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Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Apr 4, 2007 1:35pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

As you all may know, the composition that we know as Spanish Jam, was borrowed from Miles Davis. But the inspiration for Miles version comes from a classical Andalucian flamenco known as Malaguena. Wilkipedia, for what its worth, provides a fascinating, if not factual synopsis of this composition... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malague%C3%B1as_%28flamenco_style%29 This 1963 jazz rendition is an excellent, educational example of this Fandango... http://www.dailymotion.com/video/109457 The Malaguena has inspired the music of a number of modern jazz musicians, most notably, Davis' Sketches of Spain... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5vhd-9Om44&mode=related&search= Some of you may agree that the Spanish Jam is one the most beautiful, and jazziest pieces of music the Grateful Dead performed. This may be because the Dead, while improvising, have remained true to the classical roots of this music. The first one. Its amazing how sophisticated and jazzy this 1968 rendition is... http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-01-20.sbd.jools.19470.sbe-fixed.shnf Just two night later, this version, which may be the best-ever, sounds like the sound-track to a Sergio Leone spaghetti western... http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-01-22.sbd.weiner.8583.sbeok.shnf This primal example from one month later, is like a gunfight between Weir, Garcia, Lesh and the drummers... http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-02-14.sbd.kaplan.15640.sbeok.shnf This mind-bending jam includes members of the Allmans and Fleetwood Mac... http://www.archive.org/details/gd70-02-11.early-late.sbd.sacks.90.sbefail.shnf An excellent and jazzy version from 1973... http://www.archive.org/details/gd73-03-24.sbd.bertha-ashley.25508.sbeok.shnf This masterpiece from 1974 makes it onto most folks top-ten lists... http://www.archive.org/details/gd74-06-23.sbd.cribbs.16780.sbeok.shnf Even Cliff, allergic to post 1977 Dead has to admit that this amazing composition has continued to provide inspiration through the 1980's and even into the nineties... http://www.archive.org/details/gd81-05-16.nak300-dmow.28007.sbeok.flacf http://www.archive.org/details/gd92-06-22.set2sbd.herman.14053.sbefail.shnf What are your favorite versions of this amazing jam?
This post was modified by Cliff Hucker on 2007-04-04 20:35:06

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Poster: NitrousJones Date: Dec 27, 2019 9:59pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Best Spanish Jam

I ended up here after reading some craziness that The Andalusian Suite was a direct influence on The Dead - clearly the rhythm section is based on Solea - but your more intelligent thread getting into some of the nuance of "Spanish Jams" makes me want to add that quite possibly the best moments of the Grateful Dead listening with "Group Mind" and doing something truly amazing is the 1974 Miami Dark Star>Spanish Jam ... Bobby makes a call "Asking Spanish Jam?" adding a few blue notes to his chord structure, Jerry picks up on this and there is a brief "Answer" with Spanish Melody Variation ... the guitars both move back into jamming on Dark Star and then maybe a minute later the entire rhythm section moves right into Spanish Jam ... eventually the entire band of course plays it - but I've heard them play many many hours and this might be the most impressive thing I've heard them do - to the point I wonder if they mentioned before the show "We're at Jai Alai - wanna play that Spanish Jam?" or something - it's really amazing for them to do improvise this the way they do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db11ajXt-hg

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Poster: smi2les Date: Apr 4, 2007 7:07pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Cliff you work to hard, I couldn't disagree with you more.

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Poster: elkdog Date: Apr 4, 2007 6:38pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

I've been reading the forums here since the week they started uploading Dead shows. The only reason you need to know that is because that post right there was the best single post I've ever seen. Unbelievable stuff, Cliff. Great research behind it, and a really great spread of examples. Thank You.

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 7:20pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

I'll second that emotion! Listened to most of them this afternoon and loved it!

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Poster: smi2les Date: Apr 4, 2007 7:26pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

in your cellar ?

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 4, 2007 7:29pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Elkdog--so true.

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 1:38pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

81? 92? Is Cliff feeling alright??? Don't worry, just relax... I called 911 and a medivac chopper is on it's way!!! Seriously though, I love the Spanish Jam, but alas, as always, impossible for me to pick a favorite... Though I am leaning towards giving the 81 Barton Hall a spin here... Never met a show from the Barn that I didn't like!!! ;) PS. Kudos on the very thorough research mi amigo!
This post was modified by cush212 on 2007-04-04 20:38:17

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Poster: high flow Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:07pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

MAN! That is worth a grok in itself....nice background work Cliff. I'd love to have listen-and-discuss grok/forum w/ the various works you have presented as the focus.

What a great next-step for our collective hobby/research.

Anybody interested?

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 4, 2007 3:00pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Way to go, brother...I can recall as if only yesterday when the two of us talked about 1-20 & 1-22 1968...The Spanish Jam is my favorite from those shows...

Your early era diligence is something to behold. Education for the masses...

