THE GRATEFUL DEAD "DARK STAR"(reaction)

Check out Sight After Dark reacting to "Dark Star" by The Grateful Dead!
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[@_estimatedprophet_9407]

"you're finding out where the music is going to go at the same time they find out where the music is going to go" Bingo

[@jazzzman8050]

Yes 👆

[@jmccullough]

One of the amazing things about the Dead, which not everyone catches, is how incredible Bobby is on rhythm guitar. You really hear it here--he's doing the same thing on his guitar that McCoy Tyner is doing on piano on "A Love Supreme". There's a movie about him and he comments that he doesn't really know why no other rhythm players do what he does.

[@jazzzman8050]

This was the peak of the Dead as an acid rock band. Music written by/played by/played for people on LSD. Nothing lasts forever, but this was a moment in time and cultural/musical history captured. The rest of this album is worth a listen for that reason. By the end of this year (‘69), the Dead were beginning to write and explore the more acoustic, and traditionally song structured pieces that would become what we now think of as Americana. The Dead would always have a bit of acid jams in their music, and their group improv excursions became even more spectacular through the early ‘70’s. But this Live/Dead album really captures this era of The Grateful Dead : )

[@dangabbert3944]

What a time it was! These early Dead jams were an extension of the Acid Test experience, it seems to me. How hard it was for people who hadn’t tripped to get into the early Dead albums.

[@robertgrosek1124]

I always like the term Primal Dead. This was peak Primal Dead

[@alphaomega6062]

Dan is correct about what people used to do to listen to the Dead. The thing they did on stage was listen to each other and react to one another but they actually said they aspired to be each like a finger on one hand all playing together. As you may have heard the promoter Bill Graham said of them 'They are not the best at what they do - they are the only ones at what they do'. The magic didn't always happen - they were artists not performers - but as this recording of Dark Star shows when the magic did happen it was just that, magic!

[@robertgrosek1124]

In my college days we tripped often to this music on this album. The effects were similar

[@andylawson87]

Duane Allman did play Dark Star with Jerry Garcia and the Dead along with members of Fleetwood Mac in February 1970 when The Allman Brothers Band opened for the Dead. It was a legendary gig at Fillmore East. The Grateful Dead had Gregg and Duane Allman, Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks from The Allman Brothers and Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood and Danny Kirwan from Fleetwood Mac on stage at the same time for the Deads closing set. Legendary stuff.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for the history Andy!

[@robertgrosek1124]

@@SightAfterDark they played many times together before and after Duane died. I posted a link above on a particularly raucous 71 appearance

[@djmcgranary714]

Wish I had an old Bootleg Cassette tape of that!!!!

[@amedeeabreo7334]

Dan and Sifa, great comments! As Dan sez, Miles Davis' Bitch's Brew was part of the same universe, and would find itself on the turn-table after Dark Star. Then not far away was Quicksilver Messenger Service "Happy Trails" and Jefferson Airplane "After Bathing at Baxters".

[@brianweldon4243]

Phil Lesh (bass/bombs) has cited Bitches Brew many times as very influential on him and the other band members. I believe the Dead and Myles Davis played on the same bill at least once, at The Fillmore SF

[@bobschenkel7921]

It takes the boys a minute to get organized, but then it is a head first dive into the deep end of the pool, like Steve says. Dark Star is a sonic adventure. Got to see a few live, always different.

[@jeffcooley1861]

Thia performance captures the experience of rushing on clean LSD better than anything ever released.

[@chazblitz]

I was never really a Deadhead per se. The Dead was an excuse for me to hang with my older brother and his older wiser friends and gobble acid and go see them live, which we did lots. I got to see them do this full version plus a 45 minute eternity of Fire on the Mountain back to back. It really brought a smile to my face. Or maybe the smile was from the acid. I don't know. When I listen to the Dead now, I just miss my brother who we lost in 2016. He really lived the Dead. I was just along for the ride.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

😥

[@swum260aqua945]

Thanks for sharing the tale. Which show was it?

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Beautiful comment.

[@edprzydatek8398]

Sorry for your loss, man.

