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Grateful Dead — Jack-A-Roe
Album: Reckoning
Avg rating:
6.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1594









Released: 1981
Length: 4:09
Plays (last 30 days): 1
There was a wealthy merchant, in London he did dwell
He had a beautiful daughter, the truth to you I'll tell
Oh, the truth to you I'll tell

She had sweethearts aplenty, and men of high degree
But none but Jack the sailor, her true love there could be
Oh, her true love there could be

Jackie's gone a-sailing with trouble on his mind
He's left his native country, and his darling girl behind
Oh, his darling girl behind

She went down to a tailor's shop and dressed in mens' array
She climbed on board a vessel to convey herself away
Oh, to convey herself away.

Before you get on board, sir, your name we'd like to know
She smiled all in her countenance, "They call me Jack-A-Roe."
Oh, they call me Jack-A-Roe.

I see your waist is slender, your fingers they are small
Your cheeks too red and rosy to face the cannonball.
Oh, to face the cannonball.

I know my waist is slender, my fingers, they are small
But it would not make me tremble to see ten thousand fall
Oh, to see ten thousand fall.

The wars then being over, she went and looked around
Among the dead and wounded, her darling boy she found
Oh, her darling boy she found.

She picked him up all in her arms and carried him to the town
She sent for a physician who quickly healed his wounds
Oh, who quickly healed his wounds.

This couple, they got married, so well they did agree
This couple, they got married, so why don't you and me
Oh, so why don't you and me?
Comments (194)add comment
Such a fantastic song by a fantastic band, of course my opinion. Ive seen numerous Grateful Dead shows starting in 1985, Jerry and David Grisman, several post Jerry "Dead" and Dead and Co. shows. Maybe it's the fast flowing guitar work and for sure the story in the lyrics I just love this song. Loved it so much I learned how to play if on guitar but alas due to my arthritic hands all I can do is sit back and smile remembering the joy it gave me.  
 
This is only one of a few Dead songs I prefer done by the Dead.  Most of the time I like my Dead covered, if you know what I mean... 
 
 SurfDoc wrote:

Grateful Dead is the backbone of Radio Paradise


You really didn't even bother a passing glance at the play stats that would say otherwise, did you?  Just quickly look at R.E.M. and check the numbers vs the Dead...

Facts matter Doc...and if these guys were the backbone...you'd find me down at the metatarsals...and hoping for an amputation....

 SurfDoc wrote:

Grateful Dead is the backbone of Radio Paradise




I'm sorry, but I think that's a bit of a stretch. Too much other good music on here to give that designation to any one band or even genre of music. The "backbone" is the people choosing and broadcasting all this good stuff out to us in such a fine manner.
we need more of this dancing music

its friday

spring
 h8rhater wrote:

Touche! 

For me it was a Ford Fairmont, an uninspired 80's car of similar ilk, with some great backseat memories.

Phish is a great band.  But when Jerry died it seemed like all the heads just switched over allegiance.  I guess they needed a band to tour with, but for me it was too painful to do so.
 
I knew a family that had TWO Ford Fairmonts at the same time. Now, that's plodding!
 kcar wrote:
 h8rhater wrote:

You folks are ones to talk:

Nothing could be more plodding and boring than a K car:

kcar

And... Karaoke!
 


Hey, the K-car saved Chrysler's ass. And I had a lot of fun with girlfriends in my family's K-car. 

Back to the Dead: I like 'em OK but this song has no voom. I understand it's a classic but I don't have to like it. 

I'm sorry the Dead don't play anymore. I'd take them over Phish every time. 
 
Touche! 

For me it was a Ford Fairmont, an uninspired 80's car of similar ilk, with some great backseat memories.

Phish is a great band.  But when Jerry died it seemed like all the heads just switched over allegiance.  I guess they needed a band to tour with, but for me it was too painful to do so.
 kcar wrote:
 h8rhater wrote:

You folks are ones to talk:

Nothing could be more plodding and boring than a K car:

kcar

And... Karaoke!
 


Hey, the K-car saved Chrysler's ass. And I had a lot of fun with girlfriends in my family's K-car. 

