Meloday Monday

Grateful Dead 

Jack Straw

July 9th, 1989 

East Rutherford, New Jersey

 First performance: October 19, 1971, at Northrop Auditorium, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. "Jack Straw" appeared in the first set, between  "Black Peter" and "Big Railroad Blues." The show was notable for several other firsts: it was Keith Godchaux's first show; and saw the premieres of  "Tennessee Jed," "Mexicali Blues," "Comes a Time," "One More Saturday Night," and "Ramble On Rose."

JG

304.00

Do you ever think about times in your life that you turn a part of yourself off?  Like an override button to allow you to take that transition into something your reconditioned response would say no to.  The old primitive brain overthrowing the new brain.  That old brain is a force to be reckoned with.  Seniority I guess.  Hindsight is without a doubt 20/20.  "We, as human beings are desire machines.  We fulfill one and move right on to the next one with a never ending stream of desires."  I am my own biggest hindrance for the most part. A sympathetic morsel feeding your always indulging appetite that screams never enough.  Just like the never ending appetite of fire.  Think about it, you need to feed a fire or else it will dwindle and eventually extinguish.  Nobody really wants to be around when the fire goes out.  Anticipate below the happy medium and expect nothing.  The odds are against me.  The chips are stacked high and there is a lot at stake.  These years have worn me thin.  A very tired shell of what I once was and yet a heart and sense of wonder of a child.   It's weird that I begin these with a few sentences and leave them to linger for weeks only to pick it back up a hundred miles away from where I left off.  I am all over the place.  An epitome of a racing mind.  Funny how we always know what the right thing to do is and we opt for what is behind door number two.  Even though we can't see what is behind door number two, we know exactly what it is.  I can talk myself into and outta anything.  This cold weather brings back familiar feelings of waking up with desperation on my shoulders, dictating my agenda.  An Arctic tundra encased within myself promoting and producing bad seeds because the soil is frozen.  The vision is narrow and it seem that there is only one direction.  Gravitating towards those walking in that path.  The only thing better than one scheming hijacked brain is two.  Exponential growth is always welcomed.  Take notice that there are no beware of a knife in the back sign anywhere.  DOA, black cobra, fire, undertaker...kinda morbid but so fitting for something that will steal your soul.  The sounds of garbage cans emptying at four a.m.  Thoughts that my door was going to burst open at any second.  The morning comes greeting me at a such an unwanted time to be conscience.  An extreme high rate of anxiety pulsating through my being most of the time.  Fear and loneliness with every ounce of good intentions pushed down deep for another day.  This day has no use for them.  Swallowed whole.  Heroin...as if it has some sort of intrinsic value.  Stick a cotton ball in the corner of my eye and draw up my tears with a syringe.  I'll save it for a later date when I can no longer shed some.  Worthless, worthless, this too is worthless! 

JG 

Melody Monday

Phil Lesh & Friends 

Roseland Ballroom

Morning Dew 11/11/12

Walk me out, in the morning dew, my honey.  What a three day rip and one hell of an east coast fall tour as a whole!  Thank you Phil Lesh and Friends for making it a moment in my life that I will never forget.

(~);}

11/18/12 (Sun)  Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

Set 1: Here Comes Sunshine > Row Jimmy, Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues, Built to Last (1), Just A Little Light, Brown Sugar (2), Tennessee Jed (3), The Weight (4)

Set 2: Playing in the Band, Cryptical Envelopment > The Other One > Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > Dark Star > Low Rider Jam > St. Stephen > Lovelight > Dark Star > Morning Dew, Playing in the Band (reprise) E: Brokedown Palace

Comment: (1) last time played by Phil & Friends: 11/16/08 Nokia Theatre, NYC
(2) with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, last time played by Phil & Friends: 11/06/07 Nokia Theatre, NYC
(3) with Teresa Williams
(4) with Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams 

 

11/17/12 (Sat)  Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

Set 1: Alabama Getaway, Ramble On Rose, Friend of the Devil, Candyman, After Midnight, Next Time You See Me (1), Don't Ease Me In

Set 2: Iko Iko, Shakedown Street > Jam > Sugaree > Bird Song > Revolution > All Along the Watchtower > Terrapin Station > Midnight Hour E: Ripple

Comment: (1) last time played by Phil & Friends: 11/09/08 Nokia Theatre, NYC 

 

11/16/12 (Fri)  Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

Set 1: Let the Good Times Roll (1) > Loose Lucy, Peggy-O, Brown Eyed Women, Good Morning Little Schoolgirl, Bertha, Cosmic Charlie

