Grateful Dead, Eyes Of The World - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

#gratefuldead #eyesoftheworld
I had never heard this band before but its colorful name made me expect something along the lines of hard, aggressive sounds. Instead, the warm gentleness met me as if it came from the welcoming embrace of a friend.
Here’s the link to the original song by Grateful Dead:
• Grateful Dead - Eyes o...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by Grateful Dead
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[@gullywompr]

I'm a deadhead, and oh my god I love the look on your face as their music crystallizes in your soul. You get the music exactly, and it got you.

[@BobSperber]

So so so right.

[@kevindailey1765]

I cried watching her lights go Its great to see great comment

[@jamiemorris2498]

Please explore live Grateful Dead. The studio versions are notorious for being sterile. The energy of the live performances really add to their songs.

[@timcardona9962]

There is nothing "sterile" about this track

[@ChicoEscuela]

@@timcardona9962 I agree - as a starting point

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@ChicoEscuelaI would say they simple presented the songs in a conservative way to put the lyrics and vocals in front. They were not into spending much time or money in studios.

[@michaelcottle6270]

Agree, but of the studio tracks she could analyse, this is a very good choice. Long enough to get your teeth into, "jammy" enough to be a realistic "dead" experience. Next up should be a live version from a Wall of Sound era show for contrast...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@michaelcottle6270 the studio tracks are good to start with. The live stuff can be a little long winded to listen to without having been there. Would love her to do their shorter live songs like “Tennessee Jed” or “greatest story”. But really a live “Stella Blue” from later in the seventies would really do the trick. That songs gets me every time. impossible to pin this band down with just a couple of songs.

[@jeffmartin1026]

This was a perfect introductory song, you have cracked the code on your first listen - the sound of a warm embrace and friendship, for that is the essence of this band. There truly was nothing like a Grateful Dead concert. The shows were "of the moment", no two shows were alike. They would go on stage having only decided what to play first and then weave and play and interplay into the next song and the next. The live recordings are the best, but should be viewed as individual versions of the original songs. I do suggest that you listen to studio recordings first to know the framework of the songs. Then when you listen to live versions you can hear just how much fun they are having with the songs.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

There is a genuine sweetness and warmth that comes through.

[@rickc661]

I'd say 100 % the live albums are the way to go, may take 2 or 3 listens all the way thru ( serious not background noise ) to 'get it'. Euro 72 straight thru, twice. it'd be like the 10 th Anniv. version of 'Les Miz' which is like, perfect.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@rickc661 live from 72 would good I’m not sure the Europe 72 album is the way to go it’s a studio live hybrid

[@eboethrasher]

@@Hartlor_Tayley The raw 72 shows have no overdubs. Nothing was quite as egregious as the Skullfuck album. Maybe she should be dropped into Live Dead?

[@eboethrasher]

@tomrampley5665 if she had heard one of the 74 live versions that has the early beginnings of Slipknot! in it, well, those are not so sweet. And those are more complex than the studio version too, with the various key changes, bass solo, etc.

[@servantofg-d5393]

Amy should really review the song "Terrapin Station." I believe she would really relate to the song with all its musical changes, layers and tapestries.

[@taradeaton9444]

Agree

[@nathanieltoby6936]

Yea 100%

[@MrYatesj1]

The entire Terrapin suite would be a great choice

[@langwaters9653]

Oh Yes! Yes please!

[@jamesomahoney2181]

Dead and Robert Hunters 113 verses..

[@2get2Terrapin]

The Grateful Dead are very special and influential in too many ways to list. Our journey as Deadheads is lifelong. No other band (even the Beatles) has such a devoted fanbase or even "culture." There are reasons for that. What has grown around this band, still vibrant to this day, is as worthy of treatise as their musical journey itself. Enjoy your journey!

[@BreakfastIsImportant]

you are fully immersed when you elide and capitalize Deadhead =P

[@mstevensn50]

I agree I got on the bus and never got off, I am thankful I seen Jerry with the band many times.

[@xxchuangtzu6186]

An understatement, but absolutely true.

[@rts3618]

Deadheads and Pfunk Funkateers are just about at the top of heat of many many many decade dedicated fandom. If you start do a Parliament-Funkadelic George Clinton song for analysis, maybe consider Maggot Brain, Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication, Sir Nose D’voidoffunk, or maybe something off the album LIVE: Pfunk Earth Tour (where they landed a spaceship on stage) Don’t forget to look at the cover and album art throughout it all 🤘

[@brianfisher6165]

I like your description, The Dead are “a nice gentle hug”!!!❤👌👍✌️😁

[@88wildcat]

That did benefit shows for the Hell's Angels.

[@alvarhanso6310]

This is a vast rabbit hole you have entered. Eyes of the World is a great entry point. It was originally written in the late 60s, with Robert Hunter giving the lyrics to Jerry Garcia who couldn't figure out the right music for it until 1973, when he set it to a salsa beat. Originally it was probably their most Summer of Love, hippie-dippie kind of song, which Jerry held against it as well. But it became a beloved song from its debut on 2/9/73. From 1973-74 it featured a nice dark/minor modulation before a bass solo. As to the Beatles and their inspiration for the Dead; it is real and genuine, but they were inspired by them, then leapt past them musically, then just by sheer longevity, 30 years versus 10. The Dead are a band best explored through live material. It is quite varied material, as one would expect from that very varied list of musical stylistic influences, and songs would change over the years. Mainly tempo, but sometimes keys. Check out The Eleven (in 11/8), Dark Star (the ultimate Dead jam vehicle), Bird Song, Terrapin Station China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider, Hard to Handle (fiery Otis Redding cover sung by original frontman Pigpen), The Other One, Scarlet Begonias> Fire On the Mountain, Morning Dew, Playing in the Band (in 10/4), Weather Report Suite. Shorter, more story telling songs include Ripple, Uncle John's Band, Jack Straw, Cumberland Blues, Brown-Eyed Women, Loser, My Brother Esau, Tennessee Jed, Ship of Fools, Cosmic Charlie, Candyman, Bertha, Black-Throated Wind, Comes a Time, So Many Roads, Days Betweens, so many others.

[@richardhallin6679]

Thanks for sharing that "inside baseball" info! Fascinating stuff!

[@cassandraborden5248]

Your comment enlightened me. Grew up in CA in the mid last century! Our hosts smile says it all! Intelligent and beautiful thank you for the comment as well as the reaction to vid! 11:59

[@jacksonbauer5199]

Yes! Just yes… This individual just saved me 5 minutes of typing as I would have said nearly the same thing word for word.

[@manonthemoog]

2/9/73 Just happens to be my favorite live recording! Fantastic energy and upbeat playing, and there are something like six songs played for the first time. I don't think they introduced that many songs at any other show, excepting maybe the first Blues For Allah show...

