'An aphorism, properly stamped and molded, has not been "deciphered" when it has simply been read; rather one has then to begin its interpretation, for which is required an art of interpretation.' -- Nietzsche, 'On the Genealogy of Morals'
'An aphorism, properly stamped and molded, has not been "deciphered" when it has simply been read; rather one has then to begin its interpretation, for which is required an art of interpretation.' -- Nietzsche, 'On the Genealogy of Morals'
This version of the song is from the Capitol Theatre - April 26, 1977 -show. The traditional jams of this era make 1977 one of my favourite periods after the Dead’s previous musical peak (the 1969-70 Live/Dead period).
The creativity kinda died in the band after the peak of 1977 and the early 1980s. The 1980s were marked by mumbled lyrics, flubbed transitions within songs, forgotten passages, frayed voices, poor song writing, show format set in stone. Garcia's drug habit--cocaine and heroin---began to have an effect in the mid 1980s, succumbing to a diabetic coma in 1986. Soon after getting clean he nearly died due to complication of diabetes in 1991 but survived and began the slow road to recovery.
The 1980s saw them embrace massive stadium tours, the backing of commercial products and commercial pop music. They managed to pull out some great shows around the very early 80's.....but from 83-87, that was it.They began to sound over the hill.
The 1980s were polarizing years. I've come to generally skip listening to the first sets of their recorded concerts in this period, check out the meat of the band’s more musically powerful second sets, and avoid the cheesy oldie-finales and check out the encores. My interest is in really in the improvisational music.
Update
I should qualify my silly statement that "from 83-87, that was it . They began to sound over the hill" in the light of Michael's comments. I was working off two pieces of music . I should say that despite the rudimentary rock ’n’ roll songs the music of 1989 was energetic and it jelled. The band was on an upswing during the period 1989-1991, and many feel that the spring tour of 1990 was a highlight.
I have Go to Nassau (1990) and it indicates the metamorphosis of the Grateful Dead was experiencing at the time with keyboardist/vocalist Brent Mydland —who was behind the Dead’s late-’80s musical renaissance. Once the novelty of this particular transformation wore off, the Grateful Dead entered a rather lengthy period of decline that contained fewer and fewer sparks of brilliance, even though there were always moments within its concerts when of the music.
I also have Dozin' at the Knick (1990). It's choppy and solid, but it has its exploratory and improvisational moments. It's a reinvigorated band and the "Playing In The Band," "Uncle John's Band" and the "Terrapin Station" suite, along with the Mud Love Buddy Jam jam that follows, is the core of the album. Mydland died shortly after this.
| Posted by Gary Sauer-Thompson at 12:45 PM | Permalink
Great version, with everything that is maddening and brilliant about the band on display. But I disagree with your analysis of the mid-'80s, and 1981 was nothing short of a peak year, with '79 and '80 not far behind. '83-85 had a lot of ragged Garcia vocals and sloppy playing but also some of the most aggressive, over the top Garcia guitar playing ever, and some truly glorious shows. The coma was actually in 1986, and there were lots of good shows between then and '89, when Fall '89-Spring '90 was another peak period. They never quite recaptured that peak, and starting really going downhill in '92, never to peak again...the last few years sucked. The '80s were a great period for Dead music, though.
chris,
that is a much fairer and a much more accurate assessment than my wild claim of the whole 1980s being a low point. You are far more sensitive to the ups and downs of the band during a difficult decade--and much more informed than me.
I have changed the date of Garcia's coma--I should have have checked the source.
Great version, with everything that is maddening and brilliant about the band on display. But I disagree with your analysis of the mid-'80s, and 1981 was nothing short of a peak year, with '79 and '80 not far behind. '83-85 had a lot of ragged Garcia vocals and sloppy playing but also some of the most aggressive, over the top Garcia guitar playing ever, and some truly glorious shows. The coma was actually in 1986, and there were lots of good shows between then and '89, when Fall '89-Spring '90 was another peak period. They never quite recaptured that peak, and starting really going downhill in '92, never to peak again...the last few years sucked. The '80s were a great period for Dead music, though.