Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound...

[StephenR]

New book about the Grateful Dead’s “Wall of Sound”. Loud and Clear:The Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection
https://www.mixonline.com/live-sound/writing-on-the-wall-of-sound-grateful-dead


Here is an excerpt…
https://www.mixonline.com/live-sound/grateful-dead-wall-of-sound-test


I am assuming that the author was in touch with Ron and Alembic as he researched and wrote the book but don’t have a copy yet and haven’t seen the credits.

[jazzyvee]

Hope it comes out as an audio book too so i can take it in on my way to gigs.

[pauldo]

The Wall of Sound doesn’t get enough credit for being an absolutely epic audio adventure. 

Hearing it in person must have been fabulous.

[edwardofhuncote]

Should be an interesting read.

[lbpesq]

I got to hear and see the wall several times in 1974, including the Sound Test.  It was quite amazing!

Bill, tgo

[StephenR]

There is a long "look inside"excerpt on Amazon that includes the table-of-contents, book starts at the band’s beginning and details their quest for live sound that will fully connect the band with each other and the band with the audience so everyone has the opportunity to experience the same thing. One of the sample chapters is about the 1966 Trips Festival. I plan to buy the book but for now put a hold on the incoming copy which is on-order at my local library, it will be published on the 17th of June.

[lbpesq]

I preordered the E edition back in April.   Looking forward to its release.

Bill, tgo

[pauldo]

I got to hear and see the wall several times in 1974, including the Sound Test.  It was quite amazing!

Bill, tgo

I can only imagine how amazing it was.
The idea of seeing a show and being able to hear everything without getting tinnitus is wonderful. 

LOUD concerts don’t make for good concerts.   So often it seems volume is used to mask musicianship.  Just because it can go to 11 doesn’t mean it should….  Now get off my lawn!!! 😜

[jon_jackson]

Thanks for the link. It looks good and I pre-ordered a copy. 

[matbard]

Just a curiosity: the rig of Jerry Garcia has been discussed several times, but what about Phil Lesh’s?

[cozmik_cowboy]

I got to hear and see the wall several times in 1974, including the Sound Test.  It was quite amazing!

Bill, tgo

I can only imagine how amazing it was.
The idea of seeing a show and being able to hear everything without getting tinnitus is wonderful. 

LOUD concerts don’t make for good concerts.   So often it seems volume is used to mask musicianship.  Just because it can go to 11 doesn’t mean it should….  Now get off my lawn!!! 😜

A few years after leaving the biz I spent a day as a helper on a liquor truck.  Well, way too many days, actually - but this dat the driver turned out to be the half-owner of a club I worked regularly; he asked "How come you weren't too loud, like every one else?"
Told him "I was loud - but I was also good; I knew it was more important to EQ the room so every thing was clear and audible.  I wanted people to hear what the band the doing - and still be able to next time we were there."




Peter

[Songdog]

I just ordered a copy of the book at my favorite independent bookstore, Brick & Mortar Books in Redmond, WA. It should be in sometime this week.

For Puget Sound area folks who might be interested, Brick & Mortar ordered a second copy "for the store". They're a five minute walk from the Redmond Town Center light rail station.

[Quasar1]

Ordered 

[cozmik_cowboy]

Mine is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

Peter

[jazzyvee]

How would the wall of sound compare in sound quality to modern day PA systems for comparable sized venues?
I guess Bill you have first hand experience of both.