Poster: enjoy every (dead) sandwich Date: Mar 26, 2016 11:22am Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Guide To The Feelin' Groovy Jam

The first Feelin' Groovy Jam appeared in a Dark Star on 9/26/69, less than a month after the first Tighten Up Jam which was on 8/30/69. The Feelin' Groovy Jam has been named by Deadheads who recognized the tune of the jam from the Simon and Garfunkel song "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)." The jam can be distinguished by 4 descending chords that Weir strums or the similar descending notes from Phil. One example of these chords played by Weir can be found 16 minutes into the Dark Star from 9/19/70. A pronounced example of Phil's Feelin' Groovy notes occurs on 5/25/72 at about 21 minutes into Dark Star. At first, the Feelin' Groovy Jam was only found in Dark Stars. There were many distinct Feelin' Groovy Jams in Dark Stars from the first one on 9/26/69 to the last on 11/26/72. The Feelin' Groovy Jam usually occurred after a space portion and "would emerge, like bright joy after the darkness" (Light Into Ashes, "The Dead's Early Thematic Jams"). After 1972, the Feelin' Groovy Jam was no longer played in Dark Stars and was reallocated to the jam between China Cat Sunflower and I Know You Rider. The Dead played this China>Rider transition steadily from 3/16/73 to 10/20/74. After 1974, the Dead not only dropped this transition, they dropped China>Rider from their repertoire altogether. China>Rider was brought back on 12/29/77; a poster on Heady Version exclaims "First ChinaCat in 3 years and the boys come out hungry with it." There are a few other random Feelin' Groovy Jams from the Dead including one from 3/31/73 between The Other One>I Know You Rider. Also, there is a fragment of the show from 2/24/73, sometimes mislabeled as Truckin' Jam>Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam, which is actually a jam out of Eyes of the World and into Sugar Magnolia. This extraordinary Feelin' Groovy Jam can be found on the 30 Days of Dead 2012 release as "Jam>Bass>Sugar Magnolia". Another place the Feelin' Groovy appeared was on 10/2/72 in the last "Jam" of Truckin'>Nobody's Fault But Mine Jam>Drums>Jam starting around 3:20. I'm sure there are more Feelin' Groovy Jams out there that I am unaware of.Feelin' Groovy Jams in Dark Star:9/26/69- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (11:00-14:00)3 minutesThis Feelin' Groovy Jam is only found on a very poor quality audience recording, but it elicits cheers from the crowd.10/25/69- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (12:30-17:30)5 minutesThe band sort of tip toes into this Feelin' Groovy, eventually coalescing around the chords about a minute into the jam. They take their time with this one and stretch it about 5 minutes which makes it one of the longest Feelin' Groovy Jams found in a Dark Star. Jerry's playing at 15 minutes is absolutely stratospheric. Overall, this is a stunning yet pretty laid back Feelin' Groovy Jam.11/2/69- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (19:00-22:25)3 minutes 25 secondsTU (22:26-25:00)This one of the several occasions that both the Feelin' Groovy and the Tighten Up Jams are played in the same Dark Star. In this case, as sort of a preview to 1/2/70, the Dead jams the Feelin' Groovy tune before unwinding a full Tighten Up Jam. The beginning of the "Beginnings" Jam (aka Tighten Up aka Soulful Strut) at 22:26 is completely unexpected but certainly welcomed.11/7/69- Dark Star>UJB Jam>Dark Star>The Other OneFG (16:40-17:40)1 minuteThis Dark Star not only includes a brief Feelin' Groovy Jam but also a rare Uncle John's Band Jam. This Dark Star has the same components as the one from the next night just in a different order. It's interesting that the band played UJB Jams on back to back nights and didn't explore it much beyond that.11/8/69- Dark Star>TOO>Dark Star>UJB Jam>Dark StarFG (12:45-14:00)1 minute 15 secondsThis Feelin' Groovy Jam from Dick's Picks 16 stomps into The Other One before winding back into Dark Star, veering into Uncle John's Band before ending on Dark Star one last time. This sandwich of songs highlights the differences between the Feelin' Groovy chords and the Uncle John's Band chords. This happens to be one of the only occurrences of an Uncle John's Band Jam in a Dark Star.12/11/69- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (11:00-15:00)4 