Back to the Dead: I like 'em OK but this song has no voom. I understand it's a classic but I don't have to like it. 

I'm sorry the Dead don't play anymore. I'd take them over Phish every time. 
 
My stepdad had one when he was dating my mother.  It was not only a K car but it was freaking tan of all colors.  I said, Um mom any man that drives something like that is totally unsuitable."  LOL  So what did she do?  She married the mofo.

 SurfDoc wrote:
Grateful Dead is the backbone of Radio Paradise
 
I always thought David Byrnes was the backbone of RP and the secret favorite of Bill!
 h8rhater wrote:

You folks are ones to talk:

Nothing could be more plodding and boring than a K car:

kcar

And... Karaoke!
 


Hey, the K-car saved Chrysler's ass. And I had a lot of fun with girlfriends in my family's K-car. 

Back to the Dead: I like 'em OK but this song has no voom. I understand it's a classic but I don't have to like it. 

I'm sorry the Dead don't play anymore. I'd take them over Phish every time. 
Pretty sure that the Dead I find interesting is the opposite of about 90% of their fans. That said, I've given them numerous opportunities over the years and still manage to find some good stuff amidst the stuff I don't like.

One thing is for certain, Jerry Garcia was a helluva guitar player. David Crosby's "Cowboy Movie" benefited greatly from his playing. And I consider Garcia's steel guitar work on "Laughing" some of the most indescribably perfect guitar I've ever heard.
Ah man, today is my 64th birthday and I was hoping to hear some Dead on RP today and here it is! Thank you Bill!
Thank you for this kind song
Teddy road

Teddy Road
 swtobias508 wrote:
similar to Jack White but I would take Jack White over the tired, droning Dead any day.... Their association with LSD makes since - you'd have to tripping on acid to enjoy their uninspiring drivel.
 

Try it sometime - might improve your disposition.
Jack-A-Lope
 bokey wrote:

I just don't get the whole  "They were great live" thing. In the studio their stuff could get tweaked and fixed,and is semi-palatable sometimes.

 I saw them once, and they would have needed a hook and ladder firetruck,or maybe the space shuttle to climb up to the awful range. Just horrible and out of tune, but I wasn't on drugs that night,because I had hoped to learn something. Maybe if I was it would have been different.

 Completely soured me on them.

 


 

Maybe those millions of fans over 3 decades and hundreds of sold out shows were just not as discerning as you.  Bad shows happen for every band.  Even more so when one goes to the show expecting one. 
similar to Jack White but I would take Jack White over the tired, droning Dead any day.... Their association with LSD makes since - you'd have to tripping on acid to enjoy their uninspiring drivel.
This is the first time I have sensed the similarity of Jack White's more recent work to this Dead song. Even the strangled vocal style makes me conjure up "Jack White".

Does anybody else hear it?

 
To me 7 - Quite Likeable   only
Grateful Dead is the backbone of Radio Paradise
yeah as far as the Dead I'm with ziakut and webfoot, pretty bleh for the most part imo, now when I was YOUNGER and doing High School homework I looked forward to hearing "Old and in the Way", but now that I'm getting feeble and crotchety GD = PSD  : )
 ziakut wrote:
I unfairly gave this tune a very low rating. 3—-5. It's intricate and smooth...yet I'm NOT a GD fan. I can appreciate decent musicianship. At least this song doesn't make me feel like I need a bath after it ends.

 
I agree with you as I rated it a 2 after the first few notes based on an emotional reaction. 5 is better.
 kcar wrote:

Really, it does. 

 
 KaraokeVox wrote:

ha ha ha
 
kcar wrote:

 
Seriously, though: this feels like Retirement Home Grateful Dead. Plodding, going through the motions...Finish your set before Lawrence Welk comes on, boys!

 
You folks are ones to talk:

Nothing could be more plodding and boring than a K car:

kcar

And... Karaoke!

 ch83575 wrote:
Doesn't get much better than this.

   
kcar wrote:

Really, it does. 

