Freedom to Music
Archive for April, 2011
Grateful Dead – Download Series 07 (Live 1980) (@256)
24 Apr 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
This archival release features the show from September 3, 1980, in Springfield in its entirety on the first two discs. Also included is a third disc, which comprises most of the second set from the following evening.
The first set includes standard performances. The highlights include inspired performances of “Mama Tried” > “Mexicali Blues”. The transition to them from a solid “Franklin’s Tower” is well executed. Garcia’s solos during “Mexicali Blues” emphasize some excellent guitar runs. Following is an excellent rendition of “Althea” that features nice musical interplay as well as Jerry in fine vocal form. Weir pushed the band throughout the set. He is energized and seems to be in all the right places.
The second set begins with a strong showing of “Feels Like a Stranger”. The jam that follows “Saint of Circumstance” adds some interest.
After “Space” is “He’s Gone”, which was hinted at during the pre-drums “jam”. That is the beginning of a generous helping of music that is generally upbeat, with a sweet ballad, “Black Peter” in the middle. The Chuck Berry numbers to close the set are highly jubilant.
The third disc has music that was performed on the next day, at the Providence Civic Center and it is exceptional! A few “warm-up” songs are missing that start the set. The music begins with an electrifying “Supplication Jam” that melts into a great “Estimated Prophet”. The ending jam of it features Jerry peeling the most fluid notes one can imagine off of his guitar strings. The “Eyes of the World” is rapid, but good jams are abundant so whose to complain. Because of the missing songs, “Drums” arrive quicker than expected. Believe it or not, the post drums material is just as scrumptious as the music that precedes it. A tight performance by all accounts, with Jerry being particularly on fire. The jams in “Wharf Rat”, “GDTRFB” and “Good Lovin’” are all superb.
“Download Series 7″ sure packs a lot of music onto its three discs. The sound quality is nice and the fact that 1980 soundboards are not as abundant as other years further adds to its appeal.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 8:26
02. Franklin’s Tower – 9:12
03. Mama Tried – 2:26
04. Mexicali Blues – 5:01
05. Althea – 7:59
06. Little Red Rooster – 7:45
07. Candyman – 7:33
08. Easy To Love You – 4:30
09. Let It Grow – 10:56
10. Deal – 4:32
CD2
01. High Time – 8:12
02. Lost Sailor – 7:10
03. Saint of Circumstance – 6:12
04. Jam – 2:48
05. Drums With Brent – 2:47
06. Rhythm Devils – 8:51
07. Space – 2:15
08. He’s Gone – 9:57
09. Truckin’ – 8:11
10. Black Peter – 9:08
11. Around and Around – 3:58
12. Johnny B. Goode – 4:40
13. Brokedown Palace – 5:22
CD3
01. Supplication Jam – 4:36
02. Estimated Prophet – 10:29
03. Eyes of the World – 8:09
04. Rhythm Devils – 11:11
05. Space – 6:46
06. The Other One – 8:00
07. Wharf Rat – 9:49
08. Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad – 6:49
09. Good Lovin’ – 8:04
10. U.S. Blues – 5:25
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21st Century Schizoid Band – Official Bootleg Volume One (2002) (@256)
24 Apr 2011
(Review from seaoftranqulity.org)
Here’s a little something that will rub that “nostalgia itch” for all King Crimson fans, especially lovers of the band’s first few albums. Featuring former members Ian McDonald, Michael Giles, Mel Collins, Peter Giles, plus former Level 42 guitarist/vocalist Jakko Jacszyk, 21st Century Schizoid Band plays a variety of vintage Crimson tunes that the actual band itself no longer covers. Never intended as an official release, but more as a souvenir of the 2002 tour, this is a nice walk down memory lane.
Hearing these geezers run through the jazzy “Catfood” , complete with squonking sax from Collins and McDonald’s rolling piano lines, brings back fond memories of one of the most overlooked Crimson albums, In the Wake of Poseidon. Jacszyk does a good job coming up with a Greg Lake flavored vocal, as he does on all the songs covered here. The band really gets the “sound” on “In the Court of the Crimson King”, complete with McDonald’s flute and Mellotron samples. The band pulls out “Formentara Lady” from the Islands LP, a real introspective tune that gets royal treatment here with lovely woodwinds from Collins, as well as the more jarring “Ladies of the Road”, where Jakszyk does a good job mimicking Fripp’s jangly guitar work as it does battle with Collins and his nasty sax tone. Of course, this set would not be complete without a rendition of “21st Century Schizoid Man”, the metallic progressive rock classic, in which these guys really rock the house with note for note precision, yet add a strong jazz feel at the same time. Other tunes included are “A Man A City” (the Crimson title is actually “Pictures of a City”) and the lovely “I Talk to the Wind”.
For longtime King Crimson buffs, this live album will be a load of fun. Some familiar faces dust these tunes out of the closet after 30 years and give them a fresh reworking.
Line-up:
- Mel Collins / Saxes, Flute, Keys & Backing Vocals
- Michael Giles / Drums
- Peter Giles / Bass, Backing Vocals
- Ian McDonald / Saxes, Flute, Keys & Backing Vocals
- Jakko Jakszyk / Guitar, Vocal
Track List:
01. A Man A City – 8:27
02. Catfood – 4:52
03. In The Court Of The Crimson King – 7:28
04. Formentera Lady – 12:44
05. Ladies Of The Road – 7:16
06. I Talk To The Wind – 5:25
07. 21st Century Schizoid Man – 7:37
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 06 (Live 1968) (@256)
23 Apr 2011
(Review from dead.net)
This is a rare treasure from March 1968 at the Carousel Ballroom. This single disc release includes all of the second set and a “Lovelight” which was the only song salvageable from the first set.
The sound quality is remarkable for its age, with a nice full mix; it has a song list that is exceptional even for this era of preposterously stunning song lists; and the performances match up with, and at times surpass, the much-lauded Tahoe 1968 release.
The albums starts with the first-set-closing “Lovelight”. The rest of the first set was marred by technical problems wrought in part by sound experiments conducted on the master tapes during production of “Anthem of the Sun” late in 1968.
The second set is a 60+ minute non-stop jam, featuring all of the staples of the era (“That’s It For The Other One,” “New Potato Caboose,” “China Cat Sunflower,” and the “The Eleven”) culminating with a powerful, intense and dynamic “Caution” that will drop your jaw. To cap it all off, a way-out “Feedback” jam ends this outstanding one-disc wonder.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / vocals, organ, harmonica
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
01. Turn on Your Lovelight – 16:16
02. That’s it for the Other One – 9:17
03. New Potato Caboose – 8:26
04. China Cat Sunflower – 4:41
05. The Eleven – 10:56
06. Caution (Do No Stop on Track) – 20:54
07. Feedback – 7:15
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 05 (Live 1988) (@256)
22 Apr 2011
(Review from dead.net)
From the Spring Tour of 1988, this is a triple set of all the March 27, 1988 show from the Hampton Coliseum.
