I Wish I was a Headlight on a North-Bound Train, I’d Shine My Light Through That Cool Colorado Rain

Tuesday. Another uneventful day going on here. I put together my pre-upload spreadsheet this morning, which took up the first half of the day, and right now I am going through the customer's schedule-to-pay report to see how much money I can expect (so far) to come in this month. The good news is that I am scheduled to bring in over $358k on one of my problem accounts. The bad news is that on my other big account the customer is only paying $18.60 in aged receivables after assuring me that around $650k was confirmed. Yes, that is eighteen dollars and 60 cents out of $650 thousand. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry at that cruel joke.

Today I listened to Europe '72 by the Grateful Dead on the drive into work today. Ok, I say this just about every time that I do a Phish or Dead review, but it always bears repeating. Yes, I am a Dead fan. No, I don't consider myself a hippie. Yes, I bathe regularly. No, it is not in a lake. Yes, I take care of my hair. No, it is not by twisting it into dreadlocks. Yes, I have a steady, full-time job. No, it is not selling veggie burritos out of the back of my VW bus. Etc, etc.

I say these things not because there's anything inherently wrong with people who fit that description, but because I want everyone to know that this stereotype does not accurately fit the very wide array of Dead fans. I have known Dead fans of all stripes. Yes, I have known and have been good friends with your typical hippie deadhead. I have also known deadheads who are conservative business-types that completely defy the image that first comes to mind when thinking of this band's followers. Neither way is “right” or “wrong.” We're all across the spectrum so don't try to pin us down.

That being said, I do play a mean game of hackeysack, so watch out.

Also, please note that I consider myself a "Dead fan," not a "deadhead." I clarify that difference here.

Anyway, back to Europe '72. I love this double live album (I have it on CD, it was a 3-LP set on vinyl). Listening to this album was my turning point from a just guy who had a few Dead CDs to a true Dead fan. This CD, compiled from 22 concerts performed on their 1972 European tour, is an excellent showcase of the Dead in their prime. I think this is a great transitional album for those who have maybe Skeletons in the Closet or something basic like that and want to hear the true sound of the Grateful Dead. There are a handful of familiar tunes like Truckin' and One More Saturday Night for the beginner but still plenty of good stuff to keep even the most advanced deadhead entertained. The album is incredibly accessible (well, except maybe the super long experimental jam towards the end of disc 2) and for a live recording, the tracks sound extremely crisp and clear. Some of my all-time favorite Dead songs are on this album, including He's Gone, Tennessee Jed, and the fabulous China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider combo. I highly recommend this album for those who want a glimpse into the Grateful Dead deeper than what the often-misleading "best of" collections have to offer. Slip in the disc, burn some incense, eat a veggie burrito, kick back and enjoy...