 
 KaraokeVox wrote:

ha ha ha
  
Seriously, though: this feels like Retirement Home Grateful Dead. Plodding, going through the motions...Finish your set before Lawrence Welk comes on, boys!
 fredriley wrote:
This is the only Dead number I've rated above 2. Indeed, I was mildly shocked to turn to the song page and see that it was the Dead as it's so together, so bluesy, and not the usual lank stoner drone. Is this a guest singer? It doesn't sound like Jerry Garcia - way too tuneful and sharp. 7 from the surprised Nottingham jury.

 
Wow, you really don't know the Dead do you?  One of the best and most classic Jerry tunes.  
Joan Baez sings this song beautifully!
 
I unfairly gave this tune a very low rating. 3—-5. It's intricate and smooth...yet I'm NOT a GD fan. I can appreciate decent musicianship. At least this song doesn't make me feel like I need a bath after it ends.
 fredriley wrote:
This is the only Dead number I've rated above 2. Indeed, I was mildly shocked to turn to the song page and see that it was the Dead as it's so together, so bluesy, and not the usual lank stoner drone. Is this a guest singer? It doesn't sound like Jerry Garcia - way too tuneful and sharp. 7 from the surprised Nottingham jury.

 
That's Garcia on vocals. Odd that you would cotton to "Jack-A-Roe," a song shrouded in the mists of time, quite likely British from the turn of the 19th century. The Bodleian Library includes a version of it in its collection of old English ballads under one of the many alternate titles, "Jack Munro."
 kcar wrote:

Really, it does. 

 
ha ha ha
I always thought this was called Jack-a-lope.
 gatorade wrote:
Reckoning I'll give this a 10, but turning it up to 11. Twirling in the kitchen again.

 
Nice Spinal Tap reference! And I agree an under exposed and excellent Dead track!! {#High-five}

 fredriley wrote:
This is the only Dead number I've rated above 2. Indeed, I was mildly shocked to turn to the song page and see that it was the Dead as it's so together, so bluesy, and not the usual lank stoner drone. Is this a guest singer? It doesn't sound like Jerry Garcia - way too tuneful and sharp. 7 from the surprised Nottingham jury.

 
This comment is odd, based on your generally thoughtful and even often discerning comments. Obviously, one is free to like and/or dislike anything. However, your apparent take on the Dead and Garcia seems more like that of one who does not know the music but does know what he thinks he knows. I recall playing some live Dead concert tapes for an Irish colleague in Japan, who had considerable disdain for the group, and who found that he liked what I played. An informed and open-minded jury is always preferable to one that knows the answer before the question is posed.
Wow! This is the fifth Dead song I've heard in the past few hours. Is it an anniversary or something? I'm not a big Dead fan, but I saw them once in Philly. Early eighties. Quite an experience. I don't remember alot about the show, but the party around the parking lot was amazing.
Reckoning I'll give this a 10, but turning it up to 11. Twirling in the kitchen again.
Good grooving.  Clean and traditional.  Nice work boys and no Donna Jean....  yeah!
This is the only Dead number I've rated above 2. Indeed, I was mildly shocked to turn to the song page and see that it was the Dead as it's so together, so bluesy, and not the usual lank stoner drone. Is this a guest singer? It doesn't sound like Jerry Garcia - way too tuneful and sharp. 7 from the surprised Nottingham jury.
I joyfully saw the GD a few times and each show was a new "experience". I am not talking about just some tripped out drug experience, the entire vibe began the moment you saw a member of the loyal family or heard someone humming or drumming a sweet tune while you arrived to the show. It was about a lot more then just music...it was the showmanship, dance floor, parking lot scene, abundance of sharing  etc.
Entire adventure was a tremendous growth opportunity. Hearts opened, mind expanded and gratitude awaken. All who truly experienced GD, don't forget. Much love and thank you!
No hum...
Looking at the album cover you're not expecting something like this.
 daniel_rusk wrote:
SERIOUSLY? 4 Greatful Dead songs in the last few hours? 