[@michaelwebster8389]

One of the greatest improvisations I've ever heard - probably the greatest. It's relatively freeform, but the key idea is go get together and collaborate on moments that really mean something melodically and rhythmic. Each of the versions of this song are different, because the idea is to improvise, but there are definitely themes and riffs that turn up frequently. This version is just science fiction to me, it conjures images of space and space travel. The lyrics are, as far as I can tell, just acid trip imagery "glass hand dissolving in ice petal flowers revolving...". Another one of my favourites of their recorded live performances is Morning Dew from Europe 1972 - it's more of a song, but that song also completely draws you into images and visions - even without drugs.

[@jamiedimond9419]

the best

[@lisarainbow9703]

"When the music plays the band"....

[@cojaysea]

Great pick . To this very day over 50 years later I still love to put that song on while lying in bed and fall asleep to it .

[@SightAfterDark]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jmccullough]

I can't fall asleep while listening to this. The whole thing is too exciting.

[@cojaysea]

@@jmccullough well I've heard it a million times over the last 50 years and usually in the softer moments i drift off to sleep😀

[@stretchgilbert]

What can I say? You either get it or you don't and I got alot of it back in the day. Not just a band but a life changing experience. It was the summer of '77, I believe, Raceway Park Englishtown, NJ. I went there Friday afternoon and didn't get home til Sunday night. A meditation I've yet to experience since. This is kinda the deep end but like I said before if you get it you get it. An American Treasure. Just close your eyes and enjoy the journey. ✌

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for sharing Billy!

[@christophereichten9005]

Even at Englishtown one of the fastest paced Dead shows some can get on the bus.

[@WMalven]

No, they write the songs as usual in bands. Where the improv comes in is they don't ever play a song the same way twice and they don't have a set playlist for the concert. Like a jazz band, they play off of each other.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for schooling us!

[@ststephen56]

Time doesn't slow down, it goes out the window! The ensemble playing of the Dead is in full force with this Dark Star. This to me, is the standard of all Dark Stars. It was the album that kept getting flipped in those early crazy days of psychedelia; Live/Dead was 2 LPs, sides 1 & 4, 2 & 3. As this was given as a typical hour-long string of songs, Dark Star>St Stephen>The Eleven>Lovelight, you could essentially stack the albums so side 1 would drop followed by side 2, flip 'em both, then sides 3 & 4 follow. I ramble, Deadheads do often! 7-8-70 was my 1st show! I truly enjoy your perspectives of what you hear, good stuff!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for watching Stephen!

[@globextradingsystemsllc1740]

Where's peter K, Zolar and R?? This music is too simple for their sophisticated taste.

[@ftlpope]

Out there on the net (perhaps on KZbin) is a 12 hour seamlessly joined version of all the Dark Stars from their Europe 72 tour. These complete tour recordings used to be free and there is a limited edition box set costing a lot of money. I acquired them and have listened to the 12 hour track but have not listened yet to the whole tour. I saw them in London in 1974 and have the recordings. There is so much to say about why the Dead are like no other band. Glad you liked this - not many newcomers would.

[@oldstudent2587]

The Dead always jammed on something in concert. You wouldn't know what songs they were going to do it with, but they always did it. And some of it is jamming with the audience -- they see someone do something (people dance) and it becomes a riff, the person dancing hears it and does a movement, which becomes another riff.

[@jmcc199]

I saw the Dead hundreds of times throughout the late 60's and 70's - small clubs, small venues, colleges, fairs and festivals all before most stadiums and arenas - and yes they knew the songs but made it up how it was gonna go down each and every performance - never the same. Sometimes they were absolutely brilliant and so in sync with each other as musicians - sometimes not at all - they just didnt click. Didn't start to get kinda odd til the younger crowd thought EVERY single show was the greatest EVER - just because they were the Dead and they were at that show - Your observations are excellent !

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much!

[@jeffmartin1026]

Jerry Garcia was asked why they didn't have a set list before going out on stage. Jerry said because it's like running up to the edge of cliff, jumping off, and knowing you will be safe. Give a listen to the Gray Folded CD. It's a mix of the best of all the live Dark Stars melded into a 2 CD version of this song. Good for you for jumping feet first into the deep end of the pool.

[@SightAfterDark]

That’s awesome! Thanks so much Jeff!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Jerry was a kind of genius and he kept getting better and better.

