First listen to The Grateful Dead - Bird Song (Live 1972 from Sunshine Daydream) |REACTION|

[@DiconDissectionalReactions]

This one got blocked and could potentially be blocked again soon fyi. I'm pinning it as my channel trailer so as many people as possible get to see it beforehand (just in case). Thanks for watching:) Also, if you're reading this... I made a new comedic video I'd love to see your response to:) Here's a link to that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXioiqmflNR-irM

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I had a feeling it wouldn’t stay blocked. Thank you going through all that you did to make this reaction happen. Very Grateful. It’s almost a miracle that this footage even exists. Great to see the guys back in those days

[@Lightmane]

Well now that you're an "Alpha Male", I'm just too intimidated to try to talk to you anymore. Got me all nervous and self conscious now 😱

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This is the Dead in their prime and in their natural habitat. Jerry plays guitar like clouds drifting and changing shape turning into animals and all kinds of amazing things. Very tasty. The whole Sunshine Daydream movie is like a scene from another world. Truly the hidden gem of rock movies. The naked guy dancing on top the pole in the background is pure surrealism and kind of emblematic, that shot of him behind Jerry could have been an album cover. The dead were in the process of building the largest and most powerful sound system ever created, high fidelity for miles and everything was experimental in those days and these guys were on the crest of lots of innovations musically and technically. Jerry might have had a wah pedal with volume but one thing I learned from Jerry is to play very delicately through a very loud amplifier which allows for harmonics and dynamics and all kinds nuance to come through. Jerry’s music was sweet and warm and that’s not something usually associated with rock. Thank you for playing this and the other songs from this movie are also really good for reactions. Great job. So happy you played this hot summer concert on these hot summer days. I’m

[@reverendbarker650]

I had the most amazing experience watching this performance .....total transportation into another world altogether ......its just transcendent. .

[@aspringwind]

I miss the Grateful Dead. It was much more than music.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

It really was, it’s hard to explain.

[@rainbowkeys711]

It was a community for kindred spirits....

[@ftlpope]

Your understanding of what the Dead do is truly enlightened.

[@cherylreichardt]

How pleasing to hear them jamming like that. This song sounds amazing live.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Soothing even.

[@ianburke3991]

Thanks for this as it is my first introduction to the Greatful Dead. I loved the groove they get into and the instrumental solo was very neat. The groove they got into is amazing. Thanks again Daniel. PS I saw your Alpha Male clip very funny :)

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

What a great introduction. This is from the concert film “Sunshine Daydream” highly recommended.

[@jaquestraw1]

Welcome aboard Ian 💓

[@nealpierson9072]

If you watch the DVD of this film, or listen to the officially released audio then I don't think the lead guitar volume is so muted in parts. Sometimes when someone uploads a video onto youtube from another source, the video/sound quality will be lesser than the original source. Still great that you got to watch them perform this amazing song. Thanks a lot Daniel. As for their approach to improvisation, it just depends on the time and place really. Sometimes they would have like an outline of how a jam was going to go, and then improvise within that structure. Sometimes they would just totally break free of any of the conventions of a particular song and just venture out into the great unknown and see where it led them, and usually they would find their way back to the song they started with, but many times would drop into another song and just keep going from there. They usually would do a long extended segment of their shows where they would play music continuously for half hour, an hour, 90 minutes without taking much of a break. Or maybe a couple band members would take a quick break to smoke or use the bathroom or whatever while the rest of the guys kept jamming. Usually they would start a show with a bunch of more relatively conventional songs that would change more gradually through the years in arrangement, but keeping the same structure, and then mostly improvising on the solo section. Then the second (or even third set in the early days) set could go off in a bunch of different directions depending on the context of the show. Sometimes it would get really weird. Sometimes really intense. Sometimes just a great rock & roll show. Many times it became a big ol' dance party. You'll learn all about this as you continue your journey into their music. Have a great weekend Daniel.

