Boy,and I Thought I Had It Bad....

Nine years ago on a locked unit, I had the privledge of hearing a phrase that I had said many times about others in worse off conditions.  I had a roommate that had been transferred from the ICU unit to our happy little home after an unsuccessful attempt on his life. The moment he started to feel better, we started to share our stories.  I told him mine, and he told me his.  After a while, he came up to me and said, "Boy, I thought I had it bad."  That statement truly opened my eyes as to how I was.  I didn't realize at that point that my life had come to such a low point. 

I say that now in relation to current events going on around the world and in my own life.  I hadn't said anything about Haiti or any other crisis that has overcome our world because of the political ramifications that it might raise.   It is time to help them and strengthen our cause for humanity.  I often give without saying anythng thing about it.  It is not right to do that.  It takes away from why you are giving in the first place.  I have to have my heart in the right place before I give.  It only makes sense.

I am off to see music with a friend today.  We are going to see Motion City Soundtrack.  They actually got their start here in Minneapolis.  We will see them at the world famous First Ave (made famous from the Prince flick "Purple Rain")

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
October 23, 1972
Performing Arts Center
Milwaukee, WI
listen here
Warning!  This is a poor audience recording.  The sound is really terrible.  Listen at your own peril.  You've been warned. The Horror! The Horror!

Gifts Given

I was asked to change my blog by a friend to include the "best songs" by the Grateful Dead.  As a rule,surveys and "best of" are usally avoided like the plague by me.  I hate to pigeon-hole anything, but I like what I like. I don't have to telll anyone, because it's not like it will change thier mind or anything.  Besides, the fact that you like something is just fine with me, just don't wave it in my face.  So, I decided to give this friend a gift for their birthday.  It is is not the best songs, but the best tour the Grateful Dead ever did.  It is the whole Europe 1972 tour.  It is like looking at a planet and forgetting the galaxy.  I aslo sent out other shows to friends that are new to collecting.  I believe they will be happy with what I sent.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
October 18, 1972
Fox Theatre
St. Louis, MO
listen here

Grateful Dead
October 19, 1972
Fox Theatre
St. Louis, MO
listen here

I have to say that listening to this run of St. Louis shows was a complete surprise to me.  What a great run of shows.  Disc 2 of 10/18/72 has China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider, Playing>Drums> Dark Star> Morning Dew> Playin.  Can you ask for more?

GD With A Irish Edge

I believe that the Irish culture has greatly influenced the Grateful Dead.  It is hardly mentioned by any deadheads of Jerry's heritage.  Yes, it is true that his father was Spanish, but he died when Jerry was very young.  He was raised by his mother and grandmother who were of a Irish/Swedish mix.  I bring this up because of Jerry's choice of tunes before the Dead.  His gift of gab can is a cultural aspect of the storyteller nature of many Irishmen.  I also bring to mind the concert that they did on May 6, 1981 dedicated to Bobby Sands, the IRA hunger striker.  Last year, I saw a movie called "Hunger" that is based on the last days of Bobby Sands.  It is a very powerful and moving movie.  It will be coming to DVD on February 16, 2010.  I plan on getting it,  I might not watch it alot, but it will there for special viewings.  The other thing I found out about Jerry was that he visited Matt Malloy's (of the Chieftains) Pub in Westport, Ireland.  I happened to accidently stumble into the place while vacationing in Ireland.  What a lucky find.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
October 9, 1972
Winterland Arena
San Francisco, CA
listen here

Grateful Dead
October 17, 1972
Fox Theatre
St. Louis, MO
listen here

Medical News & A Slew of Birthday Wishes

I awoke this morning in the middle of a dream without my alarm going off.  My schedule is such that I get up early in the morning to go to my job.  I was able to do so without a hitch.  In fact, there was a reason for this strange occurance to happen. I saw a news article on a local broadcast that indicated that if you listen to music for twenty minutes a day your blood pressure will lower by a few points.  I have been doing that for years.  Considering my weight, I am very grateful that blood pressure has not been a problem at all.

