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Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 8, 2010 9:50pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

A little ways down, Cliff has posted a really interesting, wide-ranging interview from fall '95 with Phil and Bob. One of the many performances referenced in the article is the first TOO, in late '67, and coincidentally, I had just listened a day or two ago to the show I think they were talking about, so of course that aspect of the interview jumped out at me. I think it's a heck of a hot show, but I'm not super knowledgeable and would be curious to hear thoughts from folks who have done way more comparative listening than me. (Also, I THINK it's the first TOO, but I could be wrong.) One thing that struck me, honestly, is that the first lyrics are historically interesting, but kinda dumb and dated (cough cough) in a way that the final lyrics aren't. The final version obviously catches the flavor of the 60s, yet manages to be so brilliantly timeless. So as I listened, I was wondering whether TOO would have become such a long-lasting powerhouse with these early lyrics, and to what extent lyrics effect a song's ultimate lasting-ness ... No way to know, of course, and TOO is just so terrific in so many ways. Anyway, here's one link to go with the interview: http://www.archive.org/details/gd67-10-22.sbd.miller.18101.sbeok.shnf
This post was modified by AltheaRose on 2010-12-09 05:31:26
This post was modified by AltheaRose on 2010-12-09 05:50:50

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Poster: midnightcarousel Date: Dec 8, 2010 10:16pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

link doesn't work, and hasn't been working for some time now, oddly enough. this one's good though http://www.archive.org/details/gd1967-10-22.sbd.yerys.1525.shnf
This post was modified by midnightcarousel on 2010-12-09 06:16:00

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Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 8, 2010 10:30pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

That's weird. I have a copy of it from some source or another and didn't try to preview the link before posting; thanks, MC. Hmmm, maybe we now know what will be on the bonus RT subscription thing next year ...
This post was modified by AltheaRose on 2010-12-09 06:30:20

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Poster: midnightcarousel Date: Dec 9, 2010 7:39am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

Those evil bastards.

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Poster: jerrys beard Date: Dec 9, 2010 7:04am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

TOO is one of my top GD songs...depending on the day and performance, perhaps #1.

Phil's intro to the song just blows me away every time. I was thinking about the lyrics as well. They really capture not just the 60s (I'm a child thereof), but the Dead of that era as well. It has a clear and concise "psychedelic" feel to it that, at least lyrically, no other song captures. The cultural references to Neal Cassady, the bus, and of course Bobby's now infamous water balloon incident all add to the enjoyment.

Musically, I enjoy it because it can be jammed out at any point during the song, depending on the band's mood. Like Dark Star, the lyrics serve as an anchor to hold the jamming together and provide some sense of structure.

Long way of saying...great choice!

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Poster: AltheaRose Date: Dec 10, 2010 5:07am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

Yeah, I'd have to say it's my Top Song. It's not always what I'm in the mood for, of course, and if I had to rank favorite songs (which would seem a bit artificial) there'd be an awfully long list, and performances matter too, yada yada.

But it does have a special place for me. Ideally with a CE, and New Potato Caboose and Born Cross-Eyed tossed in. (Gee, what album do you suppose I used to listen to a WHOLE LOT?!?) St Stephen would probably be my "second favorite." If push came to shove.

Still, I'd never actually looked into the earliest versions on the archives. So this is a fun little ... um, research project. (Does that make it sound dignified enough?)

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Poster: boltman Date: Dec 10, 2010 5:54am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: First TOO (Referenced in PL/BW Interview Below)

Great thread! It always sounds better to me with the Cryptical "sandwich". The songs work together very well and CE adds an odd vibe to the performance with some fascinating lyrics.