[@foxandscout]

I first saw the Grateful Dead when I was in high school, in a small converted movie theater a few blocks from my childhood home in Brooklyn. It was thrilling (and about 4 hrs.) and I became a fan. Next time was in Central Park where dancing Deadheads added to the enchanting experience and I finally “got it.” I try to avoid arena shows but my Deadhead college buddy (who has been to more than 100 Dead shows) took me to MSG. The magic enveloped me and I danced with thousands of very happy people. I saw The Dead several times more; the last was their tour with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. It was July 4th weekend in DC and it was so hot: 100 degrees. That was the only time I traveled out of NYC to a concert. I am so sorry I didn’t see them more; the opportunities were there, but there were so many bands and artists (NYC) and limited time and funds. I’ve been to hundreds of concerts and have seen most of my favorite artists in small venues. But I made exceptions for a few (who could only be seen in arenas), like e.g.,The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. I was sitting on the roof of the small building i lived in, which has a clear view of southern Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and NJ in the distance. What awesome sunsets and 4th if July fireworks I have experienced! I had a radio on, listening to a college station. The dj announced that Jerry Garcia died. He started crying and so did I. I was surprised how deeply I was affected. I have seen performances by Weir and Lesh in their various bands over the years and it’s wonderful to hear. But nothing like seeing and hearing Jerry Garcia, who was such an amazing guitarist. I’m grateful for all the videos of the Dead playing live. But they don’t, they can’t, convey the beautiful energy we experienced as we vibed together as one. If post-death there exists a collective consciousness, I hope it feels like what we experienced at a Grateful Dead concert. How beautiful that would be.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

What a beautiful comment.

[@bobschenkel7921]

"Birdsong" is as much of a Grateful Dead song as there is. Jerry singing, lots of jamming, and the topic is a beautiful woman. Perfect. And this version, with "Naked Pole Guy" in the background, is famous among Dead Heads, because the show at "The Creamery" was so good. Lots of folks enjoying the surroundings, if you watch the rest of the show. Phil Lesh's Bass, at the time, was one of the most sophisticated on the planet. For more info on this instrument see The Grateful Dead Movie, Phil and his tech go over it with a little detail.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Somewhere there is a family who’s grandpa is the naked pole guy.

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@Hartlor_Tayley I'm sure they are proud and tell all their friends. "Hey you know that Dead concert at Ventana..."

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@bobschenkel7921 yeah and the grandkids probably don’t believe him.

[@bobschenkel7921]

@@Hartlor_Tayley As they say these daze LOL. HaHaHa. Yuck Yuck.

[@gangstapenguin2773]

@@Hartlor_Tayley I can’t remember where I read this, but apparently he’s some uber-conservative real estate agent who doesn’t like to discuss the day August 27, 1972

[@daveking9393]

This was GREAT. First time for me. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@TTM9691]

Ok, I don't know who suggested this to you but I completely applaud them. The Dead are SO hard to get into, and this song is a great one that is always among the first few tunes I'd play for someone. Including this particular version (although the studio version is great, and there are countless great performances. One with Branford Marsalis in 1990 is particularly beautiful). I was dragged kicking and screaming to my first Dead show, and was converted by the end of the first set. This song definitely had something to do with that conversion!!!!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This was a perfect choice

[@g.e.5723]

Tic Toc, they are hard to get started with. Aged 12 or 14 I knew, from radio, Casey Jones and probably Truckin'. I bought Terrapin Station and couldn't get all the way in. It wasn't till I got the Europe '72 CD that I got it. I always suggest Europe '72 as a starting point for eager wannabes. Let's face it, Studio Dead is sometimes "lacking", IMHO.

[@TTM9691]

@@g.e.5723 Completely agree 100%. "Europe '72" (or something comparable.....like this 1972 show that Daniel just checked out). "Anthem of The Sun" and Jerry's first solo album are the other two that I start people out on. I was just like you: always knew "Casey Jones" (didn't realize it was the Dead), hated all the other radio stuff (UJB, Sugar Mag, studio version of Truckin'). Loved "Terrapin Station" the song when someone played it to me, but other than that, hated "Workingman's Dead", "American Beauty" and "Aoxomoxa" when I finally heard them. It took being dragged kicking and screaming to a Dead show for me to get it. Converted by the end of the first set!

[@yellowdog2181]

As a angry metal head teenager my friends dragged me to Foxboro 89 , blew my mind . Ended up changing my life in so many ways . I literally came home a different person.