 
It's very possible that it was just one Grateful Dead song which went on for a few hours.  {#Propeller}
One of my favorite GD songs, and certainly my favorite to play on acoustic around the campfire. 
This band was truly amazing in terms of the the different music genres they could perform and do them quite well: bluegrass, blues,  RnR, trippy rock, country rock, jazz, etc.


Long live the Dead.  


SERIOUSLY? 4 Greatful Dead songs in the last few hours? 
 MojoJojo wrote:

My friend and I, having donned our rented inline skates, were rolling through Golden Gate Park. This was post, "hot dog cart / Jerry Sunday encounter". We headed down a stretch of road that had open grassy areas on either side with folks engaged in various recreational activities. Coming to a downhill stretch of road we gained a fair amount of speed for our fledgling skating abilities but managed to stay upright. 

On my right I noticed a sign in the grass that read, "Free Mime Show!” Not thinking about how my voice would carry, I shouted back to my friend, "Free mime show?!?! Like anyone would pay for a mime show!” 

Well... let's just say one of the mimes didn't preserve his mime-like silence. His protests trailed away as I continued to gain speed and distance but it was clear that he was heatedly admonishing me and pointing out the many virtues of mime and its place in the world as a serious art form. He had a very slight figure and a rather high-pitched voice. He gave chase with a rather tepid power walk of sorts, all the while waving his arms and screeching at me.

I will readily admit that I was insensitive but I also have to admit that it is one of my fondest memories. Had I been capable of stopping I would have done so, and apologized. Having rolled well out of his site I thought it best to just keep on rolling.

If I ever have a band, it will probably be called, “Free Mime Show”.



 
That's a great story. 
 ch83575 wrote:
Doesn't get much better than this.

 
Really, it does. 
 Jelani wrote:
Do tell about the mime.
 

My friend and I, having donned our rented inline skates, were rolling through Golden Gate Park. This was post, "hot dog cart / Jerry Sunday encounter". We headed down a stretch of road that had open grassy areas on either side with folks engaged in various recreational activities. Coming to a downhill stretch of road we gained a fair amount of speed for our fledgling skating abilities but managed to stay upright. 

On my right I noticed a sign in the grass that read, "Free Mime Show!” Not thinking about how my voice would carry, I shouted back to my friend, "Free mime show?!?! Like anyone would pay for a mime show!” 

Well... let's just say one of the mimes didn't preserve his mime-like silence. His protests trailed away as I continued to gain speed and distance but it was clear that he was heatedly admonishing me and pointing out the many virtues of mime and its place in the world as a serious art form. He had a very slight figure and a rather high-pitched voice. He gave chase with a rather tepid power walk of sorts, all the while waving his arms and screeching at me.

I will readily admit that I was insensitive but I also have to admit that it is one of my fondest memories. Had I been capable of stopping I would have done so, and apologized. Having rolled well out of his site I thought it best to just keep on rolling.

If I ever have a band, it will probably be called, “Free Mime Show”.


i second that emotion!

 
caregiver wrote:
                                       {#Dance}  {#Bananapiano}   {#Clap}   
                                    toe-tappin' happy tune   
                                                       
 


                                       {#Dance}  {#Bananapiano}   {#Clap}   
                                    toe-tappin' happy tune   
                                                       
Neither a hater nor a fan...
 neuticle wrote:
Don't like. Sounds like he's about to burst into tears, I know I am...
 

Feel free dont let me hold you back....
Don't like. Sounds like he's about to burst into tears, I know I am...
craving satisfied
 bokey wrote:

I just don't get the whole  "They were great live" thing.In the studio their stuff could get tweaked and fixed,and is semi-palatable sometimes.

 I saw them once, and they would have needed a hook and ladder firetruck,or maybe the space shuttle to climb up to the awful range.Just horrible and out of tune, but I wasn't on drugs that night,because I had hoped to learn something.Maybe if I was it would have been different.

 Completely soured me on them.

 
 



You know, I admittedly have heard more than a few bad dead shows...but none of them were "out of tune."

everything is so close (thank you) I hate to mention it but Jerry was missing the middle one on that hand
 
calypsus_1 wrote:

Box of Rain by *shelleyinez
Shelley Williams  ©2003-2010 *shelleyinez

I am not a big fan of the Greatful Dead. I did this for a friend about 6 years ago.
Just happened across it.

