I was 15 in 1994 when I saw my first GratefulDead show, a life changing experience. I know Jerry may have had periods where he was more fluid, but every time I listen to a show from a particular year, they just seem to be different, and better. progressing. He (Jerry) may have have paid particular attention to freed up scales in the late 70s/early 80s, but the sound quality and subliminal depth was sooooo good in the 90s. I love every era. Sorry, a bit tossed and nostalgic .
I have favorite years, but not eras. 72, 79, 77, 84, 90, 91, 94(fall tour) are probably the years I listen to most often. I'm actually not a big fan of their 60's performances like most of fans. I like it, but not as much as what they did after 1970
Do our ears hear different things pertaining to sound, based on personality? We all know when Jerry is going off. Sometimes it seems like he is not going "off" per se, but it just sounds so juicy. Also certain people seem to be attracted to certain styled songs. What songs to love to hear them rock most? For some reason, i find myself most attracted to the country covers and sound. El Pasos, Mexicalis, Cumberlands, Big Rivers, Me & My Uncles, etc. Not that it matters, I love 'em all.
i was lucky i got to see the dead with jerry 46 times because my older brother made me drive summer tour 92 why he and his crew got fucked up all over the country but it was fine with me 17 years old and luvin life the shows i seen were not the best era of the dead but they split my wig open many nights i would say the late 70's were sum good shit
I like 71-72, 74 and 77-79 the most. Early 80s gets some play time as well. I probably like the long crazy jams the most but I still really like the songs. Favorite songs include: Wharf Rat, Bertha, St. Stephen, Dark Star, Terrapin, Mississippi Half-step, CC Rider, Jack Straw
The Pigpen years are the best! Other than that I would hafta say the late 80s and early 90s. Shit I love everything Grateful...
I'm no connoisseur by any means, but from what I've heard my favorite years would probably be '67-69 or '72-74 (w/o Mickey); the former for the wild experimentation by all parties and the latter because there just seems to be a certain looseness and elasticity to the drumming...
It really depends on the mood and context... I think of my library like a wine cellar full of vintage varieties. Those really crispy-crunchy '76 Betty-boards are so sweet... the drummers really had fun with tunes like DancinÕ and Sampson that year or perhaps an '85 Shakedown and the watery base runs of Crazy Fingers ...a marathon '72 Dark Star that explores the depths of forbidden places 1990 is a personal favorite... spring tour had an incredible energy. Terrapin anytime... this anthem that simply speaks for itself don't forget the neaderthal classics of '68-'69... Cryptical-Other One and St. Steven-Eleven how 'bout an early 80's cowboy set with a little polka action to warm things up... followed by a rock solid circle set with familiar combos like Scarlett>Fire... China>Rider.... or Sailor>Saint...... an identifiably themed Drumz into a heavily atmospheric exploration of Space and who could get by without a tender Jerry ballad tucked in there somewhere... all topped off with the Dylan gem Baby Blue ...mmmmm... now that's tasty! ~It all rolls into one~
well i can tell you one thing, they never had a bad era. the dead have always pumped out great jams. they never lost any part of their sound...they just added onto it....so my answer is 1965-2005
early 70's for that raw full sound. i dig the 60's too for that imperfect/ cheap equipment sound, and 1980 cus i personally feel that it was the deads best year.
I agree with the dude who said before pigpen died. I love listening to live shows with pigpen doing a bunch of songs.
I'd say late pigpen-era, 71 and 72. Compare the songs pigpen used to sing like "lovelight" "good lovin", etc. to how they sound later with bobby or someone else singing, no comparisson. Spring tour '77 has some mindblowing shows on it, but I generally find Donna to be annoying. It seems like for every song where she really locks in and adds something to the harmony there are 5 where she's just wailing her head off in a completely inappropriate place and distracting everyone from the jam.
i'd say 69'-72, and then again 77'-79' Pigpen was great, jamming on the hammond organ, the vocals on the songs he sang were great, I love hearing him sing 'turn on your lovelight'. i'll add more a little later tonite, lol
Several people have already expressed my opinion for me so I will just sum it up by saying "Pigpen's the man!" But I mean really, who doesn't love the Grateful Dead?!?
