Grateful Dead - Bird Song - 08/27/72 - Old Renaissance Faire Grounds, Veneta, OR (Sunshine Daydream)

From the Sunshine Daydream DVD. Beautiful song about the then late Janis Joplin. Jerry at his heartfelt best, uploaded on the 20th anniversary of his passing, RIP. And yes, it’s naked pole guy, with hundreds of comments about him here at least! Peace

[@DB-LBC]

How lucky are we that we get to watch this anytime

[@maico450]

I agree. I think KZbin is one of the finest aspects of this digital world we find ourselves in today. At the time this concert was happening, I was finishing my first summer out of high school, not a care in the world! But I had no idea of the Grateful Dead either as I was pretty naive at 17.

[@shaolin_tcg4727]

Blessed

[@deweypug]

...and I get transported to a hot sunny western day, feeling like I was there. -Peace to all

[@usernameinvalid2675]

It’s a gift for sure

[@AJ_Deadshow]

Too lucky. I mean, to be alive when the Dead played-- hell, to be a teenager in 1965 (btw I noticed your comment has 65 likes at the time of writing... let's keep it below 95 people. You all know why) would have been fucking awesome, amazing beyond words. (And I'm sure they had their share of bad times just like we have ours. But let's not go around comparing suffering.) But to be alive now?? Dude, the further into the future we get, the more long lost dead tapes are discovered and released. Things that many diehard deadheads have never even heard! It's insane!!

[@laurawaight4705]

I consider myself one of earth’s luckiest human beings to have been on the planet at the same time as the Grateful Dead and to have had the great fortune to have seen them live many many times.

[@wavery5892]

I envy you Laura

[@randylego7537]

Hey Laura .....I saw their show back in 1974....can't remember much...I did find my car....

[@gratefulguy4130]

You should 😊

[@gratefulguy4130]

Hell, I consider myself lucky to have got out on the road when there was still a Scene to be seen.

[@bartmcfarling]

You left out a many

[@ATMfromNJ]

RIP Phil! Thank you for the many grooves. Let that bass vibe throughout the ages.

[@alpineinc1]

Happy 50th! A half century of healing, joy, transcendence, and naked pole guy. Here’s to the next 50.

[@Buelr]

I hope naked pole guy is doing well in his later years

[@fablenewsnetwork7223]

I think I know Naked Pole Guy….

[@Fatty-qh5jx]

@@fablenewsnetwork7223 find him..we need an interview of him..

[@chicklets4ever51]

@@fablenewsnetwork7223 Is he still naked?

[@jonathanroselaw]

Best Birdsong ever. Period. It’s not just Jerry. It’s the whole band is on a compositors trip. They are so locked together. Few bands achieve this status of mind communication.

[@jamesm8132]

9/27/72 is also excellent

[@GeneSlyman]

I agree with this! It just is soooo smooth and perfect

[@blakewhittington4336]

9/17/72 is the best imo The break around 5:15 is the reason its like the opening of Pandora's box

[@billbrooks6756]

Agreed

[@satori_seeds]

Exactly ❤ they dissolve into each other going from a “me” to a “we”, asking how can I elevate the other guys instead of myself. 🙌🏼 that’s the magic 🌸Om Mani Padme Hum🌸

[@charlesjones5151]

Jerry on the stratocaster, golden

[@Oneofcorporalemmastwomoms]

Some hippy in Oregon is saying “come over here boy, and watch your grandpa shake his junk in front of Jerry”

[@grandpa_peaches_2802]

I laughed at that, thank you

[@san2k13]

LOL :)

[@finario]

I live in Oregon. This is far too close to the truth.,,

[@bonzomcduffy8336]

I busted out laughing.

[@jvaish]

I read somewhere that he is real conservative now and denounces this as he doesn't want to talk about it

[@colingasman6385]

turned this version of Bird Song on while in a hospital in Beijing with an IV in my arm, made me instantly oblivious to anything going on and assured me everything was going to be just fine. long live the god damn Grateful Dead man

[@nickhayes7294]

Colin Gasman 👌👌👌

[@chilson.fillips]

What was in that drip? 😂

[@brianflynn7598]

Fuckin A Right ! (~);}

[@billwarburton9054]

God Blessed

[@billsmith4356]

forever

[@jdel7525]

Can't get enough of this clip. Jerry is simply amazing. The Dead still addictive as ever.

[@mikegalvin9801]

My first Dead concert was a month later at Folsom Field in Boulder. Saw them many times later in some fine venues - Red Rocks, Louis Sullivan's classic Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Winterland and the New Years shows in Oakland - but nothing like the first. Plus I really think they were particularly great in 72 (the Europe album has lasted for a reason).

[@ceciliaohman185]

My thoughts exactly

[@philipwayne7794]

The best. always.

[@jimbob9828]

This song written for Janis.

[@ATMfromNJ]

Naked Pole Guy rules!

[@codybluetarp]

We are, in a direct way - mourning Phil Lesh's passing 10/25/24. And we are simultaneously (a good way for the Dead) Jerry Garcia and others who have joined The Ancients. Anyway, the inherent connection between Phil and Jerry, and all the rest of us) is illustrated musically at 3:20, as Garcia takes-a-walk. Phil Lesh described the best moments in the band as the moment's discovery while playing that the self had been 'left behind', or transcended. Long Live The Grateful Dead!

[@SickBoy666100]

I think this is the best bird song I've ever heard

[@jackwindrom253]

Agruments most definitely can be made for it, for sure. Other beauties: 11/19/72 Houston, 9/27/72 Jersey City, 9/21/72 Spectrum, with Branford 3/29/90. 3/16/73 Nassau & the acoustic one from Radio City 10/27/80 are also great. And I was fortunate enough to see them live for those great versions.

[@scottjennings1051]

10-27 is a beaut.....anything from 9-21-72 is nothing short of amazing.....but man, this show was magic

[@Tubbknuckles]

Agree, This and Phili 9-72, I think DP 36.

