Official Grateful Dead Thread

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by WidespreadMule3

Was reading a thread on Reddit about "What was Pigpen like" and came across this answer that I found really interesting.



I've head that Pigpen was a huge energy in the shows and could really commend the crowd. All those Lovelights and Little Schoolgirls were massive jams. But it's weird because I know the band wanted to try new stuff and progress in a different way but weren't able to as soon as they would've liked because Pigpen was very niche in him abilities (ie he was a bluesman and his range didn't expand beyond that). In the Amazon doc they talk about how after several years they all started to kinda shun him. They started pushing him away because he was, for lack of better words, on a different trip than everyone else, which led him to drink more and ultimately die.

All that said, it's such an interesting dynamic. This was just a unique perspective I hadn't heard before. It also begs to be asked, in this scenario, if Pigpen hadn't died would Jerry still become the front man? Would that have led to his death too?

There's no way of really knowing but I don't think the Dead would be the Dead we know today with their lead guy being a blues harmonica player. That aspect would sort of hinder the way the band could be exploratory and venture into different genres. The piano is vital to the Grateful Dead and it means more than a harmonica imo. But then again I was born almost two decades after Pigpen died and never saw Jerry so I don't truly know the answer to that.

[recentlyJTR41]

Haven't been on Relisten in a while until yesterday. They have added a ton of SBD's to multiple years.

7/19/89 is the best Deal I've ever heard

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1...l?source=97257

[tyler3440]

Exploring the darkest time of the band. 4/2/95 at the pyramid in Memphis. Got through set one yesterday and will listen to set 2 tonight. This is still great stuff even though it’s the worst GD year.

This place is now a damn bass pro shop At least it’s not torn down, beacause it’s a cool ass buliding.

[TheLastPig]

Live/Dead Dark star recorded 50 years ago today.

[recentlyJTR41]

If you haven't listened to Phil and Phriends 99 recently. Do yourself a favor and do it. Good grief that run of shows is hard to beat.

20th year anny is coming up too.

[TheLastPig]

official 1996 GD Lithuania shorts for a cool $200 https://www.roadmanthreads.com/produ...shorts-size-xl

[CrushB610]

Can no longer make the Camden show and have 2 Pit tickets I'm looking to sell.... $425 covers the pair + shipping cost to you. Tickets are in hand, PM if interested.

[aeroshady]

Originally Posted by CrushB610

Can no longer make the Camden show and have 2 Pit tickets I'm looking to sell.... $425 covers the pair + shipping cost to you. Tickets are in hand, PM if interested.

I wish this show was not mid-week. Such a killer. I hate missing Camden. Going to have to settle on Citi Field this year.

[CrushB610]

Yeah that's pretty much what's ruining my plan. I'll be at Gillette a couple days later so still pumped for that.

[recentlyJTR41]

20 years ago

https://www.jambase.com/article/new-...-phriends-1999

[recentlyJTR41]

Saw JRAD last weekend. They should be playing Fenway Park and shit not D&C. Out of this fucking world.

[crush_me_16125]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

Saw JRAD last weekend. They should be playing Fenway Park and shit not D&C. Out of this fucking world.

Completely agree. Probably the best jam and on the planet right now that is not named Phish.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by crush_me_16125

Completely agree. Probably the best jam and on the planet right now that is not named Phish.

Right there with you. The talent on stage is something else. I had never seen them before but listened to some shows. It was so jazzy. I loved it. It was like they just listened to Bitches Brew before coming out.

[recentlyJTR41]

5/8/77

Happy holidays

[grace2]

Originally Posted by WidespreadMule3

Was reading a thread on Reddit about "What was Pigpen like" and came across this answer that I found really interesting.



I've head that Pigpen was a huge energy in the shows and could really commend the crowd. All those Lovelights and Little Schoolgirls were massive jams. But it's weird because I know the band wanted to try new stuff and progress in a different way but weren't able to as soon as they would've liked because Pigpen was very niche in him abilities (ie he was a bluesman and his range didn't expand beyond that). In the Amazon doc they talk about how after several years they all started to kinda shun him. They started pushing him away because he was, for lack of better words, on a different trip than everyone else, which led him to drink more and ultimately die.

All that said, it's such an interesting dynamic. This was just a unique perspective I hadn't heard before. It also begs to be asked, in this scenario, if Pigpen hadn't died would Jerry still become the front man? Would that have led to his death too?

there could have been some conflict, but i really don't feel they were a band where anybody had an ego strong enough to get upset they were or were not the 'frontman'.

anyway, i think they would have been a much stronger band if pigpen hadn't died. he was my favorite member of the group and could command the stage and perform blues songs in a much more engaging way than other blues cats of his time. i don't think it would have hindered them from being the 'GD we know today'. they were still doing all kinds of experimental stuff that was outside what pigpen alone was known for.

[crush_me_16125]

“....which led him to drink more and ultimately die”


Would throw out the entire comment based on that sentence alone. If there’s one thing I know about severe substance abuse it’s that it IS always someone else’s fault.

