Harpist Mikaela Davis covers the song "Bird Song" by Grateful Dead. A big thank you to our Relix Studio Partners, Ernie Ball, Robe Lighting, Audio Technica, Meyer Sound and Welch Tuning Systems!
Kim h. That's a beautiful observation that iam also very shure about Jerry's angels I met bob and jerry in reno when my brother opened the show at a big place named kings castle it was really inspiring I was getting confident on guitar but at 15 I was very shy bob was nice and invitingly asked me cause he knew I was with my big brothers band and couldn't find his room with was right across from there hallway of big rooms Bob's band he had on the side was called kingfish good band david tourburt from new riders of the purple sage so in walks jerry I got asked to jam I took my guitar everywhere no b.s. thay were so kind to me I had long long hair at 15 but I was so nervous then jerry said heay man that was really good you followed the changes so well I was like thanks he said we just wrote that so it was a thing that kept me at it such nice guys to me. I ll never forget him n bob
I am pretty sure I seen her..coming out of the top of his head and his wings once. Not kidding. This song saved my life one time on the Golden Gate Bridge. Not kidding, once again. Thanks for the harp, sister LOVE!!
I'm actually going to see her on 6/4 in a tiny venue (limited capacity of 50 I think) It'll be the 5th time I've seen her here in NY. Always an amazing show
I agree. Its really fantastic to finally hear Phil tones. No one really seems to be able to get there. Same for Jack bass. This is awesome. I love these guys. My 1st time hearing them .
Convert to the Dead that is. I have loved Mikaela and her music from the first time I have heard her in 2011. Love the magic Mikaela brings through her harp. Southern Star also have that magic. They are top notch musicians and all with super listening ears. Let the magic continue for years to come.
This evokes Garcia’s sentiment about people playing their music “Don’t copy me/us, play it the way it sounds and feels to you”. Which is a way of letting the songs take on their own life, just as they did with the Dead. Actually part of the secret sauce to all of this. A truly beautiful “Birdsong”
Yes, a thing bass players never took from Phil is the extreme presence in the mix. We live in a musical culture where bass must be well far off behind because... well, I don't know, reasons? Since he never started as a bass player he never took that aspect and showed the world what bass can do, and honestly, I can't think of another way to enjoy bass. Not even Oteil from D&C ever understood this concept, however, this guy is a fucking beast.
Not only the impeccable (cannot be pecc’d) musicianship, but the sound engineering is also a masterpiece. The layering of the instrument voices is absolutely genius. I wish I had more Deadhead friends to share this with.
@@dwildrover2426 yeah..sorry but completely unimpressed. They seem so forced and his supporting cast doesn't match his musicianship. Again, just my opinion.
That you would call this version the best cover makes no sense. She’s not even singing the actual melody of the frickin song!!!🤦🏻♀️ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Rv4E8ZOaN3Y.html 22:00
The National does an amazing cover of Morning Dew. I actually never even listened to the National before but their cover popped up on my algorithm and is definitely the best on the Day of the Dead cover album which it's on.
The Dead opened up the interstices of the musical imagination for generations evermore. Psychedelic Bach variations for every woman and man. This, my friends, is reincarnation.
That's a real Angel 😇 playing dat dere Harp, what a Great Band of class Musicians, seen Mikaela doin a show with BoB Weir. To be honest this is better. Class Musicians who have mastered their Instruments.
Harp + pedal steel guitar is not a combination I would have ever thought of myself, but it works really, really well here. Also that bass player sounds identical to Phil Lesh!
This is perfect in every way. Not a note is out of place, there is nothing wanting. And I've got a serious case of goosebumps. Bold, beautiful and impeccable.
Billy and the Kids do some special stuff too. Just watched the recent Pier 17 performance where the band was joined by Daniel Donato and Sierra Hull. The Wharf Rat/Franklin's Tower finale is pretty special. This performance, and the audio arrangement, is just spellbinding. It just washes over you like the morning sunrise.
Must be bots giving thumbs down. How could you not love ❤️ this! The bass player shines here. The harp is obviously fantastic. The overall arrangement is inspired. Miss you JJG.
Umm. I fell in love with her after watching for about 15 seconds. Amazing rendition of a great song. What a talented group of musicians and Mikaela is dreamy. Swoon.
If this does not raise some great feelings or vibes from your heart you just don't have one:) Always love the upbeat edge her Harp playing brings to any musicians she is playing with or type of Music. also LOVE passing on G.D. songs like this to people who would have never heard a Dead tune before but then fall in love:) Musicians like these help to spread the good vibes,thanks. "Peace Takes Practice" Rick
This is a wonderful rendition of a beautiful song. The musicianship of all the band is impressive enough but hearing well you completely "get" the Dead lifts it so much higher. I'll be watching this many more times in the future.
this is really beautiful , i see so much misunderstanding with the dead . its like there are the fans then everyone else writes them off like they were a second rate band or something wtf ? an american treasure . i tend to rip on cover bands but , anyone with the balls to cover the dead is the real deal and this is amazing .