[@jimcostello1535]

bEST Ever !!

[@drpepperr]

SickBoy666100 Yeah. Really moving.

[@TheCarterCO]

stop and think how amazing it is we have free access to high quality video of maybe the best dead show ever! OK, maybe the world isn't so terrible.

[@nicksorrentino9758]

Word.

[@Tmrfe0962]

You can get shown the light if you look at it right....Amen.

[@Beaverfoam]

@Burr Anderson I am,,, that I am

[@wmorton0317]

Armenian lace fan stitch tutorial

[@cymoncyrado2879]

"maybe the best dead show ever".... I think I said that after each one I attended :)

[@jeffreypopple6884]

I think it is great that some guy is enjoying the Dead while naked. Good for him. Life can be brutal...enjoy. And this is without a doubt the best version of Birdsong.

[@thebreathalyzer]

Exactly a month later, they played an amazing Bird Song at Stanley Theater. That's another great one. There's some special magic in this show, despite the crazy hot weather.

[@ramario6195]

Man I wish we all could just rome necked and be free like they could do back then, but now we would get damn arrested. It’s rediculous how life is now. Respect to you brother!! ✌🏼

[@sergg_c]

6/22/73 🙏🏻🔥 but this is the all timer

[@ostreaedulis5173]

He is Iggy Pop on mushrooms !!!!

[@bibletalk8150]

@@ramario6195 I am glad people wear pants nowadays.

[@georgedennison3338]

This was the 1st time I saw the Dead live. The day of the concert a friend came by the house, said he had 2 tickets, the mutual friend who was going couldn't, the asked if I wanted to go. Growing up 40 miles N of Eugene, I'd just graduated HS in '71, knew of the Dead, never seen them, but I'd spent a fair amount of time in the last 5 yrs visiting SF; been to a few outdoor concerts, loft concerts, warehouse concerts. Little did I know how monumental the day would turn out to be. No preparation or fore-thought, we took off for Eugene, then on to Veneta. Paul, my ticket benefactor drove a '60's Buick w/ an aluminum V8 which had propensity to overheat, deadly for alum motors back then. Barely out of Eugene, the county road to Veneta was a parking lot w 5 miles to go. Parked the Buick, off on foot. Got there, music started, all was well. It was a hot, dry Oregon summer day. Parched from walking, I was thirsty as we entered, an hour later, my mouth was nearly glued shut. There were no concessions for food or drink, and the "the no prep or no fore-thought" idiots had brought some joints, but not a drop of water or a bit of food. Concessions wouldn't have done me much good, I had $1.00 in my pocket; I'd forgot my wallet & had the buck in my leather patched jeans by chance. Had to pee out what I had, so off I went, looking for the Porta's green fiberglas hell. On the way, I saw a small handwritten sign Kuul-Aid 50c / cup -> Found Paul & off we went for Kuul-Aid. Shortly found a crowd; the crowd parted, I stepped in line about 5-6th. By 2-3, I could see a partly bald, blonde guy in the back of a VW van w/ a plastic, 55 gal garbage can between his legs w/ a huge, chit eating grin on his face, ir-rythmically not chanting, "cool-aid, 50 cents a cup, 2 for a buck" as he dipped small paper cups in the gray Rubbermaid 3/4 full of purple liquid. At the front, I began to have a clue who this ad-hoc capitalist was & what was likely adding extra spice to the kuul-aid. Matching his chit-eater w/ my own by the time I step before the maker/influencer of my near future destiny, I looked him in the eyes, the dollar spread & said, "All I Got". He had finished a round of his chant "... for a buck, got a twinkle in his eye & not missing a beat, added to his verse, "3 for a dollar to those willing... and f...", he faded off. He handed me 2 paper cups of liquid, I downed one in a very dry gulp. As I reached for the third, he hesitated, then asked, "You prepared?" (By then I was certain who was sitting in front of me & in the process of dosing this concert as a good Prankster would at any Acid Test. It was my psychedelic hero & higher consciousness guru, Ken Kesey.) Never more, been waiting for this for years, I thought, but never answered, because I was finishing my 3rd cup as Paul shouldered me out of my revery and asked, "3 for a buck?" "Nope", Ken abruptly said, concluding as he looked over at me, back at Paul, "you're NOT prepared." Paul robotically turned to walk away to where I had moved, 'What did he mean by that? Why'd you get 3? Who was that?' "Just some old hippie, I guess." I muttered. Paul wasn't ready, nor prepared, never was. He was not in my acid crowd, he was a diiferent kind of friend; a year old than me, we'd picked berries together as kids. Don't recall how that came about, but we had drifted apart before HS, acknowledged each other during, but didn't come round to more than acquaintances until a few years after Veneta. Our little Oregon mill town struggled w/ a steady pot supply when the '60's counterculture the summer before I entered HS & for the next 4 years. There was ALWAYS more psychedelics than pot; always, so... we dropped a LOT of acid. By graduation, I was somewhere between 200 & 300 doses. That was likely another factor in a friend as kids growing up, not staying friends as we grew up. The other impact of that day in Veneta wasn't realized for a year or so, and the realization hit me one day in class at UO, in Eugene. (The winter of 72-73 was my last as a framing carpenter. By Spring, I'd quit, was enrolled at Oregon & started classes Sept '73.) The stress of my best friend dying 3 months after 1971 HS graduation, the loss of others who never made it out of 'Nam & more than a handful loss to the 1st opioid crises, (3rd?), was catching up w/ me as well as other life stressors. The realization was I needed to get away to Dead concert. I needed the refresh to my soul. With no preparation nor fore-thought, off I went. Found what I needed & returned closer to whole. Many times I repeated the realization: I needed a Dead concert. Then, there were no more Dead concerts. I've needed to get away to a Dead concert for decades. In many ways, I truly believe it's what our country and world needs. A Grateful Dead healing. The summer before my 3rd year at Oregon, I stepped out of my small studio apt on 5th in Eugene to find a metallic light purple, Catalina convertible parked backwards in front of my next door neighbor's house. He & I had become friends before I moved next door while teaching classes at a West Eugene community center. He taught Tai-Chi, me, a dumpster diving, Batchelor's cooking class, targeted towards the predominantly middle school community center clientele. It was a roaring success because I really did know how to cook. I headed towards the Catalina, looking at the middle aged guy wearing a pair of red plastic sunglasses, (with the curl around the ear design, sized for a kindergartener. On the partly bald driver, the nearly circular ear pieces were riding on the blonde ring of hair he still had left. As I got to the driver's door, he turned to me w/ his ever present chit-eatin' grin, to match mine, and shouted, "Three for a dollar!" That day started a friendship which lasted 30+ years. Ken was always a friend full of surprises. We had become good friends over the next 3-4 years while I was at Oregon, then I moved away. We stayed in touch, but didn't see each other as much. Life & kids started for me. I was getting the need for a Grateful Dead concert, but none were within my reach. A poor substitute, but the best there was, lay in Veneta & the annual Renaissance, (neé Country) Fair. Off the kids went to grandma's, off I went, w/ my younger wife, a Fair & Grateful Dead virgin. As we rounded a corner in the fair's winding trail, off the side, under a copper plumbing pipe pyramid, sat a solo figure in a chair w/ a yellow legal pad. Partly bald, blonde hair, he turned as I approached matched my chit-eater w/ his own & yelled, "3 for a Dollar, just who I needed to see. Grab some dirt & sit, I've been to the pyramids, I gotta finish this Rolling Stone article, they're pushing me. Here, read it, tell me what you think... here's pen, make notes." I looked at my wife, who had this look of 'Who the heck is this?' And it was directed at me, not Ken. I sat, I read, I noted, we talked. The funny thing was, it was not like old times. In the nearly half dozen years since we'd met & became friends, I never brought up & he never mentioned nor did we ever talk about writing, his books or career. I read everything he wrote, some several times, but who the heck was I to broach the subject of writing w/ one of America's literary talents, even genius? I was a PE major studying Sports Medicine dreaming of a job in pro sports, & at that time, derailed due to a partially disbling injury, was part owner in, & actively managing an auto parts store/repair shop/body shop/ industrial sandblasting/custom car builder. A mechanic & fabricator, granted, fancy cars, but mechanic none the less. But, as I said, the owner of the ever present chit-eater to match mine was always full of surprises. From that day in Veneta, until my good friend died, I fell into a role of reader, notemaker, (NEVER claim to be editor), & opinion giver. We never discussed the modification in our friendship, what prompted him to make such, (IMO), a foolish decision or why? It didn't matter, we enjoyed our friendship & continued on. We DID, on more than one occasion, discuss the therapeutic & healing benefits of a Grateful Dead concert.