[@elainevario1174]

I usually lead with ripple❤.. Franklins tower❤lol

[@pkekalos]

I've listened to Eyes of the World probably tens of thousands of times in hundreds of different versions...and I still react to it each time the exact way this person does.

[@ericanderson8886]

Just love lyricist Robert Hunters songs. He matched up so well with Garcia and the style of the Dead.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Especially on those ballads. Some pretty deep and heavy stuff in those songs.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Love those Hunter /Garcia ballads. Robert Hunters lyrics have so much to give.

[@JoeBlow_4]

I'm so sorry you were never able to go to a show when Jerry was alive. There was nothing like experiencing a Dead show.

[@richardbilger2334]

I never saw the Dead with Pig Pen, but did see my first several shows with Keith and Donna. Ahh, my days on Tour, 1977-96…💚🎩

[@popetones7400]

No doubt. I’ve seen way more than my share of shows that would be classified in various ‘genres’. There is absolutely nothing remotely close. The whole atmosphere in and around the venues. And they constantly experimented, and took chances, till the end. Never falling into a formula or gimmick. Only got to see em last two tours. Still, I feel more fortunate about that than any other musical experience. And music takes up a ton of my time.

[@richardbilger2334]

That should be 1977-95…

[@TalHurley]

I saw the Grateful Dead many times in their last 20 years, and yes, there is nothing else like The Grateful Dead. But the music lives on in over 300 bands in the US and around the world. The music and experience is as much in the present for me as it ever was when Jerry was alive. I am very fortunate to have seen Jerry perform both with the Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band. Amy, if you would like to have The Grateful Dead experience, I would suggest seeing Dark Star Orchestra or Joe Russo's Almost Dead.

[@5gentxn]

You got it sister! At 7:05 you prove you get it, "It feels like a warm friendly hug." When you get a night free, just hang out with, "Wake up to Find Out- Nassau Coliseum; Uniondale; NY 3-29-1990 (Live)" It is a three disc set that has a guest appearance by Brandford Marsalis. Turn it up and dance the night away. Welcome to the Family. 🕊

[@willlicks8584]

^do what this person said, they know exactly what they're talking about.

[@chadowenee]

Please do ^

[@positivityspiral]

great rec!

[@paulanderson1009]

1 of 34 shows I saw, probably the best.

[@WastrelWay]

I heard that on the radio. It was a King Biscuit Flour (Flower*) Hour.

[@RuiBarEdits]

A 20 minute video about Grateful Dead music without a single mention of Jerry Garcia?! C'mon, Vlad!!

[@DannyD714]

please add "ripple" to your upcoming grateful dead reaction list. it's my favorite.

[@ChicoEscuela]

Ripple and Brokedown Palace are timeless - great suggestion

[@88wildcat]

Ripple is a great song but it is a pretty simple song to do a musical analysis of. Eyes of the World, Terrapin Station or live versions of China/Rider, Scarlett/Fire, or Help/Slipknot/Franklin would be way more interesting to disect musically.

[@DannyD714]

@@88wildcat true it's not musically technical,but the melody and words are beautiful. very "palate cleansing" and refreshing for someone who has been inundated with electric guitars and heavy drums for a while like amy.

[@zredband]

​@@88wildcat Fair enough assessment of music- the tune is simple, but lyrically it's a wonderful zen koan. One of my favorite songs.

[@ElementaryPenguin]

One of my favorites too! It gives me a feeling of calm and peace like no other song besides Beethoven's Für Elise.

[@darrylhinko5568]

If you enjoyed this you should definitely check out Terrapin Station, it has a very classical influence ending. I would say a baroque ending but my music history is fading away. Glad you enjoyed The Dead, they were a very interesting band, never doing the same show twice. So many great songs, I had the privilege of seeing them many times between 1987 and 1991, enjoy your journey.

[@JayOwinFull]

I 2nd this.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@JayOwinFull I think the first time they performed this live in March 77 was pretty near perfect. The album version with all that symphonic stuff is too much stuffing for my taste. The producer added all that stuff later and didn’t tell the band. Terrapin is one of Hunters best lyrics and the music is superb.

[@epearc]

Terrapin Station is one of my favorite albums. Grateful Dead or otherwise. I discovered it in my senior year of HS.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@epearc it’s a great album, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to put it down. I know how records hit us in high school.

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

So many things I've seen at these shows. Terrapin Station in all its parts, like a suite, is wonderful more so on the album, but when any version emanates from the band from the stage, all the ambient energy in the universe combines in a moment.

[@g.e.5723]

She likes it! I foresee tie-dye dresses, Dancin' turtles and marching bears in the near future. (she's getting on the bus).

[@jackstrawno11]

Thank goodness you have arrived! Get on the bus! You need to listen to more Grateful Dead! Let's Go Truckin'!

[@JackCerro]

Watching the Beatles get chased by hordes of girls was enough to make any jug band decide to pick up the electric instruments.

[@heatherdaniels7118]

Thank you for listening to the dead with an open heart. It is magical. Keep enjoying. It's so much more than to music it's the connection to us deadheads! 🎉🎉🎉

[@MrYatesj1]

We Heads know heart opening beauty when we see it, hear it, feel it and live it

[@Merm35]

Hers is such a pure and lovely response. I enjoy her videos so much! Eyes is really a perfect intro to the Dead. I hope she listens to a lot more. 🥳

[@scottsnyder2726]

You captured the Dead’s essence. They came out of the San Francisco counterculture of the mid-1960s. They toured for decades and often concerts would last 3-4 hours. Dead Heads were there for the music, the scene, the love and to celebrate life! Their live performances were always unique. They would get into a groove and just play. Laid back yet hard not to get up move and dance. A truly community experience

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

They would haul the largest sound system ever devised all over the country and play in your town. We all had a great time and it felt so spontaneous, sometimes it was amazing and brilliant and then sometimes it wasn’t but we weren’t keeping score. It really was a big love vibration. We loved them warts and all, they played to the room in an honest and open way. The energy was a two way street. If you went, you were part of it.

[@billjones8503]

And loads of drugs I heard. lol

[@billjones8503]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Maybe so. - I do know a friend who's brother got into the deadhead scene for a certain number of yrs, & he went in full throttle with loads of different drugs. He eventually returned home here & is basically physically & psychically disabled for the rest of his life. Of course, that's only a sample of one, thus negatory.

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

@@Hartlor_Tayley don't you wish you could explain it to people and have them really understand what a spiritually uplifting experience it was... I feel like people are just like ok smoke another one. Instead of taking us seriously! Little rant there. Haha.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@Stephen-nd1sxyes it would be nice 😊 but there is really nothing to compare it to. We kept a little bit of that in ourselves but it’s just not accessible to others unless it happens again which at this point in world history seems unlikely.