Set 2: Not Fade Away > Early Morning Rain, Cumberland Blues, A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall > The Wheel > Stella Blue, China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider E: Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad

Comment: (1) last time played by Phil & Friends: 7/19/06 Kansas City 

 

11/15/12 (Thu)  Capitol Theatre - Port Chester, NY

Set 1: Jack Straw, Mississippi Half Step > Crazy Fingers > Jam > He's Gone > Cold Rain and Snow > Ship of Fools > Mason's Children

Set 2: Dear Mr. Fantasy > Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Viola Lee Blues > Alligator > The Eleven > Standing on the Moon > Uncle John's Band > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower E: Box of Rain

11/13/12 (Tue)  Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

Set 1: Touch of Grey, Reuben & Cherise, Ramble On Rose, They Love Each Other, Must've Been the Roses, Here Comes the Sun, Good Lovin'

Set 2: Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet > Eyes of the World > Somewhere Over the Rainbow (1), Playing in the Band > Jam > Comes A Time > Let It Grow > Jam > Playing in the Band (reprise) E: Not Fade Away

Comment: (1) instrumental 

 

11/12/12 (Mon)  Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

Set 1: Dire Wolf, Friend of the Devil, Loser, Deal, Sugaree, Black Peter > Casey Jones

Set 2: Shakedown Street > Jam > New Speedway Boogie > Jam > Unbroken Chain > Eleanor Rigby (1) > Wharf Rat > Caution > Death Don't Have No Mercy > Viola Lee Blues E: St. Stephen > Satisfaction

Comment: (1) instrumental 

 

 

11/11/12 (Sun)  Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

Set 1: Alligator, Bird Song, Till the Light Comes (1), Strawberry Fields Forever, Franklin's Tower

Set 2: Dweller on the Threshold (2), Doin' That Rag, Just Another Whistle Stop (3), Althea, Cosmic Charlie

Set 3: Jam (4) > Mountains of the Moon (4) > The Other One (4) > Dark Star (4) > Stairway to Heaven (5) > Dark Star (4) > Jam (4) > All Along the Watchtower (4) > Morning Dew (4) > Dark Star (4) E: U.S. Blues (4)

Comment: (1) Jackie Greene song, first time played live by Phil & Friends
(2) Van Morrison cover, first time played live by Phil & Friends
(3) last time played by Phil & Friends: 6/23/06, Tampa FL
(4) with Stanley Jordan
(5) with Stanley Jordan, played once before by Phil & Friends, on 7/27/12 in San Rafael 

 

11/09/12 (Fri)  Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ

Set 1: Jack Straw, Loser, Mama Tried, Mr. Charlie, Pride of Cucamonga, Crazy Fingers (1), Bertha (1), Cumberland Blues (1)

Set 2: The Wheel (1) > Magic Bus (1) > Goin' Down the Road Feeling Bad (1), Life is a Carnival (1) > Uncle John's Band (1), Mountain Song > Wharf Rat > Scarlet Begonias (1) > Fire on the Mountain E: Turn On Your Lovelight

Comment: (1) with Jason Crosby 

 

 

11/08/12 (Thu)  Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ

Set 1: Truckin', Any Road, Early Morning Rain, Ship of Fools, He's Gone > Cold Rain and Snow > New Speedway Boogie > Mason's Children

Set 2: Across the Universe > Mountains of the Moon, St. Stephen > The Eleven > Wish You Were Here > China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider, So Many Roads, Not Fade Away E: And We Bid You Goodnight

 

 

11/07/12 (Wed)  Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ

Set 1: Mississippi Half Step, Let Me Sing Your Blues Away (1), Row Jimmy, Stella Blue, Here Comes Sunshine, Eyes of the World, Weather Report Suite Prelude > WRS Part I > Let It Grow

Set 2: Playing in the Band > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Unbroken Chain, Help on the Way > Slipknot! > Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion) > The Other One > Slipknot! > Franklin's Tower E: China Doll > Playing in the Band (reprise)

Comment: (1) first time played live by Phil & Friends

 

JG

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meldoy Monday

Phil Lesh and Friends 

11/11/12 Roseland Ballroom, NYC

Stairway To Heaven

Just a little snippet from last night's show at the Roseland.  Can't wait to see what these next two days have in store.

