Forty

End of the road, so let's go out with a blowout.

First, 1972.  The Paramount Theater (Northwest) in Seattle, Washington.

A couple of years ago, I walked a lot for exercise during July and early August and had quite a few shows from 1972 to keep me company.  This is a very good show...damn, they were still just getting started, you know?

Next, 1974.  The Hollywood Bowl.

An audience recording showcasing the power of the Wall of Sound, and the power of the '74 sound.  Excellent stuff.

Next, 1984.  The Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Very strong show, and an attendee's account claims that the crowd got into the Olympic spirit (the Games of the XXIII Olympiad were in Los Angeles) by holding up cards to "score" tunes as they were played.  I'll bet the boys were amused.

Finally, 1990.  The World Music Theater in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Not my ticket.

A tremendous show.  One of Brent's last.  It's well worth a listen.

My summer session course ended yesterday, so I just want to thank those folks for tagging along, and anyone else out there who may see this and (I hope) dig it.

I have enjoyed sharing some thoughts and impressions and, most importantly, MUSIC.  It's a significant part of my life and continues to speak to me with messages both silly and profound...old and new...sacred and profane...living and dead.

I hope you have enjoyed the summer so far and will take advantage of what is left in whatever ways you see as good and kind and FUN.

Fare you well

Fare you well

I love you more than words can tell

Listen to the river sing sweet songs

To rock my soul

GOOD BYE!

Set lists after the break...

Seattle

Sugaree
Tuning
Black-Throated Wind
Tuning / Equipment malfunction
Cumberland Blues
Me & Bobby McGee
Loser
Tuning / "Union drummer's break"
Mexicali Blues
China Cat Sunflower >
I Know You Rider
Beat It On Down the Line
Stella Blue
Tuning / Introducing a new band member
Playing in the Band
Tennessee Jed
Casey Jones

Weather Report Suite tease / "Well, anyway..."
Me & My Uncle
Deal
Jack Straw
He's Gone
Tuning /  "We should have done this"
Truckin' >
Drums > Jam
The Other One
Comes a Time
Tuning
Sugar Magnolia

Ramble on Rose (maybe from a different show...?)

Hollywood

Promised Land
Tennessee Jed
Me and My Uncle
Sugaree
Jack Straw
Mississippi Half-Step
It Must Have Been the Roses
El Paso
Scarlet Begonias
Around and Around

China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Big River
Row Jimmy
Playin' in the Band
Wharf Rat
Truckin'
Nobody's Jam
Playin' in the Band
Ship of Fools
Sugar Magnolia

U.S. Blues

Ventura

Shakedown Street
Little Red Rooster
Althea
Me and My Uncle
Mexicali Blues
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Looks Like Rain
Might As Well

Cold Rain and Snow
Far From Me
Truckin'
Eyes of the World
drums
The Other One
Stella Blue
Around and Around
One More Saturday Night

Touch of Grey

Tinley Park

Touch of Grey
Greatest Story Ever Told
Jack-a-Roe
Walkin' Blues
Friend of the Devil
Just a Little Light
Queen Jane Approximately
Bird Song

Scarlet Begonias
Fire on the Mountain
Playin' in the Band
He's Gone
drums
I Need a Miracle
Crazy Fingers
Dear Mr. Fantasy
One More Saturday Night

Quinn the Eskimo

NOTES

•  I did use quite a few photos this summer, eh?  Fair Use, though.  If you'd like to see more about all of the venues that the Dead played, visit this blog.  Simply amazing.

•  As far as the music goes, as you saw, it's all from the Internet Archive.  It's (arguably) the best site I know.

•  Finally, I imagine this will be my last post on this blog.  While it has ostensibly served as a way to be in touch with students, it serves more as a venting place for me, dealing with depression and the like.  I am bummed about a great many things, and I guess I feel safe enough to communicate (haltingly and partially) about them (if not to them) here.

But that's done, at least on this outlet.  I don't know what I will do with it.  Simply abandon it, migrate it...we'll see.  But this latest venture has been my absolute pleasure, so I guess I will let this stay for now.