minutesThis is a beautiful Feelin' Groovy Jam within a very nice Dark Star.12/26/69- Dark StarFG (16:30-21:00)4 minutes 30 secondsPhil rips through the first half of the jam (especially listen at 17:30) before Jerry takes off around 17:50. It's too bad the 2nd verse lyrics are cut; a full recording would have made this an even more beautiful stand-alone Dark Star.12/30/69- Dark Star>Alligator>Drums>The Eleven>Bid You Goodnight Jam>Alligator RepriseFG (16:30-18:45)2 minutes 15 secondsThe beginning of this Feelin' Groovy Jam is particularly delicate and slowly unfolds. This is an incredible suite and an incredible way to end a show! Unfortunately there is a significant chunk missing between Dark Star and Alligator.1/2/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (18:45-22:45)4 minutesTU (22:46-28:00)This is 11/2/69's big brother jam with Feelin' Groovy and Tighten Up Jams played back to back. Perhaps the fierce playing on this Star from 1/2/70 tips it off as a Fillmore East performance, the New York crowds were demanding the very best out of the boys tonight. Once again, the Tighten Up Jam comes out of nowhere and Jerry shows off his virtuosity in one of the most kick ass jams ever.1/17/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>Mason's ChildrenFG (12:50-15:00)They go absolutely ripping into this one at full speed before bringing it back soon after. It seems as if they stray pretty far from Feelin' Groovy until 13:50 when they almost start it over. Just saying, Billy is throwing down some serious grooves here. A very high energy Dark Star with a unique Feelin' Groovy Jam.2/2/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>Mason's ChildrenFG (12:48-14:00)1 minute 12 secondsOne significant aspect of this date is, I believe, the only St. Stephen into Mason's Children. Some people detect a Tighten Up Jam before the Feelin' Groovy but I just hear some heavy chord work from Weir before they eventually pick up on Feelin' Groovy. Almost as soon as the Feelin' Groovy begins, they are back in the Dark Star jam.2/8/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>Not Fade Away>St. StephenFG (22:30-24:00)1 minute 30 secondsI remembered reading about one being "an afterthought" but I just couldn't find the source anywhere, thanks LiA. This very brief Feelin' Groovy does indeed seem like an afterthought especially after the very hot post-space jam. Phil's walking bass line at 18:30 is very nice too. I can't help from mentioning that this Star lacks in sound quality a bit. Amazingly on the source that I am listening to there is a shift in sound quality almost right on the Feelin' Groovy Jam. I love hearing the roar from the crowd when they start this jam, the crowd at the Fillmore West clearly digging it.2/13/70- Dark Star>The Other OneFG (18:20-21:00)2 minutes 40 secondsThis Dark Star has been immortalized by Dick's Picks 4, rightfully so with one of the best examples of the Feelin' Groovy Jam. Jerry's solo is slower here and sounds a little more purposeful than noodle-y. I particularly enjoy Phil's sort of walking bass line through this jam.3/24/70- Dark Star>The Other One>St. Stephen>Not Fade AwayFG (9:25-10:45)1 minute 20 secondsThis is a very brief Dark Star timing in at only 13 minutes 49 seconds. However, this Star makes up for its brevity by being totally jam packed. This is a really great suite and a nice glimpse of a Feelin' Groovy Jam.4/24/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>The ElevenFG (13:00-14:14)1 minute 14 secondsTU (14:15-18:00)A really nice audience recording highlights this stunning Feelin' Groovy Jam. Perhaps actually beginning around 12:30 with Phil, the whole band joins at 13 minutes. The jam suddenly shifts into a Tighten Up Jam around 14:15. Upon first listening, I suspect this Dark Star to become another one of my favorites of the year. Jerry's tone is reminiscent of 9/19/70; I wondered if Jerry could be using a wah wah pedal.5/8/70- Dark Star>Dancing In The StreetTU (13:30-16:00)2 minutes 30 secondsFG (16:00-17:30)1 minute 30 secondsThe sound quality of this recording is "unbearable" and "horrifyingly bad" and "recorded from a mic encased within a tin can" according to a couple reviews. However, you can tell that this was an incredible, intense Dark Star. I can hardly imagine what Jerry's licks from 14:00-14:30 