALARM! Help from GD CS if possible please?

Hi. If anyone on the CS side sees this (or if anyone else can point me in the right direction). With 49 arriving on Friday, I literally just realised that 48 hasn't ever turned up. I was looking at the library to double check my naming conventions etc. for ripping, and nada. No 48, no bear on a skateboard. I revisited my physical stash where everything goes immediately after digitising, again nothing. No JPG cover art in my cover art folder. I checked the tracklist again and I guarantee I haven't listened to this release. It occurred to me that I'd just let it be in the knowledge that sometimes they can take a little longer to get here, but I've obviously put it "out of sight, out of mind" too far! It will be the first actual non receipt I've ever had from dead.Net since I first used them in the beginning. I had one cross over where a package was shipped gain and arrived the same day as the very delayed original. Something always turns up in the end. Not this time though.

I've had some pretty heavy stuff going on back in the real word. No sympathy required, but lost my best friend out of nowhere and way too early and suddenly. Sadly avoidable too if not for the ego and pride of a duty consultant at a south London A&E who failed to recognise sepsis in an otherwise very healthy man my age who was due Gall Bladder removal very soon and who had a recent history of Gallstones and Pancreatitis issues.

He was being admitted for emergency surgery, but the surgical team were overridden literally on the way to prep by this fool consultant whilst my friend, Kevin, was in the lift being taken to a holding high dependency ward, and sent home with Morphine to wait for the surgery due date ten day later... After being delayed twice by almost a year.

The Consultant got shirty after being challenged by Kevin's wife who is about 4 foot nothing and very unassuming and quiet, as to why he has overriding what everyone else was calling serious. His response was to say, and I quote "It's not that complicated. I'm in charge and the Surgical Team would admit everyone if they had the chance."

Genius. Bloody fool. Kevin survived five or so more days in agony at home before suffering a fatal heart attack induced by critical sepsis and organ failure due to multiple internal abscesses and blockages caused by Gallstones.

What hurt so badly was that at his funeral, there was a huge turnout, and in every other slide projected during the celebration part, my wife and I were with kevin and his wife, doing something stupid and fun. My favourite being myself carrying him across a flooded road in the New Forest like Friar Tuck. He and his wife carrying the hand carved and decorated hiking sticks I made for them back in 1995 or so.

So, that happened... Sorry to unload, but I still find myself having anger splurges... That and other things like moving and job loss (mutual divorce), I can see why I was distracted on this one. So basically, DP 48 isn't here and I'd like to sort it out if possible please?

One of the last conversations I had with Kevin, it came up that he'd picked up Terrapin Station. He knew I was a dead head and he had "dabbled"... He was massively into his music. That's why he stayed in Wimbledon when he could have moved out of the city. Right there next to the tube station with easy and ready access to gigs. He averaged at least a show of some type or other a week for the entire time I knew him, and it was pretty normal for him to do 10 on the trot, brief pause, Glastonbury, a few world cinema festivals, more gigs. And a happy marriage. A CD collection the size of small house and a Vinyl stash to rival. I remember myself and a few other fellas meeting up to see Phish at Shepherds Bush then crashing on his living room floor, utterly spent, stoned, drunk and happy. He was like that. Phish? never heard of them! Let's go check it out! I recall the main man of Ozric Tentacles being there and checking it out to his approval. I'm not sure he was into the music so much as appreciative of the musicianship.

I'm a bit like that with Phish. I can dig the sounds and the cleverness and craft, but lyrically they're a mess in my limited opinion. Billy Breathes is pretty spot on, but outside of that album, there' a lot of nonsense waltzing as wit. Guilty of playing "clever" because they can, not because it sounds great, sometimes.

Anyway, Terrapin. It was coming back from ComiCon London and he mentioned that he liked the idea of a whole album side being one long suite, and really enjoyed it. I of course immediately jumped in and tried to sell him on "Everything Dead Ever" realised that was a disservice (baby steps) and steered him towards the Terrapin suite on the many disc'ed "tribute" from a few years ago that The National were heavily involved with. It's a great recording. played as live in studio I think (certainly the side of that session seems to point that way), the entire suite with percussion as originally intended (I imagine, based on the whole production overdub that Olsen (it was Olsen wasn't it? laid down causing Mickey to go mental...).

It's a very airy performance. Open space, cavernous, but warm and familial. One of the better and more realised Grateful Dead covers, made great by the "as live" recording and mic placing. I really do need to get that set. It's readily available streaming and it's a bit of a monster. Not everything hits, but there's enough good grist to warrant hard copy in the collection in my opinion.

Let's face it. if "Ready or Not" can get a place in your home, then this certainly can. Sorry, but firmly in the camp of "Ready or Not" is "Not". In fact I can't listen to it, and when I try, I just can't fathom how the Samba in the Rain on it wasn't thrown in a river in a burlap sack full of rocks.

I went to an Aston Martin owners' club meet when I was a kid, and we parked up next to a DB6 which looked like an unloved overworked tractor. My dad said it was a joke by a cheeky someone who wanted to demonstrate everything NOT to do with a classic car. That's how I feel about that Samba'. It's almost like it's on the record as a cautionary tale. "Are you sure you want this foks? Cos' this is what you've got coming if you start playing in those particular weeds!" "Grateful Dead. The Poison Ivy Years" or perhaps more obscure a reference, "The grateful Dead. Warts...."

Be good y'all. Thanks for giving me the space to stream my addled thoughts.

And oh yeah. DP 48... Can you help me out here please? Thank you in advance!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

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.

V g u y s v i n y l e Jones

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

Thin

Welcome back Thin! Good to hear from you.

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

Hornsby

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?

Don’t know about Brucey

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!

Cat Power Tonight

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.

Gotta Coupla Thangs

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…

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.

Oro

👍

15 years ago today....

....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.

4/27/85

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!

re: 15 Years Ago Today...

...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

Postus Interruptus, Phil's BDay, Hornsby

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.

#50

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.

DMCVT

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.

Capitol

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..."

Phil's 84th

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.

D'oh

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.

Dmcvt

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.

WOW-4/28

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

Thanks AJS

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.

Frost Rocks

Wait till they release 1982.

Townes & Barlow

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

Little Feat releasing their first record....

....in twelve years. Sam's Place.
Black Crowes first in almost the same amount of time is coming up soon.
I can't wait.
Townes Van Zant is popular in the Cowboy Junkies circle.

51 years ago today...

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...

Rhino High Fidelity Series

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

TN John

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.

Townes and Barlow

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

Vguy

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.

Jazz Fest

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

Townes

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

Townes

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.

Duane Betts....

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

Hey now this

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

Happy B day

Robin Trower

Heartworn Highways

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

Railroad Earth in Rutland

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.

Townes & Johnny@Gratefulgerd

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.

let it grow

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

Off topic

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.

Also off topic....

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

Robin Trower

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.

Happy Birthday Señor Trower!

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"...

From Good Homes

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.”

Slide guitar

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.

Rail Road Earth

are a 'must see' for me.

Jamtastic + wonderful song-writing!

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

RRE, Robin, Slide

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.

Robin Trower, The Rose Palace, and Railroad Earth

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

Re RRE

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.

One of my oldest and dearest friends....

....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.

Just stopped by to say hello...

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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