[@TTM9691]

@@yellowdog2181 You totally relate! Oh my god, I'd PERSECUTE Dead fans, I'd make fun of them, I remember that the morning of the show I dropped the needle on all of my Dead records and every song I pronounced as "This sucks!" (I had always loved Terrapin Station, that was the one exception)) Anyways, I was converted by the end of the first set and I remember the next morning, the acid still lingering, putting those same albums on again and falling in love with them, totally understanding them. I TOTALLY relate to your story! There's no other band I can think of where there is that disconnect. I saw them at Foxboro! Not in '89, it was either 90 or 91. The "Shakedown Street" show. The freaky baby on the screen show, lol. Anyways, always great reminiscing about the Dead, friend! "Never had such a good time in my life before!"

[@Gregory......]

Nice selection Daniel. The Dead, I seen them a million years ago in concert. It always brings a smile to my face, when I think about it. Anyways Great Track Daniel Legion ⚡ On with the Timeless Journey ✌️

[@doriwiljt]

Nothing soothes my soul like the GDs music.

[@Yosef1952]

Yes! You won your appeal (for a while at least). Hadn't heard this one. Can't believe this performance is 50 years old. Unmistakably a Dead number. No one else sounded quite like them. Btw, I am DIGGING your Alpha Male persona. :-)

[@amethystjones1038]

I was at this show. Incredible!

[@stephanie.r382]

I love Touch Of Grey, such an uplifting song !

[@jerroldjennymichaudzhenmic3966]

So glad that you get this music. So few young people do. Seems like many young rock fans have to have music that shreds or "bangs" as in head banging, and you see them nodding their heads back and forth. But this "groove" music you feel in your spine and nervous system and your whole body starts to move. This particular track always gives me goosebumps. If I may suggest some music from a band that bangs, shreds and grooves try some Be Bop Deluxe. I would suggest Jets At Dawn or Life In The Air Age great grooves or the live track of Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape off of the Live In The Air Age album. If you are a fan of creative guitar work you will love Bill Nelson. Your friend JustJP was really blown away by this band.

[@darcysalas3042]

Thank you Daniel always trying hard to get us the music that had been blocked. I don't know why that happens but o'well you always come through for us.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

A particularly great reaction.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

To answer your question about rehearsed vs improvised parts of their music, Jerry’s solos are always imprisoned as the instrumental sections evolve in very open ended way sometimes leaving any remnant of the song far behind but sometimes they stuck to the song structure. The studio versions are the rehearsed part but live even that can change in tempo and feel. Jerry never played the same solo twice, some songs are very improvisational some are done straight but always with an open ended feel. They never changed the lyrics without Hunters approval. Part of the magic is how these different aspects blend and morph into and out of the song to varying degrees. Like a conversation with a friend that can go anywhere.

[@eboethrasher]

I mean, you can say never the same twice, but some solos ARE the same melodic phrasing, as it is written as a specific melody, and he tends to stick with that, and then perhaps use that as a launching pad, but not always. Some songs are not jammed at all, so it can be a misnomer to say never played the same twice. El Paso, Big River, there are plenty of versions that sound the same out there. And something like The Race is On never has any real variation. First set songs tended to be kinda samey most times when you heard a version of them. And some of the new stuff from the last 4 years of the band was very structured.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@eboethrasher well yeah that’s all true. I was referring to songs like Bird Song from that 72 era. Even those cowboy cover songs had some variability and although Jerry usually built solos off the vocal melody it was never same but could be very similar because as you said the song isn’t a vehicle for improve. If you listen to the other “Jam songs” in this show ( Playin in the band and Dark Star) you can hear those jams are distinctly different from each other but still have the distinct character of each song. Check out 08-25-72 in Berkeley two days earlier. At least as good of a performance, similar but not the same.

[@1953jazzman]

Incredibly beautiful playing by them on a blistering hot day - a benefit concert for a then very forward-thinking organic creamery!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Save the Yogurt :)

[@mikephalen3162]

Saw them a half-dozen times in three states. Probably best when it's just them, but I did catch them on a tour with Dylan and Petty.

[@axandio]

The Concert to save the Yogurt farm! It was 100F plus outside in Oregon that day. Great song. Tribute to Janis Joplin.

[@david-yi5tm]

"the attics of my life" and "broken-down palace" thank you

[@ericanderson8886]

"Europe 72" one of the great Dead albums as well as one of the great live albums.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

New remixed deluxe version coming out in a few weeks.

[@juanpapworthgrau6034]

There is REALY nothing like a GD concert !

[@ReesesPieces634]

Live in Europe '72 has it all. Great sound.

