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February, 1975
Dear Dead People:
As you read this, the Grateful Dead will be in the studio recording
a new album. You've no doubt heard the Dead are taking an indefinite break
from touring. The reason for this is simply that the megagig form is sort
of bankrupt; devoid of dignity for either the listener or the player. There
are three plans under study which could make it possible for the band to
perform. The fact is the Dead won't go out again unless the situation is
groovey.
As an ongoing creative organization, there are several things we should
be doing:
I. Expand the quality in all areas in which we interface with our own means
of expression.
a. Films
b. Records
c. Musical Performance
d. Life
II. Remember to go after the big one - - - - - all limitations are self-imposed.
III. Bring on tomorrow (at least be helpful) our emphasis in this regard
is going into holography about which Anton Round will have some words in
this same communique.
A description of the activities of each band member will give the clearest
picture of how we move toward these goals.
GARCIA
Jerry along with Merl Saunders on organ, John Kahn on bass, Martine Fierro
on saxophone and flute and Ron Tutt on drums, have formed the "Legion
Of Mary" a band that gigs on a rather regular basis. "Legion
Of Mary" is planning to play all the major cities in '75.
Jerry just finished producing Robert Hunter's new album, "Tiger Rose".
He played the guitar, the pen and the voice on the "Keith & Donna"
album, guitar and vocals on the Ned Lagin & Phil Lesh album, "Seastones".
He just finished producing a Blue Grass album called "Pistol Packin'
Mama" which was a session of Blue Grass giants, Chubby Wise, fiddle;
Don Reno, banjo; Frank Wakefield, mandolin., Dave Nelson, guitar; Pat Campbell,
bass. You'll find it on Round Records sometime in the Spring, it's a continuation
of Jerry's interest in Blue Grass evidenced by the "Old & In The
Way" album.
Garcia has undertaken the responsibility of supervising the editing of
the Grateful Dead movie shot at the last five night gig at Winterland in
San Francisco. The film should be released sometime before Christmas.
In his spare time he's preparing material for a solo album which will be
recorded in the Spring and released in the Summer.
GODCHAUX
Keith & Donna recently finished an album appropriately called "Keith
& Donna". The cover is a photo of their now one year old son,
Zion Rock. Interesting because we consider the musical form Neo-Gospel.
Keith & Donna are going to be performing before too long and have,
for some reason, asked us not to say any more about it. They have been
getting into working on the completion of the film.
KREUTZMANN
Billy has been doing studio work with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
He's going to be playing with Steven Stills on his solo album.
In addition, Bill has gotten involved in trying to make a given amount
of land yield more produce through Hydroponics. Hydroponics being the science
of growing plants in solutions or moist inert materials containing the
necessary nutrients instead of in soil. Bill's current theory is that 18"
square can yield one-and-a-half tons of alfalfa. We, of course, are interested
in the outcome of his experiments since the implications are incredible.
LESH
Phil along with Ned Lagin are taking their art slowly but surely to the
further reaches of it's limitations which, of course, are impossible for
the human intelligence to define. Fortunately, they have been invited to
share the capacities of the world's largest artificial intelligence network.
Not understanding any of this is unimportant because over a period of time
a body of work will be produced which your own senses will make clear.
"Seastones" is, of course, the first of these works.
WEIR
Bobby is working locally in Northern California with a band named "Kingfish"
consisting of Robbie Hoddinott, lead guitar; Matthew Kelley, harp, Dave
Torbert, bass guitar; Chris Herold, drums. "Kingfish" will be
playing many cities later this year.
Bob has been working hard on the completion of his studio which is being
christened now by the Grateful Dead. He's also preparing material for his
solo album which will be out in the Summer.
These changes have caused us to make major shifts in our structures, we
employ far fewer people now and do everything as economically as possible;
including the operating of this communication network. While we can't handle
things as personally as before, we will keep in touch somewhat regularly
using the magic of computerization. We'll also make available, at a reasonable
price, the stuff you most often request.
The Grateful Dead record being worked on now is planned to take a longer
time than usual so that these additional activities can have the attention
they need and so that fresh input to the Dead can result in ? ? ? ? ? ?
Grateful Dead Records
P, S. If you change address, we need the old and the new.
[Link to Round Records Mailer]
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