Elementary, My Dear Watson

What is the perfect cure for what ails you? Nature's cure-all is that of sleep and a sound one at that. This is what I was lacking. I got a good night's sleep and a fresh perspective today that brightened my mood considerably. I also took to the road and cranked the tunes. I had made a mix of Beatles tunes for my brother that I gave a test run. It sounded so incredible. It was a mix of early and newer ones done up alphabetically. Later in the evening, the family got together to go the the movies. I went to see the new movie Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. I liked it a lot. When I got back to the house, they had recorded on their DVR The Hound of the Baskervilles with Basil Rathbone; this was an much earlier Sherlock Holmes production done in 1939.

With all the activitity that I am having, it is hard just to sit down and listen to tunes. I have had some going though.

Music for today:

Matrix Tuesday Night Jam Sessions
October 21, 1970
The Matrix
San Francisco, CA
Line Up: John Cipollina, Jerry Garcia, David Frieberg, Papa John Creach, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen, Nicky Hopkins

Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir & Duane Allman
November 21, 1970
WBCN Studios
Boston, MA

The Big Day Has Landed Like a Thud

Every feel trapped and no matter what you did, you just could not free yourself? This is how I've felt for the past two days. Yeah, I gave gifts and I received gifts. That was a good couple of hours. I even filmed it for a permanent record for the family to replay and enjoy at their conveniences. As with most family vactions, I feel complete ill in my own skin. If I was drinking and doing drugs, I know that the absolute worst would come out as it has in the past. I physically removed myself from the place so that I could have a place to feel more at ease. Being alone in this situation is the best solution. I don't want to ruin any one's fun with my illness. I am so glad the holidays only come once a year.





Music for today:





Garcia & Nelson sitting in with High County (San Francisco Bluegrass Band)

February 19, 1969

The Matrix

San Francisco, CA

Jefferson Airplane w/Jerry Garcia & Mickey Hart

September 6, 1969

Family Dog

San Francisco, CA

Twas the night before Christmas

You can't choose your family or how they are going to react to you. This being said, the holidays usually bring out the worst in people and make this time of year a very trying time. You mean I traveled all this way to be treated like crap? I should have stayed at home and hunchered down. Loneliness isn't that bad when you are at home. If you travel out of your element, these feelings become much worse. Next year, I am staying home. I tell myself that every year. I want a new brain that functions much better.



I put this up for the holiday.



Music for today:

Jerry Garcia & Sara

May4, 1963 The Tangent Palo Alto, CA

Black Mountain Boys

March 6, 1964 Top of the Tangent Palo Alto, CA

Black Mountain Boys

March 7, 1964 Top of the Tangent Palo Alto, CA

Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions

July 1964The Tangent Palo Alto, CA

Black Mountain Boys

1964 Boar's Head Palo Alto, CA

Wildwood Boys

1964 Top of the Tangent Palo Alto, CA

Festivus

I realize that not everyone celebrates a holiday this time of year. As a matter of fact, it is probable looked at as an over sentimental exercise of excess. I can see your point. This is why I offer the follow counter point to all of the over commercialized garbage that goes on this time of year with a good old fashioned "Festivus." If you have any grievances to air, an aluminum pole, and are prone to fits of wrestling, you are now set for an exciting evening.



As for me, I am missing a major storm of biblical proportions to be basking in the Southern sunshine this holiday season. My rental sleigh is equipped with XM radio that will give me the ability to get my fill of Grateful Dead on some road trips up coming.

Music for today:

Garcia, Leicester, and Hunter
July 1961
Carlos Bookstall
San Carlos, CA
listen here (look up under jgb 1961-07)


Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers
June 11, 1962
Boar's Head Coffee House
Jewish Commuity Center
San Carlos, CA

Willdwood Boys
February 23, 1963
Top of the Tangent
Palo Alto, CA

Remember Those That Are Serving Our Country This Holiday Season

I was reminded today of a Christmas many years ago when I was overseas and far from home. I was stationed in West Germany with an Ambulance Company just outside of Nurnberg. I was able to call home Christmas Day and speak with my family to wish them personally a very Merry Christmas. I think of all the men and women who are stationed so far away from their families this holiday season, and I wonder how they must feel. Having been in their boots, I have a pretty good idea. So take a little time to think about all of these people this holiday season. This is not about politics nor religion, but the closeness that we have as fellow country men and women.

