Grateful Dead | Crimson, White & Indigo

The year, 1989. The Place, JFK Stadium, Philadelphia. This would be the last concert held there, days later it would be demolished. And let me just say, The Dead demolished the audience with an all-time throw down.

Officially released in 2010 on Grateful Dead Records, Crimson, White & Inidigo was the live title, taken from the song "Standing On The Moon." On August 1st of this year, the amazing video was again released for Jerry's Birthday. Lucky me, I was invited by a great buddy to watch it on the big screen at the Clover Theater in Cloverdale, CA.  

First set highlights included a driven "Little Red Rooster." Bob and Jerry were making their guitars sing while both playing slide. Another gem was Dylan's, "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again." But the hammer that pounded everybody was the emotional "Blow Away" that Mydland somehow unearthed to close the set. Jerry walked over to check in with him prior to his heartfelt and off the cuff rendition. Brent was on fire, taped to a keyboard were photos of his kids,  likely helping to power his performance.

Moving into the second set I distinctly remember the "Fire on the Mountain," followed by "Estimated Prophet" which blended into "Standing on the Moon." The "Rhythm Devils" break was phenomenal. Mickey was manipulating The Bar and the two percussionists made sounds that could only be described as futuristic. "Turn On Your Love Light" closed it down before the band would return for a rousing "Knockin' on Heaven's Door." 

I tend to really dig the early 70's and late 80's of The Dead's infinite cannon. This show, which I was not intimately knowledgable of, immediately rose to become one of my favorites. I avoided listening to this show on Archive once I'd been invited. I was glad to have watched the sliver screen light up with a sensational show by the Grateful Dead clicking on all cylinders. 

Crimson, White & Indigo,

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Fare Thee Well

The Grateful Dead will descend upon the Windy City, for what is billed to be their final performance together. Soldier field will host this epic reunion, almost 20 years to the day since their final performance at this same iconic venue. Jeff Chimenti, Bruce Hornsby, and Trey Anastasio will join the remaining original members over the July Fourth weekend. Needless to say, this will be a hot ticket. Thanks to TRI studios for sending out the notification.

Chimenti is an obvious selection, he has a strong handle of their catalog and is an absolute shredder who's honed his skills within that musical landscape. Bruce will play piano and most likely assist with vocals. There are other guitarists I would have rather seen fill the role given to Anastasio, what can you do?

The core four are the ultimate draw here. It's nice to know that the hatchets are buried, or at least set aside, in honor of a half-century worth of influence. And for Jerry too. Get ready Dead Heads!

For more information on the "Fare Thee Well" tour, celebrating 50 years of the Grateful Dead, click on this link...dead50.net.

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Jenny Lewis Shakes Down

Jenny Lewis and her bandmates have brought the Dead into their set. Last weekend, beginning in Massachusetts, Lewis busted out a "Shakedown Street." The four-piece band that backs her plays a very clean and technically sound version of the classic track. It seems to have found a home within their setlist, they performed it at their next two shows as well.  

It's worth mentioning that she and Ryan Adams have a show together next month in San Francisco at The Masonic (Dec.14th). It seems like the perfect storm for another "Shakedown"—the Bay is the home of the Grateful Dead and Ryan Adams is a Dead Head. Jenny also has a gig in Petaluma on December 12th at the Phoenix Theater. See you at the show.

Jenny Lewis | "Shakedown Street" | Live in Massachusetts



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30 Days of Dead

30 Days of Dead | 2014 | 

November makes room for 30 Days of Dead—an offering of classic Grateful Dead tunes. These choice selections are made by David Lemieux, Legacy Manager of The Grateful Dead. Those curated picks are then put on dead.net for all of us to consume freely. Each unreleased track is straight out of the Grateful Dead vault. Your Deadhead knowledge can also be put to the test. Every daily download offers you the chance to name the venue, as well as the date, for an opportunity to win some Dead swag. Enjoy this gift that keeps on giving.

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Record Store Day Reminder

Record Store Day is April 19th, this Saturday!

Don't forget Record Store Day is this Saturday and with it comes the joy that only vinyl can bring. I'll be frequenting the Last Record Store in Santa Rosa in hopes of scoring one of the favorites on my personal list. Options that I'm stoked on this year come from LCD Soundsystem, Built to Spill, Johnny Cash, Phosphorescent, The Black Angels, Tame Impala, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and the Grateful Dead, let alone the countless other rad options.

Remember, this year there are three types of releases. There's the RSD exclusives, RSD limited run/regional focus, and the RSD 'first' releases. The last option also has a later release date, so if you can't grab it this Saturday, don't fret. Those titles will be re-released to the masses.

See you at the Last Record Store. Be there or be square. Besides, who wants to be square on a day that celebrates records, they're round? Enjoy, I know I will.

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PS. If you live in the City (SF), hit up Amoeba. For my peeps in Asheville, it's all about Harvest Records. Those back in Minneapolis, check out The Electric Fetus, Know Name, Roadrunner, Hymie's, or Tree House.

30 Days of Dead

Grateful Dead | 2013

November signals many things, one of the more obscure happenings during this month, is the release of thirty Dead songs over thirty days. A month worth of vintage, unreleased tracks from from their vault, on the web for free. Sweet.

The Grateful Dead will supply your daily sample (at dead.net). There are plenty of new found treasures to be listened to. If you're one who likes to get ahead of the curve, each track, as released by archivist, David Lemieux, will be offered up initially as a quiz. If you're able to guess the correct date, along with the venue, you will be eligible to win the grand prize - all of 2013's music releases, merchandise & more.

Some of my favorites thus far are, Shakedown Street, Sugaree & West LA Fade Away.
Today's rarity, Loose Lucy, is awesome. Jerry sounds good, "I got jumped come'n home last night."

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