Every year in the Grateful Dead’s touring history contained shows that were justifiably considered to be the best of the year. For 1988, this is it. Those who were present agree that there was magic in the air that night. It is an incredibly dynamic concert with an impeccably clean, crispy pure recording, which reveals every nuance of this amazing concert.
Highlights are many, with some rarities mixed in the fold on this special night alongside stellar versions of several Grateful Dead classics.
Early in the first set, we are treated to the first and one of only two performances of Bob Dylan’s “Ballad Of A Thin Man”, followed by the country one-two punch of “Cumberland Blues” and “Me and My Uncle”. Next up is the return to the rotation of “To Lay Me Down”, its first appearance in almost five years.
The second set features the most powerful version of the trio of “Sugar Magnolia>Scarlet Begonias>Fire On The Mountain” since the Closing Of Winterland, preceded by the only version ever played of Miles Davis’ “So What”. Later, the second set includes terrific renditions of “Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad” and “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, all capped by the expected “Sunshine Daydream”.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, Vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Iko Iko – 5:06
02. Little Red Rooster – 8:32
03. Stagger Lee – 5:33
04. Ballad of a Thin Man – 7:04
05. Cumberland Blues – 5:02
06. Me and My Uncle – 3:10
07. To Lay Me Down – 8:03
08. Let It Grow – 11:22
CD2
01. Space – 2:19
02. So What – 0:57
03. Sugar Magnolia – 5:13
04. Scarlet Begonias – 10:55
05. Fire on the Mountain – 10:39
06. Estimated Prophet – 10:29
07. Eyes of the World – 8:31
08. Rhythm Devils – 7:33
CD3
01. Space – 7:31
02. Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad – 5:52
03. I Need a Miracle – 3:19
04. Dear Mr. Fantasy – 4:53
05. Sunshine Daydream – 4:45
06. U.S. Blues – 5:43
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Hearts and Flowers – Complete (1968) (@256)
22 Apr 2011
(Review from amazon)
This Los Angeles based trio is among a handful of 1960s groups to turn out stellar major-label releases to little or no acclaim, and only faint memory among the few who heard them at the time. Their two Capitol albums of West Coast country-inflected folk-rock predated or paralleled many which found fame, such as efforts from The Beau Brummels, Byrds, Dillards and Flying Burrito Brothers, and matched them in quality and innovation. This is a perfect storm of folk and rock, with country touches, sunshine-pop production and age-of-Aquarius sensibilities that lends both albums the magic glow of 1960′s social awareness and utopian hope.
The band’s debut, 1967′s “Now is the Time For… Hearts and Flowers,” combines light-psychedelic touches with Nik Venet’s crystal-clear production across a combination of originals and songs selected from the pens of Donovan (“Try for the Sun”), Tim Hardin (“Reason to Believe,” popularly recorded by Rod Stewart), Hoyt Axton (“10,000 Sunsets”), Goffin & King (“Road to Nowhere” – the B-side of their first single), and a fine cover of the Merle Haggard hit “I’m a Lonesome Fugitive”. The entire album balances folk and country influences similarly to Brewer & Shipley’s best work. Sadly, despite prominent opening slots on tours by The Doors and Simon & Garfunkel, the album went nowhere commercially.
Before recording their second album, 1968′s “Of Horses, Kids and Forgotten Women,” guitarist/vocalist Rick Cunha departed and was replaced by future Eagle, Bernie Leadon. This sophomore LP includes a more generous helping of originals (including a reprise of the title track from the debut!), along covers of Arlo Guthrie’s “Highway in the Wind” and James Lee Kincaid’s “She Sang Hymns Out of Tune.” The band’s original “Two Little Boys” would become a hit for Rolf Harris a couple of years later. Nik Venet added more orchestration to the second release, resulting in heavier psychedelic influence on cuts like “Ode to a Tin Angel.” Though more in line with popular LPs of 1968, the band still found little commercial success, and were drifting apart by the time the album hit the stands. One could argue that they left the stage set and the amplifiers warmed up for The Byrds’ “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” and Gram Parson’s post-Byrds recordings.
This compilation collects all twenty-two tracks from the original pair of albums. It also includes thirteen previously unreleased tracks that are well worth having.
Line-up:
- Rick Cunha / Guitar, Vocals
- David Dawson / Autoharp, Vocals
- Bernie Leadon / Guitar
- Larry Murray / Guitar, Vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Now Is The Time – 1:25
02. Save Some Time – 2:41
03. Try For The Sun – 2:43
04. Rain, Rain – 2:35
05. The View From Ward Three – 2:58
06. Rock And Roll Gypsies – 2:22
07. Reason To Believe – 2:08
08. Please – 3:00
09. 1-2-3 Rhyme In Carnivore Thyme – 2:15
10. I’m A Lonesome Fugitive – 2:47
11. Road To Nowhere – 3:29
12. 10,000 Sunsets – 2:36
13. Now Is The Time For Hearts & Flowers – 1:25
14. Highway In The Wind – 4:05
15. Second Hand Sundown Queen – 3:41
16. She Sang Hymns Out Of Tune – 3:05
17. Ode To A Tin Angel – 4:23
18. When I Was A Cowboy – 3:34
19. Legend Of Ol’ Tenbrookes – 3:12
20. Colour Your Daytime – 3:53
21. Two Little Boys – 3:08
22. Extra Extra / Rock & Roll Gypsies / Extra Extra – 3:52
CD2
01. Rosana – 2:13
02. Extra Extra – 1:54
03. Walls – 2:16
04. She Like Her Loving Like I Like Mine – 2:39
05. Six White Horses – 3:14
06. Flower Lady – 3:00
07. When I’m With You – 2:01
08. Gypsy Blue – 3:30
09. Everybody’s Talkin’ – 2:49
10. California Sunshine Girl – 3:07
11. Jones Vs. Jones – 2:51
12. Brandy – 2:39
13. Other Side Of This Life – 2:54
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 04 (Live 1976) (@256)
21 Apr 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
This is the complete 6/18/76 concert, minus one song, “Tennessee Jed,” which was omitted because the master tape was plagued with technical problems that could not be fixed in mastering. This is a typically hot and surprisingly exploratory show.
