The Grateful Dead Rhythm Section WORKSHOP: michaelpalmisano.com/products/the-grateful-dead-rhythm-section-workshop/

The only thing better than loving the dead is watching someone else love the dead.

The reason we have such incredible sound on this is because of one reason - Ms. Betty Cantor-Jackson. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for recording these shows at such an amazingly high quality.

As a Deadhead of 45+ years, your joy in breaking this down brings tears to my eyes and makes me feel like a 17 year old. Thank you. Profoundly.

"The root of my playing is that every note counts, every note has a personality, every note has a little spirit."- Jerry Garcia

adding this again after a while since you mentioned Miles and the stratosphere - here's how Bob Dylan put it after Jerry died "There’s no way to measure his greatness or magnitude as a person or as a player. I don’t think any eulogizing will do him justice. He was that great, much more than a superb musician, with an uncanny ear and dexterity. He’s the very spirit personified of whatever is Muddy River country at its core and screams up into the spheres. He really had no equal. To me he wasn’t only a musician and friend, he was more like a big brother who taught and showed me more than he’ll ever know. There’s a lot of spaces and advances between The Carter Family, Buddy Holly and, say, Ornette Coleman, a lot of universes, but he filled them all without being a member of any school. His playing was moody, awesome, sophisticated, hypnotic and subtle. There’s no way to convey the loss. It just digs down really deep"...BOB DYLAN

When Jerry switches over to wah-wah, it's game over. He's simply the best.

The transition from Scarlet Begonias to Fire On the Mountain is one of the most beautiful things i've ever heard.

My husband played this Scarlet Fire for me on our first date. Driving along in his pickup on a beautiful summer day, the seagulls floating overhead and this unbelievable music roaring from the CD player. Oh yeah. Wonderful times, wonderful times.

Mile Davis said that the Grateful Dead were jazz musicians playing rock music. So true!!!!!

Keith was on another level on this one. Rip Keith.

Have heard Jerry say that when Phil is really ON! The band really shines. Phil is so underrated as a huge force in the Grateful Dead. In my humble opinion. So happy to see you give Phil his due👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I want so badly to be able to go back in time and follow the Dead around on tour during the 70s. Now that would be the American dream.

This recording is divinity in audio form

As astonishing as any of Jerry's actual playing, is the phenomenon of his joy, transferring through his guitar, into another soul, and then through their eyes, directly into my own: thanks for sharing your joy Michael.

Named my daughter Scarlet cause of this tune. Love it and her so much!

When I first heard this, I literally played it in my car for almost a month straight. Been obsessed ever since.

Garcia's playing was so welcoming he brought everyone in to the party. He sent out invitations and everybody would hop on board and take the ride.

That first scarlet riff is what brought me to the Grateful Dead in 84. I was 15 and those tunes will never get old

Scarlet Begonias may be the biggest diamond in a boxful of gems by this wonderful band.

Most important thing to mention about the way the dead's arrangement works is that it's basically like baroque music where no one instrument is carrying the melody. Rather it's combination of all the players doing harmonies that creates the melody.

Scarlet -> Fire from Cornell '77 is the one song I can, and have, listened to a billion times and will never ever get tired of. Love it

Your observation about Miles and the Dead was spot on - Bill Graham billed them together for four nights in April of 1970. He loved to bring combine music types and audiences. Jerry also played with other jazz musicians such as Ornette Coleman. BTW, it’s been really enjoyable to watch you discover these guys and their music.

You make me realize why I was so enamored with Jerry and the boys so long ago. Your enthusiasm is contagious. Here’s to another 100k.

I’m a novice guitar player at best and your technical interpretation is way over my head most of the time, but despite how advanced and sophisticated your breakdown is, the humility and reverence with which you present it is so endearing. For me and others who have been listening to it for 35+ years and well beyond, the way you capture yet another dimension of appreciation for the music is awesome. A big part of the magic of the music of the GD is the continuous journey of discovery and rediscovery. You’re a part of that now to many of us.

Bob Weir said that he was inspired by the way that piano players made room for guys like Miles Davis and Coltrane to throw down, using all the different timings and chord structures to support the solo but still stay out of it's way and he decided he wanted to do that for Jerry and not just play your typical style of rhythm guitar. So yeah, you're spot on on that reference.

Got on bus fall 77, freshman in high school. Caught every show I could after that spectrum show. Made my way anywhere my 68 firebird would take us. The days of $5-10 tickets, mailing in for tour tickets and here I am still loving the boys. The music will live on forever.

The sheer brilliance of this sequence gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

Keith throws the Scarlet jam a twist by starting with a riff different than the normal one Jerry plays. Everyone has to lay back and it goes off in a different direction. Very creative and they are all listening.