(~);}

JG

11/11/12 (Sun) Roseland Ballroom - New York, NY

Set 1: Alligator, Bird Song, Till the Light Comes (1), Strawberry Fields Forever, Franklin's Tower

Set 2: Dweller on the Threshold (2), Doin' That Rag, Just Another Whistle Stop (3), Althea, Cosmic Charlie

Set 3: Jam (4) > Mountains of the Moon (4) > The Other One (4) > Dark Star (4) > Stairway to Heaven (5) > Dark Star (4) > Jam (4) > All Al

ong the Watchtower (4) > Morning Dew (4) > Dark Star (4) E: U.S. Blues (4)

Comment: (1) Jackie Greene song, first time played live by Phil & Friends
(2) John Kadlecik song, first time played live by Phil & Friends
(3) last time played by Phil & Friends: 6/23/06, Tampa FL
(4) with Stanley Jordan
(5) with Stanley Jordan, played once before by Phil & Friends, on 7/27/12 in San Rafael

Lineup: Phil Lesh
John Kadlecik
Jackie Greene
Joe Russo
Jeff Chimenti

#epicshow(~):}

Melody Monday

JG

Melody Monday

 Eels 

Novocaine For The Soul

 

JG

Haiku are you?

Hopscotch addict

hop hop hop hop hop hop hop

hop hop hop hop hop

Axis one through five

There is nowhere to hideout 

Embrace your pathway

Run around rabbit

Filthy bathroom stalls at night

Refined and obscene

Chasing the dragon
You know it runs much faster
Dungeons and dragons

Going to the show
A tune in your heart and soul
Melody lovin'

I don't need no arms around me.
And I don't need no drugs to calm me.
I have seen the writing on the wall.
Don't think I need anything at all.
No! Don't think I'll need anything at all.
All in all it was all just bricks in the wall.
All in all you were all just bricks in the wall.

JG





 

Melody Monday

As I went and witnessed the Aussie Floyd this past Saturday, this song stuck out the most.

JG

I Have Seen the Writing On the Wall

Pink Floyd

The Wall Movie

By Roger Waters

Analysis
 By Bret Urick

JG

Just Another Whimsical Wednesday

   Around and around and around.  I want to see the plan.  I wonder what the shadow of the dancing candlelight on the wall in the dark is really thinking.  Probably too caught up in the moment. Swaying with the air to that tune only heard and played for it exclusively.  To look at and beyond all logical and naturalism of this world.  That is where it starts to get interesting.  Cartoon network.  The solace of my surroundings.  Wandering thoughts on a starlit night.  Such company to keep.  Invited and uninvited.  The days have grown colder and I must be really careful to not let my heart do the same.  It's so easy to internalize situations and let them take the wheel.  Free rides in the circus midway in my mind.  Make sure you stay for the matinee and don't bother to pick up your garbage.  I've got it.  Really, it's under control...every little kernel.  Reprieving the day away on a white sandy beach with turquoise waters that fade into a deep dark blue.  Unlock the prison door, go free and you will reprieve no more.  Some days make sense and other days are bit opaque.  I'm an analytical creature of habit with quite the standard deviation in my data.  Decisions will make or break you without a doubt.  It's never too late though!  Thinking about the two year flu.  The walking dead.  Winter never goes away in that moment.  Living smack dab in the middle of Antarctica.  Fear, anxiety, desperation divided by uncertainty...also known as loss of control.  Borrowed time eclipsing into getting better or getting worse.  Decisions will make or break you!  I was one of those birds that fell out of the nest and bumped my head, repeatedly.  Fortunately, the cat never came along to pick me up.  I'm not cured nor will I ever be.  I'm just like you, however my alleles are a little different.  Bradley, would you and Lou Dog take us up out of here with some west coast lovin'?

To be continued...

JG

Melody Monday

 Ramble On Rose 

[Live at JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, PA July 7, 1989] 

Just like Jack the Ripper
Just like Mojo Hand
Just like Billy Sunday
In a shotgun ragtime band
Just like New York City
Just like Jericho
Pace the halls and climb the walls
Get out when they blow

Did you say your name was
Ramblin' Rose
Ramble on, baby
Settle down easy
Ramble on, Rose

Just like Jack and Jill
Mama told the sailor
One heat up and one cool down
Leave nothin' for the tailor
Just like Jack and Jill
My Papa told the jailer
One go up and one come down

Do yourself a favor

Did you say your name was
Ramblin' Rose
Ramble on, baby
Settle down easy
Ramble on, Rose

I'm gonna sing you a hundred verses in ragtime
I know this song it ain't ever gonna end
I'm gonna march you up and down the local county line
Take you to the leader of the band

Just like Crazy Otto
Just like Wolfman Jack
Sittin' plush with a royal flush

Aces back to back
Just like Mary Shelley
Just like Frankenstein
Clank your chains and count your change
Try to walk the line

Did you say your name was
Ramblin' Rose
Ramble on, baby
Settle down easy
Ramble on, Rose

I'm gonna sing you a hundred verses in ragtime
I know this song it ain't ever gonna end
I'm gonna march you up and down the local county line
Take you to the leader of the band

Goodbye, Mama and Papa
Goodbye, Jack and Jill
The grass ain't greener, the wine ain't sweeter
either side of the hill.

