Ed S Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Over the past few years I've strayed from my jazz leanings to (what I think of as) a broader scope of music. For years, I've said to myself that I'd like to explore the music of the Grateful Dead, but have never really done so. But a recent development has prompted an acceleration of my Dead learning curve. As some of you may know - "The Dead" are touring this year and they are coming to my home town. I've decided that I'd like to go and the only other interested party in my home is my 14 year old son. So, I've sort of been propelled from thinking about checking out the Dead into actually doing it. I know the music of the Dead and availability thereof is pretty complex. I really don't want to seek out boots or do downloads. What I'd like to know is that for two interested, but newbie Dead fans, are there any CD's that are absolutely must haves before I go to see the show with my son. Any help appreciated Edited January 23, 2009 by Ed Swinnich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danasgoodstuff Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I'm not a Deadhead, in fact I've been known to say fairly rude things about them and their fans, BUT Live/Dead is an extra-ordinary recorded artifact by any measure...essentially one long jam but not too long and with a v. high level of intuitive group interaction. For this I can live with hippy lyrics and seak singing. It may spoil you for other work by them (there are other live sets that compare but not many) and probably won't be much like what the remnants play now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rostasi Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) I agree... Many here are waaaay more qualified, so you should listen to them, but as a youngster, "Live/Dead" was the only Dead I had until it was stolen from me over 35 years ago. Never bought another thing of theirs until a few years ago when I picked up the 10 disc set of the Fillmore recordings that includes this concert (I think it's out-of-print now). It's the only Dead that I have, 'cause I've always found them and their fans over(t)ly masturbatory... ...but, heh, I suppose after the viscidness disappears, you'll probably wanna do it again, so... ® Edited January 24, 2009 by rostasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 You're a seasoned jazz fan and you want to check out even more of the sounds of the dead? Dude.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Live/Dead is a really good recording to start with. I love the Pigpen area. . . and the one that followed with the Godchauxs. After that. . . I check out. There's so much Dead out there! Here's a few other recommendaitons: Fallout from the Phil Zone Wake of the Flood American Beauty Blues for Allah Dick's Picks Vol. 30 (with Bo Diddley!) Edited January 24, 2009 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) The Dead are probably the most recorded band in history. They played a lot of 3-4 hour concerts for many years, and almost every concert during their prime years (late 60s-late 70s) was recorded professionally. I am not a big fan of what they recorded in the studio. I would recommend live recordings instead. Live/Dead is indeed a fantastic representation of the late 60s "psychedelic" band. My own favorite period is 1972-1978. Some commercially available sets that capture them at their best are Steppin' Out With the Grateful Dead (1972), Dick's Picks 23 & 11 (1972), Dick's Picks 14 (1973), the Grateful Dead Movie Box Set (1974), Dick's Picks 3 (1977), the Closing of Winterland (1978). If I had to pick one from 72-78, it would probably be the Grateful Dead Movie Box Set: 5 discs at a budget price in superb sound that capture them at their absolute peak. If you don't like the music on this one, you probably just don't like the Dead. Of course, to appreciate the Dead, you have to be able to take the bitter with the sweet - you need to stomach the low moments and clunkers in order to appreciate the beauty of what they achieved during the high points. It is a great musical world once you successfully enter it. Edited January 24, 2009 by John L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sundog Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 "Reckoning" a live acoustic set circa 1980, serves as a nice overview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 If you really want to be "cheap" you could check out half.com. . . there are some pretty inexpensive copies of items like "Skeletons in the Closet" or "Europe '72" and "Reckoning" that may or may not be the most recent masterings but for your purposes will let you hear a lot of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 If you really want to be "cheap" you could check out half.com. . . there are some pretty inexpensive copies of items like "Skeletons in the Closet" or "Europe '72" and "Reckoning" that may or may not be the most recent masterings but for your purposes will let you hear a lot of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.:.impossible Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Just understand that none of the recommendations listed above will sound anything like "The Dead". Or vice-versa... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldB3 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) Ladies and Gentlemen the Grateful Dead (live 71 with Pig Pen) Europe 72 Dicks Picks 1,14, 19 (from my favorite year the jazzy1973) Dicks Picks 12, Grateful Dead Movie (can’t beat 74) Dicks Picks 3 (77, considered by some to be their best year) Dicks Picks 5, Reckoning (add a little Brent to the mix form 79 and as stated already the acoustic Reckoning from 80 is a must have) I don’t own it but the So Many Roads Box set is a nice overview of live material, plus my friend wrote the liner notes. Edited January 24, 2009 by WorldB3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed S Posted January 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Tickets went on sale this morning and I picked up a pair. I know this version of the Dead won't quite be the same, but think I'm looking for some familiarity with their music and probably just as important the feel - which I'm guessing won't be too different. I do really