Keith is also amazing during this one. He really stands out to me.

Jerry was a big fan of and heavily influenced by Miles. Phil as well. I know others have mentioned it, but check out the stories (and sets) from 1970 Fillmore West when miles opened for the Dead. This was when Miles released Bitches Brew and was inventing fusion with this band. Here is what Phil had to say... “As I listened, leaning over the amps with my jaw hanging agape, trying to comprehend the forces that Miles was unleashing onstage, I was thinking What’s the use. How can we possibly play after this? […] With this band, Miles literally invented fusion music. In some ways it was similar to what we were trying to do in our free jamming, but ever so much more dense with ideas - and seemingly controlled with an iron fist, even at its most alarmingly intense moments.”

That bridge between Scarlet Begonias and Fire on the Mountain is delicious. That wah-wah is like a heartbeat. Gets me every time.

The most fun you can have with B and A!

@32:56 you mention how Jerry reminds you of Miles Davis. Listen to They Loved Each Other from the same concert, you can hear his solo and how similar it is to Miles Davis. Jerry loved listening to Jazz and brought that into the Grateful Dead. John Mayer stated in an interview at NAMM that there should be a real book of Grateful Dead songs because they are so similar to Jazz Standards.

I love to see that smile when he gets it. Head starts a bobbin eyebrows tighten up. Sometimes you may get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Brown Eyed Women same show is the best I’ve ever heard. Fast paced, upbeat and the solo is a gem. Not long but please please please showcase this song.

The Barton hall show at Cornell is probably the greatest GD show ever. Perfection from start to finish if you ever have time to listen to it in it's entirety

This is the big one. Those Phil Bombs at the beginning.

Bro- I am 58 yrs old and first listened to this music around 42 yrs ago and have been ever since. I am not a musician but I have to tell you after watching this video and listening to Scarlet/Fire through your ears was amazing!

I've always known their music was magical and transcending after listening and seeing them so many times ,but not being a musician i realize how they play is not like others and just want to thank you for breaking it down for the laymen to see the technical side . The excitement on your face is the same us fans get and was nice to see. Thanks again

Love Scarlet/Fire. This is my second favorite version. My favorite was recorded just about a week before this 4/30/77. So smooth and the transition like this one was like butter. Like another commenter said, I love seeing someone else love The Dead as much as I do. So fun! Thanks!

Michael, I'm only 18min in but finding this one of the finest music videos i've ever seen. Your explanation and enthusiasm helps laymen like me to have a sense of _how_ the Dead made such timeless music. Thank you!

The smokiest of smokeshows here. The greatest scarlet fire ever played. Phils bass intro in Scarlet Begonias was unbelieveable. So stoked for this.

He’s been converted. From the first dead video till now look at him when they first start playing just closes his eyes and dances lmao.

My favorite part of these is how you wanna jam out with them but then back off to give respect.

so here's a little tidbit about Phil if you weren't aware. He was the only classically trained musician in the band AND never played bass until the GD

Wow, this is so much fun. I love the Dead, love this show, but to hear a musician such as Michael listen and praise them, it just validates everything for me about the Dead. Thank you!

the expressions you make are the ones we are all making together!!!

Bass Great, Lesh Philling... fantastic breakdown and analysis of a Band that brought so much positive music and happiness to millions over the years all over the country.🙏🔥❤️🇺🇸

"Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right." -- RIP, Lynne Elizabeth Canham

Phil blew all my car speakers 20+ years when I cranked up this jewel of a set. Worth every penny I spent to replace them!

15:30>”it’s the thirds…he’s a master ‘third hunter’…” 15:45>”and he’s tracking them…intuitively.” This is not something I’ve ever heard Jerry called before, but I appreciate your excitement and passion for delvingreactingteaching!

Jerry did an interview when he was using a Roland synthesizer on his guitar in the ‘80s , to make it sound like he was playing saxophone. The interviewer asked, “Would you like to have been a great saxophone player?”. His response was: “What are you talking about? I am a great saxophone player!” Love it

Thank you for breaking this down so succinctly and with enthusiasm. I can’t believe it took me soooo long to appreciate The Dead and the magic of Jerry Garcia. Your channel and approach have deepened my playing and appreciation for music and how it works. You’ve taken your talent and education and made the world a little brighter for all us. That’s the true purpose of music.

Michael for whatever it may be worth... Your playing at various points during this video was killer. You were right there, tasteful, and happening. Big thumbs up. And if Garcia was listening in I'm sure he was pleased.

