I have the same take on the song. But the actual term "roll away the dew" is referring to a technique when they would cast bells and while the bell was still hot, expose to large qualities of steam to rapidly cool the bell. Dew would form on the surface and they would roll it between cotton sheets in a process called rolling away the dew. Franklin's Tower can be taken to refer to the liberty bell in Ben Franklin's home city of Philadelphia where famous symbol of freedom, the Liberty Bell is cracked due to improper cooling process. GD songs have layers of meaning that you can really dig into.
The thing about the Dead is Hunter's lyrics are existential. While they can have a literal meaning like you share here (thanks for that), it can also take on a subjective meaning in the moment depending on your setting and mood. Your mind seems to 'cherry pick' certain phrases from the song depending on how it's oriented at the time. Dead lyrics were perfect for that. The mood and playing from the band also had an influence as well as the crowd. It truly was a unique collective experience every time. Always good and occasionally out of this world. Experiencing the latter even just one time is a life changing experience.
I don’t think you can give Hunter enough credit for the music’s longevity. The lyrics have this timeless hippy wisdom that encapsulates the bittersweet mystery of life.
Here's a rabbit hole for some of you new heads. The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics. There's a book, but the website from his research is a better way to absorb it.
@@johnschmitt7957 Eyes is my go to song for jazz fans who havent heard much Dead. For those who lean towards the funk, its all about Estimated Prophet, and of course Shakedown, maybe West LA Fadeaway,
@@johnschmitt7957 1st Eyes, 02.09.73, will make the sale for many jazz aficionados. NOT necessarily the 80s one with Branford. YMMV, but early-mid 70's was Jerry at his peak IMO.
The first notes of Jerry on this rendition changed my life on March 28, 1996. I had been suffering. And Jerry guided me out of the darkness into the light with those notes. Eternally grateful.
Better than any pharmaceutical I’ve ever tried! A good groove, some deep breathing and an ice cold shower are my cure for the blues !! Glad you’re doing better!!
I felt like they did that for me too! One of the best decisions I ever made was to go to my first GD show in 1978. My entire life changed in an instant. Didn't understand that then.
I'm black. 71 years young. Went to my first show in 1972... opened me wide open. Whenever I ran into other brothers we would smile and nod to each other signaling that we were in on a fantastic secret! Roll away the dew.
One opinion on the song's meaning that I found: ""Franklin's Tower" is a folk song by The Grateful Dead, released in 1975. The song talks about a place called Franklin's Tower where four winds blow and a bell that can ring to either help or guide people. The protagonist sings about how this tower has seeds of wildflowers which are carried by the wind and hopes that the wind will safely take them home. The lyrics allude to hard times and lost love, but ultimately call for renewal and for the faith that, no matter what life brings, home will always be there and can have a calming effect. The chorus of the song is a continual repetition of "Roll Away the Dew" as an imperative, urging that the listener keep going. The title "Franklin's Tower" pays homage to the Franklin National Bank Tower in Philadelphia, and the band sought to capture the essence of this towering structure, infusing it with metaphorical meaning in their lyrics."
You’re in The Phil Zone now, dude! 🎸💥 They debuted almost the entire brand new Blues For Allah album at that Great American Music Hall show in ‘75, including this iconic track. 1975 was technically their “year off”, but as you can hear they were staying quite busy. This show also was the premier of their new, stripped-down Alembic PA system, which was designed to replace and improve upon the historic but unwieldy “Wall of Sound” PA system from ‘73/‘74.
@@m.ericwatson968 some guys have built a mini Wall of Sound replica recently and you can check out their video on TH-cam th-cam.com/video/9L8iqSnLYe4/w-d-xo.html
I like how their "hiatus" would be a heavy workload for most bands. I think jerry was playing somewhere with one band or another like 80% of the hiatus.
Choosing my favorite Dead song is like choosing my favorite kid. But this one of near the top of the list. You are finding out why EVERYBODY at a Dead show was dancing! Great choice for this old Deadhead. Thanks Harri.
I know what you mean. I think Jack Straw and Box of Rain are two at the top of my list. My favorite Jack Straw: th-cam.com/video/s1raixq4D_Y/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1 Charging right out of the gates. I never made it to a New Year's Eve but often went a couple nights before and saw some great shows like this one. "Our new name is going to be The Just Exactly Perfect Brothers Band."
I stopped trying to even come up with a top ten. Instead I started putting a list of my favorite version (date venue etc) of every song. Kind of like my own version of dick's picks
@@b00meraar0n9 I only have 2 known favorite versions of songs. Scarlet from the famous Cornell shows and Jack Straw from Winterland '77 Dec 28 I think. Such lists would be good to share and compare to turn people on to crowd fave best versions. There are many that are not on my radar.
As a teenager growing up in Marin County in the 70s, the Grateful Dead was certainly a huge part of our world view. What I miss in the music today is the imperfection and the spontaneity of actual musicians playing without the assistance of computers. I never saw the Dead at the Great American Music Hall, but I did see BB King there. Saw the Dead at Winterland and many other venues. It was a time in which music seemed to embody our hope for a better world.
If I've read this comment once, I've read it 10,000 times. What are you talking about? The Dead played like that, and so did jazz musicians and some blues guys back then, sure. We still have jazz, blues and jam bands including DeadCo. They all still play that way. Jazz didn't become rehearsed, jam bands didn't evolve from the Dead to sight read compositions on stage. It's true many rock bands then and now play with high precision and zero exploration. Hell, Jerry talked about that on the History of Rock n Roll interview. In fact, it's more common now than 50 years ago that people improvise and end up with imperfections. Really, only these guys or bands like the Allmans and a handful of others played live like that. If you are talking about top 40 radio or whatever's popular with the mainstream world, the Dead weren't in that category until the late 80's anyways. So again, I ask what you are talking about.
