Amazing Things Found While Cleaning

Back in May, I got a phone call from my friend's mother asking for some help for my friend.  I never heard anything from them, so I forgot about until I cleaned out my voice mail.  It seemed that I had let them build up for way too long.  I found the original message, and I called her asking her about him.  She told me that he was now living near me.  I called him up, and we got together today.  He appears to be doing so much better than the last time I saw him.  I was very happy to see him.  He feels really good about being where he is, and he has some tangible goals in front of him.  This is a very good thing for him.  I know how he feels because I had been in his place.

I bought a new hard drive (what else is new?). I am going to put my others in to storage, so I don't lose any shows or anything else off of them.  I was talking to someone recently about that, and they said I should make a list of what is on each drive.  That way I wouldn't have to hunt through each drive to find what I am looking to burn off of it. This person is way too wise beyond their years.  This way I will finally have a list of all my shows. Hmmmm? Not bad if I do say so myself.

Music for today:
Dark Star Orchestra
June 25, 2010
People's Court
Des Moines, IA
listen here

A New Recording Device

 I got a long needed new recording device yesterday.  I have yet to take out for a spin, but I have some upcoming shows that I will want to record.  My last recorder's display faded, so I couldn't tell what I was doing.  It was truly recording in the dark.  There are two features about this recorder that I really like.  The first is that it will record straight through without stopping.  This means I will be able to get the whole set of a show with out any breaks at all.  The second is that it takes two different sets of batteries so that I can continue to record with power with out having to change batteries.  This means worry-free recording.  I have waited so long for this.  I am truly happy with it.



Music for today:
Grateful Dead
September 4, 1980
Civic Center
Providence, RI
This show has been commercially released as "Download Series Vol. 7: 9/3 & 4/80"
info about show listened 

Just Another Thing

When I first started this blog, I got hit with a very nasty virus that put my PC out of comission for a little while.  I strated this back up, and I got hit with more bad news.  My modem went down in a blaze of glory.  Actually, it just pettered out on me. I would love to say that it was still unde warrenty, but that would be wishing for to much.  I have to pay for another one.  I do get to spread the payments out over a few monthes, so it won't take too much of pinch out of my bank account.  I hate to say that I need this to survive, but I really do.  I got my palm read years ago while I was in Key West.  The guy there said that my future was to be in computers.  I really didn't believe him.  That could be said for almost everyone at that time.  This was back in the early 1990s when this happened, and since then, computers have taken more of a prominence in our culture then in anytime before this time period.  You didn't need to be a psychic to see it coming.  So for the next few days, I will hanging out at my favorite coffee shops and spomging on their wireless connection. Iced Coffee and free wireless! What a combination!

Music for today:

Rush
September 9, 2007
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, MN


Grateful Dead
February 9, 1973
Roscoe Maples Pavilion
Stanford University
Palo Alto, CA
listen here

Jerry's Birthday/Back For More

Today is the anniversary of  the birth of Jerome John Garcia better known as Jerry Garcia. His legacy as the leader and lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead established them as the cornerstone of Hippie counterculture in San Francisco in the 1960's.  From party band to record setting band, the Grateful Dead had come one of the most attended concerts.  After his death, the band's music still finds new fans.  The remaining members still perform to sellout crowds.    Jerry Garcia found massive success before he passed away, but as success does has a way to put a schism between his remaining family members.  Jerry's ex wives had to go to court and drag his name through the courts to settle his estate since he didn't leave a will.  I still listen to all the incarnations of Jerry's music from the bluegrass, R&B, Bob Dylan covers, and of course the Grateful Dead.


I had a falling out with some people over a personal matter.  It cut straight to the bone.  I had to step back and take stock of what was important in my life.  I was very fortunate that I didn't have to spend  any time in places where is not fit for man nor beast.  I did however avail myself the useful tool of Facebook.  I have actually had great success with it, and I plan on continuing with this.



Music for today:

Grateful Dead
 May 18, 1977
Fox Theatre
Atlanta, GA
listen here 

Rhythm Devils
July 23. 2010
Howelsen Hill
Steamboat Springs, CO
listen here

GD 5/15/77 & 5/17/77

The shows for today are a continuation are the Spring Tour of 1977.  This tour is considered one of the best.  The first show (5/15/77) features the very first Iko Iko.  The next show (5/17/77) has the finest version of  Jack-A-Roe ever performed.  In a year that has so many great performances, it truly is hard to pick out the shiny examples.  This is what I would like to focus on instead of my shortcomings.  After all, it really is about the music.  This is my lifeblood.


Music for today:

Grateful Dead
May 15, 1977
St. Louis Arena
St. Louis, MO
listen here
The copy that I have is a Charlie Miller remaster.  Since it is not available at LMA, this recording will come close to the sonic quality.

Grateful Dead
May 17, 1977
Coliseum
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
listen here

The Time Has Come

A major change will take place as of today.  It is high time that I no longer bother you with my personal (or lack of a personal) life. I will continue to tell you about the shows that I am listening to though.  I do want to share the following poem that summarizes my life as I leave it on the sidelines.

The Men That Don't Fit In by Robert William Service

There's a race of men that don't fit in,
A race that can't stay still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin,
And they roam the world at will.
They range the field and they rove the flood,
And they climb the mountain's crest;
Theirs is the curse of the gypsy blood,
And they don't know how to rest.

If they just went straight they might go far;
They are strong and brave and true;
But they're always tired of the things that are,
And they want the strange and new.
They say: "Could I find my proper groove,
What a deep mark I would make!"
So they chop and change, and each fresh move
Is only a fresh mistake.

And each forgets, as he strips and runs
With a brilliant, fitful pace,
It's the steady, quiet, plodding ones
Who win in the lifelong race.
And each forgets that his youth has fled,
Forgets that his prime is past,
Till he stands one day, with a hope that's dead,
In the glare of the truth at last.

He has failed, he has failed; he has missed his chance;
He has just done things by half.
Life's been a jolly good joke on him,
And now is the time to laugh.
Ha, ha! He is one of the Legion Lost;
He was never meant to win;
He's a rolling stone, and it's bred in the bone;
He's a man who won't fit in.

These songs should tell you where its at: "Turn Out The Lights."  The next is "The Song is Over."  And lastly, the song to finish it all up "When the Music is Over." 

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
 May 9, 1977
War Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo, NY
listen here

Grateful Dead
May 13, 1977
Auditorium Theater
Chicago, IL
listen here

The Bridge

Last November when I started this project, I was not in my right mind.  I had a real bad thought go through my mind that could have been fatal.  It consisted of going out in a blaze of glory.  I was to go on the trip to great beyond.  My goal was San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.  The sense of being grandiose is something that I didn't think I had until this came along to bother my mind.  I had heard of a documentary that a film make had made about this phenomenon.  It is called The Bridge.  The fact that I have bipolar disorder is the key to all this misery.  Here is another that has this kind as well.  Yeah, I know I am beating a dead horse with all this morbid talk.  This is the "why" people don't like to deal with us.  This includes major religions as well.  We are the scourge of the world.  The hungry of the world can be fed, but the mentally ill will always be ill. There is no real cure.  Patients wears extremely thin when dealing with us.  How many telethons or major fundraisers have you ever heard of for the mentally Ill? Zero!  There are no major concerts scheduled anytime soon either.  I am not asking for vibes or prayers, because that would be asking too much of any one.  We are just on the edge.  It is like the old question that is asked often, "Am I threat to my self or others?"  At this point  the answer is "No." So it is onward and upward out of one abyss and on to the next.  The song that comes to mind is "China Doll."  Here are the annotated lyrics for the song.  The other song that comes to mind is one that actually helps through the bad times.  It is called "Stone Blue" by Foghat.  Then of course, we have the the quintessential song by The Beatles "Help."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
May 8, 1977
Barton Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
listen here

