Author Topic: Greatful dead and phish (Read 1012 times)

kmh364 · « **Reply #30 on:** May 19, 2004, 05:02:34 PM »

Ck out dead.net, the official Dead website, for info on all their recorded work up until '73 (all remastered in HDCD, with extra tracks thrown in) or so. It also has the Dick's Picks series of recorded concert gems from the vast dead tape archive, amongst other releases (incl. videos). Personally, I'm partial to the live stuff. Official Album-wise, that would be Live Dead, Skull 'n Roses (SkullF**k) and Europe '72 (aka Alembic's Masterpiece).

GD records stuff, not on the above site, is also significant. Wake of the Flood, Greetings from the Mars Hotel (Ugly Rumors), and Blues for Allah were the main beef that fleshed out the Dead's late 70's/early 80's live repertoire.

Jerry Garcia's website is offering remastered versions of most of his studio work (extra tracks included), and is in the process of releasing concert recordings of the JGB. His first Garcia and Cats Under The Stars are particular standouts in my mind. The former album launched a lot of dead concert staples into the dead repertoire.

Don't forget about Bob Weir's solo stuff, especially Ace, his first. A lot of tunes that came off this gem became Dead concert staples.

Last but not least, don't dismiss the Dead's Arista period. Besides the great chronicles of the 1980 NYC Radio City/S.F. Warfield shows (BTW, I was at Radio City for that run) entitled Reckoning (acoustic) and Dead Set (Electric), there is Terrapin Station...arguably the best sounding (fidelity-wise) of the entire Dead catalogue (Estimated Prophet and the epic entire-album-side title-track are particularly outstanding).

Try WinMX.com to get your feet wet for free, and then progress from there. There's so much Dead, both studio and live (both authorized and bootleg), that there's bound to be something that will light your fire.

Enjoy!

the_mule · « **Reply #31 on:** May 19, 2004, 11:59:50 PM »

I'm somewhat of a Deadhead myself, but I only have a small (but growing) collection:

- Grateful Dead (1st)
- Anthem Of The Sun
- Aoxomoxoa
- Workingman's Dead
- American Beauty
- Skull & Roses (live)
- Go To Heaven
- The Arista Years (2CD collection)
- Dick's Picks 1 (2CD live)
- Dick's Picks 10 (3CD live)
- Dick's Picks 28 (4CD live)
- Dick's Picks 29 (6CD live)
- So Many Roads (5CD live collection)
- Greyfolded (2CD of Dark Star 'plunderphonics')
- The Closing Of Winterland (2DVD)

(and a selection of solo outings by the various band members I won't mention for the sake of the length of this post)

OK, just one special pick: Phil Lesh & Friends - There And Back Again (be sure to get the 2CD version)

Although I'm very fond of the Workingman's Dead / American Beauty masterpiece (that's allright, I see them as one, rather than two albums) IMHO the Dead are best experienced live. I particularly love the period 1972-1978, great Alembic sounds to be found there! For a crash-course I can highly recommend the 'Winterland' DVD set I actually picked up after a topic in the Alembic Club. Finally, just to show that there are 'so many roads' that can get you there: I discovered the Dead after purchasing Dick's Picks 10 cheap at a record fair...

(BTW: I also like Phish, but certainly not as much as I like the Dead)

(Message edited by the_mule on May 23, 2004)

son_of_magni · « **Reply #32 on:** May 27, 2004, 10:48:41 AM »

Umm, not to go OT here or anything, but can someone recommend any Phish recordings that display their jamming style?
SoM

the_mule · « **Reply #33 on:** May 27, 2004, 11:12:00 AM »

'Live Phish 03' is a 3 disc live set from Y2K that contains some monster jams. I particularly like it, but according to the reviews on the WWW others have strong feelings AGAINST it, so a listerning session at the music store is recommended. I guess the whole 'Live Phish' series, and certainly the more polished 'Live' 2CD-set make(s) a good starting point. But don't ignore the studio albums, e.g. 'Farm House' and 'The Story Of The Ghost' are very nice actually...

zappahead · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2004, 11:51:43 AM »

I was reading on their site that Phish are apparantly breaking up after this tour. If you guys havent caught them Id find some tickets. Great live show, too bad to hear they are splitting up.

kmh364 · « **Reply #35 on:** May 27, 2004, 03:24:02 PM »

You can always go see the original jam band: The Dead (sans Jerry, of course) are comin' to a be-in near you this summer. I hadn't seen them since '91, and was reticent to see a show without Jerry. It turns out it's different but the same. No Jerry is weird, but the vibe is the same and it's cool to hear each of the band members (and special guests) take a stab at some old Jerry chestnuts. It's all good!

ajdover · « **Reply #36 on:** June 01, 2004, 08:11:41 PM »

Folks,

With all due respect, I just don't get it ..

I've listened to the Dead, and yes, it is interesting stuff, but ...

I just don't see how folks think they're the second coming.

Maybe because I grew up listening to Rush, Genesis, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Yes, Brand X, Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, ELP (and many Alembic players among them, BTW), I don't know. ....

While I respect what they did (and they did great stuff for musicians and the world of music), I just don't see why folks are so addicted to them. Again, just my opinion, and I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes (or ears!). Maybe I need to go to a live Dead concert to get the vibe... tickets, anyone?

