The United States celebrates it's Independence, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends, and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
We took the opportunity a few years back to talk about the Best American Band question on July 4th. Now (in a tradition started years ago) we are just giving you our answer in concert form, the Grateful Dead's July 4th 1989 concert. What a doozy! It is the perfect time to bust it back out and get Truckin' Up To Buffalo.
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Who!
Let's go back to 1989 when The Who broke out Tommy and toured the world behind it (again). This show was captured at their LA stop on that tour.
Pro shot, pro sound, enjoy!
The Who - Rock Opera Tommy - Full Concert - 1989 - Live performance in Los Angeles at the Universal Amphitheater
Roger Daltry (Vocals) Peter Townsend (Vocals/ Guitar) John Entwistle (Vocals Bass) Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Steve Winwood Simon Phillips (drums) Steve Boltz Bolton (Guitar) John Rabbit Bundrick (Keyboards) Roddy Lorimor (trumpet) Jody Linscott (Percussion) Simon Clarke (Saxophone) Tim Sanders (Saxophone) Niel Sidwell (Trombone) Simon Gardner (Trumpet) Chyna (Vocals) Cleveland (Vocals) Billy Nichols (Vocals)
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends, and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
We took the opportunity a few years back to talk about the Best American Band question on July 4th. Now (in a tradition started years ago) we are just giving you our answer in concert form, the Grateful Dead's July 4th 1989 concert. What a doozy! It is the perfect time to bust it back out and get Truckin' Up To Buffalo.
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Ventures!
With summer kicking into high gear here in NYC, let's get some surf rock flowing for our Full Show Friday this week. This show was originally recorded in 1983 but wasn't released until 1989, the 30th anniversary of the band.
Pro shot, Pro Sound, with a ton of guest. Full set list below. Enjoy!
The Ventures 30th Anniversary
00:00 1 Wipe Out / Guest / MAX WEINBERG
03:45 2 Tequila / Guest / JEFF BAXTER
06:36 3 Apache / Guest / PETER FRAMPTON
09:28 4 Memphis / Guest / RICK DERRINNGER
12:50 5 Telstar / Guest / CHRIS SPEDDING
15:11 6 Out Of Limits / THE RAYBEATS
17:05 7 Perfidia / Guest / ROBBY KRIEGE
19:18 8 Slaughter 0n 10th Avenue
21:21 9 Sleep Walk / Guest / JEFF BAXTER
24:40 10 Bumble Bee Twist / Guest / ROBBY KRIEGER
27:03 11 Let's Go
29:17 12 Hawaii Five-o / Guest / MAX WEINBERG
31:49 13 Pipeline / Guest / PPETER FRAMPTON & CHRIS SPEDDNG
34:59 14 Walk Don't Run
The Ventures
Don Wilson / Guitar
Nokie Edwards / Guitar
Bob Bogle / Bass
Mel Taylor / Drums
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Huey Lewis and the News!
This week it is an RtBE long time favorite Huey Lewis and the News, live from Slim's in San Francisco, CA 5/23/89. RtBE were lucky enough to catch HLatN back in 2013 and it was a blast.
Pro shot, pro sound with full set list and story below. Enjoy:
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends, and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
We took the opportunity a few years back to talk about the Best American Band question on July 4th. Now (in a tradition started years ago) we are just giving you our answer in concert form, the Grateful Dead's July 4th 1989 concert. What a doozy! It is the perfect time to bust it back out and get Truckin' Up To Buffalo.
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
This was played/filmed up at Rich Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills and captures the Dead in one of their better late period shows, pro audio and video to boot. From the opening "Bertha" to the 1st set closing "Deal" Jerry is just on and seems to be in a great mood, playing and singing with energy, leading the band as only he could. A few personal favorites of RtBE's are in their ("Stagger Lee", "Row Jimmy") adding to us digging on this set.
Not many setlist surprises, just on point playing from the group. The second set starts with their lone hit "Touch of Grey" before the reggae tinge of "Man Smart, Woman Smarter". "Terrapin Station" is always a welcomed second set addition and Garcia takes over for a whirlwind "All Along The Watchtower" and "Morning Dew" mid set combo. RtBE are always a sucker for Brent's work on "I Will Take You Home" as it just melts our hearts and what better encore for the 4th of July then "US Blue's"?
