Grateful Dead

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My eldest’s plane arrived at midnight a day late last night, as few flights could leave Vancouver due to snow, but due to high winds and crazy cold here, he sat taxiing until 2:30am, while my youngest waited to pick him up. I remember sitting on a plane for hours in Detroit for no good reason, and not much to do but smile smile smile.
Anyway, that’s all small potatoes to losing a family member, so condolences Nappy, and to all that lost a furry family member this year.
This month alone, we have lost a close family member (my bro-in-law/friend), one of my kids got laid off just before Christmas (working for Scrooge & Sons was likely a tip off), and a beauty fender bender in my SUV by my wife (no one hurt, thankfully, but the body shop is booked until APRIL!), so a fitting end to a really shite year (annus horribilis). However, we are alive, and blessed for home, family, friends, community, and music. Music is the salve for the wounds, and can bring joy from the first notes.

I wish my friends here a Merry Christmas, and a really amazing 2023.

It's been a harrowing year for many, with intervals of incredible awesomeness, so here's to us all, to happy gatherings, and to a better year ahead.

Merry Christmas to all. Condolences to Nappy, losing a life partner pet is very difficult, especially this time of year. Love the one you have left and keep on keeping on. It will get better.
Good bye to a shitty year, hospital, car wreck, hospital again, but this next year will be a good one.

Nappy, Im sorry for the loss of your pet.

Ovenchkin overtakes Gordy Howe and is in the 800 goals club with him and The Great Gretsky.
Viks last second win with a 61 yd. FG. This is starting to get real.
Cheers
Condolences Nappy. That's how ours went too this year.

Sorry for your loss. It’s been a brutal year all around.

5° outside. 20 mile an hour winds. And our furnace goes out. Those greedy bastards tripled the service call rates all the way through until Tuesday. Worst of all, the technicians actually going out on the service calls don’t see a nickel of it.

So what do I do? Anonymously pay for breakfast for a table police officers.

Congratulations to Ovy. Unfortunately I get the sense he’s sticking around just to break the all-time goal record. Which is too bad. He’s a tremendous player and I really like him, but he’s not in the same league as Gretzky. He’s got his Cup and should move on.

Favorite Christmas songs. . . Silent Night. Not even close. Way, way back in second place would be little drummer boy.

Merry Christmas to all you good folks.

Happy Happy Holidays to all, these forums are most often a most wonderful gathering of kindred spirits with great sharing and love of music, my thanks goes out for many kindnesses, good stories, real life adventures. Briefly postponed travel to see family and friends in the mid Atlantic area due to this crazy weather, yesterday was bizarre for Vermont, flood watch, near hurricane strength gusts, very thankful the power stayed on through it all. Nappy, condolences for your loss. This year has been a tough one, yet the light and warmth of friendship has carried me and I hope all of us further. My pick for single most meaningful would be Carol of the Bells, because of its Ukrainian origin. Not to be political, just thinking of them. Strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hand, everybody's playing in the heart of gold band.

The Grateful Dead only played twice on Christmas Eve, 12/24/66 Avalon Ballroom & 12/24/67 The Palm Gardens, Ny. They played a 3 show run at the Palm Gardens in 1967.

"Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Joseph Spence is my favourite, hands down. Another good record is "Christmas Eve Blues" by Blind Lemon Jefferson.

My 3 favorite Christmas songs (hymns actually)
are:O Come, All Ye Faithful, Away In A Manger and Hark The Herald Angels Sing. I bet you can’t tell I grew up in a Baptist Church, going 4 times a week until I was old enough to decide not to go. I’m not anti-religion at all, just anti-dogma.
To Nappy Rags and everyone who lost beloved quadrupeds this year, you have my true sympathy, empathy and compassion. Pet ‘children’ have been a part of my life for over 55 years. And even though if I think too hard about the obvious outcome, I always choose joyously, to form that next magical bond, after mourning the loss of the previous one. I’ve heard it said that death is a part of life. And so it may be, but it’s certainly not the highlight.

