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From: nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34)
Newsgroups: net.music.gdead
Subject: Re: Musical Ability of Jerry etc.
Message-ID: <456@sdcc12.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 26-Sep-85 18:02:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcc12.456
Posted: Thu Sep 26 18:02:47 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 4-Oct-85 05:13:28 EDT
References: <1331@teddy.UUCP>
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Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
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In article <1331@teddy.UUCP>, lkk@teddy.UUCP writes:
> 
> 
> I've encountered a number of dead-heads who've said,
> "I love their music, but they have no musical talent."
> 
     I have come across many non-Deaders who have made this accusation,
but no deadheads.  I beleive the Dead are one of the tightest, and
smoothest bands I have heard (of course being a Deadhead I am
prejudiced).  This doesn't mean that I haven't heard them play poorly.
The nature of their concerts with the improv and lack of structure makes
a situation where they can be "on" and be very sharp, or "off" and quite
dull.  One aspect of their music that I do like is an airy
quality where the music is the antithesis of dense (I cant think of a
word for this).  In a stanza the notes are added by each musician one at
a time.  If you were able to pick out one of the musicians, his music
would not be complete, but all of them together fill up the musical
space producing a melody.  

     The singing is another story.  Weir is not bad, but not great.
Mydland is quite good and does well with the harmony. Garcia has been
adequate in the past relying on a soulful quality that transcended his
lack of strength.  Lately his voice had been going down hill.  At least
the few concerts I have seen (I haven't heard any recent tapes).  At the
last concert I was imagining a day when the Dead would play and Jerry
would only play guitar and not sing.  Right now his voice is strong
enough to get by.  I hope it doesn't  continue to deteriorate.