Music for today:

John Fogarty w/ Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Clarence Clemmons
May 27, 1989
Oakland Colisum
Oakland, CA
listen here (put in Garcia in Search engine - towards end of list)

Los Lobos
July 31, 1988
Laguna Seca Recreation Area
Monterrey, CA
listen here ( put Los Lobos in Search engine)

Maria Muldaur
July 21, 1974
Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA
listen here (put Maria Muldaur in Search Engine)

Homeless Project

Earlier tonight in many communities around the nation there were vigils to remember the people that died as a result of being homeless. If it was not for the help of many people, I myself would have found myself to be homeless as well. I know that it takes a lowering of the ego and a humble spirit to take the help that is offered. Being diagnosed with both a mental disorder and substance abuse problem, I need to be very cautious of myself so I don't have a relaspse and find the streets as before. I know that this is a common problem with many of the people that are homeless. Just getting them off the streets without doing anything about the underlying problems won't do them any good for long term solutions. The Hans Christian Andersen tale of "The Little Match Girl" came to mind when I heard of this.

Now to lighten the mood, let's get back to some Christmas tunes with Dan Hicks' "Old Fashioned Christmas." You might have heard that Bob Dylan put out a Christmas album. If this track is any indication as to how good it is, we will see with "Must Be Santa." What follows is an obsure Bob Dylan Christmas Song. I just heard this next song this morning while out finishing some last minute shopping. I would have put the link up for the radio program that I listened to on KFAI, but the server was down. This means they did not save the show from this morning. It is a real shame. Here is one of the songs that I do remember them playing, and it comes from Robert Earl Keene "Merry Christmas from the Family."

Music for today:

Jefferson Starship
May 28, 1982
Moscone Convention Center
San Francisco, CA
Viet Nam Veterans Benefit Concert
listen here (look up show in search engine)

Jefferson Starship
March 23, 1975
Kezar Stadium
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
S.N.A.C.K. Benefit
listen here (look up show in search engine)

Little Feat
July 2, 1988
Oxford Plains Speedway
Oxford, ME
opened for Grateful Dead
listen here

Little Feat
July 3, 1988
Oxford Plains Speedway
Oxford, ME
opened for Grateful Dead
listen here

A Blue Christmas

Well, we are heading into the final stretch till the big day. Are you ready? Have you got everything done on your list yet? I have a few things left to do til I fly south. Not everyone one is done yet, but it is just a matter of going out to get it. There was a major storm that hit the East Coast, so in your honor, I present to you Albert Collins doing "Snowed In." I just thought I would share my favorite harmonica player Little Walter doing the song, "Key to the Highway." I have played the harmonica for over 30 years. I think I am pretty good, but not this good. To Bring it back to the holidays, we have Elvis Presley doing "Blue Christmas" from his 1968 comeback concert. The last is a great version of the classic song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen from 1978.

Music for today:

The Blues Brothers
December 31, 1978
Winterland Arena
San Francisco, CA
listen here (put Blues Brothers in Search engine and look for show)

Chuck Berry
May 28, 1995
Portland Meadows
Portland, OR
opened for Grateful Dead

Country Joe McDonald & His Friends
May 28, 1982
Moscone Convention Center
San Francisco, CA
Viet Nam Veterans Benefit Concert
opening for Boz Scaggs, Grateful Dead, and Jefferson Starship

Crosby, Stills & Nash
July 8, 1990
Three River Stadium
Pittsburgh, PA
opening for Grateful Dead

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
July 12, 1990
Robert F. Kennedy Stadium
Washington, D.C.
opening for Grateful Dead

Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
July 14, 1990
Foxboro Stadium
Foxboro, MA
listen here (put Edie Brickell in Search Engine)

Hot Tuna
December 31, 1970
Winterland Arena
San Francisco, CA
opened for Grateful Dead

Janis Joplin
February 12, 1969
Fillmore East
New York City, NY
opened for Grateful Dead