Pencil & Paper.

Thanks for looking!

 


 PA1749 wrote:
Holy Grateful Dead day Batman! Robert Hunter sure can right lyrics. Did Hunter write this one?
 
Got back to me cubicle just as the song was concluding, and I thought I heard Bill say this was a Garcia/Hunter tune, which of course it isn't. It is, yes, their variation on an old English folk song cum sea shanty, "Jack Monroe," which has been around for some time. And Hunter may have written some new lyrics for it, as he's been well known to do.

Wiki offers as concise a summation as anywhere: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Monroe_(song)

And, Bill, if you didn't say it was a Garcia/Hunter tune, my apologies.

Holy Grateful Dead day Batman! Robert Hunter sure can right lyrics. Did Hunter write this one?
 
 horstman wrote:


The dead are a band that you either get or you don't. Those who do get it really love these guys (and gals) and how they influenced and shaped our lives. They sure made me a better person because of their presence. I don't miss them, but I would certainly would miss them if they weren't a part of my life.

 
I just don't get the whole  "They were great live" thing. In the studio their stuff could get tweaked and fixed,and is semi-palatable sometimes.

 I saw them once, and they would have needed a hook and ladder firetruck,or maybe the space shuttle to climb up to the awful range. Just horrible and out of tune, but I wasn't on drugs that night,because I had hoped to learn something. Maybe if I was it would have been different.

 Completely soured me on them.

 


The traditional music they did opened up a whole new world. This is one of my favorites that they did. The New Minglewood Blues is another.
Doesn't get much better than this.
 Bleyfusz wrote:
What a loss to the world since he is gone: Jerry Garcia. At least, he had been among us.
 

{#Clap}
Insta-mute don't fail me now.
 scrubbrush wrote:
this one goes out to SuzG!!

 
{#Sunny}  Sometimes being the eternal optimist works out


love the Grateful Dead back-to-back, thanks RP!
this one goes out to SuzG!!

10. 

This reminds me of playing guitar with my buds in college. Man those were the days. Really fun song to play!  
8-Most Excellent.

Indeed.
What a loss to the world since he is gone: Jerry Garcia. At least, he had been among us.
 LongGoneDaddy wrote:


we r everywhere.jpg
 
{#Good-vibes}

 nerakdon wrote:
<3 Robert Hunter.

From memory, so forgive me if it's not quite right.  Out of print, sadly:

We knew enough to begin with,
But after a while we didn't know enough anymore,
so we put what we did know
into something like a basket
with your arms for handles
and my legs to steady it
in case it had to be set down suddenly.
What we didn't tell the basket
was where to stand.
By the time we realized
it was necessary to do so
It had run off with everything
we knew to begin with
and most of
what we'd found out since.
It was obvious
someone would have to go after it.
I agreed, but since the legs
the basket ran off on
were mine
It was obvious
someone would have to carry me.
You declined
because you had no arms.

Love is like that in the city. 
 
Like A Basket ~ from Sentinel a spoke word CD


 CamLwalk wrote:
......
  Been my experience that Angels & bikers in general are great to party with.  Treat 'em with respect.  I often saw bikers at shows and never saw bad behavior.  .....

 

That's my experience too.

 

Incidentally, the low-key, respectful approach of the Hells Angels have allowed them to more fully exploit the doomed War on Drugs as uber-violent, insecure and disrespectful gang-bangers draw police and public attention.

Straight America does not understand the streets and it is manipulated by fear and ignorance for private gain.


 MojoJojo wrote:
I was in Golden Gate park on a Saturday, shortly after Jerry Garcia died.  There were flyers all over, titled, "Remembering Jerry Sunday", which was to be the next day (Sunday).  Standing in line at a hot dog cart, I turned to my friend and facetiously said, "I know Jerry Garcia, but who is this "Jerry Sunday" guy?  A "dood" in front of me turned around, and in a perfect "Jeff Spicoli" way said, "Nooooo maaaan, like, it IS Jerry Garcia! Like, they're doooin this tribute thing tomorrow - Sunday - ya know??".  All I could say was, "Oh, OK, sure. Thanks".  