[@jaquestraw1]

Congratulations you two! You dove in the deep end ❤️ You may never be the same

[@SightAfterDark]

It’s true! Thanks for being here Chris!

[@scottbee501]

Yes, I remember this well. Freshman in College, 1971-1972, age 18, draft #300, from a small Midwestern town in a dark dorm room, on a Friday night, maybe 5-7 guys in outer-inner space for 12 hours listening to this to get “reformed”. Later that year hitchhiking across country. Oh yea.

[@djmcgranary714]

Kudos to you girl for wanting and hoping for them to write a song from scratch live. ✌️🤟🎶💚

[@imrankjamil]

So I had a few thousand random songs on a very weird playlist a buddy of mine gave me. I put it on shuffle and somehow I stumbled upon this song. Now I always remember the first listen often. Makes me so very happy everytime.

[@jacksonbauer5199]

I was raised by a DeadHead, saw 52 shows between 88-95 with my Dad. The best way I can answer the “improvisational query” you posed is that their traditional approach live was: Songs have a structure that remains fairly unchanged, however, within that framework they “adorned” the structure in different ways every night. There were also plenty of instances of 2nd sets containing Jam>Space>Drums>Jam or something along those lines which were completely free form and conjured on the spot.

[@tomratcliff3755]

Let's give Phil a big hand! Many times he gets lost in the mix, but he really shines here.

[@sunclops]

Oh ! And you were spot on - Jerry was a HUGE Miles Davis fan. A very big influence on him. And the Allman Bros and the Dead were musical "kin" that admired and competed with each other in "jam space" though the AB were more blues/southern rock and the Dead more folk influenced, but they both used a jazz treatment with their music live.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

The concert continues uninterrupted onto the next side of the album. Saint Stephen into the Eleven is quite the ride. I’m up for it if you want to do it. Live Dead is best heard loudly through speakers, headphones can be a little close if you know what I mean.

[@robertgrosek1124]

actually the st stephen/eleven that follows is from a different show

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@robertgrosek1124 really it sounds like it’s continuous from the Dark Star. Great editing job.

[@kenbelke8549]

they never played the same set list once...and they never played a song the same way twice...every song at every show was improvised and morphed as you listened.

[@musicdunc]

Greatest performance of the most psychedelic song ever performed, though there are other stupendously mind melting versions from 69-71.

[@robinwembley2578]

Wow! The most insightfull commentary I've heard on any reaction let alone one for the Dead. Glad to hear you're now getting what the Dead are playing/jamming at. Particularly liked the Miles Davis and structure/way points insights. If I didn't know this was live and they never did another rendition quite the same, I'd say this is scripted/rehearsed. And I''ve heard live a good few DS's from this era. Check out Wembley April '72. You've already remarked on their transition in 'China Cat/I know you rider'. Here's another superior one: Not Fade Away/Going Down the Road; 'Grateful Dead' Skull & Roses, live album '71.

[@johnmanning4339]

Dark star should be the song for San Francisco, because it just oozes the sixties and experimentation. It all started there !

[@jgold78]

Enjoy your channel. 'Lava Lamp' may be one of the best ways to describe the elusive improvisational communication going on between band members, and I'd add the audience when it's fully symbiotic.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Jeff!

[@shortstuff7959]

A little acid, a little pot, Dark Star playing...who could ask for anything more!? The GD never disappoints. You might check out Dear Mr Fantasy/Hey Jude to enjoy another side of the Dead.

[@michaelbettonville5085]

You mention your love for Duane Allman. You oughta check out the Darkstar from 2-11-70 from the Fillmore East. It features both Duane Allman and Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac. Incredible!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for the tip Michael!

[@robertallen6593]

LOVE LIVE DEAD!!

[@nocarbonfootprint9120]

The only time I saw the Grateful Dead perform "Dark Star" was 1989 in Miami. I would trade this version for that version in a heartbeat--I nearly had a nervous breakdown during that 1989 version...Terrifying!

[@SightAfterDark]

Woah!

[@jamiedimond9419]

dead and allmans played together!

[@MarkStarCrashes71]

Watch it happen on stage. Start with Veneta, OR 1972. Or any of the videos of live songs they put out. I think you’d get a kick out of any morning dew from 72, 74 or 77

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

This is a rare feeling.