dig Warren Haynes (who'll be handling the lead guitar) - both with the Allman Bros and Gov't Mule - so I'm looking forward to hearing him as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robviti Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Q: What did one Deadhead say to another after he ran out of pot? A: Man, this band sucks! Q: How many Deadheads does it take to screw in a light bulb? A: Deadheads don’t screw in light bulbs, they screw in Volkswagen Buses. Q: How do you know when a Deadhead has broken up with his girlfriend? A: He’s homeless. Q: Where do you hide money from a Deadhead? A: Under the soap. These jokes are offered in the spirit of friendly ribbing. If you are offended, listen to some Dead and chill out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Ed - Even if you don't like the concert, you might want to still try and listen to the older Dead. For many of us, including myself, the Dead without Jerry Garcia are not very interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sal Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Dicks Picks volume 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave James Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 The only way to listen to the Dead is live. Their studio albums just don't get over. There's nothing quite like getting into one of their extended jams when it moves into truly jazz-like improvisational territory. While some Dick's Picks are certainly better than others, I can't say I have any that have disappointed me. Agree that post-Jerry the GD has little to offer, although I have some of Weir's Rat Dog live recordings that are pretty good, Up over and out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WD45 Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Live/Dead is in my very favorite record of all time. Ever. Buy that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmirBagachelles Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 Studio: Workingman's Dead, Garcia, and Mars Hotel Live: DP from Feb '70 (can't remember which), Live/Dead ('69), Hundred Year Hall or DP-36 ('72), and Without A Net ('90) and by all means go to archive.org and listen to streams of 5-8-77, 5-7-77, 5-9-77, and 7-8-78. or get a friend to get you CDRs of these have fun, and then get busy with Zappa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Lark Ascending Posted January 24, 2009 Report Share Posted January 24, 2009 (edited) I don’t own it but the So Many Roads Box set is a nice overview of live material, plus my friend wrote the liner notes. I never really got the Grateful Dead until I bought that set - it's very focused on their jamming side (in some cases improvisations cut out of performances). There is some miraculous music here - moments when they are all playing the same tune but taking their own paths without it getting ragged. And you don't have to wait through the 'cowboy songs' (which I've come to quite like) to get to the instrumental wonders. Of course, once you've heard this you want to hear what a whole concert sounds like. I'd agree with those who suggest the live discs - there are many to choose from. I found this useful a few years back when trying to decide what to try: http://www.blairjackson.com/jg_on_cd.htm I imagine it's pretty out of date now - but should give some suggestions. Edited January 24, 2009 by Bev Stapleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie87 Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Oddly enough, I still never get tired of "Terrapin Station", despite it being one of their "lesser" studio recordings, and not really representative. In fact it's probably the studio recording of theirs that I come back to most often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papsrus Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 The Dead were pretty much over for me by the mid-'70s, but American Beauty is a classic album. Europe '72 was kind of my introduction, so I've always had a soft spot for that. And Working Man's Dead, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzypaul Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 Re: "The Dead": with or without Jerry, they're still going to be pulling from one of the most marvelous canons of music EVER. Say what you will about masturbation, long jams, whatever, whatever, blah, blah, blah. There's still no debating the fact that they simply wrote great songs, from the hippie-dippie rock of The Golden Road to the overblown-ness of Terrapin Station, there's no denying their ability to craft great music. Shit, even Foolish Heart is a great tune (though I don't recommend the poorly played studio version of it on Built to Last). Re: which albums to pick up: there are magic moments on every live record, even Steal Your Face (if I found it for $2 used somewhere, that'd make the Casey Jones on there worthwhile). The Live/Dead era is great for its fire and wide eyed sense of adventure. The country rock era is great for the song craft. The "Grateful Dead Records" era (73-76) is great for the fantastic jamming material that came from that era. The Arista Years are plagued by great songs buried under bad performances. But great songs are still great songs. So, really, at the end of the day, the answer to the question of "what Dead to buy" is simple: EVERYTHING. One way to hear a lot of great Dead for free is to go here: Live Music Archive Enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 I'm curious as to how safe these downloads are. Has anyone had problems with viruses, hijacked computers and the like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted January 25, 2009 Report Share Posted January 25, 2009 (edited) I'm curious as to how safe these downloads are. Has anyone had problems with viruses, hijacked computers and the like? I've got a Mac, so maybe not the best judge, but none of the audience recordings I downloaded from the Archive gave me any harm in any way. Loved listening to those on my iPod. Some of them are so well recorded that sometimes I'd be freaked out by someone starting to sing along, "seeming to be" just behind my right shoulder! Edited January 25, 2009 by jazzbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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