Grateful Dead Insight?

[kmh364]

BTW, the extras on the movie release are in many ways better than the movie.
 
The companion soundtrack is awesome and covers the entire 'final' Winterland run.
 
The biggest gem is the Beyond Description box set. While there is nothing better than a Dead show, the albums providing the genesis for all those great performances are certainly worthwhile. The extra cuts and the re-mastering really wake these oldies up.

[andrewknight]

From being up close to stage at many Dead and JGB shows, I can say that Jerry spent a lot of time making sure his guitar was spot on. Phil was the same with his Bass and Bob seemed to look at his tuner and hit it a lot. Okay...just kidding about Bob. But he didn't seem to check so often and carefully.  
 
Voices. Jerry was an old soul if you believe in that stuff and his voice always seemed like that of a wise man that figured out that happiness is a decision, but that emotion whether good, or sad is worth having. He was a teacher to me in these simple, but important lessons when I was a teen. I loved Jerry's voice...still do. Bob grates on me in pretty much every aspect of his performance. I guess he was happy being a rythm guitarist and that was handy.
 
It seemed the Dead's keyboard players were always pretty decent singers at least, if not darn good.  
 
JGB shows were a Garcia spectacle. A fantastic display of Garcia letting completely loose in all songs and doing whatever he wanted to. I enjoyed JGB shows much more than Dead shows for this fact, although there were many times I wished Phil was there instead of John Kahn (not bagging on John, but Phil is Phil...enough said?)
 
It seems people either get the dead, or don't and those classifications cross the borders between musicians, and listeners. Many musicians just couldn't get it, while many listeners could. This blows my mind because I humbly feel that Jerry was the most musical person to ever put fingers on strings.  
 
I guess I'll stop now.  
 

[mint_bass]

hi  
 
Could some one give me a link to see the grateful deads wall of sound as i have never seen it and am interested.
 
thanks andrew MB

[kmh364]

Andrew MB:
 
http://dozin.com/gearheads.html
 
Andrew K:
 
Well Put.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[jacko]

Andrew.
I posted a picture in the showcase section.. here's the link.
http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/12767.html?1097523444
 
graeme

[tom_z]

Bob grates on me in pretty much every aspect of his performance. I guess he was happy being a rythm guitarist and that was handy.
 
I have heard this before and I never quite understood the sentiment. I knew many people who, at the first signs of a Bobby song, would bolt for the lobby or start jabbering at anyone within listening distance.  
 
I have listened very carefully to the way the band communicates musically and have come to the conclusion that Bobby has elevated the craft of the rhythm guitarist. His chord voicings are truly amazing and his syncopated rhythms and unusual phrasing is, to me, inseparable from the Grateful Dead feel. Jerry is quoted as saying . . .His (Weir's) playing, in a way, really puts my playing in the only kind of meaningful context it could enjoy. . .  
 
The communication and interplay among ALL members of the Dead, and the energy brought by each is what made the music so incredible. Also, some of my favorite Grateful Dead numbers are Bobby songs - Sugar Magnolia, Playing in the Band, Me and my Uncle, Cassidy, Music Never Stopped, . . .
 
I can understand that some regard Bobby as a bit Show Biz or flashy in his stage presentation, but in comparison to other stuff out there, it never really seemed excessive. I also realize that when he was learning to play slide guitar on stage it was pretty painful. However, I always felt his craftsmanship and inventiveness was excellent.
 
Well, off my soapbox now - just my two cents.
 
Tom

[kmh364]

Right on, Tom. Bobby is certainly a corn-ball, but that's part of his charm. After all, did ya really want another Jerry up there? I've grown to appreciate Bob and also realize that it wouldn't be the Dead without him. Parts that I just associated with Jerry were actually played by Weir...the lovely melody line during the beginning of live China Cat Sunflower, for instance. Bobby plays a lot more than just chords. He is most certainly the finest Rhythmn guitar player in all of rock n' roll hands down IMHO.

[jagerphan84]

I think Bobby is a great performer.  His style of guitar and his vocals are both pretty far from the norm, but IMHO he pulls both off very well.  One of my favorite live albums is Bob Weir/Rob Wasserman Live.  Rob is able to follow Bobby's crazy chord changes without missing a beat, and Bobby is in fine shape vocally.  A couple highlights on the album are Victim or the Crime and Heaven Help the Fool.  And surely anyone who enjoys this album should give a listen to RatDog, which was formed out of this duo...