(if you liked that, ask me about the mime incident that same day in the park)
 
Do tell about the mime.
enough with the GD theme already! 3 in a row? this really isn't Pandora is it!!! {#Wall}
<3 Robert Hunter.

From memory, so forgive me if it's not quite right.  Out of print, sadly:

We knew enough to begin with,
But after a while we didn't know enough anymore,
so we put what we did know
into something like a basket
with your arms for handles
and my legs to steady it
in case it had to be set down suddenly.
What we didn't tell the basket
was where to stand.
By the time we realized
it was necessary to do so
It had run off with everything
we knew to begin with
and most of
what we'd found out since.
It was obvious
someone would have to go after it.
I agreed, but since the legs
the basket ran off on
were mine
It was obvious
someone would have to carry me.
You declined
because you had no arms.

Love is like that in the city. 
 horstman wrote:

You've rated two songs, both 5s. So we here know nothing about what you like or dislike. Based on your opinions on the rating scale, your ambivalent on everything (or at least two things).

Alot of us probably ingested something we wished we hadn't (or were very happy that we did!!!) at some point in our lives.

Learn how to rate songs by rating a shitload of em. Then we'll know your preferences. Not that we really give a hoot. You've expressed your general ingorance quite well.

The dead are a band that you either get or you don't. Those who do get it really love these guys (and gals) and how they influenced and shaped our lives. They sure made me a better person because of their presence. I don't miss them, but I would certainly would miss them if they weren't a part of my life.

 

Good reply.  I number in the group that "don't get them."  I didn't live that particular experience.  I'm glad that others did and find meaning in the music, because that's the point right?  Enjoy. 
for the faithful ~ forever the Jack of Roses
{#Daisy}
Great set!

Grateful Dead - It's All Over Now - Alpine Valley, Live(1989)

"Jerry Garcia - guitar & voice, Bob Weir - guitar & voice, Phil Lesh -
bass guitar, Brent Mydland - keyboardist, Mickey Hart -  drummers & Bill Kreutzman - drummer, percussion "

Is that the b-flat blues pentatonic?

Box of Rain by *shelleyinez
Shelley Williams  ©2003-2010 *shelleyinez

I am not a big fan of the Greatful Dead. I did this for a friend about 6 years ago.
Just happened across it.

Pencil & Paper.

Thanks for looking!



thank you ~ forever the Jack of Roses
Great song from one of the all-time great live albums.  Thanks for brightening my day!
Well put. Beautifully put. Johnny_Wave wrote:
*Yawn*
 


*Yawn*
 paulpaar wrote:
Why do I dislike t dead so? Must bebthe gangcha or whhatever that crap is they ate. Oh: and an awful lot of californiers are sick.
 


 HarrO wrote:
Yeah, We're still here.  {#Cowboy}
 

we r everywhere.jpg
 paulpaar wrote:
Why do I dislike t dead so? Must bebthe gangcha or whhatever that crap is they ate. Oh: and an awful lot of californiers are sick.
 
You've rated two songs, both 5s. So we here know nothing about what you like or dislike. Based on your opinions on the rating scale, your ambivalent on everything (or at least two things).

Alot of us probably ingested something we wished we hadn't (or were very happy that we did!!!) at some point in our lives.

Learn how to rate songs by rating a shitload of em. Then we'll know your preferences. Not that we really give a hoot. You've expressed your general ingorance quite well.

The dead are a band that you either get or you don't. Those who do get it really love these guys (and gals) and how they influenced and shaped our lives. They sure made me a better person because of their presence. I don't miss them, but I would certainly would miss them if they weren't a part of my life.

 paulpaar wrote:
Why do I dislike t dead so? Must bebthe gangcha or whhatever that crap is they ate. Oh: and an awful lot of californiers are sick.
 
It seems like you might be on something.  Learn how to write (or at least think in complete sentences).

