Grateful Dead - Dark Star ]] Wharf Rat ]] Dark Star (1971-02-18: Beautiful Jam)

The complete legendary Dark Star ]] Wharf Rat ]] Dark Star segue from 18th February 1971. The second half of Dark Star is a prime example of the Dead's masterful improvisation and came to be known by Deadheads as the "Beautiful Jam". Wonderful stuff.

[@ivandad]

the grateful dead saved my life again today

[@Stillpoint23]

The music has saved me too, countless times, most recently at the tail end of withdrawals from smack. Ripple came on the youtube...Thank You Jerry, the depression is all gone, and life is nothing but Pure Light ❤

[@IndianSummerAR]

Listened to this Saturday night on acid and had the most spiritual moment of my life. The dark star reprise tire me to pieces. Conjured up years of pain and sorrow I'd forgotten about and it was like jerry was telling me it was all gonna be okay. Beautiful moment in my life

[@tgproductions97]

That's beautiful. Thanks for sharing

[@thatssoironic]

Awesome man. Awesome.

[@randomnology]

Once in a while...

[@GarlTsagan]

You probably already know how blessed you are

[@relars52]

Sometimes it's the only way...to call it all out...and I'm so glad you felt like you were being told "It's gonna be OK". That is a good sign. It IS gonna be OK. I've had the same feeling before. Take care.

[@victorwong9622]

Wharf Rat is fully formed, even on it’s debut. Weir is playing some beautiful accents and flourishes.

[@jasonlambert5552]

I am so so incredibly grateful to the person that gave me the opportunity to rediscover this band and give them a proper listen.

[@lflewers]

It really don't get better than this

[@samuelgodsey9172]

"Beautiful Jam" takes my breath away everytime

[@blotter1402]

Wharf Rat debuted at this show. Bertha, Greatest Story Ever Told, Johnny B. Goode, Loser, and Playing in the Band were also played for the first time ever at this show.

[@pigpenTuber]

It accounts for the lyric slips and missed cues to start singing after solos.

[@sergeytoropin6428]

Really? Any accounts?

[@andrewptob]

That’s surprising to me because it sounded like a few people were excited for it when it began, as if they knew it already

[@andrewptob]

It is the first one. I looked it up. Amazing

[@Acolis]

@@andrewptob i heard that too but was probably in response to the chord change and the attention to the Bm which isnt really focused on in DS. this is definitely the first wharf rat

[@CraigAMoody]

I was there that night.... It was so mesmerizing... I was 13 years old with my brother's older friends.... I did not know what pot or acid was..... but I knew listening tot he music that it was magicalllllllll....... I stopped counting at 286 Dead shows..... I had the great fortune to work with Hal Kant who had been The Dead lawyer for many years.... before I was born I think.... Anyway... I always existed in wonderment at the jams and the transcendental highlights I experience with all of these shows.... The countless Saunders/Garcia and KingFish shows added to the wonderful foundation I have to understand and connect to the Universe... Thank you, all of you....you know who you are....:-)

[@calcor7287]

One of my spiritual mentors was/is named Craig Moody. Just sayin....

[@DrMitchMedina]

I was at that show, too. Doesn't seem like it was over 40 years ago.

[@Liefvikerson]

You're welcomed,son.

[@nkent1]

My birthday, I was 17 years old. Just about to turn 60 now. Hasn't lost a bit.

[@Stillpoint23]

I turned 1 year old on this day :)

[@WolffBachner]

This soothed my soul after a rough few days. Grateful dead 4ever.

[@rm1133]

And finally, a discussion of the Beautiful Jam wouldn't be complete without Phil Lesh's reaction. David Gans played it for him when Lesh appeared on the "Dead to the World" radio show in 1997: Gans: Well, you asked me to turn you on to some Grateful Dead music, Phil, and that's about the prettiest passage I know. Lesh: Wow. Ah. Ah. When was that from? Gans: February 18, 1971, Capitol Theater, Port Chester, NY. It was coming out of the first "Wharf Rat" ever and back into "Dark Star." Lesh: Ohhhh.... Gans: Pretty stuff. Lesh: Oh, that's just gorgeous.... Aw, that, that -- I'm sorry, that just, that brought tears to my eyes. Gans: Well, good. I'm glad you liked it! Lesh: Yeah, that's gorgeous. Is it longer than that? I mean, is there more of it? Gans: No, that's pretty much it....

[@Joshua-lx4ck]

rm1133 ty

[@richardfinlayson1524]

thats great i love phil.....fuck man,this is some of the best music ever made, right up there with miles davis,coltrane etc

[@joeyscruggs5180]

It happens to me, too, Phil.Thanks for the music!

