Wow. That was 10 years ago today, wunnit! Good call. I got to see Jerry & the Dead several times. 1977 - Houston - Hofheinz Pavilion 1978 - Houston - The Summit 1981 - Austin - Manor Downs (on July 4th...they opened with "Jack Straw"..."Leavin' Texas, 4th day of July...." Plus a couple of times in the late 80s when I lived in California.... Gonna have to play some Dead when I get home tonight.
I saw Phil Lesh once between Grateful Dead tours back when I was a goofy deadhead before Jerry died but never the man himself. He couldn't make a studio album to save his life, but he had a unique live style. Apparently it had something to do with originally playing a brass instrument, so he thought in those terms. In fact, the tone he achieved with his guitar, which I still like, sounded somewhat trumpet-like. The man definitely didn't take care of himself, though. He didn't exactly eat well or exercise, and was addicted to heroin almost continually from the late 60's. There are about 10,000 free and legal downloadable GD concerts at http://www.archive.org/audio/etree.php. Just type in Grateful Dead and it'll return a list of boots ranging from 1995 back to the earliest stuff with a show from 1965! I just listened to a few, and had a good nostalgia moment. I feel sorry for the people who have to label those 45 minute jam sessions/medleys. Usually they are just labeled are "cryptical envelopment" or "drumz". Gotta love the Iko Iko/Women is smarter/Not fade away standard medley.
The only Dead show I ever saw was probably their absolute worst (or so I thought at the time), I saw that last one at Soldier Field. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for tickets. Didn't have to pay for Pearl Jam tickets either for a show there two days later, and that was a lot more satisfying.
I encourage everyone to check out the stuff he did with David Grisman though, not true studio albums...Shady Grove is a great album. God rest ye Merry Prankster man.
Actually I like a good number of Grateful Dead studio albums. Working Man's Dead. American Beauty. Mars Hotel. Shakedown Street. All good if you asked me. I think my favorite Jerry band is Legion of Mary. Those guys had it goin' on!
