Archive for May, 2007

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

A home-studio “1969 Dark Star”

Monday, May 21st, 2007

Email from Lane Steinberg:

Hey David-

I did a version of ‘Dark Star’ by myself. You might get a kick out of it. I tried to stay true to a ’69 vibe. I have it up in three parts up on Myspace here.

Best,
Lane Steinberg

It’s pretty impressive, considering that it was recorded one part at a time. I asked him what order the parts were recorded in:

I started with a drum machine (set to a cha-cha beat!) as a guide.
Then, in order, I did:
‘Jerry’
‘Phil’
‘Bob’
‘TC’
‘Mickey’
‘Phil’
Vocals
Great fun, but quite a challenge in spots, as you might imagine. I
recorded on 2/28/07 & 3/01/07, so the dates corresponded with the
legendary ’69 Fillmore run.

Posted in General discussion | No Comments »

The Easiest Best Thing Is Be Kind

Sunday, May 20th, 2007

The Easiest Best Thing Is Be Kind is a book of essays cedited by Luke Myers as a fund-raiser for the people of Darfur.

From the publisher’s web site:

A study in the causes of genocide and the importance of compassion with help from many of the important figures from the Grateful Dead family. Paperback, 60 pages.

100% of the royalties will be paid to:

Save Darfur Coalition
Post Office Box 18176
Washington, D.C. 20036

Luke’s web page is: deadheadsfordarfur.blogspot.com
Contributors include John Perry Barlow, Robert Hunter, Steve Silberman, Ken Babbs, David Dodd, myself, and others. It’s a nice book and a very good cause.

Posted in General discussion | No Comments »

BK visits KKCR

Sunday, May 20th, 2007
BK visits KKCR, originally uploaded by dgans.

After a full day of sailing along the north shore of Kauai, Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann stopped by KKCR, Kauai Community Radio, to assist with the station’s fund drive.

Bill was one of the founding donors of this wonderful community radio station.

While we were presenting a chaotic, ecstatic fund-drive program with Dove, Jackie Row, and myself alternating as ringmasters, a guy whose name I didn’t get was preparing a meal of grilled Alaskan salmon with fish chowder on the side, and salad from Kauai Sunrise Farms. Delish!

We were very successful in raising money for KKCR – many donors, including three “angels” ($365, a dollar a day) – that’s big! Thanks to all who contributed.

And after we got off the air, a group of us went over to Bill’s house and jammed in the living room for about two hours. Bill played a variety of hand drums, tambourine, and percussion instruments I played guitar; an old friend of Bill’s from the Haight days, now known as Shanawo, played a big deep drum, and his partner Renee played flute and pennywhistle. Swamp Daddy was there with his harmonicas, and he sang a kickass “Lovelight” while I locked into a groove with Billy sitting next to me on the couch. Big fun!

Posted in Grateful Dead Hour | 2 Comments »

Grateful Dead Hour #974

Sunday, May 20th, 2007

Week of May 21, 2007

Part 1 31:10
Bob Weir, Ace (work tape)
CASSIDY
Interview: Bob Weir
Grateful Dead 7/13/76 Orpheum Theater, San Francisco
CASSIDY
Austin Lounge Lizards, The Drugs I Need
THE DRUGS I NEED
Infamous Stringdusters, Fork in the Road
TRAGIC LIFE
Boris Garcia, Mother’s Finest
SHE’S STILL LAUGHING
Caroline Aiken, Live Bait
DRY SPELL
Animal Liberation Orchestra, Roses & Clover
ALL ALONE

Part 2 25:15
Grateful Dead 12/26/81 Henry J. Kaiser Auditorium, Oakland CA
SCARLET BEGONIAS->
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN

“The Drugs I Need” has a great animated video to go with it. It’s a public service message about obscene drug prices/profits.

The Grateful Dead Hour is made possible in part this week by:

Camp Zoe in Southeastern Missouri, presenting the Schwagstock festivals, headlined by the Grateful Dead tribute act The Schwag, and the Big Summer Classic Festival August 3 – 5 featuring The String Cheese Incident, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Wailers, MOFRO, and dozens more.

The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics, now in paperback, edited by David G. Dodd and Alan Trist with illustrations by Jim Carpenter and published by Free Press. Offering literary, historical, and cultural references to The Grateful Dead lyrics, this is a complete collection of all the songs you know — and some you don’t. The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics is available now wherever books are sold.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival, July 18 through 21 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Ten Thousand Lakes features Bob Weir & RatDog, Trey Anastasio, Government Mule, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Little Feat, The Disco Biscuits, Keller Williams, the New Riders, The Derek Trucks Band, and more than fifty other acts.

Posted in Grateful Dead Hour | No Comments »

GD treats on KKCR tonight

Saturday, May 19th, 2007

Another day, another sunset, originally uploaded by dgans.

I’m on vacation in Hawaii, and as luck would have it, KKCR is doing their fund drive right now so I have an opportunity to assist. I’ll be on the air with Jackie Row and Dove (plus possible surprise guests) from 6pm until probably around 10pm Hawaiian time. That’s 9pm to 1am Pacific, midnight to 4am Eastern, 5am to 9am London. This time slot features our kind of music every week: Grateful Dead and friends (including the GD Hour) 6-8pm HT, and Fresh Jams 8-10pm.
KKCR streams online at http://www.kkcr.org

We’ve got some fun premiums lined up for those who contribute. I believe we’ll have some gourmet chocolate from Lillie Belle Farms; we will definitely have the new paperback edition of The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics, the Cow Palace ’76 set, Ratdog Live 3/19/07, and gift certificates from Grateful Graphics.

