rcd@opus.UUCP (Dick Dunn) (03/23/85)
> Here are the songlists from the Berkley shows ... > As you will see another long-stanging tradition has been > broken. Last year it was the end of SCARLET-->FIRE and now China Cat--> > I Know You Rider has changed to CHINA CAT --> CUMBERLAND. A friend who was > there said it surprised the shit out of everyone... Come on! First of all, the death of Scarlet->Fire has been much exaggerated. ('e's not quite dead yet (sic).) It showed up at New Year's Eve, for example, even though Scarlet didn't lead to fire at Red Rocks, six months before. Similarly, breaking China Cat and Rider is not entirely unheard-of, just unusual since the two go together so well. One of the interesting characteristics of the way the Dead group songs in concert is the interaction which results between the two songs. This is obviously an effect of which they're aware, so they play with it. At least assume that it takes more than one experiment to figure out how songs will fit together. In fact, they can even wear us down playing with a combination--consider the Stones->Fade Away end to the second set. If I NEVER hear that combination again at the end of a second set, I'll be just as happy, and a lot of other D'Heads feel that way too. The segue from Stones to Fade Away is so natural that it's surprising they didn't find it right away, but it's also somehow overly clever; so is the Fade Away ending. Together they just don't wear well, so they're likely to be a shorter-lived "tradition". Finally, why is anyone "surprised" at something different? Everything they do is different; some of it is just more different. -- Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 ...If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind.
cliff@unmvax.UUCP (03/25/85)
> Similarly, breaking China Cat and Rider is not entirely > unheard-of, just unusual since the two go together so well. Yeah, but China Cumbie? Can't wait for the tapes... > In fact, they can even wear us down playing with a > combination--consider the Stones->Fade Away end to the second set. If I > NEVER hear that combination again at the end of a second set, I'll be just > as happy, and a lot of other D'Heads feel that way too. I'd rather here Throwing Away then Throwing Peter, but both of them can almost get on my nerves... > Finally, why is anyone "surprised" at something different? Everything they > do is different; some of it is just more different. I think it is a plot to ruin my credibility... First I tell people that it looks like we are in for some Rocks dates (although labelled as rumor) and then I tell people that they actually played China Cumbie! Yowsa! > Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 > ...If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind. --Cliff
nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34) (03/27/85)
> > > In fact, they can even wear us down playing with a > > combination--consider the Stones->Fade Away end to the second set. If I > > NEVER hear that combination again at the end of a second set, I'll be just > > as happy, and a lot of other D'Heads feel that way too. > > I'd rather here Throwing Away then Throwing Peter, but both of them can almost > get on my nerves... > > > Finally, why is anyone "surprised" at something different? Everything they > > do is different; some of it is just more different. > > > Dick Dunn {hao,ucbvax,allegra}!nbires!rcd (303)444-5710 x3086 > > ...If you plant ice, you're gonna harvest wind. > > --Cliff You guys are (I hate to say it) spoiled. Maybe if you didn't see and hear (tapes) so many concerts you wouldn't be so picky. They say, 'familiarity breeds contempt.' I think its a case of too much of a good thing. I would be happy to hear Throwing Stones => Not Fade Away or => Black Peter. They both sound like interesting and probably enjoyable combinations. I know it sounds like I want no criticism of the Dead and that everything they do is always wonderful. Of course thats not true, but when you consume every single piece of music they produce you are bound to be dissatisfied. If you are sick of hearing this jam or that, try missing a few shows (I know you dont see every show, but you would want to, wouldn't you). If you smell a rose too long, you cant smell it anymore. Andy Bindman "... Love's to love and not to hold. Its been said before but never been told."