Grateful Dead - where next?

[Jules Gray]

There are tracks like that scattered around the big box too.

Really?  I'd love to see a list of all of the overdubbed tracks that weren't on the original Europe '72, or, even better, hear them all together.

Actually thinking about it, the ones I've noticed were all from the original Europe '72 album.  And it looks like they put the other contenders for "master takes" on Vol 2, so there may not be any more you haven't already got.  Though He's Gone, for example, is unedited.

Jules

[Jules Gray]

I prefer them, actually -- I've always thought that the Dead's live vocals were their weakest trait.  The few times they went back and overdubbed it usually was worth it, giving us the best of both worlds: on-pitch singing and thought-through harmonies combined with their generally inspired live musicianship.  I've often wondered if there were more from the Skull & Roses recordings too.

I know what you mean, but it still doesn't seem right to have studio vocals on what puports to be a souvenir of a concert tour.  What I would have done is had the "pure" live versions for the big box, to preserve unity, and used the overdubbed versions for Vol 2, so that both variations were out there.

Jules

[davidmjs]

Ratdog reunite (at least once)

http://www.relix.com/news/2011/12/25/ratdog-will-perform-next-month

[michael from naas]

Jules-can I ask for a bit of advice from yourself and other well informed Dead posters.

I used to listen to The Dead in a casual way (I know,contradiction in terms) mostly American Beauty and Workingman's Dead.

For reasons even I don't understand my interest has reignited.Something to do with getting older I suspect.

There is such a bewilderment of live material about that a comparative novice like myself has no clue where to start.

Would someone be kind enough to suggest a good "mainstream" primer to get me back on the road.

I have some itunes credit thanks to Christmas and no inherent objection to extended guitar wig outs!

Going to check out David Bromberg as well.A name I haven't heard in years.

Many thanks

Michael

[Jules Gray]

Jules-can I ask for a bit of advice from yourself and other well informed Dead posters.

I used to listen to The Dead in a casual way (I know,contradiction in terms) mostly American Beauty and Workingman's Dead.

For reasons even I don't understand my interest has reignited.Something to do with getting older I suspect.

There is such a bewilderment of live material about that a comparative novice like myself has no clue where to start.

Would someone be kind enough to suggest a good "mainstream" primer to get me back on the road.

The irony is that this thread started when I was a Dead newbie asking the very same question!

I would start with the original live albums from the early seventies:- Grateful Dead (aka "Skull and Roses") and Europe '72, both now available in expanded editions with extra tracks.

After that, well it all tends to get personal, depending on which era you prefer.  But you can't go wrong with the above two collections.

Jules

[samnitzberg (Sam)]

I would start with the original live albums from the early seventies:- Grateful Dead (aka "Skull and Roses") and Europe '72, both now available in expanded editions with extra tracks.

Wholeheartedly agree!  After that, I'd go with "Reckoning" which was an all-acoustic double-LP (now with bonus tracks, too, although I haven't heard them).  

And for the full-concert recordings of earlier shows that they began to release later on, I'd recommend "One From The Vault" and "Dick's Picks #18".  Both of these (well, at least the Iowa portion of the Dick's Picks one) were very popular vinyl bootlegs for years, until they were finally released officially.

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

http://www.tristudios.com/


Good Ol' Bobby's Scaring the Children, playing 'Ashes and Glass'.  

[michael from naas]

Jules/Sam,many thanks for your advice and suggestions.

I'm plumping for Europe 72 to begin with.Good mix of songs and some stretched out jams.

It'll get me through January anyway.

Thanks again and a Happy New Year

Michael

[Jules Gray]

Jules/Sam,many thanks for your advice and suggestions.

I'm plumping for Europe 72 to begin with.Good mix of songs and some stretched out jams.

It'll get me through January anyway.

Thanks again and a Happy New Year

An absolute pleasure.  Enjoy!

Jules

[sliprigilio (Al)]

For serious jamming/explorations you really should get the classic 'Live/Dead' from '69.  I'm pretty sure Jules is not so keen on this one but it's a classic (apologies, if I'm mis-quting you Jules)  - 'The Eleven' is a joy and 'Dark Star' sublime.  However, if you're keener on the more song-orientated it mat be a little heavy going...

Slippy
 

[Jules Gray]

For serious jamming/explorations you really should get the classic 'Live/Dead' from '69.  I'm pretty sure Jules is not so keen on this one but it's a classic (apologies, if I'm mis-quting you Jules)  - 'The Eleven' is a joy and 'Dark Star' sublime.  

Not mis-quoting me at all - it's my least favourite Dead album.  Oh the heresy!

Jules

[michael from naas]

Gentlemen,you can't fight in here,this is the War Room.

Just dipping my toe into Live Europe.

Downloaded it last night and just listening through in sequence to get a feel of the whole concert experience.


Very positive about it thus far,sort of a cosmic country rock vibe to it.

[Jules Gray]

sort of a cosmic country rock vibe to it.

Yes, that sums it up nicely.

Jules

[Jim]

 a cosmic country rock vibe to it.

pretty well sums up the Dead

[Jules Gray]

 a cosmic country rock vibe to it.

pretty well sums up the Dead

Except the parts that it doesn't, like the jazz bits and the folk bits and the....

Jules

[Jules Gray]

I'd recommend "One From The Vault" and "Dick's Picks #18".  Both of these (well, at least the Iowa portion of the Dick's Picks one) were very popular vinyl bootlegs for years, until they were finally released officially.

I'm playing the latter (DP18) for the first time right now - it's a very high energy performance.  Superb stuff!  I can add my name to this recommendation.

Jules

[michael from naas]

Just having a mug of tea and listening to He's Gone (rock and roll eh!)

For me it is the stand out song at the moment but it will take a few weeks of listening to get a handle on the whole album.

Will certainly be investigating some of the other suggestions people have made including some of the extended jamming stuff.

Not at least giving a listen to Dark Star or St Stephen would be a bit like going to France and not drinking any wine.

Thanks again for the enthusiasm and advice.

[Jules Gray]

Just having a mug of tea and listening to He's Gone (rock and roll eh!)

For me it is the stand out song at the moment but it will take a few weeks of listening to get a handle on the whole album.

Such a shame it fades out.  He's Gone from the same concert on the big Europe '72 box set doesn't (obviously) and for that reason alone it's the definitive version.

Jules

[davidmjs]

Some NYE stuff collected together here...

http://www.relix.com/blogs/picks-and-pans/2011/12/30/grateful-dead-new-year-s-eve-through-the-decades

[davidmjs]

I know what we'll do next, says Micky...

http://sfist.com/2012/01/09/golden_gate_bridge_to_be_turned_int.php

as you do...