New songs recently added to the repertoire, such as “The Music Never Stopped”, “Crazy Fingers”, “Samson and Delilah” and “The Wheel” are all present here, and sound as though they’ve been a part of the band’s song book for years, along with the revitalized “St. Stephen”, “Cassidy” and one of only five Grateful Dead performances of Garcia’s “Mission In The Rain”. The highlight of the big second set jam is a wonderful “Eyes Of The World” that begins with a very long instrumental passage reminiscent of the 1974 jazz-influenced version of this song.
To round out the release, highlights from the next run of shows in Philadelphia are included, featuring stellar versions of “Candyman”, the new “Lazy Ligtnin’> Supplication,” an incredibly jammed-out performance of “Scarlet Begonias” and a 23 minute “Playing In The Band” featuring a very distinct “Fire On The Mountain” jam in the middle, led by Lesh. To cap it all off, a sweet reading of the newly-returned-to-action “High Time” from the tour’s penultimate show in Chicago ends the release.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / Piano
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. The Music Never Stopped – 5:54
02. Sugaree – 11:02
03. Mama Tried – 3:06
04. Crazy Fingers – 13:06
05. Big River – 6:22
06. Brown Eyed Women – 4:49
07. Looks Like Rain – 7:57
08. Row Jimmy – 10:28
09. Cassidy – 4:44
10. Mission In The Rain – 7:44
11. Promised Land – 4:18
CD2
01. Samson & Delilah – 6:44
02. St. Stephen – 4:39
03. Not Fade Away – 11:16
04. St. Stephen – 1:02
05. Eyes Of The World – 12:31
06. Drums – 2:16
07. The Wheel – 4:42
08. Sugar Magnolia – 11:25
09. U.S. Blues – 5:50
CD3 (Bonus)
01. Scarlet Begonias – 10:59
02. Lazy Lightnin’ – 2:48
03. Supplication – 5:18
04. Candyman – 7:05
05. Playin’ in the Band – 23:25
06. Drums – 2:30
07. The Wheel – 4:59
08. Playin’ in the Band – 3:26
09. High Time – 9:27
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Caravan Of Dreams – An Evening Of Magic (Live 1993) (@256)
21 Apr 2011
(Review from wikipedia, amazon)
The Caravan reunion in 1990 inspired Richard Sinclair to form a new band to play his material. Caravan of Dreams was launched in 1991 as a trio, continued until 1993, often joined by former Caravan members Dave Sinclair and Jimmy Hastings.
This live album was recorded at Teatro Verdi, Genova, Italy on 26th March 1993 with a stunning and satisfying audio quality.
It features a pleasant mix of Caravan, Hatfield & North, Matching Mole classics and then new songs by Richard Sinclair.
Line-up:
- Richard Sinclair / vocals, guitar
- David Sinclair / keybards
- Rick Biddulph / bass
- Andy Ward / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. In The Land Of Grey And Pink – 5:40
02. Only The Brave / Plan It Earth – 10:53
03. Share It – 4:53
04. Videos – 6:57
05. Heather – 7:54
06. Going For A Song – 5:01
07. O Caroline – 4:38
08. Nine Feet Underground – 7:16
CD2
01. Felafel Shuffle – 8:58
02. Keep On Caring – 8:27
03. Cruising – 6:08
04. Emily – 5:58
05. Halfway Between Heaven & Earth / It Didn’t Matter Anyway – 13:22
06. Golf Girl – 5:49
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 03 (Live 1971) (@256)
20 Apr 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
The two disc, complete show was recorded on October 26, 1971 and was the fifth show with new band member Keith Godchaux on keyboards.
Delightfully showcasing their enthusiasm for both their new material and new keyboardist; the band is well-balanced, the vocals are more than usually accurate and the performance energy is good.
“Bertha” starts the show, with Keith’s obvious enthusiasm. Unfortunately Garcia’s guitar is so flatly out of tune that it distracts his singing (we can hear him turning back to the mike at the beginning of each line).
“Playing in the Band” jumps out the gate with all the intensity of a 1972 version, leaving no surprise that it should shortly become a major jam vehicle. Very auspicious indeed, and worth respinning even in this short version.
Equipment trouble almost has Bob Weir telling us a story, but instead they soldier on into what must be the fastest-ever “Tennessee Jed” — even those tired of this song should find their toes tapping.
“Cumberland” is well-jammed out, and not one second wasted. “Cold Rain” is on the slower side; whether intended or accidental, Jerry exploits this for some passionate singing — even if it means not playing the guitar for a moment here or there; a nice rendition.
The disc closes out with a “Loser”. Weir’s fills are unendingly inventive, and Garcia’s pinched-harmonics guitar solo really hits the heartstrings. Plus, of course, it’s still a “Sweet Susie” rendition, and Jerry definitely gives this song the belt that it needs to go over.
The second set opener, a sprightly “Ramble On Rose” picks us up where we left off. Lesh hits the downbeat, and Keith bounces on the off beats until Weir takes over. They lock together into a single sound. Then one or the other breaks off, contributing to this song’s fall-apart-then-fall-together mood.
It’s “Sugar Magnolia” next. Though the format is set, the boundaries known, the second half contains an unknown duration, a desire for intensity of expression, and a strongly visceral feeling to it.
“Truckin” rightly follows, taking us into this show’s jam portion. Five minutes of song, and we’re launched: Lesh & Weir throb, Garcia soars, Keith pounds over Kreutzmann’s decisive shuffle.
Kreutzmann takes seven minutes of solo spot, sometimes sounding like two drummers thanks to his skill and the excellent stereo separation. Lesh lets this go on for seven minutes before finally giving us “The Other One”.
On conclusion, they break out a sock-hoppin’ “Johnny B Goode” as if it were the only natural follow-up to what they’d been doing — and, of course, they’re exactly right.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Keith Godchaux / keyboards
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Bertha – 7:38
02. Playing in the Band – 6:41
03. Sugaree – 8:09
04. Me & My Uncle – 3:59
05. Tennessee Jed – 6:55
06. Jack Straw – 5:29
07. Big Railroad Blues – 4:04
08. Me & Bobby McGee – 6:16
09. Cumberland Blues – 6:12
10. Cold Rain & Snow – 5:59
11. Mexicali Blues – 3:30
12. Loser – 6:45
CD2
01. El Paso – 4:43
02. Comes A Time – 8:08
03. One More Saturday Night – 4:55
04. Ramble On Rose – 6:54
05. Sugar Magnolia – 6:34
06. Truckin’ – 10:34
07. Drums – 6:54
08. The Other One – 16:06
09. Johnny B. Goode – 4:20
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Caravan – Grey, Pink & Gold (Live 1991, 2002) (@256)
20 Apr 2011
(Info from sleeve)
The two discs in this set represent the best of Caravan from two distinct phases of their long and varied career.