[@sns8420]

Should follow with Saint Stephan and the Eleven - the 3 songs go together

[@stuarthastie6374]

The only timr i was at a Dead concert i had done "heavy mushroom" and i was f3aling naaauseauuus... I liked this except the jagged guitar bit.

[@jm07090]

Consider that the studio version was 2 minutes 40 seconds long this really goes off on a tangent.

[@genesiegel2884]

No one … nobody … nothing … musically captured the absolute essence of the psychedelic experience like the Grateful Dead. Dark Star is the auditory sonic wonder of it all. To this day, everytime I listen to this version, it creates a physiological response that transcends any auditory lines I may have drawn. It is magnificent. Thank you for reviewing this. ❤️

[@SightAfterDark]

We’re glad you enjoyed Gene!

[@genesiegel2884]

By the way, this version appeared in the movie “Zabriskie Point”. As I recall, it involved a scene with a small airplane flying above San Francisco (double check the location, tho, cause I could be wrong) … ❤️

[@Frankincensedjb123]

Not sure if it's LSD, hash, pot, mushrooms, but whatever fuel helps you enter your heightened state of consciousness as a Deadhead, best applied first then the music, and probably some more mind altering substance after, as well (don't harsh that mellow). Your basic soul sandwich. Mmmmmmm-yummy

[@timcardona9962]

"Live dead is the real Dead" Yes and No. The adventurousness of the improv is definitely a part of the Dead, but this is before they wrote the 2-3 dozen amazing songs that would come to dominate their shows for decades on end. Beautiful, timeless works of art that are so good it often didnt matter how much they jammed. This is what sets them apart from every other "jamband"

[@brianweldon4243]

""Live Dead is the real Dead" Yes and No." What's the "No" part?

[@sunclops]

They improvised every show. The set list was never the same night to night. They decided what to play that night before the show. If they played Shakedown Street one night it might be six or seven shows before that song would be performed again. Not every song or every night was -as- improvised as any other but they always improvised. The progress of a show's improvisation would typically follow a bell curve - starting sort of 'normal', less improv, versions of tunes - balloon out in the middle of the show into massive jazz explorations of tunes (as a large part of the audience was peaking on their trips) - and then wind down to more or less 'normal' treatments of tunes to wrap up the show. Each night in the middle of the show they played Space/Drums or Drums/Space which were -pure- improv that would spin out of the song before S/D and end by spinning into the song after S/D. Space and Drums gave alternate band members a chance to pee and grab a beer before swapping and raw jazz playtime in the middle of the trippiest part of the show. Of course not ever night followed the bell curve design - they liked to mix that up too. Maybe start the show with a 22 minute long Shakedown Street before sliding into some Johnny Cash, Howling Wolf, or Bob Dylan covers and then over to a stadium rock style tune of theirs, etc. They were also known for delightful segues linking four or five or six songs to each other seamlessly - or nesting A inside of B inside of C coming back to finish B and then leave the end of song A hanging until they play three more unrelated songs and slide out the end of one into the final end of song A from earlier in the night. So they always pulled on their music like taffy, turning it inside out and tying it into graceful knots with other songs. They encouraged their fans to record shows and take them home with them (they were done with that show - it was yours now). So -no- they did not just reach for the improv glory every now and then on special shows or for an encore - it was every night, all night. It was the point of it. If they came to town and played four nights in a row I would be there all four nights and get four completely different shows. I'm gushing a bit. Sorry. I'm a huge fan. I saw my first show in 1978 at 15. I saw them with Jerry 28 times and countless times after his death in other configurations (like Dead & Co with John Mayer

[@SightAfterDark]

That’s for sharing!

[@jamiedimond9419]

whole album please

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks so much for watching Jamie! All of our reactions are suggested by our patrons on patreon; check out our link below! www.patreon.com/sightafterdark

[@gordiannot77]

This album is PERFECT❤

[@dantean]

Thanks for this. I was seeing them in New York in the mid-to-late 1970s and they were genius, live. It took me awhile to fully "get" their studio recordings though I now see them as genius, as well, through the very early 70s (if the first one is somewhat spotty as a fully realized "album" on the level of the next 7--which includes 2 live ones--are). And while I think they get further and further from what they REALLY were about the more they marginalized Rod "Pigpen" McKernan (or he marginalized HIMSELF through alcohol), I never saw them with "Pig" and only wish I'd had (same as I wish I'd seen the Mothers with Aynsley Dunbar in the drum chair between 1970-71). Anyway (and with apologies for yet ANOTHER long diatribe), the Dead really were both a brilliant live AND studio band, and the songs written by Jerry and collaborator Robert Hunter stand up as great American roots music, while the long jams such as Dark Star were/are as great as any jam band ever pulled off on a nightly basis on an American stage or any other on this earth. Again--thanks!