The full set list is below, Enjoy:
Set 1 Bertha Greatest Story Ever Told Cold Rain and Snow Walkin' Blues Row Jimmy When I Paint My Masterpiece Stagger Lee Looks Like Rain Deal
Set 2 Touch of Grey Man Smart, Woman Smarter Ship of Fools Playing in the Band Terrapin Station Drums Space I Will Take You Home All Along the Watchtower Morning Dew Not Fade Away E: U.S. Blues
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
This was played/filmed up at Rich Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills and captures the Dead in one of their better late period shows, pro audio and video to boot. From the opening "Bertha" to the 1st set closing "Deal" Jerry is just on and seems to be in a great mood, playing and singing with energy, leading the band as only he could. A few personal favorites of RtBE's are in their ("Stagger Lee", "Row Jimmy") adding to us digging on this set.
Not many setlist surprises, just on point playing from the group. The second set starts with their lone hit "Touch of Grey" before the reggae tinge of "Man Smart, Woman Smarter". "Terrapin Station" is always a welcomed second set addition and Garcia takes over for a whirlwind "All Along The Watchtower" and "Morning Dew" mid set combo. RtBE are always a sucker for Brent's work on "I Will Take You Home" as it just melts our hearts and what better encore for the 4th of July then "US Blue's"?
The full set list is below, Enjoy:
Set 1 Bertha Greatest Story Ever Told Cold Rain and Snow Walkin' Blues Row Jimmy When I Paint My Masterpiece Stagger Lee Looks Like Rain Deal
Set 2 Touch of Grey Man Smart, Woman Smarter Ship of Fools Playing in the Band Terrapin Station Drums Space I Will Take You Home All Along the Watchtower Morning Dew Not Fade Away E: U.S. Blues
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Wolfe Tones!
Recorded live in the Barrowlands, Glasgow the show has all the Rebel songs the band was known for. That crowd looks well lubed and fiery.
Pro shot (for 1989), pro sound, full set list below. Enjoy!
00:14 Come out Ye Black & Tans
02:50 Let The People Sing
05:40 Give Me Your Hand
09:15 Streets of New York
13:46 Botany Bay
19:43 Janey Mac I'm Nearly 40
23:23 The Black Ribbon Band
25:30 The Helicopter Song
27:07 Slieve Na Mban
29:27 The Merry Ploughboy
32:45 My Heart is in Ireland
36:30 James Connolly
42:00 The Man From Mullingar
44:35 We're on the One Road
47:25 God Save Ireland
49:50 Flight of the Earls
54:50 Rock On Rockall
59:00 The Boys of the Old Brigade
1:02:15 Sean South Of Garryowen
1:04:50 The Broad Black Brimmer
1:07:18 The Men Behind the Wire
1:10:10 A Nation Once Again
1:13:10 We're on the One Road
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing (and not dealing) with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging safely with friends and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
(It's official, this is our new 4th of July tradition, so enjoy this great show)
This was played/filmed up at Rich Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills and captures the Dead in one of their better late period shows, pro audio and video to boot. From the opening "Bertha" to the 1st set closing "Deal" Jerry is just on and seems to be in a great mood, playing and singing with energy, leading the band as only he could. A few personal favorites of RtBE's are in their ("Stagger Lee", "Row Jimmy") adding to us digging on this set.
Not many setlist surprises, just on point playing from the group. The second set starts with their lone hit "Touch of Grey" before the reggae tinge of "Man Smart, Woman Smarter". "Terrapin Station" is always a welcomed 2nd set addition and Garcia takes over for a whirlwind "All Along The Watchtower" and "Morning Dew" mid set combo. RtBE are always a sucker for Brent's work on "I Will Take You Home" as it just melts our hearts and what better encore for the 4th of July then "US Blue's"?
