by Robert Wilkinson
August 1 was the 93rd birthday of one of the legends of folk music, the 82nd birthday of one of the creators of Bay Area psychedelic and boogie dance groove music, and is the 73rd birthday of a remarkable Austin producer and musician, as well as the 71st birthday of one of the greatest blues guitarists of our times! We have storytelling and fingerpicking by Ramblin' Jack Eliott, then we're dancing to the Dead, Carole King, and electric blues. As we're beginning early and staying late, take your pick or enjoy them all!
We’ll begin with a short set celebrating the birthday of pioneering folk singer, friend of Woody Guthrie, and mentor to Bob Dylan, the legendary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott (August 1, 1931). I found a few clips live performances of this legend across the years, so enjoy this American original!
First, from 1965 live on Pete Seeger’s tv show Rainbow Quest, a young Jack giving us “San Francisco Bay Blues” and from the same gig, you can see how he mentored Bob Dylan in these next two tunes! “Diamond Joe” and
“Talking Sailor Blues”. From there we move into “Portland Town” and we’ll close with Pete fingerpicking his banjo in a duet of “Mule Skinner Blues”
He went on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969. From that show, a duet with Johnny of “Take Me Home” (Unfortunately, the clip ‘If I Were A Carpenter” is gone, where his fingerpicking gives everyone a glimpse into why Jack’s a legend among performers.)
A real score and why I loved being an Access Television Producer in Austin back at its peak in the middle and late 80s. This comes from Redding Community Access Television in Redding CA in 1988 when the Prism Music Society brought Jack to Redding. For your enjoyment, a solid hour and 32 of storytelling and guitar picking by Ramblin’ Jack Elliot Live at Old City Hall
Here’s an 8+ minute gem from 2011 in Rockville, MD! “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right”
This year I found this duet with Jack and Arlo doing the Woody Guthrie classic “Hard Travelin’”
Our finale is an hour of the legend! In town for the Woodie Guthrie tribute, Jack dropped into this club in OKC in December 2018 and gave us this. Woodie Guthrie Live in Oklahoma City – 2018
The encore is a bit of humor from Sept 2018 in a 33 min. television show! Ramblin’ Jack Elliott – Life and Times
To find out more about this legend, please check out his website at Ramblin Jack Elliott
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Our next set comes courtesy of one of the most beloved lead players in history. Jerome “Jerry” Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) was the lead guitarist and primary songwriter for the band The Grateful Dead. Masters of psychedelic space boogie music, I and millions of others danced countless hours to their groove which went on and on and on, courtesy of two drummers and enough coke to make sure they could actually play several hours at a time with one or no breaks.
Jerry was a master at folk rock, bluegrass, country rock, jazz, rhythm and blues, and psychedelic rock. When he went sonic, it felt like you were in deepest space tuning into cosmic frequencies. With Jerry the Guitar Master leading the journey and Bob Weir’s rhythm with the incredible bottom section of Phil, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart, (accompanied by a variety of keyboard players over the years,) the music of the Dead was always an exercise in improv. Regardless of the original melodic structure, at some point in every song the entire band would blast off into unknown realms of sonic frequencies intertwined with a steady beat so that even when they weren’t playing anything that was danceable, we still danced.
Of course, hard-core Deadheads were always jacked to the max, tape recorders on the ready, in full tie-dye regalia. That’s why we have hundreds of thousands of hours of Grateful Dead concerts available to this day. Their marketing department felt it was good to give the music away and make money off the merchandise. It is said this business model is taught in many business schools to this day. And to note, they kept tie-dyed clothes “fashionable,” if that’s what you could call it. Tie Dye Andy most definitely appreciates it!!
I have some ancient history with the band, since I was somewhat of a Deadhead beginning in the Autumn of 1969, not as rabid as some but definitely and totally in the groove, and even got to hang backstage and with the band in their trailer in the early 80s. I saw them many times, and they would play for hours.
I remember one show in February 1970 in San Antonio where they played for 4 hours and then another hour after the hall cut the electricity and turned on the lights! I danced at their shows all over Texas in the early 70s, and even got manhandled and literally thrown out of an Austin show in November 1973 by the cops because I wouldn't stop dancing, and afterwards I found out thousands more began to dance when they saw me thrown out and it shut the show down! Everyone adjourned to the Armadillo World Headquarters and had an all night party!
Rather than try to describe the joy of the music of the Grateful Dead, I’ll just post some great live concerts I found on the web. They really did make some very happy music that sets feet to dancing!! I found enough concerts between 1966 and 1994 that you should have a grateful time enjoying how the set list evolved over the years.
