I’ve spent much of this week listening to Vince Welnick’s music, in a variety of contexts. I’ve got some fine moments from his time with the Grateful Dead, of course, and also The Tubes, Missing Man Formation, the Affordables, Mood Food, etc.
Stephen Barncard, who recorded The Tubes in 1973, directed me to Tom Lattanand, here in Oakland, a guitarist who played with Vince in Mood Food. The two of them recorded Vince’s wonderful song “Golden Days” on January 7, Vince on his Bösendorfer grand piano, Tom on acoustic guitar. It’s a slower reading than most.
“Golden Days” is a song I’ve loved since the first time I heard it. It’s always choked me up, and this one is even more effective than the other versions I’ve heard. This is the one I’m going to play on the radio next Wednesday.
UPDATE: here is a Missing Man Formation performance of “Golden Days,” recorded 3/12/99 at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz CA.
Please don’t forget True Blue, a great MMF tune. At the same time it would be great to hear something from the so infrequently heard band the Affordables. Anything from San Jose or Oakland would be nice. Speaking of Oakland there is nothing like 20,000 fans going crazing hearing Here Comes Sunshine…just a thought, sorry for the requests. I am sure you have gotten enough.
I miss Vince.
I’ll definitely be playing “True Blue” – not sure yet which version. I have three Affordables shows to draw from, along with GD, Tubes, Mood Food, and Missing Man Formation.