[@novakaya]

Thank you much for taking the time and care to share these personal jewels of yesterday. Kesey too was a friend of mine. This yielded great meaning and sentiment for me and was very well written. Grateful to you for this

[@georgedennison3338]

@novakaya Glad to hear it; I can still see his big grin. He was such a character & a good person.

[@novakaya]

@ indeed! Right on. As a young adult of 19 when we first became friends, Kesey was the first man to teach me how to ‘shake a hand.’ Something my own father never took the time to show me. A simple gesture with a far reaching positive outward rippling impact upon who’d I become as a man “Take the whole hand. Firm grip. Look ‘em in the eye.”

[@brooke8567]

​@@novakayawrite a book dude- sheesh!!

[@novakaya]

@ right on! I likely will. Thanks for the encouraging nudge!

[@richardsmith6496]

A beautiful tribute to their dear friend Janis, taken too soon.

[@ganymeade5151]

Janis and Jerry gone too soon. Miss them always.

[@JohnDoe-gk7ok]

@@ganymeade5151 Well at least we got Jerry until he was 53. Heroin was a lot less forgiving to the much smaller Joplin, who consequently joined Club 27.

[@daveyboy8907]

@@JohnDoe-gk7ok nope hers got spiked by the music producer because she was about to quit..They kill them off and turn them into legends,icons and profit forever off of them..

[@noelsalisbury7448]

​@@daveyboy8907Please .... say the origin of this story.

[@suetrublu]

Is this song really about Janis? Awesome if true - anyway, truly increíble version at the beautiful OCF site - a place I've been blessed to visit many times. Thank you to whoever posted this! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@glueforall]

Bill Kreutzmann, post '72 European tour (where he was once again, the lone drummer) filling in beautifully. At times, his amazing counterpoint like fills make it appear there are two drummers, or maybe a single drummer, and a percussionist or two, playing simultaneously. A big round of respect to Bill!

[@timturk1899]

@Grateful Varmints Without Billy, There would be no "Dead and Company", I believe. With the drummers back (Billy always played the main beat, Mickey following, and filling in the gaps, it seemed.), D+C isn't, The "Further" Tour. Really miss Jerry. Only followed from late 88'(Miami), steadily on, till 93'-95, just catching shows when we could.. I've always loved The "Bird Song" from 89'/90'? '"Nassau County Colliseum", w/"Branford Marsalis", who Phil invited. He had never heard "The Dead" before. Fast learner!!! I love that "Bird Song"! Jerry was surprised how well Branford went with the flow. They were like 2 birds, meeting, and flying joyously, like no one ever, who doesn't know any of their tunes! So Beautiful to hear there interaction.. Stunning!

[@herbythechef7624]

@@timturk1899 what a show. Believe that was march 90. Brent passed away before branford marsalis could play with them the 2nd time. Which was around newyears 1990/91

[@georgestevens1502]

He wasn't distracted by Mickey Hart trying to keep time.

[@kevingruenofficial]

The spookiest thing about the dead is how good their music sounds when they arent the greatest singers ever and they dont shred. They just had such a chill approach. Really a rare beautiful thing to ever come about

[@kevingruenofficial]

@SoftserveSodium well they're quite reserved, wouldnt you say?