Anyways, personally I’m a Keith guy. No offense to Pigpen, Brent, or the others but the peak GD years for me were the Keith years. I think his ability to contribute significantly while still allowing Jerry and Phil to take the reigns and lead the jams allowed the band to maximize their strengths.

[recentlyJTR41]

Don't think I've ever hear of anyone being a "Keith guy." Nothing wrong with that just don't see it that often.

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

Don't think I've ever hear of anyone being a "Keith guy." Nothing wrong with that just don't see it that often.

Really? A lot of people say his years were their favorite, myself included.

[CrushB610]

JRAD that good eh? Maybe i'll have to check out one of those shows at the Met in Philly.

[crush_me_16125]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

Don't think I've ever hear of anyone being a "Keith guy." Nothing wrong with that just don't see it that often.

I think that has to do with his style of playing, how he rarely noticeably took the lead. Gd doesn’t need aggressive (which isn’t the right word but you get my point) key playing to be at their best. That’s part of the beauty of Keith, IMO.

Your point is valid though, most people don’t say Keith is their favorite Gd keys player. Which is somewhat ironic since so many people say their favorite years of GD wastge era that Keith played. It’s not uncommon at all to hear people say that 70s Dead is their favorite but that they like Brent or Pigpen more. The irony of coarse being that the only major change in bandmembers throughout the different eras was the key player.

[TheLastPig]

Originally Posted by crush_me_16125

I think that has to do with his style of playing, how he rarely noticeably took the lead. Gd doesn’t need aggressive (which isn’t the right word but you get my point) key playing to be at their best. That’s part of the beauty of Keith, IMO.

Your point is valid though, most people don’t say Keith is their favorite Gd keys player. Which is somewhat ironic since so many people say their favorite years of GD was the era that Keith played. It’s not uncommon at all to hear people say that 70s Dead is their favorite but that they like Brent or Pigpen more. The irony of coarse being that the only major change in bandmembers throughout the different eras was the key player.

Yeah I guess thats the difference. I love Keith's more background playing like you described.

[moosicmaniac]

Originally Posted by CrushB610

JRAD that good eh? Maybe i'll have to check out one of those shows at the Met in Philly.

Yep, they are "that good." Seen them maybe 8-10 times. Go to the show, you won't regret it.

[weller3377]

I want to see JRAD pretty bad but it seems like they never come around here.
Got Dead & Co coming up at Deer Creek though. Pumped

[TheLastPig]

Yea its pretty annoying how isolated JRAD shows are. Its basically Brooklyn, a couple spots in CA, Philly & DC.

Only real chance Ive had to see them since ive even known who they are wouldve been to drive up to cleveland mid week back in march.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

Really? A lot of people say his years were their favorite, myself included.

Yeah they years may be their favorites and for good reasons 70's Dead kicks ass. Just not usually because of him. That's just my experience.


But crush me is right

Originally Posted by CrushB610

JRAD that good eh? Maybe i'll have to check out one of those shows at the Met in Philly.

Uh yeah they are that fucking good. Next level good. Like holy shit these guys have some serious talent good

[crush_me_16125]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

5/8/77

Happy holidays

Listened to set II today. Had been a long time since i listened to that show. Now don’t get me wrong it’s a very good show, but I never really understood (and still don’t after listened to set II today) why it’s so revered. To me it doesn’t really stand out compared to much of the other things they were doing in that era. The recording/mixing is fantastic, not sure to what extent that contributes.

[crush_me_16125]

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

Yea its pretty annoying how isolated JRAD shows are. Its basically Brooklyn, a couple spots in CA, Philly & DC.

Only real chance Ive had to see them since ive even known who they are wouldve been to drive up to cleveland mid week back in march.

They do seem to hit up a lot of festivals, so that might be your chance. I’ve seen them probably 4-5 times and it’s always been at a festival (and every single time has been fantastic).

[grace2]

Originally Posted by recentlyJTR41

Don't think I've ever hear of anyone being a "Keith guy." Nothing wrong with that just don't see it that often.

i kind of agree with this. usually brent is the guy people say that about.

Originally Posted by TheLastPig

Really? A lot of people say his years were their favorite, myself included.

those years were the best, but i personally think keith was more there for the ride rather than being at the forefront. just one man's opinion.

[recentlyJTR41]

Originally Posted by crush_me_16125

Listened to set II today. Had been a long time since i listened to that show. Now don’t get me wrong it’s a very good show, but I never really understood (and still don’t after listened to set II today) why it’s so revered. To me it doesn’t really stand out compared to much of the other things they were doing in that era. The recording/mixing is fantastic, not sure to what extent that contributes.

I don't think we're listening to the same show that's cool though different strokes for different folks

[Taylor36]

Originally Posted by crush_me_16125

Listened to set II today. Had been a long time since i listened to that show. Now don’t get me wrong it’s a very good show, but I never really understood (and still don’t after listened to set II today) why it’s so revered. To me it doesn’t really stand out compared to much of the other things they were doing in that era. The recording/mixing is fantastic, not sure to what extent that contributes.

I think it's the overall flawlessness and tightness of their playing in that set. They just never sounded more tight. That's not necessarily a virtue, I know some people like their Dead a little more sloppy, but they were just locked in during Spring 77. Also that Morning Dew.