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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 22 (Live 1968) (@256)
16 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This double-disc release compiles four sets — two nights, two sets per night — documented at the Kings Beach Bowl, on February 23 and 24, 1968.
The Dead were on the very cusp of what would become the band’s second phase. They were wrought with experimentation fuelled by the vigor of youth The avant-garde influence can already be heard on some of the burgeoning material, such as “Born Cross-Eyed” and the “Alligator”/”Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)”/”Feedback” montage — all of which would be included on their second long-player “Anthem of the Sun”.
Even the Ron “Pigpen” McKernan-led blues standards — which have been featured in the band’s performance repertoire since their pre-Dead days as the Warlocks — have somehow shifted during this era. The exemplary readings of “(It) Hurts Me Too” and “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” on this set are exceedingly frenetic. In true Grateful Dead style, the performance is replete with surprises and musical diversions — some anticipated, others not.
The incipient “Dark Star” — which clocks in at a relatively brief seven minutes — is notable as a vehicle for Garcia’s crystalline-toned fretwork.
Deadheads with keen ears may note something familiar during “Feedback.” A few seconds of this performance is included on Anthem of the Sun, during the album’s waning “Feedback” section. Garcia returned to that segment when scoring a scene during the opening animation sequence of the band’s movie soundtrack.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / organ, harmonica, percussion, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Viola Lee Blues – 19:14
02. Hurts Me Too – 4:12
03. Dark Star – 6:48
04. China Cat Sunflower – 4:37
05. The Eleven – 10:33
06. Turn On Your Lovelight – 12:40
07. Born Cross Eyed – 2:31
08. Spanish Jam – 7:23
CD2
01. Morning Dew – 8:10
02. Good Morning Little School Girl – 14:39
03. That’s It For The Other One: Cryptical Envelopment/The Faster We Go, The Rounder We Get/Cryptical Envelopment – 8:13
04. New Potato Caboose – 9:08
05. Alligator – 3:45
06. China Cat Sunflower – 4:14
07. The Eleven – 7:16
08. Alligator – 6:39
09. Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks) – 11:48
10. Feedback – 4:55
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Yezda Urfa – Nearfest 2004 (Live) (@256)
15 Feb 2011
(Review from seaoftranquility.org)
Nearfest historically features at least one band from the 1970s who has reunited just in time to perform at the festival. 2004 was no exception, as Indiana proggers Yezda Urfa graced the stage. Featuring 3 of the original 5 members, Yezda Urfa’s music hit home with many of the characteristic trademarks that they were known for 25 years ago; the complex Gentle Giant-like arrangements, soaring harmonies reminiscent of Yes, and the humor of Frank Zappa.
The crowd roared with approval with the opening number “Give ‘em Some Rawhide Chewies”, a intricate ditty with weaving guitar & keyboard parts, complex vocal passages, and a tight rhythm section. Perhaps the most Gentle Giant-ish sounding piece in the band’s repertoire, this tune signaled that a solid performance was perhaps in store for the 1000+ strong in attendance.
For the most part, that was pretty much the case, although at times it was apparent that a lot of rust had settled in, and the band still had some kinks to iron out after all the years apart. During some songs, especially in the early part of the one hour set, the band seemed a little bit out of time in spots, and occasionally singer Platt was a little off key, but the enthusiasm was there, and the band really seemed to appreciate the crowd.
Guitarist Mark Tippins wowed the audience more than a few times with his mix of blues & classical leanings, and paired with keyboardist Barry the two made quite a duo. It wasn’t until half-way into their set, and especially when they started unveiling songs from their debut album Boris that the band really started firing on all cylinders.