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Poster: BryanE Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:24pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: In Answer to the Question

I glossed over the fact that there was a survey being conducted here.

The stream cues to "Spanish Space," so it's a bit buggy before the jam, but I always liked this one. Recorded on my father's 51st birthday. He wasn't at the show, mind you.

http://www.archive.org/details/gd81-08-12.sbd.munder.10548.sbeok.shnf

We did Malaguena in high school marching band. Pretty heady stuff for a bunch of kids, many of whom were only in band just to get out of the house on Friday nights and find a chance to sneak off during football games in order to misbehave, myself included. During the final bars of the piece, it was slowed to half tempo as we turned full-on to the home crowd side of the field, actually dropping and marching on our knees. It was a very bold and dramatic move and might have been the deciding factor in our winning the state marching band championship that year.

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Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Apr 4, 2007 4:29pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: In Answer to the Question

Cliff thinks your band story is very cool!

http://www.archive.org/details/gd74-07-31.sbd.ziggy.1019.sbeok.shnf

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Poster: BryanE Date: Apr 4, 2007 5:14pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: In Answer to the Question

BryanE thinks it feels a lot better for he and Cliff to be friendly. One of BryanE's biggest faults is allowing himself to be a crank sometimes and apologizes for his belligerence. Fare you well.

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:24pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Just could not decide... Going to listen to all of them!!! On 1,22,68 now and LOVING IT!!! Thanks CH, grate thread!!! :)
This post was modified by cush212 on 2007-04-04 21:24:22

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Poster: caspersvapors Date: Apr 4, 2007 10:32pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

check the Spanish Jam on DP12, it is quite excellent

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Poster: TheGreat_and_Knowledgable Date: Apr 5, 2007 7:45am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

damn i was gonna say the DP spanish jams, so yes the DP 12 spanish jam is really good.

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Poster: Arbuthnot Date: Apr 4, 2007 4:58pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Cliff ... very nice & informative thread; love your Spanish Jam choices, though admittedly have not heard the '90s versions, but since i am like a moth to light when it comes to the early years, it's hard to train myself otherwise...

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Poster: William Tell Date: Apr 4, 2007 5:55pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

"like a moth to light when it comes to the early years"

W Tell. Stolen. So true.

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 3:21pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

1973... Gallon of gas around $.50... 6 pack of good beer $2.00 ... Snowbird tram ticket $7.50... Average concert ticket, about the same... 3/24 Spanish Jam>Dark Star>Sing Me Back Home... Priceless!!!

:)...

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Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Apr 4, 2007 4:24pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

$7.50 for a tram ticket?

Thats unbelieveable!

Bet there was no line either, let alone a maze...

http://www.archive.org/details/gd73-03-31.sbd.yerys.2237.sbeok.shnf

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 4:31pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Was a maze and line on the weekends even then... We did have a delightful occurance back then during heavy snowfalls from time to time... Road closed and mountain open! Waist deep, bottomless, 15-20 people per tram all on 1st name basis, often had to help ski patrol with control work in the morning... Ahhh, the good old days!

Great thread here Cliff... I started with Stan Kenton and currently finishing up 6/23/74... Had to do a few gazintas and gazoutas along the way...

;)

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Poster: wineland Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:34pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Wow, nice work Cliff. I'll have to go through this at home and listen on the stereo for full effect. Fantastic research.

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Poster: BryanE Date: Apr 4, 2007 1:41pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

You put a lot of thought and work into that, sir. This is, in fact, the first thread I've seen about it since I first logged on late last summer, and an interesting Grateful Dead footnote to ponder. I did not know it came from Miles Davis, even though I used to have Sketches of Spain before the fire. I just had never put the two together. Thank you for your effort.

By the way, are the Spanish Jam and the Spinach Jam the same thing?

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Poster: cush11 Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:09pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Spinach Jam melts on your toast...

Spanish Jam melts in your mind!

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Poster: ghostofpig Date: Apr 4, 2007 2:01pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Just a note on Miles:

If you had an idea in the studio--a theme, a vamp, whatever--and you hadn't named it and charted it first, it became a Miles composition.
Even Gil Evans--co-composer--relied heavily on the work of others. Sketches of Spain has its genesis in the slow movement of the Rodrigo Concierto di Arguanez, one of the most beloved pieces of classical music out of Spain. Both Miles and Gil Evans were taken with the piece when they were introduced to it. Purists in the classical world dislike it's fast and loose treatment of the original work, and in fact, Rodrigo was on record as detesting the final product. And jazz musicians felt the work to be pretentious, with not enough room for Miles to solo, and not enough out and out swing. There was also a feeling that the work was just blatantly copied from it's origins and that any brilliance in the work was due to Rodrigo, not to Evans.

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Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Apr 4, 2007 4:41pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Spanish Jam (Malaguena)

Fascinating information ghostofpig!

Cliff knew there were some good folks here who could contribute to an intelligent discussion of music...

http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-01-27.sbd.jools.14736.sbeok.shnf