[@chrispdx5755]

Welcome home to the most rewarding rabbit hole that will fill your heart like nothing else ❤

[@nathanielvargas3863]

I love that the first Grateful Dead song you’ve featured is, “Eyes of the World.”

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I’m very pleasantly surprised to see you do the Grateful Dead. There is a lot that can be said about them but it’s really about Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunters songs. They are very organic and subtle musically with brilliant lyrics that evoke emotions and thoughts and can take you places that you don’t expect. Garcia’s lead guitar is improvisational and just flows in sweet melodic expressions. The fans of this band really love them like a best friend. Another fine song is “Brokedown Palace” which is a ballad, they have so many wonderful songs. The Dead made their own way outside of the larger music business and we all thought of them as one of us, a real peoples band they focused on live performances and pioneered many innovations in live sound and touring. Jerry was a visionary and he developed a playing style unlike anyone else. Garcia’s guitar and vocals with Hunters lyrics is genius, there is a purity and spirit with magical qualities that’s so satisfying. I am really really really looking forward to an analysis of this song, I think you’ll find it worth the journey. Great reactions thanks Amy and Vlad and Liesel for affording your parents the time to make the this possible. 💕

[@kgrant67]

The Weir/Barlow songs aren't too shabby either

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@kgrant67 true. “Cassidy” “ Greatest Story” Estimated Prophet”

[@richardhallin6679]

To me, she reviewed Robert Hunter and no one else.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@richardhallin6679 she said they were going to do an in depth video soon.

[@davidkopec9442]

You nailed it my man. Some props to Phil Lesh’s totally unique style.

[@briangriffin5524]

I think your researcher got it wrong. The Grateful Dead never copied or imitated the Beatles. The Dead were part of the San Francisco scene. They were influenced by folk, blues, rock and psychedelia.☮️☮️

[@m.ericwatson968]

Vast and very rich musical rabbit hole, The Grateful Dead created a musical legacy and dedicated following unlike any band before or since, this is a beautiful song and a great introduction; The Grateful Dead merely means those who were thankful and glad to have lived as they tried to live and experience each moment as each moment will be the first and the last.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

It’s funny because the whole thing just started as a bit of a joke and then surprisingly it took off. The dead managed to go from playing bowling alleys to football stadiums in a few short years without any hit songs and still managed to go broke in the process. I love these guys.

[@Scottracine68]

Not sure you could've picked a better jumping off point. One of my personal favorites

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Notice the textures expressed in the lyrics. This song has beaches and horses and birds and seeds bursting into bloom and wagons loaded with clay. I’ve noticed Hunter’s lyrics really present some specific and compatible textures among other things like surrealism and humor as well as tragedy, many songs are cautionary tales. A wide spectrum of lyrical styles. just an incredible lyricist.

[@visathief]

I am fascinated by Robert Hunter’s expertise in imagery. Individual lines and statements that are moving and powerful on their own, yet when strung together paint vivid and dare I say personal pictures. Letting the listener imprint their own experience overtop of these images and textures are just the icing on this layer cake!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@visathief well said. Hunters great great grandfather was Robert burns the romantic poet. Hunters like Garcia’s childhoods was full of turmoil and pain. Hunters lyrics incorporate so much literature poetry mythology folklore and Bible stories a true master of the craft.

[@slugghmcgee8603]

For 50 years I thought it was "hay" in that wagon. Thanks!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@slugghmcgee8603 I’m glad we got that straightened out. It’s the best line in the song imho

[@jamesomahoney2181]

Wake of the flood new studio outtakes and incredible versions on KZbin..angels share..

[@SuperLocrian]

I was so happy you enjoyed Jerry and the Boys, it literally brought tears to my eyes. And you clearly were impressed with Robert Hunter's phenomenal lyrics. Welcome to the bus... climb aboard! Maybe check out something from Reckoning/For the Faithful... I'd suggest the songs: To Lay Me Down, China Doll, and/or It Must Have Been the Roses.... all great songs that really shine on this recording!!!!!!!!!

[@grahamokeefe9406]

I wish you'd done a live version. The Dead really shined in a live setting.

[@gheller2261]

The version with Branford Marsalis is the best.

[@quadspeak]

Dicks picks vol 3 and winterland 74. Studio version is junk

[@utahcornelius9704]

Sometimes. Sometimes not. I enjoyed every concert for various reasons, but it was not always for the performance. And many times, they just played the song straight through, just like the album. They didn't always improvise that much, like people like to suggest. Other times, they jammed way past caring. I'd just start talking to the people around me. And there was space, that pretty much interested no one. Drums, yeah. Space, no. Other times Bobby sang out of tune. And sometimes Jerry's voice was shaky or scratchy. In short, the performance wasn't always an improvement on the record. You can't get the same energy on a record. You can't get improvisation on a record. But you can get the choices they made right then in the studio, you can get all the instruments perfectly tuned and the volume levels right, etc., and you can get good vocals. Those count for a lot in my book, especially now since I can't see them live.

[@matthewmaguire3554]

Great that you bought your ticket to get on the bus with this song… Have a seat. The Grateful Dead is known for their live performances above all else. May I recommend the Grateful Dead live at the great American music hall in San Francisco 1975 as an excellent introduction to their live shows.

[@bevstuff16]

The smile that slowly comes to her face when Jerry starts singing? I knew she knew.

[@BlinDefender]

What this music feels like to me is dancing in the sunshine. This band is maybe the most recoded band in history; they toured so much and were recorded at nearly every show, amazing.

[@somersetcace1]

Is it just me, or could anyone else see her at a dead show in the 70's rocking out on the lawn at Alpine Valley. Next thing you know, she's on a multi colored school bus traveling the country following the dead! 🙂

[@johnalbert7526]

I spent many days on that lawn. Amy would have been welcomed with open arms. God I miss those days.

[@somersetcace1]

@@johnalbert7526 Well said!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@somersetcace1 I thought that about Amy right from the start.

[@sandytippery4916]

Never thought of the dead as being influenced by the Beatles, sure they did a few covers, and did them well, but their spirit was very different and much more free. No doubt that if you toured with the Beatles you saw very much the same show night after night. Not so with the dead. They never did the same show twice and each tune was rendered with spirit and respect. TT 1227 pm. 031923.

[@skullcrusher9165]

PLEASE do more dead. I’ve heard this song a million times but it was so nice seeing someone else’s first impression. They really do make beautiful music

[@axandio]

Ah. We have reached the Grateful Dead. This is the largest rabbit hole band in rock history after the Beatles maybe. As far as their polished sound, this was 1973, and they had been at it since 1965 as a band... that's 8 yrs, you could say nearly the same span as the Beatles were when they were at their end in 1970.