And lest I get too morose, for those celebrating a rather Historical Birth tomorrow, Merry Christmas!!
And to all faiths, may this season of contemplation and devotion bring joy to all, regardless of which Holiday you celebrate, or even if you choose not to celebrate anything, we can all celebrate our beloved critters.
I don’t think Santa Claus is bringing me any gifts this year. Perhaps I was more naughty than nice.
Peace and Love to everyone out here in Deadland.

Saw Garcia and Grisman play this at the Warfield Theatre , they really sounded great!

I remember seeing John Fahey do an incredible version of Silent Night at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley. You could hear a pin drop in the room,it was amazing. Merry Christmas to everybody, I hope everybody has a fantastic day!

Nappy , so sorry to hear about your loss!
Billy, 12/24/1966 was released under the wrong date of 9/16, as the Vintage Dead LP. 12/24/67 is mia though.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to ALL

Band of Gypsys style. My favorite Christmas song. (It's a cautionary tale via sound collage.) Although there IS a recording of Jimi doing Little Drummer Boy...

I'm a pagan, so the holidaze mean Winter Solstice for me. A little of this (whiskey) and a little of that (Indica), an electric guitar and a couple of friends with which to make some noise to celebrate the Solstice. The good news: days are getting longer. Not-so-great-news: only by a minute and a half each day. Gotta focus on the trend! January and February can be a tough slog before March-April's wet snows and spring fights its way out of winter until the contest comes to a head in May around here; in the past, spring has prevailed each time, but the climate's getting weird, so ya never know.

Nappy, sorry for your loss. Truly. I put down my 20-year-old, Zoe, in May. Last night I dreamed she showed up as a kitten -- I recognized her instantly -- and I told my father (in the dream) that she was still alive. He looked me kind of oddly, but said nothing. (He passed away in June.) I woke up crying. I expect to hear from her again in the long goodbye. Life is a bittersweet place. Ya gotta love, and the price of love is loss and grief. Two sides of a coin. (Although my divorce was all upside... rimshot!)

Best wishes to all! 2022 was kinda rough. Here's to better times, as always.

Back to Seattle tonight

Recommendations:
Anza Borrego state park
Joshua Tree NP
Indian Canyon

My own Christmas miracle: my daughter was able to get out of Seattle Wednesday and join us here even though many flights were cancelled. She's been going through her first big breakup and HAD to get away from her day to day. (We had left a few days earlier). I mean, she was in need of getting away.

A Christmas/Festivus/ Solstice / call it what you will miracle.

:)))))))))))))))))))))

P.S. saw a hippie chick at ABSP with a really cool Jerry shirt.

God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen (Dawg/Garcia)
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Shake Your Christmas Butt (PussNBoots)
Piece of You (Big People)
Fairytale of NY (Pogues)
Run Rudolph Run (Pig Pen)
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies

I never knew that was 12/24/66. Makes me wonder what date Historic Dead was recorded. Both those albums are well worth getting.
A few more blues approved Christmas songs are "Merry Christmas Baby" by Robert Nighthawk and "Christmas Time Blues" by Black Ace. Elvis made some good ones too, of course. "Blue Christmas" is a beaut. Brian Setzer also has some cool Christmas cds and dvds out there. The dvds may be best, so you can gaze at his Gretsch's.

Released nearly forty years ago, Christmas music done Dawg style, fun listen. Mike Marshall, Bela Fleck, Darol Anger, Rob Wasserman, even Donald Duck shows up for one number. Darol's recent projects with Mr. Sun band well worth checking out. Greensleeves tune was hijacked for Christmas music, started as a ballad almost 450 years ago, noted by Shakespeare. Interesting piece today in Politico about the weed glut in Michigan, elsewhere.

Don't have the exact date for this one, but it's earlier than Vintage Dead.

