'He's Gone'
One of the downsides of living in the city is I can't leave a book of CDs in my car overnight.
And I always forget to bring one when I leave for work in the morning. So I'm stuck with the four or five CDs in my center console. And I won't name names, but three of them stink.
Thusly, for the past several weeks, I have been listening almost exclusively to ...
... the first disc of the Grateful Dead's Europe '72 double album.Bet ya didn't peg me for a Dead Head, eh?
I'm more like an ex-Dead Head. I was big on them in college, and saw (ex-Dead bassist) Phil Lesh at least once (his super low singing range ruins nearly every song he sings, by the way).
Obviously, the Dead were much better live than in the studio. But of all their live albums, Europe '72 really brings together a tight studio sound with the spark they had on stage.
My favorite track? "He's Gone."
Dig this video with the first two minutes of it.
(AP Photo of who else but the Grateful Dead)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
Gotta love The Dead!
Posted by: jerry | July 14, 2008 2:36 PM
Another interesting look into Sam Sessa's soul! Where's the journalism, huh?!
Posted by: JTK | July 14, 2008 3:02 PM
Sam,
Firmly in your camp with not being a Dead fan. Had friends in college who liked them and saw Dylan & the Dead at RFK before Jerry died. That said "Brown-eyed woman" is by far the best song on that album.
Posted by: Sturmy | July 14, 2008 3:03 PM
Just got back from All Good Festival and seeing Phil Lesh and friends. Widespread Panic put on one of the best live shows I've seen/heard in a long time.
Posted by: E$ | July 14, 2008 3:15 PM
Sessa, you saw Lesh "at least once"? Too many wine coolers in you the other times around that you can't remember?
Posted by: Bryan | July 14, 2008 3:20 PM
JTK, I have a soul?
Bryan, my memories of said event(s) are spotty at best. Try asking David Lee Roth about the '80s and see what happens.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 14, 2008 3:23 PM
Sam, if you like that CD, get yourself a copy of the Sept. 17, 1972 show recorded live in Baltimore, a 3-disk set.
Posted by: Booth | July 14, 2008 4:05 PM
Sam, Europe '72 is a great listen. My hands down favorite off that album is the China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider. I know, its not on Disc 1, but its great rock and roll nonetheless.
Posted by: TD | July 15, 2008 9:40 AM
TD, I love Keith Godchaux's piano work on Europe '72 -- especially on "He's Gone" and "China -> Rider." It sounds gorgeous.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 15, 2008 10:45 AM
I second the China Cat -> Rider combo as my favorite tracks on the album. I always get a charge as soon as I pop the CD in and hear the opening licks of Cumberland Blues....I also have an attachement to the first disc, especially since it suffered the "borrowed but never returned" fate that so many of my albums have. So will you be heading back down to Merriweather for a review of the recently announced Phil & Friends / Allman Bros show in September??
Posted by: Greg S | July 15, 2008 10:51 AM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nYTNbgK9NxI
Fast forward to 1:40 and listen for a minute.
I rest my case.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | July 15, 2008 10:58 AM
I always liked the song "Eyes of the World."
Posted by: boombat | July 16, 2008 11:27 AM