@@BlueGnome42 don't put a generation down for 1 dude man! Boomers were born from 1945 to 1966!!! Most dead heads on avg are were about 15 yo in the 70's when they got "on the bus"!🎶 🚌 🏃
One of the great joys in life is watching someone turned on to the Dead for the first time. Brother, go see Dead and Co currently on tour. Time of your life! Ive seen them all over the world since the early 80's....endless musical joy!
It has become one of my new joys in life aswell, watching others hear the Dead for the first time. Its an amazing feeling to expierence with someone even from youtube..you can just feel the magic. (~);}
It’s just so easy to listen on and on. I think I finally understand “Deadheads” and their commitment to traveling around in pursuit of their shows. Thanks to Dave Bzen and Harri for this. 🌺✌️
How cool is this track. These guys were like friends more than rock stars. Great vibes and Garcia Hunter songs were very special. Try the song that preceded this one “Help on the Way/Slipknot” all the GarciaHunter songs from sixties and seventies are treasured.
Help on the Way/Slipknot into Franklin's Tower has always been a great progression of songs. But it reminds me of one bad experience somewhere in Michigan. A couple guys right in front of us were non-stop talking, loudly, just wouldn't shut up! I finally snapped and called them on it. "Help on the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower and you two never stopped talking! What are you even Here for??!!" I don't remember if they shut up or left after that, although I did get an apology. Driving hundreds of miles and $$$ to see the Dead only to have to listen to people who belonged anywhere but at a concert. Rude thoughtless people used to drive me nuts, it was So distracting. Sorry for the rant, didn't mean to digress. ✌️🌹
HT, I am thrilled that you and so many others liked this great one by The Dead. As for suggestions regarding other songs..... stand by and have a bit of patience as the queue can be long at times.
@@davebzen795 the Jerry universe can be a bit daunting for general folks to access right away, I don’t expect my requests to actually get played and it the dead so pretty much anything is cool with me. Love to hear more Garcia band too. Thanks for the nice reply.
@@CuzKatieSaysSo This situation really bugs me too! Happens way too often. Sorry you have that memory when you hear Help-Slip-Frank. I'm curious how rude thoughtless people don't still drive you nuts. I know it's not worth the stress but really hard to ignore. ✌
I saw The Grateful Dead 65 times between 1984 and 1995. This song always got me up on my feet. The one from the 1990 Madison Square Garden run stands out.
1990 was my first time in NYC and at the Garden , went for a couple of the 9 shows I believe that year . Went to many many more at the Garden . My first Jack Straw which was one of my favorites in 1990 .
I’ve only got 15 under my belt. Sigh. I miss my youth and the amazingly cool and cool boyfriend I went to by the shows with. I let him get away, like an idiot. Sigh.
I honestly don’t know how many Dead, Further, and Dead & Company shows I’ve been to over the year. Might even go back to Vegas for another show or two. Help on the way, Slipkont, and Franklin’s Tower were played frequently. Being a crowd favorite. Everyone always went nuts when it became apparent, that they were going to play them. There are a plethora of Grateful Dead songs, that you would enjoy if you like this one. Fire on the Mountain, Shakedown Street, Ripple, and Brokedown Palace.
Was lucky enough to see the Grateful Dead over 200 times during my "misspent youth" in the 80s and 90s! I'm glad to see someone else getting turned on to them and grooving to the music! Great reaction!!!
Don't want to be "that guy", BUT, you shouldhave played the whole "trilogy" of "Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin's Tower" from this particular recording. They were the opening songs, and include a dynamic introduction from Bill Graham, aka Uncle Bobo", a famous concert promoter who had the quote, "The Grateful Dead are not the best at what they do, they are the ONLY one's who do what they do." But thank you for this, very much. You seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.
The Grateful Dead have been the soundtrack to my entire existence. Even in the womb, my mother was showing me the way. I'm so glad you are enjoying their music.
"Benjamin Franklin postulated that a process which he called ‘dewing’ could be used to improve the production process of large bells. Dewing basically involves exposing the freshly cast bell to large quantities of steam while the bell is still hot. The steam causes a rapid cooling, producing droplets of 'dew' on the bell. After the dew is formed, the bell is rolled between large cotton sheets. He described this process as ‘rolling away the dew.’ "
The bass player, Phil Lesh, learned to play violin and then jazz trumpet before Jerry asked him if he thought he could learn how to play the electric bass for their band; he gave it a shot, and the rest is history :) Source: Phil's autobiography "Searching for the Sound"
Saw the Dead a bunch of times beginning in the early ‘70s. They played in my hood in Brooklyn when I was in high school. I miss Garcia, one of my favorite guitarists. Saw them with Dylan in ‘86 (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were his backup band) in DC: the only time I left NYC for a concert. I love Franklin Towers so very very much. Thanks for reacting to it, Harri.
Hi Harri, thank you for the reaction. The "funky song you reacted to earlier was "Shakedown Street". My first Grateful Dead concert was in 1990 and they opened with Shakedown Street. You can see the whole concert on the Grateful Dead's You Tube channel. Have a great day. 😀💀
Harri, from the opening seconds through to the end of your listening to this one, your reactions were a sheer joy to behold. Actually, your overall reaction is something that I have seen before by first-timers at a Grateful Dead's Dead concert. Stunned, followed by instantly being drawn into their performance and simply drifting away. I will share that many times at their concerts, I couldn't recall where my seat was after getting up and making a run to address my bladder pressure and get another bottle of Visine eye drops. It doesn't matter to me that I submitted this one. Your reactions were first-rate and most enjoyable to watch. That is what this sharing community is all about, as I have experienced with you, THE Master of Ceremonies, and the many fine people in this community.
Harri, you're grooving to the Dead. 🎶🎶😎 The ultimate jam band. Check out their famous '72 European Tour album ("Europe '72", just turned 50!) btw, Phil Lesh on bass. You can always watch a live video.