[@RobertJWaco]

A warm hug is probably the best way to describe the Dead

[@richardreynolds6764]

You should listen to a different eyes of the world from a live album there are a lot longer version that go on and on . And just a note poeple quite there jobs and regular lives to follow these guys from show to show and live on the road. We are call Deadheads .

[@subpotentmage8048]

Unbroken Chain please! 🙏🏻

[@rk41gator]

Grateful Dead is a serious vibe. I like Amy's characterization of this band from only one tune. Uncle John's Band might be a good second tune to view.

[@MrYatesj1]

St Steven!, Saint/Sailor, the list is nearly endless

[@BoudiciaDark]

My favorite song by my favorite band! Saw them over 100 times while Jerry was still alive. I hope you (eventually) check out the full Terrapin Station suite!

[@aoxomoxoanthem]

I would explore Grateful Dead’s opening trifecta Help On the Way / Slipknot! / Franklin’s Tower from their 1975 album Blues For Allah You will be pleasantly surprised 😊

[@88wildcat]

Even better the live version from One from the Vault.

[@lisarainbow9703]

I was gonna suggest Help on the Way/Slipnot/Franklin's, as well. Lots to bite into with that trifecta, indeed.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

So many bands of the era were trying to create music that would take you out into a weird psychedelic space, the Dead were an oasis and seemed to be about bringing you back and reintegrating yourself with reality without losing those psychedelic positives in the process. This song Eyes of the World sounds like they are saying it’s Ok,we live in the world that is going through it’s natural cycles and so are we, life is an ongoing miracle that you are a part of so don’t freak out it’s beautiful and we are here to take you home.

[@MsCrystalWizard]

❤

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@MsCrystalWizard 😊

[@ARTGLIB]

Lyrics By: Robert Hunter. Robert was their house poet and a poet in his own right; he always carried a moody mien. They considered him a part of the band.

[@samblethen]

Yes. And considered the best lyricist of the 20th century by many

[@elevenseven-yq4vu]

I really like their "Blues for Allah" album, but my favourite The Grateful Dead song is "Crazy Fingers" off that album. I absolutely love it!

[@88wildcat]

If you want to know how they were influenced by the Beatles listen to the Jerry Garcia Band do a live version of Dear Prudence.

[@richardhallin6679]

Dead & Company just did that outside of Wash DC a week and a half ago. . . very awesome!

[@Jorma_K]

Glad I’m reading the comments I was just gonna say the same exact thing yay

[@tomratcliff3755]

Grateful dead is a genre of British folk tales, where a traveler would be kind to a stranger. Later he is rewarded for his kindness, but finds out that the stranger was a ghost

[@michaelcottle6270]

I'm English and I did not know that. Thank you.

[@lisarainbow9703]

More specifically, the traveler paid the debts owed by the ghost, hence, creating gratitude. The "Grateful" Dead...

[@johngriswold2213]

Supposedly the term comes from the Tibetan Book of the Dead..."In the Land of darkness, the ship of the sun is drawn by the grateful dead." They did cover many traditional folk songs.

[@tomratcliff3755]

@@johngriswold2213 interesting, I remember my older sister having that book, probably later in the sixties. I'm sure they would have been aware of it in the Haight Ashbury scene as well

[@johngriswold2213]

@@tomratcliff3755 Given the times your milage may vary on the stories told;) I first saw them the spring of '70 at the Family Dog, a tight little venue at Playland at the Beach in SF...maybe held 500.

[@Whyaspoon]

I was raised on the Grateful Dead. In fact, the first song I can remember singing was Friend of the Devil. Your description of the Dead as a warm embrace is so very accurate. I have always said, to myself and to my friends and family, that the Grateful Dead is like a warm blanket that I know is always there for me whenever life gets difficult. Great reaction and analysis, really enjoy your videos!!!

[@Tijuanabill]

I always liked how they worked out their songs live, and recorded them later, rather than the reverse. Some songs were 5 or 6 years old, before ever making it to an album.

[@robertharper5087]

I was surprised and happy to see the title of this video. I love the Grateful Dead, they are a very unique band. They have a depth to them that is very hard to explain, or even recognize for some people. It might take you longer than you have to really experience all they have to offer, but it’s so nice to see you taking a listen.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Impossible to pin down with one song.

[@DingleBerry88]

You really nailed it when you said the word “comfortable”. For me, the Dead are the most comforting band and an underlying theme throughout all of there music is accepting and being comfortable with the cards you’ve been dealt.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I don’t know about being comfortable. Maybe the occasional resigned to one’s fate perhaps.

[@MorganBrackeen]

Her impressions.....A warm gentle hug!!! Like meeting with a friend!!!

[@mickeyhank]

Lovely, perceptive, insightful reaction that resonated well with me re: this song and The Grateful Dead, thanks Amy. 😊

[@richardreynolds6764]

Eyes of the world,,,or playing in the band from The Grateful Dead movie

[@steveh7108]

I think the Beatles influence is more of the influence to just take your own path and follow your own Musical desire with no need to follow trends.

[@oopswrongplanet4964]

To me the name "Grateful Dead" reflects those who have completed their mortal journey and are grateful for the lives they had lead.

[@michaeldezego340]

Hello. I really enjoy your reactions. They are enjoyable because of your knowledge of music theory and your ability to break down the songs and communicate it in an interesting way. You are also very personable. Okay, just one thing regarding this group and their music. The Dead studio albums are alright, but they shine when they played live, it's what they were known for. so you just listened to my favorite Dead song and my favorite live version of the song is from the Grateful Dead Movie soundtrack. I couldn't find an audio only version, so I am providing for you the link to the video version, which is good because then you get to see what they and their fans look like. This is from October 1974: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ3Qm3Zqr5uWY7s

[@notthistimenet]

As much as the Grateful Dead's music is somewhat relegated to a cultural corner, they are very much a foundational part of the rock scene.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Outside the mainstream but yet popular.

[@eboethrasher]

@@Hartlor_Tayley They are one of those bands that from outside the mainstream influenced so many bands downstream. They had a huge following that infected lots of people. Like my favorite band, The Cure. For years they were always outsiders. Despite selling out stadiums in the late 80s. In the 2000s they were pulling 8k people in amphitheaters in the midwest, yet now they are selling out those same amphitheaters again. Some bands it takes time for their infection to reach peak point. The Dead are part of the zeitgeist of American music at this point. And The Cure have made their way into the history of rock music at this point, from an unassuming post-punk goth band to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The stories are similar, to me at least, as a fan of both bands. Both bands have fans that are similarly rabid and tour around to see multiple shows. And the Cure vary their setlists to some extent from night to night and also play about 3 hour sets. Strange bedfellows.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I think the the impetus to form an electric rock band was inspired by the Beatles but the dead went in a different direction, Garcia and Hunter were playing on the folk circuit for years before they formed the dead. There is a good clear live recording of this song from the “One from the vault” album that is not as long as they would usually play this song. Might be good for reference. Thanks for the the great reaction.