For The Faithful {#Skull}
I love songs about girls dressing up as sailors and the captain falling in love with them.
Can't never go wrong here.
 flatpicker wrote:
I've loved this album for a lot of years.
Some better songs on it than this... but there is no bad track on it.
 
Huzzah!


 livemuzc wrote:
Finally, some decent tunes.... Good Old Jerry is the best!! Where do you get that stuff like Nick Cave?? horrible 
 
Here here!

Just what I needed to warm up.
Finally, some decent tunes.... Good Old Jerry is the best!! Where do you get that stuff like Nick Cave?? horrible 
Crazy, I was just thinking to myself that the previous song Where the Wild Roses Grow, was in a similar storytelling style as this one. Bill and I are on the same wavelength.
I've loved this album for a lot of years.
Some better songs on it than this... but there is no bad track on it.

 lewie221 wrote:
I never understood why the Hells Angels were so into the Grateful Dead. Seems like an odd fit: seriously heavy dudes in leather vs. kinda lightweight folk-rock.

Can someone who was there explain it to someone that wasn't?
 
I wasn't there.  But the Angels started showing up to Kesey's parties in La Honda.  From a summary of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test...

"In the summer of 1965, the Pranksters decide to invite the Hell's Angels, a notorious gang, to join them for a party in La Honda. Wolfe explains how Kesey met one of the leaders of the Angels through Hunter Thompson, a writer and journalist who was doing a story on the Pranksters for a national magazine. Kesey immediately hits it off with the Angels, and they all plan for a big party at Kesey's place. The Angles come roaring into La Honda on their motorcycles and are greeted by a huge sign welcoming them. According to Wolfe, the Pranksters and the Angels have a lot in common because they are all outlaws, and "the Angels had done it like the Pranksters, by choice. They had become outlaws first - to explore...and then got busted for it."

The Pranksters have their entire setup going: speakers and stereos are blasting from the trees, everything is painted in Day-Glo, and all of the Pranksters are decked out in costumes. When the Angels arrive, they have no idea what to expect, and are prepared for a fight. But when the Pranksters give the Angels LSD, they begin to have "the most wondrous experience." Sandy begins making up songs for the Angels and singing them loudly through the giant stereo that is set up, songs that go "Oh, but it's great to be an Angel, / And be dirty all the time!" It's a song that normally would offend the Angels to the point of fighting, but the craziness of it all - including Allen Ginsburg dancing and chanting the Hare Krishna - stupefies the Angels, and they simply take it all in and go with the flow. The cops stand at a distance and watch the party unfold, but except for public nudity, the Pranksters aren't breaking any laws they can see, so they can't arrest anyone. The figure the best policy is simply containment."

There's a lot of history there from very early.  Been my experience that Angels & bikers in general are great to party with.  Treat 'em with respect.  I often saw bikers at shows and never saw bad behavior.  The Hells Angels motto is "When we do right, no one remembers. When we do wrong, no one forgets"

Oh...and the Dead were never light-weights.  They blew my freakin' doors off.

 lewie221 wrote:
I never understood why the Hells Angels were so into the Grateful Dead. Seems like an odd fit: seriously heavy dudes in leather vs. kinda lightweight folk-rock.

Can someone who was there explain it to someone that wasn't?
 
drugs

I was thinking of this song just last night.  Watching Willie Shakes' Twelfth Night.  "If music be the food of love, then play on.  Give me excess of it." 


 MojoJojo wrote:
I was in Golden Gate park on a Saturday, shortly after Jerry Garcia died.  There were flyers all over, titled, "Remembering Jerry Sunday", which was to be the next day (Sunday).  Standing in line at a hot dog cart, I turned to my friend and facetiously said, "I know Jerry Garcia, but who is this "Jerry Sunday" guy?  A "dood" in front of me turned around, and in a perfect "Jeff Spicoli" way said, "Nooooo maaaan, like, it IS Jerry Garcia! Like, they're doooin this tribute thing tomorrow - Sunday - ya know??".  All I could say was, "Oh, OK, sure. Thanks".  