Did you know that the Grateful Dead are responsible for creating what is known today as Noise Caneling Technology we use in Earbuds / Headphones etc. At least from my understanding they got the ball rolling into what is now (NCT). Noise Caneling Technology
That is Phil Lesh on Bass.. trained as a classic musician, he sat in w the band (The Warlocks at the time...soon to be Grateful Dead) in 1965, was hooked and never looked back.
This was their first concert after their "breakup" in 1974. Their wall of sound music system had gotten too much for them to slug around and after 9 years they broke up (I still have my ticket to their last show marked "The Last One). Fortunately, it turned out to be a hiatus. Then they return with this. Great stuff!!
All day everyday! Same here sister same here! NEver gets old either.. SOmeone asked me once how come I don't strive to be more successful as far as money goes etc and I asnwered after thinking about it for a minute with " Ive already got everything I could ever want which is being ablet to listten to the Dead anytime I want." what else could a Dead Head need lol. (~);}
A business friend of mine invited me to one Jerry's last concerts in LA...he was friends with the band engineers and a Deadhead. We had backstage passes where we wandered around during "Space" - I was clueless at the time and not familiar with the band. Later, I ended up sharing the stage with John Perry Barlow at a technology conference and it was only when I got to know him that I realized what an incredible priceless opportunity I had that evening.
I found the show I was supposed to go to back in high school, but I didn't go because I got grounded. I saw my friends in the crowd. TH-cam can be really cool sometimes.
@@carlos_herrera Hi Carlos, I submitted this version from The Great American Music Hall 1975. You mention 'the internet archive' Are you referring to one or more specific websites, especially GD videos? I have searched for a video of this submitted performance to no avail for years. - DaveBZen
My best friend Pete and I spent many a night w elbows on the stage at Winterland. We never once said "Franklins' Tower" was funky. WE HAD NO WORDS. Other than, "That's the best show I ever saw", night after night. He passed a few years ago. You've just became my new listening partner. Thanks.
You picked a great live recording from the Great American Music Hall, a relatively little hole in the wall in S.F. - The boys (and Donna) were just emerging from their hiatus - Well done and thanks
My brother gave me this CD when i was 15. It was the gateway drug for the Dead and really this music in general. This track is a desert island track for sure.
Harri, I was there at the beginning when there was a hundred or so people in the audience, all holding hands, dancing in a circle, two feet from Mars, listening to 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles'. I've seen them when they couldn't miss, and when they couldn't hit. Every time, though, they were REAL, LIVE, in the moment. Two drummers played the syncopation you heard. Phil Lesh was the stellar bassist playing a second lead/rhythm/percussive line. I enjoyed his work and the drumming more than anything. Shout out to their lyricist, Robert Hunter, for decades of ethereal word-smithing. Cheers, --bd
The Dead were pioneers of psychedelic music. A blend of blues, bluegrass, rock and jazz. I love these reaction videos in which black people really dig the Dead. I went to a lot of shows between 1969 and 1995, and the only thing lacking in my opinion was a strong following of black Dead fans. I never understood it. I found the the whole scene to be very open, welcoming, and as Harri says: "Funky." Free form funk at its best.
In 1988, in Philly we were all camped throughout the field area by the spectrum..and for almost a week. The scene was rather joyous for all .. including some local older black fellows who happened to live right round there it was sweet to see ..the all night & day carrying on..people singing and setting by the fire and just a nice vibe in general. 🥰
Happy memories of the many Grateful Dead shows I went to, best music, best crowds, happy, mellow, beautiful people grooving on the music and just maybe, ha ha,a bit of mother natures pipe weed!
Ol’ Deadhead here, man, you can’t go wrong with the Dead- ever! Miss them, my brother. Going to shows was a time like no other. You’d meet cats from all over for a groovin’ time.
Phil Lesh , incredible bass player , Bobby Weir holding down rhythm guitar and vocals, Mickey Hart & Bob Kruetzman on drums, and JERRY GARCIA ON LEAD !
One of my favorites. Franklin's Tower always makes me happy. Glad you enjoyed it, Harri! As someone once said " They're not always the best at what they do, but they're the only ones that do what they do."
It’s The Library Bell and I lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia and you could touch it. Dude Phil Lesh was writing scores for classical music. He heard the band and asked Jerry showed him how it was turned and Phil did the rest. His fingers were long, People who really liked Phil and went to wherever his amps were was known as the Phil Zone. ⚡️🎸⚡️
There are movies, documentaries and such...in them, they are asking fans what "Rolling away the dew" means to them and those takes are as wonderful as yours.
BEST BAND EVER!!! there's actually two songs prior that are part of a Suite and they should be included in the listen as they are the building blocks of the Franklins tower, and at the end of the Franklins is the Cresendo of crescendos. Long LIVE GARCIA, this music is healing.
Yeah man, more people should appreciate the work of Phil Lesh on bass the way you do. You were definitely into the Phil Zone!!!! I enjoyed watching this review.
I count myself most fortunate to have seen them many times throughout the last decade or so of their glorious run. Some of the best moments of my life without a doubt! And feeling Phil's bass live, man there was nothing like it! You should really listen to the "Help on the Way / Slipknot" songs that lead into this one on this excellent recording - they really stretch and push some musical boundaries, I know you'll love it! Awesome video, keep exploring their close to endless live catalog! LONG LIVE THE DEAD!!!❤⚡💙
Did you ever feel that the music didn't so much come from the speakers to your ear but rather down to the center of the earth and straight up through your feet into every atom of your body? You didn't have to dance. You just had to let go and let the music dance you. I had experiences where it felt like my body broke down into atoms and were rearranged to patterns from another dimension and I could only move according to those physics. I remember once feeling like I could only move in gyrating forms, like how spinning plates work. It felt like if I let doubt overcome me, the whole structure would come crashing down but if I just let it ride, the body could do amazing things. Whoooaaaa!!!