[@ErikMCMLXV]

I love how she spent more time talking about how the music made her feel than analyzing the music the way she usually does. I don’t think that’s something she would have expected to happen when she started all this and thought rock music was just”factory noise”!

[@richardhallin6679]

I felt the opposite. . . that chord change into the chorus always amazed me, and I was anxious to hear her take on it.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I noticed that too. Right to the feels. 😊

[@kenguilliams4745]

It's about how the music makes you feel? Isn't it?

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@kenguilliams4745 yes !!

[@VirginRock]

Yes, it confirms what I believed and stand by, that it's worth stepping outside of one's comfort zone and try something new!

[@unstrung65]

You know , if you had another person advising you and influencing you , your whole outlook on rock might be somewhat different . The Beatles was a good place to start , but you needn't have set such a long tough schedule ahead of you , perhaps a few cuts from each LP would have been better . Of course many fans of popular and rock music were heavily influenced by when they came of age , and what was popular at that time . For instance , though Jerry Garcia was a great guitar player , other factors influenced their rise to fame , obviously including drugs and the deadhead way of life being heavily influenced by mostly soft drugs and having a kind of 'cult' like aura about them - which I personally steer clear of . The 'cultural aspects of rock groups are as important as the music ! I do enjoy your analysis and impressions , but you could be getting into a whole different 'thing' as you move along . There is no real substitute for having lived through the era bit by bit !

[@joelbertcornibus1]

Reluctant leader Jerry Garcia had the best voice leading to chord tones, maybe ever on any instrument, especially live. Robert Hunter's lyrics were also in a similar class

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Jerry’s melodic and harmonic ideas just flowed and often in a very eloquent and conversational way, as if he was telling you a joke or a tragic tale or both simultaneously.

[@bliers]

To so many, that warm embrace quality equates to family with other Dead fans.

[@Ybor-ld6uq]

Lyricist Robert Hunter was nothing short of a scholar of worldwide literature who was an integral part of the band. Perfect foil to the collective music collaboration of disparate individuals who made way more magic on stage than they could ever explain. Saw this only a few times in 28 years of seeing them. Wondrous. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@hashburystumble8808]

Hunter was originally called Bobby Burns before his mother remarried. Some say he claimed that he was related to the world famous poet Robert Burns of Scotland.

[@jcavilia1]

@@hashburystumble8808 He did claim that, often. Not just related, but direct descent (Burns was his great-grandfather, he said). I've never seen any documentation of that, but it makes sense to me. Remember that Burns was a musician as well as a poet, and many of his best-known works were written to be sung.

[@hashburystumble8808]

@@jcavilia1 "And fare thee weel, my only Luve And fare thee weel a while And I will come again, my Luve Tho' it were ten thousand mile"

[@jcavilia1]

@@hashburystumble8808 Yes, that's an excellent example of a Burns song, and it almost feels like lines Hunter could have written. I learned it perhaps 30 years ago to sing it to my wife on our anniversary. Since she passed away earlier this year, it's one of the songs I sing when I want to feel close to her (alongside "Ripple" and "Brokedown Palace" and "Box of Rain"}.

[@hashburystumble8808]

@@jcavilia1 So sorry for your loss. I also find comfort from the same songs.

[@thememdude]

Another great reaction to a great band. Speaking of influences and the name The Grateful Dead,' they get the name from a different media. Kurt Vonnegut Jr. wrote a best selling novel called Cat's Cradle in 1963 before the band changed it's name. You may be familiar with it as it was a best seller. In the novel there is a substance called Ice Nine which is an ice particle with a slightly different molecular structure which allows it to freeze at room temperature. The substance eventually gets released into the world and all life is of course gone and frozen except the main protagonist. At the end of the book the character climbs to a high peak and laying on his back facing God and fate he lays a crystal of the substance onto his tongue while flipping off God and becomes Gratefully Dead as it were. The Grateful Dead's publishing company was called Ice Nine Publishing, the name is an obvious reference and the book mentions American Beauty Roses about 8 times which is one of the Dead's albums. For several years the guitarist Jerry Garcia owned the rights to the novel Cat's Cradle and wanted to make a movie of it but it sadly never happened. It's a great book about nuclear destruction, free will, politics and a religion that strives to make life more bearable though acceptance and delight in the inevitability of everything that happens in life. A very Grateful Dead theme which you of course noticed on your first listen. Thanks for all the great videos!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

I’ve never heard that before. That’s interesting. I knew Garcia owned the movie rights for “Sirens of Titan”. I don’t think they got their name from that novel the band says otherwise but who knows really

[@thememdude]

Well, I ain't always right, but I've never been wrong. Seldom turns out the way it does in a song. Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right... ;-) Sorry, I can't wait for her to get to Scarlet Begonias. Such an interesting musical composition.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@thememdude “the wind in the willows played “Tea for Two”. “ honestly I don’t think anyone remembered how they got their name. Jerry says he just randomly opened an encyclopedia of folklore and plopped down his finger and there was the name Grateful Dead and he thought it would be funny to name a band that. The whole thing was a bit of lark at the time.

[@petebot1a]

Unless you have experienced this band live in a show, it's hard to understand the true genius of this group. The live shows were so much more powerful than the studio recordings.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

They really played to the room, even live audience recordings can’t quite capture it.

[@petebot1a]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Saw many shows between 85 and 90, nothing was better.

[@utahcornelius9704]

Between 1982 and 1995, I saw and enjoyed dozens of shows. Enjoyed every single one immensely. The energy and creativity of the jams. But, truth be told, not every night was muscially wonderful. Every single one could be, they had the potential, but not all of them were. Depending on how much coke Jerry was doing, sometimes his voice, and even sometimes his guitar, would not be up to it. And sometimes the music was muddy overall. Sometime it was the acoustics of the venue. Sometimes it may have be the sound equipment. But sometimes it was just the band. Sometimes they were like a half-dozen colorful crayons producing brown. You know, while I loved the magical performances, the average performances were so bad. I focused on enjoying the company of the people I was with, the fact we were there at a Dead show, pondering the emerging setlist, hinging on every segue, people watching, the energy and atmosphere, just the beauty of another Dead show. And so I kept going back, every chance I got. Nevertheless, I have never stopped enjoying the studio recordings. Yes, the performances had energy. Yes, sometimes they would play some songs differently, and it would make you twirl and dance, in your mind, body, or both. But not always. And the studio albums bring another experience. It's like another facet of the same diamond, to me. It's the more structured, rehearsed, intentional version of the Dead. Those are the versions of the songs they played when they had to choose one. And, yes, no doubt the length of those versions were influenced by a consideration of appealing to the largest audience. And by large, the vocals were if not better they were at least in line with the best recordings they had, and, in my book, that was a good thing. I didn't whine if Bobby wasn't quite in tune or Jerry was a little too scratchy, but I did prefer it if the vocals were as good as, say, In the Dark. All in all, in my view, the choices, decisons, performances, and edits made for the studio albums were not a bad thing. They were just different. Sometimes live was better. Sometimes not. I liked having both.