'Tis Darkest Before The Dawn

Having ventured into uncharted waters of life, it is a bitter pill to swallow alone.  I would like to claim for the record that besides the help that I get at the VA, my family and the part time job I am pretty much alone most of the time.  I thought about being a monk once, but I really couldn't get my head around a religion that doesn't want me.  I thought about friends in the self-help groups that I had belonged to for so many years, but all they were interested in was themselves.  Women wouldn't want a fat, jobless man, so why would they want me?  My health has gone south.  I am not happening nor am I hip.  I am just here counting time before it strikes midnight.  There was once a story about a guy who gets chased by a ferocious animal over a cliff to a waiting branch.  Below the man are a pile of razor sharp rocks.  This man is trapped between the rocks and the ferocious beast.  On the branch is the prettiest flower that he has ever seen. He scoots himself over and breathes in the wonderful aroma.  It is the best thing that he has ever smelled in his life. This is the perfect analogy of my life. The tunes that I would like to share can be seen through a different perspective.  The first is "Wish You Were Here."  The next is "Fearless."  At the end of the this song, the throng are singing a particular song "You Will Never Walk Alone";  here is the same song done with the full weight of the crowd behind it.  I just wish our crowds were that enthused at our football games.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
May 7, 1977
Boston Garden
Boston, MA
listen here

Just Another Day

I had a huge rant that I wanted to post, but at the risk of alienating some readers, I deleted it all.  Negativity breeds all sorts of real bad feelings.  This was one of those.  You don't need to witness a complete meltdown.  It isn't very pretty.  Suffice it to say that there is a forum that I had belonged that ignores my posts.  I am doing the most humane thing by leaving it completely.  The bookmark is now gone.  I will leave it with the following "Positively 4th Street" by Bob Dylan.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
May 4, 1977
The Palladium
New York City, NY
listen here

Grateful Dead
May 5, 1977
Veterans Memorial Coliseum
New Haven, CT
listen here

The Wrestler

I am still recovering from my cold.  So, I wrapped myself with a comforter and watched some movies.  One of them was The Wrestler with Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei.  After watching this movie, I remember the times of watching wrestling on TV.  The program we used to watch was called All-Star Wrestling.   We even named a dog after one of the wrestlers.  My parents came home with a Vizsla (Hungarian Pointer).

We gave him the name Baron after the wrestler Baron von Raschke the ClawMaster.

I had a friend in High School that had close ties to the wrestling world.  His dad was the producer for All-Star Wrestling, and he knew all of the guys.  He helped his dad put on the shows in the small arenas.  I met up with him at one of our reunions, and I found out that he even became a referee for the bouts as well.  I remember once turning on the radio in my car and hearing an interview with him about his experiences.  Here is the song that Bruce Springsteen did for the movie that should have won the Oscar for best song "The Wrestler."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
May 1, 1977
The Palladium
New York City, NY
listen here
Set Two only

Grateful Dead
May 3, 1977
The Palladium
New York City, NY
listen here
Set One in SBD only

Cadillac Records/North Country

What a fool am I for not having seen Cadillac Records when it first came out.  I got my PS3 to stream movies from Netflix, and this came up as one of the offerings.  I had some time to kill today, so I loaded it up to watch it.  I have the Chess box set of Muddy Water's recordings.  They are fantastic.  A friend burned me a disc worth of Chuck Berry from his Chess box set.  I featured it awhile ago in another entry.  The storyline in this movie that interested me most was that of Etta James.  Beyonce as Etta was a gritty performance.  The woman certainly has the chops when it comes to acting.  I mention this because I often think of her mainly as a singer.  She covers Etta's songs wonderfully.  I would like though to offer the original tunes here.  Here are some of her classic numbers.  The first is "I'd Rather Go Blind."  Here is the original version of "At Last"; Beyonce sang her version at the inauguration ball where President Obama and his wife Michelle danced together.  Now to top it all off, we have Etta James with The Tower of Power Horns jamming with the Grateful Dead on New Year's Eve doing "Hard To Handle."

This evening was spent watching the movie North Country. It is about the struggle against sexual harassment in an iron mine in Northern Minnesota.  The soundtrack has lots of songs provided by Bob Dylan who comes from that area.  I heard a story long ago about him at his high school talent show in Hibbing, MN.  The story went that he was booed off the stage.  I met a person who was my coworker that was there at the show.  She told me that the story was true.  I also met a guy whose brother went to school with Dylan, and he was at the talent show as well.  It is a strange world in that part of the country.  It is like stepping backwards in time.  Here is a tune from the movie's soundtrack "Sweetheart Like You."

Music for today:

None.  I was recovering from a cold today, so I curled up and watched movies.  Tomorrow will be different.

Flogging Molly At First Ave

This evening was supposed to be a father/daughter evening out, but somethings were not meant to be. Originally,  I had read that it was going to an all ages show.  That is the information from the bands website. While I was at breakfast checking out a place that served Cuban food, I read our local entertainment rag.  I caught the ad for the place that it was being held, and much to my dismay, it said that it was an 18+ show.  I checked the tickets, and sure enough, that is what it said.  I felt really bad that I made this kind of mistake.  She didn't seem to heartbroken over this since early in the week she was to see a Broadway musical and another concert of one of her favorite bands.  It was shooting for the moon I guess, and I shot too far.  I went on facebook to see if anyone would want to go with me.  An old friend of mine wanted to but couldn't get out of work.

I went to the show, and eventually found someone who needed it.  I talked to an environmental group there inside the show.  I will share more info on them in another post.  I also bought a hat.  I wanted to buy a shirt, but they are all too small for me.  I did buy a baseball hat with Flogging Molly's logo on it.  I do like my caps.
I stood right behind the soundboard which was elevated.  This gave me a great view of both the warm up band and FM.  I met a guy named David who writes for Beholder Media.  He was a young guy that had never seen them in concert.  As we were talking, he told me about a guy from a band that had recently died.  The report was heart related, but he had a history of suicide in his past.  I told him that it reminded me of the old David Bowie tune "Rock and Roll Suicide" that he did when he was doing Ziggy Stardust.  This guy never heard of Ziggy Stardust, Lou Reed or Guitarist Extraordinaire Mick Ronson.  Here is another example of Mick Ronson's work  that I gave him (he is on lead guitar):  "Heroin part one, part two".

The music for the show was great.  It was like going to a big Irish wake.  There have been many people mentioned throughout that have passed on, and many dedications were made to various people for different causes.  The most poignant one was to the missing fiddle player.  Her mother was undergoing brain surgery, and she was not doing well.  Other than that, It was a great time to be had.

I picked up my copy of Avatar on blu-ray this afternoon.  It was completely stunning.  It is the best reason for blu-ray to exist.

