Album Review: The Grateful Dead - Dave's Picks #27

The Grateful Dead

Dave's Picks #27 

9/2/83 Boise State University Pavilion, Idaho

***and 1/2 out of *****

There is no shortage of Grateful Dead music out in the world today. There is the Internet Archive, there is the fantastic Relisten app and there is of course all of the official releases that seem to come out in all shapes and forms these days, Box Sets, Collections and the ongoing Dave's Picks series which started in 2012.

After the immensely successful Dicks Pick's series (named after tape vault archivist Dick Latvala and started in 1993) brought a full generation into the band's legacy with expert show selection and quality recordings the series ended when Latvala passed away. The archivists moved into the (underrated in RtBE's opinion) Road Trip Series which focused on show highlights as compared to full concerts.

Dave's Pick's went back to the that more popular formula, showcasing obscure shows from some far out locations and it took up until release #27 for them to get to the mid 80's one of the most maligned eras in Dead history. The band was about to hit a wall, Jerry was only a few years away from his diabetic coma and in general the players and crew were not happy in the mid-80's for various reasons; The Grateful Dead almost didn't make it out of the heart of the decade.

You need to dig deeper in the early 80's to find a good show (unlike say '72 or '77) and that is just what current tape archivist David Lemieux did. The board recording comes from a cassette tape captured by Dan Healey which was expertly mastered by Jeffrey Norman for this release. The sound is utterly amazing as those involved did everything they could to put the listener in Boise on this night with the best seat in the house.

Shockingly this is the only time the road warrior outfit ever played the state of Idaho and the band is a fun loving mood with Phil introducing the takeover. The concert has special vibe as the band selects "Wang Dang Doodle" as the opener marking only the second time they had tackled it onstage. The bluesy beginning drips into a powerful version of "Jack Straw" and Phil Lesh's bass in particular sounds thunderous in the mix throughout.

A pretty "They Love Each Other" and soulful "Brown Eyed Women", have Jerry forgetting a few words (reoccurring theme this evening) but using his six string expertly around the upbeat "Mama Tried" > "Big River" pairing which lets Brent Mydland and Bobby Weir tag team some twang.

It is the close of the first set where the band kicks this show into a second gear as the "Big Rail Road Blues", "Looks Like Rain" > "Deal" trio elevate the night. The energy of "Big Rail Road Blues" flows from both drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman, the whole band hops on board as conductor Garcia leads the fiery way; this is the best version of the song RtBE has ever come across.

While "Looks Like Rain" can become sappy and dull this version is anything but, really playing up the drama as Weir croons the tune before the band drops into possibly their longest version of "Deal" ever; just check out that guitar solo to end as Garcia picks up where he left off in"Big Rail Road Blues"; this "Deal" rivals 7/19/89 as the best in the groups history.     

The second set starts with the segue trio "Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower" with Garcia forgetting most of the words to the opener but playing extra hard through the end including a very powerful "Slipknot!". The "Estimated Prophet" is par for the course rendition as is "Eyes of the World" (which features some audience tape in the middle) as the versions of both of these are fine but far from must hear. The end of Eyes however lends itself to some unique strumming and playing before "Drums" as Bobby and Brent start noodling around during "Jam". This sense of musical experimentation leads to a very listenable "Space" (don't skip this one) before a bouncing version of "Throwing Stones".

Garcia may not have had his singing/lyrical chops on this night, but he surprisingly pulls everything together to close out the show with an engaging "Black Peter" (not normally one of RtBE's favorites) and an upbeat "Sugar Magnolia". Jerry's most heartfelt vocals were saved for the encore on this night as "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" shows how dynamic Bob Dylan covers are when the Dead decide to tackle them.   