Typically Franklin's tower is listen to As a combination of 3 songs together. help on the way, Slipknot, Franklin's tower. Affectionately known as help slip Frank
I second that. You really need to listen to the whole progression. Same with China Cat > I know you Rider, and Playin’ in the Band > Goin’ Down the Road. Throw in a Dark Star and Eyes of the World, and you’ve got a really great set.
The unmistakable sound of Jerry Garcia's guitar playing. In the 70s, they were so beloved by their fans, known as "Deadheads." They would follow the Band across country while they were on tour.
@@bluedrinks1 Between Garcia Band, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and beyond...I saw over 100 times...up and down eastcoast/95 corridor. I never quit my day job for them but I missed a few days, lol!
Got to see them lil over 50x, all b4 Jerry passed. By far imo the greatest live band ever. Been to countless concerts n saw some amazing groups, but THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GRATEFUL DEAD CONCERT.. STAY SAFE, PEACE
Have seen many bands over the years but not one moved me the way the Dead did. Best shows for me were the Seventies. Smaller venues in those days. Like a great house party with a killer band jamming for hours.
Welcome home! This was a really special concert (1975 Radio City Music Hall). Your interpretation of the song was a perfect definition of Grateful Dead music in general.
They do this song a lot when they go into a song called "Help on the Way". "Help on the way" is worth a reaction on its own. Probably my favorite Dead song next to "Terrapin Station". Loved this reaction. Great one.
I’ll never get tired of listening to this band.
Me either!🤩
Me either.
Not a chance ! ✌
Who was he listening to? Never heard of them
me as well
You dont know how heartwarming it is to see someone experience The Dead for the first time. Welcome brother you made it home.
OMG! That is so true!! He's on the bus!
@@maryanderson9191 q Aww@
@@maryanderson9191 artn we all
Once you experience the music live, you'll never be able to stop..
Dude would have fit in with any crowd at any show. Man I wish I could have met Harri back then. 😊
The Dead is the greatest live band to DANCE to PERIOD
ACTUAL FACT.
Gotta love Phil. He lays down the groove then proceeds to dance circles around it without missing a beat.
I know I do!! Pure joy!
You can still see phil
I love this description of Phil's bass playing.
It's a shame that Phil and his wife Yoko broke up the band because Phil thought he should get to sing all of Jerry's songs.
@@pekinbikeguy I remember that! Right before bobby landed on the moon. One small trip for (a) man one big trip for mankind.
Rumor has it that the bass player dosed at almost every show.
I'm 70 and they still make me smile. Love this song
60 here👍
A proud and energetic 70 here!
67 here ❤
Me too
I have the same take on the song. But the actual term "roll away the dew" is referring to a technique when they would cast bells and while the bell was still hot, expose to large qualities of steam to rapidly cool the bell. Dew would form on the surface and they would roll it between cotton sheets in a process called rolling away the dew. Franklin's Tower can be taken to refer to the liberty bell in Ben Franklin's home city of Philadelphia where famous symbol of freedom, the Liberty Bell is cracked due to improper cooling process. GD songs have layers of meaning that you can really dig into.
The thing about the Dead is Hunter's lyrics are existential. While they can have a literal meaning like you share here (thanks for that), it can also take on a subjective meaning in the moment depending on your setting and mood. Your mind seems to 'cherry pick' certain phrases from the song depending on how it's oriented at the time. Dead lyrics were perfect for that. The mood and playing from the band also had an influence as well as the crowd. It truly was a unique collective experience every time. Always good and occasionally out of this world. Experiencing the latter even just one time is a life changing experience.
I don’t think you can give Hunter enough credit for the music’s longevity. The lyrics have this timeless hippy wisdom that encapsulates the bittersweet mystery of life.
Here's a rabbit hole for some of you new heads. The Annotated Grateful Dead Lyrics. There's a book, but the website from his research is a better way to absorb it.
Hahahahaha you flipping troll, old head, the original copypasta
@@Wayzor_ thanks man.
Someone get this man a live version of "Estimated Prophet" to keep the GD train rolling.
>>>Eyes of the World.
@@johnschmitt7957 Eyes is my go to song for jazz fans who havent heard much Dead. For those who lean towards the funk, its all about Estimated Prophet, and of course Shakedown, maybe West LA Fadeaway,
@@kevinr.3542 scarlet begonias?
@@dirtybrian-og >>> fire 👌
@@johnschmitt7957 1st Eyes, 02.09.73, will make the sale for many jazz aficionados. NOT necessarily the 80s one with Branford. YMMV, but early-mid 70's was Jerry at his peak IMO.
The Greatful Dead is the greatest travel agent I've ever had. The places I've been, the people we meet
The first notes of Jerry on this rendition changed my life on March 28, 1996. I had been suffering. And Jerry guided me out of the darkness into the light with those notes. Eternally grateful.
Beautiful ⚘💀💕
Better than any pharmaceutical I’ve ever tried! A good groove, some deep breathing and an ice cold shower are my cure for the blues !! Glad you’re doing better!!
@@richieboy6825 Thanks man. Truth is, I’ve been doing better ever since.
I felt like they did that for me too! One of the best decisions I ever made was to go to my first GD show in 1978. My entire life changed in an instant. Didn't understand that then.
@@RobertCUlon same thing happened for me, July 2nd 2022..
"One watch by night, one watch by day, if you get confused listen to the music play"
The guy on the bass is Phil Lesh. He's an incredible and very unique bassist. One of a kind.
Truly one of a kind to be sure!
@Candice Elizabeth yes, i knew that.
He’s a classically trained musician , pure fire
@Candice Elizabeth And a week later, Phil was in the band!!
Finally, someone picks the greatest version of this classic.
Was thinking the same thing! (~);}
Jerry had the voice and soul of an angel, and a guitar style that always makes me smile.
I followed this band on the road from 78 until 1995
So cool to see all these black brothers rocking out to Jerry!
I'm black. 71 years young. Went to my first show in 1972... opened me wide open. Whenever I ran into other brothers we would smile and nod to each other signaling that we were in on a fantastic secret! Roll away the dew.
