Here is the latest news from David Gans, producer and host of the Grateful Dead Hour.
DG in Racine WI 7/1
Poster by Grady Nerad
Wednesday, July 1, 8pm: David Gans performs a “solo electric” set at George’s Tavern, 1201 N. Main Street, Racine WI. $5 advance, $7 at the door. Lo Fidelity opens.
More gigs at dgans.com
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1394
Week of June 8, 2015
Part 1 38:17
Grateful Dead 3/1/70 Family Dog on the Great Highway, San Francisco CA
THAT’S IT FOR THE OTHER ONE->
BLACK PETER
BEAT IT ON DOWN THE LINE
Part 2 17:08
Jerry Garcia Band, On Broadway: Act One
DIAMOND JOE
KNOCKIN’ ON HEAVEN’S DOOR
From jerrygarcia.com: ‘The first installment in a new archival series celebrating Jerry’s magical 13 night run on Broadway. On Broadway: Act One presents three complete, previously unreleased sets from October 28th, 1987 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in NYC — the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band‘s early & late sets and the Jerry Garcia Band’s electric evening set. The release was produced from two-track soundboard recordings originally captured to digital audio tape and features a liner note essay by author, historian and Grateful Dead publicist, Dennis McNally. Highlights are many, but include the Acoustic Band’s “I Ain’t Never,” “Blue Yodel #9,” and “Short Life of Trouble” in addition to the electric band’s “Gomorrah,” “Evangeline,” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.”
‘Digital Downloads Available As 256kbps MP3s, 16bit, 44.1 khz FLACs or 24bit, 88.2 khz FLACs.’
Support for the Grateful Dead Hour comes this week from:
Netflix, presenting The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir, a revelatory look at Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead, chronicling Weir’s own wild ride from founding member of the band to rock icon status, and his friendship with Jerry Garcia. Including rare archival concert and behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with fellow band members, relatives and Weir himself, The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir is now streaming on Netflix.
The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Blazing fast acoustic duo Rodrigo y Gabriela hit the stage on Friday, June 19. The following night, The Fab Faux will play The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” and psychedelic era hits on June 20. Events, information, and ticketing at thecapitoltheatre.com.
Matt Rae, announcing his new album Twangin’ the Dead, a guitar-focused instrumental tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Twangin’ the Dead is available on iTunes and from mattrae.com
New song: “Be Like Earl”
In memory of Earl Crabb. I missed the memorial event at the Freight and Salvage last Sunday (5/31), but the next morning I got a huge transmission of music and words, which led to this:
Here’s a little information about who Earl was.
BE LIKE EARL
by David Gans
June 1-2, 2015
Earl Crabb was a brilliant man
A gentle man, and generous
His Rolodex was heavy
And his attic was voluminous
He had a million tales to tell
And every one was true
I’m a better man for knowing him
And a better friend to you
CHORUS:
Let’s ignore the dominant paradigm
And practice random kindness all the time
Treat our customers like neighbors
Not the other way around
A little more “Share this planet”
And a little less “Stand your ground.”
This world will be a better place
For every boy and girl
If we all do our best to be like Earl
Earl Crabb was an easy man
A laughing man, and sociable
To stand before his camera
Was to be well viewed and notable
He had a million friends, you know
And every one was real
A friend of Earl’s is a friend of mine
And that’s an honest deal
CHORUS
Earl Crabb was a software man
When very few were doin’ it
He made the world a better place
Enhancing and improvin’ it
Call him esoft, call him Earl,
He was The Great Humbead
No one here was ready
On the day he took his leave
’Cause Earl Crabb was a helpful man,
Resourceful and encouraging
He helped me to improve my life
With optimistic urging
I know I’m not the only one
Who benefited thus
So I’m making it my mission
To pass on his gifts to us
CHORUS
Let’s ignore the dominant paradigm
And practice random kindness all the time
Treat our customers like neighbors
Not the other way around
A little more “Share this planet”
And a little less “Stand your ground.”
This world will be a better place
For every boy and girl
If we all do our best to be like Earl
Let’s all do our best to be like Earl
I will do my best to be like Earl
© 2015 Whispering Hallelujah (BMI). All right reserved.
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1393
Week of June 1, 2015
Part 1 29:50
Interview: David Browne
Grateful Dead 5/3/77 Palladium, New York City
THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED
Interview: David Browne
Jim Kweskin and the Jug Band, See Reverse Side for Title
VIOLA LEE
Matt Rae, Twangin’ the Dead
TRUCKIN’
Part 2 26:00
Grateful Dead 3/1/70 Family Dog on the Great Highway, San Francisco CA
BIG BOY PETE
MORNING DEW
HARD TO HANDLE
ME AND MY UNCLE
The Jim Kweskin Jug Band was an important early influence on the guys who became the Grateful Dead. Here’s an excerpt from my book This Is All a Dream We Dreamed: An Oral History of the Grateful Dead, which will be published on November 10:
BOB MATTHEWS: Bob Weir and I were really into the jug bands. We liked Gus Cannon [of Cannon’s Jug Stompers, a black, Memphis-based jug band in the late twenties] and Jim Kweskin. The Jim Kweskin Jug Band was playing at the Cabale [in Berkeley]. You had to be at least eighteen, if not twenty-one, to get in. We snuck in, and we were up in the front row. Geoff Muldaur had an incredible voice, and we were really digging on the band. And then this cute, Daisy Mae–looking creature, whose name was Maria D’Amato, came out and sang “I’m a Woman.” Most of the males in the building were drooling. She was a gorgeous girl. She became Maria Muldaur, of course. The next day, Bob and I cut class and hitchhiked into Palo Alto to Dana Morgan Music, where Jerry was teaching banjo. As we walked into his little cement cubicle, he was playing banjo—noodling, as he always did. I think I said, “We went to see the Kweskin Jug Band last night, and we’re starting a jug band.” Jerry looked up, didn’t drop a beat, and said, “Good. I’m in it. I know a great harp player, this guy named Pigpen.”
Support for the Grateful Dead Hour comes this week from:
Netflix, presenting The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir, a revelatory look at Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead, chronicling Weir’s own wild ride from founding member of the band to rock icon status, and his friendship with Jerry Garcia. Including rare archival concert and behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with fellow band members, relatives and Weir himself, “The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir” is now streaming on Netflix.
Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York. Grateful Dead tribute Stella Blues Band will honor Wetlands Wednesday night traditions by recreating the Grateful Dead’s spirit each Wednesdays in June. Events, information, and ticketing at thecapitoltheatre.com.
Matt Rae, announcing his new album Twangin’ the Dead, a guitar-focused instrumental tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Twanging’ the Dead is available on iTunes and from mattrae.com
DG interview with Gooey Rabinski
Interview with Gooey Rabinski, from a blog titled “Understanding Medical Marijuana.”
From the intro:
“You may or may not have heard of David Gans. If you’re of a progressive mindset, don’t trust your government, believe in enlightened approaches to social justice, think romance is often a comical game, and are just generally fed up with the bullshit from Corporate America, you probably already like Gans—you just don’t know it…. In the fall of 2007, David Gans and I spent some time backstage at the Fall Hookahville music festival where he was performing. We discussed the Grateful Dead (the topic of most of Gans’ work), his latest album, and national politics — while exploring the libertarian values espoused in his music.”
Read it here.