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Poster: robthewordsmith Date: Sep 2, 2007 3:02pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

I found myself listening to two epic song sequences today. I’d more or less selected at random a couple of shows from the Big Box of Disks that lurks beneath my desk and by chance came up with a couple of shows that had something in common even though they were nearly a decade apart.

The first one was 11-17-73 at the Pauley Pavilion and the second was 5-21-82 at the Greek Theater, and maybe some of you already know where I’m going with this. It’s the Playin’ in the Band sequences that really set each show apart:

Pauley Pavilion: Playin’ in the Band – Uncle John’s Band – Morning Dew – Uncle John’s Band – Playin’ in the Band

Greek Theater. Playin’ in the Band – Uncle John’s Band – Drums – Space – The Wheel – Playin’ in the Band – Black Peter – Sugar Magnolia

The Pauley show is just jaw-dropping in its epic scale and well nigh flawless execution. No other band, I believe, would have attempted this, Yes at their Topographic progrock peak couldn't have pulled off something like this. The Greek sequence takes you on a trip that will have you grinning from ear to ear when they swing back into the Playin’ reprise from a Wheel that is just plain exhilarating, and then to cap it off with a soulful Black Peter and a Sugar Mags that is just as out and out joyful as only that song can be is just verging on the ridiculous.

Whoever said this was a band beyond description was somewhat understating the case in my opinion. These sequences are plain and simple finely crafted symphonies of music and the fact that they were created there and then, on the spot, semi-improvised, just underlines what a truly amazing, once-in-a-lifetime bunch of musicians the Grateful Dead were.

What I’m hoping now is that the many of you out there more knowledgeable than I am will come up with a few epic sequences of your own that I can seek out and enjoy. Over to you, people.

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Poster: jerkwaterdan Date: Sep 3, 2007 12:43am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

Theres nothing like your first love so I have to go with the show that was my first bootleg Dead tape broadcast on the "King Biscuit Flower Hour" that I taped in the fall'76/ winter of 1977 on the radio. It was the Orpheum Theatre second set from 7/18/76. Lazy Lightning>Supplication>Let It Grow>Drums>Let It Grow>Jam>Wharf Rat>Jam>Drums>The Other One>St Stephen>Not Fade Away>St Stephen>The Wheel>The Other One>Stella Blue I played this tape until it wore out in 1977 and 1978 and turned on many people to the Dead with this show. Till this day I still remember going down a country back road that was covered in ice playing "The Wheel" over & over again 'cos it was so perfect"The Wheel is turning and ya can't slow down, ya can't let go and ya can't hold on.Ya can't go back and ya can't stand still and if the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!"An epic set for sure!
This post was modified by jerkwaterdan on 2007-09-03 06:27:59
This post was modified by jerkwaterdan on 2007-09-03 07:43:31

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Poster: Street Pig ! Date: Sep 2, 2007 5:27pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

Scarlet>Fire 11.1.79

5.11.72
Dark Star >>
Drums// (*)
Drums/Phil Jam >> (*)
Jam >>
Dark Star >>
Spacy Jam >>
Jam>>
Sugar Magnolia >>
Caution (Do Not Stop on the Tracks) >> Who Do You Love? >>
Truckin' >>
Uncle John's Band

6.8.74
1. Playin'>
2. Wharf Rat>
3. Playin'
4. Eyes of the World

12.6.73
Dark Star >
Eyes Of The World >
Stella Blue
Sugar Magnolia









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Poster: BryanE Date: Sep 2, 2007 6:27pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

Very interesting comparison, rob. Yes successfully constructed a very complex niche that was not unlike the Dead in that there was phenomenal musicianship, extensive instrumental passages, and a bright, beautiful sound that was a celebration of all things joyous.

7/10/81 St. Paul, Minnesota
Uncle John's Band>Playin' In The Band>China Doll>Uncle John's Band>Playin' In The Band>Around & Around>Good Lovin' Encore: Casey Jones

http://www.archive.org/details/gd81-07-10.nak300.munder.7314.sbeok.shnf

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Poster: Death&Mercy Date: Sep 2, 2007 5:31pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

Rob,

for pure beauty, try the TOO > Me & Bob > TOO from

http://www.archive.org/details/gd72-09-28.sbd.bill.12657.sbeok.shnf

followed by a nice Wharf Rat, a HUGE Sugar Mag, and an encore of NFA > GDTR > NFA


also, the Eleven, Lovelight, Crypt > TOO > Crypt from

http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-02-06.sbd.cotsman.6284.sbeok.shnf

is brilliant. it's furious.

I love your Pauley show, but could never forgive Bob for the flub in the first few lines of the classic sequence there. great stuff nonetheless.

I forget what the Greek '82 sounds like. will have to put that on tonight.

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Poster: Speaking in Swords Date: Sep 2, 2007 9:02pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

I really like the Terrapin > Playin' > UJB > Drums > The Wheel > China Doll > Playin' from 5/19/77, which is also a Dick's Picks I believe. The intro to the Wheel is just gorgeous, and this sequence opens with my favorite Terrapin.

Also the somewhat similar sequence of Playin' > China Cat > Rider > China Doll > Playin' Jam > Drums > NFA > Playin' from 12/29/77 or Dick's Picks 10 is real nice as well. The first China > Rider since the retirement run in '74 really grooves.

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Poster: lobster12 Date: Sep 2, 2007 4:50pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

I always liked 10-27-91 Iko>Mona>drums. Santana helps out as well.

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Poster: ghostofpig Date: Sep 2, 2007 3:22pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

11-08-69 Fillmore West(one of the Dps)

Dark Star> Other One> Dark Star> Uncle John's Jam> Dark Star> St. Stephen> The Eleven> Caution> The Main Ten> Caution> Feedback> We Bid You Goodnight

Just stop and pick a few funny cacti first.

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Poster: Old_NJ_Head_Zimmer Date: Sep 2, 2007 6:07pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Epic song sequences (maybe something for the road SDH?)

Rob,

Try the Playin'> Drumz > Dark Star > Bass Solo > Feelin' Groovy Jam > Morning Dew > Playin'

from 10-18-72 if you like the playin jams (at least it's still here on the archine)

http://www.archive.org/details/gd72-10-18.sbd.weir.7295.sbeok.shnf

Since your right in the time zone, I already assume you have tried the 11-14-73 San Diego

Truckin' -> The Other One -> Big River -> The Other One -> Eyes Of The World -> The Other One -> Wharf Rat

Just to name two - so so many epic jams