We’ll begin with a great hour and 19 live audio-only performance by the Dead at the Fillmore in January 1966! The Grateful Dead Live at the Fillmore – Jan 1966
We then go to the Fillmore in July 1966 for “Cream Puff War”
Also in July 1966, we have 30 minutes of the Dead in Canada! The Grateful Dead in Vancouver 1966 (audio only) (Last year’s 55 minute clip is gone)
Here’s a live recording set to stills made at the Avalon in San Francisco in May 1966! 1 hour 7 minutes of the early Grateful Dead! The Grateful Dead at the Avalon 1966 (audio only)
I found these three audio-only gems from their July 1966 show at the Fillmore!
“Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”
I found it again! Here’s the 1 hour 20 minute show at the Fillmore in SF in Nov 19, 1966! The Grateful Dead Live at the Fillmore West – Nov 1966
From 1967, an hour and 38 minutes of the early Dead at their best! The Grateful Dead at Winterland - Oct 1967
Last year I had a great 1 hour 43 performance from the Carousel Ballroom in SF from March 1968, that clip disappeared. However, I found a link that will take you to “Morning Dew” from that show, and autoload the rest! The Grateful Dead Live at the Carousel - 1968
From May that same year, again at the Carousel, a classic jam of the best of the Bay Area, including Jerry, Elvin Bishop, Jack Casady, Mickey Hart, Jorma Kaukonen, Steve Miller, and others in the groove with “Rock Jam”
Here's a very early live performance from the Fillmore East in June 1968, with PigPen out front! It’s an hour and a minute of pure gold! The Grateful Dead Live at the Fillmore East 1968
Live at the Matrix in October 1968, fronting Mickey Hart and the Hartbeats, here's Jerry and Jack Casady, bass player for the Jefferson Airplane, giving us 17+ minutes of "Dark Star."
Here's another early live audio-only performance from the Fillmore West in February 1969, when PigPen was still singing! Here’s an entire 2 hour show of The Grateful Dead at the Fillmore East, 1969.
It’s gone again. Last year I had the entire 1 hour 31 Big Rock Pow Wow show in May 1969 in Hollywood, FL, but this year all we have are these classics!
We’ll begin with “St. Stephen” and move into ”Dark Star.” We pick it up with their first “hit” "Morning Dew" and finish with the infinitely danceable “Me and My Uncle” and the iconic “Turn On Your Love Light”
Live at Woodstock in 1969, the Dead cranking out “Mama Tried.” In a nod to the most famous popular version of this song with Pigpen McKernan on vocals, while it went 45 minutes, I found a 36 minute video of the legendary live performance of “Turn on Your Love Light”
Here's the entire hour and 23 minute audio of their set! The Grateful Dead at Woodstock 1969
From October 1969, a great jam with Jorma Kaukonen! Airplane House Jam 1969
From Jan 1970, an hour and 26 of their show in San Diego!
The Grateful Dead in San Diego 1970
Here's a very early live performance from the Fillmore East in February 1970, when PigPen was still around! Last year I had a 56 minute video but it’s disappeared. So instead, here’s the entire 3 hour and 48 minute show from February 13! The Grateful Dead Live at the Fillmore East 1970
Last year I had the whole 1 hour 38 audio-only show with Peter Green and Duane Allman as guest guitarists, but this year it’s disappeared. However, I did find this great 15 minute clip of ”Lovelight” and this 26 minute clip of then doing ”Dark Star” and “Spanish Jam”
I found it again! Even though it’s obviously a video taken off a television, it’s still classic Dead! It’s a very psychedelic live 29 minute recording from Calebration at the KQED studios in San Francisco in August 1970 with PigPen singing. For your enjoyment, The Grateful Dead Live at the KQED Studios – Calebration 1970
In May 1970 they performed for 4 hours and 13 minutes at Harpur College in NY. Here’s 2 hours and 16 of the show!
The Grateful Dead at Harpur College 1970
From France in June 1971, 59 minutes of an early set list of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead in France 1971
From Nov 1971, I was at this San Antonio show! The whole set is nowhere to be found, but I found these from that concert!
"Black Peter" and "The Other One."
They came back to San Antonio in November 1972, so of course I was there! This was always one of my favorites! “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad” and 25 minutes of “Dark Star”
The whole clip disappeared, but this will take you to the show, one song at a time! From Denmark in April 1972,
The Grateful Dead in Denmark 1972
From August 1972 in Oregon, this 3+ hour audio only show is supposedly one of their best ever! The Grateful Dead in Veneta, OR - 1972
At the Beat Club in Germany 1972, an hour and 23 of The Grateful Dead in Germany 1972
From June 1973 at RFK Stadium, one of my favorites! Here’s 22 minutes of “Eyes of the World”
From October 1974, at Winterland in San Francisco, over 3 hours of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at Winterland 1974
From Jersey City, New Jersey in 1974, a full 3 hour 48 minute concert!
