The Grateful Dead - The Eleven 8/23/68

Grateful Dead live from Shrine Exhibition Hall - Los Angeles, Ca 8/23/68

[@vulture1958]

These guys weren't musicians. They were magicians.

[@robertkubik1997]

Mike cousin was pronounced dead after a car accident a few weeks ago. They were able to bring him back and he said there is for sure a heaven. He said he saw Jerry there teaching Jesus the Eleven, said it was incredible.

[@yourmom8003]

One of the sickest versions of The Eleven!!!

[@jasonhaswell9289]

100 years from now the Eleven will still be exploding people's heads. Electric Acid

[@garyleite9789]

The Eleven came into my life, and now sustains my soul. Love this fuckin tune, I'm going to dance now.

[@wangson]

My hands down, favourite song of all-time. At 47, I've never heard music that moves me like this piece does. It's beauty in sonic form.. . I don't have the words to describe how incredibly musically perfect it is for me.

[@ericwelber2899]

LSD trip to manic land

[@garyleite9789]

@@wangson I’m 42, that’s the only difference there is between my thoughts and yours. It was magical hearing it at the Foxboro show this summer.

[@johnconroy8323]

If I’m not airplaying along with Jerry I’m grabbing my guitar and playing the eleven As soon as I can get to it. Drivin trucks for years yeah soon as I park where ever y bet I just listen to 10/12 hours of dead. usually it’s the eleven or morning dew I start playing on me geetar. After 30 years I’m actually starting to sound ok

[@warrenfriesner4940]

If you didn't grow up with or get into the Dead later on (probably because one of your parents did), you can see this as aimless circling, self-indulgent acid-fueled journey best appreciated by aging hippie remnants. But if you listen closely to a bunch of these recordings, starting with American Beauty and Working Man's Dead (start with the most beautifully crafted songs and best lyrics in a non-threatening format), and then really watch the dynamics between band and fans on the videos--- and if you start actually reading some of the lyrics, especially Hunter's, and, most of all, if you appreciate great musicianship, ensemble playing, and much underrated songwriting, then it takes on an altogether different quality; then you see that it has all the elements of a real communion between the band itself and, more importantly, between the band and their fans---a true dance, sharing, exploration, expression of love. I only saw the Dead live 3 times, first in 1972, so I missed the earliest most experimental performances; but I saw enough to know that you didn't go to see the Dead to hear a "music concert"; you went to become absorbed in a kind of semi-meditative state where you felt a real kinship with the band and everyone else there. Haven't taken drugs for a few decades and still can feel it in this music. May that spirit live within in all us.

[@freeunion]

I was fortunate enough to see the Dead for the first time 5/15/70 at the Fillmore East, just after the release of Workingman's Dead, and my consciousness was changed forever, my sense of what is possible, etc. I think the Dead's peak periods were mod 1960 t0 1971, and mid01989-mid 1990 [when Jerry was drug free]; of course there were many good concerts and individuls songs from the seventies, and to a lesser extent from the 1980s, as well. Jerry also produced some moving performance in 1994 and 1995

[@SEPHICHI420]

You guys speak of them as if they're (our) culture needs defending. The viewpoint of it being an acid fueled rage-fest is a long forgotten myth. Look even amazon is now cashing in on the dead fever. They have never been more respected and renowned.

[@jobienify]

This is a very valuable perspective to have at the top of a video, opens up a different level to what music can be. Especially for someone who is hearing this for the first time. Because I first met this tune with rejection but now I'm hearing it in a different light

[@oughtssought1198]

"aimless" circling ??? are sharks on the hunt circling aimlessly? these guys circled lines testing+retesting each line to find out "what can we surprise each other into with this one tonight". while the band bounced surprises off of each other seeing who would bite on each thousands of dancers went every night for a week just to taste what might happen that was too good to miss in those aimless circlings new paths. no joke. no medicine like those aimless circles aimed every direction; no wonder all the twirl girls", eh Warren? I'm loving that you took the time to make the points you made & on yr bandwagon. The most joyful dance floors on the planet for a quarter century were not delivered "aimless"ly was your point above before it was mine in appreciation here, & anyone griping they were inconsistent clearly missed that inconsistent was The Point = look how many beautiful multi-dimensional surprises being consistently inconsistent opened the doors to.