[@danieldonat9134]

That's so cool. thanks for sharing

[@johnm3152]

Unlaxed and rewound at its Zenith

[@funkyprepper]

This is the best one in my opinion. I've played this soooo many times. Absolutely love it

[@Devonhaas1]

We also have to Thank John Coltrane and Miles Davis- the East Coast inner city Philly Modal Jazz scene for its heavy influence on Jerry..whose 'change of pace' in his solos is a 'nod' to the great John Coltrane 'change' of elevation in his rendition of 'My Favorite Things'. They are like peanut butter and jelly. Trane. Garcia. American Music is without compare.

[@atticusfinch5410]

Exactly Devon.

[@richardfinlayson1524]

in a silent way (miles 1969 LP) always reminds me of the Dead, you re so right...

[@deandass9717]

so cool, just discovering this. Right on. Compare Jerry to when Miles started playing with electric guitar players - Theme from Jack Johnson...

[@henrybegler7370]

@@deandass9717 this is literally what i always tell skeptics.....if you like electric miles you have no business not liking 69-71 dead!!

[@enigmasoftheancientworld5245]

When Miles opened for the boys in 73 you can hear how loose and jazzy it inspired them to be. 74 and 74 were magic. Real 'Bitches Brew' influence in there.

[@patrickjordan6710]

words cannot describe the beauty of this piece of music!!!

[@Mopthedop9]

+Patrick Jordan Words cannot describe the beauty of any part of the bus :D

[@wilsgetchell6420]

Music is what feelings sound like............

[@patrickjordan6710]

+Wils Getchell god I love that!!!! Perfect way to describe music!

[@cuda426hemi]

+Wils Getchell Maybe good music conveys your sentiment. Most music nowadays plain-ass hurts my feelings.... (lol)

[@alecbateman4498]

Wils Getchell thats awesome!

[@mwells219]

It's like that moment when you feel connected to every living thing in the universe.

[@mrpual49]

***** "Connected to every living thing in the universe." Yes! The dead in one sentence.

[@jordany6579]

This music is a portal to another dimension

[@djaminc]

Apparantly called Beautiful Day-Jam on the original tapes...I like to enjoy a Dark-Star in bed,lights off with a joint of good Hashish(homes made) and let the music take my mind to places beyond the cosmos... Thanks for the music guys.

[@ecosolariumenmoviento7589]

Mi esposo amo esta canción 💖 siempre q la escuchaba podía ver cómo su alma danzaba ! El ahora danza en la galaxia ... Y su último suspiro fue con esta canción 💖🎉 así como lo dice la letra de la canción, en medio de rosas ...

[@sweetpeajunglebean]

stunningly, timeslessly, amazingly, cosmically, jaw-droppingly beautiful.

[@chrishorton615]

That was probably the best Dark Star I've heard.

[@ChihuahuaChappie]

I'll be the judge of that ////🤩🤩🤩😘🤩🤩🤩

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Every Dark Star is the best Dark Star

[@jasonlambert5552]

This one seems more groove and melody driven than experimental in nature, It's my favorite because it's wrapped around wharf rat

[@andrewptob]

The shrieks of joy by that girl at the beginning are so awesome...and wow was she there for a good one! 😯

[@jedp4811]

I used to have this on cassette years ago...lend them out back in the day and they were goners,,,lol Just a beautiful thing...That's about all I can say about this magic,,

[@Alterbridge321]

Puts a smile on my face.

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

I have to cry because it is so beautiful

[@DzedajO]

this is like medicine for soul :)

[@volvosan]

As great as this piece of music is, the measuring stick still appears to be the Live at the Fillmore West 02/28/1969 Dark Star Jam. That piece of heaven surely deserved to be on the Golden Disc that we sent out into space in 1977. The only American artists that made it to that disc were Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong and Blind Willie Johnson - a shame the Dead weren't included.

[@sheepshead17]

idk man, maybe the aliens aren’t ready for the Dead just yet

[@OrangeSunshine2]

Without a doubt, 💯 % correct

[@esplonky6502]

We love you Robert Hunter. 6-23-41 9-23-19

[@mr.jsp.e.channel474]

Always loved 'Beautiful Jam'...But to have this complete piece...thank you sir!!

[@Devonhaas1]

In Words? You need only a few to know what you are dealing with here. The first time you open the door for.. or sit down next to the 'right'..Californian -who just told you to come live with him ..'We have three houses.. we'll share everything. K?' You are experiencing what is contained in Dark Star or China Cat. You go straight to the heart of the Universe. You do not pass go. You lower your defenses and let the light in. You Love. You be loved.

[@tubeontime]

devon h Fuckin’A man, Fuckin’A!

