For a number of years I've been keeping a Grateful Dead notebook. Eventually, I began writing impressions and capsule reviews of shows I have in my collection. I've adopted the style Dead archivist Dick Latvala used for the sake of organization, but also as a small tribute to the man. This blog will be an online version of that notebook. Feel free to leave comments or to email me. I want this space to be an open forum for all Deadheads.

Monday, November 29, 2010

1973-03-28 - Springfield Civic Center

Venue: Springfield Civic Center - Springfield, MA
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None

Set 1
*Cumberland Blues, *Here Comes Sunshine, Mexicali Blues, Wave That Flag, BIODTL, *Loser, Jack Straw, Box Of Rain, They Love Each Other, El Paso, *Row Jimmy, Around And Around, Brown-Eyed Women, You Ain't Woman Enough, Looks Like Rain, *China Cat Sunflower -> *I Know You Rider

Set 2
Promised Land, Loose Lucy, Me & My Uncle, Don't Ease Me In, The Race Is On, *Stella Blue, Big River, Half-Step, *WRS Prelude -> *Dark Star -> *Eyes Of The World -> *Playin' In The Band, Johnny B. Goode

Comments:
11-29-2010: I know, I know. Just starting the site out and already two 1973 shows? Can't help it, it's arguably the Dead's most consistent and amazing year. I know I haven't touched the big '73 gigs (02-15, 05-26, 11-11, etc), only gems for now. Sometimes the lesser known shows serve as a useful tool to put shows and tours in perspective.

Big surprise to open with "Cumberland." Kicks the proceedings off with strong energy. Following up with "HCS" was very smart, given how transformative this tune became throughout the year. I'd go out on a limb and say that this was one of the first great versions of the year. (I'm fully aware that 02-15 is real gnarly as well.) Interesting bass sounds from Phil at the end of "HCS," sliding down the fretboard. His harmonic lines with Bob are on point. Love this version, though it's short compared to many other strong takes. First three cuts find Jerry in fine form, sharp tone ever-present. "Wave That Flag" pre-"U.S. Blues" lyrics is always hilarious. Got to admit though, that chorus is quintessential Dead. The first set remains song-centric, with a few longer excursions ("Row Jimmy," "Loser," and "Looks Like Rain.") Jerry's first solo in "Loser" matches the intensity and piercing tone from the 09-21-72 and Barton Hall versions. Strong playing by everyone in "China" -> "Rider."

Not gonna lie: second set looks just like a regular '73 first set would up until "Dark Star." (I was going to say "Stella Blue," since that tune is a second set regular as a landing patch or "everything's going to be okay" spot. But "Dark Star" easily draws the line.) "WRS Prelude" -> "Dark Star" is completely unexpected and very tasty, with big jam sections, and peaking solos by Jerry; it's not a deep space tune until nine minutes left. I refuse to call this '73 sound "jazzy" because there is nothing jazzy about it. I think it's a lazy crutch to describe the band's sound in this year. When they're jamming, it's fluid, open, controlled but expansive, and altogether fearless. This "Dark Star" has all of it. It's the best "Dark Star" of the year, with 11-11 coming in second. The transition into "Eyes" feels like an exhalation after the high concentration jamming. I can't believe they actually closed the show with "Dark Star" -> "Eyes" -> "Playin'." One the hardest-hitting jam segments this band ever put together. I give it a strong recommendation only for that, but truthfully, the feeble and bewildering first half of set two is enough to keep it from greatness. That's 1973 for you, adventurous, anything-goes jamming with sometimes odd setlist construction. There are other spring shows (02-09, 02-15, 05-26) that stand out as Lightning Skull gigs more than this one. This is still a solid companion piece to the more well-known early '73 shows.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

1973-10-25 - Dane County Coliseum


Venue: Dane County Coliseum - Madison, WI
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None









Set 1
*Bertha, *Big River, *Here Comes Sunshine, Black-Throated Wind, They Love Each Other, Mexicali Blues, TN Jed [missing from tape], Looks Like Rain [missing from tape], Deal [missing form tape], El Paso, Row Jimmy, *Playin' In The Band

Set 2
China Cat Sunflower -> I Know You Rider, Me & My Uncle, *Dark Star -> *MLB Jam -> *Dark Star -> *Eyes Of The World -> *Stella Blue, *WRS Prelude -> *WRS Part One -> *Let It Grow -> GDTRFB -> Saturday Night, E: Uncle John's Band