[@cindydufala7646]

Warren Friesner i was a puppy then. Still groovin.

[@freeunion]

one of my all-time favorite Dead numbers; love its utopian spirit, and its interesting time signature

[@mtiucrhianeol]

The Dead at the height of their powers. This is definitely one of my favorite Dead songs.

[@hamshack8735]

My first experience with non standard time in music... NEVER FORGOTTEN!!!

[@brucecobb977]

Lesh and Bill kept it all together beautifully!

[@wangson]

Absolutely spot on!

[@ericwelber2899]

After Ron died it wasn't the same. They missed that hard driving blues bronco

[@bookmedia67]

The Shrine run of 8/23-24/1968 contains some of the greatest music the Grateful Dead ever performed. Two From the Vault documents this in all its sonic glory. Pigpen is playing like a madman. I love his punchy organ tone on this tape. I'll never forget the first time I heard Dark Star>St. Stephen>The Eleven. Music of the heavens.

[@thomasbedell4770]

Always feel like I’m in a cathedral. 👍

[@johnconroy8323]

Definitely absolutely fav 11 on the shrine set ❤❤❤❤

[@1blastman]

It deserves a million likes! This is the Dead at their rippin' best!

[@wangson]

It genuinely is. I've not heard better (maybe equaled on Live Dead) but never better. It's what I picture the voice of God to be.

[@1blastman]

@@wangson Amen brother, still alive and listenin'

[@brucecobb977]

Seeing the Dead and the Airplane in '67 at Place Ville Marie in Montreal was the beginning of my musical journey...the Dead were my first intro to improvised music...."what a long strange trip it's been"

[@incongra]

Over the hills and far away, a guitar player at the break of day. Nothing else matters. It doesn't get any better than this

[@jackstraw8145]

Nothing stopping them at this point!

[@AliIKarimi]

Since the Dead there has not been a band with such a frantic passion for music and its creation.

[@whaatz2cee]

In 1973 my older brother introduced me to The Dead. I was eleven. Loved them first listen,still do. One of my first albums from the head shop/used record store was the Live Dead album. Got it right here. Still love it. Think I'll go listen to it.

[@petera9374]

Eleven, haha

[@whaatz2cee]

@@petera9374 ho ho hee hee thanks for reminding me. Just played it again, still gets me dancin at 60 just like way back then. Good Ol' Grateful Dead

[@thestoryplease]

I like the free energy on this. Saw them live in Piedmont Park, Atlanta , GA 1969 and they had this "take it away anywhere" energy. Handfuls of acid from a big jar going around... Had cops riding on shoulders, tossing uniform away... Later they settled down to old memories of yesterdays.

[@grandbbq]

This deserves a million views!

[@mark35262]

perfectly in time and an amazing tone, this is completely out of this world. what else could you ask for?

[@eddieflueger4926]

Oh yup! Mexico last month...... it fed me.

[@EVParade]

How about it. amazing in headphones. Great mix for Phil.

[@nicholashamilton8831]

Eight sided whispering halleluja hatrack Seven faced marble-eyed transitory dream doll Six proud walkers on a jingle bell rainbow Five men writing with fingers of gold Four girls waiting in a foreign dominion Riding in a whale belly Fade away in moonlight Sink beneath the waters to the coral sands below! No more time to tell how, this is the season of what It is the time for returning thought jewels polished and gleaming It is time past believing the child has relinquished the reign Now is the test of the boomerang Lost in the night of redeeming!

[@hughtierneytierney3585]

what a load of bollocks!

[@stephanlarsen8169]

Wait..are these lyrics.. phawk . Jah Herb Jah love Jah Jerry Jah rastafari praises blessings respectfully Tucson Arizona Sonoran desert 🏜️ Jah sisters Jah Trey Jah Duane Africa Ethiopia Addis Ababa Selassie I Jah Creation

[@mikemagyar3222]

The triplet raga at 7:01, the key change at 7:51 and the ensuing Furious Jam. Nobody ever did it like this.

[@stephenchase3352]

I smoked some triplet raga once. awesome.

[@Mrbeahz1]

Never heard the Eleven to pre-Lovelight part called the Furious Jam before - perfect.

[@Ferocious_Imbecile]

The only band that could do this was the Allman Brothers Band pre Duane Allman's death. And that is why they loved doing dual concerts together and jamming together. But why are there no recordings of The Eleven later in their career?

