I would like to dedicate today’s post to one of the greatest musicians, men, and souls to ever grace this earth with his presence, Jerry Garcia. Lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead, he engendered a following like none other. His message of peace and being at one with oneself through music spread like wildfire. The band was no mere gimic though. Individually each member possessed his own musical prowess, and some of Jerry’s solo work with David Grisham and the like clearly demonstrates his power as a jazz and bluegrass guitar player.
In the spirit of the band and the music, I’ll post one of my favorite live jams below for you. It’s the show from The Fillmore East, 1969. The St. Stephen is one of the most kicking and rocking versions of the tune they do, and it’s complete with the little irish jig in B that they go into on occasion. The band roars into The Eleven, and brings the mood down with 5 minutes of Drums, into Caution (Do Not Step On The Tracks). The band gets spacey, and then returns the audience from the trip back the Fillmore with We Bid You Goodnight. Even the Dark Star is one of the more coherent, jamm-y versions that keeps the listener entangled in the web intricatly spun by the Dead. By the time the show ends, we feel ready to go with the bidding of Jerry and the Dead. One of their greatest shows, to my mind.
It’s our turn, Jerry, to bid you a goodnight…
The Grateful Dead @ The Fillmore East, 2/11/69
Audible Musings 