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Grateful Dead: Road Trips Vol. 4, No. 1

Rhino
My five year old started dancing within ten seconds of the Grateful Dead opening this 1969 concert with “Hard to Handle.” He followed by saying, “These guys don’t sing well.” Such was the Dead in the early days when the band’s music and lyrics often outshined vocal capabilities. It didn’t matter much—musically the band was on fire, as evidenced by this three-disc set, two shows from the Big Rock Pow Wow on the Seminole Indian Reservation in Hollywood, Fla. Fresh off of an expansive, enlightening Fillmore West run, the band continues its energetic, inspired playing—pushing, reaching and probing—particularly the jam-filled “Dark Star”> “St. Stephen”> “The Eleven” trio and romping “Alligator.” The “St. Stephen” from day two uniquely rises out of the drums and finishes with a wild feedback squall. Pigpen turns each “Lovelight” into funky soul shout-outs, while country and folk offerings expose the band’s rootsy side. “Morning Dew” packs a mesmerizing wallop. Though raw at times, these shows present endless possibilities and directions that the Dead would soon exploit. The one complaint is with the packaging. The second halves of both shows fill disc three. For ‘heads experienced with lengthy multi-disc (or tape) performances, a chronological rendering would hardly pose a problem.
Relix A/V
Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger "The Pequod"
In honor of Umphrey’s McGee’s return to Summer Camp this weekend, we present the group’s Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger performing this version of “The Pequod” from UM’s Anchor Drops.
Golden Bloom "Flying Mountain"
Golden Bloom stopped by Relix to perform a tune from their latest EP No Day Like Today.
The Chapin Sisters "Crying in the Rain"
The Chapin Sisters share an tune from their new album A Date With the Everly Brothers.
Night Moves "Country Queens"
Minneapolis-based Night Moves share a song from their record, Colored Emotions, live at Relix.
The Giving Tree Band "Brown Eyed Women"
The Giving Tree Band enjoy a spring day on the Relix rooftop, while performing a classic Grateful Dead tune.
Hayden "Blurry Nights"
Canadian singer-songwriter Hayden performs a duet with his sister-in-law Lou Canon. The song appears on Us Alone his first record on Broken Social Scene’s Arts & Crafts Productions.
The Milk Carton Kids "Hope of a Lifetime"
The Milk Carton Kids share the first song from their new album, The Ash & Clay.
Premiere: Ana Popovic "Object Of Obsession"
Here is the new video from Serbian guitar ace Ana Popovic. “Object Of Obsession” appears on her latest album Can You Stand The Heat.
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