[@joefelice5062]

@@Ferocious_Imbecile There are no recordings of The Eleven later in their career because they stopped playing it. One day here, the next day - gone. Good ol’ Grateful Dead!

[@bigsky3072]

@@joefelice5062 why did they stop playing it?

[@wangson]

This is what God's voice sounds like.

[@stevienox8675]

Saw this band more times than all others combined!

[@drewkral9202]

Magic. Jerry just completely shows off that he can play like that all day, and that he knows how to take it anywhere he wants. Insane lead work.

[@wangson]

Insane! Beautiful. No words can describe this piece of music for me...at least I'm not aware of those words....this is God's voice to me.

[@ericwelber2899]

Best version of the eleven I have ever heard. Live on forever grateful dead!!

[@LosHuxleys]

@@wangson for real, I feel the same way, as if Jerry was some kind of avatar or something

[@patrickrobinson6765]

Insane. The contemporary music of today is garbage (not all) Here's the evidence

[@warrenfriesner8343]

@@wangsonListening to this for the umpteenth time and thinking about what this particular song means to me before I popped open this thread and saw your response and... you kind of nailed it! I'd just add that the way I have always experienced this song (as opposed to every other Dead song) is that it represents possibility of transformation to something beyond words, thoughts, and limitation. I think, somehow, it all starts with the part just before the instrumental starts, the William Tell transition where Hunter writes "William Tell has stretched his bow 'Til it won't stretch no further more And/or it may require a change that hasn't come before" And I'm hearing everything that follows as THAT CHANGE in which the "child has relinquished the reigns" and just let the horse carry him to immanence.

[@maximumridechik]

this song goes up to eleven...

[@hughtierneytierney3585]

not if you re-calibrate the scale and call eleven ten instead.

[@tomgilida4276]

I am responsible for 84,276 of the views.

[@cindydufala7646]

Tom Gilida 124, 438th ✌💕🌻🌼🌻🌿🍃

[@nickmosey6195]

Doing a great job Tom

[@40pass]

I'd rather call this song The El-heaven! No other piece of music will ever be able to technically compete with this song. This music belongs to a superior sphere than the human one.

[@livetoboardteam]

So fuckin true. One of the greatest songs of all time and the dead are amazing for that

[@devendrasinghgautam4638]

Yes sir, I'm glad we're on the same boat.......

[@bigsky3072]

This song is rather complex

[@nevada3131]

40pass yes!!!!!

[@Mrbeahz1]

@@bigsky3072 Well - - It's a fairly standard I, IV, V, IV, I progression, like La Bamba, Good Lovin', etc. with one little glitch: IT'S IN 11/4 TIME. Plus they play in true A major, not Myxolydian, except the intro and outro. Giving those beautiful descending patterns off A in the lead.

[@wangson]

LOVE it what Bill pops in and signals the change at 1:24 ...he whacks the snare twice and that's the indication to change it up for every one...Jerry's riff becomes that glorious "Eleven Riff"!

[@kenscapes]

I love how when yer trippin' face, it sounds like two separate songs playing at the same time.

[@AlwaysJihad]

it’s called polyrhythms and it’s one of the reasons why the dead sound so cool

[@DonStabler]

absolutely stoned and it's beautiful! whew!

[@Marcus441955]

This was the jam that made me a deadhead all those long years ago....what a strange trip its been...

[@geisterfer]

Greatest band in history - The Beatles Greatest Rock & Roll band in history - The Dead

[@seandewalt2324]

Beatles were Junior Varsity. Nowhere near the talent of this band.

[@davyroger3773]

@@seandewalt2324 lol

[@prairiewolfo9274]

The Beatles were a different type of band, from an earlier era. Saying who is better out of them and the Dead is a bit like saying who’s better out of James Taylor and Jimi Hendrix. The Beatles were an innovative band whose development was stopped by their disbanding. Since John and George died prematurely it is not possible to conjecture how they might have developed if they’d stayed together. I wouldn’t contradict your view: it is valid.

[@cherrygarcia1845]

sweet photo. the bass drum cover. billy tore it up always

[@davidtucker1203]

I'm only 20 and this is rockn roll!!! Long live Jerry!!!