The full set list is below, Enjoy:
Set 1 Bertha Greatest Story Ever Told Cold Rain and Snow Walkin' Blues Row Jimmy When I Paint My Masterpiece Stagger Lee Looks Like Rain Deal
Set 2 Touch of Grey Man Smart, Woman Smarter Ship of Fools Playing in the Band Terrapin Station Drums Space I Will Take You Home All Along the Watchtower Morning Dew Not Fade Away E: U.S. Blues
We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...The Irish Rovers!
This months Full Show Friday Series is brought to you by the letter I.
With St. Patrick's day happening this week we went with The Irish Rovers for our Full Show Friday. Pro Shot, Pro Sound, more info on this show below. Enjoy:
The Irish Rovers (Will Millar, George Millar, Jimmy Ferguson, Joe Millar & Wilcil McDowell) celebrated their 25th year together with a Silver Anniversary CBC SuperSpecial in 1989 in their pub The Unicorn in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. They reminisced and sang favourite songs as well as a couple of new ones like the finale written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and performed on stage with Randy Bachman (BTO) and Bill Henderson (Chilliwack), John Reynolds, and with comedian Jimmy Kennedy in comedy sketches. Cameo appearances included Anne Murray, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, Vera Lynn, B J Thomas, Lonnie Donegan, Waylon Jennings, Carl Perkins, Roger Whittaker as well as Lambchop (Shari Lewis), Pat Boone and Tanya Tucker. If you look closely during "Let's All Sing Together" at 9:00, you'll see guests The Clancy Brothers, Brenda Lee, John Davidson, Rita Coolidge, Jim Stafford, Andy Stewart,, Frank Ifield, Janie Fricke, Tom T Hall, Catherine McKinnon and Glenn Yarbrough. NOW WASN'T THAT A PARTY!
There is a lot of music out there and some artists have massive catalogs which can paralyze new listeners with overwhelming choices. This Beginners Guide series will attempt to give new listeners entry points to some of these artists. Today we will look at: The Grateful Dead.
This post was very long so we are breaking it into two parts. This first offering will discuss the five places RtBE feels are the best entry points to the band. The follow up post will dive into the different eras of the Dead and pull out some well known and underappreciated shows for further listening.
In part oneRtBE discussed live shows and albums which will ease a listener into the band. The group has such a wide range of music/sound/shows that RtBE went through the years they were active and pulled out specific highlights. While this gets long, it is literally the tip of the iceberg. The Internet Archive is a digital gold mine for amazing Grateful Dead shows, but below are are choices throughout the years for highlights and further listening.
The United States celebrates it's Independence today, and while the country has deep rooted issues and problems we are dealing with, it is still the best country mankind has founded in our sordid history. So enjoy the outdoors, hanging with friends (in safe social distancing fashion) and living life. What better soundtrack for that is there than The Grateful Dead?!?!
(It's official, this is our new 4th of July tradition, so enjoy this great show)
This was played/filmed up at Rich Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills and captures the Dead in one of their better late period shows, pro audio and video to boot. From the opening "Bertha" to the 1st set closing "Deal" Jerry is just on and seems to be in a great mood, playing and singing with energy, leadingthe band as only he could. A few personal favorites of RtBE's are in their ("Stagger Lee", "Row Jimmy") adding to us digging on this set.
Not many setlist surprises, just on point playing from the group. The second set starts with their lone hit "Touch of Grey" before the reggae tinge of "Man Smart, Woman Smarter". "Terrapin Station" is always a welcomed 2nd set addition and Garcia takes over for a whirlwind "All Along The Watchtower" and "Morning Dew" mid set combo. RtBE are always a sucker for Brent's work on "I Will Take You Home" as it just melts our hearts and what better encore for the 4th of July then "US Blue's"?
The full set list is below, Enjoy:
Set 1
Bertha
Greatest Story Ever Told
Cold Rain and Snow
Walkin' Blues
Row Jimmy
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Stagger Lee
Looks Like Rain
Deal
Set 2
Touch of Grey
Man Smart, Woman Smarter
Ship of Fools
Playing in the Band
Terrapin Station
Drums
Space
I Will Take You Home
All Along the Watchtower
Morning Dew
Not Fade Away
E: U.S. Blues
The summer is here and while Corona Virus has wrecked havoc on live tunes in 2020, the ultimate summer time band the Grateful Dead released (in fall 2019) a huge box set commemorating their jaunts to the 80,0000 seat Giants Stadium in the swamps of New Jersey and we can use the lock down to revisit the behemoth.