Line-up:
- Mike Barry / keyboards
- Brad Christoff / drums
- Marc Miller / bass and vocals
- Ron Platt / lead vocals
- Logan Tippins / acoustic guitar and vocals
- Mark Tippins / electric guitars and vocals
Track List:
01. Intro By Chad – 0:47
02. Give ‘Em Some Rawhide Chewies – 4:04
03. Boris and His Three Verses including Flow Guides Aren’t My Bag – 8:20
04. 3. Almost 4. 6. Yea – 11:27
05. To-Ta in the Moya – 11:20
06. Ron’s band intros – 0:55
07. L.A. – 4:10
08. The Basis of Dubenglazy While Dirk Does the Dance – 11:04
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 21 (Live 1985) (@256)
15 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
Grateful Dead’s 1985 East Coast fall tour produced a few shows that remain as key entries in their three-decade touring canon. In addition, these three discs also include well over half an hour of material from the Community War Memorial in Rochester, NY, on September 2, 1980.
One of the main reasons this performance ranks so highly is an above-average song selection. For instance, “Stagger Lee,” “Comes a Time,” and a cover of Dylan’s “She Belongs to Me” are all 1985 revivals. While some material stayed out of the rotation longer than others, the influx and overall diversion from routine make more common fodder — such as “Me and My Uncle,” “Big River,” or “Jack Straw” — considerably more palatable.
There are also some unpredictable moments. The most notable occurs during the second set as “Lost Sailor” and “Saint of Circumstance” — which are usually played together — are done separately. This show happens to be the sole occurrence in which both songs are performed, but not sequentially. An unusually animated Bob Weir demonstrates his attributes and support to the aural athletics taking place during a rare cover of “Gloria”.
The nearly 40 minutes of music from September 2, 1980, was added because it contains some amazing music, and because there was a significant amount of time available on the third disc after the “feature presentation”.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Brent Mydland / keyboards, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzman / drums
Track List:
01. Space -> – 11:26
02. Saint Of Circumstance -> – 6:52
03. Gimme Some Lovin’ -> – 4:27
04. She Belongs To Me -> – 7:54
05. Gloria – 6:51
06. Keep Your Day Job – 4:15
07. Space – 8:33
08. Iko Iko -> – 7:45
09. Morning Dew -> – 11:05
10. Sugar Magnolia – 9:16
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Univers Zero – Clivages (2009) (@256)
14 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
With a headless statue as an artwork, the group suffers a few changes compared to the previous Implosion album, but then again line-up changes are usual for Univers Zero. Recorded in May 2009, this studio album covers the same old ground made of sumptuous mid-tempo chamber progressive, most of the usual dithyrambics are still applicable.
After a short Koboldian entrance, “Warrior” (from guest Andy Kirk) is one of two epics, and probably one of Univers Zero’s fastest tunes ever in its closing section. “Vacillements” is bassoon playing hide and seek with violin and clarinet, while “Apesanteur” is indeed a very light one, bringing a breath of fresh air. “Soubresaults” is the logical follow-up top “Earth Scream” (both from Denis) and are extremely technical pieces, Denis’ complex drumming certainly not helping.
After a semi-interesting “Three Days”, Bude signs the 14-mins “Straight Edge”, where we hear electric organ and other keyboard give boost to the group and sends a sax solo in the stratosphere. The slow middle section gives Bude a chance to blow sax death thralls that’ll curdle your blood, before the group finds a manic groove for its finale. Berckman’s “Retour De Foire” is like a fairy spell, but by now, we’re waiting for the “Horus” finale, where Daniel Denis lets his son Nicolas handle the drum, the track being a fitting album outro.
This one might be a bit less sombre than usual, but other than that it remains another impeccable Univers Zero album that is easily worth its predecessors.
Line-up:
- Daniel Denis / drums, percussion, sampler
- Michel Berckmans / bassoon, english horn, oboe, melodica
- Kurt Bude / clarinet, bass clarinet, alto sax
- Pierre Chevalier / keyboards, glockenspiel
- Dimitri Evers / electric and fretless bass
- Andy Kirk / guitar (2, 5), percussion (2)
- Martin Lauwers / violin
with
- Nicolas Denis / drums (10)
- Philippe Thuriot / accordion (1, 10)
- Aurelia Boven / cello (10)
Track List:
01. Les Kobolds – 4:17
02. Warrior – 12:12
03. Vacillements – 3:37
04. Earth Scream – 3:11
05. Soubresauts – 8:00
06. Apesanteur – 3:42
07. Three Days – 5:55
08. Straight Edge – 13:59
09. Retour de Foire – 7:44
10. Les Cercles d’Horus – 3:45
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 20 (Live 1976) (@256)
14 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This massive set celebrates the Dead’s triumphant return with over five hours of music spread among four discs from two nearly complete performances. This collection is actually two songs shy of containing both shows (due to irreparable flaws in the master tapes).
