[mikeohiostate]

I have listened to live recordings from all tours, line-ups, and era's of the Grateful Dead. And I always find myself coming back to the European tour of 1972 as my favorite. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but it was during this tour that they seem to be at the climax (don't get me wrong, the remaining decades had some good times).


Is it maybe becuase they did this tour with BOTH Pigpen & Keith?

Bob's voice sounds great, and so does Jerry's. Pigpen (although in declining health) was awesome. Donna is not so bad.

The guitar interaction between Bob, Jerry, and Phil is amazing.

The drummer (Billy) sounds great. The drums sounds clearer with only one drummer. Don't get me wrong, Mickey is an amazing drummer, but sometimes it just got to be to much.)

I believe 4 albums have been made out of this tour: Europe '72, Hundred Year Hall, Steppin' Out of London, Rockin' the Rhein. I wouldn't be surprised if they released more.

There is a great show at nugs.net:
http://stash.nugs.net/attics/720504_mp3 ... &cmd=shows


What do you think?!?!?!?!

[Guest]

I'll agree that it doesn't really get better than E 72, but Fall 1972 is pretty darn bodacious too, as is summer 1973, fall 1973, spring 1973, winter 1968, winter 1969, all of 1970, spring 1971, fall 1971, summer 1983, spring 1990, the whole damn year of 1981...

You'll notice late 70's under-represented in my list, because I do feel it is a pretty overrated time, mostly due to Keith's decline, the drummer's injuries, Phil's occaissional drunken sloppiness and of course the unpredicatble explosive vocal wail...

[tigerstrat]

I'll agree that it doesn't really get better than E 72, but Fall 1972 is pretty darn bodacious too, as is summer 1973, fall 1973, spring 1973, winter 1968, winter 1969, all of 1970, spring 1971, fall 1971, summer 1983, spring 1990, the whole damn year of 1981...

You'll notice late 70's under-represented in my list, because I do feel it is a pretty overrated time, mostly due to Keith's decline, the drummer's injuries, Phil's occaissional drunken sloppiness and of course the unpredicatble explosive vocal wail...

oops forgot to log in. That's my drivel. Flame away...

[phreaker]

I voted it was...

summer 73 was damn good though, but all around

72's got it.

[mikeohiostate]

i agree.

the early days with Pigpen was good stuff, but it wasnt the GD music that they later became.


The Pigpen w/ Keith era is my favorite (e72)

The keith era is amazing, good stuff up untill the decline.


Brent era had some good funky shows, but nothing like the earlier era's. the 80's were plaqued with Jerrys health and other problems.

Im not to fond of the Welnick era. The only shows I like from the 90's are the ones with Hornsby and Branford Marlasis.

[hirsh39]

I think I would have to agree that E 72 was the best tour ever. I have most of the shows as well as the album and they are pretty unparralleled as far as tours go

[tigerstrat]

I'll have to pick fall 1973, mainly for the jamming and songs, but the added appeal of it being the final chapter of the Jerry/Bob/Phil trio vocals really clinches it for me. I dunno though... January/February of 1969 just cannot be beat.

[strumminsix]

Spring of '73 is the best ever IMO.
Most of '74 is a blast as well.

[AugustWest]

I like fall 72 the best but Europe is still great. fall 73 is unbelievable. I love winter 79 as well, but on a night to night basis it isn't nearly as tight as 72 and 73. But I do think that spring and summer 90 are simply amazing night in and night out. I agree that late 70's are overated it's a good time period for Jerry and Bob, but the rest of the band is lacking during this period. That's why I love 89 and 90 gotta have my Phil.

[AugustWest]

I understand being bias (bass player here), everyone has something different that they love about the dead. Even though I can't stand Vince I still would rather listen to a 91 or 92 show than 99% of the other bands out there. And I agree the early 70's have a classic feel, like they've tapped the true spirit of america. Mind blowing shit. But on a perfet summer day drive give me an 89 or spring 90 show and I've reached heaven.

[mikeohiostate]

My problem with 80's and 90's Dead has to do with Brent's synth stuff and Bob's guitar sound. Hence, the acoustic sets are an oasis for me.

Bob actually started using lame guitar effects, lame guitars, or both in the late 70's, but it kept getting worse. His older sound is my inspiration as a rhythm guitarist, and I tend to use effects SPARINGLY.

So, I'm biased in that way.

i couldnt agree with you more.

I thought the band had it all together with Pigpen, TC, and Keith. Brent added some good energy, but I never was into all his synths.

My lord, Bob... Someone please take that damn slide off his finger! Where did he go so wrong? I think towards the end he started acting more like a frontman then a rythm guitarist. Oh well... the 70's kicked ass.

As for Vince, I'm not heavy on the 90s. However, I do dig those Hornsby/Branford shows A TON.


If only I had a time machine....

[ded1hed]

my favorite era would have to be early 71
pig was still doin his thing and something about jerrys guitar sounds more raw, whatever it is thats prob.my fav run.

that ladies and gentlemen set captures some of these shows,, the dead at perhaps their finest.

[strumminsix]

The problem with Bob's rig is that he went all MIDI, IMO.

Take his lates 70s:
IVP preamp - very solid unit
UE400 - classic great ibanez effects

This actually produced a great tone!

Then he goes midi with that damn casio, yuck.

Then Healy's hatred of him comes through and he is poorly represented in the mix.

Then the touchheads come on board and look to Jerry like a God.

Then many of the Deadheads turn into Jerry heads.


Honestly, I almost feel sorry for Bob and don't blame him one bit for trying to ensure he was enjoying the ride since he obviously was getting neglected by everyone but his bandmates!

However, he did deserve the ridicule for the casio midi era.

[amyjared]

The best tours were the ones I was on! That makes '84-'93 my faves, including those shows in Europe where I could walk up to the front row without hassles, dance with enough space to not bump into people and see new Heads getting turned on right and left. Just my opinion. -amyjared

[bigearn86]

I agree with with what ded1hed had to say about it all. I think 71 was better also. Ladies and Gentlemen The Grateful Dead is my alltime favorite live set.The closing of Winterland in 78 was also a good one. Jerry really got into Johnny B. Goode towards the end of the show. You would have to see the DVD of it to know what I'm talking about. You didn't see Jerry do that very often...