Jerry once said that "China Cat Sunflower" was the ONE song that journalists never asked him what the lyrics meant. If you read them you will know why. First experienced the Grateful Dead 9/6/80 in Lewiston, Maine, a really epic show as it turned out, and then about 50 more times until 1995, when Jerry passed. Fortunately I got to see a few "China>Rider" 's over the years, always a big favorite with the Heads. This is good quality video and audio.
Nice video!! Just a clarification that the China Rider on the album Europe 72 is from a few weeks later on May 3 ‘72 in Paris, but this was a super treat to watch!
Ah, yea I must not have watched to the end of the video the first time. I love seeing how close they come to the “feelin groovy” jam they added in 73/74 (5/19/74 for a great example). Thanks again!
I really like Jerry's guitar tone with Alligator. I always thought once he goes to Wolf and all the other similar incarnations that it was a bit shrill for my taste.
Phil's bass, "Big Brown", was given 4 stacks of woofers, each stack dedicated to one string for the Wall Of Sound rig they used exclusively in '74 (though there were precurser rigs exploring the concept used in late '73). Designed by their benefactor, sound engineer and acid purveyor (hence the song title, Alice D. Millionaire say it quickly ;-) Augustus Owsley Stanley III, aka Bear, the concept behind the WoS was that the audience should experience the best, loudest and distortion-free sound possible emanating from the instrument player's position on the stage. The stacks were placed behind the band, so they heard what the audience heard, eliminating the need for stage monitors and even a soundboard, since each members' amps were controlled by the musician. (I still dont know how the "SDB" recordings using such a rig were derived). Special mics had to be designed and made to address the issue of feedback given such a set-up. Bear worked with sound engineers who would later form the company called Alembic, and who also had a hand in building Phil's bass. BTW, Jerry's Alligator guitar was a gift from Graham Nash as a thank you for Jerry's pedal steel contribution on CSN's Teach Your Children. Thanks for posting this clip. The entire show was used last year for the annual Grateful Dead Meet Up At The Movies, a nation-wide one day showing of a previously unreleased Dead show from various eras. Good times, lol
One more thing, Phil's stacks were evenly spaced across the stage, since bass frequencies are non-directional, i.e. we are unable to determine from which particular point or speaker bass notes are coming from. This inability explains why one subwoofer is all that's necessary in a home "stereo" system.
Not only did we lose the sound, we lost the "blue pill" when Owsley the Awesome (King Charlemainge to Steely Dan), yes there's gas in the car. The Wall of Sound was an engineering genius, driven of course by his "other job" as chemical engineer. Had "what was supposed to be, I had reason to believe" some real Orange Sunshine back in '73. Whether it was the real thing or not, I had a Hell of a trip. SouthPlains Fair on $2... Wow.
good stuff, + heh ? I greatly prefer Concert DVD to audio, be it Diana Krall Paris , A. Netrebko. LaTraviatta. or GD movie, disc 2. I know someone ( private guy , not affiliated ? ) somehow made an hour long vid ( utube. ) of one of the euro 72 shows, included I think 3 pigpen tunes. maybe this is from that ? one of my 2 fave Dead eras , this and / or the Jazz era, blues for Allah, etc.
that's right - check the description for the original link, there's about 78 minutes captured including 3 Pig songs. We may cover some of those in the future as well, but you can see the show now!
"Wish I was a headlight on a north bound train!" Sing it Jer.
I'd shine my light through the cool, Colorado rain.lived in SF 12 years,couldn't count the times I witnessed this band.
I wish they had video of all the Europe 72 shows!
If only!
I was in boot camp at Great Lakes in January but I was buying my first Jerry Garcia solo album at the PX in Portsmouth/Kittery Naval Base by June.
the sound of a Fender Stratocaster in the hands of a musical genius,
Wish he stuck with it. Like tones the best on his Strats.
