Polar Express
Though I've run (and perspired) in shorts and a tank top at around 60F the last couple days, I've pulled out the heavy artillery for the week's balance due to projected lows (sans wind chill) in the single digits (i.e., neck gaiter, insulated tights, and chemical handwarmers).
As previously mentioned in the "Recent Purchases" thread, thanks to a couple iTunes gift cards awaiting in the mail on my return from Holidays abroad, I've purchased 2 of the 3 remaining unacquired installments of the GD download series, specifically, volumes 3 & 6 - or, 10/26/71 (Palestra) and 3/17/68 (Carousel), respectively. For a release characterized by such consistently strong shows - as well as a few outstanding notables like 4/17/69, 2/4/70, and 12/10/73 - there's precious little chatter about it, especially when so many lament the lack of further official releases from such prime periods as Spring 68, 69, and 70, Fall 73, Spring 77, or anything between 80-89.
After a couple listens to each of nos. 3 and 6 while on the trails this wkend, #3 again surprises me with how quickly Keith not only adapted to his new position, but almost instantly contributed a unique melodic component that burgeoned in Technicolor over the next 8 years.
In the first 10 seconds of opener Bertha, you know that Fate has once again arranged a perfect transition in the midst of Pig's decline (in fact, after Bertha, Bobby announces that Ron is home ill, send good vibes, and "we got a new piano player and organ player with us this time, Keith Godchaux from California. That's all you need to know."). Tight, competent, and - as with The Eleven - exemplary renditions of even the standards (including the cowboy cavalcade)...it's clear that the superstructure for the stellar Spring and Fall 72 runs had been firmly established.
Yet, while that incarnation of the band would effectively integrate facets of a new identity with critical characteristics of the Primal Era - like those protracted, fuzzy, feedbacky, exploratory dialogues - there's precious little evidence of such in this late 71 transition period, though I suspect Keith would've been up for the challenge based on what transpires when the reigns are somewhat loosened during a 10:30+ minute Truckin' and 16-minute TOO.
Otherwise, volume 6 is a no-brainer (note, this is a partial release with the first set closer Lovelight and the full 2nd stanza): remember, the band is just a month removed from what might arguably be the best show among a field of 2,300 competing exhibits - 2/14 - and this performance simply swims in the soup of acidy improvisation that characterizes the very best of this pivotal year (not surprisingly, out of 130+ shows this one makes Blair's top 10 list for the 68 vintage). TOO and New Potato are absolutely molten - in fact, on any given day, this is arguably my favorite rendition of the latter - so it's fitting that excerpts from both were incorporated to the Frankenstein versions originally vinylized to life on "Anthem". It's $10 and worth the immediate expenditure without regard for whatever might be released by the TPTB for the 50th anny this year!/ peace, K
/peace, K
