6/17/75: bob fried memorial boogie, winterland arena.

here’s another gem from the oft-misunderstood and disregarded retirement period when the dead were on a year-and-a-half hiatus from touring. this winterland gig is the second of the four bay area shows that reunited the band during the recording and release of blues for allah. i’ve written about the first and final shows of this storied year (the SNACK benefit at kezar stadium, and the exquisite bob menke field recording at golden gate park) in earlier blog entries, both of which are essential listening for anyone interested in this period. of course, the unveiling of blues for allah came on 8/13/75 at the great american music hall, and was celebrated in the first official vault release in 1991.

the second show of the year—billed as jerry garcia and friends—was a benefit gig at winterland in june. bobby’s side project kingfish and the newly formed keith & donna band also played a set before the full grateful dead ensemble hit the stage. unlike the more polished sound of the great american music hall, this performance is for people who like their jams dangerous and unpredictable; it’s the reason that dead scholars often make the claim that 1975 remains the most intriguing year in the band’s ever-intriguing history, filled with creative chances and decisions that would define the band’s next two decades.

similar to the lindley performance, this bob menke field recording places the listener directly in the shoes and experience of the audience members, a perfect balance between the band and the crowd. the show opens with the debut of crazy fingers, with garcia taking two choruses before they head back into the verses. the playing and phrasing is near perfect and it's hard to believe that this is the first time they ever performed this tune in a live setting. after a few quick numbers—including a heartbreaking peggy-o—the band launches into their first try at help on the way > slipknot > franklins tower; the resulting set closing music is beautiful, especially the only instrumental version of help on the way they would ever play.the second set of the evening is all about the b-side of blues for allah. although they encore with a few classics, it’s the blues for allah > king solomon's marbles/stronger than dirt/milkin' the turkey > blues for allah reprise that leaves my mind in stitches. the 25-minute exploration is stunning; the jamming and interplay between the musicians is magical, otherworldly, and sublimely maniacal.

listening to this tape, i’m reminded why 1975 was such an inspired and metamorphosing year for the grateful dead. it was—and always will be—simultaneously an ending, a beginning, and something completely unknown.

https://archive.org/details/gd1975-06-17.fob.menke.motb.97078.flac24