(if you liked that, ask me about the mime incident that same day in the park)
 
That's brilliant. I can only imagine what the "mime incident" was...
 lewie221 wrote:
I never understood why the Hells Angels were so into the Grateful Dead. Seems like an odd fit: seriously heavy dudes in leather vs. kinda lightweight folk-rock.

Can someone who was there explain it to someone that wasn't?
 
drugs?

I was in Golden Gate park on a Saturday, shortly after Jerry Garcia died.  There were flyers all over, titled, "Remembering Jerry Sunday", which was to be the next day (Sunday).  Standing in line at a hot dog cart, I turned to my friend and facetiously said, "I know Jerry Garcia, but who is this "Jerry Sunday" guy?  A "dood" in front of me turned around, and in a perfect "Jeff Spicoli" way said, "Nooooo maaaan, like, it IS Jerry Garcia! Like, they're doooin this tribute thing tomorrow - Sunday - ya know??".  All I could say was, "Oh, OK, sure. Thanks".  

(if you liked that, ask me about the mime incident that same day in the park)

I never understood why the Hells Angels were so into the Grateful Dead. Seems like an odd fit: seriously heavy dudes in leather vs. kinda lightweight folk-rock.

Can someone who was there explain it to someone that wasn't?
Why do I dislike t dead so? Must bebthe gangcha or whhatever that crap is they ate. Oh: and an awful lot of californiers are sick.
 CamLwalk wrote:
Brent sounds sweet
 
The Grateful Dead seemed to go through keyboard players like Spinal Tap went through drummers. 

 GanjaGood wrote:


Unfortunately pot was not Jerry's thing. More like cocaine, heroin & tobacco.
If Jerry was a pothead only he most likely be alive today!!!
 

Nah.  It was the cheese cake and fried food that got him.
 manzanitafire wrote:
Yeah well, you had to wonder what the hell happened to all those Deadheads. Wouldn't it be cool if we could actually join forces and do something collectively someday? There have to be hundreds of thousands of us.
 

well, obama IS in office.......
It all makes so much more scene if you had the chance to see them live...  10!
 alph wrote:

It's difficult now to think that there was a time—and not long ago—when one could sign openly and gleefully about murdering one's wife/girlfriend. Eminem has done it more recently, but it didn't go over quite as smoothly with the general public.

 
Is that because the perps are deaf, or am I missing something? Eminem doesn't sign or sing. I'm confused...

 holborne wrote:
Grateful Dead: pretty much an automatic 1 from me.
 

Proud of being close-minded, are we?


holborne wrote:
Grateful Dead: pretty much an automatic 1 from me.

Pretty cool to turn off your reasoning faculties on cue!

Yeah, We're still here.  {#Cowboy}
Yeah well, you had to wonder what the hell happened to all those Deadheads. Wouldn't it be cool if we could actually join forces and do something collectively someday? There have to be hundreds of thousands of us.
 etwilson wrote:


And quite a few of us old hippies are disguised as straight-laced squaresville types these days. But we still like the Dead.
 

{#Sunny}
One of the finest live experiences I have ever had.  Ok I saw them quite a few times and every time was great. A long way to travel to see a band but worth it. 

This band could only truly be appreciated live.  It just didn't work in the studio.

RIP Jerry.{#Boohoo}

 fredriley wrote:

Normally I'd agree, but this is pretty good folky finger-pickin' stuff IMO and very different from their usual output.

 

Interesting... I wouldn't consider this much of a departure from the bulk of their work.  I grew up shrinking from the Dead like a vampire dodges the sun, but I grew out of it.  Mostly due to the Deadicated tribute album.  Listening to others perform their songs allowed me to get over my prejudice and realize how great so many of their songs were (Cassidy by Suzanne Vega was a favorite).  I think its sort of like seeing someone as more physically attractive when you finally see their inner beauty.
Brent sounds sweet
 manzanitafire wrote:
way to follow a murder ballad with a feminist folk song, balanced coverage here
 
It's difficult now to think that there was a time—and not long ago—when one could sign openly and gleefully about murdering one's wife/girlfriend. Eminem has done it more recently, but it didn't go over quite as smoothly with the general public.