Disc One was recorded live by the re-formed original line-up in 1991 and mainly concentrates on the classic material from the first three albums which gave the band its huge reputation between 1969 and 1974.
Disc Two recorded live in 2002 features essentially the line-up which recorded “Blind Dogs At St Dunstans” augmented by Doug Boyle on guitar. It features material which is more representative of the band from 1974 onwards.
Track List:
CD1
01. Headloss – 4:36
02. In The Land Of Grey And Pink – 4:38
03. Videos Of Hollywood – 6:38
04. Nine Feet Underground – 18:59
05. Winter Wine – 7:47
06. If I Could Do It All Over Again – 3:17
07. For Richard – 13:15
CD2
01. All The Way / A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik – 10:37
02. Medley – 15:24
03. Nightmare – 9:44
04. I Know Why Your Laughing – 5:33
05. Liar – 7:07
06. The Dog, The Dog, He’s At It Again – 6:27
07. Nowhere To Hide – 8:40
08. Memory Lain Hugh / Headloss – 9:13
09. If I Could Do It All Over Again I’d Do It All Over You – 3:48
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 02 (Live 1970) (@256)
19 Apr 2011
(Review from allmusic)
Another previously uncirculated gig from the Grateful Dead’s tape vault, from January 17, 1970 at Springer’s Inn in Portland.
The third show in a quick jaunt to the Pacific Northwest, including a gig two nights earlier at the same Portland bar, the Dead were in the process of introducing what would define the two albums they recorded later that year, Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty.
The Dead are clearly comfy on the (presumably) tiny bar stage. Indeed, six of the nine tunes the band perform are covers. Only one tune from either of the band’s soon-to-be-recorded classics gets played here, the stunning, month-old “Black Peter” (more bar-bandy and less dirge-like than usual).
They also charge through a six-minute take of the new (and rare) “Mason’s Children”. The short-lived garage psych number was written (along with Workingman’s “New Speedway Boogie”) as a response to the Altamont festival still only a month in the past, “Mason’s” would be abandoned by February’s end, but here manages to touch on a short psychedelic solo from Garcia.
Though the set has no real centerpiece, the highlight is unquestionably a 13-plus minute version of Martha & the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street”. Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh’s harmonies are big and enthused, the San Francisco ballroom scene encapsulated in one vocal arrangement. The jam makes its way into deeply spaced jazz, Garcia especially wearing his John Coltrane love on his sleeve.
A cover of the Young Rascals’ “Good Lovin’” gets into similarly breathless Garcia territory, though the band doesn’t push it as far. In general, the jams stay compact, including a run through the standard pairing of “China Cat Sunflower” into “I Know You Rider” (only four months old at that point) and a set-closing “Turn on Your Lovelight”. The Bobby “Blue” Bland rave-up had been the band’s set-closer for several years, often verging on the 40-minute mark, and here doesn’t even break the 20-minute barrier. Positively minimal!
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / vocals, percussion
- Tom Constanten / keyboards
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
01. Cold Rain & Snow – 6:10
02. Big Boss Man – 4:48
03. Mason’s Children – 5:53
04. Black Peter – 10:44
05. Dancin’ in the Streets – 14:04
06. Good Lovin’ – 10:17
07. China Cat Sunflower – 4:36
08. I Know You Rider – 5:08
09. Turn On Your Lovelight – 18:07
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Caravan – Canterbury Comes To London (Live From The Astoria 1997) (@256)
19 Apr 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This is one of the better 1990s live performance recordings to feature core band members (Pye Hastings, Geoffrey Richardson, Dave Sinclair and Richard Coughlan) as augmented by other non-Caravan alumni. Notable for their tenure in this incarnation is lead guitarist Doug Boyle (ex-Robert Plant), bassist Jim Leverton (ex-Fat Mattress, ex-Savoy Brown, ex-Juicy Lucy). Percussionist Simon Bentall’s contributions may seem out of place at times.
Enthusiasts whose interest began to wane in Caravan’s post-”Cunning Stunts” era will, at the very least, be pleasantly surprised at the residual intensity and attack which are readily displayed throughout this live set.
Immediately the togetherness of the band is demonstrated during the multi-rhythmic passages of “Headloss”, as well as throughout “For Richard”. There are no lagging tempos, forgotten lyrics, or neglected solos here. Caravan’s motifs of musical economy while providing multi-hued sonic canvases are alive and well.
Line-up:
- Doug Boyle / guitar
- Richard Coughlan / drums
- Pye Hastings / guitar, vocals
- Jim Leverton / bass, vocals
- Geoffrey Richardson / flute, mandolin, viola, spoons
- Dave Sinclair / keyboards
- Simon Bentall / percussion
Track List:
01. Memory Lain Hugh – 5:04
02. Headloss – 4:53
03. Nine Feet Underground – 17:33
04. The Dog The Dog, He’s At It Again – 6:28
05. Cold As Ice – 5:47
06. Somewhere In Your Heart – 5:39
07. I Know Why You’re Laughing – 5:47
08. Liar – 6:42
09. For Richard – 11:04
10. Golf Girl – 7:08
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Grateful Dead – Download Series 01 (Live 1977) (@256)
18 Apr 2011
(Info from allmusic, wikipedia)
This first release of the “Download Series”, features the complete show from April 30, 1977 which was the second of a five night run at New York City’s Palladium. In addition, in order to fill out the third disc, bonus material is included from the previous night at the same location.
The spring of 1977 found the Dead playing at their platonic best. It was during that period that the Dead struck what, for many, remains the perfect balance of tightness and energy of performance.
A 15-minute “Not Fade Away” veers into deep, melodic abstraction before languidly seguing into Garcia’s heart-wrenching ballad “Stella Blue”. Though not as quiet as some readings of the tune — by the Dead’s standards, this version is downright chipper, spiraling gracefully back into the “St. Stephen” ending.
The spring of 1977 was a fine time for Garcia ballads, and this release has several. In the first set, there is Garcia’s stunning slow-burn staple “Peggy-O” and — in the second — the newly slowed-down version of “Friend of the Devil”, premiered after the band’s 1974-1976 hiatus. The third disc also comes with a 14-minute bonus version of “Sugaree”, recorded a night earlier, with Keith Godchaux’s organ mixed with odd prominence.
For the most part, though, the band keep the energy high, and the spring of 1977 was defined by the then-new combo of “Scarlet Begonias” into “Fire on the Mountain”. The Palladium show is no exception, and features a long, meandering version to open the set, punctuated by the even-lamented-by-many-Deadheads moans of Donna Jean Godchaux. Other high-energy jams include the recently revived Rascals cover “Good Lovin’” sung by Bob Weir, Weir’s new oddball 7/4 reggae epic “Estimated Prophet” and Garcia’s magisterial “Terrapin Station” as the encore.