One opinion on the song's meaning that I found:
""Franklin's Tower" is a folk song by The Grateful Dead, released in 1975. The song talks about a place called Franklin's Tower where four winds blow and a bell that can ring to either help or guide people. The protagonist sings about how this tower has seeds of wildflowers which are carried by the wind and hopes that the wind will safely take them home. The lyrics allude to hard times and lost love, but ultimately call for renewal and for the faith that, no matter what life brings, home will always be there and can have a calming effect. The chorus of the song is a continual repetition of "Roll Away the Dew" as an imperative, urging that the listener keep going. The title "Franklin's Tower" pays homage to the Franklin National Bank Tower in Philadelphia, and the band sought to capture the essence of this towering structure, infusing it with metaphorical meaning in their lyrics."
Phil Lesh is probably the most underrated bass player in rock history. From Texas country to psychedelic funk and everything in between.
Phil was always the secret ingredient.
Oteil is pretty badass as well.
Written in 1976 for US Bicentennial… the bell - in Frankin’s Tower - is the Liberty Bell.
@@tedcarlson8176 This recording is from 1975, so couldn't have been written in 1976
@@mikeagent6616 and David Schools
I adore seeing the faces of people hearing the Grateful Dead for the first time, it warms my heart and reminds me how The Music Never Stopped!!
I couldn't agree more. I love hearing, "Who is this?" and I just think, oh man you're in for a ride.
They’re a band beyond description 😊
You’re in The Phil Zone now, dude! 🎸💥
They debuted almost the entire brand new Blues For Allah album at that Great American Music Hall show in ‘75, including this iconic track. 1975 was technically their “year off”, but as you can hear they were staying quite busy. This show also was the premier of their new, stripped-down Alembic PA system, which was designed to replace and improve upon the historic but unwieldy “Wall of Sound” PA system from ‘73/‘74.
The Wall of Sound was visually mesmerizing in it's gargantuan stature and obviously one hell of a difficult system to set up and strike
@@m.ericwatson968 some guys have built a mini Wall of Sound replica recently and you can check out their video on TH-cam
th-cam.com/video/9L8iqSnLYe4/w-d-xo.html
Phil called the wall of sound "the voice of God". Wish I could have heard it but I have a brother who did.
I like how their "hiatus" would be a heavy workload for most bands. I think jerry was playing somewhere with one band or another like 80% of the hiatus.
@@snerdtergusonYeah but that was their life, it’s who they were.
I believe they played more live shows than any band that ever existed.
Choosing my favorite Dead song is like choosing my favorite kid. But this one of near the top of the list. You are finding out why EVERYBODY at a Dead show was dancing! Great choice for this old Deadhead. Thanks Harri.
I know what you mean. I think Jack Straw and Box of Rain are two at the top of my list. My favorite Jack Straw:
th-cam.com/video/s1raixq4D_Y/w-d-xo.html&start_radio=1
Charging right out of the gates. I never made it to a New Year's Eve but often went a couple nights before and saw some great shows like this one. "Our new name is going to be The Just Exactly Perfect Brothers Band."
I stopped trying to even come up with a top ten. Instead I started putting a list of my favorite version (date venue etc) of every song. Kind of like my own version of dick's picks
@@b00meraar0n9 I only have 2 known favorite versions of songs. Scarlet from the famous Cornell shows and Jack Straw from Winterland '77 Dec 28 I think. Such lists would be good to share and compare to turn people on to crowd fave best versions. There are many that are not on my radar.
@@zzzzzach check out hard to handle 8/16/71. This gave me the idea of a favorite version list.
@@b00meraar0n9 Had me a listen. That's some tasty cheese. Great smokin Jerry solo!
As a teenager growing up in Marin County in the 70s, the Grateful Dead was certainly a huge part of our world view. What I miss in the music today is the imperfection and the spontaneity of actual musicians playing without the assistance of computers. I never saw the Dead at the Great American Music Hall, but I did see BB King there. Saw the Dead at Winterland and many other venues. It was a time in which music seemed to embody our hope for a better world.
Well said. It did embody that. Unfortunately the world has chosen a darker path.
Well…the Dead pioneered using computers on stage to be fair
If I've read this comment once, I've read it 10,000 times. What are you talking about? The Dead played like that, and so did jazz musicians and some blues guys back then, sure. We still have jazz, blues and jam bands including DeadCo. They all still play that way. Jazz didn't become rehearsed, jam bands didn't evolve from the Dead to sight read compositions on stage. It's true many rock bands then and now play with high precision and zero exploration. Hell, Jerry talked about that on the History of Rock n Roll interview. In fact, it's more common now than 50 years ago that people improvise and end up with imperfections. Really, only these guys or bands like the Allmans and a handful of others played live like that. If you are talking about top 40 radio or whatever's popular with the mainstream world, the Dead weren't in that category until the late 80's anyways. So again, I ask what you are talking about.
Boomer don’t get out much no more.
@@BlueGnome42 don't put a generation down for 1 dude man! Boomers were born from 1945 to 1966!!! Most dead heads on avg are were about 15 yo in the 70's when they got "on the bus"!🎶 🚌 🏃
Yes, my friend... after 40 years of listening to this music, I still have your exact joy!
One of the great joys in life is watching someone turned on to the Dead for the first time. Brother, go see Dead and Co currently on tour. Time of your life! Ive seen them all over the world since the early 80's....endless musical joy!
It has become one of my new joys in life aswell, watching others hear the Dead for the first time. Its an amazing feeling to expierence with someone even from youtube..you can just feel the magic. (~);}
It’s just so easy to listen on and on. I think I finally understand “Deadheads” and their commitment to traveling around in pursuit of their shows. Thanks to Dave Bzen and Harri for this. 🌺✌️
You got that right, and thank you. Glad you enjoyed this one.