These years in Dead history history (somewhat surprisingly) found the Grateful Dead at their popular peak and while long time fans will love/bemoan any era, the band was generally in fine form during these years. Playing these massive outdoor shows spitting distance from the countries largest city guaranteed huge crowds, and if you were one of the thousands who caught these shows this is a fantastic memento...if not, you can skip this bloated release from the band.
It is not that these are bad shows, or poorly played, but there is very little that is must hear over the 15 CD's. Unlike say the recent June '76 box set which illuminated an era and proved wondrous, these concerts have been available to fans in high quality versions for years. If you are new to the band, start elsewhere, this is too big of an investment. The best option may be to just skim the cream of the crop as the best show from this box set has been released on its own and find a good copy of 7/10/89 to round it out.
Below are highlights and comments on each of the shows, it should be noted the quality of the music is fantastic with crystal clear production and restoration of these tye-dyed nights:
From 1989-91 Jerry Garcia saw his last renaissance as a guitarist, singer and bandleader. His main focus, the Grateful Dead reached high points, not seen/heard/experienced for over a decade and he was prolific on his own with the Jerry Garcia Band tours and other solo ventures. His east coast fall '89 JGB tour was only 10 shows long and many of these have been explored/officially released already, so the pickings are dwindling but each night was special, especially the five which saw Clarence Clemons joining the band; this release focuses on one of those nights.
GarciaLive Volume 13: September 16th, 1989 Poplar Creek Music Theatre finds the band wrapping up this tour with the players firmly in their groove. The group, keyboardist Melvin Seals, drummer David Kemper, bassist John Kahn and backing vocalists Gloria Jones and Jackie LaBranch were old pros at this and Clarence Clemons had been on the road with the outfit for four shows prior to this one, so the musical language was well understood.
Fans familiar with JGB will know what to expect while those newcomers will find languid takes on covers, older tunes and a few solo Garcia songs that aren't regularly played with the Dead. The pace is always slow, but the group interplay can be exciting even with the laid back tempo.
The first set takes a few songs for things to start to click in as the opening trio of songs, "Cats Under Stars", "They Love Each Other" and "Let It Rock" are clunky with the band not truly finding their sweet spot. The sluggish "I Shall Be Released" is the actual low point of this night as the band follows Jerry who creeks and sputters, forgetting some lyrics.
The band though surprisingly clicks into gear during the following "Someday Baby" as Seals steals the spotlight with an outstanding solo giving life to the number and the players carry that forward throughout the night. "Dear Prudence" is dramatic as the group interlock into a whirling crescendo before the gospel influenced "Let's Spend The Night Together" ends the first set on a positive note as Clemmons sax work fits expertly into the band as if he has always been there.
The second set is the main reason to grab this collection as the group is firing from the very first notes of the classic "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" with Jones and LaBranch's vocals dancing gorgeously with Clemons, Seal and Garcia's melodic notes. The dramatic rendition of "Knockin' On Heavens Door" is injected with reggae while Garcia's vocals are strong and passionate with Clemons contributing splendidly.
The blues vamp of "Think" let's the band smooth it on out as Seals and Clemons lead the way while the gospel vibe returns with "Waiting On A Miracle" allowing Garcia to weave in and out with his six string. The soul strutting, tempo and energy all kick up for "Evangeline" as the good times roll into the set closing version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" which is the only dragging song for the second set.
Things pick back up big time for the show closing ripping cover of "Tangled Up In Blue" culminating in a soaring finish in celebratory fashion over the Bob Dylan classic. While Garcia fans have heard multiple shows from this run, GarciaLive Volume 13: September 16th, 1989 Poplar Creek Music Theatre is a worthy addition to Garcia's legacy as he, Clemons and crew deliver the goods.