Jerry once said that "China Cat Sunflower" was the ONE song that journalists never asked him what the lyrics meant. If you read them you will know why. First experienced the Grateful Dead 9/6/80 in Lewiston, Maine, a really epic show as it turned out, and then about 50 more times until 1995, when Jerry passed. Fortunately I got to see a few "China>Rider" 's over the years, always a big favorite with the Heads. This is good quality video and audio.
I totally get that about the lyrics - just thinking of them trying to work those out is amusing!
Thanks guys. It is fresh and relevant 50 years later.
Obviously there are lots of great versions of their songs. I enjoy watching them play, if I can get it.
I've never seen this, very excited to watch! Much love from Cleveland, Ohio.
Nice video!! Just a clarification that the China Rider on the album Europe 72 is from a few weeks later on May 3 ‘72 in Paris, but this was a super treat to watch!
Thanks! That's my communication error - we noted the Paris show later on being on the record. I meant the video is from the Europe 72 tour - G
Ah, yea I must not have watched to the end of the video the first time. I love seeing how close they come to the “feelin groovy” jam they added in 73/74 (5/19/74 for a great example). Thanks again!
I loved this period while Mickey was on probation.
I really like Jerry's guitar tone with Alligator. I always thought once he goes to Wolf and all the other similar incarnations that it was a bit shrill for my taste.
Phil's bass, "Big Brown", was given 4 stacks of woofers, each stack dedicated to one string for the Wall Of Sound rig they used exclusively in '74 (though there were precurser rigs exploring the concept used in late '73). Designed by their benefactor, sound engineer and acid purveyor (hence the song title, Alice D. Millionaire say it quickly ;-) Augustus Owsley Stanley III, aka Bear, the concept behind the WoS was that the audience should experience the best, loudest and distortion-free sound possible emanating from the instrument player's position on the stage. The stacks were placed behind the band, so they heard what the audience heard, eliminating the need for stage monitors and even a soundboard, since each members' amps were controlled by the musician. (I still dont know how the "SDB" recordings using such a rig were derived). Special mics had to be designed and made to address the issue of feedback given such a set-up. Bear worked with sound engineers who would later form the company called Alembic, and who also had a hand in building Phil's bass.
BTW, Jerry's Alligator guitar was a gift from Graham Nash as a thank you for Jerry's pedal steel contribution on CSN's Teach Your Children.
Thanks for posting this clip. The entire show was used last year for the annual Grateful Dead Meet Up At The Movies, a nation-wide one day showing of a previously unreleased Dead show from various eras. Good times, lol
One more thing, Phil's stacks were evenly spaced across the stage, since bass frequencies are non-directional, i.e. we are unable to determine from which particular point or speaker bass notes are coming from. This inability explains why one subwoofer is all that's necessary in a home "stereo" system.
Appreciate your comments!
Not only did we lose the sound, we lost the "blue pill" when Owsley the Awesome (King Charlemainge to Steely Dan), yes there's gas in the car. The Wall of Sound was an engineering genius, driven of course by his "other job" as chemical engineer. Had "what was supposed to be, I had reason to believe" some real Orange Sunshine back in '73. Whether it was the real thing or not, I had a Hell of a trip. SouthPlains Fair on $2... Wow.
Could you please do Bertha 4-12-78? Thanks!!!
Most of the gear they used in Europe was rented.
Pig Pen had the best voice of all, Too bad he went so early,
Agreed, a real tragedy!
good stuff, + heh ? I greatly prefer Concert DVD to audio, be it Diana Krall Paris , A. Netrebko. LaTraviatta. or GD movie, disc 2. I know someone ( private guy , not affiliated ? ) somehow made an hour long vid ( utube. ) of one of the euro 72 shows, included I think 3 pigpen tunes. maybe this is from that ? one of my 2 fave Dead eras , this and / or the Jazz era, blues for Allah, etc.
that's right - check the description for the original link, there's about 78 minutes captured including 3 Pig songs. We may cover some of those in the future as well, but you can see the show now!