The Music played the Band
How cool is this track. These guys were like friends more than rock stars. Great vibes and Garcia Hunter songs were very special. Try the song that preceded this one “Help on the Way/Slipknot” all the GarciaHunter songs from sixties and seventies are treasured.
Help on the Way/Slipknot into Franklin's Tower has always been a great progression of songs. But it reminds me of one bad experience somewhere in Michigan. A couple guys right in front of us were non-stop talking, loudly, just wouldn't shut up! I finally snapped and called them on it. "Help on the Way/Slipknot/Franklin's Tower and you two never stopped talking! What are you even Here for??!!" I don't remember if they shut up or left after that, although I did get an apology. Driving hundreds of miles and $$$ to see the Dead only to have to listen to people who belonged anywhere but at a concert. Rude thoughtless people used to drive me nuts, it was So distracting. Sorry for the rant, didn't mean to digress. ✌️🌹
HT, I am thrilled that you and so many others liked this great one by The Dead. As for suggestions regarding other songs..... stand by and have a bit of patience as the queue can be long at times.
@@davebzen795 the Jerry universe can be a bit daunting for general folks to access right away, I don’t expect my requests to actually get played and it the dead so pretty much anything is cool with me. Love to hear more Garcia band too. Thanks for the nice reply.
@@CuzKatieSaysSo This situation really bugs me too! Happens way too often. Sorry you have that memory when you hear Help-Slip-Frank. I'm curious how rude thoughtless people don't still drive you nuts. I know it's not worth the stress but really hard to ignore. ✌
Any song they collaborated on was pure magic.
I saw The Grateful Dead 65 times between 1984 and 1995. This song always got me up on my feet. The one from the 1990 Madison Square Garden run stands out.
1990 was my first time in NYC and at the Garden , went for a couple of the 9 shows I believe that year . Went to many many more at the Garden . My first Jack Straw which was one of my favorites in 1990 .
I’ve only got 15 under my belt. Sigh. I miss my youth and the amazingly cool and cool boyfriend I went to by the shows with. I let him get away, like an idiot. Sigh.
I honestly don’t know how many Dead, Further, and Dead & Company shows I’ve been to over the year. Might even go back to Vegas for another show or two. Help on the way, Slipkont, and Franklin’s Tower were played frequently. Being a crowd favorite. Everyone always went nuts when it became apparent, that they were going to play them. There are a plethora of Grateful Dead songs, that you would enjoy if you like this one. Fire on the Mountain, Shakedown Street, Ripple, and Brokedown Palace.
Oops forgot to mention that I was at the MSG show.
This band is a friend for life..the golden spring ..I can’t explain it besides..the live show is magic
🪷 What a beautiful song. Brings back huge memories of dancing in the redwoods, and on the beach in North California. 🍄
Phil Bombs!! He’s a legend on the bass man. And two drummers!!!
I've been listening to the Dead since the 70's
The Dead swing so hard but its almost never talked about!!! Gi ahead and listen to as much as you can from ‘73!!! Boston, Red Rocks etc etc
Was lucky enough to see the Grateful Dead over 200 times during my "misspent youth" in the 80s and 90s! I'm glad to see someone else getting turned on to them and grooving to the music! Great reaction!!!
SUper Jealous!!
That's one of the best versions too. That whole show is SOLID!
Don't want to be "that guy", BUT, you shouldhave played the whole "trilogy" of "Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin's Tower" from this particular recording. They were the opening songs, and include a dynamic introduction from Bill Graham, aka Uncle Bobo", a famous concert promoter who had the quote, "The Grateful Dead are not the best at what they do, they are the ONLY one's who do what they do." But thank you for this, very much. You seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.
Great intro. I also like when he would do individual introductions. "On bass, Mr. Phil Lesh, etc" Greatest rock impresario the world has ever seen.
Kudos for pointing out the bass playing. Phil Lesh plays like no one else and makes these jams living breathing creatures. Fantastic.
This almost brought tears to my eyes. Will never forget the first time I heard this song.
The Grateful Dead have been the soundtrack to my entire existence. Even in the womb, my mother was showing me the way. I'm so glad you are enjoying their music.
"Benjamin Franklin postulated that a process which he called ‘dewing’ could be used to improve the production process of large bells. Dewing basically involves exposing the freshly cast bell to large quantities of steam while the bell is still hot. The steam causes a rapid cooling, producing droplets of 'dew' on the bell. After the dew is formed, the bell is rolled between large cotton sheets. He described this process as ‘rolling away the dew.’ "
The bass player, Phil Lesh, learned to play violin and then jazz trumpet before Jerry asked him if he thought he could learn how to play the electric bass for their band; he gave it a shot, and the rest is history :)
Source: Phil's autobiography "Searching for the Sound"
Got to have love for Phil, he is the unsung hero of the bunch.
I know of this band forever . First time I heard this.
There is more music in this one band to explore than many could do in a lifetime. Enjoy the ride.
Saw the Dead a bunch of times beginning in the early ‘70s. They played in my hood in Brooklyn when I was in high school. I miss Garcia, one of my favorite guitarists. Saw them with Dylan in ‘86 (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were his backup band) in DC: the only time I left NYC for a concert. I love Franklin Towers so very very much. Thanks for reacting to it, Harri.
Just drove by the site of the old Akron Rubber Bowl last night which bye the way is torn down now and the first thing I thought of was summer of 86!!
Franklin's Tower
Hi Harri, thank you for the reaction. The "funky song you reacted to earlier was "Shakedown Street". My first Grateful Dead concert was in 1990 and they opened with Shakedown Street. You can see the whole concert on the Grateful Dead's You Tube channel. Have a great day. 😀💀
Harri, from the opening seconds through to the end of your listening to this one, your reactions were a sheer joy to behold. Actually, your overall reaction is something that I have seen before by first-timers at a Grateful Dead's Dead concert. Stunned, followed by instantly being drawn into their performance and simply drifting away. I will share that many times at their concerts, I couldn't recall where my seat was after getting up and making a run to address my bladder pressure and get another bottle of Visine eye drops.
