I'm here because I always caught shit telling everyone Jerry was a monster player. I just enjoy hearing what I always knew but couldn't articulate. Jerry!!!!!

The Dead in Spring '77 was as good as rock music gets. Phenomenal.

What is often overlooked is how damn good Jerry’s rhythm playing is, an absolute demon

Your comment at 24:15 sums it up perfectly for me. "I can sell this, I can land this, I can get out of this". I've never been in Jerry's head, obviously, but I've been to numerous shows where I really felt like he, and the band, had worked themselves into such foreign territory, so far out in the weeds, that the outcome seemed in question. I think that's what Jerry really lived for in Dead music, and it's how they kept material fresh, even though they played it hundreds of times over the years. Spot on sir!

“They aren’t the best at what they do, they are the only ones that do what they do” - Bill Graham

22:30 Your face and your vocal reaction says what we Deadheads have known for years - "There Is Nothing Like A Grateful Dead Concert!"

I feel like 21:21 through 21:29 is where Jer leaves planet earth. Everything else seems like riding the wave, but that brief snip is magic.

The noise at 22:32 after hearing Jerry made me laugh. We’ve all been there just bumbling, mumbling and stumbling through while the music catapults you into areas you never knew existed. Great job, keep up the good work.

Jack Straw is my favorite Dead song... Pure Americana and story-telling.

hey Michael I'm playing guitar again primarily because of you. Stick that in your not working hard enough pipe and smoke it! 😂 Love ya man!

Brilliant stuff, by you and of course by the Dead. Love everything about it. Yes, Jerry is a genius and for me will forever be one of the most engaging and innovative guitarists of all time. Let’s also shine some love and light on Bobby. Would LOVE to see Michael spend a video (or more) on Bobby’s style, especially his incredible use of inversions and fascinating rhythms.

Garcia is great here. He's spot on. Brilliant technique.

The thirty seconds starting from 22:05 and culminating in the uncontrollable release cracked me up! Love it man!

"My gut instinct would be to try" I believe that encapsulates what Jerry and the Dead were always doing and what they'd want you to do. Don't play like we play it, play it the way you think it might work for you. Michael, as a non musician myself, your videos are of great value in teaching me how to listen and have vastly enhanced my enjoyment of music, especially the Grateful Dead. I'll give an example. For the first time ever, I realized I was wanting to hear (and most likely always have) a ripping guitar solo after the words "You keep us on the run" Well you get one, eventually, but first Jerry makes you kind of wonder where is that solo? It's there, but he first starts to make you listen for it, for him, because he's down low, and now he's got you hooked into listening for him. Where he is going to go? Not where you thought he would go. And that is the phantasm he and the band produce, as when it happens, even though now you know it's coming it leaves you a bit breathless, like you saw a magic trick and have no idea how it worked as you watched the entire time. So, Mr Palmisano, thank you for helping me see (hear) the magic in a way that makes it even more so!.

Best bit: 'Don't D on my D#'. That's life, Michael. That is life. That is the best friend/marriage/corporate/educational advice I've heard in a LONG time. Great video.

I played in a Dead cover/tribute band from the mid 70's to the mid 80's. This video really brings back memories of actually sitting and learning "the song", and not just copying the individual parts. Actually you really couldn't just learn the parts because each recording was different, as you clearly make the point. That's why they call it a jam band though, right? I always thought that there was nothing more boring than going to other concerts and every night of a tour, every song would sound the same, note for note, show after show. But if you went to a Dead show or Allman Brothers, or Hendrix, etc., etc., etc. {I'm showing my age here), each night the show would be almost an entirely different performance. No click tracks, pre-recorded backing tracks, etc. Every show we played was also a bit different, depending on the audience, the venue, and I am not admitting to anything here, but perhaps on what "performance enhancement" we might have indulged in prior to the show. Anyway, 45 years later I still enjoy listening to and playing along with it just as much as back then (and without the "enhancements, gave those up 25 years ago). I know you get it, and that is what I love about your channel.

One of my favorite versions.... hundred year hall is a strong second. Thanks Michael!

Michael, I still would love you to do Row Jimmy from Cornell with a slide! Jerry was really good at slide and that solo is just amazing. I requested row jimmy long ago and you came through but would love if you could show some slide guitar techniques .

Phil is a freight train in this one as well. On fire the whole show, although the whole band was. ✌🏼💀

Why have you not done any Jerry Garcia Band? Throw on 11/27/88 or any of the kickass releases. 3/1/80 (After Midnight > Eleanor Rigby Jam > After Midnight will blow your mind. Jam transitions from major to minor so fine).

That change near the end when Jerry had to come down and hit the rails. 🤯 and the look on your face too! 😎

Great take on one of the best performances of this song ever. We did this as a three piece and had a blast with it, obviously nothing close to the original but it always brought the house down despite our 20 something naivete back in '99 or so.

Such a great song ..... Thanks for the breakdown .....

Just picked up Cornell 77 yesterday.....what a show! Nice breakdown....I no longer play out as I'm old and disabled but I still keep my acoustic close by when the mood strikes....thanks a lot....very nice!

