The dictionary defines longevity as the length of time, of someone's career. 50 years, should definitely qualify as longevity, for The Grateful Dead. In that time, they have become an institution of American music and of the counter-cultural hippie generation, through the power of their songs, and the lyrics they contain. Most of those lyrics, can be attributed, to two men. Lyricist, Robert Hunter, and the late, great, Jerry Garcia... the founding member, of the band. It is that songwriting tandem of Garcia, and Hunter, and their mastery of the pen, that makes the songs, so memorable. Founding guitarist and vocalist, Bob Weir, also makes several contributions, as does bassist/vocalist, Phil Lesh, to the Grateful Dead's musical cannon.
Garcia, and a number of other members of The Grateful Dead, have passed on, through the years. For the 50th anniversary shows, particularly those captured on the CD and DVD, held at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, friends of the band, were asked to be a part of the celebration. On lead guitar, along with Bob Weir... Trey Anastasio, the vibrant front man of Phish and the Trey Anastasio Band. On Hammond B3 organ, and electric keyboards, Jeff Chimenti, and on piano, a great songwriter, and someone who has come from songwriting, and recording his own solo albums, to being a fixture on the jam band scene... Bruce Hornsby.
The Grateful Dead, were one of the first bands, probably, to openly "jam" during shows. In later years, other bands, would put their own stamp, on improvisational music, in a rock and roll idiom, even though the improvisation idea, clearly came out of jazz. Grateful Dead songs, strike a fine balance, between lyrical poetry, and musical nuance. Trey Anastasio (much like Jerry Garcia), finds places, to bring the guitar, to the fore. But, let us not forget, the importance, of Chimenti's organ, and Hornsby's piano, in the instrumental nuance department.
Chimenti and Hornsby, follow in a long line, of keyboardists, for the band, including Tom Constanten, Keith Godchaux, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Brent Mydland, and Vince Welnick. Most of the songs, are instantly recognizable to Deadheads everywhere. If you are a new fan, take a good listen to each one. This is truly, a listening experience, for the lyrics. To this day, these songs, stand up, and are rock solid, as an intertwining of counter-cultural rebellion, and, genuine storytelling. Fans in attendance, had to know, that the presence, of the dearly departed was being felt.
Phil Lesh, said in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine's David Fricke, that the band, used to envision, (and talk about), a psychedelic "rock and roll satellite". Beam me up. Peace and love, daddy-o. Many of the jams, did reach for the stratosphere, especially in the interplay between Anastasio, Lesh, Chimenti, and Hornsby. The ethereal magic, is felt, in a number of the songs, while others, are more concise, instrumentally, while the lyrics, paint vivid pictures, in many hues, and are full of authenticity, and integrity.
One of the songs, early in the set, is a Garcia/Hunter composition, called "Built To Last" from the band's final studio album, of the same name, released in 1989. The chorus, and a following verse, epitomizes the concept of lyrics written by Garcia and Hunter.
Built to last 'til time of seven
Falls tumbling from the sky
Built to last 'til lightness fades
And darkness falls on all
Built to last 'til years roll back
Our couch perched in the sky
Show me something different
Or something built to try
All the stars, are gone but one
Morning dreams, we found the sun
Show me something built to last
Well, The Grateful Dead's songs, are most definitely, "built to last", even though their half century career, has come to a close. You can name, any of the great songs, that were played, and they were instantly recognizable, especially those like "China Cat Sunflower", "I Know You Rider", "Samson & Delilah", "Mountains of The Moon", "Truckin' ", "Cassidy", the somber tones of "Unbroken Chain" (sung by Phil Lesh), and "Days Between" (sung by Bob Weir), the uptempo "Not Fade Away", (the Buddy Holly classic), "Touch of Grey" (Trey Anastasio, sings the first verse, and Bob Weir, sings the rest, wearing a "Let Trey Sing", t shirt... too cool!), and, the set closer, for the July 5th concert, and the whole reunion, "Attics of My Life".
"Attics of My Life", was another poignant reminder, of the band's legacy. Each and every distinct song, has meaning, and purpose. The band, embraces each other, and gets a roaring applause from it's fans. Mickey Hart, adds one more poignant thought, just as Jerry Garcia would say. "Be kind, to one another."
Listen to the CD, and watch the DVD. This record, is definitely worth your time, as a listening experience, and as a viewing experience, with the two DVD discs. A masterful documentation, of the final triumph, of one of the greatest bands, in musical history. Here is the set list, though, in different order, for the CD and the DVD, from the show, which is split into two DVDs, and three CD's.
Grateful Dead "Fare Thee Well" Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, July 5th, 2015
1. China Cat Sunflower
2. I Know You Rider
3. Estimated Prophet
4. Built To Last
5. Samson And Delilah
6. Mountains of The Moon
7. Throwing Stones
8. Truckin'
9. Cassidy
10. Althea
11. Terrapin Station
12. Drums
13. Space
14. Unbroken Chain
15. Days Between
16. Not Fade Away
17. Touch of Grey
18. Attics of My Life
No comments:
Post a Comment