Aug 10
23
Grateful Dead – Steppin’ Out With The Grateful Dead England ’72
Much has been written about the Dead’s legendary European tour in the spring of 1972. It spawned a hugely successful live album, appropriately titled Europe ’72, and a host of tape trades throughout the years. In 1995 the two disc Hundred Year Hall was released which documented almost an entire show in Frankfurt Germany. This was followed by Steppin’ Out in 2002, and Rockin’ the Rhein, a complete show from Dusseldorf, Germany, in 2004. Like I said, the performances played during the Spring of ’72 are legendary, and with so many releases from that tour Dead fans have much to celebrate.
Steppin’ Out With The Grateful Dead England ’72 culls together various performances from seven different dates, at four different venues, recorded from April through May. Although most fans prefer an entire show, and I normally agree with that sentiment, Steppin’ Out provides a unique look at the entirety of the tour and the content is no less potent in compilation form. In fact, the edits and sequencing are so seamless chances are you won’t even notice it’s not a single show, and instead just marvel at the breadth of material. And what a breadth it is! Throughout the four discs we are treated to 39 different songs, all previously unreleased, and nary a repeated note.
Let’s do what we always do first and talk about the sound, which is truly stellar. Track 1, “Cold Rain and Snow,” explodes from the speakers with a huge, live sound. There is a spaciousness to the mix that captures the cold, wet English climate so well you could almost catch the sniffles just listening. Everyone is heard clearly, with special mention to Keith Godchaux on piano who gives the band a much needed sparkle. By the time they hit “Greatest Story Ever Told” on track 2, played with a youthful rock & roll vigor, you know this is going to be quite a thrill ride and an excellent purchase indeed. Dead fans always have it good in the sound department but some releases just sound better than others and this is one of those releases. The songs all crackle with energy and each jam sounds that much more urgent and thunderous. In 1972 the Grateful Dead were a rock band in every sense of the word and the sound, clear as a bell and vibrant, furthers the notion that when they were on, they were really on.
Throughout Disc 1 we are treated to excellent versions “Jack Straw,” “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” and a truly spectacular and rockin’ “Playing in the Band.” Still early in development the song only reaches the 10 minute mark, but in that short time span the jam remains concise and direct, Garcia’s leads cutting through the English fog like a knife (just a few short months later “Playing in the Band” would grow to near 20 minute extravaganzas). We also get great versions of old Pigpen standards such as “Mr. Charlie,” “Big Boss Man,” and “It Hurts Me Too.” Although his health was waning during this tour, and would decline steadily over the next few months, his voice still sounds robust and full, while his harmonica and Hammond B3 organ flesh out the sound.
Disc 2 gives us a huge 20 minute “Good Lovin’” that surely brought those polite Brits to their collective dancing feet. A beautiful, albeit much too short, “Comes a Time” is followed by a classic run through of “Turn on Your Lovelight” > “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” and a seriously rockin’ “Not Fade Away” > “Hey Bo Diddley” > “Not Fade Away.” The band sounds almost playful here, as if they are just in it for the fun and good times. This sense of mirth only adds to the jams as Garcia seems to be feeding off the audience, his leads biting and stinging, more straight ahead rock than his usual lyrical, melodic style. It is a truly splendid jam and most certainly one for the ages.
Interior booklet photo
Disc 3 kicks off with a true rarity “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.” Although it won’t break any records it rocks well enough and adds just a little bit more history to the Dead’s long career and varied set lists through the years. A wonderful “Black Peter” is followed by a truly stunning sequence of “Truckin’” (played with a rabid ferocity) > “Drums” > “The Other One” > “El Paso” (seriously?) > “The Other One” > “Wharf Rat!” The entire sequence reaches an astonishing 56 minutes in length and never fails to keep your attention as it crosses all sorts of musical barriers, ending in the almost cradling jam of “Wharf Rat,” a much needed respite from the preceding madness.
Disc 4 brings us excellent versions of “Uncle John’s Band,” the rare Pigpen classic “The Stranger,” and another stunning sequence of “Dark Star” > “Sugar Magnolia” > “Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks).” “Dark Star” is a monster here, taking off for the cosmos during it’s 31 minute length, but never reaching so far as to alienate listeners. It is easily a Music Mook favorite, the last 5 minutes of which is some of the Dead’s most beautifully played, and recorded, music of all time. Meanwhile, “Caution” threatens to derail at any moment with Garcia peeling everyone’s face off with some astounding leads; at one point the song is about to go back into the main portion but Jerry isn’t done soloing yet and continues to do so with some amazingly fluid leads. A heartfelt “Brokedown Palace” closes out the the set.
Steppin’ Out With The Grateful Dead England ’72 is a stunning document of a band in one of its many high points. It is a huge undertaking, with incredible song selection, incredible sound, and fantastic packaging. The discs look beautiful and the booklet includes some fantastic photos and a wonderful essay. If you ever wondered what the deal was about the Dead in 1972, especially the European tour, you can’t go wrong here. It is truly spectacular.
Tracklist
Disc One:
- “Cold Rain and Snow” – 6:02
- “Greatest Story Ever Told” – 6:00
- “Mr. Charlie” – 3:52
- “Sugaree” – 7:34
- “Mexicali Blues” – 4:10
- “Big Boss Man” – 6:28
- “Deal” – 5:51
- “Jack Straw” – 5:19
- “Big Railroad Blues” – 4:26
- “It Hurts Me Too” – 6:07
- “China Cat Sunflower” – 5:05
- “I Know You Rider/Happy Birthday to You” – 7:50
- “Playing in the Band” – 10:10
Disc Two:
- “Good Lovin’” – 20:31
- “Ramble on Rose” – 6:41
- “Black-Throated Wind” – 6:07
- “Sitting on Top of the World” – 3:30
- “Comes a Time” – 7:01
- “Turn on Your Love Light” – 13:02
- “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” – 8:22
- “Not Fade Away” – 4:54
- “Hey Bo Diddley” – 4:30
- “Not Fade Away” – 3:06
Disc Three:
- “Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu” – 5:15
- “Black Peter” – 8:52
- “Chinatown Shuffle” – 3:23
- “Truckin’” – 10:14
- “Drums” – 2:44
- “The Other One” – 19:31
- “El Paso” – 4:47
- “The Other One” – 8:20
- “Wharf Rat” – 10:48
- “One More Saturday Night” – 4:57
Disc Four:
- “Uncle John’s Band” – 7:20
- “The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion)” – 7:57
- “Dark Star” – 31:27
- “Sugar Magnolia/Sunshine Daydream” – 7:15
- “Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)” – 17:15
- “Brokedown Palace” – 7:02