Combined with the adventurously punchy 30-minute “St. Stephen” > “Not Fade Away” > “Stella Blue” > “St. Stephen” suite, the first volume of the Dead’s download series is totally solid.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / keyboards
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. The Music Never Stopped – 7:05
02. Bertha – 6:19
03. It’s All Over Now – 8:03
04. Deal – 6:11
05. Mama Tried – 2:37
06. Me & My Uncle – 3:03
07. Peggy-O – 7:46
08. Looks Like Rain – 9:39
09. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 10:05
10. Promised Land – 4:53
CD2
01. Scarlet Begonias – 9:04
02. Fire On The Mountain – 11:27
03. Good Lovin’ – 5:46
04. Friend Of The Devil – 8:41
05. Estimated Prophet – 9:01
CD3
01. St. Stephen – 4:34
02. Not Fade Away – 14:57
03. Stella Blue – 9:09
04. St. Stephen0:48
05. One More Saturday Night – 5:32
06. Terrapin Station – 10:13
07. Sugaree (Bonus) – 14:21
08. Scarlet Begonias (Bonus) – 9:44
09. Goin’ Down The Road Feelin’ Bad (Bonus) – 10:17
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Full Show Spectrum 1979-11-06 (@256)
18 Apr 2011
(Info from wikipedia)
This archival release contains the complete concert that they performed at the Spectrum, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 6, 1979.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Alabama Getaway – 6:24
02. Promised Land – 4:51
03. Tennessee Jed – 9:52
04. Me & My Uncle – 3:10
05. Mexicali Blues – 4:59
06. Candyman – 7:51
07. Easy to Love You – 4:10
08. Looks Like Rain – 8:43
09. Jack-A-Roe – 7:39
10. Jack Straw – 6:49
11. Deal – 6:53
CD2
01. Terrapin Station – 15:36
02. Playin’ in the Band – 22:08
03. Drums – 8:49
04. Space – 3:11
05. Black Peter – 11:33
06. Good Lovin’ – 7:42
07. U.S. Blues – 5:42
Link in comments.
Caravan – Live in Nottingham (1990) (@256)
17 Apr 2011
(Review from progarchives.com, wikipedia)
The band were largely dormant in the eighties until this one-off 1990 reunion for the television.
It features the classic Caravan line-up of Pye Hastings, Richard and David Sinclair, Richard Coughlan with the ever reliable Jimmy Hastings on flute.
Most of the songs here are well known Caravan classics including “Head Loss”, “Winter Wine”, “For Richard”. A nice version of “Nine Feet Underground” breaks things up a bit with the ubiqitous flute and sax.
Line-up:
- Pye Hastings / guitar, vocals
- Dave Sinclair / organ, piano
- Richard Sinclair / bass, guitar
- Jimmy Hastings / flute, saxophone
- Richard Coughlan / drums
Track List:
01. Head Loss – 4:38
02. Videos Of Hollywood – 6:38
03. Nine Feet Underground – 18:59
04. If I Could Do It All Over Again… – 3:17
05. Winter Wine – 7:47
06. In The Land and Of Grey And Pink – 4:36
07. For Richard – 13:15
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Full Show Spectrum 1979-11-05 (@256)
16 Apr 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
This archival release contains the complete concert that they performed at the Spectrum, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 5, 1979.
Highlights include a 15-minute plus “Terrapin Station”, along with an extended “Playin’ In The Band” with solid contributions from keyboardist Brent Mydland.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. China Cat Sunflower – 6:05
02. I Know You Rider – 7:19
03. Cassidy – 5:25
04. Friend of the Devil – 8:53
05. El Paso – 4:32
06. Stagger Lee – 8:14
07. Passenger – 5:26
08. Peggy-O – 8:29
09. The Music Never Stopped – 9:10
CD2
01. Space – 2:42
02. Easy to Love You – 4:00
03. Space – 2:15
04. Lost Sailor – 6:40
05. Saint of Circumstance – 5:09
06. Sugar Magnolia – 9:18
07. Casey Jones – 5:56
Link in comments.
Caravan – Live UK Tour 1975 (@256)
16 Apr 2011
(Review from allmusic, progarchives.com)
This live recording was made a few months after the band had released “Cunning Stunts” in 1975. By that time keyboard player David Sinclair had left the band and was replaced by Jan Schelhaas. It is the same line-up that would record “Blind Dog at St. Dustans” a year later.
The show takes place December 5th, 1975, at Nottingham Polytechnic for the expressed purpose of a radio broadcast in support of their new album.
As such, the set fittingly commences with a spot-on reading of the LP’s opener, “The Show of Our Lives”. Matching the attendees audible enthusiasm, Caravan give the mid-tempo rocker a thorough and energetic workout, despite a moment or two of questionable vocal intonations from Pye Hastings. His guitar craft, however, is nothing short of stellar. The well-defined mix accentuates his electric fretwork as he dances behind the solid rhythm section.
Caravan reach slightly further back for a sinuous reading of “The Love in Your Eye” from 1972 and all the way to 1970 for a driving and well jammed out version of the typical Caravan show closer, “For Richard”.
Line-up:
- Pye Hastings / guitars, vocals
- Richard Coughlan / percussion, drums
- Jan Schelhaas / keyboards, vocals
- Mike Wedgwood / bass, vocals
- Geoff Richardson / viola, flute, guitar
Track List:
01. The Show Of Our Lives – 4:41
02. Memory Lain, Hugh-Headloss – 9:52
03. The Dabsong Conshirtoe – 12:29
04. Virgin On The Ridiculous-Be Alright-Chance Of A Lifetime – 14:23
05. Love In Your Eye – 18:22
06. For Richard – 16:50
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Vol 4 No 2 (Live 1988) (@256)
15 Apr 2011
(Review from dead.net)
This archival release offers up the entire April 1, 1988 concert from the Brendan Byrne Arena in Meadowlands, plus the entire second set and a few first set highlights from the previous night’s show, March 31.
The April Fools show is a real barn-burner, with a first set that includes a “double-opener” of high-octane versions of “Mississippi Half-Step” and “Jack Straw”, a rare and nearly perfect take on “To Lay Me Down”, followed directly by a Grateful Dead-only version of Dylan’s “Ballad of a Thin Man”. The band give the classic tune an impressively emotional workout. That first set also includes nearly manic versions of both “Cumberland” and “Deal”.
There’s no letup in Set Two, either, as the band tears through what looks on paper like a fairly conventional set list, but in execution is far from that. “China Cat” > “Rider”, “Estimated” > “Eyes” and “The Other One” > “Wharf Rat” all sound fresh and alive, and seem to glow with fiery embers thanks to Garcia’s speedy and imaginative runs.
