Jam-> Not Fade Away-> Jam-> Drums-> Passenger, Bertha, Good Lovin'-> Jam, I Need A Miracle, Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain, Gloria-> Linda Lou, Jam, Jack Straw
Master Soundboard Cassette > ?Cassette? > DAT > CDR; see info file for source speculation and listening notes; cuts smoothed; CD Mastering, EAC> SHN by Scott Clugston
Reviewer:
Frankie12580
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
September 5, 2023
Subject:
Language police here
Even a blind man knows the difference between to and too. GRATE is a NOUN. A filter, or drain, or some type of thing that filters particles. A musical performance, in no way could be "grate" Perhaps you mean..... "great" ? An adjective, which describes how good something is, in how high in esteem it is help by the evaluator. The other one that's ubiquitous, lame, and maddening is calling a show "epoch" Epoch describes a period of time, an era, a frame of time. I'm guessing you mean "Epic" Meaning something grandiose, amazing, memorable or outstanding on some way. And this is April 1979. Anything that reminds one of, or is reminiscent of, or resembles anything that sounds like Phish, or anything Phish has done, like Possum......would be the other way around. Don't you mean that ten years LATER, Phish did something that was reminiscent of, or sounded like, or was eve outright copped from...the GD ? Nothing the GD did in 1979 could even be remotely characterized of reminiscent of Phish. Geezus people.
Reviewer:
Fr8nkenstein
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
October 10, 2011
Subject:
Appreciation
I appreciate all this stuff is available.
Reviewer:
Zaorish
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 4, 2011
Subject:
Not a huge fan of the other rehersals on here, but...
...the Fire on the Mountain here is one of the most sweet and slow versions I've ever heard. It's beautiful, and the warm chords of Brent's keys sound like waves or sunbeams from a lonely summer beach somewhere. There is also a nice Bobby jam or two in there.
The band simply never played the song this way before or since.
Reviewer:
Chris Freedom
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
December 5, 2006
Subject:
Welcome Brent!
"It depends on which drummer you are listening too"
I enjoy this because it is relaxed, the DEAD had to perform for a lot of folks, even though we know only 1 in 10,000 came for the show.
This is kicking it in the garage, just seeing where it will go.
THE BOYS cause Bobby to abort MIRACLE!Lots of laughs!!!
I am thinking the way Brent came into his own over the years, some people myself included did not get initially that DONT NEED LOVE was as much the blues as what Pigpen was talking about. I was blown away how Brent stepped up and shared song rotation duties when Garcia needed a break.
I will never forget watching Brent at Tinley PARK on the big video monitor and thinking man that guy is leaving his body behind.(TRUCKIN>SMOKESTACK)
I cried at BRENT's death but I thankfully had no mixed feelings because I had come to love and respect the man's contribution to the band.
You know we are all just bringing what we got to offer to the table and the great thing about our scene is the space to just be who we are.
EVEN A BLIND MAN KNOWS...
Reviewer:
mrbill
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 3, 2006
Subject:
I like Donna
I concede the following: (1) things change, relationships change, and it was apparently time for Jerry & co to move away from K&D (2) K&D's substance abuse had gone too far (although sadly, Jerry had his addiction even though he managed to hold on a while longer). (3) it would have been good for Keith to move into the electronic era.
However, having said that, I think Donna's vocals were better than Brent's or any of the other keyboardists. I also think Keith, in his prime, played great piano. Brent's keyboards too often sounded like toy pianos. I see the early 70's as the Dead's golden era. I mention this because Keith and Donna get slammed a little too much. Some slams might be deserving (I heard her get lost in songs) but some are not.
This recording is nice. I always like listening to studio rehearsals and out-takes and this one is a treat.
Reviewer:
L. Rosley
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
April 3, 2006
Subject:
Bits and pieces
There's some interesting stuff here, such as the Not Fade Away, and also some very long and uninteresting stuff, such as the space after Not Fade Away, as well as an uninspired Bertha. For the blow-by-blow on each cut, jboyaquar below lays it out pretty accurately. (I don't agree with him on "Passenger." Brent doesn't cut it here trying to cover for the recently expelled Donna.) Overall, this isn't something I'd listen to again.
Reviewer:
MushroomEagle
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 28, 2005
Subject:
cd?
Anyone have this available for download?
Reviewer:
Mr. Charlie - Lambertville
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 5, 2005
Subject:
Crispy!
The begining of an era!!! My era of the Dead! There is some grate stuff here. The Scarlet lesson is a highlight for me. It's fun to listen to the phrasing and chording in the rehearsal and then skip ahead to the first show w/ Brent where .....obviously....most these songs are played. Change is good....and inevitable. Peace
Reviewer:
jboyaquar
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 22, 2005
Subject:
A rare look inside the rehearsal process & inducting a new member into the fold.
