Grateful Moments

Due to some technical problems, I was not able to record my show today. I apologize. I will try my hardest to work out the problems in the next 2 weeks. Thank you for your patience. 

February 23, 1974- The Other One/Eyes of the World/One more Saturday Night
Winterland Arena, San Francisco, CA

As 1974, space jazz, expert level Dead you can get. In the Other One and Eyes of the World they take you to the edge of the cosmos, only to safely land you back in earth in the closer of the night, One More Saturday Night.

October 19, 1989- Cassidy
The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA

As the Dead closed out the 80's, they treated fans to their last great era as a band. After the first couple verses of 'Cassidy', the chemistry of the band fuses, and we're treated to one of the most beautiful jams they ever did. Every band member is playing in top form.  

October 18, 1972- Dark Star
Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO

CLASSIC 1972 Grateful Dead sound. Doesn't get more cosmic Dead than this. Space Jazz Dark Star for the first 20 minutes and then at approximately the 21-minute mark, Phil Lesh comes out of the cosmos to embark upon a bass solo that is downright dark and forbidding.  You can almost hear the rest of the band wondering the same thing you'll be wondering, 'where's he going to take this?' 

October 25, 1979- Shakedown Street
New Haven Coliseum, New Haven, CT

Late 1979 tour is highly revered by Deadheads. Brent Mydland had just joined the band, and he lent them some new, fresh energy. You can tell right off the bat, from Brent's opening lines, that the Dead have entered a new era, post Keith. Just like the '76-'77 Dancing in the Streets, this 1979 version of Shakedown Street is pure funk disco Dead-- in the best of ways. 

June 14, 1976- Crazy Fingers/Dancing in the Streets
Beacon Theatre, New York City, NY

Fresh off their almost 2-year hiatus, the Dead are ready to have some fun. The last couple minutes of Crazy Fingers they go into a Spanish influenced, jazz jam which transitions into pure funk disco Dead-- in the best of ways. I will go as far to say this Dancing in the Streets is the best cover song, ever. From Phil's disco funk bass line to Jerry's high energy guitar solo, you will be guaranteed to move. 

August 25, 1972- Cold Rain and Snow/Black Throated Wind/Beat it on Down the Line
Berkeley Community Theatre Berkeley, CA

Fresh off their legendary Europe '72 Tour, the Dead kick off one of their best eras that would last till late '74. This era is famous for its cosmic jazz improvisations, but in this episode of Grateful Moments I'm featuring more earthbound songs. Even though they're more straight forward, traditional song structures, don't be tricked by their simplicity! These songs have an almost mythic quality to them, their lyrics an archetype of tragedy and love. 

October 14, 1983- Space/Spanish Jam/The Other One
Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT

By the 80's, the Grateful Dead had mastered what it meant to conduct a show. Deep in the second set was where the magic happened, and where audience members became one with the band. This 'space' is Jerry at his most creative and inspired. This is the kind of Dead moments which spawned the Deadheads to follow the band around. 

October 14, 1983- Scarlet Begonias/Fire on the Mountain
Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT

Experience the glorious 80's from this very fine show. In my opinion a true gem. Incidentally this was Trey Anastasio's, from Phish, first Dead show! The transition between Scarlet and Fire is as good as any transition they ever did, and I wouldn't be surprised this transition alone didn't plant a seed in a young Trey's mind to start a band! 

July 27th, 1973- Watkins Glen Soundcheck Jam
Watkins Glen, NY

Free form 1973 jam. If you only had one song you could listen to, to understand the 1973 sound, this is it. This jam came 1 night before they were to play the Watkins Glen music festival. During their soundcheck, they emerged into one of their greatest jams in their entire career.