We here at RtBE are huge Dead fans, (see this for more) so giving this a Star Rating is tough. Comparatively to all the excellent records released this year, this is solid, but nothing earth shattering. If you are new to the Dead, Dave's Picks #27 isn't the greatest place to start (go with the old standby Cornell '77) but for people who are fans already, looking for a quality show from an underrepresented era of the groups history, presented with pristine sound, where every player was pretty on-point, this is a damn good listen.
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Support the band, buy the album and peep some video below (Please note: this isn't the remastered sound you get on the official recording):

10 Years With Glide Magazine: A Look Back Part 3

Wow, @glidemag, has it really been 10 years since I first contributed to the website? That is hard to believe, time flies. In chatting with the sites fantastic editor, Shane Handler, about this series it turns out I have been the longest continual contributor to Glide, that's a fun feat. It continues to be a great ride but since everyone likes round numbers, I decided to take some time to look back at my favorite writings for the site.

Since last week we picked out a few of our least favorite albums, with some of our favorite reviews attached to them. This week we will reflect on great albums whose reviews hold up.

Album Review: Ryan Adams- Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams

** out of *****

When an established artist decides to self title an album at some point in their ongoing career it means one thing, rebirth. The artists want to make a statement that this is who they are now and going forward. It can be successful or fall flat but there is no doubt that self titling means a lot more then: just couldn't think of a clever album name.

Except in Ryan Adams case...

When asked about the title he was quoted as saying:

"I could not think of a name for this record. Everything I came up with sounded so stupid. Everything sounded like a King Crimson album title, some convoluted shit. [...] I was like, I can’t call this Shadows or something, I just can’t do it."

Well exception to every rule I guess.

As for the music contained on the self titled release, all of the tracks are straight out of Tom Petty B-Cuts bin circa '82. The whole album is nailed into that time and space and would make great adult contemporary FM radio staples if that thing still existed; that isn't a good thing.

The opening track "Gimme Something Good" takes that Petty sound and mimics it, constructing a full sounding track with co-producer Mike Viola helping out along with (coincidentally?) Heartbreaker Benmont Tench on organs. It ends up the best all around effort (the Elvira video doesn't hurt) but all of the other tracks on the disk are in this style. "I Just Might" goes a bit of the Bruce Springsteen "I'm On Fire" route while the Steve Winwood light "Am I Safe" has some questioning emo-influenced lyrics over a pure pop vibe.

Lyrically Adams stays generic, smack dab in the middle of the road on every track. He's tired of giving up, you're his wrecking ball and there is comfort (or fear?) in the shadows. Nothing new or very memorable on the lyric front but the music deserves a bit more attention. 

The album gets an extra half of star to the rating because of the immaculate production and sound that is alive on this disk. Sure the early 80's weren't a great time for music but if the albums during that period had this crisp clear deep sound, things would have been better. Whether stripped down simple six strings or deep bass and organs the sound is lush and full. Self produced, Adams has displayed (as well as on other releases) his expert production touch proving PAX AM studios are a sonic delight.

If he wants to be the next Tom Petty that is well and good, Petty won't be doing it much longer, but the one thing Petty had was hits in bunches and unfortunately at the end of Ryan Adams not one tune sticks with you.
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Support the artist here, buy the album here and peep some video below.

Album Review: Earthless Meets Heavy Blanket- In A Dutch Haze

Hey all got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!

This is jam/noise/guitar-soloin'g craziness right here. I said most of what I want to say in the review except when dealing with the star ranking, personally this one is MEGA!!! but I understand this type of rock isn't for everyone so I think 7 stars is a good pick and just make sure you know what you are in for.

Also need to mention the Glide team and editing, I love that the whole crew over there that has let me write for them for, Jesus, I don't even know how long, and I also love they have different senses of what is appropriate for a review. Here is my opening sentence that I sent in:

Stoner/Psych rock geeks get ready to cream in your jeans as a unique pairing of six-string wizards and a jamming rhythm section, one time only improv set from 2012 Roadburn Festival was captured and now released as Earthless Meets Heavy Blanket, In a Dutch Haze.

compared to what they posted: 

Stoner/psych fans are sure to get some pelvic region blood flowing from this unique pairing of six-string wizards and a jamming rhythm section are captured in this one time only improv set from the 2012 Roadburn Festival titled Earthless Meets Heavy Blanket/In a Dutch Haze.