Music for today:

Band of Heathens
April 15, 2010
The Bottling Company
Hattiesburg, MS
Opened For Mofro

01. Somebody Tell The Truth
02. Look At Miss Ohio
03. L. A. County Blues
04. Jenny Was A Keeper
05. Jackson Station
06. Your Gonna Miss Me

Seven Words (warning foul language)

There is a great video featuring Frank Zappa on the program Crossfire.  This program came out in the mid-1980's, and it is about the censorship of rock music.  Zappa was a conservative voice in the freedoms of free speech.  I find it rather ironic that Tipper Gore was the person that lead the charge for labeling music. Here is Frank's video.  To say that Tipper Gore is a deadhead, I don't really believe she knows where it is at. Here are some videos for that self-righteous bitch.  The first is "The Seven Words."  The next tune is from Twisted Sister (The father in this video is the same guy from Animal House.) "We're Not Gonna Take It." There was a mention of a Van Halen video in the Zappa piece called "Hot For Teacher"; I offer it here for your consideration.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
September 24, 1976
William and Mary College
Williamsburg, VA
listen here

Something Off My Mind

I have had the following thought nag on me for over thirty years.  It was about a book I read in freshman English class.  The only thing that I remembered about it was that it had these kids stranded in a building with nothing but flights of stairs.  So, I looked it up just now, and voila, there it is.  The name of the book is House of Stairs.  It is amazing the shit that I have rattling up in my brain.  It is damn scary sometimes.

Now it is on to tamer subjects, I heard talk today of a song that one Jerry Garcia might have played on as a teenager.  the song is "Do You Wanna Dance" by Bobby Freeman.  Here is some discussion as to whether or not this was the case.  I heard the live broadcast of this song on New Year's Eve while I was at a big sober get together at the old Minneapolis Convention Center.  They tore it down and replaced it with an ultramodern one.  The old one was extremely old.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 29, 1976
Auditorium Theater
Chicago, IL
listen here

Grateful Dead
July 18, 1976
Orpheum Theatre
San Francisco, CA
listen here

Blue Monday

I would like to say something witty and smart, but it is just not in me today.  I did use facebook to try to get rid of an extra ticket for a show that I am going to on Thursday.  That was the only redeeming spot of my day.  The rest of it has been in a bad funk.  I feel it now as I type.  I could just curl up and disappear.  My head hurts bad.  It is true that depression is a physical pain as well as mental anguish.  Here is an upbeat song, but like I said, it is not how I am feeling "I'm Down" by The Beatles. The next is the classic "Stormy Monday" by T-bone Walker.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 19, 1976
Capitol Theater
Passaic, NJ
listen here

Grateful Dead
June 24, 1976
Tower Theater
Upper Darby, PA
listen here

Eric Clapton

I have much in common with this guy that is not so obvious.  He is famous; I am not.  He plays guitar; I only wish I could.  He's English; I'm Irish. So what can it be?  We have the same disease.  We are had problems with chemical addictions.  Yeah, your saying to your self, but how how can I possibly be like the Rock God?  I have found that a person's talent or occupation does not make the person.  This is a fallacy.  It is the things that we have in common that are the important stuff.  It is like surviving a great disaster.  The people that I have gone through it all know what it is like and can help others through it as well.  This is what Eric has done with the Crossroads Festival in Chicago.  It is to raise funds for his treatment center.  It is his way of giving back to the community as a whole.  Here are some great tunes from Eric Clapton over the years.  The first tune is with John Mayall & Blues Breakers "All Your Love."  The next is Cream with the song "Tales of Brave Ulysses."  Up next is Blind Faith with the song "Can't Find My Way Home."  The next song is by Derek and the Dominoes "Why Does Love Have to be So Sad."  The next is a solo recording that Eric did  of the Slow Hand "The Core."  Flash forward to the present time, Eric is resting on his laurels.  He just finished a tour with Jeff Beck.  Here is a video from one of the performances from February of 2010.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 17, 1976
Capitol Theater
Passaic, NJ
listen here

Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
Live From Madison Square Garden DVD

Upcoming Shows

Our great state fair will host a couple of different artists this year.  I decided that I should really go see them.  They are Rush and Weird Al.  I will take my daughter to see Weird Al, and I bought a pair of tickets for Rush.  This will give me an opportunity to take someone with me.  I might met up with an old friend from school at the show.  I connected with  him on facebook today.  Here is a classic tune by Weird Al called "Albuquerque" part one, part two.  The Rush concert will feature them playing their album Moving Pictures.  Here are a few of tunes from that album. The first is "Witch Hunt."  The next song is "Vital Signs."  We will finish it up with "Red Barchetta"

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
April 16, 1978
Huntington Civic Center
Huntington, WV
listen here

Dark Star Orchestra
April 14, 2010
Mystic Theater
Petaluma, CA
listen here
This show is with Stu Allen.  Here is from Minnesota, and he has a local band called The Jones Gang that plays around the Twin Cities.  I have personally met the man, and he is the genuine article.  He is a very nice guy.

Pirate Radio

I picked up the blue ray disc of Pirate Radio.  One of the reasons for this was for the extras.  I was not disappointed.  The deleted scenes could have easily have made the movie, but it would have been way too long.  I was very satisfied to the point that it made feel even better about this movie.  There was a scene that took place outside Apple Studios  that foreshadowed the great album cover of Abbey Road by The Beatles.  I also found out that the role Gavin Canavagh was played by Rhys Ifans.  You know him from the movie The Replacements.  He was the soccer playing place kicker that says this about himself, " I'm wiry."  Here are some songs from the soundtrack of the film.  The first comes from The Beach Boys "Wouldn't It Be Nice."  The next song in The Kinks doing "All Day And All Of The Night."  The next is Cream doing "I Feel Free."  We finish this up with The Who doing "I Can See For Miles."

Music for today:

Log Cabin Boys
November 23, 1986
The Log Cabin
San Anselmo, CA
This was The Grateful Dead's Thanksgiving dinner party.
Set 1:
d1t01 - Freight Train Boogie
d1t02 - Rosalie McFall
d1t03 - Glass Of Wine
d1t04 - Drifting Too Far From Shore
d1t05 - Devil In Disguise
d1t06 - Two Little Boys
d1t07 - Cold Jordon
d1t08 - I'll Follow My Darling

Set 2:
d1t09 - Drink Up And Go Home
d1t10 - Mystery Train/Six White Horses
d1t11 - In God's Grace Forever More
d1t12 - Diamond Joe
d1t13 - A Little At A Time
d2t01 - Swing Low Sweet Chariot
d2t02 - I'll Go Drifting With The Tide
d2t03 - Snow White Wings
d2t04 - On Top Of Crucifix Mountain
d2t05 - I Hear A Voice Calling
d2t06 - A Broken Heart ->
d2t07 - Please Come Home

Line Up:
Jerry Garcia (banjo, vocals)
David Nelson (guitar, vocals)
Sandy Rothman (mandolin, banjo, guitar, vocals)
Dan Healy (guitar, vocals - does not play on last 4 or 5 songs)

This show was recently added to my collection, and I couldn't wait to hear it.  I would to thank Charlie Miller for making this show available.  Treasures like this are to enjoyed right away.

A Night On The Town

Later this evening, I will be doing fine dining and a Broadway show that is visiting Minneapolis.  The show in question is the musical Avenue Q. I will be joined by my daughter.  I first heard of this production through her.  Her online friends were all the rage over this musical, so naturally she wanted to experience it as well.  When I found out that it was coming, I got tickets as an early Christmas gift for her. I also bought the soundtrack to it as well. when we were in Florida, we listened to it in the car as part of the road trip that we took as we went to see her friends.  Here are some of the songs from the show.  The first one is "It sucks to be me."  The next is "Internet is for Porn."  The next song is from a reherasal "Everyone's a Little Rasist." 

