Here is the latest news from David Gans, producer and host of the Grateful Dead Hour.
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1160
5/8/77: the book
Posting a request from the author:
I’m just in the very beginning stages/brainstorming a book on the concert from 5.8.77.
Widely considered to be the best show the band ever played, I’m hoping to gather enough photographs, recollections and other assorted information to turn the book into an oral biography. But of a show, not a person.
If you were there and would like to tell me about the show/what you recall/what you saw please be in touch. No memory is too small!
Feel free to email me at cornell5877@gmail.com.
Thanks.
Jawal Nga
DG’s bay area gigs in December
Thursday, December 9, 9 pm: Casey Neill and DG at the Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA. (510) 841-2082. DG plays first. (Collisionville had to cancel due to an injury.)
Friday, December 10, 8 pm: Dedicated Maniacs and DG at the Brookdale Lodge, 11570 Hwy 9, Brookdale CA – in the Santa Cruz Mountains of northern California.
Sunday, December 12, 7 pm: The Poster Room (upstairs bar) at the Fillmore in San Francisco. Pre-show and between-sets entertainment. Black Crowes on the main stage.
Saturday, December 18, 7:30 pm: Songs of Sweet Surprise! DG, Ira Marlowe, and The Secret Identities (Mario DeSio and Kenny Dinkin) at the Art House Gallery, 2905 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley. $10. 510-482-3336
Wednesday, December 22, 8 pm: Rubber Souldiers TRIO at Iron Springs Pub and Brewery, 765 Center Blvd., Fairfax CA. No cover! Great food and beverage, of course!
Thursday, December 23, 8:30 pm: DG opens for Cryptical at George’s, 842 Fourth Street, San Rafael CA
Thursday, December 30, 9 pm: Rubber Souldiers at the Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley CA
More info at dgans.com/gigs.html
Jesse McReynolds
Last night’s Rex Foundation benefit at the Fillmore was, as predicted, a tremendously pleasing and illuminating musical gathering – and a warm, comfortable family reunion, too. I enjoyed Jesse McReynolds‘ contributions, with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band and with David Nelson and Friends, too.
Here’s what Jody Stecher told me in email today (edited for continuity and clarity):
Am digesting 2 hours of what Jesse McReynolds showed me backstage. He’s wearing acrylic fingernails which enable him to split the double string courses on the mandolin.
Mandolin is strung with four double courses: GG DD AA EE. Normally one places the fingers of the left hand on both strings of any course and presses behind the fret as one does on a guitar. The fourth fret of the G string (double strings actually) gives B natural, just like on a guitar. So normally the fourth fret of a G double course on the mandolin gives BB. But Jesse places a hardened fingernail on ONE of the members of the course, the one closer to the floor. So he gets GB at the fourth fret of the G pair.
And it’s not just B on the G string. It’s any fret on any string that will produce a harmony with the other member of the pair when one member is fretted and its mate is open. This allows him to play chords of up to 8 notes. He was doing this all night both on stage and off.
On top of this he’s using unconventional fingering for his more normal chords and for playing melodies.
81 years old and still growing musically.
Jody will be my guest on Dead to the World Wednesday, December 29. We will learn a lot and have fun, too!
Grateful Dead Hour no. 1159
Week of December 6, 2010
Part 1 26:48
Grateful Dead 10/10/82 Frost Amphitheater, Palo Alto CA
NEW MINGLEWOOD BLUES->
SUGAREE->
LITTLE RED ROOSTER
Part 2 28:37
Grateful Dead 10/10/82 Frost Amphitheater, Palo Alto CA
TENNESSEE JED
CASSIDY
Grateful Dead, Road Trips vol 4 no 1 (5/24/69)
HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE (JUST A HAND TO HOLD)
Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, Crazy for Christmas
RUN RUN RUDOLPH