If for no other reason, I like the Dead because they forwarded the cause of Alembic. I may not like their music, but their choice in instruments was/is impeccable! :-)

Alan

bassman10096 · « **Reply #37 on:** June 01, 2004, 09:26:31 PM »

Hi Alan:

It's hard to figure: Some people love the Dead. Many of the same (myself included) also like other music you mentioned liking. I've seen a few convert after seeing the Dead live once or twice - but not reliably, so it's not just the live performance thing. Speaking for myself, I enjoy the Dead for some reasons that even those close to me wouldn't understand (just not made the same way). But...many of them like the Dead for their own reasons.

After puzzling about the Dead's appeal and lack of appeal to different people, I think the only theory that holds water for me is this: The Dead embody a fairly unique set of styles. Sort of like the Doors did (for whom, inexplicably to some friends, I never could generate much of a frenzy). I guess bands whose uniqueness is similarly, well, unique are like that. They light some people up and totally miss with others. Yes is distinctive in that way, too. They've always really gotten to me but I've never had trouble locating people who found them less interesting.

Bill

ajdover · « **Reply #38 on:** June 01, 2004, 09:56:12 PM »

Bill,

Very interesting insights. However, I must say that if we're talking a unique set of styles, I think that's not in keeping from what I know of the Dead's music. Their stuff emodied a bunch of styles, none of them unique from what I understand (or could tell - and those of you who are fans, correct me if I'm wrong). I do agree that their music lights up some, others no. I'm in the others no category.

As far as Yes goes, true, you either like them, hate them, or are indifferent. In any event, you can't deny the talent, even if you don't like the music, much the same as I do with country music (and the Dead).

Anyway, the Dead played Alembics. Even if I can't appreciate their music, their choice of instruments is impeccable.

Best regards,

Alan

kmh364 · « **Reply #39 on:** June 02, 2004, 04:02:35 AM »

It's just like Harley-Davidsons: If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand, LOL! Seriously: there's nothing like a Grateful Dead Concert (to use another old bumpersticker cliche'). There's so much in the Dead repertoire that there's bound to be something for everyone. I got hooked as a 14yr. old by the newly released Terrapin Station LP (actually, 8-track tape, LOL!) and the old standby GD (Skull and Roses), thanks to my 4yr-older Dead Head cousin (and a little herb, LOL!). Some people only dug American Beauty/Workingman's Dead...the country albums(?), while others dug In the Dark (Touch of Gray). It's all good. I dig most all the bands mentioned by Alan (and have seen them at one time or another), but I'm still a Dead Head after all these years (27 and counting).

(Message edited by kmh364 on June 02, 2004)

David Houck · « **Reply #40 on:** June 02, 2004, 07:32:38 AM »

We all have our preferences, and those differences are a good thing. Alan suggested that perhaps the reason he never liked the Dead was maybe because I grew up listening to .., but I listened to, and liked, those same bands in addition to liking the Dead's music; so I humbly suggest that this theory may not entirely be the answer. I still study the Dead's music. I often think about Estimated Prophet, constructing bass lines and working out how to count each of the sections (the entire song is in 7; the head is best counted 4,4,4,2; the chorus is counted 3,4; then there are other sections that are 4,3); and I do the same thing with Help On The Way / Slipknot. The band that I occasionally play with does China Cat Sunflower, which is a great platform for ensemble improvisation; each time we play it, it's a new experience.

Here's my suggestion for someone who has trouble getting it but is open to a different approach. Listen to Jazz Is Dead. It will give you a totally different perspective on the music. Listen to their version of Help On The Way / Slipknot a few times and then go back and listen to the Dead do it. It's kind of like someone with no Jazz background listening to Coltrane for the first time; initially you may not get it, but over time when viewed fresh with a new perspective, it works.

dela217 · « **Reply #41 on:** June 02, 2004, 09:46:26 AM »

Alan,

I don't get it either! I tried to. I want to. Because of this very thread, I went and bought American Beauty. I put it in the CD player of the car and rode around with it for a couple of days. Still don't care for it. But for some reason, I like New Riders Of The Purple Sage. I am not a country freak, but I guess The Dead just isn't country enough for me or something.

son_of_magni · « **Reply #42 on:** June 02, 2004, 10:37:56 AM »

I guess I just have to chime in here too. I've always liked the Dead, pretty much every tune on every album. But their music is the only music that I enjoy listening to that I don't enjoy playing. What could that possibly mean? I do enjoy playing jazz, rock, fusion, jazz, classical, funk, blues, did I mention jazz?

(Message edited by son_of_magni on June 02, 2004)

dela217 · « **Reply #43 on:** June 02, 2004, 10:55:42 AM »

Son Of Magni,
I think I understand that. I cannot stand to listen to the blues. But I LOVE to play it. Strange huh? I guess it is the same sort of thing.

kmh364 · « **Reply #44 on:** June 02, 2004, 12:24:46 PM »

If you like NRPS, then you may find it easier to listen to Jerry's solo stuff, first album in particular. Workingman's Dead is also a little more country than American Beauty as well. Weir's Ace album is country tinged as well. I've found that the more you listen to the Dead (and their solo/offshoot stuff), the more there is to listen to (does that make sense?). As Jerry and Bob were bluegrass players first (Jerry on 5-str. banjo!), and Phil was a Major Domo in a marching band, etc., you get a lot of influences and styles thrown in there. Try Old and in the Way to get the bluegrass flavor (with David Grisman and Vassar Clements) as well. For something funky and different, Jerry's stuff with Merle Saunders is outstanding.