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
April 8, 1989
Riverfront Coliseum
Cincinatti, OH
listen here

Death and Taxes

"Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy (13 November 1789)

This famous line is attributed to Benjamin Franklin.  It is fitting to have it done on such an occasion as tax deadline day.  I will be getting mine in the mail at the deadline on Thursday afternoon.  I have plans in the evening, but I will report about this tomorrow.  So on the day that America bleeds green and black,  here are some tunes to help the medicine go down.  The first is the famous song by The Beatles "Taxman."  The next is by Pink Floyd from their reunion show from Live 8 "Money."  The next is from Dire Straits doing a live version of "Money for Nothing."    The last song is something that I found that sums it all up, and it is by a band called Death and Taxes "We Are Only In It For The Money." 

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 21, 1971
Chateau d'Herouville
Herouville, France
listen here

David Bromberg Band
February 3, 1976
Mother Blues
Dallas, TX
listen here (put in David Bromberg and search for date)

Life Matrixed Not The Movie

I was getting ready to watch the latest episode of Lost, and it occurred to me how obscure events are closely tied to one another over the course of time.  It really is something that things don't happen by accident.  There is meaning to things and people.  I will give you a perfect example.  Back in 1981, I met a rather strange individual named Cory.  He was one of these type that tried so hard to be the center of attention in everything that he did.  This also ran in his taste of music.  He was a huge fan of The Police in their early days before they made it huge.  Here is an example of this when they did "Roxanne" back in 1979. Here is a big hit of theirs "Every Breath You Take." I bring this up because in 1993 Sting opened up for the Grateful Dead at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.  Jerry Garcia joined him during his performance.  If was to tell Cory that would happen way back then, he would probably say I was nuts.  This all reminds me of the movie "The Saragossa Manuscript" in which the details are fuzzy, but there is a payoff to a three hour movie in Polish. It is the most satisfying movie I have had every experienced.  It is really like a Grateful Dead concert.  Where is it going, I don't know, but I am willing to take the ride.  It also reminds me of the a saying that goes "life imitating art."  It goes to show you don't never know.  The lesson here is that when you think that you got it all figured out another layer is discovered or another connection is made that puts a whole new spin on it.  That is the Wow Factor.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 11, 1976
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA
listen here
This is great show from a great run.  I was really surprised at the quality of the recording.

Mixtape-bigfreakwhenyouawake
1. Aretha Franklin feat. Duane Allman “The Weight” (The Band)
    2. Bobbie Gentry “Son of a Preacher Man” (Dusty Springfield)
    3. Candi Stanton “Stand By Your Man” (Tammy Wynette)
    4. Dusty Springfield “To Love Somebody” (Bee Gees)
    5. Al Wilson “Lodi” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
    6. Jim Ford “Long Road Ahead” (Delaney & Bonnie)
    7. Ike & Tina Turner “Honky Tonk Women” (Rolling Stones)
    8. Clarence Carter “Soul Deep” (Wayne Carson/ Boxtops)
    9. Linda Jones “Let It Be Me” (Everly Brothers)
    10. Wilson Pickett feat. Duane Allman “Hey Jude” (Beatles)

 Grateful Dead
June 21, 1971
Chateau d'Herouville (a.k.a. "The Honky Chateau")
France
DVD

Elvis Costello

Back in the Summer of 1983, my cousin Greg and I would hang out. He was at college here in Minnesota.  So, we would spend time time at one of the many lakes trying to pick up women.  He had a large appetite for music.  He introduced me Elvis Costello.  I remember seeing him on Saturday Night Live years earlier, but I failed to keep up with him.  Greg introduced me to his first album.  I have to say that I like it the best of all his works. 

I was reminded of this from watching House earlier this evening.  They played the song "Allison" at a critical touching time of the show.  The next song is partial used as the theme song for the PBS' program History Detectives "Watching the Detectives."  This nest song also comes from the first album "Waiting for the End of the World."  This comes from his album This Year's Model "Pump It Up." 

This is the real interesting part of the story.  When I got turned on to EC, I did not know that he was secretly a deadhead.  His first exposure to the band was at the Bickershaw Festival in 1972 during the legendary tour of the European continent. This underpinning of ideas led Mr Costello in ways yet unimagined.  It did make him want to pursue music with a burning passion.  Later in his career, he did get the chance to perform with his idol Jerry Garcia.  Here they are performing "You Win Again."   Here is recent performance of him doing "Friend of the Devil."

Going back to SNL, the aftermath of his playing Radio Radio instead of the agreed song got Elvis Costello banned for twenty years.  He shows up in the strangest place during The Beastie Boys set going again "Radio, Radio." We will finish this salute with a very appropriate song "What So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding?"

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
January 6, 1978
Swing Auditorum
San Bernadino, CA
listen here

Mega Concert In The Summer Of 1977

Back in the Summer of 1977, there was a gigantic concert held at the old Metropolitan Stadium where the Minnesota Twins and Vikings would play. The Mall of America now occupies the grounds.  The line up was The Eagles, Steve Miller Group and Pablo Cruse.  The weather that day was extremely hot and humid.  This lead to thunderstorms later in the evening.  The stage was set up in straight away in the the out field towards the left center.There was around 65,000 people there for this event. I did see something tragic though.  There were these women drinking really hard.  One of them passed out about a half hour before they opened the gate to the stadium.  Her friends had to take care of her. I often think about that incident. I was in the second deck with three rows in from covered from the top deck.  When the rain came, I stayed completely dry while thousands got drenched.  I also saw a great natural light show from the lightening in the background.  Here are some tunes from the tour.  The first one is "Hotel California."   The next is a Joe Walsh tune played with The Eagles "Rocky Mountain Way."  The next song is "Fly Like An Eagle."  The last song is by Pablo Cruse "Love Will Find A Way."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 3, 1976
Paramount Theater
Portland, OR
listen here

Baseball Season 2010

I am slow for the beginning of Major League Baseball, but with it being only a week old and many games to play, it is still the right time to give it's due.  Here in the great state of Minnesota we are trying so hard to be PC.  We have taken up the cause to eliminate the culture of hate by having high schools relinquish their old names that had to due with Native American slang to something whitewashed. If that was done in MLB, Cleveland and Atlanta would be the most effected.  One of them could adopt the bat as a mascot.  They could have a celebrity endorsement of the highest magnitude with the following sign:

What is a talk of baseball without some great tunes? First on deck is a song that I have played before, but it is still a good one "Centerfield" by John Fogerty.  The next batter up is "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen.  For the literacy minded, there are a few pieces of renown.  The first up is the famous "Casey at the Bat."  There is another point of view to the story told from the visiting team.  It is called "Casey at the Bat (Road Game.)"   In case you need a refresher about the scorecard, here are Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" that will straighten you out.   We will end this with  a piece that was written by David Gans that ran originally in the Official Book of the Dead Heads called "Grateful Dead concerts are like baseball games."


