Author Topic: Favorite era for the Dead ? (Read 724 times)

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #15 on:** June 17, 2013, 11:49:43 AM »

For me, '69 - '74 with '72 being the peak.

I agree there are great (and not-so-great) shows from every year '65 - '95, but IMO the shows from '69 - '74 are consistently more energetic, experimental, eclectic and exciting.

Despite several changes in personnel, there were many interesting stylistic and compositional changes through this period as the band was quickly maturing both individually and as an ensemble.

And, of course, starting in '69, Alembic contributed several technical improvements to the electronics, which had a positive affect on the tone of the instruments during this time.

ed_too · « **Reply #16 on:** June 17, 2013, 01:43:03 PM »

My favorite period was the early to mid-70?s.
I wonder how much of that is because I started attending shows then? (first show, Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City)
It?s also possible that the combination of smaller venues and Alembic/McIntosh has something to do with it. I saw them in the Boston Music Hall where they had filled the entire rectangular opening of the stage curtains with speakers. Almost to a person, people walked in, smiled and said ?Holy ****?. When Phil played the ?pipe organ? part in ?Morning Dew? the balcony shook. Other low notes made your pants legs vibrate around your legs (I have corroborating witnesses).
Anyway, that was my favorite, but I attended and enjoyed shows right till the end.

tom_z · « **Reply #17 on:** June 17, 2013, 11:05:50 PM »

May '77 box set just arrived today! Have only listened to May 13, second show at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. Very tasty and an interesting memory from the past - I have this show on cassette buried somewhere in the house. It's one of the first low-gen soundboard recordings I ever got hold of.

Lots of great shows from '77. I also really like '73, '69, and a bunch of the shows with Bruce Hornsby.

And, in case you missed it -- Veneta, OR 8/27/72 will be playing in a theater near you (well, some of us, anyway) on August 1.

Cheers,
Tom

mtjam · « **Reply #18 on:** June 18, 2013, 04:52:15 AM »

I definitely blame the Dead for dragging me into this Alembic family! I remember seeing the name Alembic on albums like Live Dead when I was a 12-year old kid just getting into the Dead.

Ed, the Boston Music Hall show from 12/2/73 is one of my favorite shows! I was way too young (3) to see it, but I have listened to it many times. I love the Playin'>He's Gone>Truckin' sequence. A lot of weirdness going on in that jam! I could imagine the intensity of being there!

My favorite Dead era is probably 71-74, although there were many highlights from other eras. I saw the majority of my shows between 1986 RFK and 1991. IMO, they lost a lot of steam when Brent died. I remember walking out of a show at RFK Stadium in 1992 during the second set because it was just so lifeless. My last show was at the Philly Spectrum, I believe in 1995, when they busted out Unbroken Chain for the first time. That is one of my favorite songs; however, I recall the version was a train wreck, and the show was lackluster as a whole. I had no idea that would be my last time seeing the Grateful Dead.

Fortunately, the magical moments far outweigh these Vince-era bombs. Can't wait to see Sunshine Daydream!

ed_too · « **Reply #19 on:** June 18, 2013, 08:26:31 AM »

Tom ? I too loved the Bruce Hornsby shows, because he always brought so much. I even remember at one show, after ?Brown Eyed Women?, thinking that Bruce?s solo smoked Jerry?s solo ? and I never thought that when anyone else played with them.
Rob ? I particularly remember the 12/2/73 show because it was my birthday. The Music Hall was an ornate old time theater ? perfect place to see and hear a Dead show. It was a raucous night with a ?Morning Dew? that they nailed for a closer.
Ed

edwin · « **Reply #20 on:** June 21, 2013, 08:59:39 PM »

The Boston Music Hall was the site of my first show, but it wasn't until 6/11/76. I loved that room and saw a few more there after that.

My favorite era was probably 68-79 or so. Up through then, you could count on hearing new tunes, often very different from the previous material, on every tour. When Terrapin and Estimated Prophet came out, it blew everyone away. Plus, the format of the shows were less predictable. By the 80s, it had ossified considerably. But, I've got to give a shoutout to the 80s for some very interesting sound quality changes, notably the Modulus instruments, and some good songs here and there, like Brother Esau and Throwing Stones. But, I agree with some of the criticisms regarding the change in the audience as the 80s rolled on.

On a related note, so many of my heroes of the 70s became junkies in the 80s. Jerry, Jaco, Gil Scott-Heron. It was hard to watch.

Bradley Young · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2013, 11:52:12 PM »

Pre and post?

jacko · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2013, 04:42:30 AM »

My favourite era for Dead music is right Now!.. I recently joined a dead tribute band and i've been having loads of fun working up a set liet with the rest of the guys...

Big Boss Man
Ramble on Rose
Truckin'
Goin' Down the road
Stella Blue
Friend of the devil
around and around
Scarlett begonias / fire on the mountain
china cat / i know you rider.

it's interesting being given the freedom to slide on up past the 12th fret :-)

I reckon next time I visit Bill and Harry we'll have some common ground to jam on :-)

Graeme

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2013, 09:39:52 AM »

Excellent Graeme!
You've plugged into some prime GD from Workingman's Dead, American Beauty, Europe 72, and Mars Hotel.
You will have lots of fun!

Mike

David Houck · « **Reply #24 on:** July 12, 2013, 12:44:06 PM »

Great start on a set list Graeme! In addition to being fun, Dead tunes can also be challenging. And for a bass player, Phil's lines are a whole 'nother way of approaching the role of the bass. His background in music theory and modern classical music has him landing on notes other bass players would never even think of.

jacko · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2013, 12:36:52 AM »

landing on notes other bass players would never even think of.

I'm already pretty adept at that Dave. Lol :-)

Graeme

terryc · « **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2013, 05:21:17 AM »

Yep I do it all the time to annoy the singer!

smokinbear · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2013, 10:41:35 PM »

1968 thru october 1974 ((((O)))(((0))))

tree63 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 22, 2013, 05:58:00 PM »

Love all of the collection...but 69 - 73 are cool transition years...also love the early 80's to the end of Brent shows!!!! Jah Guide!!

elwoodblue · « **Reply #29 on:** July 22, 2013, 06:35:46 PM »

also love the early 80's to the end of Brent shows!!!!

+1 The world needs way more Brent ,always : )