A few nuggets from the 3/31 first set are tucked onto the back side of Disc One—including a superb “Let It Grow”—and then that night’s second set fills the other disc, and it’s another rockin’ affair loaded with favorites: A “Scarlet” > “Fire” nearly the equal of the famous Hampton version just four nights earlier, a fine “Terrapin” and a post-”Drums” that never lets up as it moves from “Goin’ Down the Road” into “Miracle”, “Dear Mr. Fantasy”, the coda of “Hey Jude” and “Watchtower” in the closing slot. The encore is another Dylan tune, “Heaven’s Door” — a perfect grace note for a raucous and exciting show. Also note that the “Rhythm Devils” and “Space” portions of each show are also fantastically varied and interesting.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > – 10:09
02. Jack Straw > – 5:18
03. To Lay Me Down – 8:29
04. Ballad Of A Thin Man – 6:51
05. When Push Comes To Shove – 4:49
06. New Minglewood Blues – 7:47
07. Cumberland Blues – 5:51
08. Deal – 7:10
09. When I Paint My Masterpiece – 5:03
10. Let It Grow – 12:10
11. Brokedown Palace – 5:21
CD2
01. Scarlet Begonias > – 8:05
02. Fire On The Mountain – 11:34
03. Samson & Delilah – 6:39
04. Terrapin Station > – 11:41
05. Rhythm Devils > – 5:52
06. Space > – 6:22
07. Goin’ Down The Road Feeling Bad > – 6:17
08. I Need A Miracle > – 3:21
09. Dear Mr. Fantasy > – 4:20
10. Hey Jude > – 1:41
11. All Along The Watchtower – 4:45
12. Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door – 8:29
CD3
01. China Cat Sunflower > – 6:19
02. I Know You Rider – 5:36
03. Estimated Prophet > – 12:35
04. Eyes Of The World > – 8:55
05. Rhythm Devils > – 6:59
06. Space > – 8:33
07. The Other One > – 7:18
08. Wharf Rat > – 7:54
09. Throwing Stones > – 9:05
10. Not Fade Away – 5:57
Link in comments.
Filesonic mirroring in progress
15 Apr 2011
Probably as many of you have noticed, I’m giving a shot at Filesonic for the spot of a third file service provider other than Hotfile and Rapidshare since last month.
I’m starting to mirror the archives also, I’ll be posting links at the comments section of each album. In time, I expect most of the blog to be mirrored to Filesonic.
Don’t forget to use a downloader software (like Jdownloader), to automatize the annoying aspects of free downloading like waiting periods, captcha, etc.
If you’re already going to buy a Filesonic or Hotfile premium account see the donations page for a referral link.
Caravan – A Hunting We Shall Go (Live 1974) (@256)
15 Apr 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Recorded in November 13th 1974, this is a rather lightweight live album, only thirty four minutes long, with three songs.
The minor classic suite “A Hunting We Shall Go” features some brief bits of curious improvisation with a magnificent riff.
The highlight here, “For Richard” takes up more than half of the album. It is translated brilliantly to the new line-up. Richardson’s viola really changes the flavour of the piece to something a little more pastoral while the bass-heavy mix keeps it powerful and punchy as ever. Pye Hastings’ vocals are fleeting but delightful. In the nearly 20 minutes running time, we see the whole plethora of cool, loose improvisations and tight, light-hearted rock music that defines Caravan taken over wholesale by a fresh line-up with a star soloist.
“Hoedown” is the encore… Caravan bring out the participational elements of that song in a trite, amusing, ironic way. Hastings’ echoey guitar and Richard Coughlan’s drums hold things down and various cutesy improvisations from the band’s major instrumentalists change the song more drastically.
Line-up:
- Pye Hastings / guitar, vocals
- Geoffrey Richardson / viola
- Mike Wedgwood / bass
- Richard Coughlan / drums
- David Sinclair / keyboards
Track List:
01. A Hunting We Shall Go – 8:43
02. For Richard – 19:16
03. Hoedown – 5:51
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Vol 4 No 1 (Live 1969) (@256)
14 Apr 2011
(Review from dead.net)
Grateful Dead played at a rock festival known as the Big Rock Pow Wow, May 23-25, 1969. They headlined the first two days of the festival and their complete sets are spread across the three discs of this archival release.
The Dead provided their own very psychedelic soundtrack for the weekend with two fiery sets that show the group at their exploratory best. The first show was built around what would become known as the Live Dead sequence: “Dark Star” > “St. Stephen” > “The Eleven” > “Turn On Your Lovelight”, each piece jammed powerfully and with purpose, flowing like electric lava—bubbling and spurting and occasionally exploding as it erupts out of the speakers and into the crowd. There are all sorts of fascinating twists and turns in the jams (including a couple prompted by Garcia breaking strings!) and the “Lovelight” has Pigpen leading the charge for a very funky half-hour rock’n'soul romp. Also notable from the first show is a superb “Morning Dew” (which appears on Disc 3 due to the timing limitations of the CD format).
The next night (beginning Disc 2 here) the Dead open with another excursion through “Lovelight”, this one has its own unique feeling—same song, different vibe. From there it’s a tour through some of the other chestnuts of the era, including the then-new “Doin’ That Rag”, the wonderful ballad “He Was a Friend of Mine,” which eases into “China Cat Sunflower”, followed by another slammin’ “Eleven”, before arriving at a haunting and potent “Death Don’t Have No Mercy”.
The reminder of the second show (on Disc 3) includes “Alligator”, a drum duel with Mickey and Bill calling on the native spirits, a version of “St. Stephen” that begins unlike any other version from this era and ends in eerie feedback before a final “We Bid You Goodnight”.
Line-up:
- Tom Constanten / keyboards
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / vocals, percussion
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Hard To Handle – 5:46
02. Dark Star > – 18:55
03. St. Stephen > – 9:00
04. The Eleven > – 10:38
05. Turn On Your Lovelight – 30:58
CD2
01. Introduction – 4:26
02. Turn On Your Lovelight – 27:25
03. Doin’ That Rag > – 6:43
04. He Was A Friend Of Mine (Just A Hand To Hold) > – 8:49
05. China Cat Sunflower > – 5:24
06. The Eleven > – 8:17
07. Death Don’t Have No Mercy – 6:59
CD3
01. Morning Dew – 9:43
02. Me & My Uncle – 3:17
03. Yellow Dog Story – 3:11
04. Alligator > – 3:59
05. Drums > – 7:33
06. St. Stephen > – 5:58
07. Feedback > – 4:16
08. We Bid You Goodnight – 3:22
Link in comments.