This is going to be a hell of a lot of fun to listen to. Lacking both a structure and an expectant public, these 5 musicians can have fun stretching out and acquainting themselves with their latest member...studio session pro Brent Mydland. Anyways, the opening jam is loose and a longish formality til the "NFA" opener. Its basic arrangement allows Brent to pick up when and how he should be adding his Hammond color. After a few minutes, the drummers and Brent end up in an interetingly disjointed jam where Brent makes odd synth sounds like bombs falling from the sky. World War Three is occurring and Jerry's cheshire smile must be a mile long cause here's a guy who won't mind playing another instrument besides his precious ? piano. Anyways, following "Space" there's another extended 6 minute period where Brent's just messin' with his synth-Hammond...Shit, it sounnds like a particular 80s film score...? About 7 more minutes to fill before Bobby starts the band up in a decent "Passenger." Brent's figuring out how his natural harmonizing voice fills in with Bobby's lead without trampling on the sensitive star. "Passenger's" 2nd go-around is notable for being tighter, basically it's stronger and more concert-ready. However, Jerry's still taking it easy, kinda noodling to himself while maintaining the song's theme. "Miracle" is aborted cause of ???... "Bertha" is rather pointless. Noone seems to be trying other than the rhythm section who keep thrashing away. Jerry's in weak, impersonal form here. Bertha ends unsatisfactorily to someone's ears which botches the opening of "Good Lovin..." so let's take it from the top...A slow but surprisingly pleasing "GL" erupts. It's oddly long by '79 standards and instead of emerging like a triumphant Bobby cheesefest, Jerry instead embarks on a serene jam. Ummm..., is that a 'HYHU' with Srgt. Pepper like marching orders...whatever it is it leads to a peppy "Miracle." Bobby's still in fine vocal form (from 2/17) It fades away before a segue can be ascertained... We end up in the middle of a lakeside/progressive spacefest that ends after 30 seconds. Then the familiar notes of "Scarlet" emerge from this haze. It sounds very tranquil and pastoral to begin with... maybe this isn't 'Scarlet' just yet. It ends up in "NFA" land with oddities appropriate for another Giza adventure. After the jam, we do enter "Begonia" land, but it's aborted after a couple of verses so they can re-practice the bridge transition. It fixes itself, and we head back into the song. The transition to "Fire" is natural... ahhh, that's so natural. the rest of 'Fire' is a pleasant, easy not offensive experience with Jerry calmly leading the way. Following "Fire" we head back into a jungle jam...it fades out after 5 or so, and it's a rave-up "Gloria"...rough but fin, then a "Linda Lou" which I do not believe the Dead ever played at an actual show. It's led by a common Chuck Berry-ish lead... Now we're heading into jams like the Keystone sessions, a couple of riff teases like "Brown Eyes" pop up here and there... At about
12:25 at the long jam, here comes a section that definitely reminds me of 'Possum' Good call by the previous reviewer. It's jazzier and more opaque than most 'possums.'
Anyways, the good times end with a decent "Straw." Sounds fade away as Jerry plays the first three notes of 'Tennessee...'
Certain jams ramble and the lack of continuity frustrates... But this is a worthy addition to any collection.
Reviewer:
UPS
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
January 29, 2005
Subject:
Yes Sir!!
Some real tasty stuff here...not too many rehearsels are this good...NICE STUFF!!
Reviewer:
rastaj0hn
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 26, 2004
Subject:
get down charlie brown
very nice change from the concerts. its good to hear the guys jamming out in great qaulity.
Reviewer:
StringCheeseIncidentNumero1
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 26, 2004
Subject:
mind blowing.
some of that well all of that is spectacular, but you really needed me to tell you that ??
lol go brent go baby goo wooooooo a gem absoloute gem, you need to hear this
garret
the jams are way out of this world, cd 1 track 5 is almost a other one jaam seriously check it out
Reviewer:
RONZNOIZE
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 27, 2004
Subject:
Somethin' phishy
ya know,there's a jam in here that kinda sounds like possum by phish..........i know....that's blasphemy,but you'll see. this is hot shit!
Reviewer:
LL Cool Rain
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
September 1, 2004
Subject:
Mind Blower
You got it, punk. Is there a note that Jerry missed? I don't think so.
Burn it.
Reviewer:
Mr. Mystery
-
favoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2004
Subject:
Tree Falling
I always get a "tree falling in the woods when no one's there" feeling when I hear Dead rehearsal recordings. How could they play this music with no audience to hear it? That said, this recording has some interesting moments, notably the space jams and Scarlet jams. Bobby sounds great, the drummers sound sloppy.
Reviewer:
pagey_lp
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
June 1, 2004
Subject:
Like reading a diary
I love this kind of thing. A nice recording that is nice change from a concert (of which there are plenty)
Reviewer:
chinacat72
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
May 5, 2004
Subject:
good jams
The Jam > Space after NFA is great. Truly mind-bending. The rest of the rehearsal is entertaining too. Get it!
Reviewer:
mshot
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 4, 2004
Subject:
Nice jammin
Usually rehearsal tapes are worth a listen mainly for the 'fly on the wall' aspect, but the music usually isn't the most inspiring, but this recording is different, all the musicians - for the most part - know the songs, except for the part when jerry tells Brent how the vocal harmonies are done for Begonias (I've only heard the first 2 disks so far)- the playing is relaxed and loose through-out, making one wish that's the way they played on stage more often - at times it's almost like the old guys are trying to one-up new comer Brent, but he's right there with them, adding his 2 cents to the musical discussion while he's at it, something I don't hear a lot in the early shows with Brent. And this 'hiss' is only noticeable in the quiet parts.
Reviewer:
jeffsetz
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 30, 2004
Subject:
recommended!
Dead studio rehearsal recordings tend to be for the completists only but this one's a cut above and well worth the download. Sound quality varies but overall very good.
Reviewer:
J.Tucker
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
March 30, 2004
Subject:
Pretty Interesting recording to have
Keith left the band officially on March 1, and Brents first show was April 22 at San Jose. Thus is this the first recording available of Brent with the Dead? Would love to know for sure if anyone has the full story.