Sad the Grateful Dead are no more but thank god we get live releases where they play interesting named venues. Imagine getting a release now where they play the KFC yumm center or jiffy lube live pavilion . Sheesh
If Phil had been in tune during the first ~5 minutes of Dark Star, that might be the case. And I know that you never said any of that. I'm just being an internet rabble-rouser. That's a thing y'know.
Try playing bass on live gigs for 40 years and say that. Live/Dead may be better than Bear's choice, but not because of that.
Just finished the Beat Club show. Everything during the second Playing to the end was outstanding. @Archtop, where does this one fall on your ranking of the E72 Playings?
Rather pedestrian, but a pedestrian '72 Playin' beats many latter versions. For the record, I had the second version ranked fairly high compared to the first version and several other live versions from that tour. Still not not top five of the tour. But perhaps top 10.
I was listening to a couple tapes from Wavy Gravy's 50th Birthday (circa 1986)... has any of that stuff (besides the Kate Wolf recording) turned up anywhere? I have to say I was impressed with Bob Weir's set, also Jorma Kaukonen's (part of it with Jack Cassidy) though he was using an unfamiliar guitar (one of Bob Weir's, it did have a great sound and stood up to really being played, by both if they both used it). Jerry's set had nice guitar of course (and some Jack Cassidy bass), but the vocal was a bit weak to be honest. I have no idea what Mickey Hart's Shamanism piece was... very strange... I might have to look and see if there are any surviving visuals on the web... the Buddhist chanting seemed very authentic! Anyway, Bob did Time Slips Away - Victim Or The Crime - Ashes Ashes as well as one man and a guitar possibly could that night... r.e.s.p.e.c.t!
7/4/89 is kicking butt. You just don’t get to see Garcia rock out like he does during All Along the Watchtower in all the other bands he was in. No ‘89 in the Dick’s Picks or Dave’s Picks series.
As a guitar player I have to admit whenever I see live Dead I'm a bit obsessed with watching how Jerry holds the pick with his missing finger. Just so effortless and smooth.
Indeed, they are. I know of one I used to work with but he’s now retired and I don’t see or hear from him much at all anymore.
I'm sure everyone here has seen this multiple times but the Tivoli 4/17/72 footage is quite good too.
Re: Bear’s Choice Agreed. Of course, it’s not the best of anything. It has charm though. TONS of charm. That’s enough for me.
3/15/73, 3/16/73, and 3/19/73 (all Nassau) make for a fascinating Playing In The Band comparison. Conclusion for me? 3/15 is far and above the best one. It's also the best show.