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for sharing!

[@timflim4149]

Jerry Garcia playing with Duane Allman you say? here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZmchKyfhrqZnZI

[@SightAfterDark]

Woooaahh, wow, sounds so beautiful, thanks so much Tim Flim!

[@sns8420]

The Music Played the Band

[@_estimatedprophet_9407]

Into the deep end we go.

[@lisarainbow9703]

Through the transitive nightfall of diamonds...

[@kevinhennessey3189]

Dark Stars are like Snowflakes every one was unique and different. He said he would be bored if they played the songs the same way every night. This version was from Feb 1968. Some other great DDS's were the ones from 11/11/73 and the 2/24/74 both epic much jazzier. Typically a Dark Star was performed in their 2nd set with other songs lasting 50 min or more. the transitions between the songs were favorites of mine.

[@robertberger5639]

Thought you might enjoy this video entitled "The Wonders of Dark Star". Was just released yesterday and it's well suited for musicians (of which I'm not) as it does go into a bit of music analysis and so I thought of you. I think it's worth a watch. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5jZe4SNnJ2Ba6c

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Robert!

[@christophereichten9005]

As Dick used to say, this is “primal Dead.”

[@edm781]

More akin to Bitches Brew than Kind of Blue, but yes! They loved Miles & Coltrane & classical Indian music and lots of other influences. Miles opened for them 4 nights in a row at the Fillmore West April 1970.

[@johncagnettajr344]

Some songs they did had a set structure although the solos can be improvised and go on at times. Other songs just lended themselves to long improvisational periods. The band members use too signal each other when they felt like it was time to bring the composition back to the main lick or melody.

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks for the info John!

[@jasonlambert5552]

@@SightAfterDark 'Playing in the Band' live from Veneta Oregon 8/27/72 is prime example of what this comment says. An odd meter song (10/4 time signature) into a freeform jam then right back into a reprise of the song. Various other "Playing in the Band"'s ventured into other songs and then re-emerged back into the Playing Reprise. This is a band beyond description. Enjoy.

[@ryanmoore2779]

She said Pole

[@dixiechatty958]

This is The Dead at their spaciest. Their concerts did play pre-written songs but there was no set lists ever. Occasionally, they would choose a song to open with and one to close with but how they connected them was completely on the fly. They never played a song the same way twice; they thought that was boring. It did not always work. Some shows were better than others. But, boy, when it did work it could elevate you in ways I have never experienced otherwise. Thanks for reaching to this. Consider yourself on the bus.

[@SightAfterDark]

Glad you enjoyed Dixie, thanks for sharing!

[@pormantu]

Pure Satori🙃😇

[@richardreynolds6764]

There is a live video version of this song you should check out. (Sunshine Daydream) DVD you can find it on utube.

[@MrMarckeedee]

Duane and Jerry have recordings jamming together. You can find them on KZbin. Anyway....a lot of their songs originated from jams (rifts) from thee songs. And yes some of their material evolved on stage and songs were creAted through that. If that makes sense .

[@SightAfterDark]

Yep, it does! Thanks Mr Marckeedee!

[@whispjohn]

The Grateful Dead were not my favourite band back then but then I saw them live at Bickershaw pop festival near Wigan in 1972, that was a real experience. I still don't really listen to their music but a live gig is just fantastic, they really got going, after about 2 hours they were flying, I actaully cried when it was over, it got me so emotional I just couldn't believe it. I had similar experience with Bruce Springsteen, I wasn't into his stuff at all but a mate bought me ticket for his show at Wembley Stadium in 1985, that was a real experience too, great live show, hard rockin' and powerful muscular music. By the way, before the Dead played there was guy walking around in silver top hat and tails giving away LSD, an essential part of watching the Dead, for sure.