[@calcor7287]

just noticed its 330 am....is there a better time for this...not even sure how I got here. Much needed tonight though, going through rough patch with dark on horizon....maybe a good help>slip>frank after this. We'll see...gonna let go. Could use a good dose of healing and hope....

[@calcor7287]

fucking Help>slip>frank was the next video up on youtube from 5/9/77. Something is with me tonight....just gotta let go and be true. "Things are true that I forget, but noone taught this to me yet.."

[@dlm9293]

Hope things are going better for you my friend. Even in your darkest hours, you can always rely on the sweet sounds of the Dead to see you through.. I know I do..

[@tompoynton]

420 am surely

[@privatecapitalism]

Jerry told me life is going.to be okay from now on. Its going to flow. And I won't have any more pain.

[@cardcreekdesign]

2 out of three ain't bad

[@sunshinenblues]

***** easy for you to say. just endure the worst pain the universe can dish out and you'll be singing another tune! I had to live with trigeminal neuralgia and know what pain is-and I've lost everyone I ever loved! just sayin'

[@calcor7287]

i love you

[@WolffBachner]

You said all that needs to be said. Grateful Dead 4EVER.

[@joseacomasoto115]

This takes me back to a time 🤔 well...a time before I existed.

[@gracefulfred2954]

LOVE IT love it LOVE IT !

[@ChihuahuaChappie]

Excellent Audio Top Shelf!

[@jakewiniecki]

never has a song been so appropriately titled

[@lisavigil9077]

Simply beautiful...

[@onlostlane]

Timeless, my two year old loves it, thanks for sharing

[@carlosgonzalezdeubieta1793]

So touching... Best music ever played!!!!

[@mifraidin1]

Deservedly legendary. The transitions are beautiful.

[@richardmoss8949]

Nice Board Recording.....thanxxx....great mix...!!one of the best.....

[@mattkesey8753]

Wow what a transition!!

[@Joshua-lx4ck]

thank you recommendation thing

[@geoffreygnosis]

Ralph B from Vt. Thank you for turning me onto the GD live stuff, back when I was like 15.. How that has changed my life for the better, I could never express here...

[@alecbateman4498]

The miracle band.

[@marcolascaraky6663]

Thanks for posting it to me and everybody....

[@user-sp5uy8yt2q]

Might be my favorite dead medley of all time

[@robfaulhaber8204]

I was born 9 days before this show

[@mcgannahanskjellyfetti3368]

PURE magic

[@johnsheehan977]

This recording has been in my collection off and on for 25 years or maybe 30! Took this tape to a friend's house and we took acid and I danced my little heart out. very nice!!!the band are utterly poignant!✌😝

[@donaldgehre5964]

If everybody could ride on the International Space Station for a week, come back to Earth and listen to Dark Star the world would be a much better world. No doubt in my mind.

[@larrymiller4]

Xlnt to hear Bob Weir and to once again be reminded what a superb rhythm guitarist he is, and I'm hearing him more in different recordings coming out, whereas in the earlier days he was too often buried in the mix.

[@andrewptob]

The Beautiful Jam does not happen without Bob Weir’s background. He is very underrated indeed.

[@patrickgoldsmith4407]

A few of us trucked up to Port Chester, WOW !! Another wonderful trip indeed !

[@johnm3152]

Much thanks for sharing.

[@UnicornCows]

recently went to the theater this was played in! beautiful song, perhaps best version out there along with the 2/13/70

[@MilkywayBlues]

I'm just saying wharf rat sounds like your on a ship, this is gold

[@sns8420]

Floating on a pulse of light

[@DiamondxMonster356]

Been here so many times for years now, brings me back to listening years ago haha good times

[@cesarferganti2454]

Grateful 😢

[@bluenote335]

They launched this from space station 71.

[@KeizerHedorah]

Thank you Jerry,Phil,Bill,Bob,Mickey, Pigpen, Robert Hunter, and Ned Lagin for this awesome piece of music you played back in 71. (Don't know how much Pigpen is adding to this, if at all but I know he was there and playing on songs that night)

[@annawa66]

AMEN! Thanks 4 the reminder

[@psychobilly09]

Mind leaves body inspo the way classical music makes you space out. Wharf rat with the nod to cornell the respector

[@johndegarmo109]

Love that china cat tease at 14:28

[@JohnCW4]

Excellence in musical form

[@sunshinenblues]

sorry you all don't have my memories of the GD. I met them live, followed to their next weekend's performance at the invitation of Weir and ended up staying with Bobby for two nights. the stage floor was mine. I danced along with two groupies. we never knew what hit us! psychedelia helped push us along..and their music. what an era!!