Christmas records today:

Leon Redbone: Christmas Island
Merry Christmas From Motown (Various artists - 1969)
Spinal Tap: Christmas With The Devil
Joey Ramone: Christmas
Elvis: Christmas Album
Wizzard: I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday

Merry Christmas (and all similar return-to-the-light festivities) to everybody. . . And Nappy, so sorry to hear that Violet had to leave. Sounds like she had a great run in the Rags household. There's something special about those bittersweet smiles and remembrances of our furry companions that's uniquely special. Onward. . .

Hey Cousins, That's interesting about Vintage Dead actually being from 12/24/66. There seems to have always been some confusion, and 9/16 had sounded plausible from what little documentation I was ever able to run down. Where can I find Vintage Dead (and possibly Historic Dead) attributed to 12/24/66? THANKS!

[EDIT: Oops! I was pecking out this post after your last post had already popped up. Still, any further info from that mysterious and misty state of mind called 1966 will be appreciated.]

If you listen closely to Bob's second line in Dancing in the Streets, you'll notice he says "it's the winter of the year"; back then he often adjusted that line to match the season. Jerry's guitar sound and the band's overall sound is much closer to mid-december/early '67, thank summer 66.
Also, Mike Dolgushkin(if you heard of him - he's on facebook) will confirm the Vintage Dead date; he's a reliable source.

The Dead signed an agreement that this music was to be released along with the other S.F. Bands that played at the Avalon Ballroom and released as a compilation of S.F. Bands. The Deads music was the only music that came out, it came out to cash in on the success of Working man's Dead. Garcia said it was cool if you were there that night, but it aint what's happining now, he said that in 1971.

....could be a blessing or a curse. Have a Merry Jerry Christmas everyone!

And a good time to go look for Vintage and Historic Dead, which I don't believe have ever come out on cd. I'd just check out Discogs and see if there are any reasonably good condition copies for sale that won't break the bank.

Jerry's comment about how the music on these albums sounded cool if you were there on the night, but ain't what's happening now, as quoted by Billy, is an observation that could have been applied to any live Dead album released during their life time. "Cool if you were there on the night" being an understatement in some cases.

Daverock, you make a great point, that you could say that about any of the Deads live recordings. Garcia said that in that Rolling Stone Book about him. But he also said several years down the line, when somebody asked him about what he thought about that book, he said he wish he could just burn the thing , thats not a direct quote but basically what he said. So take it for what it is.

A great show to kick off a great run of shows. This whole run of shows would have made a great boxset.

Things do change, don't they? Coulda used a "weed glut" -- an inelegant but compelling phrase -- back in the day.

These days, seems like certain Michiganders could use gummies the size of a golf ball. Bon apetite!

Oro: how could I have forgotten Pig's 'Run Rudolph Run'? I'm slipping.......

Everybody loves the Michigan glut

That lovin' glut

(courtesy of that classic singing frog cartoon)

Billy - I think that's the name of the book. I thought it was alright, myself - certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. I can understand why he would be though - just having a stoned rap with someone one afternoon, then what you say gets printed and it's there for eternity. The price of fame, I guess-people think you know what you are talking about. And worse...remember what you say!
I've just watched the first hour of the newish David Bowie blu ray "Moonage Daydream" - now that is embarrassing. Loads of out of context quotes on God, philosophy - you name it - overlaid on clips of him performing live. It takes the word pretentious to a whole n'other level. The only saving grace in the first hour is Jeff Beck playing "Jean Genie" onstage at that last Spiders gig in 1973.

Best film I've seen recently is "Last Night In Soho" - brilliant. Incredible cover of the old Petula Clark hit "Downtown" sung by Anya Taylor-Joy. You can see the down tempo version online - truly spine tingling.