Caravan – Live at the Fairfield Halls (1974) (@256)
14 Apr 2011
(Review from allmusic)
Documented during an era in which U.K. performances by Caravan were few and far between, “Live at the Fairfield Halls 1974″ is a complete presentation of a concert held just prior to their inaugural tour of North America. This warm-up show took place on September 1, 1974, at Fairfield Hall in Croydon. The sound is crisp and the stereo image is direct and very warm.
Although Caravan had been subjected to several key personnel and managerial alterations in the preceding months, once they hit the stage they shed any behind-the-scenes acrimony and were transformed into a stunning synergy of progressive and symphonic rock.
Enthusiasts who prefer the band’s lineup and subsequent edgier tone, circa For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night, will be doubly thrilled with this release as they re-create most of the album. Additionally, they wrap themselves around the crushing “Memory Lain, Hugh”/”Headloss” opener. Perhaps foreshadowing how powerful this rendition will be, the evening’s proceedings fade in to the hovering resonation of Geoffrey Richardson’s electric viola as he fiddles underneath the band’s introduction.
Caravan’s most recent release concurrent to this performance is the equally impressive “Caravan & the New Symphonia”. From that album comes “Virgin on the Ridiculous” — performed here by just the quintet. Although composed for the incorporation of an orchestra, this rendition is leaner and displays the band’s almost conversational way of jamming and improvising.
The transition into the “Be Alright Now” suite is seamless, and, under the thunder sticks of Richard Coughlan (drums), the band is propelled into one of the only live versions of the medley to have been professionally documented.
This is the same concert released in France, in 1980, under the title “The Best of Caravan Live”.
Line-up:
- David Sinclair / keyboards
- Geoffrey Richardson / viola
- Mike Wedgwood / bass
- Pye Hastings / guitar, vocals
- Richard Coughlan / drums
Track List:
01. Memory Lain, Hugh / Headloss – 9:27
02. Virgin on the Ridiculous – 7:14
03. Be Alright / Chance of a Lifetime – 6:37
04. The Love in Your Eye – 15:23
05. L’Auberge du Sanglier / A Hunting We Shall Go / Pengola / Backwards / A Hunting We Shall Go (Reprise) – 9:49
06. The Dog, The Dog, He’s at It Again – 6:23
07. For Richard – 19:01
08. Hoedown – 5:58
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Vol 3 No 4 (Live 1980) (@256)
11 Apr 2011
(Review from dead.net, amazon.com)
This archival release combines two back-to-back college shows in a triple set. The Dead performed dynamic versions of a number of favorites on May 6, 1980, at Penn State and May 7, 1980, at Cornell University. Every instrument has its place in the wide stereo spread of these two performances.
Disc One is a compilation of the best of the Penn State and Cornell first sets (leaning more on the Penn State show), and it’s good stuff from top to bottom: it contains inspired versions of both “Lazy Lightning > Supplication” and “Lost Sailor > Saint”, dynamic takes on “Althea” and “Cassidy” and a lovely rendition of “Peggy-0″, among other treats.
Disc Two offers up the entire second set from Penn State (save for the encore, which was incomplete on the master tape) and it’s filled with exciting versions of a number of favorites, beginning with a rip-roarin’ “China Cat > Rider”, a spacey and unusual “Stranger”, which rolls into “He’s Gone”. The version of that last tune ends with a beautiful, lilting jam before heading off to the more dangerous terrain of “The Other One” and what a ride that is—fasten your seat belts, because it’s an adventure, even after the final verse; certainly it’s among the best from this period. After the intriguing explorations of “drums” and “space”, the jam heads into a stirring “Wharf Rat”, which then melds organically into a double-Chuck Berry close.
The entire second set of which—save for a few minutes of “drums and space and the encore of the Cornell show makes up Disc Three of this Road Trips release. The sound is clean, crisp and powerful. You’re definitely going to be knocked out by the mix on both of these shows—every instrument has its place in the wide stereo spread and you can really vibe out on the interaction between Garcia and Weir in particular.
If the Penn State show is characterized by a certain ragged but always spirited intensity, Cornell is one of those smooth, nearly seamless shows where everything flows easily and just feels right, while still taking plenty of risks along the way. The rare double-Garcia opener of a very funky “Shakedown Street” into “Bertha” gets things off to a lively start. Then it’s on to “Playing in the Band” and a near-perfect “Terrapin.” The “space” jam builds inevitably into a charging “Saint of Circumstance” (separated for the first time from “Lost Sailor”!), followed by a moving “Black Peter” and a raucous “Good Lovin’” capper.
All in all, two sparkling and underrated shows that will surely earn new respect for the sizzling spring of 1980 tour.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / electric bass
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Jack Straw – 6:50
02. Peggy-O – 6:49
03. Me and My Uncle-) – 3:02
04. Big River – 5:44
05. Loser – 7:39
06. Cassidy – 5:03
07. Row Jimmy – 11:39
08. Lazy Lightning-) – 3:32
09. Supplication – 4:30
10. Althea – 9:07
11. Lost Sailor-) – 5:59
12. Saint of Circumstance – 6:09
CD2
01. China Cat Sunflower-) – 5:54
02. I Know You Rider – 6:56
03. Feel Like A Stranger-) – 9:35
04. He’s Gone-) – 13:27
05. The Other One-) – 10:01
06. Rhythm Devils-) – 8:51
07. Space-) – 3:37
08. Wharf Rat-) – 10:12
09. Around and Around-) – 4:00
10. Johnny B. Goode – 4:09
CD3
01. Shakedoown Street-) – 13:28
02. Bertha-) – 6:29
03. Playing In The Band-) – 9:04
04. Terrapin Station-) – 12:48
05. Rhythm Devils-) – 4:30
06. Space-) – 3:54
07. Saint of Circumstance-) – 5:51
08. Black Peter-) – 9:20
09. Playing In The Band – 3:22
10. Good Lovin’ – 7:36
Link in comments.
Caravan – Ether Way (BBC Sessions 1975-77) (@256)
07 Apr 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Here are some excellent renditions of their more commercially produced sounding albums recorded live at the BBC from 1976-1979 and in great sound quality.
Highlights include “Nightmare” with an impressive guitar crescendo at the end. “All The Way” has some of their most ethereal vocal. The version of “Dabsong Conshirto” is more impressive and “raw” than that of the version on “Cunning Stunts”.
