The Grateful Dead January 1975
Studio Reel only notated as "The First Day"
Ace's, Mill Valley, CA

Source: Studio Reel - Bob Gurman's TDK LX 35/90B @7.5ips
(see photo of actual reel and case included)

Lineage: Studio Master Reel -> ?-> Reel @7.5ips (TEAC A-4010 SL playback)-> Lexicon Lambda-> Logic 24/96 AIFF -> wav conversion to 16bit-44.1k-> xAct -> flac (TRT: 22:12)

Personnel:
Jerry Garcia - lead guitar
Bob Weir - guitar
Keith Godchaux - keyboards
Phil Lesh - bass
Bill Kruetzman - drums
Mickey Hart - drums

1 "The First Day" 22:12

Notes:
This reel contains what I believe to be the first 1975 Grateful Dead studio session, with the musicians recording an embryonic version of the "Blues For Allah" title track. Its also the earliest recording for what would become the "SNACK Jam," that they'd soon begin rehearsing with additional musicians (Ned Lagin, Merle Saunders and David Crosby) the following month.

This is not to be confused with any of the content on those February 1975 SNACK rehearsals for the Kezar Stadium gig, as Crosby and Saunders are not present here. It also does not match any other "Blues For Allah" studio outtakes tapes that I'm aware of. It's questionable whether or not Ned Lagin is present here, but I only hear Keith Godchaux playing electric piano. This leads me to believe that this is just the core band with Mickey Hart back on board. There are no vocals, so Donna Godchaux is not present on this recording.

The reel case only contains the notation "The First Day" and a date of "January." I have a few theories for this notation. It could mean that it was literally the first day of 1975, as in January 1, 1975. I think a more likely theory is that it was simply the first day of 1975 studio sessions sometime in January. Bob Gurman, who I inherited this reel from, thought it was the actual working title of this composition, since it was still an instrumental and prior to Robert Hunter's lyrics being written. I've also speculated that this could have been recorded as a guide reference for the band and additional Kezar musicians prior to those rehearsals. It may also have been recorded for Hunter as a template for writing lyrics. Or some combination of all of these possibilities�

I should also add that I'm aware of another version of this recording. I also have a DAT that I think I received in trade from Steven Martin back in the early 1990s. That contains this same recording, but with it divided into two sequences, with a short break in the middle. On this reel, those two sequences are seamlessly spliced together. Despite this spliced version originating from the same two sequences, the reel sounds significantly better and has considerably more dynamic range than the two sequences found on the DAT.

I've scoured through all known notation for 1975 Grateful Dead studio sessions, outtakes and rehearsals, but can find no mention or match to this particular recording - or of any January 1975 studio recordings for that matter. Surprising, since this is such remarkable quality. It very well may be the earliest recording of the Grateful Dead's return following the 1974 retirement. Have a listen. I don't think anyone will be disappointed. Alan Bershaw - January 2017




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