The Grateful Dead at Jersey City 1974
From the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco 1976, 1 hour of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at the Orpheum 1976
The full 2 hour 41 show by the Grateful Dead in Feb 1977 at San Bernardino is back!
The Grateful Dead in San Bernardino 1977
In May 1977 they did a 5+ hour show at the Baltimore Civic Center. This year we have 2 hours and 52!
The Grateful Dead in Baltimore 1977
Two years ago I had 2 hours and 40 of this show. Last year I had video clips, but they’re gone. So this year, from May 1977 at Cornell University, I have the entire show on audio!
The Grateful Dead at Cornell U 1977.
From Winterland on Dec 30, 1977, 2 hours 35 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at Winterland Dec 1977
Here's an audio-only 3 hour 48 clip! The Grateful Dead at Winterland Dec 1977
Also from Winterland on New Years’ Eve 1977, 1 hour 48 minutes of poorly lit video of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead New Year Show 1977
When Winterland closed, the Dead threw a New Year’s Eve party! From Dec 31, 1978, here’s the full 4 hour and 16 show! The Closing of Winterland
From Oakland on New Year’s Eve 1979, 3 hours and 18 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead 1979 New Year’s Eve at Oakland
Here are two I was at! First, live at Manor Downs in Austin in July 1982, 3 hours and 10!
The Grateful Dead at Manor Downs 1982
From Manor Downs in Austin in September 1983, 2 hours and 32 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at Manor Downs 1983
From Austin, Texas on July 4, 1986, 21 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead Live at Willie’s Fourth of July Picnic 1986
That year they played for Farm Aid at Orchard Park, New York in July 1986! Last year I had a full 2 hour and 39 minutes of the Grateful Dead, but this year the whole clip is gone. But I still have some pieces from their set!
”Samson and Delilah,” ”The Wheel,” “I Need A Miracle,” and “Uncle John’s Band.”
”Cold Rain and Snow” and “Fire On The Mountain.”
”Drums,” “Space,” and “Gimme Some Lovin’”
From Shoreline Ampitheater in August 1989, 3 hours and 18 of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at Shoreline – September 1989
From Orchard Park, New York in July 1990, 2 hours and 56 minutes of the Grateful Dead on video!
The Grateful Dead at Rich Stadium 1990
From UNLV in April 1991, 2 hours and 56 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Grateful Dead at UNLV 1991
From Boston in 1991, 8 minutes of video of Jerry and the Dead in a groove with “Cold Rain and Snow”
From Nassau County in April 1993, 2 hours and 30 minutes of the Dead!
The Grateful Dead at Nassau Coliseum 1993
From Madison Square Garden in October 1994, 2 hours and 38 minutes of the Grateful Dead!
The Greatful Dead at Madison Square Garden 1994
From October 1980, on Good Morning America, Good Morning America interviews Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir
From April 1982 on Letterman, the full 15 minute interview! Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir on Letterman
For our closer, from 1988, Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia live in Oakland performing a 27 minute duet for the Bridge School! Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir at the Oakland Coliseum 1988
This year's late editions come courtesy of Alexei. First, we have an hour and 20 of Jerry solo acoustic at Passaic. From April 1992, Jerry Garcia Solo Acoustic in NJ. Second, here's 2 hours and 8 at Asbury Park from July 1977 of The Jerry Garcia Band Live in NJ. And third, here's an hour and 12 of Jerry and David Crosby! Jerry Garcia and David Crosby - The Pirro Sessions
For our encore, the last Grateful Dead concerts. Last year I had an audio-only 2 hours and 31 clip from Soldier Field on July 9, 1995. Jerry died exactly 30 days later. That one’s gone this year, so as a culmination of 30 years of unique music, here's 4 hours and 38 from Soldier Field in Chicago on July 5, 1995! Fare Thee Well - The Grateful Dead Concert - Chicago July 5, 1995. I also found this hour and 15 video from the beginning of the second set of the last Dead concert, set to some psychedelic effects. The Last Grateful Dead Concert - Soldier Field - July 9, 1995
For our second encore, a tune that is uniquely Jerry. And yes, "every single silver lining's got a touch of grey..." For your enjoyment, the playing skeletons of the Grateful Dead delivering up the uniquely dead offering "Touch of Grey"
Thanks to Steve, a Library of Congress 24 minute interview with Jerry Garcia done May 23, 1988! Off the record interview with Jerry Garcia
Sorry we lost you too soon, Jerry, but that’s the wage of age coupled with too many powders over too many years. RIP my Shaman Brother. At least in rock and roll heaven they have a first class banjo player!
