The re-mastered version of Steal Your Face is a significant step-up in sonic quality from the original. David Glasser used some modern mastering stuff in the digital realm that really cleaned up the sound to brought out the music.
After a week off from the Dead following nothing but June '76 shows, I'm back on the bus with a re-listen to 1972/09/10 Los Angeles, CA which is another hit from Fall '72, with big jams in Bird Song, PITB, He's Gone, Dark Star.
10/31/91 DS: I forgot I've heard this before, with the Kesey rap on BG's passing. All the years combine
While Around and Around is by no means a favourite... I don't mind it. At times like on One From the Vault, it's quite good.
On the other side, Promised Land gets old as it was played a ton but there are times where they tear the roof off with it and I love Jerry's backing vocals on the final verses. Gets me every time.
I just listened to 3/28/1973 yesterday and that version is a blast. Post-hiatus versions are usually the offenders for me, but even then we can be treated to some blistering Jerry soloing. Just need to endure Bobby's uncontrolled hoots and shouts...
I'm not a huge fan of Chuck Berry or original R&R as it is. But I prefer GDs covers more than most. Johnny B. Goode is just a tired song. And honestly not one I ever enjoyed by anyone. But hearing Jerry earnestly singing GO GO makes it automatically better than any other tired cover of it. If I have to listen to a tired standard, I'd rather it be GD than anyone else is my point. And some of those Arounds and Promiseds can be fantastic.
Also the Around and Arounds with Donna are superior to the rest. But I can say that of Cassidy, TMNS, Scarlet even, PITB, etc. Her impact on their music, to me, was not replaceable that easily. Brent was great, but there were elements to some of the songs as noted above that no one could replace.
And there's no way someone listens to a PITB or a Greatest Story or a TMNS or a Cassidy from the 80s and doesn't miss Donna or at least a PITB wail!
I have to listen to some more Godchaux 79. Most of my listening in 79 has been Brent (and I love it).
I really need to break out One From the Vault more consistently. Just a perfect Help/Slip/Frank to start and then a fantastic TMNS. They were nailing these from the start. Then very good Rose's and a mind blowingly good Eyes>Drums. Fantastic King Solomons>Stronger Than Dirt, an all time AnA, nice Sugaree and Big River. Then it gets even better with a perfect Crazy Fingers>Drums>The Other One. Sage and Spirit is great and I wish they did all these Blues for Allah songs more. Topped by a nice GDTRFB>US Blues and a really cool and rare Blues for Allah to end it. I love that studio album but this live recording as usual blows it into overdrive.
And Bobby is screamin’ Goin’ again and again He’s sang it 3 times Since half past 10 And he’ll keep on singin it Until who knows when
I think the reason for my generally negative view of Around & Around has more to do with its location in the show, than the song itself. After a typical 2nd set, it usually felt like a real downer. Opening the first or somewhere in the first would have been easier to experience.
There is a BC tribute band called GDBC. I've never heard them but here is what looks like a nice set list from last night:
June 18, 1976, Capitol Theatre, Passaic, New Jersey. A noticeable experience, with so many highlights: Sugaree, Crazy Fingers, Mission in the Rain, St. Stephen, Eyes of the World... and still more joy on the bonus disc, especially with the sequence Playin' in the Band>Drums>The Wheel>Playin' in the Band.
God I love 76. I adore 72-74 and 77-78 but I'm really drawn to 75-76 and how it's its own special and unique and underrated time.