KKCR is also having a drawing for a Martin guitar autographed by Donald Fagen, Todd Rundgren, Ken Emerson, and others. Add $10 to your contribution and you’re entered.

I have some music with me that you won’t get to hear any other time. I brought a couple of things that I played on the KPFA marathon that won’t ever be circulated. I also have an advance CD of Three from the Vault, and if I can work up the nerve I may slip one of those tracks in.

You can phone in your pledge toll-free at 1-866-275-1112, or donate online at http://kkcr.org/donate.htm

Please tune in, and please contribute. KKCR is a wonderful radio station (I listen at home often), and a tremendous community resource.

(P.S. Photos from our vacation here)

Posted in General discussion, Grateful Dead Hour | 1 Comment »

Jungle luthier!

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Mickey Sussman heard me say on KPFA that I was coming to Kauai, so he sent me an email inviting me to visit him in his shop, Anahola Stringed Instruments.

I called for directions, and he advised me that he was deep in “Jurassic Park” country. The last half mile was quite a ride! A steep trip down a very rocky road – but it was worth it! There’s a river about a hundred feet below the houses, and jungle all around. Much splendor!
And then the guitars! I stopped taking pictures pretty quickly after Mickey sat me down in an open room next to the workshop and started handing me guitars to play. I tried out about eight instruments, each wonderful in its own way. I felt as though, with just a little concentration, I could have written a song right then and there. And I really wish I had had a recording device with me.
Mickey kindly invited me to come back another day with my digital recorder. I immediately got a brainstorm to record a few songs there and then sell ‘em online to raise the several thousand dollars I’d need to buy one of these delightful guitars.

Posted in Grateful Dead Hour | 1 Comment »

David Grisman sues YouTube

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

My friend Paul Hoffman first alerted me to this news story:

Google Inc.’s YouTube unit was sued by David Grisman, a mandolin player who once performed with the Grateful Dead, over what he says are unauthorized postings of his music

Paul added:

I’m on Grisman’s side on this one. Google can’t pretend to be a common carrier and at the same sell ads that are targeted to the content on the page.

I expect David is mortified to see himself identified solely in terms of his GD connection. The man created a genre of music and has produced a legendary body of work. He deserves much better than to be relegated to the status of Jerry Garcia adherent.

Posted in General discussion | No Comments »

GD treats on KKCR Sat 5/19

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007
Lady Ipo blesses the KKCR (Hanalei, Kaua’i) fund drive as it opens at 10am on Monday.

As luck would have it, my Hawaiian vacation coincides with KKCR‘s fund drive, and I’ll be assisting on Saturday evening (May 19) from 6-10pm Hawaiian time. That’s 9 pm to 1 am Pacific, Midnight to 4 am Eastern.

KKCR streams online, and I’d love it if some of my mainland pals would make a contribution to this wonderful community radio station. The GD Hour has been a Saturday evening feature here since Bill Kreutzmann brought me into the KKCR ‘ohana a few years back. Our show is part of “Grateful Dead and Friends,” Saturdays 6-8pm, hosted by Jackie Row and Dove on alternate weeks. And Dove does a “Fresh Jams” show 8-10pm with Ratdog as a frequent feature.

I listen to KKCR at home in California quite often – so sweet to hear Hawaiian music and feel like I’m there for a while. And it’s nice to keep up with community issues in one of our favorite vacation spots.

To make a pledge, call 1-866-275-1112 or you can donate online

Thanks for listening, as always!

Posted in General discussion | 2 Comments »

Surprise!

Sunday, May 13th, 2007

Surprise!, originally uploaded by dgans.

Well be posting photos from our Hawaiian vacation here:

www.flickr.com/photos/tags/halemakai07/

Posted in Grateful Dead Hour | No Comments »

Grateful Dead Hour #973

Sunday, May 13th, 2007

Week of May 14, 2007

Part 1 26:01
Grateful Dead 9/19/90 Madison Square Garden, New York City
STELLA BLUE->
AROUND AND AROUND
~
THE MIGHTY QUINN

Part 2 29:24
Interview: Lee Johnson, with excerpts from Dead Symphony no. 6:
ST. STEPHEN
CHINA DOLL
DEAD OVERTURE
SUGAR MAGNOLIA
BLUES FOR ALLAH
STELLA BLUE

The Grateful Dead Hour is made possible in part this week by:

The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics, now in paperback, edited by David G. Dodd and Alan Trist with illustrations by Jim Carpenter and published by Free Press. Offering literary, historical, and cultural references to the Grateful Dead’ lyrics, this is a complete collection of all the songs you know – and some you don’t. The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics is available now wherever books are sold.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival, July 18 through 21 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Ten thousand lakes features Bob Weir & RatDog, Trey Anastasio, Government Mule, moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Little Feat, The Disco Biscuits, Keller Williams, the New Riders, The Derek Trucks Band and more than fifty other acts.
Camp Zoe in Southeastern Missouri, presenting the Schwagstock festivals, headlined by the Grateful Dead tribute act The Schwag, and the Big Summer Classic Festival August 3 – 5 featuring The String Cheese Incident, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Wailers, MOFRO & dozens more.

Posted in Grateful Dead Hour | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »