Freedom to Music
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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about 2 years ago
OGG!
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about 2 years ago
Thank you so much for filling in some gaps. I am very appreciative of all you have put up. The DL series is great!