40 years ago today, a #gratefuldead rehearsal tape from their front street warehouse headquarters in san rafael, relearning how to play a mid-‘70s classic, working out a new #BobWeir tune, & hanging out with bob weir’s dog otis. (that's otis.) https://archive.org/details/gd83-03-14.sbd.miller.21269.sbeok.shnf [1/4]
3/14/83 front street: fun to hear the band tap back into HELP ON THE WAY/SLIPKNOT! (perhaps due to lesh’s new 6-string bass), unplayed live since ’77. they seem to remember the shape, but pause a few times to work out details & dynamics & talk through the transitions with mydland, who’s never performed it. garcia makes suggestions about how to find his own space. after a few takes, they sound pretty comfy with the drop into FRANKLIN’S TOWER, which they don’t practice. [2/4]
most charming part of this #gratefuldead rehearsal tape is a bit of #JerryGarcia & #PhilLesh goofing on otis, #BobWeir’s german shepherd, who is apparently also hanging out. “he has remarkably good taste for a dumb fuckin’ mutt,” observes garcia before they all tease the dog through the speakers. “where’s @dgans when there’s a real story around?” weir asks, possibly referring to their impending work on MY BROTHER ESAU. [3/4]
tape closes with 30 minutes of the band looping through weir’s MY BROTHER ESAU without stopping. weir sings whole thing through a few times as everybody find parts. probably their not 1st run-through. both weir & garcia are using slides on the 1st 2 passes. garcia puts his down, but then has to hold down the song parts while weir sort of plays slide. otis barks a few times near the end, far enough into the stereo field that it was quite startling on headphones. #deadfreaksunite #gd031483 [4/4]
@bourgwick Good dog! Hadn't heard some early Esau in a while before diving into the March 83 shows, didn't expect some of the different lyrics!