First EVER reaction to The Grateful Dead (Ripple)

[@maryscales5747]

Listen to the words and learn from them . This is the path of life .

[@EricWalker-p7e]

The Grateful Dead were the quintessential American band. They took all the truly American genres of music (folk, country, western, blues, bluegrass, R&B/Motown, funk, rock n roll, and even a bit of disco) put them all in a blender and then performed the result with traditional rock n roll instrumentation, but with the improvisational traditions of bluegrass, jazz, and Dixieland. Now listen to St Stephen from their 1968 album “Live Dead”.

[@bobschenkel7921]

There is no one song that represents the Grateful Dead. I had the good fortune to see them about 50 times, and every show was different, and great. I was in the audience on 9/3/88 in the Capitol Center in Landover, Md. when they played the first Electric version of "Ripple" in 17 years. I swear I thought the building was going to lift off from the crowd reaction, astounding. For some more "representative" songs try: "U.S. Blues", "Shakedown Street", "Truckin' ", Deal", "Standing On The Moon", "Sugaree", "Box Of Rain", "Althea" and "Brokedown Palace". Enjoy.

[@magules13]

The Dead is classified as a jam band, like a band to just vibe to.

[@Dr3amtime]

American Beauty and Workingman's Dead are probably the most widely accessible albums by the band. Lots of acoustics and harmonies, a fair amount of country / folk / bluegrass influence and vibe. Ripple's a quintessential campfire song, and one of my favorites because of the lyrics. But the Dead explored a lot of other genres and energies; the Hell's Angels probably wouldn't have been a regular fixture on the scene if all the music had been like this.

[@shortstuff7959]

The Dead plays many different genres. Check out Estimated Prophet or Shakedown Street.

[@maruad7577]

Gotta admit that although I like Estimated Prophet, I think Burning Spear's cover of it is better.

[@robineliason7850]

The Dead are best listened to live, they are a jam band and hearing them reinterpret things from night to night is one of the best features of them. And, they actually got their start in bluegrass.

[@DrTramp-uu1hh]

Been into the Dead since the 60s. The message of Ripple is subtle and deceptively simple. A difficult concept for some to Grok in fullness.

[@jamespuleo3269]

Especially for a first-time-ever listen to a "new" band ~~~~ Plus, I cut him some slack for just coming off a bout of covid ~~

[@mikelind8607]

Young man you have no idea how ball's to the wall rock and roll this band can go.

[@danallshaw1131]

Perhaps the greatest Jug band ever.:))

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

Grateful Dead - 5/8/77 fire in the mountain would be my pick for the most typical song. But thats really very very hard to say!?? Every song is so individualistic...

[@hitchhikemike1]

Thanx! They’re number 1, and only!

[@RichardSchaefer-zx9ig]

Tough song for your first listen to the Dead. I've seen them a handful of times in the '70s, including Watkins Glen. The Band and the Allman Brothers slso performed for the 600,000 in attendance. All I can say is, yhe Grateful Dead came on Sat. night @ 6:00 and played till midnight ce back onstage noon Sunday and played 4-5 hours. I don't believe they repeated a song. Dead are best heard Live so I recommend "Morning Dew" from Live @ Barton Hall, Cornell University on May,8, 1977. Considered peak of the tour outings by many a Deadhead. I have the triple CD snd it is primo. The Dead are worth a deep dive. BTW I was born in 1953. Good luck.

[@Kevin041357]

Rippling still waters, where there is no pebble tossed or wind to blow.

[@jaytroyer8590]

"Ripple in still waters When there is no pebble tossed Or wind to blow" Those lines directly reflect the story of Jesus healing a man lame for decades at the Pool of Siloam. At certain times, the spirit of the Lord would trouble the waters, and one could be healed if they got in the pool right away. So, for the Dead, expressing a sense of experiencing something far beyond ourselves

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

😂Jerry Garcia literally said “Rap is not music”

[@thetomatoadvocate8465]

😂

[@jrepka01]

RIP Jerry, still remember the shocking moment when I first heard he had passed on. But that was an ignorant comment.

[@thetomatoadvocate8465]

Yea I’d have to disagree with him there, there are SOME rap songs I enjoy but the vast majority are pretty awful

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

@@thetomatoadvocate8465 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2K1knWaiKidd7ssi=gGt2UfhYd5OdYY18

[@ianscarlett6884]

I like to think if he was still alive he would've changed his mind by now

[@Scottracine68]

Perfect representation it's Americana, no confines or limit really....

[@dongelinas1896]

Really want a jam...U S Blues

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Try China Cat Sunflower > I Know You Rider from Winterland 1974 (on KZbin with video) for a good sense of what they were about back in the mid 70s.

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Enjoy your journey down the deepest rabbit hole there is…

[@adaberns]

agree, or the version from 8/27/72 Veneta, Oregon also on video

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

@@adaberns I don’t know if our young friend here is quite ready for Venita

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

Alpine Valley 89 is also fantastic

[@jrb6960]

You need to go down the rabbit hole - they are a combination a of lots of musical types - this is a great example of their Americana country acoustic sound. But, they are also blues, jazz, funk, reggae, old school rock and roll, acid rock, and experimental. You will also get a great following of deadheads watching because we really enjoy watching people discover them.

[@submandave1125]

Not country, this would more properly be called Americana and closer akin to folk music. This album (American Beauty) and the previous (Workingman's Dead) are both excellent examples of this genre. But the Dead are so much more. Most Dead Heads will say they are best experienced live. For a more lively take try a live version of "Good Morning Little School Girl," "Another Saturday Night," or "Playing in the Band." For a fuller experience, Help on the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower are a three song suite that were always played together. Regarding the song "Ripple" itself, it's a reflection on the ripples and effects of how you live your life and the things you do will have on everyone and everything else. How life is influenced by the felt but unseen. The Dead were, to be simplistic, a hippie band and often extoled that ideology. "Ripple in still water, When there is no pebble tossed, Nor wind to blow" - Where did the ripples in our lives come from? We may never know, but still must ride the waves. "Reach out your hand, If your cup be empty" - ask for help and we'll give it "If you cup is full, May it be again" - no resentment or bitter envy, just wishing you the best in fortune "Let it be known there is a fountain, That was not made by the hands of men" - call it God or Nature or Truth or Love, but that which sustains us is not always of our own making The road "Between the dawn and the dark of night" is your life, birth to death, and "That path is for your steps alone." How to live that life the best? "If I knew the way I would take you home"

[@maruad7577]

It's one of those songs that is a grower.

[@pango-y8j]

Grateful Dead ripple

[@larrytalbott700]

Try "Ramble On Rose" or "Eyes of the World."

[@andyoke50]

Hey there, You chose A great song during a transition period for the Dead. Try and enjoy some live shows from '69, '72, '76, '77 and so forth. there is a plethora of excellent recordings out there.

[@TDN17_official]

Have you ever heard of polyphia

[@thetomatoadvocate8465]

I LOVE POLYPHIA THEY WERE THE FIRST MUSIC REACTION I DID ON THIS CHANNEL!!!!

[@drewturner5925]

Pig Pens song