“Let It Grow” and a decidedly disco “Dancing in the Streets” are among the other titles performed at both concerts and duplicated on this set. The return of the Grateful Dead in 1976 also heralded the restoration of rhythm devils Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart for the first time since early 1971. Their frequent percussive excursions — such as the exquisite sequence that links “Comes a Time” to a feisty “Eyes of the World” — melt away the intervening years as if the two drummers had never been apart. Notable among the material showcased by the Dead during this tour are the addition of new songs and the revival of some old ones. Chief among the new tunes are Bob Weir’s “Lazy Lightning” and “Supplication” — originally performed by Weir and Kingfish during the Dead’s hiatus. Among those returning are “Cassidy” — which had been sparsely performed before the break — as well as primal Deadhead favorites “St. Stephen” and “Cosmic Charlie”. The latter popped up six times only — the performance found here being the final.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead Guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / electric bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Bertha – 5:27
02. New Minglewood Blues – 4:48
03. Ramble On Rose – 7:11
04. Cassidy – 4:43
05. Brown-Eyed Women – 4:55
06. Mama Tried – 2:48
07. Peggy-O – 9:41
08. Loser – 8:17
09. Let It Grow – 12:25
10. Sugaree – 11:04
11. Lazy Lightnin’ -> – 2:53
12. Supplication – 4:37
CD2
01. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 11:27
02. Dancing In The Streets – 12:43
03. Cosmic Charlie – 8:39
04. Scarlet Begonias – 11:07
05. St. Stephen – 4:15
06. Not Fade Away – 9:54
07. Drums – 3:34
08. Jam – 2:05
09. St. Stephen – 2:02
10. Sugar Magnolia – 9:39
CD3
01. Cold Rain & Snow – 6:36
02. Big River – 5:54
03. Cassidy – 4:32
04. Tennessee Jed – 8:37
05. New Minglewood Blues – 6:05
06. Candyman – 7:24
07. It’s All Over Now – 6:39
08. Friend of the Devil – 8:44
09. Let it Grow -> – 11:40
10. Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad – 9:13
CD4
01. Playing In The Band – 10:39
02. The Wheel – 7:07
03. Samson & Delilah – 8:01
04. Jam – 5:39
05. Comes A Time – 7:49
06. Drums – 4:58
07. Eyes Of The World – 8:38
08. Orange Tango Jam – 4:46
09. Dancing In The Streets – 9:15
10. Playing In The Band – 5:05
11. Johnny B. Goode – 4:33
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 19 (Live 1973) (@256)
13 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
This triple-disc installment captures the Grateful Dead on the road in the American Midwest — Fairgrounds Arena, Oklahoma City on October 19, 1973. The Dead’s performances during this era contain a virtually tangible and overtly emotive quality.
While over half of the tracks from their recent album “Wake of the Flood” are presented here, from that cache comes a particularly inspired combination of “Eyes of the World” and “Stella Blue”.
The joy of rediscovering these gems night after night fuels the Dead’s passion to expand the music into new malleable forms of expression. A well-developed “Playing in the Band”, as well as “Dark Star”, best demonstrate the advanced state of the Dead’s instincts to explore and uncover new variations on a theme. The incorporation of the “Mind Left Body Jam”, as a conduit between the songs, is an example of this process in motion. Rather than forcing the music down a pre-determined path, they allow it to progress and unfold organically.