Great lesson and solid advice on playing risky lead over risky changes. There are no definitive versions of any of the Dead’s songs, that’s how they can keep them alive. Thanks Micheal

Someone just got their ears lowered :) Thanks again for jumping in to another Cornell 77 track!!

Thank you for this one teach!

Thank you Michael! Love this song and show. Keep up the good work!

I'm so glad these tapes exist because I can't remember the shows I saw back then. I know I was there but who can remember. Lol. 🎸☮️☮️ I was at the Capitol theater in Passaic NJ and in Hartford CT. in 77'.

Been waiting for this day for my entire life!!!! Thank you Mikey!!!

this guy could be speaking chinese and i would still watch because he is so into it

NIce! Top 5 favorite Jerry solos with the Chickn' Pickn'. Nice to see it appreciated

This was an awesome lesson. Thanks Michael

My favorite version! So so good! 🥰🥰

And by the way you rock at explaining the planing it out for the d# and D and Gits was so clear and the switching was strategic every chord and the notes the follow. great

Fantastic lesson - so beautiful to highlight the art and craft of listening while conveying the essence of the musical and technical, too.

Been waiting ! I’m very Grateful🙏🏼💀⚡️

You really rock man. Got all of my respect.

Cosmic intervention at it's finest! Been working on this one myself the last two weeks and then this shows up? Love it! Thanks, Michael!

micheal I'm so glad I found ur channel a couple months back this is wat every late beginner and intermediate player need. I've given up on guitar years ago and kept coming only to quit again bc I don't know how to put everything together and this just shows how all of this stuff go together. thanks for everything!!!

Thank you for what you do, Michael! I'm a life member and have learned so much over the past year or so from your videos. Keep it up!

and agree with you Mike about the aspect of Betty Boards- Cornell and Buffalo '77 especially, they have their own incredibly unique tone that when you hear them blindfolded, you know what show you're listening to.

Well worth the wait! Thank you for taking the time to do this one Michael

Somehow this concert has surfaced and resurfaced as one of my favorites. I drove around with a cassette tape for years and then graduated to a CS version. Now I have it on my digital library. So many great memories. Thanks for featuring.

I have been waiting sooooooo long for a jack straw vid. The wait was well worth it.

Thanks a lot. You are very, very, very usefull. God bless you.

Hey Michael, thank you so much for finally getting to this one. It's by far my favorite song and this version in particular has something so special. So happy to have you break it down and give us some insights on it. Respect from Montreal!

Hi Michael!! Love your content and Guitar Gate has been life changing on the guitar Thanks!!!

As always, this is incredible.

dude this is so much fun!

Thank you!

Great video, and nice playing as always🤙🏻

The Crimson, White, and Indigo concert recording always blows my mind with sound quality…the video too for that matter! (Not that 89 was so long ago 😅) Always a nice surprise to get great sound quality from older dead show recordings!

Love you right back, especially when you talk that *technical* talk. I have been here for a year now! While it is a *mini-guitar* a ukulele, I have learned the most crucial lessons from you; *keep it in your hands, play it every day*, and LISTEN. Everything else is just commentary. 💕🙋🎶

This composition clearly demonstrates the Dead's incredible musical sophistication. I really don't have a favorite Dead tune. This is one of them but then there Deal. Then there is China Cat & St. Stephen etc. How can you pick just one? For me this has been on going for the last 55 years.

great tune. so much phun to sing and play... great lesson. you get it... thanks Mike !

Could not agree more, a great lesson. You need to listen so intently when playing this improvised rock music with structure. It's so much fun when that happens with everyone. Playing this on drums is a challenge. Had no true idea until I learned 50 tunes for a Dead tribute. There's so much going on.

YESSSSS Finally Some Cornell

Was going to accomplish things this evening now I have to play guitar all night

Just here to say the T-Shirt is outrageously phenomenal! Great video as always!

Cornell is a great set. Nice video Michael!

you are awesome!!

Eugene ‘93 Jack Straw….Bobby breaks a string and leaves Jerry to go to work while he gets his guitar back together…let’s it RIP for what seems like a week…check THAT out!

Ahhh Here We Go!

Let's go. This = back on track for your channel.

Great video, dude.

Dammit Michael. I was just about to run some errands.

Your advice is action-oriented and substantive. Referring to ~ 4:15 mark. Thank you!

Let's get it!!!

I can't play anywhere near most of the players on here, but as a musician in general (sax), I love the in depth analysis. I could always play anything off radio by ear with 2-3 notes needed only and I just knew where I needed to be chord/scale/key wise. But I cannot translate that to guitar. But I watch your reactions all the way thru because I hope to absorb as much as possible. Keep up the great job!

Enjoying this, 2 miles from Barton Hall.

You need to hear Unganos night club 1970...my fav. Dead...My first show was Roosevelt Stadium 1972...

FRANKLIN’S TOWER 5/22/77. YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST LISTEN TO IT. !!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, I dig these dead breakdowns but the Mississippi half-step and Jack Straw from the Oakland 87 show are absolutely burning hot and those are the ones that gotta be covered.

