The answer to 1984 is 1776 – Happy 250th Birthday America
Did the busyness ever slow down for Jerry Garcia? Except for the near death experience/diabetic coma in 1986, his touring moved on at a steady pace. His scuba diving in Hawaii, along with the time he spent with family and working on his drawings and paintings, must have given him a truly peaceful and healthy break.
Another aspect of mercy worth noting is that Jerry Garcia reportedly felt obligated to keep the Grateful Dead’s larger “machine” running, even though he personally wanted to move on. In part, this stemmed from a sense of duty toward the many people who depended on the band: band members, crew, office staff, and their families, all supported by the income from live performances. Sometimes it is best to err on the side of mercy—though, as Aquinas observed, we must practice prudent mercy. Excess mercy becomes what he called a “false mercy,” akin to the parental indulgence that ultimately ruins a child.
Psalm 85:10 “love and mercy meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other”.
Garcia did not want to become a nostalgic oldies act. He even said Vegas was unacceptable to him. By the 90s it certainly was getting old. Phil Lesh once said something to the effect that after such and such a year, early 1980s I believe, it was difficult to find moments in their music that hit higher levels of fulfillment and expression.
Below is a remarkable version of “Morning Dew” from the early 1980s. A Catholic jazz musician and therapist from New York once said, “Don’t you think God can still come through, even in a heroin addict?”
Above, the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Italian artist Adolfo Simeone (1897–1970).
Below are a few, quite powerful moments in Augusta, Maine, October of 1984.
Despite Garcia’s failing health, he seemed remarkably self-aware as he moaned and sang through, with and in his wounds. His vocal performance and guitar work were impeccable and he was 100% on point. His mid-song guitar solo bit was dead on, with very deliberate and precise articulation. In the video, you can see him meticulously adjusting controls as he climbs up the neck, clearly determined to get every setting just right—fired up and fully loaded. I’d love to know what a musicologist or theorist would say about the ascending solo passage Garcia developed and featured in his “Morning Dew” performances. What is it called? I asked Grok. -(You previously referred to it as a “transitional build.”) What musical technique does it employ, and how would you describe it in simple terms? Whatever it was, it was quintessential Jerry Garcia.
Morning Dew was played less than 300 times by the Grateful Dead. This particular one was special. Well, I guess they all were.
Grok offered – On the Musical Question The “solo ascendance” (or ascending buildup) you’re describing in Jerry Garcia’s Morning Dew performances doesn’t have a single standardized name in music theory—it’s more of an improvised dynamic and registral buildup typical of Garcia’s style. Simple description: Garcia often builds tension by starting low/mid-register with melodic, bluesy phrasing (rooted in D Mixolydian mode, with pentatonic and blues scale influences), then gradually climbs the neck using scalar runs, arpeggios, string bends, and increasing intensity/volume. This creates a sense of emotional release or catharsis, especially in the song’s epic live versions.
I recall quite vividly that “Uncle John’s Band”—played with great drive and energy—came right before “Morning Dew.” Standing there, I tried with passion and exuberance to convey to Jerry my deep desire to see the proclamation of Jesus Christ to everyone in that gym and see the Holy Spirit of love pour into the room. With my arms outstretched, I gestured from the stage to the crowd, back to Garcia, and then pointed upward, as if to say, “Spread the message of the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Share the Holy Spirit with them. Blast them with it!” I believe no one on that stage had any intention of proclaiming Christ to the crowd. Perhaps I was in the wrong room, but I felt strongly compelled to do it anyway. It felt right to me. Maybe some of Christ’s angels were compelled by the action.
There were some beautiful expressive sonic tones, licks and melodies in the Uncle Johns and throughout the evening. It has been documented those were some happy days. in part related to Phil’s recent marriage. An interesting time in Kennebec County.
Saint Paul wrote,
“For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Key Notes on this Translation:
- “Wrestling”: Emphasizes a close, personal spiritual struggle rather than just a distant battle.
- “Principalities and powers”: Refers to organized spiritual hierarchies of evil.
- “High places”: Refers to the air or heavenly places where fallen spirits are permitted to wander. [1, 2, 3]
This verse highlights that the Christian battle is spiritual, against demonic forces, rather than against other human beings. [1, 2]
+++And there were some of those in that gymnasium and area that night. Many well meaning, searching Americans in attendance as well. Good and God prevailed…for most+++
St. Thomas, known as the Angelic Doctor, had his “top three” foundational statements regarding angelic activity which focus on how they interact with each other, the physical world, and the human mind……………..