The highlight of the set is the “Morning Dew”. It contains everything you want in a “Dew”; perfectly sweet vocals, melodic riffs, Phil bombs, Keith and Bobby riffs, and Jerry’s phrasing. The peaks and valleys shine, and Garcia lays it all out. During the start of the second instrumental the song is so quiet and still. Then, slowly and melodically it picks up energy; it then builds, and builds, and builds into an explosive peak. It’s not just the energy though; the melodies that bring the song to its crest are just as beautiful and important. Pure bliss.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Phil Lesh / bass guitar, vocals
- Keith Godchaux / piano
- Donna Godchaux / vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
Track List:
CD1
01. Promised Land – 3:44
02. Sugaree – 8:17
03. Mexicali Blues – 3:57
04. Tennessee Jed – 8:00
05. Looks Like Rain – 8:04
06. Don’t Ease Me In – 4:23
07. Jack Straw – 5:31
08. They Love Each Other – 5:43
09. El Paso – 4:50
10. Row Jimmy – 9:23
CD2
01. Playin’ In The Band – 18:26
02. China Cat – 9:11
03. I Know You Rider – 6:17
04. Me & My Uncle – 3:33
05. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 7:30
06. Big River – 4:51
CD3
01. Dark Star – 15:45
02. Mind Left Body Jam – 10:40
03. Morning Dew – 13:55
04. Sugar Magnolia – 10:09
05. Eyes Of The World – 14:30
06. Stella Blue – 7:57
07. Johnny B. Goode – 4:08
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Univers Zero – Relaps Archives 1984-1986 (@256)
12 Feb 2011
(Review from progarchives.com)
Although presented as an archives compilation, this album could also be a live album since all the tracks were recorded live in a bunch of concert ranging from Feb 1984 until Feb 86, but somehow it also echoes the “Crawling Winds” EP that focused between 1981 and 83.
With its superb red-tainted fossil rock artwork, Relaps rehashes mostly material of “Uzed” and its successor “Heatwave”, in spite of a lengthy lapse of time where the band lay dormant, while Denis and Mergenthaler where active with Art Zoyd. Relaps is an essential piece of work showing that the band’s most exceptional moments were indeed live.
Roughly the disc is made of two main chunks of three tracks (In Hannover, Feb 84) opening and closing the album, with two selections making up the centre. The first chunk includes mostly tracks from Uzed and most notably the always-amazing “Présage”, which is still the cornerstone on which the second phase of Univers Zero sits upon. Equally interesting, “Parade” is a stunning piece that gains from its studio version. After excerpts of “Ligne Claire” watering the mouth, we are thrown into a brilliant rendition of “Emanations” in what became Univers Zero’s last concert for over a decade, the Frankfurt Jazz Festival.
Finally the last chunk comes from Seraing where the tracks are mostly from the future “Heatwave” album with the returning Andy Kirk in the fold and indeed both the 9-mins Heatwave and the 18-mins Funeral Plain are both outstanding versions (especially the latter) and to cap it all off, a short improv of Etrange Mixture.
Line-up:
- Daniel Denis / drums
- Michel Delory / guitar (5-8)
- Dirck Descheemaeker / soprano sax, clarinet, bass clarinet
- Christian Genet / bass
- Patrick Hanappier / violin, viola (5-8)
- Andy Kirk / keyboards (5-8)
- Andre Mergen / cello, alto sax, voice (1-4)
- Jean/Luc Plouvier / keyboards
Track List:
01. L’etrange Mixture du Docteur Schwartz – 4:03
02. Presage – 10:06
03. Parade – 8:13
04. Ligne Claire (extract) – 3:48
05. Emanations – 12:26
06. Hetawave – 8:41
07. The Funeral Plain – 18:07
08. L’etrange mixture du Docteur Schwartz – 4:44
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 18 (Live 1978) (@256)
12 Feb 2011
(Review from wikipedia, allmusic)
This archival release was recorded February 3, 1978, at the Dane County Coliseum in Madison and on February 5, 1978, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. There are also two songs from the February 4, 1978 show at the Milwaukee Auditorium.
