Author: Renfield

The Grateful Dead’s Legacy of Awful Music

A good summary of the anti-Dead perspective.

On a personal note:  back in the 80’s I found myself in a short,  ill-advised relationship with a neo-hippie chick.  Because I will listen to anything once, I allowed myself to be subjected to a fair cross-section of their live and studio recordings.  What I heard was not one, but TWO drummers who couldn’t keep time (where else but in 60’s San Francisco could two such creatures be found?), a bass player who aimlessly noodles when he should be anchoring the song, meandering guitar solos (see article for a good description of those), silly-sounding harmonies, and songs that were either watered down country–country without the requisite redneck element–or jazz without the requisite improvisational talent.  In short, to my ears, they couldn’t play, sing, or write.  Other than that, great band.

And while it’s true that I was prejudiced because I hate jam bands, it’s also true that I at least respect ones who can play.  I never liked the Allman Bros., but I’m forced to admit their musicianship was top-notch.  Hell, Duane Allman even worked as a session guy in Muscle Shoals.  I believe Jerry Garcia would have been laughed out of the room.

I’m pretty sure this was the Walker Brothers’ biggest US hit, maybe their only one.  Catchy chorus.  I heard this quite a bit growing up.

They’d bettter not fuck this up.

I almost want to be single again, just so I can ask a woman for her phone number and watch her expression as I enter it into my data-bank/calculator watch.

This might be your ticket.  Best comment: “that lady is actually 5 inches tall.”

I’ve never attended Record Store Day, but many of these guys can be seen anytime.  The very last one is my favorite.

Here are the Stones at Hyde Park in 1969 playing a cover of “I’m Yours and I’m Hers” that is horrendously sloppy, just barely in tune . . . and completely badass.  The Replacements may have been the only other band with the attitude and panache to be simultaneously so bad and so great.

Some background:  this was their first show in two years due to drug busts and Brain Jones’s decline, and their first gig with a 20 year-old Mick Taylor.  They had kicked out Brian Jones a month previously, and sadly, he died two days before this gig.  Jagger begins by reading a portion of Shelley’s “Adonais”  in his honor. They opened with “I’m Yours and I’m Hers” because it was one of Brain’s favorites.  Music begins at about 3:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7fQgg_T9Gk

This is the best imitation I’ve heard of John Lennon’s singing.  However, when you see a video of these guys (as I did for the first time this a.m.), the effect is dampened a bit by the singer, who could pass for a flooring salesman.  And why’s he wearing a saxophone?  Great song nonetheless.

This recent “real people” spoof is one of the best.  Here’s an earlier one, in case you missed it.

A few dull stretches, but fascinating musical discussions beginning at around 11:00 and 21:00.  Dave interestingly links his power-chording to the Ventures, while Jonesy ‘fesses up to lifting the riff to “Sub-Mission” from “All Day and All of the Night.”