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

I love the Dead! I really enjoy how spontaneous and improvisational they are. I've been waiting for the right time to suggest Phish, and this might be it.

[@ianobrien3248]

Come stumble my mirth, beaten worker

[@cshubs]

For her I'd recommend a You Enjoy Myself or Esther from the 1992-95 era. Then Run Like an Antelope.

[@ianobrien3248]

@@cshubs nice. Best era

[@cshubs]

@@ianobrien3248 UVM grad here.

[@TheSpanishInquisition87]

@@cshubs I was thinking "Esther" as well, or maybe, "the Mango Song."

[@JayOwinFull]

Oh wow welcome :)I hope you do a deep dive on this one! So much ear candy

[@CharlesHolz-pq4jv]

You can see the moment she understood the music. Eyes closed with a smile and head moving. Bliss

[@vitob3926]

Grateful Dead is good stuff but if you overlisten you may experience an aversion to bathing paired with an attraction to LSD, bead jewelry and patchouli

[@agunslinger9349]

History of the name comes from some old prayer components. Essentially the soul of a dead person, "or his angel, showing gratitude to someone who, as an act of charity, arranged their burial." Would contend Jerry Garcia was the original nucleus of the band. Enjoy a wild and surprising trip discovering the Dead.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Jerry was the visionary and genius of this band. Also the Garcia band which toured between Dead tours was a whole other trip. Jerry would just plug in and music would pour out until he pulled the plug and would do this everyday for decades. A remarkable musician in his own right.

[@richardhallin6679]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Yeah! I'd love to hear her take on a great live version of "Mission in the Rain. . . come again" ☺

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@richardhallin6679 that would be beautiful, I think I prefer the Garcia band to the dead and I think Jerry did too.

[@dennismason3740]

Amy, darling: The Grateful Dead are a live experience, sometimes a bit dark and STILL it is a shared experience. The Grateful Dead are a force of nature sitting in the corner plucking that rusty old banjo. The Dead threw the dictionary away long ago. Apparently the chord chart, as well. You can laugh now.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

But Garcia studied and worked very hard to constantly improve, it’s quite remarkable.

[@dennismason3740]

@@Hartlor_Tayley - Uncle Jer, sometimes. I'm 70. If my guitar playing is not more epic than yesterday's, I kill myself.

[@richardhallin6679]

@@Hartlor_Tayley Yep. . . In that era, lots of them were a bit naive on the ultimate consequences of certain drugs. . .not being judgemental. . . we were all naive back then

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@richardhallin6679 well being on road for long periods of time and performing almost every night is not an easy life, there were few comforts and the rewards are playing shows and that’s about it. Jerry played what he felt and I can recall with the Garcia band people breaking down in tears from just the guitar solo it was so moving and when the song ended and people were applauding instead of saying thank you he said “I’m sorry”, that emotional communication was his gift but at what cost? That life can be pretty isolating and tedious with a lot of pressure and responsibility. There is also the organized crime that was trying to extort money from the artists and the local police and politicians, a whole legion of unsavory people that had to be dealt with. Self sacrifice would be a apt description. What’s that lyric “the more that you give the more it will take”.

[@garlooroztox]

The Dead was/is the center and moderator, in a sense, of the psychedelic movement that came out of thousands of people and young people being exposed to LSD and other psychoactive drugs and ideas of liberation and community and risk that ensued. The psychedelic experience contains the heights and depths of emotion and experience,, extremes of ecstasy and fear, death and madness, a sense of connectivity with the universe and self and all selves in time and timelesness. The stuff, psychedelic drugs, is a heavy, heavy trip especially in high doses that lasted for 12 hours. I didn't like the Dead much initially because I was seeking the weirdness or experimentation and ideas, but came to understand that the Dead was about comfort and surviving the extremes of the trip and engendering a transformative world community. This community was a core element in the development of home computers and the internet and the evolving of humanity -- a lot of profound and asinine, wonderful, useful, terrible and absurd things. The Dead was not just a band, it was that love and the possibility of friendliness in the vast universe of stars and atoms that you are feeling. My opinion as a geezer. Thank you for your wonderful reactions.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

That was so very well said. Wow. Yeah.

[@richpeltier9519]

Ooooh, im goona really enjoy watching Amy become a Deadhead. Please get her on a steady Hunter/Garcia drip... stat. Thank you for the wonderful reaction to this beautiful song. The Dead are a special genre of music to themselves. They transcend other labels. They are The Greatful Dead. Nuff said. 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘 Rich the Ancient Metal Beast

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Lol great comment.

[@glennz8352]

Very interesting to see you jump into the Grateful Dead. To me, so much of what makes them interesting is the fans! If you’re on board, you may be so all-in that you dedicate your life to this band - drop out of society and live on the road following them, show-to-show! Or at least obsessively amass hundreds or thousands of hours of live recordings of the band. (But I know those are extremes, most fans are just good dedicated listeners, like all fans of their own favorite band.) There have been numerous colorful books produced over the decades, not just about the band, but about this most loyal subculture of fans: the “Deadheads.” They might be among the most polarizing bands in rock - but not in an angry or negative, confrontational way. I don’t know anyone who has a strong dislike for them - rather, we just don’t get it. (I’m in that camp.) The music is pleasant enough. I love the art and graphics associated with the band - artists like Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley were genius, among my favorites. I like the fashion, the whole hippie vibe. But beyond that, I can’t grasp that deeper appeal of the music that forms the strongest bond in rock between artist and fanbase. If you went away to college anytime in the past 40 years or so, there’s a good chance you were exposed to them. I sure was. There’s always a dorm room somewhere where the music is playing 24 hours a day - just follow your nose to the billowing smoke (I mean from all the incense, of course!) I listened - I tried, but it doesn’t quite connect with me. I’m happy you will dig into them a bit here, Amy. You always help me expand my appreciation.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Jerry Garcia is the most recorded musician of the 20th century and recorded by fans in the audience. Those tapers deserve a medal for their voluntary efforts and sacrifices they made to just give away and trade. I first heard them live in a tape a friend recorded, this was how they became popular. They had no hits for the first twenty five years.

