The Grateful Dead's 1980 Fall Tour celebrated the Grateful Dead's 15th Anniversary, and was famous for a series of "residency" runs:
- The Warfield, San Francisco, with 15 shows, from September 25 to October 14.
- The Saenger Theatre, New Orleans, with 2 shows on October 18 and 19.
- Radio City Music Hall, New York City, with 8 shows from October 22 to 31. I was lucky enough to see the entire1980 Radio City Music Hall run.
Material recorded during these runs was later released as two distinct live albums in 1981: 'Reckoning' compiled from the acoustic sets, and 'Dead Set' compiled from the electric sets.
I missed Black Friday Record Store Day this past November at my favorite local record stores in Manhattan, as I was in Los Altos, California, celebrating Thanksgiving with family.
Disappointingly, upon my return home, The Grateful Dead's 'The Warfield, San Francisco, CA Oct 4 & 6, 1980' in the form of 180gm vinyl was completely sold out, everywhere, so I bought the 2CD set instead. I eventually bought the vinyl online, but I would have much preferred to give my money to an independent record store.
These
two acoustic sets perfectly blend older cuts from Dead's extensive repertoire, these two
sets include classics like "Bird Song", "Cassidy", "Dire Wolf" and "To
Lay Me Down" amongst many others, with each set ending with "Ripple".
The freeload is the 2CD set, and sounds wonderful.
While I was never an MTV fan, I did however enjoy some episodes from their series, MTV Unplugged.
For the freeload, if you saw any of the Unplugged series, what were some of your favorites?
The freeload is the 2CD set, and sounds wonderful.
While I was never an MTV fan, I did however enjoy some episodes from their series, MTV Unplugged.
For the freeload, if you saw any of the Unplugged series, what were some of your favorites?
https://www.discogs.com/release/34185208-The-Zombies-2-Meter-Session-987
ReplyDeleteThe 2 Meter Sessions started in 1987 and have a rich tradition of musicians playing their songs acoustic. Willy DeVille also did a very nice session. As did Counting Crows, Joe Cocker, Radiohead, REM, Foo Fighters, Seppultura, Coldplay and many others.Nirvana did a 2 Meter Session in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlWgslncSaw
I must admit that I never listened to any MTV unplugged
More great stuff--you are too good to us, Babs--thank you.
ReplyDeleteHard to say...I read somewhere Cobain hated it, but Nirvana was pretty great...R.E.M.? I enjoyed most all of them I saw. A Dead acoustic set was finest kind and CSNY did a "wooden music" set in NOLA I saw that was pretty damn great.
I did not see man of those, but one that still is seared in my brain, is an acoustic set that Stevie Ray Vaughan did - believe he played a 12 string on it. As far as I know, it was never commercially released as a cd or lp.
ReplyDeleteI can't recall ever seeing any Unplugged episodes. I think the name turned me off & wasn't watching much MTv in those days. Thanks Babs
ReplyDeleteBob Dylan's set was excellent and the Unplugged concept was probably MTV's greatest (only??) contribution to music.
ReplyDeleteLet's go with only.
DeleteIndeed. It saved the industry which collapsed after "punk" & "disco" went out of fashion. And this is where the visual side became essential in selling music. Take care.
DeleteDylan's "Unplugged" is the only one I recall watching & the album stands on its own nicely.
DeleteANON RF: I never saw the episodes, but I heard several of the CDs. Best liked Eric Clapton, and, surprisingly for me, Nirvana.
ReplyDeleteI never lived in a place with cable TV, so my exposure to MTV mostly came from one week in Hanalei, when we "camped" in a tiny room with a small set (instead of hiking the Na'Pali Coast).
ReplyDeleteI have two favorite acoustic experiences.
First, I saw the last two nights at The Warfield (so 10/13 and 14), and the acoustic sets were excellent, IMO.
Then, later, Richard Thompson was in the habit of touring CA playing solo acoustic just before going into the studio to record his albums in the Eighties. He'd then tour with a band after they came out. So I saw many times at the Palms Playhouse, a tiny barn that he always included in his tours. He's such an engaging performer, but especially with just one guitar, one voice, and maybe 80 people in the room!
D in California
I've been lucky enough to see both Bruce Cockburn and Steve Earle solo acoustic. It's a powerful format in the right hands.
DeleteThat's the truth, Psychfan!
DeleteD in California
Link
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/dwFH8nZdtEC
Thank you Babs!
DeleteEnjoy my friend!
DeleteThank you!
DeleteI liked Bob Dylan's set (especially his acoustic take of 'I want you') and the set of CSN. Claptons acoustic Layla is great, but not so his more schmalzy tunes ...
ReplyDeleteThe two I probably enjoyed the most were the Neil Young and Tony Bennett shows.
ReplyDeleteOne I forgot - Tony Bennett actually did an unplugged (oxymoronic, since his career was acoustic), but it actually became a very good album and revitalized his career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTwxh3heBEs&list=PL3ME_UgKBYJ9BtKYU3RMXW8STg24www4D
ReplyDeleteI liked the 10,000 Maniacs issue.
ReplyDeleteNirvana -- if for nothing else honoring the Meat Puppets with two cover songs ("Plateau" and "Lake of Fire") that gave them more royalty money than all their own recordings combined.
ReplyDelete