[@vinesinloops5161]

This is the best dead review I've ever seen. Well done kid

[@floorticket]

Absolutely, Jerry had volume pedal(s). Seems he may have had a volume pedal converted to adjust delay duration as well. You might not know it but the Grateful Dead had some of the best sound reinforcement equipment in the industry. The band as a whole was always pushing the technology forward, just at their own pace. Jerry switched from analog to his new digital (MIDI) axe, on 12-31-89. "Birdsong" is very much a Grateful Dead song but the studio version appears on Jerry Garcia's first solo album, "Garcia" (1972).

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I don’t think Jerry used any delay at least not in those days. He had a wah pedal but controlled his volume on the guitar and by the way he played.

[@eboethrasher]

Some of those solo albums in the early 70s were basically vehicles to get songs for the band. Look at Ace, some of those songs were "Played in the Band" first. There was only 1 song on there that wasn't a GD song, and on Garcia there were only 2.

[@firebird7479]

My now ex-brother in law loved them and followed Bob Weir around whenever they were in our area. I could never get into them.

[@dustylense]

Gratest band to ever play

[@Jeff-S]

The volume differences on Garcia's guitar playing was his pick attack and he also uses his guitar volume a lot. Dynamics were very important to them. Yes it was after Janice's passing. FYI, I think the "La da da da" lyric in Bird Sing was an intentional ode to Janice's outro singing on her version of the song "Me and Bobby McGee" (written by Chris Christopherson) where she she sings" La da da" over and over. It was probably her most famous song along "Piece of my heart"

[@fishercat503]

There are parts during Dark Star at this show where Garcia definitely shreds. Garcia even did an album and some live dates with Yngwe Malmstein.

[@mrshiney2]

Yeah, I played in a Beatle cover band and our bass player found out very late in life that he is Bob Wiers half brother. Funny they never knew of each other until Bob's adopted parents passed on, but they both grew up as musicians....genes man

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Oh yeah, this was from an outdoor concert in Oregon, Sunshine Daydream; the naked guy on the pole was obviously feeling good. I grew up listening to the Dead. Daniel, please also check out their official video for "Ripple." It's very cool.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I think he did Ripple already.

[@axandio]

You may be high, but you'll never be as high as that dude naked on the telephone pole dancing to the Dead.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I was just thinking about the series of decisions he made to get himself there.

[@jawadkhanoffical1878]

Nice viddeo thanku for sharing new sub

[@yellowdog2181]

I love seeing people get turned on to a band that I chased all over the country when I was a teenager and in my 20s. Changed my life for the better

[@domenicgalata1470]

72-74 was God Tier Grateful Dead. Any performances from those tours in those years are stellar. They hit a groove and locked in.

[@maruad7577]

Great band but being a keyboard player for the Grateful Dead was like being a drummer for Spinal Tap. Some of my favourite Garcia song are on the "Old and in the way" album. Particularly "Midnight Moonlight" with the amazing Vassar Clements on fiddle.

[@barrycohen311]

I have a Deadhead cousin who saw the band live 573 times. Of course, this was over a span of ten years or more. I wonder what deadhead holds the attendance record for the most shows...

[@davidbreitkopf3603]

The random dude is also stark naked. He's sort of famous for this, and the fact that in the evening he put on some shorts, or as someone said on the Dead channel, "His evening wear."

[@MrWhit30]

Thats the thing with the Dead. You might get an amazing show, but you also might get a naked guy on a pole.

[@rainbowkeys711]

Next Grateful Dead I'd recommend is "Weather Report Suite"

[@joefilter2923]

I like other songs from the CD more, and other versions of this song, but glad you liked it. Unlike some others the studio version of this song is very good, as is the whole solo record by Garcia.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

The Dead are releasing a remixed deluxe edition of the Europe 72 live album in time for Jerry’s 80th birthday.

[@mikec6733]

Electric guitars have a volume knobs. 👍 I think Mr Garcia follows his own flow as when to be louder, and when softer

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Volume knob and pickup selector he controlled his volume from the guitar.

[@dixiechatty958]

The parts between the verses was, for the most part, improvised. They would plan the first 8 bars or so after the vocals but then it was off to the races. It's amazing how well they played off each other. It didn't always work but it did more often than not. And, boy, when it did it was heaven on earth. No one has ever come close to mastering this kind of playing. Dead and Co. come close but it's just not the same. I saw them dozens of times and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to share and enjoy the experience.

