November 17 - November 23, 2008
As we mentioned last week, we’re going to stay in 1972 and 1973 this week here at the Tapers’ Section, but hold onto your hats, as we have some great material from those two mighty fine years.
First up is music from 11/18/72 in Houston, Texas, with this exceptional Playing In The Band. I’ve said it before and will say it again, this is one of my favourite versions, of one of my favourite songs, so it’s a real pleasure to share it here. It may have made an appearance here at the Tapers’ Section in the past, but it’s never bad to get a refresher on great music.
At the same venue in Houston the very next night, 11/19/72, we have the nice big second set jam featuring Dark Star>Weather Report Suite Prelude>Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo. These early WRS Preludes would occasionally pop into jams from about 1971 onward, until Bobby would join the prelude to Part 1 and Let It Grow in August/September 1973.
Next we have another of the finest jams of 1973, the magnificent Playing In The Band>Uncle John’s Band>Morning Dew>Uncle John’s Band>Playing In The Band sandwich from 11/17/73 at UCLA. This was the second of the three versions of this jam played (the others being 11/10/73 and 3/23/74), and some consider it the best, although all three are very special.
Lastly we have ANOTHER outstanding late 1973 jam featuring Mississippi Half Step>Playing In The Band>El Paso>Playing In The Band>Wharf Rat>Playing In The Band>Morning Dew. This and the previous selection from 11/17/73 demonstrate why I consistently call the two month period spanning 10/19/73 to 12/19/73 the greatest two month stretch in the Grateful Dead’s performing history.
Next week we’ll have music from 1973, 1979 and 1980, so don’t be late: same time, same place. See you then, we hope.
David Lemieux
vault@dead.net
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No Dead wars
Geez didn't mean to start a Dead Playing in the Band War.....apologize to anyones hurt feelings...especially Carolines. Maybe I didn't have enough Dead !!!!.. or a fattie yet before posting.
1972 rules!
I'm such a big fan of 72...I think it's the best year of the GD. I've said it a number of times. I really believe that a effort should have been attempted for 05/26/72...it truely is one of the best all time performances...however, I don't know how the reels are stored or if they're multi-track...I think betty C was running multi tracks but I"m not sure...
also , another great show that is underated is 04-29-72 hamburg, the performance is great and the aud source is beautiful ...the master would be insane...at 3 rd gen or so reel source you can tell the master is incredible....nice euro acoustics with the GD's PA sound...you can tell from the Bear aud's from 72 the PA sound was incredible, maybe the best it's ever been...although I don't know how the 74 wall of sound was, however, the vocal mics on the 74 were horrible to say the least...that design didn't work well..nice idea but didn't really work in the field well....
at least try to do some complete shows and if not put the damn out takes on the net for cheap download for us hardcores, please !!!!!
I wish that for just one time, You could stand inside my shoes, and for just that one moment, I could be you - Bob Dylan, Positively 4th St.
Best 2 months jamming?
David,
Gotta disagree with you. Europe '72 has to take the biscuit for jamming intensity. '73 great & '74, but the exquisite savagery of Europe '72 is already starting to dissipate.
Where are the counterparts to, e.g. 4.8.72 - Dark Star > Sugar Mags > Caution? Or the epic Truckin's of Europe '72.
But bring it on. No such thing as too much GOGD. Though I would like to see here a few more tasty bits that don't circulate. Pretty please.
a little personal, isn't it?
ouch... to claim sarcasm after the fact, but to personally attack others as a defense for our own spontaneous and ill-considered comments...it sure takes some of the fun out of it all, doesn't it? my feelings were not hurt- but i am a little shocked at the caustic nature of that comment...
thanks for the defense, gr8fulted, and i'd be glad to leave coffee duties to you!
it is a wonderful thing that we get these tidbits each week and that it is important enough to the folks at dead.net that someone manage this feature.
i would like to, once again, thank david and apologize to him for having to slug thru these sorts of posts...
caroline
Rhino - please get the vault biz going, now
let's hope the only reason that Europe 72 SBs have gone unheard here is that there are further plans for official product; they would be crazy not to be considering a big final archival multi CD release of the remaining nuggets. Rhino has wasting assets on its hands now, we fans who still pay for music are getting on in years.... I am almost 50, and relatively young compared to deadheads who got the scene going in the high-glory years. We have multiple financial, time and passion priorities now, and many of us won't be buying this music much longer. I no longer buy every GD vault release, skipped the Winterland '73 for example. I spend a fair amount on Zappa vault stuff too. (I agree totally that '72 is the apex performance year, '73-74 doesn't really come close. I go with DP 36 as best all-time release.) They need to crank it up. Cheers, Dan
11/19/72 Houston
The featured selection from Hofheinz does represent some of the Dead's best performance and is one of my favorite recorded shows. I think that the improvisations made with the new compositions released in 1973 are even better. Eyes of the World, in particular, during 1973 and 1974, is absolutely wonderful. The band sure had evolved.
Hey Now
Listening to another version of Half Step...Wow, just imagine the sparkling, twirling, ecstatic people flowing to this music...I know that I will never be able to go back into time and be there. I do know that this is the only way I will ever get to being close....Keep PLAYING IN THE BAND David and thanks for the delectable picks of the era.
__________________________
Will you come with me? Once in awhile you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right!
Bobby Rules!!!!!
The final Missisippi Half-Step is a fine example of the world's greatest rhythm guitar player. Totally awesome. The rest of the band is pretty good too!
Jerry
"This is but a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago."
Box of Rain
Lyrics by Robert Hunter Music by Phil Lesh
Weather Report Suite
7/21/72 had a WRS Prelude in it, although it's not always on the set lists. DeadLists.com shows it I think. I was there and remember it well because Bobby, shall we say, didn't do it too well and ended it in a bit of apologetic laughter.
Jerry
"This is but a dream we dreamed one afternoon long ago."
Box of Rain
Lyrics by Robert Hunter Music by Phil Lesh
WRP
Wow, can't imagine the sweetness that this could have brought...Thanks jerryair for pointing this out!
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Will you come with me? Once in awhile you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right!