[@zach3305]

@@kevingruenofficial No I would definitely not say reserved. Quite the opposite.

[@kevingruenofficial]

@@zach3305 all I'm saying is they didnt need to shred for their music to be good. I have yet to see a concert of theirs with Garcia or weir playing like van halen or something. It wasnt their forte. They were better at writing intricate jazz chords progressions which I'd say was the deads signature sound.

[@zach3305]

@@kevingruenofficial The apprentice hears what he does not immediately know but wishes to understand.

[@Fluffyfluffyhead]

Check the Dark Star from this show for said shred.

[@jamatoneblue]

Such a beautiful song. Life really has a way of grinding you down, but listening to music like this can make it all seem worth it.

[@Scott64a]

Ya dude.

[@drewcamero1489]

jamatoneblue I can feel the healing, I hear the light, I can see through the darkness

[@marcosluna7792]

Its true

[@ganymeade5151]

This is like a positive alternative universe to soulless days.

[@jkboro]

Right on

[@Scott64a]

This video cured my depression. I got home from work today, played this recording and stretched out on the lawn under the tall oaks. Took a shower after that. Right as rain.

[@cindycunningham3026]

you the one standing on the pole so high

[@cindycunningham3026]

I was there somewhere

[@cindycunningham3026]

Send me some video of Redrocks Colorado in 1984anAlpine valley of the stage I was on the Stage by the speakers

[@Anonymous-vb8nw]

Glad you're better. Stay well, sir. Life's a jungle sometimes/often times (sorry GMF for the tweak).

[@harmoniabalanza]

you've got a lawn under tall oaks to stretch out on. Why be depressed?

[@ClueSign]

Who's listening to this during the 2020 Pandemic lockdown?

[@usernameinvalid2675]

Checked in friend

[@Gaspard420]

Thanksgiving 2020!

[@Ruger1022C]

@Breckyn Thomas Sunshine Daydream LSD my friend

[@galen510]

listening and jamming along on my electric plugged into my computer using S-Gear. Tons of fun!

[@clay8182]

Oh fuckin rights

[@DavidWilson-ok5yp]

The dude behind Jerry is still dancing to this day

[@jeffmargulies3833]

the music never stopped

[@dingoswamphead]

RIP Robert Hunter. Playing through some of these wonderful songs today makes me think what gifts he gave us.

[@Scott64a]

and thank you, US CIA and Army, for testing your chemical weapons out on civilians like Robert Hunter and Ken Kesey.

[@dingoswamphead]

@@Scott64a 🤣

[@AJ_Deadshow]

"Sometimes the songs that you hear are just songs of your own." You can interpret that line any way you like.

[@georgestevens1502]

Check out what Billy Strings did with Robert's lyrics for Thunder. Billy K asked Billy S to put the lyrics to music as that hadn't been done. Excellent. Robert Hunter lives!

[@Kingfish179]

I really appreciate Bobby's guitar being up front in the mix. He played with such vigor during this.

[@noelsalisbury7448]

Funny, I was just thinking how nice Jerry's voice was, being to the fore for a change😊.

[@NolalanD]

cameraman's dilemma: greatest American guitar player's fingers or freak on a pole. Admirable compromise!

[@timothyryan6018]

🤣🍄👍😆🍄👍😊

[@timothyryan6018]

@@stillaliveandwell5291 haha... I think in the end the camera guy made the right compromise between one of the greatest guitar players ever and some tweeked out Wook naked on a telephone pole.. Wow- dude is probly STILL trippin...

[@markryan2518]

LMAO You are funny

[@cindycunningham3026]

He's not a freak on the pole, I always loved the Greatful Dead An traveled with them been to some great places and let you know I'd be on that pole Dancing with the pole and I'm Just Being Me 😂

[@timothyryan6018]

@@cindycunningham3026 Really? You'd be up on that Pole Buck Naked? Nice!

[@MysticHorizonPNW]

As a relatively recent GD fan (well the last 8 years), and the fact that I live in Oregon and have been to the Country Fair every year since I've lived here, I feel blessed the Grateful Dead are so revered in this area. I feel their presence. I'm addicted to their music and learning how to play their songs. They taught me to love playing again and to enjoy life as it comes. Like the other commenters, I wish I could have seen them back in the day. That naked dude in all these videos from the country fair in '72 inspires me to keep enjoying life and to keep keeping on.

[@drrbrt]

Long live naked telephone pole guy!!!!!

[@angela62684]

Really is an inspiration, shine on you crazy diamond. I point people towards this video to try and explain why I like the band.

[@elmoblatch9787]

The naked guy eventually moved to NY and became a highly successful stock broker...at least that's the story. His name is Bob.

[@tylerao]

You should have been to the faire in the early 00s. It’s now for families, back then it was for family. I love my Dead family. I have a lot of Mouse’s art. I have enjoyed a lif of the times we shared together after Jerry passed. Spring Morning Rain, Phil and Phriends with Try and Paige, but some of my favorite times have been seeing artists I love pay tribute. So Long Jerry is one of my favorites, Dean Ween

[@AS_caterpillars]

gotta love Jer on his strat...RIP big man!

[@TJBmd]

Stairway to heaven

[@nickg1601]

Of course, but Bobby deserves his share of the credit here. Some great comping and countermelodies

[@jeffriley2218]

yes, great rhythm by Bobby Weir here.

[@johnsktdereamer5127]

he ain't da "big" man - he be da "fat" man ! ! ! RIP . . . Forever . . .

[@cindycunningham3026]

@@TJBmd I love stair way too heaven, Axl Rose sings it so fine.

[@jackstraw9244]

How can you not love the Dead ? The bass really stands out to me, beautiful.

[@chicklets4ever51]

Phil was the greatest rock bassist of all.