Oh, there are so many bad Dead cover acts. It’s a weird set of shoes to fill. With mini generations and true generations of fans (I’ve seen grandparents with grand kids at post Dead member project shows), that’s a lot of varied expectations to (hopefully) meet. Dark Star Orchestra, with an “even the wrong notes and words” ethos was one set...live performance of a historical moment, no changes. I personally like hearing the bands and artists who take a song and bring it along into the future, while honoring its past. I’m wondering what happens when tunes achieve some immortality.
This is so dang good. WOW! I saw them only 5 times and witnessed some magical music but I really didn't get it the first two shows... The coolest part of the first show was getting miracled without even asking one person for a ticket...😎. but it was salt lake city and I wasn't impressed at all... Eventually I saw them in California and it was a totally different animal... I was telling my friend that I wanted to hear He's gone..... and he said that would be awesome but its not very likely cause they don't play it much.... Well they were groovin and first set was awesome ending with yup he's gone.....🙄 😃😃😃 into drums and space......beyond anything that I could have hoped for.... And this woman and the band are channeling that energy! Very nicely done
Yes a treasure. I remember 88 when I was not going to the shows when I suddenly reali,realized, I would be missing out on gold. Glad I went. Life affirming show...always something there
I think most consider them to be one of the most important bands of their time. The major critics usually rate their 60’s to early 70’s albums very highly. Their shows broke boundaries in regards to how they stretched out musically, allowed taping, changed their sets night to night. I think many who aren’t even fans acknowledge them as an important band.
Oh my goodness! Been having a bit of a spring drought here in ND, prayed for rain. The next night, as I was playing guitar along with some of my favorite bands on you tube, the algorithm brought me to this at the same time it started softly snowing rain. Keep playing please!
I have seen a ton of cool stuff in my life, seeing shows at Red Rocks, to the Meadowlands, to New Orleans Jazz Fest, this has to be one of the most amazing Grateful Dead cover songs ever. I've played in and out of bands for 30 years, played a bunch of dead Tunes. Thought I was good. Nope. She takes the cake. The harp is the most amazing instrument, if you are a string player, you can't help but be overwhelmed.
This performance displays the art of collective improvisation at the very highest level; a very rare and outstanding accomplishment. And yet this band also possesses a body of original songs that is equal to this impressive achievement and is of the highest quality both musically and lyrically. As is obvious from this performance, all band members are masters of their instruments and I strongly recommend listeners to explore the full scope of this extraordinary band.
Unless I'm mistaken, and correct me please if I'm wrong, this song originally appeared on Jerry's solo album with Deal, The Wheel, Sugaree etc. Heard the Dead play it live of course, e.g. at Veneta, OR. That concert is on RU-vid.
Phil had a very distinctive sound and the same with his playing hes a fabulous bassist n underrated to many but some people just don't know he was in a lot of great musician famous peoples top rated bass players of all time hes very busy but right in the pocket
Oh yes I forgot mr lesh would use dynamic mechanics of being to play along so well to something hes never heard nor played along with his tone was far more interesting than a rick he had the best sounding bass lines and knew when to switch tones like I said one of the most interesting bassist ever born
Sublime, ethereal, mesmerizing, Beautiful, subtle and divine. I didn’t think anyone would ever match the Branford Marsalis versions he did with the dead but this is on the same level as that. I hesitate to say that one is better than the other because they are both so amazing. Branford playing with the dead on Birdsong was and still is one of the best Grateful Dead live songs ever. To say that this band’s version is on the same level as that is tremendous praise to give to it. As I was listening to it, it reminded me how Plato said that the three main qualities of God are the good, the true and the beautiful… And this version was absolutely beautiful.
Thank you Universe for Jerry Garcia The Grateful Dead Robert Hunter Janis Joplin and this beautiful young woman who is quite really connected to all the universe God bless everyone
Pedal steel player totally nails Jerry's Candyman, New Riders and Teach Your Children era pedal steel tone. Fantastic vocal, bass and rhythm/lead guitar too. Drummer with a nice light touch then opens it up effortlessly. Bass tone reminds me of Jack Casady from earliest Hot Tuna era. Stellar version. Jam sections are sublime.
Yea, verily! I think there is a version by them on RU-vid but the recording quality isn't as good as this recording. Someone did a superb job mic'ing, recording and mixing this audio.
And just like that, it is over. I literally daydreamed about 15 minutes away during this song, and thought, why is it ending so soon? Magnificent version of my favorite Dead Song.
Dam that bass player really has Phils sound! A Rick and Ampeg B15. Who knew! Harp and Pedal Steel are wonderfully trippy, ethereal and cosmic. This is really good!
Well, that was original, Bird Song on a harp. That was great and the best. I like the way the harp sounded natural, like it was meant for the song. Thanx for posting this.
great comment . . . the Dead are the only reason I became addicted to playing guitar at age 54, after having not played for almost 30 years . . . it's the space between the notes, inside the chords . . . they're endless
