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Updated Grateful Dead music and performance reference books. New book - On This Day In Grateful Dead History: A Daily Listening Journal 2nd Ed. out now
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Overall, 5/8/1980 was a memorable experience, with the band's performance several notches above recent shows. A night to remember for all in attendance! 🌹🎶 #GratefulDeadHistory #JerryGarcia #LiveGratefulDead #GratefulDeadFamily
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Drums > Space, though short, captivated with its exploratory nature, leading into a solid Truckin' > Stella Blue. The set ended with a high-energy Chuck Berry medley, leaving the crowd exhilarated. The band's tightness & energy were unmatched! ⚡️🎵
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The second set was a seamless journey through beloved Dead songs. Uncle John's Band was a special treat for East Coast fans, many hearing it live for the first time. The transition into Estimated Prophet was flawless, keeping the momentum alive. 🎶🌹
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Friend Of The Devil and High Time were standout performances. For many, High Time was a first-time live experience. The set closed with a dynamic Lost Sailor > Saint of Circumstance, showcasing the medley's evolution, especially during "rain falling down." ⚡️🎸
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The night kicked off with a powerful Alabama Getaway > Promised Land, setting the tone for an unforgettable show. The band delivered a lively Lazy Lightning > Supplication, with Lazy Lightning getting a particularly spirited treatment. 🌹🎶
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The encore features a rare, fat & funky Shakedown Street, the 4th of 9, that will have you dancing your ass off. It's the perfect conclusion to a night filled with musical highlights. This show is a must-listen for any Deadhead seeking something special!
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The set continues with an excellent Terrapin > Playin' sequence. Post-Drums/Space, standout moments with The Other One > China Doll > Playin' > Good Lovin'. China Doll is a 110-show breakout, adding a special touch to the evening. The energy is electric!
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The second set explodes with Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain. This version is orchestrated & driving, like a rocket up Everest. The band achieves unprecedented intensity, perfectly in sync. It's one of the finest performances you'll ever hear.
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Row Jimmy offers long, lilting jams, evoking glory, while Stagger Lee maintains the set's strength. Each song is played with purpose, making for a consistently strong first half. The band is in sync, delivering a performance that captivates from start to finish.
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The first set kicks off with a fast Promised Land, setting the night's tone. They Love Each Other follows, with strong percussion & a beautiful Jerry solo. All Over Now keeps the energy high, with Jerry's jams & Brent's bold playing adding fresh dynamics.
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Nice! This is why I do this! ✌️
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8/ The encore, One More Saturday Night, brings the concert to a rousing close. As concertgoers exited into unexpected May snow flurries, they carried the memory of a magical evening. This iconic performance continues to resonate with Deadheads worldwide. 🌹✌️
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7/ Jerry & Bobby engage in a guitar conversation, supported by Billy & Mickey's relentless rhythm. The jam evolves into a drum-bass duet, showcasing the Rhythm Devils' prowess. The return to Saint Stephen leads into a transcendent Morning Dew. It's churchlike magic!
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6/ Estimated Prophet follows, with Donna's confident vocals & Keith's eerie organ creating the perfect atmosphere. The classic Saint Stephen builds energy, despite a minor vocal misstep by Donna. The segue into Not Fade Away is natural, with captivating guitar work.
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5/ Set two opens with the legendary Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain. The transition is seamless, with Donna's vocal improvisations & Keith's riffs setting the stage for Jerry's masterful guitar work. The jam in Fire reaches an emotive crescendo. Pure magic!
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4/ Row Jimmy's dreamy slide guitar leads into a remarkable Dancin' in the Streets. Despite a minor vocal slip by Bobby, the band locks into a groove. Jerry's leads soar, ending the set on a high note. It's a testament to the band's chemistry & energy that night.
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3/ Deal might not stand out, but Lazy Lightnin' > Supplication bursts with energy. Jerry's intricate noodling & Keith's playful organ shine. Brown Eyed Women & Mama Tried keep the momentum, with Phil humorously thanking his mom on Mother's Day. Classic Dead humor!
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2/ The show kicks off with a lively New Minglewood Blues, setting the tone. Loser is the first set's highlight, with Jerry's sharp guitar & Keith's organ creating an Old West vibe. El Paso, They Love Each Other, & Jack Straw follow, tight as ever in spring '77.
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A strong and satisfying performance, 5/7/1980 at Barton Hall is a gem in the Grateful Dead's history. The band was in fine form, delivering nearly flawless sets that continue to resonate with fans. 🌹🎶 #GratefulDeadHistory #JerryGarcia #GratefulDeadFamily
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"Saint of Circumstance" lifts the energy back up. The transition into "Wharf Rat" allows the music to find a new plateau, before launching back upward with the "Playing in the Band" reprise and a rousing "Good Lovin'." The encore, "Alabama Getaway," is a fitting end.
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This leads into an incredible "Terrapin Station." This stretch from "Shakedown" to "Terrapin" is classic Dead, resonating with power and emotion. The "Drums" segment provides a welcome respite, leading into "Space" and then "Saint of Circumstance."
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This version of "Shakedown" is notable for its extended vocal segment and seamlessly transitions into "Bertha," a rare combo that delights the crowd. "Playing in the Band" follows, with Bobby customizing the lyrics to reference "Playing in the barn."