[@howardboyar5097]

Love it! The guy dancing naked on the pole behind Jerry just adds to the flavor!!

[@druzil2112plyr]

Some random naked Hippie hanging out on top of the amps.. I love this band.

[@James-mm5rz]

Bob is the greatest rhythm guitar player ever. Totally sublime.

[@ourworld215]

He got even better with Brent. started playing harmonics and finding empty space, not easy with 2 drummers, Jerry, Phil and Brent. I actually find his songs harder to learn. They have chord variants and lots of hooks / little inflections. Of course Jerry's ability to glide between playing styles and craft lead parts was only highlighted more with Bob'.

[@jonathanroselaw]

He was born for this. Took him some time but he got right where he needed to be.

[@schereno]

greatest rhythm guitar player... so far 🤙

[@lifeonsibuyanphilippines7212]

Yah..... So sublime you can't hear him. Other than his voice for the band, he SUCKED and still sucks. I also saw him/Ratdog and the same thing.... Nobody could hear his guitar. What a lose and poser he is.

[@mikebball3333]

anybody see/listen to this a MILLION times and simply never tire of it... must be the naked

[@bluecollar825]

This show is pretty damn flawless. Ive listened to it countless times and even seen DSO recreate it. This show blows Cornell '77 away imho. Cant believe it was the hottest day of the year and they were tripping balls lol. Absolutely incredible. ✌

[@davidr1676]

77 was pretty amazing but a different flavor and definitely not 65-74/75 Grateful Dead or this show. I used to copy this show repeatedly for friends, to replace my copies, and to have multiples. I don't know if I ever had the entire show until CD trading started and eventually they released this like.... atleast 20 years late.

[@user-hf4ss9cl9s]

Of course they were trippin balls

[@avail1.]

No they were not tripping. Because they could never* play tripping. Jerry admitted it.

[@thepuppethead1188]

​@@avail1."Jerry admitted it" was that before or after he talked constantly about how their first shows played as the Grateful Dead were played tripping??? Or the other band members who can name specific shows where they were tripping (Phil and Billy in their books multiple times in fact)??? I think you either misunderstood something else Jerry meant or believe something that is the direct opposite of the truth,the Dead could play tripping. Even worse bands with lazier players can just fine,it's not like having to drive or do your laundry on acid!

[@williambourdeau5925]

The pause into drumroll - crash into main jam is spectacular and never should have been given up. Later Birdsongs suffered for it.

[@chloejessie1975]

Was a really brief moment in time. You are so fortunate

[@sunshinenblues]

i met Janis and these guys in 1969. i'm far more blessed than anyone not having done this. Janis helped me out after her concert, to find my jacket which never showed up again. she was a "Queen", in the very very awesome sense of that word. THe GD are a longer and deeper story because it was very close and personal. Love and devotion to these great, great, bands

[@editho7863]

They are just completely unpretentious. It's nice.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

That's why they had such a cult following. They were only selling a naive sort of innocence and some great tunes.

[@GarlTsagan]

I feel like they were there for the exact same reason as the audience. To be apart of a great musical experience. The money and lifestyle was a bonus. Since everybody was there for the same reason, they just soared

[@JohnnyNada]

Thats why i love em

[@finnster4949]

That’s what copious amounts of LSD will do for you :)

[@RandomEarthCinema]

LSD ego death and being ugly does wonders

[@patricklafleur5134]

The world would be a better place putting this on a continuous loop.

[@AJ_Deadshow]

You need silence sometimes to appreciate the beauty of life, as well as the music.

[@CountryMusic527]

@@AJ_Deadshow underrated comment

[@cl5619]

The song is on repeat for two plays, with its false ending in the middle. It reminds me of Miles Davis’ Shhh Peaceful where the song ends, and comes back to life, giving a sense of permanent cycle, like the sunrise.

[@markk2254]

Literally the best band ever to exist

[@bengiaquinto1807]

A band beyond description.

[@briano.5746]

I always looked at the Grateful Dead as America's Beatles. ✌💀👽🎸🎤🎹🥁🎵🎶

[@starcloud4959]

Go Jerry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😂

[@brendadichiro]

That's right ...not another possibility in my time !

[@c.a.t.732]

Only if you're stoned out of your mind.

[@holliroll8789]

This is the only song that my oldest daughter would fall asleep to when she was 2. I hope she plays it alot

[@stevoschannel4127]

You have to really listen for it, because its so perfect, but Keith G’s piano really made the band back then...just flawless

[@thebreathalyzer]

Musically 1972-1974 is hard to beat. The really long jazzy jams that lasted forever and went to far away places....definitely my favorite era largely because of Keith, but it's everyone. They all feed off of each other.

[@22hogfan94]

@@thebreathalyzercouldn’t agree more. Those years were something special

[@poiurewqq]

Such beautiful music! One of the best songs ever performed by the Grateful Dead live. Flawless. The solo by Jerry has so much passion and sounds like a real bird song. Played 44 years ago and still sounds perfect. Thank you boys!

[@budwilliams8302]

Jerry, so good on this song. Something I passed on to my kids.

[@arlenmargolin1650]

I don't know if I would say flawless some of those harmonies were a little rough but the music's killer what else can you say

[@markoblazney6360]

it wuz' a good one, it wuz'

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

@@arlenmargolin1650 Jerry and Zappa both suffered from the misconception/great insight (your choice) that it was okay to play. live, on stage, in front of the paying public, things you never played before/noodle aimlessly in a a hit and miss fashion (your choice). It's only the musicians who hear the obvious clam notes. I think Zappa is the most egregiously guilty of a aimless noodling/practicing the guitar on stage (your choice). Garcia at least stays close to the diatonic harmonies, but maybe that's cuz they're playing much simpler harmonies (usually!! this song amazed me as a jazz guy, with all the open voiced layered guitar harmonies) to begin with, whereas Zappa is playing over (usually) much more adventurous harmonies, and has a bent for being as avant garde with his playing as his money making, dumb rock beat under it all, cooler than hell lyrical comment tour de force songs will allow. (your choice) Jerry has at least one excuse for the clams, the drugs, whereas Zappa,, mister "just say no" has no such excuse. Amazing how libertarian Zappa was in regards to social issues, and at the same time, in the end a quite conservative, misogynistic homophobe who also commentsAmerica's ideas of US's use of its military strength, comments not even a "c hair" left of Bush - Gingrich -reagan -Rush -think. Interesting, complex individual for sure. Google George Duke's groupie story. The internet is a terrible embarrassment making thing. Everything you ever did or said in front of a camera, or witnesses will eventually be made public, if you have any celebrity at all.