[andrewknight]

Okay, although I bagged on Booby, I will say that I enjoyed it when the Dead played some of Bobby's songs. Cassidy and Sugar Magnolia stand out, as well as what I consider his best composition: Throwing Stones. Not to mention On The Road again was a fun Bobb tune. But to be honest, I'd be lying if a lot of the reason that I liked Bobby's tunes is that when he sang, Jerry did some really cool stuff on his guitar. The nice part of Dead shows vs. JGB were the times that Jerry could focus on color/rythm while Bobby sang.
 
I don't know if I have a true dislike for Bobby's stuff, or if Jerry is too much of a hero of mine for me to want to listen to anyone but him when he is on stage. Yeah, the band is the sum of the parts though, and there were certainly some magical moments that you cannot attribute to one person, you have to tip the hat to all.
 
So I want to give Bobby credit, and respect. By the way, he does a really nice job with Bruce Cockburn on Whole Night Sky (also with Bonnie Raitt playing a nice slide solo on that tune).
 
So, bottom line, my opinion of Bobby's contribution is skewed by my overactive hero worship of Jerry. However, went to a Rat Dog show once. I'd rather see SCI...and countless others. I left early. That was strange for a guy that used to take his summers and dedicate them to following the Dead around the country. Perhaps why I left had more to do with me missing Jerry than Rat Dog's performance since it was too soon after Jerry goin on his road (for me).
 
I think I'll go watch Winterland.
 

[smiley]

To simply state, that Bob was just a rhythm guitarist does not give credit to the Dead. Listen to how he progressed as a player. I like to think of his playing style as rhythm-lead, many times he would throw licks in here and their that completely complimented the song. Listen to most bands and the rhythm player is playing strictly chords with no imagination.  

[the_mule]

I dare to call myself a Deadhead although I've never had the chance to witness the phenomenon live, and IMHO Jerry needed Bob as much as Bob needed Jerry. Those two guitars in dialogue (and Phil's bass off course) made the Grateful Dead sound. I was watching the Grateful Dead Movie re-release (which I rate much higher than the Closing of Winterland set) and was especially moved by Bob Weir's strong vocal performance. His guitar was often too low in the mix in favour of Jerry's fabulous leads, but I respect Bob Weir as much a I respect Jerry, both as guitar players and songwriters, and I actually prefer Bob's singing to Jerry's. Let's not forget that Jerry could only become an icon with a little help from his friends...
 
Wilfred

[jimbobv]

For incredible example of Bob's rhythm chord selection, listen to Truckin' on Europe 72, specifically after the end of the vocals, as they go into the jam.  Jerry and Phil are already into the jam, and Bob pulls out some wild rhythm chords that stand my hair on end.

[tom_z]

Speaking of Europe 72, Bobby is also featured on the end of China Cat after the vocals, before the transition to Rider - a very tasty bit of rhythm work with really nice piano and Phil driving the tempo. =D

[bracheen]

Having never been a Dead fan my exposure to them has been limited to whatever made it to FM radio and a copy of the Anthem of the Sun album that somehow made it's way into my collection somewhere around '68 or '69. I still have no idea how it got there.  
This thread however has my curiousity up, especially with this latest discussion about Bob Weir. I really need to give them a closer listen and from what's been written here the live recordings are the best. Is that a correct statement?
 
Sam

[andrewknight]

Wilfred,
 
I think you can call yourself a Deadhead as long as you love the music. Rest assured, some will argue with you, but that is no different than experiences that I had. I have been told I was not a true Deadhead even after over 100 shows and tens of thousands of miles of driving/flying to see them and JGB and Jerry solo accoustic (with John Kahn on stand up bass) etc... Why? I never dropped acid. I was told that I couldn't be a Deadhead until I had experienced a show while on Acid. Something to do with seeing my sister OD when I was 7 kept me away from such activities. In my mind I'm a Deadhead and that is what counts just like you are a Deadhead in your mind/heart.
 
That said, some people have no question that Bobby was essential to the Dead. We saw Pigpen, Keith, Brent and various other keyboardists with the Dead. Although the flavor was different, it was always the Dead. As soon as Jerry died, all that is left of the Dead is art and recordings/memories etc. I'm not sure any other member of the Dead would have had that impact on my interpretation of what the Dead was. In fact, I'm really sure that in my mind that Jerry was the heart and soul of the Dead and the truly only essential member of the band.  
 
This doesn't mean that I'm right, but I'm right for me just like you are right in your definition of Deadhead and what the Dead is and who was essential.  
 
All this said, your and other posts have made me put on a few bootlegs and DVD's and listen with a new ear. So thanks for that.