Skip to main content

View Post [edit]

Poster: elbow1126 Date: Oct 8, 2007 1:08pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

http://www.archive.org/details/gd68-10-08.sbd.belaff.17691.sbeok.shnf

I've been trying listen to and review a show from each day in history this month. Some times life gets in the way so I missed a few days. Sometime someone beat me to the show. Now this day offered lots of possibilities but I decided to take a shot at this unique gem. I have to admit that I am a little uncomfortable reviewing a show from 68 with the likes of Cliff, Arb, Lou and Tell around but what the hell.

For the back story on this one we go to Deadlists:

Band Jerry Garcia And Friends
Venue The Matrix
Location San Francisco, CA
Date 10/8/68 - Tuesday posters tickets, passes & laminates
One Clementine Jam (1) ; Clementine Jam > The Eleven Jam > Death Don't Have No Mercy ; The Seven ; Dark Star Jam > Cosmic Charlie
Two Next Time You See Me Jam ; Jam ; The Other One > Jam
Three (2) Jam ; Jam ; Jam ; Prisoner Blues ; Jam (3)
Comments Bobby and Pigpen were absent. These shows were billed as "Jerry Garrceeah (Garcia) and His Friends" on the poster for the October 1968 schedule at The Matrix (see "The Art of Rock", page 166). However, the "on the town" column in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, by Ralph J. Gleason, which which gave listings of what bands were playing locally, says that "The Grateful Dead and Elvin Bishop" are playing at The Matrix on these dates (see the San Francisco Chronicle for Monday October 7, 1968 pg 49 and Wednesday October 9, 1968 pg 48). on page 26 of issue #34 (Summer 1996) of Dupree's Diamond News, Dick Latvala stated in an interview "What I know exists in our Vault are the shows, and they are on four-track 15 i.p.s. There are seven reels for 10/8, which are marked first and second sets with [Jack] Casady, then Elvin Bishop and Casady" (1) Jerry's amp dies and they begin the Clementine Jam over again. (2) All of Set 3 with Elvin Bishop. (3) Jack Casady, Hart, and Bishop only.

Note that of the 16 tracks, 11 are described as a Jam and that does not include The Seven and TOO which are intrumental as well. So if you are in the mood for a sing-a-long this is not for you. On the other hand if you want to hear some cool jazzy and bluesy jamming hop aboard.

With no Bobby or Pig throughout and the addition of Elvin Bishop and Jack Casady for the final set this is a very unique sounding show. Even the familar tunes sound a bit different. By Set 3 Bishop is out front and it is very difficult to even think about this as the Grateful Dead. Still it is very entertaining and definitely worth a listen.

My notes while listening:

Clemintine Jam - jazzy sounding start, then Jerry's amp goes out (he explains that the power light is off) so its a do over.

Clemintine Jam - still jazzy sounding although it picks up pace go into 11

Eleven Jam - a little more jazzy and open feeling than a typical 11

Death Don't Have No Mercy - Jerry pours emotion into this one. Not that he dogs the other ones however I listened to the one from 2ftv earlier today and this one is more emotional.

The Seven - never really heard this before (phone rings so was listening in background, sorry)

Dark Star Jam - trippy jazz

Cosmic Charlie - didn't do much for me

Next time you see me Jam - slower pace than with Pig singing. Phil lays down a cool bluesy bottom while Jerry provides a sweet "voice." I really like this version.

Jam - can't really describe it other than it sounds like it could be from the score of a Quintin Tarrentino movie. At one point Jerry plays a lick that sounds like something out of Oye Como Va.

TOO - a little more subdued at the start than usual. Also more jazzy until the end when it transitions into a more spacey sounding jam.

Jam - starting to get a bluesy feel that will carry through the third set.

Jam - Bishop and Casady on board now so the sound is much more bluesy and edgier than before. Hard to call anything from this point forward the GD.

Jam - Blues

Jam - more rock sounding

Prisoner Blues - I think Billy might have already left and Jerry has one foot out the door

Jam - Mickey, Elvin and Jack play a cool jam to finish up.

Again its worth a listen, especially if you are looking for some instrumental stuff.

Reply [edit]

Poster: Cliff Hucker Date: Oct 8, 2007 2:54pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

Very cool Elbow! If you dig 10/8, dont miss the other Heartbeats gigs! 10/10/68 is Sick! Sick! Sick...

http://www.archive.org/iathreads/post-view.php?id=121338

Reply [edit]

Poster: WHARFRAT Date: Oct 8, 2007 3:05pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

10/10/68 is a must have. Thank's Cliff for turning me on to this one!!!
This post was modified by WHARFRAT on 2007-10-08 22:05:53

Reply [edit]

Poster: William Tell Date: Oct 8, 2007 3:12pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

Well, here we all are again...and with 10-12/13 just around the corner!

Ah, yes--of the Heart(Hart)beat shows, I think 10-10 is the best, though they did some later in the month, and even December, if I have it right...so, mark me down as "in agreement" with the other prior fans of 68.

Reply [edit]

Poster: wineland Date: Oct 8, 2007 3:46pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

And another tip of the hat to Tell and Cliff for exposing me to the Oct 12 & 13 shows. The 12th wowed me so much that I haven't given the 13th it's fair due. Thanks again. Of course now I have to dig into Oct 10, oh woe is me.

Reply [edit]

Poster: elbow1126 Date: Oct 8, 2007 6:58pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

I actually must thank Arb for turning me on to the 12th and 13th, but like you wine, I have new show to check out.

Reply [edit]

Poster: elbow1126 Date: Oct 8, 2007 7:55pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: You can hold your biscuits, just pass me the JAM - 10/8/68

thanks Cliff. For the record I like both old port and sauternes!!