RtBE loves listening to new music and prides itself on keeping tabs on up and coming artists but in 2019 we are also going to have a monthly spotlight on legendary artists who we really love. We are calling this series The Masters. It will focus on the best albums, live records, transcendent shows and other odd ways we appreciate the artists and their contribution to music, culture and our formation.
Uncle Neil is an artist who constantly follows the muse for both good and bad. Not everything has been great or even good (see his early and mid 80's output) but when the creative stars align he has produced some of the best classic rock tunes, which will live on forever.
A songwriter who oscillates between screaming loud riffs and acoustic folk ballads Neil touches on all genres and sounds. RtBE tends to lean towards his louder/heavier side, and for this list we are leaving out all of his albums with Crazy Horse. This is done because basically our personal preferences would put five of those albums in this list so we wanted to separate them out with their own post coming later this month.
Below we are picking Neil Young's best studio work, (minus the Horse, that list can be found here), but like lots of artists in our Master series there will be excellent albums left out. As always this list is a discussion starter, not a final statement on the matter. Let's dig in...
RtBE loves listening to new music and prides itself on keeping tabs on up and coming artists but in 2019 we are also going to have a monthly spotlight on legendary artists who we really love. We are calling this series The Masters. It will focus on the best albums, live records, transcendent shows and other odd ways we appreciate the artists and their contribution to music, culture and our formation.
For June The Masters focuses on the great The Grateful Dead.
Live music is the best thing out there. Being caught in the moment is religion. Palpable vibes of healing and energy are transmitted and shit...gets...real. For this month's focus, The Grateful Dead may be more tied to the live show than any other rock band in history. They developed a literal touring mini economy and because of the bands massive structure, had to be on the road almost constantly.
The group had many phases and multiple lineup shifts, but the stage is where they truly succeeded as a collective, playing in the moment and without net. The group soared more than non-fans give them credit for and that thrilling collective experience is what kept fans touring the country with their musical heroes.
For other entries in The Masters, when it comes to live albums there were some limits, with the Dead it is just the opposite, there have been so many live releases it is hard to limit this list to "official" releases as prolific taping, the Internet Archive and tons of other sites have made obtaining a certain night in the bands history incredibly easy.
However, since we have been using official releases for other entries of The Masters, we will stick with that for this post and move to personal "Go-To" shows at a later date. We know that times have changed and while One From the Vault and Hundred Year Hall were instrumental to our love of the Dead, these days people do not need official releases to get soundboard quality and are much more likely to just stream a solid show then purchase an "official release".
With Dicks/Dave's Picks, the criminally underrated Road Trips series and various completest Box Sets being offered up seemingly every month (their whole history will be officially released soon) it is hard to keep track of which shows are officially out there and which are still in the hands of tapers, so for this list we are skipping all of those and just going with live albums released officially by the band. Going to be tough, but we will give this a shot, below are our top five live albums from the Grateful Dead.
As always, these lists are designed to start conversations, not end them.
In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today is a live cover by The Grateful Dead of the Dylan tune "Desolation Row"
Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this track:
A magnum opus of early Dylan. A song that is mystical and heated, politically charged while never explicit. One of the more expansive songs he has written and an early indicator that Dylan was on another level lyrically. From Ezra Pound to Bette Davis there are literary references, pop culture bits and a complete fabled world that comes alive in the ears. A true high point when it comes to Bob Dylan songs. Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artist: RtBE loves the Grateful Dead. We have voted for them as the Best American Band in our favorite bar stool conversation and are showcasing them this month in our Master's Series. Thoughts on Cover:
A really solid version of this tune the Dead covered quite a few times. The bass lines from Lesh are really well placed, Brent's atmospheric keyboards and Jerry's vibrant guitar runs/backing vocals contain great flair, but it is Bobby Weir nailing the singing and lyrics on this Dylan tune which make it special. From 7/19/89 whose whole show is really top notch and forms the basis of Down Hill From Here.
.jpg)
.jpg/800px-Para_Rael99_(que_nos_quiten_lo_bailao).jpg)
