legendary set of shows at the soon to be demolished Winterland in San Francisco. The shows were heavily influenced by the Egyptian trip, with slides being shown and Hamza El Din reprising his role as bridger of worlds. This two CD set brings together the best moments of two of those shows. Highlights include a rare and stellar version of “Got My Mojo Working” that leads into what are some of the highest energy versions of “The Other One” and “Stella Blue” from the second half of the band’s career. The power of these versions can’t be overstated. The second disc contains one of the sweetest “Scarlet Begonias/Fire On The Mountain” medleys ever. Following that is a long, jammed-out and fully realized “Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down The Road” featuring Quicksilver’s John Cipollina. For once, this coupling really hits all the right notes. This is the Dead just at the end of the silver era. After these shows they became a highly competent touring machine for another decade and a half, but much of the “mystery” of the early days was gone. This set comes with a bonus disc of even more great stuff from this classic run including one of only a couple of versions of “If I Had The World To Give” ever played.
Showing posts with label winterland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label winterland. Show all posts
Friday, October 10, 2008
Grateful Dead - Road Trips Vol. 1 #4: From Egypt with Love
The one that got away. Most of the attention in Dead land is going to the somewhat disappointing Egypt release. While it has its moments (particularly on the DVD) this release is the one that deserves the accolades. Shortly after returning to the U.S. the band played a 
legendary set of shows at the soon to be demolished Winterland in San Francisco. The shows were heavily influenced by the Egyptian trip, with slides being shown and Hamza El Din reprising his role as bridger of worlds. This two CD set brings together the best moments of two of those shows. Highlights include a rare and stellar version of “Got My Mojo Working” that leads into what are some of the highest energy versions of “The Other One” and “Stella Blue” from the second half of the band’s career. The power of these versions can’t be overstated. The second disc contains one of the sweetest “Scarlet Begonias/Fire On The Mountain” medleys ever. Following that is a long, jammed-out and fully realized “Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down The Road” featuring Quicksilver’s John Cipollina. For once, this coupling really hits all the right notes. This is the Dead just at the end of the silver era. After these shows they became a highly competent touring machine for another decade and a half, but much of the “mystery” of the early days was gone. This set comes with a bonus disc of even more great stuff from this classic run including one of only a couple of versions of “If I Had The World To Give” ever played.
legendary set of shows at the soon to be demolished Winterland in San Francisco. The shows were heavily influenced by the Egyptian trip, with slides being shown and Hamza El Din reprising his role as bridger of worlds. This two CD set brings together the best moments of two of those shows. Highlights include a rare and stellar version of “Got My Mojo Working” that leads into what are some of the highest energy versions of “The Other One” and “Stella Blue” from the second half of the band’s career. The power of these versions can’t be overstated. The second disc contains one of the sweetest “Scarlet Begonias/Fire On The Mountain” medleys ever. Following that is a long, jammed-out and fully realized “Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down The Road” featuring Quicksilver’s John Cipollina. For once, this coupling really hits all the right notes. This is the Dead just at the end of the silver era. After these shows they became a highly competent touring machine for another decade and a half, but much of the “mystery” of the early days was gone. This set comes with a bonus disc of even more great stuff from this classic run including one of only a couple of versions of “If I Had The World To Give” ever played.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Jefferson Airplane Flies Again
There are two tremendous new releases of live Jefferson Airplane material that warrant your attention. They are both on the Charly label out of Europe. The first is At The Family Dog Ballroom. Recorded in September of 1969 in San Francisco, this recording showcases the band during what I consider their best period - following their landmark Volunteers album and before the rancor that split them up fully took hold. The band is unbelievably tight and the musical side of things just shine with Jorma and Jack at the height of their improv powers, and Grace, Paul and Marty singing their hearts out. The material is heavy on Volunteers including some rarely played songs like “The Farm” and “Good Shepherd” and a powerful “Wooden Ships.” For collectors the most interesting thing might be the 20 minute freeform jam that ends the CD and features Jerry Garcia wailing away with the band. The sound is crisp and the packaging is really nice with great liner notes. This is essential.
Slightly less essential, but still quite a nice addition for Airplane fanatics is Last Flight which
captures the bands final concert at San Francisco’s Winterland on September 22, 1972. Taken from the same source material as the bands great 30 Seconds Over Winterland album, this 2 CD set includes the entire show featuring the post-Balin band with Papa John Creach on fiddle and a ton of material from their final albums. A very interesting setlist showcases some very strong playing by the entire band and great versions of “When The Earth Moves Again,” “Trial By Fire,” “Feels So Good” and many other never-heard songs. The Airplane remain one of the most sophisticated and politically charged bands of the 1960’s and their mystique seems to just grow with the years.
Slightly less essential, but still quite a nice addition for Airplane fanatics is Last Flight which
captures the bands final concert at San Francisco’s Winterland on September 22, 1972. Taken from the same source material as the bands great 30 Seconds Over Winterland album, this 2 CD set includes the entire show featuring the post-Balin band with Papa John Creach on fiddle and a ton of material from their final albums. A very interesting setlist showcases some very strong playing by the entire band and great versions of “When The Earth Moves Again,” “Trial By Fire,” “Feels So Good” and many other never-heard songs. The Airplane remain one of the most sophisticated and politically charged bands of the 1960’s and their mystique seems to just grow with the years.
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