This blog spot is the home to my ramblings. I am a free lance writer. Most of my work goes on Associated Content. Sometimes I write what is on my mind, sometimes I plug some of my writing, and sometimes a combination of the two. So, sit back read, enjoy, and we will see where it goes.
This month's battle of the bands comes from The Grateful Dead. The song "Box of Rain" chosen due to the passing of bassist and founding member Phil Lesh last month. My tribute post is here.
The song was written and sung by Phil Lesh lyrics by Robert Hunter. The content was about his Dad's passing.
Contender One: Phish
Contender Two: Billy Corgan
In the comments chose which one you like the best. In a week or so I count up the votes and blog a post of the winner.
Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday. It marks 75 years since he was born. He passed away at 53 and something beautiful has been missing ever since.
I'm going to share songs from throughout his career. Music talks better.
If you want more, I suggest going t o the movies today. They are bringing a vintage concert to the big screen. You can catch Jerry and the Grateful Dead one more time. Information here.
Jerry Garcia with Merl Saunders "Road Runner"..
Yes he was a road runner touring solo and with the Grateful Dead.
A happy Jerry does his take on a Beatles classic..
Here is early Jerry Garcia from 1962 performing some bluegrass. Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers is the group "Run Mountain" the song..
Here is Jerry Garcia performing with The Grateful Dead at the last show..
The Dead unplugged..Jerry Garcia with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh..
I could go on. Of course I will. I hope you enjoyed and come back soon!
Time to get Grateful on the Battle of the Bands. Today is Phil Lesh's 77th birthday. Phil was the bass player for the Grateful Dead. I'm also going to see Grateful Dead alum Bob Weir next month so it all kinda fits.
The Song: Box of Rain
Box of Rain was written by Phil Lesh and contestant one...
Contestant One: Robert Hunter
Contestant Two: Beth Cassidy
Who gets your vote? Robert or Beth? The lyricist or the singer? Vote for the one you like the best. I will count up the votes and provide the results around the 21st. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! If you liked this Battle please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.
Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!
"Thanks for making the Furthur community a great place to hang out, and for coming out to the shows. We'll all be keeping very busy over the foreseeable future, and it's time to let Furthur take a bow"
Source linked here.
Below is a HQ video of the group covering a Grateful Dead song "Jack Straw" of course Furthur includes both Bob Weir and Phil Lesh from The Grateful Dead.
Some might be saddened that the group is calling it quits but many Deadheads are being very optimistic about what might come next. Since the Grateful Dead will be marking their 50th Anniversary soon. Below the group performs "Alligator:
Here the band performs Pink Floyd's "Time"
Fitting to close with "Time" since the group is calling it time to quit. Thanks for the songs, and thanks for keeping the spirit of the Grateful Dead I look forward to what comes next!
I was in the middle of writing another blog for the challenge today, when I found out about Bob Weir falling on stage last night. Bob Weir was a member, guitarist, and vocalist for The Grateful Dead. Currently he is on tour with Further, with Phil Lesh.
Last night he fell over on stage and was helped to a chair to finish the song...
From what I see he didn't look okay and his playing didn't appear to be that great. After the song Weir was helped off the stage as the band took a break, the band later returned to finish the show without Bob.
According to Rolling Stone "Phil Lesh told the crowd that Weir was suffering from a strained shoulder and that the set would go on without him." Jambands.com explained that the shoulder issue was due to a work out and that Weir had taken "a muscle relaxant which ultimately inhibited his performance."
The tour is supposed to continue on Saturday in Atlantic City. Hopefully he is okay and the tour will continue filling the air with songs that you know. No news on Furthur's site or Bob Weir's site. I wish him a speedy recovery. Please feel free to visit the other sites and read more, they are linked where quoted.
Right now Hunter Mountain in New York is a snow covered ski resort. Come June 6-9, 2013 Hunter Mountain will be the home of the 9th Annual Mountain Jam Music Festival. Isn't it great in the dead of winter we can talk about the warmer weather and music festivals.
Well the initial lineup for the 9th Annual Mountain Jam includes:
Phil Lesh and Friends
Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh is playing the festival with some friends with one of his favorite side bands.The band features Warren Haynes and John Scofield on guitars. Joe Russo will compliment Lesh on drums and Jeff Chimenti rounds out the band on keyboards.
Here is 35 minutes of jams from one of Phil's stops at Mountain Jam....
Widespread Panic
Another great jam band will be making the trip to the Catskills...I can't believe they have been playing for 27 years.
Gov't Mule
Warren Haynes is going to be one busy guitar player at this festival playing with Phil Lesh and the Mule
Primus
Phil Lesh won't be the only bass player thumping it down Primus will be in town..
Those are the headliners but I will continue with the line up
Dispatch
Described as Indie/Roots Rockers Dispatch will be making their Mountain jam debut
The Avett Brothers
This band is playing their third Mountain Jam this June
Gary Clark Jr.
He recently jammed with the Rolling Stones and I have heard nothing bad about him. Gary Clark Jr. appears to be the real deal.
Soulive featuring The Shady Horns
Soulive...
with The Shady Horns..
Running out of space so also appearing...
Jackie Greene
ALO
Amy Helm
Amy is the daughter of the late legendary drummer of the Band Levon Helm who is very talented. I saw her with Levon and she has skills.
and there is more....
Deer Tick
Rubblebucket
Nicki Bluhm & The Gamblers
The Revivalists
David Wax Museum
SIMO
Plus there is the chance more bands and artists will be added. It is a very solid lineup. Stay tuned to my blog I will share the ews on other festivals when I get it...
Today Jerry Garcia, the guitarist, vocalist, for the Grateful Dead would have turned 70. Later this month marks the 17th anniversary of his death. 53 is way too soon to go. However, Jerry did have health issues I remember a Fall tour in the 90s that got cancelled due to his health. I was bummed, I had tickets to three shows on that tour.
I miss Jerry, since it marked the end of the Grateful Dead. Sure there are the splinter groups Further, Phil Lesh and Friends, Bob Weir and Ratdog. However, it isn't quite the same. The vibe is missing. I loved the peddlers outside the venue. If a fan bumped into you, they would say they were sorry and make sure you were okay. Yes their were drugs. but you could say no and still be cool. They even had fans the Wharf Rats who were sober.
I was about the music, still am. They used to put on a long three hour show and they would have cool opening acts. I remember seeing Traffic and Steve Miller open for them. Bruce Hornsby would join them in most shows I saw at RFK. You could see multiple shows since the band would change the set list every night. If Led Zeppelin was responsible for my exploration and love of blues music and guitar driven rock. The Grateful Dead were responsible for my acoustic, folk, exploration.
I mean I love Jerry with the Dead, solo, and his bluegrass projects as well. 17 years later I know what is missing.
This is the Grateful Dead performing Casey Jones at the first Grateful Dead show I went to back in 1992...
Here is a different Casey Jones. Off of Shady Grove an album Jerry did with David Grisman. I love this album,,,
Here Jerry Garcia and his band covers Bob Dylan....
Jerry Garcia happy birthday, sorry you left so soon.
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