I prayed for God’s Holy Spirit to pour into that whole space, in that small cozy little gym. Being within earshot, up front was remarkable, hearing the sound of the stage amps, monitors as well as the array of front speakers used to saturate the small volleyball and basketball room. I know what I was trying to convey, and perhaps the only one. Maybe that wasn’t Jerry’s job to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to all that night, but wait, isn’t that all our jobs?
Nevertheless, Jerry certainly expressed himself in that Morning Dew. I asked Grok a question
Provide another way of expressing the same thought, “Subject matter of that song will undoubtedly get a singer thinking“
Grok thought for 0s
Alternative phrasing:”The song’s heavy, introspective subject matter is bound to make any singer pause and reflect deeply. “Other natural variations:
- “The profound (and somewhat haunting) themes in this song will definitely give a singer plenty to think about.”
- “Tackling the subject matter of this track is sure to get any vocalist pondering life’s bigger questions.”
- “The weighty content of the song will undoubtedly stir deep thoughts in whoever sings it.”
These keep the same core idea — that the lyrics/themes are emotionally or intellectually heavy enough to provoke real contemplation from the performer — while sounding fresh. Let me know if you want a more formal, casual, or poetic spin!
+++
I believe the gist of the lyrics of Morning Dew, is that there was nothing left the morning after a nuclear exchange, not even a simple morning dew. It was burned away.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fatima
On August 6, 1945, a group of eight Jesuit priests miraculously survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima while living in a rectory just eight blocks (approximately one kilometer) from ground zero. Despite being in the direct path of the blast and intense radiation, they suffered only minor injuries from glass shards and lived for decades without developing any radiation sickness or ailments
The subject matter of “Morning Dew” will undoubtedly give any singer plenty to think about. This performance was truly epic: the sound was near perfect, and that evening’s show was deemed the best of 1984—thirty years around the sun. During the outro vamp (F-C-Em-D), one can hear subtle Mark Knopfler-type bends, expressive finger-picking, and tasteful phrasing.
When the band returned for the encore right after “Morning Dew,” I spotted Dan Healy onstage behind Phil’s rig. I believe he had been driven up from the soundboard because the performance and sound in that small gym were so exceptional. As a guitar player himself, Dan may have been curious about what was happening onstage for the band and how it sounded from there. Or perhaps he simply needed a bathroom break and a bite to eat—though everyone knew that he and the band always paid close attention to sound quality at their events. Together with his colleague Don Pearson, Healy did a remarkable job tuning that room that night.
Jerry seemed determined to convey a message and get the performance right. I was in attendance at this show as a young man, and was moved, as was the entire building. Glad I bought the Carl Zeiss lens with me, along with some Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ and at least one Guardian Angel.
If you listen, it should be at a nice volume.
Grateful Dead, Morning Dew written by Bonnie Dobson https://ig.ft.com/life-of-a-song/morning-dew.html
Good job of audio and video synch people. @axwell21 on youtube. Camera settles down after a bit.
There were 2 shows, Thursday and Friday, October 11th and 12th in Augusta, Maine of 1984. There was a very inexpensive flight up to the Portland airport, so I flew up with a ticket for the first night, but not the second. I found that second night ticket quite serendipitously up in Maine. Also, I wasn’t quite sure about accommodations for the autumn night between the two shows.
There was a very welcoming Howard Johnson’s right next door, a place for food and rest in-between the two shows.
Lo, after the first night’s show, people scrambled about, some drove off home, or went to their campers and buses in the parking lot, others to their tents in a wooded area adjacent to the small gym…. Another group headed for that large structure just nearby…the Howard Johnson’s. I am sure there are a few stories of those who ‘made it into’ the Howard Johnson’s.
I must say, it certainly was not like jumping rail cars and hitchhiking across the country, or joining a traveling circus, but it was certainly an adventure. Thanks to the person who drove me to the airport. I thank Jesus Christ, and me Guardian Angel for watching over me.
Bonnie Dobson and Robert Plant, Morning Dew
Below is the only Morning Dew performed in 1978. I read somewhere Bruce Hornsby was in attendance. Some chaos at William and Mary that night. I made it home safely. Some good angels doing battle with some fallen ones.