Music for today:

Grateful Dead
October 16, 1974
Winterland Arena
San Francisco, CA
listen here (not the original recording that I listened to)

Grateful Dead
June 7, 1975
Bob Weir's Studio
Mill Valley, CA
"Blues Ruffs"
studio sessions for Blues for Allah
listen here

Violent Femmes

I have been doing some cleaning today, and I found a CD laying in a pile of stuff.  I happens to be by the band Violent Femmes.  They are originally from Milwaukee, WI which is the land of motorcycles, beer and "folk-punk."  One of my favorite websites is offering some live shows which I am taking downloading.  Here are some great tunes by this band that had the opportunity at one time to open for the Grateful Dead.  The first is "Blister in the Sun."  The next is "Gone Daddy Gone."  This is some of the music that was real big when I was younger.  I would go to parties, and these would be played all the time.  This next song is a pivotal one for me back in the day.  It says it all: "Add It Up."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
September 11, 1974
Alexandra Palace
London, England
listen here (not same recording that I have)

Yes
MusikLaden Live
German TV program
DVD
This is a short DVD originally broadcast in 1969 and 1971.  This is great early Yes.  I got it as a Christmas gift years ago, and I finally watched it.

The Last Waltz
Blue-Ray disc

Big Old Dragons

Today was a day of enlightenment.  I saw my therapist, and I came up with some solutions to what I have been feeling lately.  A big part of it was that I was not med compliant.  This would make sense to a lot of my strange thoughts of late.  I am just glad that I did not follow through on any of it.  The course of action is to continue to eat mindfully, take my medications as directed, and get out for a walk now that the weather is better.

This afternoon I saw the movie "How to train your Dragon" in IMAX 3-D.  It was done really well.  The 3-D effects put it over the top.  So in my style, I will honor the movie in song.  The first is the famous tune "Puff the Magic Dragon" by Peter, Paul and Mary (R.I.P. Mary Travers).  The next song is by Flight of the Conchords "Albi."  The last song is by Queen with them doing "Dragon Attack."

Music for today:


Cabinet
April 3, 2010
River Street Jazz Cafe
Plains, PA
cabinetmusic


New Riders of the Purple Sage
February 12, 2008
Capital Ale House
Richmond, VA
listen here (put in New Riders of the Purple Sage into search engine and look for date)

Poked And Prodded

I had to go to the hospital today for a ultrasound of my kidneys.  During a routine exam a while back, they found cysts in my kidneys.  So, they are keeping an eye on them to make sure that they don't become dangerous.  I won't know the results for some time.  If it is bad news, I am sure that they will let me pronto. At least, I would would hope so.  So as alway, here is a song for the occasion, "Industrial Disease" by Dire Straits.  The other song that comes to mind is "Down with Disease" by Phish.

Music for today:

Robert Hunter
May 11, 1997
Palace Theatre
New Haven, CT
listen here ( put Robert Hunter in search engine and look for date of show)

Marin County Bluegrass Festival
April 27-28, 1974
Golden State College
San Rafael, CA
information about this recording

Classic Crime Film from 1932

When the salute to Oscar was happening on TCM last month, I managed to recorded a most excellent film. You would think form the title that it would not be so, but it was nominated for best picture.  The film was "I am a fugitive from a Chain Gang."   Out of all the crime dramas I have ever seen, this movie is by far the best of the lot.  It has also the greatest ending as well.  Here is the trailer for it.  So to honor this movie, I have found some suitable songs that fit the occasion quite well.  The first one is  Sam Cooke doing "Chain Gang."  The next song is by The Pretenders doing "Back on the Chain Gang."  I found another song that flows in the same vein, but when I hear it, it should really go out the the families and friends of the coal mine disaster in West Virginia.  It is "Working in a Coal Mine" by Lee Dorsey.

Music for today:

 Blueground Undergrass
September 25, 2008
Smith's Olde Bar
Atlanta, GA
listen here  (put the name of the band in the search engine and look for date)

Timbuk 3

Earlier today, I was on a mission to make an improvement to someone's involvement to the infrastructure of the world wide web.  The only problem was that it would involve an entire families connection.  So, I had to ask how they want to proceed to get it done.  I patiently listened to the the other people, and I found that their answers were more satisfactory than mine.  So with little investment, the problem was solved and everyone is happy with the results.  On the journey to the computer store, I happened on the song "The Future So Bright, I have to wear shades" by Timbuk 3 that were an Alt-Pop band from 1985.  I remember buying their first album and being really impressed with it.  I found out that the albums are out of print.  On the B side of the previous song, there was the tune "Life is Hard."  Whether they were partial to cats or dogs, they wrote the song "Facts about Cats" that pretty much explains it all.  I will end this exposure to a great American band with the song "B Side of Life." 

Music for today:

Led Zeppelin
May 14, 1973
Municipal Auditorium
New Orleans, LA

 Mickey Hart's Mass Drums
April 20, 2008
Green Apple Festival
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA

Easter Rising

This day is special for the obvious reason, but in Ireland, it has a very special one.  Back in 1916, 2000 brave patriots took a stand for independence against the British.  Many were killed and jailed.  Those that were jailed found themselves executed for their crimes against the state.  What happened though spurred a changed in the hearts of their countrymen towards nationalism and independence.  The only problem was that in order to get what they wanted they made a compromise.  That is why Northern Ireland exists.  It is still under Britih control.  If you think that the war on terror has made a dent in the troubles there, I was in Londonderry and saw a stong police presence on the streets.  They had found a pipe bomb in a car.  That was in September of 2009.

Now for something much lighter.  Many years ago, I ran across an album called The Easter Tapes.  it was a collection of recordings of Steve Goodman playing on a live broadcast of Vin Scelsa's program on WNEW-FM out of New York City.  Here is "City of New Orleans."

Music for today:

The Contribution
April 1, 2010
Bluebird Theater
Denver, CO

Vince Welnick
January 17, 2002
BB Kings
New York City, NY
"Beatle Jam"

Question Everything

.I have been and always will be a fan of The Who.  I like them not because of their popularity, but the raw energy that Peter Townsend and Keith Moon brought to the table.  When I was young, I was a troubled youth in search of something that would point me in the right direction.  I found the album The Kids are Alright, and I was blown away.  When I hear the song "Who Are You",  I don't take it as a catchy little theme song.  When I was two years old, I would point at everthing and say "What's that?"  I am a natural born questioner.  Question authority? Damn straight.  It keeps people accountable, otherwise we can slip between the cracks and disappear.  The worst is taking over without question, which I see our government doing with leaps and bounds.  In the song "Won't Get Fooled Again",  Pete Townsend takes more of a conservative bent towards change, and the lyrics "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" would mean that the more things change the more they stay the same.  I believe this was due his encounter with Abby Hoffman at Woodstock during The Who's performance (look under Tommy).  Here is a great article concerning the relationship between The Who and The Grateful Dead which I found very enlightening.

Alll in all, it comes down to the only thing that I every learned from our former President Reagan, and he got it from the Russians: it is a Russian proverb, "Trust, but verify."

Music for today:

Bare Naked Ladies
July 31, 1998
PNC Bank Center
Holmdel, NJ
They were part of HORDE FEST.

Flogging Molly
Live at the Greek Theater CD
Much to my surprize, I found out that they are going to be playing at Frist Ave in a few weeks.  I am going to take my daughter to the show.  More about this later.