A composite first set has been assembled on the first disc, with the second disc containing the second set in Madison from the third song on, and the third disc containing all of the Cedar Falls second set except the encore.
The jury-rigged first set is an interesting combination of old and recent material, but the meat of the album comes on the second and third discs, which feature long medleys full of exploratory instrumental passages. The second disc contains a combination of four songs that runs more than 66 minutes without a break; the third disc has three sections, including two medleys of approximately half an hour apiece.
The song selection and the band’s treatment of the material provide a representative look at the Dead’s career in 1978. Seven of the tunes are among their ten most played songs of that year, each turning up more than 30 times in 80 shows. And the performances are typical, with first-set songs like “Passenger” and “The Music Never Stopped” getting feisty treatment, while the second sets run on and on with the kind of unhurried improvising that delights Deadheads.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / percussion
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Phil Lesh / bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / keyboards
Track List:
CD1
01. Bertha – 6:42
02. Good Lovin’ – 6:14
03. Cold Rain and Snow – 6:17
04. New Minglewood Blues – 5:41
05. They Love Each Other – 7:42
06. It’ All Over Now – 7:39
07. Dupree’s Diamond Blues – 4:37
08. Looks Like Rain – 7:59
09. Brown-eyed Woman – 5:34
10. Passenger – 5:40
11. Deal – 6:34
12. The Music Never Stopped – 8:06
CD2
01. Estimated Prophet -> – 12:16
02. Eyes Of The World -> – 14:37
03. Playing In The Band -> – 24:35
04. The Wheel -> – 5:43
05. Playing In The Band – 9:02
06. Johnny B. Goode – 4:38
CD3
01. Samson and Delilah – 11:21
02. Scarlet Begonias -> – 12:45
03. Fire on the mountain – 17:03
04. Truckin’ -> – 9:17
05. Drums -> – 1:56
06. The Other One -> – 9:02
07. Wharf Rat -> – 8:58
08. Around and around – 8:34
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Union – On Strike (1981) (@256)
11 Feb 2011
(Review from canadianbands.com, rateyourmusic.com)
After the demise of Ironhorse, the band replaced Foos with Bachman’s fellow Brave Belt and Bachman-Turner Overdive member CF Turner on bass, and carried on – now under the monikor of Union in 1981.
Their sole album, “On Strike” blends melodic rock, bad bar band boogie, and even disco-pop on the title track.
Highlights include the almost jazzy feeling “Mainstreet U.S.A.”, the second single “Next Stop London”, “Keep The Summer Alive” and “All Night Long”.
When the label opted out of a deal for a second record due to a lacklustre response, the band was no more.
Line-up:
- Randy Bachman / guitar
- CF Turner / bass
- Frank Ludwig / vocals
- Chris Leighton / drums
Track List:
01. Mainstreet USA – 3:57
02. Next Stop London – 3:00
03. Stay Away From The Honky Tonks – 3:49
04. Care Of Me – 3:29
05. Keep The Summer Alive – 3:01
06. On Strike – 3:32
07. Texas Cannonball – 2:51
08. Pacific Northwest Blues – 4:26
09. Invitation – 3:42
10. All Night Long – 4:04
Link in comments.
Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 17 (Live 1991) (@256)
11 Feb 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com, allmusic)
This is a complete concert recorded from their September 25, 1991, performance at the Boston Garden in Boston, MA. There is some bonus filler from March 31, 1991, from Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC.
The interplay between Welnick’s organ and synthesizer and Hornsby’s pianos, and their effect on the Dead’s sound, are the headline stories of this release. This is especially true because of Welnick’s interesting use of synthesized sounds, and because the slick, showy Hornsby keeps up his own musical commentary on piano.
The first CD includes the complete first set; it has nothing to complain about, though nothing extraordinary. The most interesting jamming is in “Help” > “Slipknot” > “Franklins Tower.” The “Maybe it was the Roses” > “Dire Wolf” combination is rare, but no big deal.
