I'm joined by guest Phil Stacey as we dig into the catalog of the Grateful Dead, starting with the band's 1967 debut.
Show notes:
Recorded at CompCon world HQ
Other podcasts have focused on catalogs of U2, R.E.M., Phish, The Tragically Hip
Looking at the Dead album by album
Phil's a tie-dyed in the wool Deadhead, Jay has only superficial knowledge of the band
Phil: Got into the Dead in the mid-'80s, saw them live in '89
Attracted by the musicianship, lyrics
Live is where the band really shines
Every show was different
The solo work from Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir was pivotal as well
Songs would be played live years before it showed up on an album
Band's biggest hit, "Touch of Grey," was first played live in '82 but became a single five years later
Jay: More into hard rock, metal as a kid
Got into alternative and punk
Would hear some Dead songs on classic rock radio
The tribute comp Deadicated introduced me to more Dead songs
Self-titled debut has a different sound than the one they evolved into
Recorded in four days
Only got up to #73 on album charts
Mostly covers of folk and jug band songs
Band took a lot of speed during recording, which shows in the songs
Garcia rips on guitar throughout
Not too much jamming on record
Psychedelic rock was starting to happen in general
Live versions of these songs were much longer
Most Dead shows were 2.5 to 3 hours
Jay: Really liked "Cold Rain and Snow," "Viola Lee Blues"
"Sitting on Top of the World" bears some resemblance to Allman Brothers
Phil: Garcia was very prolific, always playing guitar
Bob Weir gave up the short shorts for cargo pants
John Mayer plays with Dead and Co. now
Surviving Dead guys are in their 70s now
Not your typical Dead album
The band didn't like how it was recorded
Next up: Anthem of the Sun
Completely Conspicuous is available through the iTunes podcast directory. Subscribe and write a review!
The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.