[@johngriswold2213]

Just as improvisational jazz is not for everyone neither are the Dead. Sometimes they soared, sometimes they crashed but the point was to go all in and search for some new magic. There was added cultural context in the late 60's/early 70's. We were so turned off by the war, the lockstep conformity, the backlash to civil rights, and "turning on" meant finding a different frame of reference and perhaps a more peaceful, non-materialistic, more just path. The Dead were one demonstration that some of this was possible and they spoke directly to us through the music. Candyman, about Janis' death from hard drugs, The New Speedway Boogie about the bad trip at Altamont (Stones "free" concert '69) and of course Truckin;)

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@johngriswold2213 the cultural context is an odd thing. The Band didn’t create deadheads or the culture that they are associated with, these things just happened naturally, there was no plan or dogma to it. The band just played music and songs that were idiosyncratic and outside the political and social upheavals of the time. Their shows were real crowd pleasers with a wide spectrum of styles, everyone got something they could enjoy. They were part of the soundtrack of the era but people put to much emphasis on deadheads etc. they just played music, everything else is folklore and legend. Like the taping of shows. The band just simply didn’t do anything to stop it and eventually just accepted it, like pretty much everything else, if there was an option to do nothing about some issue then that’s the option they chose. Non political except maybe ideas of freedom and Liberty indirectly implied.

[@johngriswold2213]

@@Hartlor_Tayley "The band just played music and songs that were idiosyncratic and outside the political and social upheavals of the time". Not exactly. The Deadhead phenomena evolved well into their history, as you say, happening naturally, but during the early years they were both culturally and politically relevant to "the revolution" and they knew it. Some of that was expressed in their songs, some in their lifestyle...their shared house in the Haight, the free concerts, the group dynamic both musically and financially. They continued to write politically relevant songs, Eyes of the World is one of them, Throwing Stones another, Morning Dew a companion piece to Crosby and Kantner's Wooden Ships. They could have easily stopped the taping when it became more than an occasional guy with a mic, they chose instead to let them plug into the soundboard. Jerry was a very intelligent guy and though he often blew off any deeper significance to the band, "We're just trying to have fun", he could and would go much deeper;)

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@johngriswold2213 thank you for thoughtful comment. As for thetaping they were not going to bust their fans that were taping. Bootleg records being sold bothered them but they also did nothing because they didn’t want the hassle of policing that. Tapes became the foundation of their success as far as ticket sales and demand. I still don’t see them as a political band, not even in the sixties, not even morning dew is a political song really. Let’s just consider the sixties here. They did play benefits for local free clinics, soup kitchens, and yogurt farms. They did some shows at student sit ins and protests but were around the free speech issues and not so much the anti war movement in particular but yeah that too. Yeah they all lived in the same house as a sort of anarchist cooperative but that wasn’t really something they espoused it was just practical for them for awhile. When the summer of love arrived they moved out. I think it’s more like they were a psychedelic band in revolutionary times. They didn’t have songs imploring people to take LSD although some of their music did imply tripping it wasn’t obvious to anyone outside the scene or inexperienced people although they looked freaky and scared the straight world who associated them with communist rioters etc. the Dead avoided the leftists and the Berkeley marxists held animosity and still does. I think they avoided politics as much as possible. There is footage of weir defending the police against the violence of rioters and there is footage of weir defending fans from police. I guess you could say they were anti authoritarian but that’s because they were always getting hassled by police or communists and criminals. I’m sure their motto was just leave us alone to do our thing. A song like throwing stones was a weir Barlow song and Jerry hated it. If Jerry played a song about war I’m sure it would be about the innocent victims and not the political forces that perpetrated it. He didn’t sing about war, and defended his position by saying “even anti war song is still about war and I don’t want to give the idea any energy. They were about bringing people together, their song are about all kinds of people and circumstances in a very sympathetic and romantic way. The Deadhead thing yeah they kind of encouraged it at first with the news letter etc but by the mid eighties Jerry seeing all these people with his face on their tee shirts really freaked him out. Honestly I think he burned out on the Dead and was focusing more and more on the Garcia band. I don’t understand how you see Eyes of the World as a political or revolutionary song. I see it as a spiritual dance song.

[@dennismason3740]

Dark Star (live).

[@geoffadavis]

I would recommend listening to live recordings every time over studio recordings, but American Beauty and Working Man's Dead are incredible studio albums.

[@samblethen]

The Grateful Dead were originally named the Warlocks and they were the house band for the Acid Tests (see Tom Wolfe's book The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test). When they found out that there was another band with then name Warlocks they decided to change their name. Jerry Garcia flipped open a dictionary to a random page and plopped his finger down and saw the words Grateful Dead and that's how they got the name.

[@IDLERACER]

😎👍 As was pointed out at the beginning of your video, the group was into rock, pop, folk, blues, country, jazz, reggae and all sorts of other musical genres. This particular song was one of their jazzier efforts. For something a little more pop oriented in their oeuvre, check out "Box Of Rain" or "Uncle John's Band." 🙏

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Or “Stella blue” for a deeper dive.

[@Ck-zk3we]

Those songs are not even remotely pop. Try folk

[@jeffredfern3744]

Top pop song for Jerry/Hunter was "Touch of Grey" and for Weir/Barlow was "Hell In A Bucket". The 80s was when the Dead really leaned pop. I mean you had Brent Mydland so it worked for the era.

[@robertgrosek1124]

You hit on something very quickly. Grateful Dead is it’s own genre.

[@darthvegan435]

Well, they at least started out as their own genre. I'd posit that they spawned the 'jam band' genre.

[@talley1013]

More Grateful Dead, Please! Terrapin Station would be great.

[@TheGlebeLaird]

I hope for the deep dive you listen to some live performances of this song. You’ll really get an idea of what their ensemble playing was like. Like the fingers of one hand.

[@JimWelch-z9l]

Awesome review. I have probably heard Eyes of the World more times live than I have listened to the studio version. Listening to the studio version is a starting point. If you really want to treat yourself listen to the Eyes of the World from a live recording from 1974 and the March 29, 1990 show with Branford Marsalis.

[@haroldbrodie]

This is a really superb summation of the Dead's music. So much warmth and heart and life.