Set 2 begins on the second disc with “Victim or the Crime”. It is followed by a fine version of “Crazy Fingers” that segues perfectly into “Playing in the Band” and it transitions effortlessly into “Terrapin Station”. This is followed by the most interesting part of the show, the “Boston Clam Jam”, which Hornsby dominates and throws in some nice “Terrapin” melodies.
The set continues on the third disc. It includes a Beatles songs “That Would Be Something.” Jerry sings the song; it is short and melodic, and brings nice twist to the show. It flows into a “Playin’ Reprise” that is great with Bruce throwing in some quick sharp piano runs, though, some of Vince’s background coloring is annoying. The set closes with a Jerry ballad followed by two Bobby show closers.
As a bonus, we are treated to two songs from March 31, 1991, awesome stuff. “Samson & Deliliah”, is played great, notably the Jerry and Bruce’s interplay throughout the verses. The closing instrumental has all the band members are going at full force for a two-minute frenzy. It is followed be a stunning 23:31 rendition of “Eyes of the World”.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bruce Hornsby / keyboards, accordion, vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
- Vince Welnick / keyboards, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Help On The Way -> – 4:15
02. Slipknot! -> – 5:30
03. Franklin’s Tower -> – 10:41
04. Walkin’ Blues – 6:30
05. It Must Have Been The Roses -> – 5:45
06. Dire Wolf – 3:59
07. Queen Jane Approximately – 7:16
08. Tennessee Jed -> – 7:50
09. The Music Never Stopped – 8:18
CD2
01. Victim or the Crime -> – 8:24
02. Crazy Fingers -> – 9:38
03. Playing in the Band -> – 9:22
04. Terrapin Station -> – 12:47
05. Boston Clam Jam -> – 5:37
06. Drums -> – 11:04
07. Space -> – 8:15
CD3
01. That Would Be Something – > – 3:51
02. Playing in the Band – > – 5:23
03. China Doll – > – 5:46
04. Throwing Stones – > – 8:59
05. Not Fade Away – 9:01
06. The Mighty Quinn – 4:43
07. Samson and Delilah – > – 7:47
08. Eyes of the World – 23:30
Link in comments.
Ironhorse – Everything is Grey (1980) (@320)
10 Feb 2011
Request of IndigoShades.
(Review from canadianbands.com, rateyourmusic.com)
Pressure from the label to come up with a more main-stream album led to Sparks being replaced with vocalist Frank Ludwig. Released in the summer of 1980, “Everything is Grey” featured new bassist Ron Foos as well.
The album is rock and roll for the easy listening set. Highlights include “Try A Little Harder”, “Only Way To Fly” and the title track which all held their own.
The album was a fitting epitaphe for the band, with nothing seemingly going right. Problems with management and the label’s financial woes were affecting the band – on the air and onstage, plus the changing musical landscape in general spelled the end of Ironhorse.
Track List:
01. Everything Is Grey – 4:12
02. What’s Your Hurry Darlin’? – 4:33
03. Symphony – 3:26
04. Only Way To Fly – 3:59
05. Try A Little Harder – 3:27
06. I’m Hurtin’ Inside – 4:01
07. Playin’ That Same Old Song – 3:56
08. Railroad Love – 3:44
09. Somewhere, Sometime – 3:58
10. Keep Your Motor Running – 3:35
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 16 (Live 1969) (@256)
10 Feb 2011
(Review from allmusic)
The band that took the stage of the old Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco on November 8, 1969, was a band in transition. None of their three albums had sold well, but their double-LP concert set, Live/Dead, was days away from hitting the stores; its extended improvisations would capture the essence of the group’s appeal and finally help them turn the corner commercially. Meanwhile, the Dead had added an unsuspected talent for short, craftsmanlike country-folk-rock tunes with literate lyrics sung in harmony.
The first set features the bulk of the material that will make up “Workingman’s Dead”. They are anything but smooth; though they have worked out the general approach to the songs, they are still in near-rehearsal mode. Lyrics are blown and repeated, and the band is clearly feeling its way through the changes.