It doesn't matter to me that I submitted this one. Your reactions were first-rate and most enjoyable to watch. That is what this sharing community is all about, as I have experienced with you, THE Master of Ceremonies, and the many fine people in this community.
It makes us smile (~);} smile when we see that joy in someone else new to this.
@@jimbattista1120 Indeed it does as Harri so aptly demonstrated, even after he had reviewed about 2-3 other Dead songs. 😁
Welcome to the “Dead” family
Harri, you're grooving to the Dead. 🎶🎶😎 The ultimate jam band. Check out their famous '72 European Tour album ("Europe '72", just turned 50!) btw, Phil Lesh on bass. You can always watch a live video.
The other one that really stands out on that recording from that night is Eyes of the world - another real funky one.
Shows how great Phil is when he STILL stood out while Jerry was having an all-time-great night.
One of my favorite Dead songs!
Nothing like the good jams of the grateful Dead they were far ahead of most musicians and bands when it came to sound quality and music.
Did you know that the Grateful Dead are responsible for creating what is known today as Noise Caneling Technology we use in Earbuds / Headphones etc. At least from my understanding they got the ball rolling into what is now (NCT). Noise Caneling Technology
That is Phil Lesh on Bass.. trained as a classic musician, he sat in w the band (The Warlocks at the time...soon to be Grateful Dead) in 1965, was hooked and never looked back.
The Grateful Dead are one of the funkiest rock bands from the 60s and 70s.
This was their first concert after their "breakup" in 1974. Their wall of sound music system had gotten too much for them to slug around and after 9 years they broke up (I still have my ticket to their last show marked "The Last One). Fortunately, it turned out to be a hiatus. Then they return with this. Great stuff!!
Shakedown street is quite funky as well
The Grateful Dead 🤘🏽💨💃🫶🏽💨🛼💨🛼FunkAFry Mah Soul ❤️🔥 listen to em & Jerry G all day.. every day... 💃✌🏼💃
Keep on Rollin 😜 the Dew 💃
All day everyday! Same here sister same here! NEver gets old either.. SOmeone asked me once how come I don't strive to be more successful as far as money goes etc and I asnwered after thinking about it for a minute with " Ive already got everything I could ever want which is being ablet to listten to the Dead anytime I want." what else could a Dead Head need lol. (~);}
A business friend of mine invited me to one Jerry's last concerts in LA...he was friends with the band engineers and a Deadhead. We had backstage passes where we wandered around during "Space" - I was clueless at the time and not familiar with the band. Later, I ended up sharing the stage with John Perry Barlow at a technology conference and it was only when I got to know him that I realized what an incredible priceless opportunity I had that evening.
DANG man! yeah you didn't even realize at the time..Thanks for sharing the story (~);}
Luckily for us there is a treasure trove of live performances of GD on TH-cam.
All of their recorded shows can be found on the internet archive too.
I found the show I was supposed to go to back in high school, but I didn't go because I got grounded. I saw my friends in the crowd. TH-cam can be really cool sometimes.
@@chuckhunter77 it’s great for “how to fix/do it yourself” video instructional guides to. Invaluable actually.
@@carlos_herrera Hi Carlos, I submitted this version from The Great American Music Hall 1975. You mention 'the internet archive' Are you referring to one or more specific websites, especially GD videos? I have searched for a video of this submitted performance to no avail for years. - DaveBZen
LOVE LOVE LOVE. Nothing like the Dead. And Nothing like a Dead show! I hear Donna on this Franklins. ❤
The Dead are the greatest band ever.
FACTS (~);}
My best friend Pete and I spent many a night w elbows on the stage at Winterland. We never once said "Franklins' Tower" was funky. WE HAD NO WORDS. Other than, "That's the best show I ever saw", night after night. He passed a few years ago. You've just became my new listening partner. Thanks.
One of my favorites is China Cat Sunflower fading into I Know You Rider off the album Europe '72. Also love their song Attics Of My Life.
Yes that and Broken Down Palace. Cassidy.
You picked a great live recording from the Great American Music Hall, a relatively little hole in the wall in S.F. - The boys (and Donna) were just emerging from their hiatus - Well done and thanks
My favorite Dead song! Way to go, Dave!
Yowza!!! This specific recorded performance is also my favorite Dead song. Thrilled that you liked this one, my friend.
One of the greatest bands ever hands down they changed the world
You are the groove, Sir Harri. Your channel is my personal club where they only play the greatest tunes on Earth. Don't ever change, please.
One From the Vault is just impeccable.
Your interpretation of the song is RIGHT ON TARGET!!
My brother gave me this CD when i was 15. It was the gateway drug for the Dead and really this music in general. This track is a desert island track for sure.
Harri, I was there at the beginning when there was a hundred or so people in the audience, all holding hands, dancing in a circle, two feet from Mars, listening to 'Silver Threads and Golden Needles'. I've seen them when they couldn't miss, and when they couldn't hit. Every time, though, they were REAL, LIVE, in the moment. Two drummers played the syncopation you heard. Phil Lesh was the stellar bassist playing a second lead/rhythm/percussive line. I enjoyed his work and the drumming more than anything. Shout out to their lyricist, Robert Hunter, for decades of ethereal word-smithing. Cheers, --bd
The Dead were pioneers of psychedelic music. A blend of blues, bluegrass, rock and jazz. I love these reaction videos in which black people really dig the Dead. I went to a lot of shows between 1969 and 1995, and the only thing lacking in my opinion was a strong following of black Dead fans. I never understood it. I found the the whole scene to be very open, welcoming, and as Harri says: "Funky." Free form funk at its best.