[@Shivaho]

The name "Grateful Dead" was chosen from a dictionary. According to Lesh, Garcia "picked up an old Britannica World Language Dictionary ... [and] ... In that silvery elf-voice he said to me, 'Hey, man, how about the Grateful Dead?'"[35] The definition there was "the soul of a dead person, or his angel, showing gratitude to someone who, as an act of charity, arranged their burial". According to Alan Trist, director of the Grateful Dead's music publisher company Ice Nine, Garcia found the name in the Funk & Wagnalls Folklore Dictionary, when his finger landed on that phrase while playing a game of Fictionary.[36] In the Garcia biography Captain Trips, author Sandy Troy states that the band was smoking the psychedelic DMT at the time.[37] The term "grateful dead" appears in folktales from a variety of cultures.[38] ....From Wiki

[@scottenglert4083]

If you listen to more of the Dead (I certainly hope you do !) - I think you'll be amazed by their musical diversity. They are truly one of a kind and by far my favorite band with no close second 😊

[@steveoszman8746]

Of course I subscribed, with a lady reviewing some of my sort of tunes, You can charm the chicken off the bone, my word preetty fun.

[@davidackerman6837]

Upon being asked, "how does it feel to be in the greatest band in the history of rock & roll?" Sir Paul McCartney quickly replied to the stunned journalist: "I think you are mistaken, I was never in the Grateful Dead!"

[@andrealarocco4941]

They were not just a band but a self sustaining cultural movement for over 50 years. For lots of people they created a community of deep love for the music and an equally deep love for each other as Deadheads!!! ✌️💕🎶

[@paulmaggiar8274]

Right on sister.

[@vmeglis70]

Just wanted to correct one thing you said dear. It was actually Jerry Garcia who founded the Grateful Dead, along with Bobby, Ronnie (Pigpen), and Robert Hunter. Have a Grateful day 💀💨🎸🐺🌹

[@segan63]

Great review, you should definitely check out their live stuff for a true Dead experience. Try a live "Dark Star" from 1972-74 to go off the deep end of what the Grateful Dead were all about

[@88wildcat]

I'd be a little more specific making that kind of recommendation. My opinion of live Dark Stars is that 20% of them are pure magic and 80% of them are damn near unlistenable artsy-fartsy noodling. To avoid the latter try the 8-27-72 Sunshine Daydream version or the 11-11-73 version from the Winterland '73 box set.

[@segan63]

@@88wildcat While I love most Dark Stars of that era, 11-11-73 might be my favorite

[@lisarainbow9703]

Dark Star with Tom Constanten on keyboards, like 03/01/69 at The Fillmore ...

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

The deep end indeed.

[@dougpeterson3356]

The version on Live Dead is fairly accessible.

[@djembelifedrums]

I loved this. I am a big fan of the Grateful Dead. This is one of my favorite songs. I appreciate a virgin ear on this, it felt honest and unbiased as some are towards this group of musicians that simply wanted to play and share music with like minded individuals. They were quite unique. This song for me reminds me that we are unique, and at the same time, one with this planet. I see your harp, and might encourage you to listen to a specific video from Mikaela Davis, harpist, where her band plays some Grateful Dead. Their approach is definitely in the style of the Dead, they really make it something fantastic. Many bands are playing the Dead currently, but this band I think is offering something more. And you may appreciate it as a harpist. Best of luck and thank you for this fantastic video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaeppKVupZqXj5o

[@Cec813]

You should try one of the live versions of this song. Often they would drop into a 15 minute jam full of jazz and blues in the middle of the song. 20-30 minute versions of Eyes were very common at shows in the late 1980's. Studio recording rarely captured the spirit of the Grateful Dead, record companies wanted songs radio stations would play (under 5 min) and that just wasn't how they played

[@hvymettle]

The band's name comes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead: We now return our souls to the creator, as we stand on the edge of eternal darkness. Let our chant fill the void, in order that others may know. In the land of the night, the ship of the sun, is drawn by the grateful dead.."

[@hvymettle]

The lyrics capture the essence of the Grateful Dead - to experience life in its purest form, understand there is always more to learn, and find peace within the self and the universe at large. Opening your mind to the understanding that your perspective is only your own perspective. Essentially, the idea is to find harmony between the self and the world, despite the natural inclination to focus on one and shut out the other. We are connected to everything while at the same time we are isolated in our own consciousness of being. The song cautions against putting your trust into people who claim to have the answers, as those people are all just trying to find their way through the cosmic goo just like you are. The right time to sow the seeds of untapped potential that exist within your soul is right now. It speaks to the duality of life, and how at times you keep to yourself while at others you may connect deeply with others. Going back to the Ken Kesey acid tests, the Grateful Dead were hoping to help people open their minds, and “Eyes of the World” is one fairly direct example of that which didn't require the listener to consume any drugs.

[@disguyhere972]

Bob Weir saying they were trying to be like the Beatles was he, and the Dead, screwing with journalists. They never wanted to be like anybody. Keep digging. This band was at the heart of the LSD counterculture. Until you grasp that, you can’t really understand the Dead. The comment about the Beatles is pure sarcasm.

[@iRenegade164]

I enjoyed this reaction very much, and not because I like the Dead - in fact, I can't stand the Dead! My feelings stem from the fact that my 1st-born child was born with this song playing in the background :) My wife likes the band, and for such a momentous occasion, she's entitled to full reign and complete control over the atmosphere. What she *couldn't* control was the fact that there was also an electrical storm rolling in, rumbling in the distance, and then unleashed its fury as he took his first breaths! It was simply magnificent, and anybody who's met this now 23-year-old invariably remarks that he's an old soul...we can't help but agree!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Amazing story.

[@richardhallin6679]

I was deep into a reggae phase when my daughter (born 1984) while "in utero. . ." I surrounded her with Marley via the old fashioned headphones. She's currently "ok" with reggae, but thinking that if there's one artist that she's totally in to. . . . . that would be Van Morrison. . . . good enough for me😉

[@iRenegade164]

@@richardhallin6679 - Right on! I introduced both of my sons to my record collection from a very early age, and they're both fans of '60s, '70s, and '80s rock. They both love Rush and Pink Floyd (and so many others), but when my 21 y/o heard Time, he took it to heart and is now obsessed with making the absolute most of every single day... LMAO!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@iRenegade164 that’s beautiful.

[@iRenegade164]

@@Hartlor_Tayley - surely an unintended consequence, but one I wholeheartedly applaud and embrace!

[@jephfoust]

Like this? look for live recordings, particularly late 1970s with Estimated Prophet>Eyes if the World combos.

[@claudiadarling9441]

As a contrast to this sound, you should listen to a song of the Dead's like "New Speedway Boogie". Very different feel.

[@livemusicfannc]

Interesting comment about expecting something loud and aggressive from the name... IF she had listened to a 1968 live version of the Dead, it might have confirmed her expectation. The key to the longevity of the Dead is that they have gone so many places musically - and have so many influences on them.

[@mattreynolds612]

This is one of their more positive warm and flowery songs. First performed in 1973 on Feb 9 and remained in their set lists throughout the existence of the Band. Jerry's solos🎸remind me of a mountain stream babbling down over the rocks and boulders. (~);} ✌️🎶🎵🎶🎶