It’s hard to imagine another group that would throw half a set’s worth of new songs at an audience without even knowing quite how to play them yet, but of course the Dead’s fans only lap it up, and listeners decades later can delight in experiencing classic material in embryonic form.
Starting with the second CD, the Dead present a definitive performance of their lengthy concert style, one long medley spreading across the second and third CDs. This whole section runs over an hour and 40 minutes, constituting an expanded, alternate version of Live/Dead. (The final track, a 25½-minute version of “Turn on Your Lovelight,” comes from the previous night).
This album presents more than three hours of the Grateful Dead in fine form before a hometown crowd at a turning point in their development, halfway between what they had been and what they were becoming. In capturing a moment of extraordinary and unexpected growth, the album fulfills one of the major goals of such an archival series.
Line-up:
- Tom Constanten / keyboards
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Bill Kreutzmann / drums
- Phil Lesh / bass, vocals
- Ron “Pigpen” McKernan / harmonica, percussion, vocals
- Bob Weir / rhythm guitar, vocals
Track List:
CD1
01. Good Morning Little School Girl – 13:33
02. Casey Jones – 4:51
03. Dire Wolf – 8:24
04. Easy Wind – 9:02
05. China Cat Sunflower – 3:45
06. I Know You Rider – 5:40
07. High Time – 7:48
08. Mama Tried – 3:10
09. Good Lovin’ – 9:17
10. Cumberland Blues – 4:19
CD2
01. Dark Star – 14:09
02. The Other One – 12:02
03. Dark Star – 1:00
04. Uncle John’s Band Jam – 2:33
05. Dark Star – 3:05
06. St. Stephen – 7:44
07. The Eleven – 14:01
CD3
01. Caution – 17:28
02. The Main Ten – 3:10
03. Caution – 9:02
04. Feedback – 7:57
05. We Bid You Goodnight – 3:28
06. Turn On Your Lovelight – 25:29
Link in comments.
Ironhorse – Ironhorse (1979) (@320)
09 Feb 2011
Request of IndigoShades.
(Review from canadianbands.com)
After leaving Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Randy Bachman resurfaced a year later with a new band. They released their self-titled debut the next spring.
The album is best described as Bachman’s outlet to let loose all his penned up musical frustrations, the album ran the gamut of rock’s spectrum, from the gritty “Watch Me Fly” and “Old Fashioned” to the almost-eclectic “Stateline Blues”. The first single “Sweet Lui-Luise” showed great promise, cracking the Top 100.
By that summer their second single “He’s A Joker” hit the airwaves and also gained moderate success. “She’s Got It”, penned by Sparks was quick to follow, while the band was on the road finishing up their first North American tour.
Line-up:
- Randy Bachman / guitar
- Chris Sparks / vocals
- John Pierce / bass
- Mike Baird / drums
Track List:
01. One And Only – 3:27
02. Louise – 3:08
03. Jump Back In The Light – 3:07
04. You Gotta Let Go – 3:54
05. Tumble Weed – 3:14
06. Stateline Blues – 3:41
07. Watch Me Fly – 3:37
08. Old Fashioned – 3:08
09. She’s Got Iy – 3:06
10. There Ain’t No Cure – 3:50
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Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks 15 (Live 1977) (@256)
09 Feb 2011
(Review from thebestofwebsite.com)
This is a complete representation of their September 3, 1977, performance at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ.
The first set begins in high gear with a powerful rendition of Chuck Berry’s “The Promised Land”. Throughout the set we get a mix of ballads, country, and rock ‘n’ roll. The highlight is “Mississippi Half-Step”, a song that has a unique melody, which is signature Grateful Dead. On it, the whole band really shines, but Phil really hits some good runs. The set closes as it opened, that is, with a burst of energy, with a definitive rendition of their original “The Music Never Stopped”.