Love picking up some Phil tips from these videos - Maybe a Just Phil lesson or 10?

Michael lyrically they are escaping on horseback so when Jerry starts pushing his solo and flying off the rails I relate it directly to the horses galloping and the whips a flailing.

This is best video I've seen of this type. Can you please do more Dead tunes in this same instructional start-stop format?

Finally!

holy SHIT, that quick filling you did around 12 minutes in is fucking phenomenal what the hell

I forgot how much I like listening to your take on the Dead. I'm a bit of older Deadhead. Im not that great with the guitar. But I like to pick it up now and then and think I'm Jerry . Lol love how you got the Dead bug.

Not to post another Jack Straw video, but when you get a chance, just to compare how the approach towards the same tune can be so different just a week or two later, check out the version from Lakeland, Fl, 5/21/77. The buildup in the solo, and the nice tag Jerry puts on a couple of the closing lines (particularly after the “half a mile from Tuscon” line)… May ‘77 chock full of so many golden nuggets! Thanks for all you do, Mike!

I use E major at 4th fret instead of C#Minor. In the step down, I use E/G# and B/F#. Never cared if it was wrong, just did it. D to Bm, to snappy double A (high E once, down to high C#), to E major, go all sixes and seven elevens, just go nuts. Love Bruce Hornsby cover on Deadicated.

One of the reasons why I love the dead is they listen to each other a lot. And sometimes they have arguments on stage through the instruments if you listen to the end of eyes of the world form 7/8/78 And Dick picks 25 You can hear them argue whether or not to go into the other one or estimated Prophet it is so cool

Love the SHIRT! and the lesson ,music, BUT THE SHIRT...LOVE LOVELOVE IT I WANT IT

after listening to jerry a lot the last year i would have to move him into my top 5 players of all time, his playing like jeff beck is other worldly and has a brain that's wired to depress the other 98 percent of the guitarists out there, also Michael you are one of the finer players yourself and could hold your own with almost anyone, i enjoy your channel very much

Everybody should have a copy of this show. It is a truly superb performance and live recording. And as an aside, if you want to hear a truly muscular Jack Straw, Seattle WA 8-27-83 fills the bill. It is an audience recording and Phil just punches you in the stomach.

Michael, I don't know if you'll read this but I found your channel watching the Bahamas Earthtones concert, where a lot of people said the got there because of you. In my case it was all the way around. I don't play guitar (hopefully I'll learn someday) but I did study music (drums). I must say I love your passion for music. With that said I searched if you perhaps had donde "Jack Straw" and I stumbled upon this recently uploaded video. This is my favorite Dead song. So I would like to suggest if would you do Jack Straw from Dick Picks Vol. 10 12/29/77. it's the opener and hands down the best version I've heard, trust me! Then from Dead & Company check out Dodger Stadium 7/7/18, their best version (along with Hollywood Bowl 10/30/21. Anyways, love your channel. Keep up the great work you're doing.

Best Jack Straw ever recorded from the best Dead show ever recorded

whenever I hear the opening notes to this Jack Straw I can always tell it's the Cornell one, because of the dude who yells out "Jack Straw!" at the very beginning.

1.22.78 is my favorite Jack Straw. Hope you can check that one out

Active listener so important! Thankfully when listening to GD shows I've been actively listening to each and every GD band member, all at the same time, for decades. (well almost, I'm not sure which drummer is making which drum sound all the time.) Need a lot more tricks to my guitar playing and if I can do that I feel like I know when I can lean in and fill the space or back off. I think all that listening makes me much better at listening to the band or person I'm jamming with. Been one of the most fun things about listening to the Dead, imagining how you would play within that space.

6:10 Another great example is "The Band" live record by Scorsese. They really know how to do it !!

The Key vs. Chord centered style change mentioned around the 17 min. mark most likely occurred as a result the damage done from Garcia's 1986 diabetic coma. See > Jerry Garcia - Days Betweem Companions: Merl Saunders, Jambase 8/4/21

Steve Lacy - Dark Red next please. There’s something about his guitar I find mesmerizing and I want to know why.

Ok this is one of your better breakdowns of the dead. Love get away from the tabs learn the guitar and LISTEN!!!!!

Thanks for introducing me to this recording. You're right about the wonderful soundboard quality. I've been looking for a good segway into live Dead and this perfect. Thanks!

Jack f’ing Straw. The definitive.

Really diggin the dead videos man. Would love to see you do The Wheel or Crazy Fingers. Maybe even some Jerry band stuff like Rhapsody in Red, or Cats down under the star

What blows me away about the Dead is their ability to play with the changes on the fly. I often wonder how much was rehearsed out and how much was intuition. I know the early years were spent with loads of rehearsal time, but as they aged, I don’t know that they rehearsed much more than their newer stuff at the time. That psychic connection that let “the music play the band” is simply extraordinary. It makes me wonder how much intuition and listening to one another comes in to it with other bands who toy with their songs like Phish or Twiddle. Phenomenal reaction here, Michael! Thank you SO SO SO much!

Cool video