[@SEPHICHI420]

David Tucker nice dude. I remember when I was 20 back in like 2006 and thinking I was so young have missed so much. Now here I sit 12 years later with enough further, " the dead", Phil and Friends, the other ones, Terrapin family band, Bob Weir Trio, etc etc, under my belt that I've lost track. As they say "the music never stopped"❤ Keep on rockn.

[@Junior1NY]

This is amazing Jerry is absolutely shredding it!! 🤯🤯🤯

[@ClueSign]

Shout out to Billy K who is mad killing it on this version

[@gomezcat80]

Yes, Billy killed the drums '67-'74. He's still an awesome drummer, but those are the best years imo. This one has Mickey also, but Bill laid down the beat

[@ClueSign]

The GD could have been fine w only Billy. imo.

[@brandongood7751]

This song wouldn't exist without Mickey learning Indian time signatures from Ravi Shankar's tabla partner, Ustad Allarakha. That meeting changed the direction of the band forever. (~);-}

[@dlm9293]

Abso-fucking-lutely agree 110% Pig's organ gave the pefect punctuation to an already incredibly musically talented and creative band.

[@MrJimyjaymes]

He punches thru for sure for a wee bit of foundation. 123, 123, 123 12

[@andrewhoag6167]

There's sometimes a myth put forth that Pig wasn't much of a musician, and he just sat out jams like this. This take should be all you need to dispel that canard.

[@jackdepalma]

​@@andrewhoag6167he was the blues and the first frontman. The Greateful Dead was his band. He ran the machinery. The shy biker 9:27 without A warning You Broke My Heart... Midnight Hour Pain in my Heart Pigpen was

[@johnelberling1931]

might be best Dead clip of all time

[@ClueSign]

No more time to tell how This is the season of what Now is the time of returning With thought jewels polished and gleaming

[@nevada3131]

ClueSign awesome!!

[@martinherve2688]

One of the best version ...

[@tiggasgaminghd4992]

LSD and The Eleven go together like bread and butter 😩

[@Videographic69]

This is bordering on insane!

[@sh230968]

No. This is mainstream insane.

[@cindydufala7646]

Bravo ⚘ 2-11-2020 now thanks for the music then, enduring now and lives forever 🕊

[@teedeeiss]

@cindydufala7646 - LOVE this song & it's my BD today Oct. 11 2023.

[@kariaudar]

The Grateful Dead: the most fantastically creative and inspired ensemble in the history of popular music.

[@billydotleeds]

One of the best Pigpen inclusions on any Dead track I have heard! Thanks for this track!

[@ellikerdonald5660]

great guitar tone .. nice recording! Thanks!!

[@andrewptob]

SG Jerry.

[@rumikallenbach652]

i want this song on vinyl!!!!!this is yet another example of the tightness,beauty,and musical expertise of the living breathing soul which the world knows as the grateful dead

[@ragnarocking]

Jason, what's your favorite song? Me: "Brown eyed Woman"... but nothing makes me lose myself like The Eleven does, each and every time I've listened to it... for decades.

[@DragonTVSJC]

Got me rocking over here! This is hands down my favorite 11. SHRINE HALL!!!

[@dlm9293]

Ahh well I can't blame you for that. I was 2 when Jerry passed, so unfortunately I'd never have gotten a chance to SEE them in their prime, but I'm lucky enough to be able to HEAR them.

[@user-ni4oj8oq3c]

Да.. а мне было 5 лет. Слышать их вживую было бы невероятно..

[@CadillacL]

Pure rock & roll bliss!

[@dr1rock]

whoa!! I don't think I've ever heard this version - it's fucking beautiful though baby!! just beautiful...great quality recording too! thanks for posting this beauty!

[@dlm9293]

NO MORE TIME TO TELL HOW, THIS IS THE SEASON OF WHAAAAT!

[@incongra]

Thank you

[@gslittlesoul]

I love the way the drummers "move" this tune. My goodness!

[@michaelmccafferty2726]

so beautiful

[@tannergray509]

Pigpen on the organ binds this song to infinity.

[@BeReal65]

The mix really gives you some sweet Pigpen sounds!

[@johnmitchelljr]

Thank you. My favorite Dead the 1960's. When I first saw them.

[@jeffreydover1663]

Wish I was there!

[@GIFFORDGA]

Insanely beautiful!!

