The WELL: deadsongs.vue.231: The Grateful Dead Canon

#10: bound to cover (mossman) Tue 28 Jun 05 09:45

Tue, 28 Jun 2005 09:45:00 PDT

As I recall, there was an historic run at Madison Square Garden, something like 10 sold out shows in 2 weeks, in which only a handful of songs were played more than once. It was from the period just prior to thier "mainstreaming" and might typify an example of the "Canon" to which we aspire. [Read entire topic]

#9: Robin Russell (rrussell8) Fri 24 Jun 05 10:23

Fri, 24 Jun 2005 10:23:00 PDT

Is anyone working on the set lists? [Read entire topic]

#8: Robin Russell (rrussell8) Thu 26 May 05 06:08

Thu, 26 May 2005 06:08:00 PDT

Right on, David. It is probably best to define an initial scope that can be realised relatively easily, while bearing in mind future upgrades. [Read entire topic]

#7: David Gans (tnf) Fri 20 May 05 11:08

Fri, 20 May 2005 11:08:00 PDT

I think MZ's idea of three three-set shows is a great way to organize the beginnings of the discussion, but eventually I'd like to see a more thorough document than that, taking any number of paths through the heap of music. [Read entire topic]

#6: Robin Russell (rrussell8) Fri 20 May 05 08:35

Fri, 20 May 2005 08:35:00 PDT

I'm not sure on what points we disagree. I am trying to suggest a structure to collect the data to enable the result. In my view, unless there is a clear methodology, we won't get too far.

Bascically, build the set lists and then identify the best representative performances for each tune.

As for the set lists, one angle might be to use post GD to try to get a full sweep across the repertoire - eg Red Rocks '03, with no repeated tunes over the five night run. Then pare that down to the essentials. [Read entire topic]

#5: neil (nlg) Thu 19 May 05 14:32

Thu, 19 May 2005 14:32:00 PDT

I would think that approach to have its own facets of unwieldiness.

I kind of think that choosing either three paradigmatic shows, or nine sets, three each from three key eras, might be a way to start. Then, each setlist could be deconstructed, and if agreed upon, reconstructed with better versions of some songs and jams.

That is, if I'm understanding the overall goal correctly, which is to put out there three, three-set compilations that show novitiates just what made the Dead so compelling, and so important in the evolution of musical performance (and songwriting) as the band itself evolved.

SMR was one truly excellent stab at that, and it is what I tell every curious seeker to seek out and listen to from front to back if they want to understand. This is another approach, and I think it is a cool concept. [Read entire topic]

#4: Robin Russell (rrussell8) Thu 19 May 05 09:53

Thu, 19 May 2005 09:53:00 PDT

Why not reserve this thread for the set lists discussion and get the performance nominations (including studio versions, I should think) posted against each individual tune in the .vue list? Otherwise this could get freakishly unweildy. [Read entire topic]

#3: drugs, underaged chicks and dirty funtimes (noah) Thu 19 May 05 06:25

Thu, 19 May 2005 06:25:00 PDT

Yeah. That's the one that got used for "Reckoning" I think. [Read entire topic]

#2: David Gans (tnf) Wed 18 May 05 15:54

Wed, 18 May 2005 15:54:00 PDT

Nice! That's acoustic, I presume? [Read entire topic]

#1: some sort of twisted Ellen James Society running around lopping off their fingers in homage to Jerry (jberger) Wed 18 May 05 15:50

Wed, 18 May 2005 15:50:00 PDT

For sheer vocal harmony beauty, I'd nominate "To Lay Me Down", from 10/13/80. This is not just lay me down, it's lay me down on a soft bed of feathers topped by a down comforter, with a soft cushion of fog softening the edges as they disappear off into the evening, all with the light gravity of a full moon.

This is the song to play for those who say that the Dead can't sing harmonies. [Read entire topic]