In 1988, in Philly we were all camped throughout the field area by the spectrum..and for almost a week. The scene was rather joyous for all .. including some local older black fellows who happened to live right round there it was sweet to see ..the all night & day carrying on..people singing and setting by the fire and just a nice vibe in general. 🥰
YES SIR!!!!!! BEST BAND OF ALL TIME ⏲️ ❤️ THE DEAD FOR 40 YEARS IVE BEEN JAMMING WITH JERRY 💥💨💨💨💨👽
Happy memories of the many Grateful Dead shows I went to, best music, best crowds, happy, mellow, beautiful people grooving on the music and just maybe, ha ha,a bit of mother natures pipe weed!
Ol’ Deadhead here, man, you can’t go wrong with the Dead- ever! Miss them, my brother. Going to shows was a time like no other. You’d meet cats from all over for a groovin’ time.
All of their stuff is funky, groovy, addictive, beautiful……….keeping going………
Phil Lesh , incredible bass player , Bobby Weir holding down rhythm guitar and vocals, Mickey Hart & Bob Kruetzman on drums, and JERRY GARCIA ON LEAD !
Goose bumps just reading your comment. I read it in my head like it was an intercom lol (~);}
One of my favorites. Franklin's Tower always makes me happy. Glad you enjoyed it, Harri!
As someone once said " They're not always the best at what they do, but they're the only ones that do what they do."
I think it was Bob Weir who said that, but maybe I was high...
It’s The Library Bell and I lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia and you could touch it. Dude Phil Lesh was writing scores for classical music. He heard the band and asked Jerry showed him how it was turned and Phil did the rest. His fingers were long, People who really liked Phil and went to wherever his amps were was known as the Phil Zone. ⚡️🎸⚡️
There are movies, documentaries and such...in them, they are asking fans what "Rolling away the dew" means to them and those takes are as wonderful as yours.
BEST BAND EVER!!! there's actually two songs prior that are part of a Suite and they should be included in the listen as they are the building blocks of the Franklins tower, and at the end of the Franklins is the Cresendo of crescendos. Long LIVE GARCIA, this music is healing.
Yeah man, more people should appreciate the work of Phil Lesh on bass the way you do. You were definitely into the Phil Zone!!!! I enjoyed watching this review.
I count myself most fortunate to have seen them many times throughout the last decade or so of their glorious run. Some of the best moments of my life without a doubt! And feeling Phil's bass live, man there was nothing like it! You should really listen to the "Help on the Way / Slipknot" songs that lead into this one on this excellent recording - they really stretch and push some musical boundaries, I know you'll love it! Awesome video, keep exploring their close to endless live catalog! LONG LIVE THE DEAD!!!❤⚡💙
We have shared experiences regarding their concert performances. More to come.....
Did you ever feel that the music didn't so much come from the speakers to your ear but rather down to the center of the earth and straight up through your feet into every atom of your body? You didn't have to dance. You just had to let go and let the music dance you.
I had experiences where it felt like my body broke down into atoms and were rearranged to patterns from another dimension and I could only move according to those physics. I remember once feeling like I could only move in gyrating forms, like how spinning plates work. It felt like if I let doubt overcome me, the whole structure would come crashing down but if I just let it ride, the body could do amazing things. Whoooaaaa!!!
@@zzzzzach Haha, Whoooaa indeed! The music absolutely hit on a molecular level, with and without chemical enhancements!
Typically Franklin's tower is listen to As a combination of 3 songs together. help on the way, Slipknot, Franklin's tower. Affectionately known as help slip Frank
Help on the Way/ Slipknot/ Franklins Tower is a combo they often did is worth a listen
I second that. You really need to listen to the whole progression. Same with China Cat > I know you Rider, and Playin’ in the Band > Goin’ Down the Road. Throw in a Dark Star and Eyes of the World, and you’ve got a really great set.
Dark star fade into no quarter fade into comfortably numb
@@thomasrohr3130 when did they play that? Sounds dope!
@@oregonsbragia excellent recommendations! (~);}
The unmistakable sound of Jerry Garcia's guitar playing. In the 70s, they were so beloved by their fans, known as "Deadheads." They would follow the Band across country while they were on tour.
I saw them 20 times in 2 years which isn't really alot considering some heads saw up to 30-60 shows a year
@@bluedrinks1 Between Garcia Band, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh and beyond...I saw over 100 times...up and down eastcoast/95 corridor. I never quit my day job for them but I missed a few days, lol!
Still doing it 2022....(~);}
@@jimbattista1120 I'm jealous...nice!
That was more common in the 80s, but still there were some dedicated dead freaks early on
Thank you for posting this. This might be my favorite version of Franklin's. Not only do they rip this; the sound is so clean and perfect.
The last time i saw Steel Pulse in concert they covered Franklin's Tower...totally groovy, wonderful surprise!
Makes you want to shake your bones. Don't give up. They have so many good songs. All their music has good lyrics.
Have seen the dead with Jerry 50 plus. The JGB 5 or 6… just incredible live.
Nothing like them, Gary💕
Phil with his 6 string bass. "They're not the best at what they did they were the only ones to do it" Bill G.
Got to see them lil over 50x, all b4 Jerry passed. By far imo the greatest live band ever. Been to countless concerts n saw some amazing groups, but THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GRATEFUL DEAD CONCERT..
STAY SAFE, PEACE
Been listening to this band since 1969. Welcome aboard my friend
Saw them many many times, great dance music and of course the "LOT" MISS JERRY, very much. Thanks.
Thank you Harry for appreciating the Grateful Dead.
Have seen many bands over the years but not one moved me the way the Dead did. Best shows for me were the Seventies. Smaller venues in those days. Like a great house party with a killer band jamming for hours.
Welcome home! This was a really special concert (1975 Radio City Music Hall). Your interpretation of the song was a perfect definition of Grateful Dead music in general.
They do this song a lot when they go into a song called "Help on the Way". "Help on the way" is worth a reaction on its own. Probably my favorite Dead song next to "Terrapin Station".
Loved this reaction. Great one.
"The guy on the bass"! Love this. XO Phil. Gotta love the Dead.