[@tickytacky8078]

I can't remember if I've seen this live, if have to look up set lists, but it's up there with my top manic dancing gd tunes

[@GreenbeanFloyd]

this song is all i've been thinking about for the past few weeks! looks like I'm not alone!

[@sh230968]

I don't about others but we are not alone.

[@deadheadstolla]

Tnx for posting. Still great!

[@evanhutchinson3816]

I'm jamming happy ❤

[@AtmaRising]

one of their best!

[@TheGokitchen]

Thumbs up on the mix! Brilliant!

[@pendragon1153]

It's wonderful!!!!!! Dynamite!!!!!!!

[@GRMeehan5]

Wonderful day for this tune.

[@SteamDougy]

Two From The Vault It took me awhile to get into One.... and then I spent all my money on Dick's PicksSSSSSSSSSSS I got a Dave's Pick somewhere around here too. My heart is in Winterland, where I first saw them.

[@melonhead49]

Dear lord

[@GreenbeanFloyd]

must listen to 11 times today

[@styven77]

Great story RB! I actually read something that explained how they counted the 11 time now I hear it in my head everytime I listen to this track.

[@SteamDougy]

Very cool that!

[@dpheneghan2]

Awesome performance. What was all this fuss about the Grateful Dead about? Behold.

[@ArtHistoryScholar]

Rockin!

[@cherrygarcia1845]

hell freakin yea!!

[@josephjackson5088]

The Dead could take that train run it all the fuck off the tracks, run like that awhile but always brought it back by the end. Never gets old!

[@lizab5795]

If you don't jump out of your chair by 6:30 find another life to live.

[@JaggedRecordsVa]

@Grateful Varmints i jump out my chair before I click play because it’s Jerry, 60s Jerry

[@buddyiodine]

whoa !

[@camugi100]

Simply AMAZING musicians!

[@PatDog949]

High green chilly winds and windy vines In loops around the twisted shafts of lavender, They're crawling to the sun.

[@thomasbedell4770]

Who will water all the children of the garden when they sigh about the barren lack of rain and droop so so hungry ‘neath the sky?

[@Mrbeahz1]

One comment I rarely see about them: Let's face it - they were a jazz band, six players working their own things but listening and playing together.

[@peterzorich]

this is epic.. nothing else to say !

[@stephenilieff7531]

great

[@gradyfilms2458]

No aimlessness, etc. Just awesome fire-of-life music. It needs no justification...don't start with American Beauty or Workingman's Dead...that's when they became old except for a few gems like Easy Wind and New Speedway Boogie. Hunter's lyrics were always the best no matter how the music changed...this Eleven is from their golden age...

[@dmar9658]

wow The 11!!!!!

[@iamaealhuman7084]

hallelujah hat rack

[@ClueSign]

Right???

[@edhalfen7380]

Thanks GMuns for laying out the 11/8. I was trying to count it just by listening but got a bit confused. And naturally wanted to rest after 11 but it goes right back into 1. Gotaa have a strong mind to follow and even stronger to execute...Ed66yearolddrummerstilllearningeveryday

[@jegalligan]

A musician friend of mine explained 11/8 to me awhile ago. I get it now.

[@oughtssought1198]

some people can't think in base 11 lucky for us all these guys did

[@rm1133]

No more time to tell how, this is the season of what, Now is the time of returning with our thought

[@mikeyj.3605]

To the golden rainbow

[@hayduke1969]

All music should be in 11/8 time. It would force us all to dance more funky. Happy 11.11.11 everyone.

[@dlm9293]

No, in 1968, which is when this was reorded, Mickey Hart had been with the band for a year already, and would continue with the Dead until Febuary of 71, only to return permanently in 1974.

[@thomasbedell4770]

I understand Mr Freisner’s point, which simply put is that many people who never got into the Dead just never understood or liked their whole thing. That’s ok. On the other hand, for the rest of us, well, “No more time to tell how this is the season of what. Now is the time of returning with our thought jewels polished and gleaming.”

[@teedeeiss]

Today's my BD Wed. Oct. 11 2023

[@eleventhirteenX]

Two From The Vault

[@jrcville]

People forget the Dead could friggin' shred some.

[@PatDog949]

No more time to tell how, this is the season of what, Now is the time of returning with our thought Jewels polished and gleaming. Now is the time past believing the child has relinquished the rein, Now is the test of the boomerang tossed in the night of redeeming.