[@matt-el6bq]

Like seeing younger guys find the Dead and understanding what they do

[@jmcc199]

Hunter and Garcia wrote this in memory of their good friend Janis

[@g.e.5723]

Written about Janice Joplin. (Wouldn't it be fantastic if our lad Daniel "gets on the bus"?).

[@WMalven]

Agreed, Phil Lesch is one of the best bassist in rock. I enjoy listening to his complex counter melodies...pl;us the always seems to be enjoying himself. It's rare to see Jerry playing a bog-standard Strat instead of his custom made guitars.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

That strat was modified to the max

[@WMalven]

​@@Hartlor_Tayley Sorry, but that is the Veneta Strat, A bone stock '56 sunburst Fender...3 single coil PUs, 3 knobs, and 1 3-position switch that he used in early '72.. Definitely not the Alembic modified Alligator which Graham Nash gave him and which was his normal guitar from 71-73 and certainly not the later, Wolf, or Tiger

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@WMalven wow ok I was wondering what happened to the alligator 🐊 sticker. So alligator was probably back at the shop for more mods. That’s why Jerry was retuning so often, those old strays played nice but couldn’t hold tuning with all that bendy stuff for very long. I loved the sound of it though.

[@yellowdog2181]

If you’re interested in the how the song changes over the years I believe there’s a killer Bird Song from Nassau 1990 . The band was cooking at this time .

[@thelatenightbar]

lol That bass guitar has ALL THE KNOBS, ALL THE KNOBS ARE BELONG TO US.

[@kevdarby9460]

The Handsome Family-'far from any road' and John Prine-'Sam Stone' await your approval:)

[@peterreist2882]

Phil’s bass playing is so unconventional. He’s in the Philzone, a zone of his own. Dropping 💣 s. That bass weighed a ton with all the electronics packed into it.

[@michaelgarner1026]

Gotta be “Eyes of the World” next. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ3Qm3Zqr5uWY7s Winterland 74 version

[@rustycamaro]

You don't see Jerry with a strat very often.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

They modified that strat so many times that they just built Jerry a custom from scratch from 73 on.

[@shortstuff7959]

what a great tribute to Janis Joplin!

[@timebandito4278]

Hey are you going to do Revolver on your Patreon channel soon?

[@ericfestvog2873]

This song was written for the bands good friend Janis Joplin after she died.

[@JamesRea2]

Try Terrapin Station, not a typical Dead song and the purist are not a fan, but it is my favorite.

[@marcsullivan7987]

“Lots of chord changes” Actually, this song, not so much. There are a few that go by during the verse (basic major chords). For the most part the song is one “tonality” even more than a chord. It’s E mixolydian (earlier versions were in D). And they drift all over it. The interplay and motion gives it the harmonic complexity. But the vast majority is ONE “chord”

[@johncoulombe833]

This song was a tribute to Janis Joplin, a good friend of the Dead.

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

Jerry was in a class of his own when it comes to controlling his tone and volume with his playing. Not electric controlled.

[@jgold78]

Tribute to Janis Joplin. A bird who sang a little while and then flew on...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

There is a “China Cat Sunflower” video from this concert on the dead’s channel but I think it may 18+ for the casual nudity and pot smoking. A great video with more audience etc. the best jam from this show is “playing in the Band” no video on yt. Greatest Story” is also smokin. The whole show is really good. Wish there more video on yt. But the show is up for audio.

[@randyhall5165]

Look into Widespread Panic. You will become a Spreadhead. Enjoy your insight.

[@hedylamarr9558]

Ugh, hippies are controlling the channel once again. I know that hippie crap gets the most views, but so tired of one dinosaur band after another. Oh well, I still enjoy it when Daniel listens something cool and his music is outstanding.

[@stevenlingard1218]

What a show that was!

[@deadphishcheesespread]

I don't know if anyone has mentione this yet. This song is about Janis Joplin, who was going out with the keyboard player Ron "pigpen" McKernan. Both who died prior to this video. The Dead cared deeply about the quality of their sound. Going as far as creating their own microphones. The sound engineer sold more lsd than anyone ever. They are America's biggest band and best and and will never be topped. I saw them in Eugene in 1993. 100% improvised 0% practiced to a T. Check out The Other One.