I happened to see that today is Slim Whitman's 86 birthday today.  If you are not familar with his work, he took yodeling to a whole new level.  Here is an example his gift at work: "Indian Love Call."  Today had such a strange mix of people from a large range of bands that I just couldn't ignore it.  The next birthday Eric Stewart, age 65, singer from 10cc: "The Things We Do For Love."  The next is George Grantham, age 63, the drummer from Poco: "Crazy Eyes."  The next is Paul Stanley, age 58, the guitarist from Kiss: "Detroit Rock City."  Up next is Ian Hill, age 58, the bassist from Judas Priest: "Living After Midnight."  The next contestant is Greg K., age 45, bassist from The Offspring: "Come Out And Play (Keep 'Em Seperated)."  The last is by far the best of the bunch.  It is Edwin McCain, age 40, who is the singer of this wonderful song: "I'll Be."  This maybe cheesy, but this is a local favorite (to the Twin Cities crowd) in wishing happy birthday from Casey Jones.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
September 30, 1972
American University
Washington D. C.
listen here
I happened to meet a woman a few years ago that was at this concert.  I asked her about it, but she said that she had done so many drugs that she didn't recall much about it.  I did give her a copy of it. She was very thankful to hear what she might have missed.

Grateful Dead
October 2, 1972
Civic Center
Springfield, MA
listen here

Out Of The Fog

A plan is coming together from a mere thought to a searched idea.  I beieve it can be done.  I was out earlier today coming back from almost visiting my friend in the hospital.  They were having an outpatient surgery, and by the time I got there, they were gone. So, I drove home listening to a CD mix I had earlier.  The weather was grey and cold just as it was described in the song "California Dreaming."  What is strange about this song is that the singer is from the Village in NYC.  This is the place that I am researching about going to.  I think the month of May would be a good time to go.  I am flexible at this point. I remember this as a classic tune to set the proper mood for a "New York State Of Mind."  I mean if I am going to do the Big Apple I should play THE song "New York, New York."

Music For today:

Grateful Dead
September 24, 1972
Palace Theater
Waterbury, CT
listen here

Grateful Dead
September 26, 1972
Stanley Theatre
Jersey City, NJ
listen here

Arena Rock Of The 70s And 80s

I was browsing for gifts for friend that is into the old stuff of the heyday of the big concerts.  They were lacking in some of the essential items from this era.  Some of the things that  I found were at  "rock" bottom price.  It is a luxury that is very afforable.  It is no wonder that many of these artist were able to sell millions of albums.  Boy, that is word you never hear these days.  Actually, albums are starting to make a comeback.  They were hanging on by a fingernail for the mass consumer, but they are rebounding.  We start this off by breaking the ice with a great tune from MC5 "Kick Out The Jams."  The next group is Styx which I saw in 1983 from the Kilroy Was Here tour.  This girl I knew had an extra ticket to them, and I had an extra for the Grateful Dead.  Here is Styx doing "The Grand Illusion."  What would Arena Rock be without the band Boston.  Here are two fantastic songs from their debut album (which sold 17 million copies): "Smokin'" and "Foreplay-Long Time."  All of this music is what I listened to before I got into the Grateful Dead.  I saw "Terrible" Ted Nugent twice in concert while still in high school.  So, I will regale you with "Cat Scratch Fever."  I saw REO Speedwagon in concert  during this time as well.  Before you roll your eyes and think "how lame", I offer this  gem of a jam: "157 Riverside Ave."  I had a roommate from Rockford, IL while I was going to school for radio.  He swore by this next group as one of the best groups from this era.  The band is Cheap Trick.  Submitted for your approval is  "Surrender."  We will finish this up with a romp from Supertramp doing "Goodbye Stranger."

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
September 19, 1972
Roosevelt Stadium
Jersey City, NJ
listen here

Grateful Dead
September 23,1972
Palace Theater
Waterbury, CT
listen here

One Step Closer

At the beginning of the football season, my team signed Brett Farve to take the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bowl.  I was rather skeptical at this.  I really thought that he was in it for himself, and no good was going to come to my team.  Well, I was wrong.  We are on the brink of doing something that we have never done before.  The Vikings have been to the Super Bowl four times in the past and have lost every time.  This week we defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-3.  The media had been on the Cowboys side so much before this contest that they didn't give the Vikes any chance.  In their honor, I offer up this little song by Willie Nelson. It is on to New Orleans. Skol Vikings.

Music for today:

Grateful Dead
September 17, 1972
Civic Center
Baltimore, MD
listen here
This is Dick's Picks Vol. 23