[@dlm9293]

I've seen your comments on quite a few Dead videos, and if your story is true, boy do I envy you. Must have been quite the time, and I'm happy for you and your privilege to not only have experienced it, but live on to tell the tale. Peace and love to you!

[@matthewcannon2560]

This is my favorite Dark Star. The jam after Wharf Rat is top notch! I do not understand why the band went from this sound to phaser heavy guitars and ditched the piano in favor of synth-like keys.

[@zachstoe8451]

Can only kick a rock so far until you find a can

[@andrewpotter4715]

Playing this and the cassette at not the same time is intense

[@bamwa]

Thanks a million Caio!

[@DzedajO]

one of best dark stars, if not the best. first 10 minutes is just like pure eargasm, oh godd!!!!

[@CosmicChrispy]

Tears, chills.

[@stepbystepawsomness]

14:09 isn the most beautiful lick jerry garcia ever played

[@israellamar]

I'm not a violent person. But anyone saying anything bad about this gloriousness WILL be cut!

[@jakeoz4521]

I can sharpen anything ;)

[@secondsettweezer9884]

careful with that edge

[@Resplencemelodi]

After these things, surveying the entrances of the north, above the mountains, I perceived seven mountains replete with pure nard, odoriferous trees, cinnamon and papyrus.

[@jasonlambert5552]

It is quite clear from the beginning crowd screams that Dark Star changed their life.

[@claraallen12]

ice petal flowers revolving

[@sns8420]

Inspiration, move me brightly light the song with sense and color, hold away despair More than this I will not ask faced with mysteries dark and vast statements just seem vain at last

[@joshl.506]

Mickey's last show until 10-20-74

[@mothaphukkas]

Such peaceful chaos. I love this song. May you all find the positive energy to thrive.

[@gdpacnw5126]

15:48 Beautiful Jam

[@banksmc311]

For the "Dark Star" fans -- here is a cool mash-up of "Dark Star" with Allen Ginsberg's "Howl" MASHUP: Grateful Dead "Dark Star" / Allen Ginsberg "Howl" --- 2/24/1974 -- MASHUP

[@smokystew8923]

I just had a catharsis :]

[@claraallen12]

ice petal flowers revolving.....

[@KingofToilets123]

Sounds like the voice of a benevolent space giant

[@Mopthedop9]

+Petrovic Reskolov A shaman carrying out musical orders transmitted from another dimension :D

[@marty.warner]

WAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

[@hallstallion2005]

"Dark Star flashes...." lol

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Entirely Possible haha

[@bendbadgersteve]

Epicness entirety.

[@kensantilli6285]

I believe this is the first ever Warf Rat

[@kensantilli6285]

Yes it is

[@bug______]

nothing beats wharf rat

[@nataliezementbeisser1492]

Fly away...!

[@HillaryKeyes]

When the loneliness begins to creep in. Here I am

[@jasonlambert5552]

Pearly is still true to us all.

[@3243_]

And notice the fairly faint clavichord (harpsichord-like keyboard) playing in the background, That was courtesy of Ned Lagin. You can read about it on his website: www.spiritcats.com/nedbase.html

[@ArodOwnsU1313]

mickey's last show til 75

[@Teknokossack]

Tripping balls

[@htimseel]

Very Floydish in parts. Very cool, never heard this before. Cheers.

[@Wedoparodys]

floyd be soundin deady

[@cesarferganti2454]

Lo mejor ❤️‍🩹

[@rolandramirez4557]

So... Jerry played this on a Gibson double cut TV Special. He got a lot of delicious tones in 1971. However he was tweaking those Fender Twins and using Gibson SGs Les Pauls and the Special as well as Alligator it all sounded amazing. He's also seen playing this custom guitar around March and April. Some say it was an Alembic project but it wasn't. You can see the headstock that says Gibson. The neck looks fat enough to be a Gibson. Are there any knowledgeable gear heads that can enlighten me about this mystery guitar?

[@daveyboy8907]

He always had such great tone..It must be the magical fingers...

[@j.r.wishmire6459]

It was supposedly an early alembic project, by the looks of it (my personal opinion) it looks like one of jerry's lp customs got hacked up into a alembic build, cheers!

[@johnsheehan977]

I was 1 year old.😆😉✌

[@kedsee3854]

hey dark star

[@marksaltveit]

14:50 if you want to get to the point. But the whole Port Chester run is great, and on the web.

[@corinnenc]

[@lookslikemustard]

I just released a demo on bandcamp. There's a song on it called A Bauble for Corinne. It's dedicated to everyone named Corinne : ) Search for Therapy Pony.

[@corinnenc]

[@jasonlambert5552]

rewind