Line-up:
- David Sinclair / keyboards
- Dek Messecar / bass
- Geoffrey Richardson / viola
- Jan Schelhaas / keyboards
- Mike Wedgwood / bass
- Pye Hastings / guitar, vocals
- Richard Coughlan / drums
Track List:
01. The Show Of Our Lives – 4:54
02. Stuck In A Hole – 3:15
03. Dabsong Conshirto – 12:32
04. All The Way – 6:33
05. A Very Smelly Grubby Little Oik-Bobbing Wide-Come On Back-Grubby Oik Reprise – 11:44
06. Behind You – 5:13
07. The Last Unicorn – 5:34
08. Nightmare – 6:17
09. Better By Far – 4:48
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Road Trips Vol 3 No 3 (Live 1970) (@256)
06 Apr 2011
(Review from wikipedia, musicbox-online.com)
Road Trips Volume 3 Number 3 was billed as a 40th anniversary celebration of the album Workingman’s Dead. It includes several versions, some acoustic and some electric, of seven of the eight songs that appear on that album, omitting only “High Time”.
The album contains material from two concerts — the early show and the late show — performed on May 15, 1970, at the Fillmore East in New York City. Including the material from the bonus disc, this release includes both May 15, 1970 Fillmore East Shows in their entirety except for the acoustic performance on “Candyman” from the late show.
With a larger stash of songs in its repertoire — which seemed to grow exponentially every time the outfit returned to the road — the Grateful Dead had a broader range of styles at its disposal. While many of its sonic explorations continued to be rooted within the blues idiom, the outfit was starting to learn that it no longer was limited to building its psychedelic sojourns around tried-and-true, R&B-based grooves.
Split between acoustic and electric sets, the band’s stylistic forays remained heavily compartmentalized. Nevertheless, the collection features the best of both worlds that the Grateful Dead had established. In some ways, the outfit was returning to its jug-band days, picking up pieces to the overall puzzle of its career, ones that hadn’t necessarily disappeared completely from its work but had, at least, been subdued by its late 1960s diversions.
Armed with traditional instrumentation, Bob Weir dabbled in country textures via “Silver Threads & Golden Needles” and “Long Black Limousine” — the former was a hit for rockabilly queen “Wanda Jackson”, while the latter had been a recent addition to Elvis Presley’s repertoire. Meanwhile, Garcia was unearthing songs that were staples of the folk and bluegrass scenes: “Ballad of Casey Jones”, “Deep Elm Blues”, “Cold Jordan” and “A Voice from on High”, among them. Pigpen still routinely delved into the blues, but his renditions of a trio of Lightnin’ Hopkins-penned tunes — “Ain’t It Crazy (The Rub)”, “Katie Mae” and “She’s Mine” — conveyed the rural ambience of the collective’s revolutionized persona.
Given that many of these songs were infrequent visitors to the Grateful Dead’s set lists — some of the tunes are making their recorded debuts here — it is not surprising that they sometimes were delivered with considerably less confidence than the band brought to its original material. “A Voice from on High” and “Cold Jordan”, in particular, were as intriguing as they were unrefined. Meanwhile, the steady, pensive plodding of “Black Peter” conjured foreboding darkness, while “Friend of the Devil”‘s light gallop as well as the easy-going strum of “Uncle John’s Band” embodied the intimacy of a campfire gathering.
Fully amplified affairs, the latter half of the Grateful Dead’s performances at the Fillmore East exuded the rambunctious energy that epitomized the outfit’s mind-warping sojourns from the late 1960s. All of the heavy-hitting songs from the group’s repertoire were present — an epic rendition of “That’s It for the Other One”, a pair of explosive romps through “St. Stephen”, the hazily spiritual overtones of “Dark Star” and ferocious covers of “Good Lovin’” and “Turn on Your Lovelight”. Showcasing the Grateful Dead’s mastery of musical dynamics, moments of full-throttled fury pressed against passages of tender fragility. As usual, the material was twisted into a variety of shapes that allowed the band and its fans to view them from fresh perspectives.
In spite of the many familiar touchstones that lined the Grateful Dead’s performances at the Fillmore East, it is clear that the band’s sound was beginning to mutate. The two versions of “I Know You Rider” that surfaced during the concerts — both of which are included here — highlight how dramatically and quickly its approach was shifting. Performed with acoustic instruments at the onset of the early show, the song assumed a weary, heavyhearted moodiness that stood in stark contrast to the more familiar interpretations that the Grateful Dead delivered throughout its career. Even in 1970, the tune — almost to a fault — had become inseparable from “China Cat Sunflower”. Sure enough, it was presented in this fashion during the late-night electric set. Right from the start, these tracks fit together naturally. Still in an embryonic form, the pairing typified the joy of discovery that permeated this era of the Grateful Dead’s rich history.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / Electric and Acoustic Lead Guitar, Vocals
- Mickey Hart / Drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / Drums
- Phil Lesh / Electric Bass, Vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / Vocals, Organ, Percussion, Harmonica, Acoustic Guitar
- Bob Weir / Electric and Acoustic Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
with
- John Dawson / harmony vocals (CD2/9, CD3/6, CD4/4)
- David Nelson / mandolin (CD2/9, CD3/6, CD4/4)
Track List:
CD1
01. Don’t Ease Me In – 4:23
02. I know You Rider – 8:29
03. Ain’t It Crazy (The Rub) – 3:56
04. Long Black Limousine – 4:54
05. New Speedway Boogie – 6:25
06. Casey Jones – 5:01
07. St. Stephen – 5:46
08. That’s It For The Other One – 24:29
09. Cosmic Charlie – 7:59
10. New Minglewood Blues – 3:35
CD2
01. Deep Elem Blues – 5:41
02. The Ballad Of Casey Jones – 4:46
03. Silver Threads And Golden Needles – 3:49
04. Black Peter – 7:23
05. Friend Of The Devil – 4:05
06. Uncle John’s Band – 7:00
07. She’s Mine – 2:53
08. Katie Mae – 4:37
09. A Voice From On High – 2:54
10. China Cat Sunflower – 4:55
11. I Know You Rider – 4:41
12. Cumberland Blues – 5:13
13. Hard To Handle – 5:50
14. Morning Dew – 10:53
15. Dire Wolf – 3:53
CD3
01. Good Lovin’ – 13:45
02. Dark Star – 19:40
03. St. Stephen – 6:04
04. Not Fade Away – 6:52
05. Turn On Your Lovelight – 27:44
06. Cold Jordan – 2:32
CD4 (Bonus)
01. Friend of the Devil – 4:02
02. Candyman – 6:11
03. Cumberland Blues – 4:51
04. Cold Jordan – 2:33
05. Easy Wind – 8:17
06. Attics of My Life – 5:45
07. Beat It on Down the Line – 3:08
08. Next Time You See Me – 3:36
09. New Speedway Boogie – 9:24
10. St. Stephen – 6:30
11. Not Fade Away – 6:36
12. Turn On Your Lovelight – 17:38
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