Dan Wilson

Have you ever heard a song for a long time and really thought that you got the meaning of it? The song was very transparent and very obvious?  I thought I did until today when I learned the true meaning of the song "Closing Time" by Semisonic.  The first time that you hear it until someone tells you different it is a song about a bar and what happens when it closes.  This is actually wrong.  It is disguised as that, but that is not what the song is about at all.  I could explain the story, but I will let the author of the song tell the tale.  Here is a link to more information about Dan Wilson.  He was in another band before Semisonic called Trip Shakespeare.  If I need mention, he is from Minneapolis.  Yes, he is a homey.

Music for today:

Dan & Matt Wilson
March 27, 2010
Schubas Tavern
Chicago, IL

Led Zeppelin
February 12, 1975
Madison Square Garden
New York City, NY

Remember The Photographer

Just recently, Jim Marshall passed away.  He was the iconic photographer that took some of the greatest shots of many stars from different styles of music.  On the radio program Dead to the World, David Gans plays a multi-part interview that he did with him from November 4, 1978.  These images set in motion the whole idea of rock and roll to many people, who like me, were too young to be there to experience it first hand.  To capture the attitude of the whole rock and roll scene, he had to be a bit of a maverick.  I offer this tune by Paul Simon: "Kodachrome."

Today is April Fool's Day.  WhenI was young, there was a message left for me. It said Mr. Fox at Como Park Zoo.  So like an idiot, I called the number and asked for Mr. Fox.  They didn't have any clue to what I was saying.  I looked up and saw my father laughing extemely hard.  I fell hard for the joke.  Years later when I was working at his grain elevator, I got him back.  The city where the elevator was located wanted to get rid of it.  So, I called him and said that they had placed dynamite throughout the building.  What should I do. "  Well.. Well.. Get out of there," he said.  I laughed at his reaction.  I got even with him.  Since then, I haven't done any pranks on anyone.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
April 1, 1980
Capitol Theatre
Passaic, NJ
listen here

Double Check

I am working on a project for the blog that will be up in a few days.  As a result of this, I discovered that some mistakes were made or some of the songs were no longer available.  They have all been corrected.  So, please go through the many posts that are listed here and enjoy the many themes.  I will be putting all of the songs together on one post, so that if you missed anything, you can revisit them without having to go to the particular post.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
June 8, 1974
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Oakland, CA
listen here

Jimmie Rodgers

It is good to back to the roots of music for inspiration.  One of the most influential artists is Jimmie Rodgers.  His music has been covered by many artists from country to rock.  Here is the song "Waiting for a Train."  Here is a cover of the same song by Boz Scaggs.  The small ditty "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)" is turned into a powerful jam session by Lynyrd Skynyrd (Please listen carefully to the lyrics of this song.  I believe this is where Jerry Garcia picked up the line verse that was added to the acoustic versions of I Know You Rider.)  The song "In the Jailhouse Now" was actually covered by Rodgers.  The original was done by Blind Blake.  If you saw the Coen Brother's masterpiece "Oh Brother, Where Are Art Thou?", there is another cover of this tune done by Tim Blake Nelson (yes, he is actually singing in the movie.)

Music for today:

Led Zeppelin
July 15, 1973
Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo, NY

No Name Band
January 28, 2010
Reggie's Music Joint
Chicago, IL
They did the complete Rush album "Moving Pictures."

Phish
Live in Brooklyn DVD

Bruce Springsteen
November 18, 1975
HammerSmith Odean
London, England
DVD

Plan B

I went in today to get the results of the MMPI.  When I wrote earlier on my taking it, I alluded that I have some problems in the sanity department.  With this test, I have had three in a row thrown out because they couldn't get a good read on me.  I failed the test by truthfully answering over 560+ questions.  This combined with the interview means that I am not a good candidate for the stomach bypass surgery.  I was also told that my symptoms that I have now could become much worse after the surgery.  It was this reason that made the most sense to me.  So, it is now time for Plan B.  I need to implement mindfullness in my eating habits.  Mindfullness  as practiced is part of DBT.  I know that most of the battle of the waist centers mainly in my mind.  I go to war with my self on daily basis. 

Tonight on  Turner Classic Movies, they are showing The Marx Brothers' A Night at the Opera.  Here is a classic scene from that movie. I needed that laugh.  I have heard say that laughter is a good medicine.  This reminds of The Firesign Theatre's classic story, "Nick Danger (part one) (part two) (part three)." When I was in high school, this was a big hit with many people in my class. 

Music for today:

Led Zeppelin
March 19, 1975
Pacific Coliseum
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Led Zeppelin
May 26, 1977
Capitol Center
Landover, MD

Artists: Various
Live From Berkeley CD
Performances from KPFA's Dead to the World
This was a thank-you gift for a contribution that I made during the KPFA's Grateful Dead marathon.  I receieved it in the mail today, and it was just the thing I needed to pick up my spirits after the news I had gotten earlier.

Led Zeppelin

I have seen this as a t-shirt worn by young kids today.  I can say with pride that I was there.  I would like to say that my first love was The Grateful Dead, but it was actually Led Zeppelin.  My parents let me go with some friends to April 12, 1977 show at the Metropolitan Center.  I was 13 years old.  Let's call it a baptism of fire.  I sort of remember the night that my friends and I were listening to the album The Song Remains the Same (which is the soundtrack to the LZ movie) and getting baked beyond belief.  There was a local movie theater that had the old fashioned large single screen. As I watched it, I was simply blown away.  Our local rock station did a Led Zeppelin A-Z over a weekend that I was going up to my grandparent's cabin.  They did have a contest giving away all of their albums.  I sent in for the drawing hoping that my name would be drawn. What felt like weeks later,  I came home after doing what I usually did after school (no it wasn't sports or anything wholesome like that.) My sister met me at the door with a big smile on her face.  She said, Remember that contest? KQ? Led Zeppelin? You won!"
My mood just soared, until I couldn't get ahold of them.  Then, it crashed.  She said, "Here stupid."  She pointed to the right number.  I called the number for the station and got the right person.  Yes, I indeed had won their catalouge.   I was really hoping that they would return to Minnesota, but this was not to be.  John Bonham, who was considered to be the best rock drummer, died of asphyxiation due to heavy drinking.  The band decided to call it quits. 
    About two years ago, I had gotten a vine that contained many Led Zeppelin shows.  I am taking a break from the Grateful Dead to go through this vine.  I will return to the Dead as soon as it over.  I have a nephew that I shared this vine.  I hope he enjoys it.  The music is great.

Music for today:

Led Zeppelin
Date: Various
Le Grand Casino De Montreaux, Danish TV
Bootleg Title: Hammer of the Gods

Led Zeppelin
January 22, 1973
Southampton University
Southampton, England

Led Zeppelin
June 15, 1972
Nassau County Coliseum
Uniondale, NY

Salute To Woody

In 2006, I was on vacation in our nation's capitol with my mother and daughter.  We were resting one evening with the tv on the local public televison station.  They were showing American Masters with their focus on Woody Guthrie.  It was an enlightened program that highlighted many things that I didn't know about the man.  Many years ago, I picked up a CD at a garage sale that turned out to be one of the best things I have every found.  It was called Folkways: A Vision Shared - A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly.  I would like to share some of highlights from that disc with you. All of the following are covers of Woody Guthrie songs. The first is by Bob Dylan doing "Pretty Boy Floyd."  The nest song is U2 doing the song "Jesus Christ."  The following song is done by Woody's son Arlo.  It is called "Deportee."  There is also a cover done by Bruce Springsteen called "I Ain't Got No Home."  I will finish this up with Woody Guthrie doing "Hobo's Lullaby."