would sound like if we had a nice recording. Actually, the first portion of the jam sounds a lot more like a Tighten Up Jam. The timing of this Feelin' Groovy Jam is difficult to pinpoint but I recommend giving this a listen if you are at all curious. You will be rewarded for forgiving ears! This Dark Star>Dancing is certainly a highlight of 1970.5/15/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>Not Fade AwayFG (15:00-17:00)2 minutesAnother from the Fillmore East, Weir's rhythm guitar shines in this Feelin' Groovy Jam. Jerry's guitar sounds somewhat subdued here, which isn't to say he doesn't find some sweet notes to play. This is sort of a fleeting Feelin' Groovy Jam that quickly turns into the 2nd verse theme.9/19/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>Not Fade AwayFG (15:58-18:00)2 minutes 2 secondsThis Feelin' Groovy begins with a cowbell countdown that will surely leave you yelling "more cowbell!" It sounds like Jerry is utilizing the wah wah pedal (?) at the beginning of the jam which gives it an almost underwater like sound. While the Feelin' Groovy Jam may only technically last until 18:00, the band gets a second wind around 19:00 and builds to another huge peak. Jerry rides in from space at 19:45 with some beautifully placed high notes. I recommend you keep this one playing all the way through the excellent St. Stephen and Not Fade Away, notable for its Darkness and China Cat Jams.11/5/70- Dark Star>St. Stephen>NFA>GDTRFBFG (16:30-18:30)2 minutesThis is an amazing and very upbeat Feelin' Groovy Jam. Jerry is particularly on fire here. Deadlists claims that this is "the deep space Dark Star of the year" and I couldn't agree more. The Feelin' Groovy Jam here provides the perfect release after a pretty scary ride.7/31/71- Dark Star>Bird SongFG (15:00-16:30)1 minute 30 secondsThis is an interesting first set Dark Star from a year with only a dozen Dark Stars. Already at 15:41, almost as soon as the jam begins, Jerry is playing high notes that seem like comets shooting from outer space. After a few months since playing Dark Star, the band is on another level here. If 10/31/71 wasn't so damn good this might be my favorite Dark Star of 1971.10/21/71- Dark Star>Sittin' On Top Of The World> Dark StarFG (12:30-14:00)1 minute 30 secondsI am not a big fan of this Feelin' Groovy Jam. Keith is a brand new member of the band and it shows. He bangs on the keys of his piano throughout the whole thing. If you can get past this setback, this is a very fast paced Feelin' Groovy which is the climax to an average Dark Star.10/24/71- Dark Star>Me and Bobby McGeeFG (13:00-14:00)1 minuteThis Feelin' Groovy may be the most upbeat one yet, it really seems like the band gets a running start for this one. It's not really a full blown Feelin' Groovy but it's definitely more than a tease.3/23/72- Dark StarUnique Jam (15:00-16:00)FG (16:00-20:30)4 minutes 30 secondsI hesitate to call this a Feelin' Groovy Jam because it is so unique. Light Into Ashes included this Dark Star in his "1972 Melodic Jams" article and wrote, "Kicked off by Phil, this goes through several phases, including a Feelin’ Groovy and a country-picking Sugar Magnolia-type finish before returning to the Dark Star theme at 20:50." The minute preceding the Feelin' Groovy Jam is a very interesting and unique Latin-style jam. Then Jerry latches onto a riff at 16:25 and takes it for multiple rides. At 17 minutes the whole band gathers around the Feelin' Groovy and it takes off. At 19:40 Jerry throws down some country-ish licks and the feeling is almost more I Know You Rider or Sugar Magnolia than Dark Star. Listen for Weir tease China Cat at 20:24. The top note from Jerry at 20:48 immediately evokes Dark Star. This is a seamless transition into the closing theme and second verse.4/14/72- Dark Star>Sugar MagnoliaFG (21:40-24:00)2 minutes 20 seconds1972 is indeed a year known for Dark Stars, however they largely drop the Feelin' Groovy as one of the structural poles from which they base their jams. Feelin' Groovy would show up a few times within a spirited jam but I don't think the band ever expected to end up there. The range of diverse Dark Stars from this era is evidence of this. With that being said, this is one of my favorite examples of the Feelin' Groovy Jam because of its exuberance and energy. The band seems surprised and excited by this