The second set spreads over the second and third CDs. It begins in electrifying fashion with the upbeat duo of “Bertha” > “Good Lovin’.” Untypical in the second set and very well done is “Loser”; although, the “Estimated Prophet” > “Eyes of the World” is the peak of the second disc.
The set continues on disc three, which has plenty of great moments. “Truckin’” is chosen to close the show and it works extremely well. The band decides to cap the performances off with “Terrapin Station” as the encore, a song that usually is reserved for a prime slot in their set.
1977 was an outstanding year for the Dead and this is yet another proof of it.
Line-up:
- Jerry Garcia / lead guitar, vocals
- Bill Kreutzmann – percussion
- Mickey Hart / drums
- Phil Lesh / bass, vocals
- Bob Weir / guitar, vocals
- Donna Jean Godchaux / vocals
- Keith Godchaux / keyboards
Track List:
CD1
01. Introduction – 0:41
02. Promised Land – 5:08
03. They Love Each Other – 7:41
04. Me & My Uncle – 3:52
05. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo – 13:34
06. Looks Like Rain – 7:52
07. Peggy-O – 9:18
08. New Minglewood Blues – 5:20
09. Friend of the Devil – 8:13
10. The Music Never Stopped – 7:03
CD2
01. Bertha – 8:35
02. Good Lovin’ – 6:00
03. Loser – 8:37
04. Estimated Prophet – 9:29
05. Eyes of the World – 13:17
06. Samson & Delilah – 6:40
CD3
01. He’s Gone – 14:18
02. Not Fade Away – 20:06
03. Truckin’ – 10:06
04. Terrapin Station – 11:02
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Jan Dukes de Grey – Strange Terrain (1976-77) (@256)
08 Feb 2011
(Info from sleeve)
After the dissolution of the band, Derek Noy continued his musical journey as “Noy’s Band” and then “Rip Snorter” before reclaiming the name. The new band (featuring only Derek Noy as the original member) entered the studio and recorded material which would become Jan Dukes de Grey’s third album but the album was never published. This archival release features these recordings with bonus material from Noy’s earlier adventures.
Dark, sombre and mysterious, “Strange Terrain” retains the boundless spirit of adventure and idiosyncratic approach to music-making that characterised the original band’s earlier albums, and is a vital addition to Jan Dukes de Grey’s small but fascinating body of recorded work.
Line-up:
- Derek Noy / vocals, all guitars, keyboards, banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, bass
- Fiona Dellar / percussion, keyboards, vocals
- Maurice McElroy / drums
- Eddy Spence / keyboards, saxophone (1-15)
- Gary Twigg / bass (1-13)
- Peter Lemer / keyboards (1-13)
- Alan Rhodes / bass (14-15)
- Patrick Dean / lead guitar (14-15)
with
- Nick Griffiths / back vocals, bass (12)
- Michael Gorhard / tenor sax (12)
- Ray Cooper / percussion (4, 6)
- Gary Kettel / marimba (8)
- Chris Hunter / sax (5)
- Lydia Lisle – spoken vocals (1), back vocals (3, 4, 12)
- Pepi Lemer / back vocals
- Ian Bartholomew / back vocals
- Danielle / spoken vocal (2)
Track List:
01. The List – 4:01
02. Venus Time Trap – 3:16
03. Free Flow – 3:07
04. Saved By The Bell – 3:45
05. Xkanitzki Avenue – 3:59
06. Blue Pseud Megalomaniac’s Shoes – 3:08
07. Chic Silver – 2:59
08. You Won’t Fool Al – 3:17
09. Charm School – 3:38
10. Haunting Me – 4:46
11. Mug Shots – 3:34
12. Darker Shade Of Grey – 3:22
13. Free Flow (Bonus Alternate) – 3:11
14. Dr. Dark (Bonus) – 4:20
15. Obscuring The View (Bonus) – 3:06
16. Hell’s Bells (Bonus) – 4:05
17. Gourmet Man (Bonus) – 3:46
18. Confidentially (Bonus) – 4:07
19. Standing In A Little ‘Ole (Bonus) – 3:31
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