Music for today:

Loudon Wainwright III
June 5, 1993
Somerville Theatre
Somerville, MA
listen here (put LoudonWainwrightIII1993-06-05 in seach engine)

The Last Waltz Ensemble
February 22, 2008
The Pour House
James Island, SC

George Thorogood

In the summer of 1986, I was in Upstate New York at West Point Military Academy supporting the cadets for their basic training. I was in an ambulance company in the US Army.  I worked as a medic. It was a beautiful Summer morning right on the Hudson River.  We were waiting for the cadets to start their calisthenics on the exercise field.  I here them marching above on a cliff.  There is metal walkway that goes down a sheer rock face wall.  Just as they get to the walkway, I hear on the loudspeakers "Bad to the Bone", and they were marching in synch to the tune.  It gave goose bumps, because it so freaking cool.  So my little salute to the Delaware Destroyer would not be complete without  The tune "One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer."  To continue on the drinking theme, We have the old favorite (and something I used to do alot of when I imbibed) "I Drink Alone." 

The other soldiers that I was stationed with were from 101st Airbourne Division at Fort Cambell, KY.  I have a special bond with these guys.  On the day that I left Germany, it was on December 12, 1985.  Unbeknownst to me, a plane with serviceman form the 101st left the same airfield with a two hour difference.  The only thing is that they were not so lucky.  Their plane crashed in Newfoundland killing 248 servicemen.  By the time I got home and called for a ride, My mother answered with this reply, "You're alive."  Six monthes later, I am serving with the guys who were friends of dead soldiers.  That can weigh on a person's soul.  I just thought I'd share that story.

Music for today:

Little Feat
April 11, 1978
Warner Theater
Washinton D.C.
listen here

Little Feat
March 25, 2007
Colonial Theater
Phoenixville, PA
listen here ( put into search engine Little Feat and look for 3-25-2007)

Historical Reference To Food

Just recently, I had a friend point out an interesting aticle to me.  It is about art imitating life.  The famous fresco of The Last Supper has been copied, but the sizes of the plates have been changed to reflect the changing palete of the culture regarding their views towards food.  So in this world of supersized food choices, this attitude is not new at all.  Gluttony has been been around for many years.  This is a problem in which I face on the road to losing weight.  The temptation is great sometimes.  I am in the process of gaining new skills to eat properly before the surgery.  I have success one day and setback the next day.  But, I am on the road.   Now for a little pick me up of some little ditties, I offer these tunes by R. Crumb & his Cheap Suit Serenader's "My Girl's Pussy."    Here is another good number: "Cheap Suit Special."  If you have never heard of R. Crumb, he is a cartoonist that was big in the underground era in San Franciso in the 1960's.  He has also done the art work for a Grateful Dead cd as well as one for Big Brother and The Holding Company.

Music for today:

The Kinks  

November 27, 1969

Fillmore West

San Francisco, CA

listen here (look under The Kinks 11-27-69)  

My recording has filler from other perfomances not found at sugarmegs.

The Kinks     

November 13, 1970

Fillmore West

San Francisco, CA

listen here

Grateful Dead

July 8, 1990

Three Rivers Stadium

Pittsburgh, PA

View from the Vault DVD

John Mayall

Earlier today, I listened to a great show by John Mayall and The Blues Breakers.  It was recorded at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, MN back in 1991.  What makes it so special is that I was at that particular show.  I went with fiancee.  She hadn't heard much of him.  We had gotten there early, and she told me that she needed to use the restroom.  So, I waited for her.  When she came back, she told me that she had gone snooping around the place and poked her head in the theatre.  She said that she saw an old man in tight leather pants on stage.  She must have thought that he was a roadie or something.  When we took our seats, there was a great performer opening up for John. I just can't remember who she was.  By the time John took the stage, my fiancee turned to me and said,"That's the guy I told you about.  That's him."  I just laughed.  Here are some all-time classic performances of the Godfather of British Blues.  These tunes come from a killer album called "The Turning Point":  "The Laws Must Change"; "California" and "Room to Move."  Here is an example of early Mayall from 1966 with him doing "Parchman Farm."


Music for today:

John Mayall
March 31, 1991
Guthrie Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
listen here (put John Mayall in Search engine and look for date)
I was at his show the year earlier.  My roommate and his friends dragged me out in a blizzard to drive them to the Cabooze to see him.  They had picked up his lastest release Chicago Line, and they had to check him out.  It was a great concert.  Mayall mentions The Cabooze at the Guthrie show.

Baron Von Tollbooth outtakes 1972

The Runaways movie soundtrack

Shutter Island movie soundtrack
Martin Scorsese allowed Robbie Robertson (from The Band) to hand pick all the music for the film.  It is by far the most haunting score I have ever heard.  It is truly a great collection.   There is nothing quite like it.

Will Be Back Soon

There has been some discussion on several places on the internet recently about things of a otherworldly nature.  I have never made my feelings know on the subject for fear of reprisal.  No, I am not going to on a soapbox and start to preach.  Let me first say that I celebrate someone's life rather than their passing.  I never remember the date someone died.  Once you are in the circle of life, you are part of it even if you pass away.  The atheist scientists call this the Laws of Thermodynamics that energy continues in a different form.  I personnaly believe in the Resurrection of the Dead.  Here is a great song by David Gilmour that address this point: "There's No Way Out of Here."  Here is another great tune called "Let's Get Metaphysical." I could point to any one thing that has been more of a saving grace in my life, it is this belief.  No matter how bad it gets, I will survive - I will get by.  I took some photos of some grave sites for my family tree in a rather large cemetary.  As I was taking these shots, I saw two grave stones that were side by side.  The first one read. "Butts."  The second one read "Waites."  I wonder if they didn't plan that?  I went to the the office to get some information on locations of some of the graves, and this signe was in the window, "Will be back soon."  I would like that as my epitaph.  Speaking of that, it reminds of this song by King Crimson. 

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 10, 1973
Charlotte Coliseum
Charlotte, NC
It was part of the Download Series which is no longer available.

Grateful Dead
December 18, 1973
Curtis Hixion Convention Hall
Tampa, FL
listen here

Grateful Dead
December 19, 1973
Curtis Hixion Convention Hall
Tampa, Fl
Released as Dick's Picks 1.  This was a Charlie Miller remaster.

The Runaways

     I saw a great film recently about the 1970's all girl rock band The Runaways.  It featured the talents of Kristen Stewart in the role of Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie.  Up to this point, I haven't been much of a fan of Stewart, but she rocked as Jett.  The intensity and pent-up agression that one would possess to be a rocker, she played that with authority that I have never witnessed.  Fannning brought a sinful sexuality to the role that it would have Chris Hansen come running with film crew in tow.  She burned up the screen.  It has been said of her that she is a old soul.  This is major star with the whole universe to brighten.  There is no role to tough for her to handle. Let  the music speak for itself,  First up, this song was duplicate in the film, "Cherry Bomb."  The next comes from the same show.  It is them doing the classic Lou Reed tune "Rock and Roll."  The next comes from the The Old Grey Whistle Test. It is the song "Wasted."  This next number comes from the movie soundtrack.  The tune features Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart on vocals; it is them doing "California Paradise." 
     After the breakup of the band, Joan Jett went solo, and she put out her music on her own label after she was rejected by almost every major record label.  Her hunch paid off huge.  The song "I Love Rock and Roll" went to number #1 on the charts.  She also put out the song "Bad Reputation" to show that success hadn't gone to her head.  She will aways be a rocker.  Lita Ford, who played lead guitar with The Runaways, has had a great career of her own since leaving the band.  Here is a great example of a duet  that she did with Ozzy Osbourne called "Close My Eyes Forever."