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The set closes with a powerful "Feel Like a Stranger," showcasing the band's ability to explore "funk" spaces, and a fun but superfluous "Don't Ease Me In." After a break, the second set launches with a killer "Shakedown Street," continuing the funk vibe.
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Bobby's rowing motions add a visual element to "Row Jimmy." "El Paso" is short but effective, and "Easy to Love You" highlights Brent's contributions with its final version of the lyrics. "Althea" grooves along, though it was becoming overplayed at the time.
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The first set kicks off with a vibrant "Jack Straw," setting the tone for the evening. "Cassidy" follows, with its usual jam segment loosening up the band early on. "Row Jimmy" is delivered with Jerry's sweet vocals capturing the song's melancholy.
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The encore, "U.S. Blues," is a fitting conclusion to the evening, providing a much-needed study break for the students at Lafayette College. This show is a testament to the Grateful Dead's ability to connect with their audience through both laid-back and high-energy performances.
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An eerie "Space" follows, and John Cipollina joins for "Not Fade Away," adding depth to the dance-inducing jams. Bobby's vocal antics lead into a poignant "Black Peter," with its sorrowful finale, before the set concludes with a high-energy "Around and Around."
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The band delves into the extended jam portion with "Estimated Prophet," showcasing Jerry and Phil's improvisational prowess as they transition into "Eyes of the World." The joyous nature of "Eyes" gives way to a haunting "Drums" segment for Billy's birthday.
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The second set kicks off with an outstanding "Shakedown Street," where Jerry's ear-numbing jams and Phil's quirky bass bombs create a unique effect. The energy remains high with a nearly perfect "Jack Straw," followed by a bouncy "Stagger Lee."
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A raucous "New Minglewood Blues" reignites the crowd's excitement. The set continues with a gentle "Peggy-O," providing calm before the explosive "Passenger" closes the set. Jerry's unexpected massive jam during the finale leaves the audience in awe.
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After some extended tuning, the band shifts gears with a soothing "Candyman," methodically sung by Jerry. A heartfelt "Looks Like Rain" follows, where Bobby and Jerry's emotional interplay captivates listeners. Jerry then leads into a crisp "Tennessee Jed."
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The first set opens with a leisurely "Don't Ease Me In," setting a relaxed tone reminiscent of 12/5/71. The crowd's energy is palpable, fueling a fiery "Me and My Uncle > Big River." Jerry's guitar soars, while Bobby's vocals drive the audience into a frenzy.
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The set concludes with a high-energy "Around and Around," followed by a fiery "U.S. Blues," ending the show on a note of berserker fury and leaving the audience in awe of the band's ability to create magic. Truly a night to remember in #GratefulDeadHistory!
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Although the expected closing jam is cut short by the drummers, the intense "Drums" segment leads into "The Wheel," offering a reflective respite. A long, space-like jam emerges, with Jerry taking the lead before the band transitions into "Wharf Rat," where Keith & Phil shine.
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"Estimated Prophet" follows, with Bobby's superb vocals and angular rhythm guitar complementing Phil's swinging bass lines. Jerry's effortless jamming transitions into an up-tempo "Eyes of the World," where the vocals and jams soar over Phil's prodigious bass notes.
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The set closes with "The Music Never Stopped," featuring Donna's spot-on harmonies and a crescendo-building jam led by Jerry's crystalline guitar runs. The second set begins with a precise execution of "Terrapin Station > Samson and Delilah," with Keith's fine form shining.
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A brief respite comes with "Peggy-O," where Jerry and Keith trade off riffing magnificently. The raunchy "New Minglewood Blues" brings the energy back up before the Jam Anthem version of "Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo" steals the spotlight, with Phil & Jerry.
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"Cassidy" follows, featuring a great, albeit short, jam and strong vocals from Donna. The momentum continues with "Deal," showcasing a boogie-woogie jam led by the drummers, Keith Godchaux, and Jerry. Bobby Weir keeps the energy high with "Jack Straw."
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The first set kicks off with a lively "Bertha," where both the band and Jerry Garcia's soloing are fluent and rolling, setting a high bar for the evening. A humorous lyric flub has Jerry and Donna Godchaux laughing, adding spontaneity to the performance.
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100%!!
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7/🎶 The Bickershaw Festival performance was a testament to the Grateful Dead's improvisational dexterity, leaving the audience in awe. This show remains a shining example of their ability to create unforgettable live experiences. #ThisWeekInGratefulDeadHistory
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6/⚡️ Pigpen's voice added depth, even without a "Caution" performance. The set continued with a jam-packed "Turn On Your Lovelight," transitioning into "Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad" and ending with "Not Fade Away." #GratefulDeadShows
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5/💀 The second set captured the Dead's magic with legendary performances. It began with a powerful "Greatest Story Ever Told" and featured a mesmerizing "Dark Star" > "Drums" > "The Other One" > "Sing Me Back Home" sequence. #JerryGarcia
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4/🌹 The audience was treated to a seamless transition between "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," showcasing the band's tight musicianship. Despite a few technical hiccups, the set thrilled both new and seasoned fans. #GratefulDeadFamily