I have been wanting to see that, but Daverock has tempered my enthusiasm a bit

Maybe I'll stick with the albums I am familiar with

‐-------------
A week in Palm Springs
We return last night
This morming at 645 a windstorm blows through and sends a lighting frame from the rooftop deck to the street below. I go out and get it off the sidewalk in high winds and rain
Welcome back to Washington, bitch!

Luckily no people or cars were hit
Lights are salvagable
Frame is not
I just got done ripping it apart and putting it in trash

gr8 flick, check it out when you can, takes you right back to the sixties and Anya Taylor-Joy is a delight to watch and the ending is awesome.
Christmas music
Kinks Father Christmas
Greg Lake I believe in Father Christmas
Eartha Kit Santa Baby
Elvis Blue Christmas
Robin Williams impersonating Elmer Fudd singing Blue Christmas
Sting Gabriel's Message
Bing Crosby and David Bowie Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth
don't forget Chuck Berry's version of Run Rudolph Run
Living up here in these mountains is beautiful except when it gets this cold, 2 degrees on Xmas eve, main lines here in the city froze and burst, nothing but a brown trickle coming out of these pipes here for 3 days now, still have power but no water pressure, so toilets don't work, have to be hand filled to flush, big fun.
I will be very happy when this year is over.

You have my sympathy, cuz.

For the record, an Italian ‘collector’s’ label called Oil Well put both of these early live dead albums on 1 cd. Just under 69 minutes of music. Catalog # is RSC CD 088. I’m sure it’s not easy to track down but there have to be a couple of copies floating around. As far as Jerry’s quote (and someone already alluded to this), I’m sure it was great if you were there, but if you weren’t or couldn’t be there, than listening to the recording is DEFINITELY the second best thing to being there. Otherwise, Dick’s & Dave’s , Road Trips & subscriptions wouldn’t exist as a business, just a place for Heads to reminisce.
I don’t know about y’all, but I gave up going out on New Year’s Eve many years ago. Why even risk getting hurt or killed by a drunken butthole trying to drive while oiled to the gills.
Perhaps a good movie instead. Thanks for the tip DAVEROCK!!
Be safe everyone, because very soon we can start talking about #45!!

I received a full collection of Monty Python's flying circus episodes for x-mas. The post office dented the box a little. Stupid git.

.... playing my "old" metal/rock albums on my turntable.
BOC - Extraterrestrial Live is up.
My last five will include random metal bands from the '80's. Give me a minute.

MPFC

I'm with Mr Ones on that one - the last time I went out on New Years Eve was 1999 I think. Maybe an odd one since , but left to my own devices I'd rather stay in. Incidentally, I think you ( Mr Ones), in particular, would like "Last Night In Soho" being into mid 60's music.
Proudfoot - sorry If I put you off "Moonage Daydream". A lot of people rate it very highly. It does have great sound and picture quality. There are lots of great clips of him playing live with The Spiders, too - but they are all cut. One minute you are watching the band, the next he is being interviewed - then back to the live clip, but with Bowie talking over the top of it. What he says and asks seems irrelevant now as well. He didn't get on with his mum. He doesn't believe in God, but he does believe there is something out there. As Eddie Cochran sang.. "Who cares...C'mon Everybody".

the Grateful Dead, but I did see and snatch up one Dick's Picks reissue -- #34, 11-5-77 -- and that thing smokes! Just about every song on the first two discs is top shelf, even ones I'm not crazy about (er, Samson & Delilah). I was never taken with the revival of St. Stephen, it always seemed awkward, but this one works.

Classic case of "too much '77, but this particular show is killer!" Which can be applied to most of '77, the year that keeps on giving. I have a good feeling that 1-2 Oct '77 from Portland will catch fire as well.

Have a very Nappy New Year all!

43 years ago, I was at the Oakland Auditorium for a great night with the Good Old Grateful Dead. This whole run could have been released as a box set. Big Fun!

1979 December run

Ja, gerne

....just listened to it today at work. Good stuff. Onto the 28th!