Did you say your name was
Ramblin' Rose?
Ramble on, baby
Settle down easy
Ramble on, Rose

Ramble on Rose

It was introduced on Tuesday, October 19, 1971 at the Northrop Auditorium at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The show is noteworthy for a number of reasons. First performances at the show, besides "Ramble on Rose," included "Comes a time," "Mexicali Blues," "Saturday Night," (on a Tuesday!), and "Tennessee Jed." It was also Keith Godchaux's first show. "Ramble On Rose" occupied the #2 spot in the second set, following "Truckin'," and preceding "Me and Bobby McGee." Since then, it has remained in the repertoire, placing 38th in frequency of performance as of 1986.  

INTERPRETATION

Perhaps the main point made by this song is that a lyric doesn't need a firm interpretation in order to be evocative. Depending on the listener, this song could be about American music itself, or about a card game, or about a man saying so long to an immature lover. At least three Jacks are invoked: Jack the Ripper, Jack (of Jack and Jill), and Wolfman Jack, which could easily be construed as constituting a poker hand. Tin Pan Alley, the Blues, Ragtime, Spirituals, Folk, Nursery rhymes, Country & Western, and Rock and Roll are all brought into the song, as noted in subsequent links, below. And the narrator seems to be addressing a lover who is determined to leave him on the subject of growing up, of settling down, of not always trying to find greener grass elsewhere.

How could one person be "just like" so many varied characters and situations? Look at any one person's life, and you will find the answer. There is no black and white answer to this song, just as there is no black and white answer to the questions of life itself. Hunter's hyperbolic use of the "just like" simile is a way of granting us the freedom to find our metaphors where we may, depending on the situation.

Most of my information and lyrics come from The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics website (http://artsites.ucsc.edu/GDead/agdl/gdhome.html) and The Complete Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics by David Dodd.

"I can't figure out if it's the end or beginning..."

JG

Mission in the Rain

(~);}

JG

Melody Monday

The Band - The Shape I'm In

Go out yonder, peace in the valley
Come downtown, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

Has anybody seen my lady?
This living alone will drive me crazy
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

I'm gonna go down by the water
But I ain't gonna jump in, no, no
I'll just be looking for my neighbor
And I hear that's where she's been? Oh!

Out of nine lives, I spent seven
Now, how in the world do you get to Heaven?
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

I just spent 60 days in the jailhouse
For the crime of having no dough
Now here I am back out on the street
For the crime of having nowhere to go

Save your neck or save your brother
Looks like it's one or the other
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

Now two young kids might start a ruckus
You know they feel you trying to shuck us
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in

I would have loved to spent some time at Big Pink

RIP Richard Manuel and Levon Helm...

 

Virgil Kane is the name
And I served on the Danville train
'Till Stoneman's cavalry came
And tore up the tracks again

In the winter of '65
We were hungry, just barely alive
By May the 10th, Richmond had fell
It's a time I remember, oh so well

The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"

Back with my wife in Tennessee
When one day she called to me
"Virgil, quick, come see,
There goes Robert E. Lee!"

Now, I don't mind chopping wood
And I don't care if the money's no good
You take what you need
And you leave the rest
But they should never
Have taken the very best

The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"

Like my father before me
I will work the land
And like my brother above me
Who took a rebel stand

He was just 18, proud and brave
But a Yankee laid him in his grave
I swear by the mud below my feet
You can't raise a Kane back up
When he's in defeat

The night they drove old Dixie down
And the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la"

The night they drove old Dixie down
And all the bells were ringing
The night they drove old Dixie down
And the people were singing
They went, "Na, na, la, na, na, la" 

JG

July 14th, 2012

Further was at MCU Park.  Just a few quick snapshots from around Coney Island.

Have a weird and strange day folks!

JG

¿Cómo se llama Usted?

He said his name was Jeff Goldblum from 1986.  I'm pretty sure I smelt the hard cider...

Have a wild day today!

JG