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We now celebrate the birthday of my old friend from Austin, the extraordinarily talented Mark Hallman (August 1, 1951) of the Congress House Studio in Austin, Texas. Mark’s a master multi-instrumentalist and producer who has worked with Carole King, Eliza Gilkyson, Iain Matthews, Shawn Colvin, Will Sexton, Marcia Ball, Eric Johnson, Robert Earl Keen, Jimmy Vaughan, and too many more greats to list here.
You can catch Mark as the shaggy “second” guitarist backing Carole King in her one hour 1982 television special, Carole King – One to One, This year I found that entire memorable show in one file, so for your enjoyment, here’s “One to One!”
I compiled this set list of individual songs a while back, and they’re all still good. If you’d rather just check out one or two from this memorable show, here they are! So on with the show. From the beginning, and a-one and a-two and.....
“Someone You Never Met Before”
For a closer, I found a great live clip from Texas Soundstage in 1985 with Mark and Cry Wolf cranking out "If I Could Change"
For an encore, here’s Mark live in the studio, unplugged! “Child Song”
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Besides Jack, Jerry and Mark, August 1 is also the birthday of the amazing blues guitarist Robert Cray! Our final set of the night is some serious blues dancing!
Robert Cray (August 1, 1953) is one of the top blues cats alive today, and sending up some amazing licks and tunes. We’ll lead off his set with a tune straight from the Chicago Blues classic catalog!
Here’s Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, and Hubert Sumlin cranking out a song everyone in the world can swing to, the amazing “Sweet Home Chicago”
From Mammoth Lakes, CA in 2011, Robert Cray struttin’ to “Anytime”
Simply amazing! “Smoking Gun”
Eric Clapton and Robert Cray in a song they wrote together, live on David Sanborn’s Night Music! “Old Love”
Here’s a great 7 minute live performance of “Love 2009” and another 6+ minutes of “Chicken In the Kitchen”
From Glasgow 2012, Robert live giving us “One in the Middle”Going back to the early days in our time machine, we found this 24 minute clip of Robert on tv in 1983 and 1986! Robert Cray – The Tube 1983 and 1986
From Keith Richards’ tribute to Chuck Berry, the 1986 concert Hail Hail Rock and Roll, here’s Robert Cray’s contribution! This is one of the best versions of the tune I’ve ever heard! So for your enjoyment, an all star band cranking out “Brown Eyed Handsome Man”
His hour show in 1989 at Atlanta has disappeared, so instead, here’s an hour of da blooze in Northern California in the Summer of 1991! Robert Cray Live at the Paul Masson winery - 1991
From 1990, here’s Robert live on Austin City Limits giving us “Right Next Door” and from the same gig, The Forecast (Calls for Pain).
From the 2005 Montreux Jazz Festival, here’s 52 minutes of blistering blues! Robert Cray at Montreux 2005
From 2008, another 47 minute set at Montreux! Robert Cray at Montreux 2008
From the 2010 Crossroads Festival, here’s Robert, Howard Sumlin, and Jimmy Vaughan cranking out “Killin’ Floor” which we’ll follow with ”Six Strings Down”
Here’s a great 48 minute set at the 2011 Montreux Festival featuring Robert! Robert Cray at Montreux 2011
Bringin’ it all back home to the present, I found a few from 2022!
From March 13, 2022 in Lexington, MA, going into serious blues guitar work with “Phone Booth”
From March 27, 2022 in Madison, Wisconsin, here’s “Strong Persuader”
From June 28, 2022 in Stockholm, here’s 12 minutes of Robert delivering “Shiver” and “Time Makes Two”
We’ll close the dance with a great offering from 1990! Here’s Robert, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Vaughan, and Buddy Guy with a straight up blistering version of “Sweet Home Chicago”
For our encore, even though Robert doesn’t play on this clip, if we’re talking “Sweet Home Chicago,” there’s one classic clip that must be played, since we’re “on a mission from God!” Here’s the classic scene from the “Blues Brothers,” with Jake and Elwood taking us to church with “Sweet Home Chicago”
So here’s a big happy to four of my favorite Leo musicians! The world’s a better place for the music the four of you have given the world throughout your lives. “And we all shine on ....”
Copyright © 2024 Robert Wilkinson
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