Not any sort of deal big or small to me, but I find it very amusing blood better then geeky sploosh? I still love that cream your jeans line I took from The Kentucky Fried Movie...will have to try to use that again sometime. ...Anyways:

Buy the Album here, stream it on their bandcamp page

and peep some video of them doing it live below: 

Album Review: Beck- Morning Phase

Beck 

Morning Phase

***and1/2 out of *****

Even before the music rises on Morning Phase the album art recalls Beck's most introspective release 2002's Sea Change. It is also being marketed as a companion piece to that album and instantly sets the reflective mood. In 2014 Beck is more nuanced but not much more upbeat; there is a melancholy feeling that seeps into everything here.

What can't be over stated is Beck's growing stature as a producer. The music, production, texture and layering of various instruments voices and sounds is astonishing; this is simply an amazing sounding album. While the song writing seems stuck in an icy box of loner-ism the music (provided by his long time collaborators guitarist Smokey Hormel, bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen, keyboard player Roger Joseph Manning Jr. and drummer Joey Waronker) comes alive, supported as well by layers of strings and vocals constructing a musical depth that requires repeated listens to soak it all in.

Beck has said he wanted to make a "California music album" when discussing Morning Phase. While tracks like "Blackbird Chain" resemble the country ease mixed with pop that California has been known for, there is a distance that is more reminiscent of Neil Young's On The Beach, recorded in Cali, but not always thought of when "California sound" is mentioned.

"Wave" is the albums centerpiece and built on a humming string foundation Beck repeats the phrase "Isolation" coldly over and over again in a foreboding manner. This doesn't feel like a lost soul it presents someone who has chosen to be isolated. Same can be said for "Don't Let It Go" which comes from a place of experience, yet Beck by design never seems to let the listener in as if he is already too far gone.

The first single "Blue Moon" is the most upbeat track here, along with "Heart Is A Drum" but things are still very very mellow, his first line in "Blue Moon" says it all, "I'm so tired of being low". There are flashes of drums and strums but things all over Morning Phase are sleepy and relaxed, moving too easily into distant and cold. The production and sonic sounds are stunningly gorgeous yet Beck still seems to be on the outside looking in emotionally.   
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Honestly? We never dug on Sea Change and until that point, loved Beck. Morning Phase is well constructed, professional, and serves a purpose...just not sure how often we are going to go back and listen to it. The rating and stars for this one is tough, waffled between 3 and 3 and 1/2 but in the end it doesn't matter...  

That said support the artist here, buy the album here and peep some video below:

Album Review- Saint Saviour - Union

Hey all,

Got a new review up on Glide.

Read it Right C'here!!!!

It is of Saint Saviour's debut full length release, Union. 

One of my favorite things about reviewing albums is going outside of my comfort zone when it comes to music and trying to approach things with a fresh mind.  I can safely say I will personally not listen to this album again, but that shouldn't effect how I review it critically, at least I don't think it should. 

If you are a fan of electro-pop, singer-songwriters, this could be for you. As I mention in the review the songs take risks at times and can come alive, I just know this style doesn't do much for me in my free time.  The 2 and half star rating is supposed to represent this: It’s pretty good.  Has some high points.  You wouldn’t listen to it everyday, but it’s alright.

There you have it, feel free to agree, disagree, whatever.  Support the artist and check out a few songs from this release here:

"I Call this Home"


"Fight" live

Rating System

When it comes to Album Reviews, I am going to stick with Glide’s (old) Star Rating System, to go along with the writeup.  Sometimes the star ratings come easy, some other times not so much, but I think having some sort of guide to refer to is a good thing.  Basically it breaks down like this:

No Stars- Why was this made?!

1 Star- Bomb-riffic

2 Stars- Meh

3 Stars- Good

4 Stars- Great

5 Stars- Boosh!!!!!

There will be half stars tossed in there as well just to mix things up.

Some examples of past albums I rated using this system and the official breakdown of half stars etc. after the jump....