[@georgestevens1502]

@@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out In the immortal words of Harry Dean Stanton's character Curt in Rancho Deluxe, "Well, okay if that means somethin' to ya."

[@anthonycongiunti1060]

Really clear for 46 years ago.

[@yetivanmarshall1473]

Not a cloud in the sky either.

[@littlegloldwatcher6219]

@@yetivanmarshall1473 Just yesterday

[@rockrollresale2668]

Bob doesn't get enough credit. Smoking rhythm the whole song.

[@charlesryan427]

One of the many reasons the Grateful Dead are so special :)

[@thebreathalyzer]

Thank you. It's all about Jerry for sure, but Bob laid down so much great rhythm and really glued it all together. Especially since Phil's bass lines were very contrapuntal. And Billy K. solid as a rock. Vastly underrated drummer.

[@ariamelodydj9256]

Bobby was an incredible rhythm guitarist

[@SnowTheJamMan]

I CANNOT imagine a Dead without Bobby, and to think he was almost kicked out

[@shawnportz1926]

I'm going to see bob this summer thank god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! / spring i think idk man.

[@dillinger1211]

This is the first song my son ever heard in this world...I sang it to him... Then months later somehow a Paul reed smith guitar falls into my lap...which has birds on the inlays.. I always thought this was my song to my baby, but the more I hear it, it seems like his song to me...at least the "don't you cry" part

[@jasonlambert5552]

Now put a saxophone in his mouth and let circle of Bird continue it's self

[@PauloPereira-wg5rr]

Janis RIP 🦋🎶🎼

Way more than just a band!!! No other musics brings me joy like this. And the people make me feel like I’m with family.

[@marttram2183]

Dude just imagine hearing this sound being played live while peaking on acid. It would be indescribably blissful

[@jasonlambert5552]

I would be exactly like naked Iggy Pop dancing on the pole in the background here.

[@jayf8308]

it was lol .

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

@@jasonlambert5552 lol i was gonna say the same thing

[@ceciliaohman185]

The music is too good for that mess. It’s not necessary to drop acid.

[@prilljazzatlanta5070]

@@ceciliaohman185 thank you. Some people actually have the ability to understand and enjoy music ala carte

[@Kawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww]

Laugh in the sunshine sing cry in the dark fly through the night

[@Kawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww]

Richard Weed might be

[@AJ_Deadshow]

Almost as beautiful as "Look for a while at the china cat sunflower proud walking jingle in the midnight sun" Or "Shall we go, you and I while we can, through the transitive nightfall of diamonds?" But in my opinion, none better than "If I knew the way, I would take you home."

[@jesseywallerdiemont9911]

AJ Deadshow I gotta say once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right is up there with all of them man

[@ganymeade5151]

As good as any poetry i have ever read and I was an English Literature major.

[@bluesriot2]

the point where the camera is across phil and bobby and jer for the three way vocals near the end of this tune is a tattoo worthy image in my mind

[@kevinwoods7037]

Lighter and more supple with just one drummer,Bill has it all under control.This is my favourite lineup but l love all the combos the Dead played up.

[@glyn420]

My favorite as well! Billy K just has the perfect swing to him. LOVE this lineup so much.

[@georgestevens1502]

@@captainkangaroo4301 Ya, but Mickey never learned to keep time. He's always all over the place, like is this it or is that it? Billy K without the distraction of Mickey is so much more enjoyable. Billy is the human locomotive.

[@hossackdaniel]

Agreeed, love Mikey, but this soooo smooth

[@RobHollanderMusic]

And the segs were better, too. But Mickey did provide a lot of punch during rock n rollin' 77.

[@fxrboy]

this is absolutely the best bird song ever.

[@editho7863]

My baby is napping on the lawn with this playing on my phone. She has been totally saturated in the Dead since before she was born. She's a nice, chill baby.

[@comradeelmo5739]

Vanessa Orchowski what is she doing outside on the ground?

[@stevenbenson5241]

@@comradeelmo5739 Maybe having a direct connection to Mother Earth.

[@justinlalugski2083]

Samuel Paperman is it really tho?

[@comradeelmo5739]

Jimmy Chimpo yeah

[@jackstrawfromwichita6168]

My two month old daughter loves the Dead too. Starts smiling and shaking her little feet whenever I play Sugaree for her.

[@irishrootsbluesman7044]

Just makes me feel like a mushroom on a summer day

[@MyManDan]

Excitin' yer chitin

[@bobtrebor6730]

How sO, all shriveled up & DeAD. MakeS mE feel Like ah "Babe in the Woods" with one rabBit in mY jaws, & aNother 🐰 clutched in my paWs.

[@nicholasbernal701]

Golden caps are rad

[@georgestevens1502]

Actually little pieces of paper soaked in LSD were available when waking into the field in front of the stage. No charge. Free psychedelia that day.

[@jaredbicknell3769]

I'm just so grateful we have this footage of the Dead playing such an incredible Bird Song. It brings tears to my eyes. The band is so very tight at this point that it seems effortless.

[@Fred-ql3gq]

Incredible. At one of their many peaks during their long strange trip. Even more amazing that they pulled this off considering it was over 100 degrees.

