In light of the election this week, which seemingly favors self interest over the greater good of negotiation and collaboration, let's take a minute to revisit the Grateful Dead's "all for one and one for all" spirit of cooperation. Aside from the taping that they allowed their fans to do, which served to create a tribal audience sharing shows with each other, they branded their merchandise with an incredible eye. They created a series of logos that were unmistakable icons. They virtually invented viral marketing, and all this happened before the advent of the internet. Plus, they took care of their co-workers with health care, insurance, retirement, and college plans for their offspring; a very enlightened way to profit share. At its height, the Grateful Dead employed 80 people, and they all stayed on the payroll between tours. And for as hippy dippy as they appeared, they had a board of directors with rotating CEOs. All of their papers, letters from fans, and other documents and artifacts will be on display, as The Grateful Dead Archive is opening at the University of California Santa Cruz. That might just call for another trip out west!
7 Walkers is the new project from an amazing aggregation of seemingly disparate musical influences: solid as a rock Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, swampy voodoo guitarist Papa Mali, George Porter Jr. from the Meters and Matt Hubbard of Fastball and Willie Nelson's band. No Depression notes, "7 Walkers self-titled debut is the best studio album featuring a member of the Grateful Dead since American Beauty was released in 1970…it’s an album of instant classics that will have enduring appeal..." Bill Kreutzman's mother was raised in the Cresent City, and Shreveport's Papa Mali made frequent trips there growing up, so this album is a self-proclaimed "open love letter" to the city of New Orleans. It features some newly penned tunes from Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead and Bob Dylan lyricist) that were co-written with the band, and there is also a guest performance by Willie Nelson on "King Cotton Blues." Listen for some kickin' instrumentals, too. The end result is a funky collection that melds into a unique collaboration. Make sure you check their website for tour dates. Meanwhile, here is a promo video on the making of the album.
- Jessie Scott