The lead guitar on this song is just impossible it's hard to comprehend everything he is doing and separate it from Bobby it's incredible there is nothing like it

Jerry said, " When Phil's on, the band's on." Mother's Day 1977, Phil was very much on. Even a rare bass solo in Not Fade Away. Jerry is phenomenal on this show, and one of Betty's best recordings. Great way to celebrate 100K subs!

the mixolidian lick, know affectionately as "The Scartett Arppegio"

Dude, you’re a freaking genius. That bit when you explain the transition between songs in ASMR-level detail? That was incredible. In a KZfaq crowded with more guitar content than I could ever watch you somehow found something that was a) missing and b) crucial. Your reaction videos are absolutely phenomenal

I'm a jazz trumpet player so comparisons between Miles and Jerry really hits the spot...... because they both take you to that special place. I heard this years ago on a tape of a tape of a tape before it was eventually released on cd. Thankyou for being a really intuitive musician.

every deadheads favorite, gets us going every damn time. when scarlet gets going its euphoria. everyone is hugging and spreading the love. strangers stopping strangers just to shake their hands is one of the most iconic lines of any dead song. this version ive heard at least 100 times. what could you not like about scarlet/fire?

The skies parted... playing in the stratosphere... playing above the rest of the band... painting a different canvas every night... those things you said.. those images in your head, those thoughts that you try to portray into words are what true Dead fans GET about the Dead. Jerry was able to hook those that were hungry so effortlessly... he made it seem easy. His nuances, his playing around a certain key, his touch. Few can match his style. And when you combine Jerry's talent with 6, sometimes 7 other super-talented musicians.. well, you know the result. I saw an interview with Bobby one time and people asked him about his rhythm playing and how different it was from other rhythm guitarists..... Bobby replied ' I had to learn HOW to play rhythm guitar with Jerry, because Jerry played LEAD guitar like no one else! Enjoying this video.. thanks!!

It really is amazing how they meld these two songs together, considering the 1st Scarlet/Fire was only about 6 weeks earlier.

Finally! Someone can decipher in words how I here The Dead in my head. I don't play an instrument but my ear has always picked up and picked apart great music. I truly enjoyed every moment of this video. Thank you.

When I listen to this music I get goosebumps every time and I’ve had the bootleg tape of this show for 25 years ❤️

Bro is killing it with the solos 28:00

I fell in love with jazz because of Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue".

Wait until you get to the "Estimated" and "St. Stephen>NFA." This show is just so beautiful. And Mike - seeing the smile on your face what that Phil bass swoops in at the beginning of this song is just priceless. It's so amazing to watch someone so knowledgeable hear this for the first time.

The "take a step back" segment is the perfect intro to this historic performance

One of the top requests I’m sure. This is one of the best segments of musical history.

You nailed it on miles Davis comparison! Your description of the structure of the music is how I have always visualized Garcia and his leads since 1970 when I first saw the dead. Miles did shows with the dead and said he was surprised at what they did. The Dead were quite into Miles also! Keep this stuff coming it is a joy!

I am not a huge dead fan, but Jerry's solos from this set are untouchable and pure improv perfection. The envelope filter had just been invented and he was testing it out on that tour for the first time.

U picked the best version too, any song from the Live Cornell show deserves a listen, they were on a diff level

Jerry's playing always reminds me of walking my dog on a path in the woods. Most of the time he is on a leash and casually walking by my side, but every so often we'll get to a clearing that is big and safe enough to take him off the leash to run around like a crazy dog. Thing is, he always comes back, might take a while, but he always comes back. Also, wanted to shoot this idea to you......Maybe, in August you could do something for "Jerry Week" (August 1st - 9th), it's the days in between his birthday and the day he passed (August 1, 1942 - August 9, 1995). That would be cool. Love what ya do, brother! Keep it comin'!

EVERY song is a bass solo when Phil plays. Love that guy.

As a Dead fan for most of my life while not knowing anything about music theory or chords and stuff, I'm learning so much from this video. I especially enjoyed listening to you talk about Jerry and Miles Davis because "Kind of Blue" is an album I return to again and again. It also reminded me of a story I heard Bob Weir tell about his early time with the band. He said that he just knew he wanted to be a rock star like the Beatles, but the other band members had sort of an intervention with him to get him to take his playing seriously and practice more. He said that rhythm guitar really clicked with him when he started listening to what Thelonious Monk was doing with rhythms and chords on the piano.

It's killer to see someone truly love and appreciate literally every note of the music. Keep on keepin on brother!!