[@michaelcarey6958]

When you watch this and see how stark it is - you just appreciate it so much more. They were geniuses at complimenting each other. It's a beautiful version. I miss Jerry so much some days. Thank God we have all of this audio and video............

[@sparkimoto]

STARK, as in STARK naked hippie dude dancing atop wooden post! .. No diss to your original statement, but I couldn't resist saying that! lol!

[@jasonlambert5552]

@@sparkimoto that hippy was me in a former life at this concert, he wasn't the only naked person there by a long shot.

[@waylonk2453]

@@sparkimoto I saw him too! I came to the comments wondering if anyone else thought to mention him. Then again, it was 1972

[@Sosu217]

Always love to hear Jerry on a Strat - really shows off how subtle his playing was. And Bobby, fantastic rhythm playing as always.

[@NolalanD]

Yeah he is one of the unsung heroes of the strat , I guess cuz he moved on, but his bends were so beautiful on a strat.

[@jimmyhughes7754]

Designer guitars just like designer drugs, they are killing rock and roll. I absolutely agree, nothing was better than Jerry on a strat

[@du4jay]

yes it’s the bends he did on the strat

[@noelsalisbury7448]

.....AND LEAVE IT ON.

[@rick4electric]

Dripping with sunshine and vibes! I am high just watching and listening! These were the moments you lived for! Most people have no idea what we have lost! Will Earth and Man ever dance together like this again? I hope new generations will capture this feeling again! Slavery sucks!

[@harmoniabalanza]

they will if you and I help them to

[@silverwolfmonastery]

I have been Grateful for thirty years. Such a gift to see this wonderful performance. Once one is one of the Dead, nothing is ever the same. Thank you, Bobby, Jerry, Ron, Phil, Donna, Keith, Brent, Vince, Bill, Mickey, and Tom. I will be forever Grateful.

[@mehrdadalavi7260]

All I know is something like a bird Within her sang All I know she sang a little while And then flew on Tell me all that you know I'll show you snow and rain If you hear that same sweet song again Will you know why? Anyone who sings a tune so sweet Is passin' by Laugh in the sunshine, sing Cry in the dark, fly through the night Don't cry now, don't you cry Don't you cry anymore, la, la, la, la Sleep in the stars, don't you cry Dry your eyes on the wind, la, la, la, la If you hear that same sweet song again Will you know why? Anyone who sings a tune so sweet Is passin' by Laugh in the sunshine, sing Cry in the dark, fly through the night Don't cry now, don't you cry Don't you cry anymore, la, la, la, la Sleep in the stars, don't you cry Dry your eyes on the wind, la, la, la, la All I know is something like a bird Within her sang All I know she sang a little while And then flew off Tell me all that you know I'll show you snow and rain

[@MrJackSterbenc]

Who would dislike this? I can't think of a single reason why anyone would dislike this, even if it wasn't for them. Makes no sense man!

[@N1ckfurie]

Come here every time I have a bad day and leave feeling much better.

[@drewcamero1489]

Best 12 minutes I have spent in the last 12 months

[@GreatMooglyGoogly]

Isn’t this maybe the best Bird Song ever? All of it. Phil, Jerry… you know… I’m groovin’ with the naked hippie. 😏

[@jinglemeow]

anyone who sings a tune so sweet, is passing by..

[@davidreagan73]

This is without a doubt the best version of Bird Song I've heard. It's pure perfection both in recording quality and the melodic nature of the guitar jamming. 1972 was such a banner year for the Dead with excellent performances all over the world. I like 1977 performances too but the this show was amazing.

[@Spherian7]

Totally. The Beyond Within performed without stress, effort, pretense, or ego... and only brotherly/sisterly vibes. I brings to my mind a poster I saw not long after.. The Grateful Dead - Jesus's children of Paradise.

[@OldRunt]

The singing is totally out of tune.

[@winthropallegaert3793]

Guava jelly:the singing is out of tune? you just don’t get it!

[@Videographic69]

Not too many guitarists like Jerry and Jimi with such an identifiable unique sound.

[@ganymeade5151]

True genius is rare.

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

err. Metheney, Scofield, Joe Pass, George Benson, BB King, Albert King, Albert Collins, Could name a few more that i can identify in 3 notes, ore even one note but Ill leave it there

[@patriciamays8244]

Santana and he's still playing

[@lucascopp4050]

Underrated Lesh baseline on this track and loving Jerry’s well worn Strat

[@thisismycoffee]

Warming my heart on a freezing day. If time travel is a thing, take me here.

[@pattamus1]

You know those guys you see in old dead show videos just totally zoned out eyes big as saucers and just gritting teeth and going thru the experience ? Well this Bird Song jam puts me immediately into that headspace. Beautiful show, I adore it.

[@bzfgt1]

This is the greatest thing on the internet.

[@guyosaurus]

bzfgt bzfgt i

[@winnifredtorrence8418]

True story

[@ottis1guy]

He's right, you know?

[@SeiMaxwell]

Oh man you know the china cat from this same concert? I always valued it so much, for me it was the single most important video on youtube. A national treasure even tho im not an american :P Shame it got taken down by warner bros, and got replaced with a video thats more or less the same but one that just doesnt have that psychedelic beauty that chill as the other one. Cant even get close to it. Im such an idiot for not downloading it.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

bzfgt bzfgt: correction: on the web...the internet is the wheelbarrow; the web is the content within the wheelbarrow which is empties onto your screen;) Look up the definition of both, then please spread the word. Everything we do online is on the WWW, not the III.

[@jasonhorne4533]

Seen plenty of Birdsond's but this one ranks in the top 3. Bobby on point with the rhythm.. Priceless

[@yru435]

I just love how young and healthy they look. Fantastic times. The video fades with a still of Phil, who just turned 80 years young. !!