Comments:
11-23-2010: This tape was my very first fall 1973 show. Maybe that's why it holds a special place for me. It takes a little while for the soundboard recording to really hit its groove. There are audible jumps here and there, and Phil is barely there until maybe halfway through "Bertha." There are many shows (and some would argue setlist construction) where the ebb and flow of a set will incorporate slower tunes between big jams, usually as a way to regain energy. Here the band had energy to spare and piled it on with no reservations. I'd also like to note a phrase I use in these reviews. Big jams often have soft landing points, i.e., "Black Peter," "Stella Blue," "China Doll," "Wharf Rat," et. al. I call these "everything is going to be okay" moments because they bring us back to Earth in a reassuring way after an intense sequence. This show has one of those moments.

The "Bertha," "Big River" opening tunes are inspired versions, Jerry soloing with purpose, creating hard, peaking melodic phrases. As far as "Berthas" go, only 08-06-1971 has a similar, angular and tense solo section from Jerry. The tone-setting "Bertha" should be a sign that the Dead were starting shit and taking names. Phil's inspired in "Sunshine." Bummer that the three tunes are missing from an otherwise grade A first set. "Playin'" goes off into space with Captain Jerry showing the way. Not the farthest out played in the fall of '73, but a solid version nonetheless.

Dynamic rhythm playing by Bob in the "China Cat" jam before "Rider," where Jerry mostly laid out as Bob did his chordal-based soloing. This is definitely uncommon, but it works! The "Dark Star" and "MLB Jam" sandwich is proof of exactly what this band is about. Inventive improvisations, where the band is pushing and pulling against each other, discovering new realms and creating indelible spontaneous compositions. Jerry and Bill, and Phil to a lesser extent, are the main instigators. (This show is yet another piece of evidence suggesting that the Dead were at their best with just Bill on the drums.) The feedback and tense guitar scales send the "Dark Star" out to the far reaches of the universe. Scary. In the role of "everything's going to be okay," we get a stellar "Eyes," with Phil and Jerry on fire. I loved how Jerry and Bob were on the same page with the "Eyes" intro, as Phil and Bill hit the root note and snare drum, respectively, in unison a few seconds later. Talk about being in the zone. This mind-bending sequence segues perfectly into a gorgeous "Stella Blue." Oh, and they play the "WRS" afterward. What a show! Dick Latvala called it "one of the all-time, out-of-this-world kind of shows...the most uncompromising show in GD history perhaps." By the way, as if ending with "WRS" isn't enough, you get a barn-burning "GDTRFB" and a "Saturday Night." An unforgettable night where the energy and drive to explore never lagged. I cannot recommend this show enough.

Bertha

Let It Grow

Saturday, November 20, 2010

1977-11-06 - Broome County Arena

Venue: Broome County Arena - Binghamton, NY
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None









Set 1

*Half-Step, *Jack Straw, TN Jed, Mexicali Blues -> Me & My Uncle, Friend of the Devil, *New Minglewood Blues, *Dupree's Diamond Blues, Passenger, Dire Wolf, *The Music Never Stopped

Set 2
Samson & Delilah, Sunrise, *Scarlet Begonias -> *Fire One The Mountain -> Good Lovin' -> *St. Stephen -> *Drums -> *NFA -> *Wharf Rat -> *St. Stephen -> *Truckin', E: Johnny B. Goode

Comments:
11-20-2010: The last show of the '77 fall tour and of the upstate New York three-show run. All three gigs are outstanding, and in my opinion, rival the much admired May 07, 08, and 09 gigs. I'm aware it sounds heretical to say that, but I'm hoping to show why I feel that way through these reviews I'm uploading. I've had this tape for a while and I am continually amazed by how the band does not take a single moment off. Yes, there are flubs and mistakes, but the drive is always there. You can feel it in every song.