So, watching this and you cutting licks, playing along and getting into it is what EVERYBODY here has been doing/trying for years and you got it quick. Kudos. Ur a good dude

Hi Michael, Garcia used to talk about the “X” factor. Something you can’t quite put your finger on but when it’s there you know it. What makes your videos so wonderful for me is watching you “get it”... you listen to it, explain it to yourself and the audience, and then there is that “Holy Shit Batman” moment where it clicks in that unique Grateful Dead way. Sometimes you re-explain it other times you have a look on your face of sweet amazement. And it’s so honest and real and that’s the whole thing about the Grateful Dead to me. Watching them play, seeing and hearing the interaction of the band getting off at what was happening. Not to mention the 15,000 others having the same sort of experience. Seeing them live was so wonderful because you could locate yourself so you could hear what you wanted to hear....”let’s make tonight a Phil night” or get a bit more to the middle to hear the counterpoint between Weir and Jerry and Phil. I learned so much about music that I changed what I studied in college to include a second major in music. Watching you enjoy these songs has been so refreshing as you hit these “A HA” moments and just kind of freak a little bit. I really want to thank you for your videos and the work you put into them.

Best track off Cornell 77' in my opinion. And one of my favorite versions of Scarlet/Fire.

Been subbed since the very beginning of your dive into the Dead. Love to see the channel blowing up like it has

I still have about 200 Maxell II Dead tapes so I've put some time into listening to their shows and the seque playing from Jerry from Scarlet into Fire here when he kicks that octave pedal still gets me in the feels....guy was a machine

Two years late, but I still want to say - yeah! The Miles Davis/Jerry Garcia connection has been noted before. Jerry's - and really the whole band's - admiration for Miles has been noted many times. It was mutual as well, with Miles having been impressed by the crowd's attention and involvement at the shows, and by Garcia in particular. He also recommended to Merle Saunders that he look up Garcia when Saunders moved to San Francisco, leading to that fruitful collaboration. They had the whole modal thing in common, too, of course. I think Miles and Jerry understood each other really well.

Around 32:40 when you talk about Jerry taking it to the stratosphere and shooting lightening down from above is on point! Not playing to impress just serving the song and leading the listener on a unique trip while constantly keeping them engaged.

The cornell estimated prophet is where it's at too

Bettyboards are, quite simply, exquisite.

Cornell 77 was my first tape given to me by my neighbor Steve. It was sooooo clean and crispy. It's one of a dozen I kept from my giant stash. My parents didn't really like me listening to rock music. Steve liked the Dead, Zappa, Pink Floyd, weird jazz, and lots of other stuff. Thank God for the Steves in the world.

Jerry just has a way of parting the skies and portrays an emotional resilience that moves the soul. That’s what makes him great to me. “If you get confused, listen to the music play..” just such great life lesson to take away from their songs. The only way to listen to jerry and Bobby dance on the neck is with your eyes closed and I thoroughly enjoyed watching you feeling the groove. Check out that morning dew from the Lyceum ‘72, it’s moved me to tears many times and I think you’d enjoy it as well. Thanks for sharing

Only saw the Dead twice. A week before they changed their name from the Warlocks and Jerry's last California concert at Shoreline. That was my most bizarre day I ever experienced. Many memories.

I've never listened to the Dead before you beyond "Touch of Grey" as a kid on MTV .. I actually really dig this!

I just want to add that I LOVE how you break down the melody in terms of intervals rather than string/fret number. I play with alternate tunings and it is almost impossible to find any guitar content on youtube that isn't essentially tabulature recited out loud. Thanks for going the extra mile, your videos are great!

Killerest song duo on the planet hands down !!! I remember burning everyone out at my work back in the day playing this on my cd player haha

I'm an English teacher in El Salvador and you have made me a better teacher-thanks Michael whoever you are!

Thanks Micheal needed this video today, congrats on 100k!!!

Unreal, he adds so much more depth to the music when he explains all the theory behind it, I’m relatively new to guitar playing and I’m starting to put the pieces together and the way he explains everything is so mind blowing. Thanks micheal.

Jerry and Bobby were just along for the ride for the beginning of this. Phil might have been driving, but Keith was powering this train. Those keys are incredible. Kudos to the recording crew for catching this amazing performance.

I was at this show -a freshman at Cornell. Only time I ever saw them, so it was kind of personally bizarre that this show rose to the top of so many lists. I would only note that Mickey Hart had just rejoined, and the energy he brought contributed a higher level. The two drummers on a high riser filled the entire back line: visually spectacular, and I can picture them now like the show was last night. I remembered that listening now as Scarlet drifts away, and Mickey and Bill are taking off. Not that any guitar players would care about THAT. :)

When you're done with Cornell you NEED to check out Bird Song from 8/27/72, one of the most magical and perfect jams they ever did, and there's video as well

Maybe the best live recording/version of songs ever performed in the history of the world.

It's so cool seeing you respond to so many little complexities in the Dead's music. Would REALLY love to see you focus on Bob Weir's very unique rhythm guitar style. Not as sexy as Jerry's leads, but so unique, it merits a solid listen. Congrats on 100K!