12/27 was a busy night for Grateful Dead Shows. I'm sure alot of the people who post here were also at these shows. Fun times!

My first show, and look what happened. I don't think it's regarded as one of the all time greats, but it did the job... Acoustic set too. I still like listening to it and going oh yeah, that happened.

Happy New Year and Holidays to all.

Thanks Dave - 2022 has been a great year indeed. The MSG box incredibly good as are the Dave's Picks this year.

Ran through DiP5 last night. Man, still a great show.

Want to congratulate Warner/Rhino on the Little Feat Waiting on Columbus box. What a great box. Feats put on a hell of a show a few weeks back. Although, I think Ticketmaster stole ticket sales from them in this scheme that have, which is now under investigation.

Govt Mule had a great show here, but their sound guy is horrible. Funny to see several 20 y/o's bitching about crowd noise as they tape. When the sound is that bad, maybe try a sound board patch. Still probably wouldnt be a very good tape. Maybe have to see if I can find a copy of that show to see if maybe I am wrong. Sound guy at the console playing around with his phone.

Joe Satriani put on an incredible show also and had some of the most advance line arrays I have seen in a long time. Made me realize the change in how bands are sold and marketed. The way our new Music Hall is designed backwords from traditional venues. That is, the expensive seats are up top with private bar (VIP type access) and then the line arrays put those seats with the best sound. Funny to see things flip.

2022 was the greatest one year of shows in my life, just a lot of great music around here.

Been 35 years since December 27, 1987 Oakland Coliseum. What an incredible show. The whole run was excellent and fun, well, except the weather. Lots of cold rain and (no snow) but wind. I have been listening to a good soundboard of it today.

Time keeps on ticking...into the future. Hope to write more about 1987 New Years run...

Again, hope all the regulars are well and ready for a great new year!

G

And belated Merry Christmas.

PT Barnum, I also like Greg Lake's I Believe in Father Christmas (single version, because the one on Works Volume 2 is mixed differently and not as good).

2000 Miles by the Pretenders is great. Very sad to hear the true meaning behind it which I just found out last week. Chrissie Hynde wrote it about her buddy guitarist in the band James Honeyman-Scott who also cowrote a few of their songs with Hynde, and provided that cool guitar sound from Brass in Pocket. They had just had an emergency band meeting after their 2nd album. From what I gather it was pretty much Chrissie's band and she fired their bass player Pete Farndon for getting too heavily into drugs and negatively affecting the band. Two days later James Honeyman-Scott died of a cocaine overdose. Ironic since he wasn't the one who got fired. Then a year later Farnon died of a heroin overdose. Beautiful song that I enjoy every year at Christmas time, but will never hear it the same way again.

Now that I bummed everyone out Vguy has to tell one of his jokes.

I found a great newer copy of 2/15/73 at the Dane on the archive site. Look for the version that was added in 2020. It's one of the finest sound boards I've ever heard from the 70s before hiatus.

....The Jewish guy turns to the Chinese guy and says, "Fu*k you and your people, for bombing Pearl Harbor!"

The Chinese guy is like, "WTF?! That wasn't us. That was the Japanese!"

The Jewish guy: "Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese... you're all the same."

After a few minutes and another beer, the Chinese guy turns to the Jewish guy and says, "Fu*k you and your people for sinking the Titanic!"

The Jewish guy: "Huh? They ran into an iceberg..."

Chinese guy: "Iceberg, Goldberg, Steinburg, you're all the same."
------
I would love to see Joe Satriani live. Incredible guitar player.
I only made it to one New Years run. 1991. Only saw the first two shows though. Couldn't find tickets for the 30th and the 31st. One one the very few times I went to shows without tickets in hand.

....at the Capitol tonight with a Cumberland! Treys horn section and Holly Bowling on the keys!
Very noice.

Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Slayer - reign in blood
Judas priest - rocka rolla
Metallica - ride the lightning
AC/DC - let there be rock

28 1979