Spotlight customer reviews:
|
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Slow and easy in the shadows of the Sphinx
Comment: Over the years there has been quite a few myths about this legendary run of concerts. And some divided opinions about the music, was it brilliant or did it never really gel?
Here at last we get an official release, focusing on the third and final show 9/16, with only two songs coming from the second night ("Jack Straw" and "Stagger Lee"). And for sure, there are a something special about the music here. Was it the timeless cool of the pyramids and the Sphinx, the magical full moon eclipse or the more mundane fact of Bill Kreutzman's hand injury? Whatever, I never heard Grateful Dead play quite that slow. Although there ability to play some secret, understated very slow rhytms, hinting at the timelessness of enthogenic experiences has always been part of there unique magic.
Not surprisingly then, we get some beautiful, rather definitive versions of gorgous ballads like "Looks Like Rain" and a completely transcendental "Stella Blue". But the highlight is the sequence of "Ollin Arageed>Fire On the mountain>Iko Iko". Here you can almost sense the cool stones of the pyramids, the starry night, dancing bedouins, the moon slowly going through its eclipse. And a jamfilled, adventurous "Shakedown Street", only the second time they played it live.
The drummers work well apart from Billy's injury, Keith Godchaux, surprisingly loud in the mix for '78, and surprisingly well playing. throws his jazzy licks. Bob Weir is in top form, holding things together, singing well and playing a whole lot of Lowell George influenced slide. Donna Jean shines whereever she steps in, specially on "Looks Like Rain". Phil Lesh has an unusual dull sound, and to be honest plays rather dull and uninspired, while Jerry Garcia spreads his cosmic, visionary leads on top of it all. He was not as transcendental as in the early years of the band, but the hard drugs havn't taking their toll yet.
A lot better than I would have expected. Quite a gem for the long time deadicated head.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: A holiday souvenir for Dead Heads
Comment: Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978/+DVD
If you want to introduce someone to the Grateful Dead's amazing instrumental interplay DON'T give them "Rocking the Cradle". Musically, it reminds me of the first half of their shows when they tended to indulge in ramshackle harmonies and over-repeated final lines while getting in tune for the main event that would be an hour or so of inspired improvisation. Sadly, we don't get to 'the second set' musically, but there are other reasons for buying this CD/DVD combo.
If, like me, you wondered what happened to the music from the Dead's trip to Egypt, a trip that was so special to them at the time, then you'll want this as a souvenir. The home movie quality of the DVD somehow fits with the occasion, which is well described in the booklet.
Best of all, perhaps, is the packaging. The double gatefold sleeve opens to reveal Sphinx and Pyramid pop-ups, as well as housing the booklet, CDs and DVD. If you liked "One Live Badger" in the days of vinyl you'll love this. Well done Rhino!
If you want to introduce someone to the Grateful Dead then stick with "Live Dead", unless you've got time to listen to Dick's Picks (Vols 1 to infinity) and choose something better. But if you are a Dead Head you'll not need a reason to buy "Rocking the Cradle".
|
|