[@SightAfterDark]

😆nice! Thanks for the info Whispjohn!

[@melvinroebuck1160]

They were very conscious of and influenced by Miles Davis during this period!

[@melvinroebuck1160]

And Bob Weir the rhythm guitarist thought of himself as McCoy Tyner’s left hand, playing that same role.

[@douglasennis7291]

Veneta 72' "Sunshine Daydream" has a better imo Dark Star and Bob Weir and Wolf Brothers have a great live version as well with Miles Davis Quintet bassist sitting in.

[@KOLLIS1969]

Try out the 48 minute Dark Star from Rotterdam Civic Hall - Rotterdam, Netherlands 5-11-72

[@rickc661]

Any site that has a Poll that 'Dark Star ' wins has got to be righteous. this sounds to me Utube or somebody has sped it up, more than a bit frantic. Mood music, best with a couple other Good songs first. with lights down, relaxing. a similar idea, but with a message, by the Dead >. 'Morning Dew' by Canadian B. Dobson.

[@AbeBSea]

Duane sat in w/the Dead a few times..

[@jamiedimond9419]

2/28/69!

[@shaftpunk84]

I’m going to be in the minority here, but I actually prefer the studio single version of Dark Star over any other version. I tend to start playlists with it a lot.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

It’s really good I agree.

[@elpwahpo6649]

Stoner elevator music. Going up or down?

[@nealr4561]

dark star is not the best choice to get a sense of the dead. its very trippy and experimental. i would try playing in the band, scarlet begonnias, uncle johns band or ripple as an intro song. not as experimental and the lyrics are not an astral projection of robert hunters soul lol

[@jayburdification]

I’m still trying to figure out how this holds people’s attention for 23 minutes. It takes forever to get anywhere and when it finally does get interesting it doesn’t last very long. Not to h8 on the Dead, I love a lot of their stuff. I just don’t get the appeal of a lot of their extended noodling jams, especially “Dark Star,” which is so revered that my local bar is named after it. The Airplane were better at the long jams.

[@Chicago_Podcast_Authority]

it's all about mindset. you gotta put yourself in the right time and space and then give it another chance

[@SightAfterDark]

☺️a dead mystery. Thanks for watching Jay!

[@jayburdification]

@@Chicago_Podcast_Authority That mindset is very familiar to me, but my unconscious mind probably blocks it because I had a roommate in the 90s and nearly his entire collection consisted only of Grateful Dead bootlegs and other poorly recorded shows. I can only remember one night when he played something different. It was the Jerry Garcia band. I became a Jefferson Airplane fan out of spite 🤣

[@jayburdification]

Wanna hear something weird, though? The only Grateful Dead album that my white, poncho-clad, dreadlocked, constantly reeking of patchouly roommate never played was American Beauty. Everything had to be live with this guy. But I finally was able to start appreciating the Grateful Dead when I watched Freaks & Geeks a few years later, which heavily featured that album in one episode. The deadhead dude at the lunch table said, “It’s like the best album of all time, man.” And his girlfriend said, “I wish I’d never heard it just so I could hear it again for the first time.” And then if that wasn’t enough, the Linda Cardellini character took the record home that her aging hippie guidance counselor gave her to listen to, put on “Box of Rain” and started smiling and hippie dancing all over her bedroom and I was gone. Done. I literally choked up watching her because we all know that feeling only music that hits on a deep a personal level can provide. And what a song! Now there is a freaking masterpiece of psychedelic folk and the rest of the album is equally brilliant. And that’s how I learned to stop worrying and love the Dead, because that’s one of the most relatable episodes of TV I’ve ever seen.

[@edm781]

You've given yourself a block based on that roommate. Try diving into Miles Davis Bitches Brew. Then go back to this. That might help you appreciate this stuff. But a lot of people don't have the patience & focus to really lock into what the Dead were doing with this group improv playing. Airplane was no where near this good. Just easier to digest. They would be the 1st to agree with that. They were all friends and they all knew Jerry was the best of all of 'em.

[@douglasennis7291]

There's a section of free form improv it's called Drums 🥁 🪘/Space🌌

[@SightAfterDark]

Thanks Douglas!