[@cestlavie3901]

Evidently, 105 people have no idea what excellent music is. RIP Jerry, still miss you terribly, and still get teary eyed remembering how incredible you, and the band, were, and will always be. ,

[@noelcayo8335]

Best Dead show I ever attended, ended up naming my house on Maui “Sunshine Daydream” in memory of that glorious day

[@jimmymurphy7789]

5:26 Jerry is hitting some great "Harmonics/Overtones" here - just Beautiful.😇

[@brinkybrinkz]

Nice sunny day to listen to The Grateful Dead live.

[@rudykoestel388]

The sound of the breakdown from 6:38 to the transition at 6:46 is just beautiful

[@ATMfromNJ]

Amen brother. Like breaking through into another dimension and feeling back home again but without ever leaving or arriving...

[@tedroyer9391]

Great clip. Love the sublime keyboards at 1:37. Seeing Jerry and Bob in tandem is so nice.

[@darcyellington5869]

I was there too, I was 11 playing on the water truck.

[@patrickjordan6710]

The Dead always make me smile, smile, smile : )

[@harmoniabalanza]

that's the point of them

[@nachteinfallt8915]

back in early 2020, the initial panic of coronavirus, this song kept me calm. i listened to it alot in that time. first time revisiting since those days

[@spinningreelsofrhyme]

The very best live version of Bird Song, in my opinion...I have to listen to this, as a huge Dead fan, and as a guitarist, at least once a week!

[@Mike7478F]

And no live feed on this recording.

[@jamesorr50276]

Definitely up there with "Reckonings" version bird song,my opinion

[@bookmedia67]

RIP Phil. You will be alive in this music as long as it gets played.

[@naomiradtke]

Ditto

[@den5208]

You are so right. We are blessed. The blue sky background makes it . At first the naked guy annoyed annoyed me, but after 100 views you wish you were him!

[@capnjimmy805]

Just LOVE Bobby's clean, clear, crisp, very distinctive Rhythm Guitar tone/sound in the Mix here. It doesn't get any better than this Live, folks. Thanks so much.

[@NicholasOsella]

holy shit has anyone noticed Jerry dropping his guitar pick at 6:20, when he finds it again seamlessly into the next chorus?

[@kimberlyisherwood4564]

Celebrating the life of Jerry Garcia. Gone 24 yrs today. Beer and weed and Grateful Dead all day.

[@scotgallagher5874]

Still missed. My 1st show was just a month later in Philadelphia. I was off on an adventure that lasted 20 years. Seems like it was just yesterday. Keep Smiling.

[@electrickrain]

Love yous both!!!

[@electrickrain]

Scot Gallagher do you know Shawn Gallagher?

[@TheRealJanKafka]

"Celebrating...Beer and weed..." If that's what is takes for you to celebrate, you're in need of some psych help. If there is one thing KZbin has taught me, it's that there's a hell of a lot of mentally ill motherf*ckers out there. too many...all the people who need drugs to celebrate; those who are proud to note they have to get high, stoned, whatever to listen to music; the really sick ex-military pricks who loudly proclaim they used to listen to this or that band or song when going out to murder people...We live in a f*cked up world of people who are so f*cked up they don't realize (and don't care) how f*cked up they are and how they're f*cking it up for everyone else.

[@kimberlyisherwood4564]

@@TheRealJanKafka whats you talkin bout Willis? I like your kitty though.

[@surgio154]

I was far away in Vietnam when they did this , glad to see and hear it now

[@ATMfromNJ]

My son and I listen to this almost every night at bed time. Well, this or Morning Dew. Lil man loves him some good old GD. I'm sitting here typing as he just doze off. Will always cherish our nights, me and my little boy sharing these beautiful tunes. Love you, Thomas! Always!

[@discotex2236]

Wonderful! And Jer coaxed some great stuff from that Strat!

[@dougtroklus8552]

Laugh in the sunshine, sing Cry in the dark, fly through the night

[@georgestevens1502]

I haven't seen a mention of it on this comment list, but Mikaela Davis and Southern Star do a very Dead faithful 19 minute version of Birdsong that extends the vibe and pleasure of this performance. They have a pedal steel player who totally channels Jerry's American Beauty and 1st New Riders album tones and phrasing; a guitarist who plays a strat with a touch of echo or reverb; a bassist who channels the Lesh/Cassidy bass tone of the 60s/70s; a drummer who is schooled in Billy K's touch and drive; and, the kicker is Midaela mixes in a full size stand up harp and a beautiful singing voice. It extends the vibe of this signature rendition by the Dead (I had the pleasure of being at this performance). Give Mikaela and Southern Star a listen. Also, if you want to easily see the chord progressions in th key of E, look up Ashleigh Antolini. She does a short solo version (that she never expected to go viral which is a testament to the poplularity of this song) in her apt where you can clearly see the chords and she has a great voice too.

[@chamicels]

Actually they brought me here to hear the Dead original.

[@georgestevens1502]

@@chamicels Very cool. Like a circle or cycle completing itself. If only naked pole dancing guy would have reprised his Veneta performance for Mikaela and Southern Star. On second thought, maybe not!

[@chamicels]

@@georgestevens1502 haha

[@alpineinc1]

Yes sir, it is sublime, and Mikaela’s harp and singing in a harmony different from the original really gives it another dimension. They definitely get it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6K4h5iPaKuHoZI

[@jamesjackovich5886]

That hippie generation raised our consciousness beyond hatred, bigotry to a state of love

[@rowjimmy4130]

I can’t watch this enough.

[@garyjones1252]

Sunshine daydream on DVD

[@amandanegrete1306]

I miss them so much!

[@jakelehman822]

I found the single best video on KZbin. 49 years later still as special as ever. Fly high Jerry

[@richardtoland2624]

Wonderful song. Excellent piano by Keith. Wonderful relaxed feel with lots of space and details

[@MegaHowtoMan]

Sleep in stars. Dry your eyes in the wind. Don't you cry.

[@jerryboydston4371]

I was there. 20 yrs old then and a whole lot skinnier!

[@jerryboydston4371]

If my memory serves me right there were some parachuters that came floating down at one point..