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From: john@fritz.UUCP (John Gilbert)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: RE: Their Music: Grateful or Dead?
Message-ID: <2463@fritz.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 9-Apr-85 23:37:08 EST
Article-I.D.: fritz.2463
Posted: Tue Apr  9 23:37:08 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 14-Apr-85 02:09:31 EST
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This is a (hopefully "somewhat intelligent") response to Marcel Simon's
article concerning the music of the Grateful Dead.  I will, in a moment,
specifically address the music.  However, I must point out from the start
that much of the Grateful Dead experience, that which DeadHeads rave about,
is not specifically the music.  The music is there, and it is one part of
the experience we can take home with us, but it is not the whole thing.
Probably the most important element is the DeadHeads themselves.  I have
never (seriously, NEVER) felt the kind of bond I feel with a group of people
like I do at a Dead show.  Independent of chemicals.  AND, it does have
something to do with the music.  It is a common focal point at the shows,
one reason for being there, and a significant factor in setting the mood for
the feelings mentioned.  For some reason (I care not why, specifically) that
music is soooo pleasing, so uplifting.  It takes us all to other places,
together.  But now about this music ...

Marcel describes "those jams! In a word, SLOPPY!!!".  Well, I suppose I can't
disagree.  But, there are other words too ... like TWISTED, OBSCURE, LOST,
BEAUTIFUL, SPACY, INCREDIBLE, SLEEPY, SPICY, DELICATE, ABSTRACT, PERFECT (as
well as imperfect, as Marcel points out).  Some shows are better than others.
Sometimes the band is addmitadly ashamed of the show.  Some are
masterpieces to those who were there.  Best of all, sometimes they are
great for some and not too hot for others.  One never knows what to expect.
I am not sure the band ever does either.  But they dare to take that chance.
Very few bands are willing to jam this way in front of a crowd.  My experience
is that it is well worth their effort.  To me, they have a winning record.

Marcel, you state: " ...too often they just mark time while waiting for someone
to have a decent idea that the jam can coalesce around."  What is "too often"
for you?  Perhaps fewer times than for me.  I guess that would mean I would
enjoy more shows than you.  I look at it this way:  I know of no one who goes
to see the Dead regularly who feels their jamming is not welcome during a
performance.  I really wonder why anyone else would care.  We (I) generally
welcome it as part of the ongoing experiment.

Finally, the Dead do in fact play a lot of old material.  They have a lot to
draw from, and can conjur up almost anything at the drop of a hat.  They also
play new material.  They pop up with new songs from time to time.  And
arrangements change constantly.  And, so has the Dead sound over the years.
Maybe not radically, but it evolves.  At times it may seem to stagnate a bit.
They usually notice and move on.  Again, most folks I know who go regularly
feel the shows are fresh and inspiring.

I guess much of what you say could be percieved by some.  But, thank God,
there is a strong, large group of individuals, DeadHeads, who like the Dead
as they are, for what they are.  That should validate what they do
sufficiently.

                          "Somewhat Deadicated ..."

                           John Gilbert
                           ..!trwrb!felix!john


"Sometimes the songs that we hear are just the songs of our own."