jam.4/29/72- Dark Star>Sugar MagnoliaFG (6:30-8:30)2 minutesThis unusual appearance occurs only 6 minutes or so into Dark Star. The famous Dark Star document found here, http://www.shallwego.net/deadlists/darkstar.htm , has this Dark Star listed as a Ferox version, meaning it is markedly more fierce and intense than other Dark Stars. I would say this is accurate. The band works itself into such a tizzy during the first 5 minutes that they take off on a Feelin' Groovy jam! I would imagine this would have a certain impact on the way the rest of this Dark Star went, they definitely couldn't drop a Feelin' Groovy in at the end to redeem themselves. They truly explore their musical boundaries during this incredible Dark Star.5/4/72- Dark Star>Sugar MagnoliaFG (9:50-12:00)2 minutes 10 secondsLight Into Ashes points out a "shorter semi-structured jam" beginning at "7 minutes after the drum solo" precedes the Feelin' Groovy Jam which Phil doesn't begin until 9:50. I especially enjoy the violin sounds Jerry's guitar makes at about 9:40 just before a little glissando-like lick at 9:53 when the Feelin' Groovy Jam is initiated.5/25/72- Uncle John's Band>Wharf Rat>Dark Star>Sugar MagnoliaFG (20:30-24:30)4 minutesThis is one of my favorite Dead sandwiches ever, one I will enjoy many, many times. The Dead's website explains that this is one of the rare shows with 3 Jerry sung songs in a row. This Feelin' Groovy Jam is a rolling rendition with many peaks. As one of the longest Feelin' Groovy Jams, this one goes through several stages. The peak starting at 22 minutes is absolutely sublime. This is another very unique and exhilarating Dark Star from 1972. My favorite lick from this jam has to be Jerry at 22:44, it's just awesome.10/18/72- Playin' In The Band>Dark Star>Morning Dew>Playin'FG (25:30-28:30)3 minutesA Phil solo precedes the Feelin' Groovy Jam here with the whole band catching up around 24 minutes. Recommended to me by Old_NJ_Head_Zimmer, this Feelin' Groovy Jam has become one of my favorites. The jam starts off pretty delicately with Phil bouncing along. The jam really seems to take off around 26:30. The transition into Morning Dew is stunning, as well as the juxtaposition of the happy, Feelin' Groovy Jam and Morning Dew.11/13/72- Dark Star>Morning DewFG (30:00-32:00)2 minutesAnother Feelin' Groovy Jam that follows a Phil solo. This Feelin' Groovy Jam is played at a very fast tempo and blazes along until they segue into Morning Dew. Jerry's certainly playing twice as fast in this jam, along with everyone else in the band.11/26/72- Dark Star>Me and Bobby McGeeFG (18:30-20:30)2 minutesThe last Feelin' Groovy Jam in a Dark Star. Yet another Dark Star with a Phil solo, this is perhaps the most melodic Phil solo I can think of. Weir's chords are added in next, Jerry can be heard in the distance before he finally soars in around 17:45. Weir's chords at 18:00 are killer. Jerry's tone is haunting. Overall a stunning end to the Dead's exploration of the Feelin' Groovy Jam in Dark Star.It was my intention with this post to synthesize the information on the Feelin' Groovy Jam that I have found around the web. Light Into Ash's website has been an invaluable resource for me and his write up on the Feelin' Groovy Jam is extremely well thought out. However, I wanted to condense the information I have read from all different sources in order to keep it all straight in my head. I enjoy simply listening to the music but I like to try and make sense of the music as well. I think this post could essentially be a one-stop shop for people looking up the Feelin' Groovy Jam. The information provided here along with all of your comments, and of course corrections, could be a very useful resource.I would love to read any description of a Dark Star on this list, or not on the list, and also learn about any new Feelin' Groovy Jams. I am also wondering if anyone has any issue with the timings I gave the jams, I feel like it is somewhat subjective but maybe someone else has a better way of distinguishing the jams.What's your favorite Dark Star? Favorite Feelin' Groovy? Favorite China>Rider? What makes it special to you? Also, do you know of any other "three Jerry songs in a row" examples?Sources:This post was modified by enjoy every (dead) sandwich on 2016-03-03 05:08:29This post was modified by enjoy every (dead) sandwich on 2016-03-26 18:22:02