Tuesday on Turner Classic Movies, they are celebrating the 100th birthday of Akira Kurosawa.  He is a legendary Japanese filmmaker.  They are dedicating the entire day to him.  If you like great film, this is a golden opportunity to check it out.  So in his honor, I offer this song.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 8, 1973
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Duke University
Durham, NC
listen here

A Milestone

Today is a huge milestone for my family.  My father turns 73 which may not seem to be a big to many of you, but the life expectancy in our family for the males was under 73.  Every day my father lives is more than any male has ever done.  He talked to his youngest brother, and he gave my dad the following advice, "Just wake up in the morning, that's all you gotta do."  My hat's off to my dad.

Today is also special in that we secured our MVP catcher Joe Mauer to a long term contract.  He will be with the team for another 8 years. Here are the particulars about his contract.  So in his honor, I offer the following tune in congratulations: "Centerfield."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 4, 1973
Cincinnati Gardens
Cincinnati, OH
It was released as the bonus disc for the Winterland '73 box set.  There was the second set on that disc.  Chalie Miller rematered the complete show.  That was the recording that I listened to this afternoon.

Grateful Dead
December 6, 1973
Cleveland Convention Center
Cleveland, OH
listen here

The Plot Thickens

I found a piece of information today about someone of power in my life.  It explains alot of why they act they way they do.  It also ties into a part of my past that I thought was neatly tucked away.  It is what you get when you cross a career person with someone who did the minimum.  It is a clash of ideals.  Since I see this person often, I have to play nice.  The tunes for today's theme of controlled rebellion is inspired by Bob Dylan.  The first is section from the film I'm Not There featuring the song "Ballad of a Thin Man."  The next comes from the same movie.  It is "Going to Acapulco."   The song  "Tangled Up in Blue" has the most obscure line about a 13th Century Italian Poet.  Which one is it?  Here is some discussion on the topic.  Another classic from Blood on the Tracks is the song "Shelter from the Storm."   Two great songs to get this to a close are: "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" ; and "The Mighty Quinn (Quinn the Eskimo)."


Music for today:

Grateful Dead
December 2, 1973
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA
listen here
This is the audience recording.  Part of the soundboard was released as Dick's Picks 14.

The Big Dance With A Twist

My Gopher team lost in the first round to Xavier today 65-54.  Well, so much for a heroic charge to the title game.  There was also some speculation that our coach may be going to greener pastures. You just led our team into a dark alley then abandoned them when most of them will be coming back next year. I hope that this is not truly the case.  So we toast your honor with this song.  Now that the formalites are over, it is time to let loose and get all twisted with this New Wave stuff.  Let's start it off with "Rapture" by Blondie.  Since it is apropo for some of the players to feel slighted, this next tune should answer many questions: "Once in a Lifetime."  The nest song is the first public performance of "Message in a Bottle" by The Police.  It is time to kick it out with The Ramones by hearing them do the tune. "Blitzkrieg Bop."  A discourse of New Wave and Punk would not be complete without having some Patti Smith thrown into the mix.  Here is the tune "Because the Night" (It was cowritten by Bruce Springsteen).  Time to put on the dancing shoes and kick it up.  Let's hear it for The B-52's doing "Private Idaho."

Music for today:

Jerry Garcia Band
December 22, 1976
Keystone Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
listen here (look up under jgb 12-22-76)

March Madness

The first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament started with the begining game on Tuseday. The rest of the field started today.  So far, there have been two games that I am aware that have went into overtime.  It is going to be a barnburner of a run for one lucky team.  My Golden Gophers start their run Friday morning against Xavier.  I will be interested to see how far they actually get.  Here is the song for all of the players and fans of basketbal: "Basketball Jones."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
July 1970
Festival Express Train
Canada
This is a fresh release of material that was recorded on the train.  It is mastered by Charlie Miller.

Grateful Dead
December 1, 1973
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA
listen here

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

This is the day I like the best.  I like to celebrate my Irish heritage, and this day is the perfect day to do just that.  I did keep it low key on account that I had to spend time with my daughter.  We enjoyed the day by having a Shamrock shake and listening to the CD "Drunken Lullabies" by Flogging Molly.  We have history with that disc.  Here is "Rebel of the Sacred Heart" from that disc.  It wqouldn't be the holiday without The Pogues doing "If I should fall from the grace of God."  For those who imbibe and carouse, this next song is the perfect example of the end result of the all that partying: "Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced."  When talking about the music of Ireland, the rebellious nature towards the English Rule does play a major factor.  This song "The Merry Ploughboy" puts it in a nutshell. There should be of course a discussion of real traditional muic of Ireland.  The first example comes from the town of Doolin.  I had visited Doolin and caught live traditional music that was fantastic.  The next comes from Cruises in County Claire.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
November 30, 1973
Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA
listen here

Flogging Molly
Drunken Lullabies CD

Brendan Mulholand, Brendan Hendry, and Paul McSherry
Tuned Up CD (traditonal Irish Music)

Various Artists
Music at Matt Molloy's CD (collection of traditional Irish music)

Happy St. Urho's Day

Today is the day that Finnish people celebrate St. Urho driving all the crickets from Finland so that they wouldn't eat the grape crops.  Or, so the story goes.  This holiday (look under Nonhistorical Traditions) was created back in the 1950's as an answer to St. Patrick's Day.  There is a giant statue of St. Urho in the town of Menagha, MN.  It is town near where my ex-wife's family is from.  I bring this all up in the hope of mending some fences.  It is rather strange that two from very different cultures would come together, but it did happen.  I offer this poem by Garrison Keillor as an olive branch.  In small town life in Minnesota, St. Urho's day does get it's parade just like any other holiday.  What would a blog entry be without an example of the local fare of Finnish Folk music?  So, let the people wear the purple and green, and let the celebrating begin!!

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
November 28, 1973
Seastone Sessions
listen here (look up under Grateful Dead 11-28-73 Seastone)

Picking On The Weak And Fraile Mind

Today, I did something that I kind of dreaded doing, but it was necessary to prceed to a healther me.  I met for the pysch evaluation.  I was asked alot of background questions that lasted for at least an hour.  After that was done, I had to do the MMPI by hand.  I did not have the use of a computer this time.  I have to meet back up in two weeks.  They will tell me then if I am sane enough to get gutted like a fish and eat less for the rest of my life.  All of this to be healthy, so I can last a few more years.  So, I came up with a few gems for this auspicous occasion.  The first being by Patsy Cline: "Crazy."  I believe I brought this up on another entry, but seeing how they systemmatically tore my brain apart, it fits quite well: "They're coming to take me away, haha."  What would a blog about insanity be without the Prince of Darkness doing "Crazy Train"  The next song does not ride the edge nearly as close as I would like, but it still shares the sentiment rather well with Elton John doing "Madman Across the Water."  The last song sums up an entire piece that I can relate to on some levels.  It also explains in a nutshell why it so damn hard to rely on others for help.  The song is "Outside the Wall" which is the last song to The Wall by Pink Floyd.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
November 25, 1973
Feyline Field
Tempe, AZ
listen here