Here is the latest news from David Gans, producer and host of the Grateful Dead Hour.
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1317
The Grateful Dead Hour is made possible in part this week by: The WELL, a pioneering social network featuring a Deadhead community that’s been telling stories and sharing information since 1986. There are thousands of other conversations in the WELL, too, and no ads, no animation – just words. Grateful Dead Almanac editor Gary Lambert is also a longtime member. More information at well.com/dead The Jerry Garcia Family and jerrygarcia.com, announcing Fall ’89: The Long Island Sound, a 6-CD set including two complete shows by the Jerry Garcia Band and Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman. Cover art by Stanley Mouse! It’s available now for preorder now and on sale everywhere on December 17 on the newly relaunched Round Records. More information at jerrygarcia.com.
January 9 in St Louis
Thursday, January 9, 8pm: The Focal Point, 2720 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood MO. $10 advance (available through brownpapertickets), $15 at the door.
More info and more gigs at dgans.com/gigs.html
Hand-warmer jam
The two farmers’ market gigs (Saturday in Oakland, Sunday in San Rafael) were chilly, but I was dressed appropriately thanks to a trip to REI accompanied by my wife, an experienced backpacker who knows how to equip for cold weather.
Aside from a few stretches during which my fingers were a little too cold, I was quite comfortable both days. My fingers only got really numb a couple of times, and I only dropped my pick once.
These farmers’ market gigs are great for musical development. I play favorites from my musical youth (John Denver, Eagles, James Taylor, Johnny Cash, etc.), long stretches of improvisation built on a riff or groove I made up on the spot, lots of guitar solos. It’s a four-hour open rehearsal, and any time I notice people actually paying attention I can become more focused and “entertaining.” I love playing for little kids, too!
Here’s one especially satisfying bit of spontaneous music-making. You can hear the groove taking shape in the first couple of bars: I had no plan at all, just found a pattern and started building on it. I never play “Rider” in my solo shows, but that’s where this music sent me.
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1316
Week of December 9, 2013
Part 1 21:44
Grateful Dead 3/17/88 Henry J Kaiser, Oakland CA
ROW JIMMY
LET IT GROW
Part 2 34:30
Jerry Garcia Band and Bob Weir & Rob Wasserman, Fall 1989: The Long Island Sound
DON’T LET GO->
LONESOME AND A LONG WAY FROM HOME
Grateful Dead, Family Dog at the Great Highway 4/18/70
DEEP ELLUM BLUES
Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box
DOWN THE ROAD
The Grateful Dead Hour is made possible in part this week by:
The WELL, a pioneering social network featuring a Deadhead community that’s been telling stories and sharing information since 1986. There are thousands of other conversations in the WELL, too, and no ads, no animation – just words. Grateful Dead Almanac editor Gary Lambert is also a longtime member. More information at well.com/dead
The Jerry Garcia Family and jerrygarcia.com, announcing Fall ’89: The Long Island Sound, a 6-CD set including two complete shows by the Jerry Garcia Band and Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman. Cover art by Stanley Mouse! It’s available now for preorder now and on sale everywhere on December 17 on the newly relaunched Round Records. More information at jerrygarcia.com.
“Shakedown Street” with Strangefolk at GOTV 7/25/13
One of the highlights of my (very good) year: joining Strangefolk for “Shakedown Street” at the Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport CT on July 25 2013.