Any time "Half-Step" opens a show I'm going to take special notice and be absurdly happy. The jam in the coda section is lengthy - approximately two thirds of the song - and has impressive peaks all around. This was a fiery tune for the year, with many takes being considered absolute highlights: Alabama (05-17), The Mosque (05-25, with "Jack Straw" following too, one of their most underrated shows ever), and Winterland (06-09.) This take on the famed Jerry tune is a top fiver for the year (and therefore ever), with Englishtown (09-03) and Boston Garden (05-07) right up there too. The energy carried onto "Jack Straw," which burned with hot intensity. I'm not sure if the great segue between "Mexicali" and "Uncle" amounts to anything since the back-to-back tunes are a bit of a letdown. They must have dug the "Minglewood"/"Dupree's" pairing from two nights before because they repeat it here too, and it's just as tasty. Love the "Dupree's." The chord progressions suits Jerry's lyrical soloing style perfectly. "The Music Never Stopped" gets pretty out there as far as this song typically goes, and unfortunately, its return to the verse groove is completely botched. Jerry valiantly tries to make up for it, but the momentum feels lost. Phil's playing in "Samson" raises the bar for the rest of the band. The "Scarlet" feels a bit too loose, with lyrics missed and the structure a bit vulnerable. Jerry, as he is prone to do, jumps in to rescue the tune and boy does he deliver. Segueing into "Fire" take its sweet time and the suspense this creates is really enjoyable. The botched lyrics in "Fire" don't help though. Funny how that's endearing as soon as Jerry starts ripping. The rest of the second set certainly makes up for the lackadaisical beginning of it. Impressive "St. Stephen," "NFA" (with "Truckin'" teases) and one of the very best takes of "Wharf Rat."

Three straight shows in May and three straight shows in November. All six shows are top gigs for the year, perhaps excluding 05-07 (its "Half-Step" notwithstanding.) A very special year for the Dead, even the missteps worked and the inspired jamming was smooth and clean. Lightning Skull for my highest possible honor.

Half-Step

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

1974-02-24 - Winterland

Venue: Winterland - San Francisco, CA
Tape History: SBD
Release History: None

Set 1
U.S. Blues, Mexicali Blues, Brown-Eyed Women, BIODTL, *Candyman, Jack Straw, *China Cat Sunflower -> *I Know You Rider, El Paso, Loser, *Playin' In The Band

Set 2
Cumberland Blues, It Must Have Been The Roses, *Big River, *Bertha, WRS Prelude -> WRS Part One -> *Let It Grow -> Row Jimmy -> Ship Of Fools, Promised Land, *Dark Star -> *Morning Dew, Sugar Magnolia, NFA -> *GDTRFB -> NFA, E: It's All Over Now, Baby Blue

Comments:
11-21-2010: This was one of my first tapes along with 08-27-1972 and 05-08-1977, all from the nugs stash in early 2003. Love the opening comments from Bill Graham. Wonderful wah-wah solo by Jerome in "Candyman." Everybody's feeling pretty frisky in "China" -> "Rider," with Bobby playing some exceptional rhythm leads. The transition into "Rider" is invisible, and there Jerry picks up his playing. Surprisingly, the band goes into the "Feelin' Groovy" (or "UJB," if you prefer) jam in the middle. Big Phil bomb in the "headlight" verse. The first brilliant "Playin'" of the year, more mellow and exploratory than the intense, aggressive fall '73 style. Bill's drumming in the latter part of '73 and through most of '74 really drives the band forward. Listening to "Playin'" you could tell how much each member actually listening to one another, they never "went through the motions" in this period. Fiery "Let It Grow" gives way to a perplexing middle of the second set, where the flow is interrupted and song choices are confounding ("Row Jimmy" -> "Ship Of Fools," "Promised Land") before the majestic "Dark Star" -> "Morning Dew" pairing, one of the very best out there. (There's a short "Spanish Jam" near the 24 minute mark of "Dark Star.") I always felt this was one of my favorite '74 shows, but after digging the June, July, and August shows, I am unable to award this show a Lightning Skull.

"Playin'" notwithstanding, these February '74 Winterland gigs are more in character with the fall/winter '73 gigs than with the rest of 1974. Perhaps they should be heard as as continuation of the 1973 sound rather than straight up 1974 gigs. The band turned the corner after 03-23-1974 because that was when the Wall of Sound debuted. I like to say that the '74 sound came into being after that gig.

There are few tunes more cherished in the Grateful Dead catalog than "Dark Star" and "Morning Dew." When they are paired the results are often magnificent. This particular pairing, the tenth out of only 12 the band ever played, is enthralling. The band is patient and focused. A common description of this show is that it is "mellow," and though it may be somewhat of a cliche, it is also true. This "Dark Star" doesn't push to the outer realms, but it is beautifully developed. The "Dew" is an emotional landing point. I can't say enough about this sequence. For me, only 1972-09-21 (Dick's Picks #36) and 1973-10-19 (Dick's Picks #19) challenge this one. I'll be posting the review to 09-21 soon, so keep an eye out for that one!

Dark Star ->
Morning Dew