All the Years Combine: The Grateful Dead in Fifty Shows by Ray Robertson
A Non-Fiction Review by Shannon MacLeod
From the Grateful Dead’s early performances from the late 1960s up until Jerry Garcia’s final concert in 1995, author Ray Robertson takes the reader through a journey of 50 iconic Grateful Dead shows, highlighting the nuances of each performance. The reader sees how the band evolved from its bluegrass and bluesy beginnings to its 40-minute jams, the Wall of Sound era, and into the rock and roll era over their 30 years spent touring. 1
“Robertson has compiled a huge amount of information, including bits of humour, and criticism.”
The Grateful Dead toured extensively and famously allowed – even encouraged – fans (Dead Heads) to record their shows, resulting in an extensive vault of recordings.
A Dead Head himself, Robertson takes the reader through the 50 shows and highlights each show’s uniqueness. The book is a testament to the range and ability the band showcased. Each performance was a different show from one night to the next, even if the setlists were similar.
Health issues through 1971 plagued founding member and keyboardist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, who was less of a presence as he battled liver disease following years of alcohol abuse. Pigpen died in 1973, another member of the 27 Club, and at the time, there was a question of whether the band would go on without him, but they did in the form of Keith and Donna Godchaux. Keith, a classically trained pianist and Donna, a powerhouse session singer, changed the band's sound for the better part of the 1970s.
Ultimately, a life on the road led Keith and Donna to decide to leave the band behind. They had a young son, and Keith battled addictions, so they called it quits in 1979. Robertson outlines how, when faced with losing another keyboardist, this time there was no question – the band carried on with Brent Mydland (this reviewer’s favourite keyboardist) on keys.
One of the more memorable parts of All the Years Combine, for me, was the stories from the 5/21/74 show at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, University of Washington, Seattle WA show, Robertson begins by saying the audience “…came to hear the band, they came to see the Wall of Sound, they got what they came for.” (Page 122 of advanced reading copy). That show ended with Sugar Magnolia, and Robertson paints a picture I can see clearly in my mind when I read it:
“And when they slide into ‘Sugar Magnolia’ – Garcia blasting out sunshine-daydream sunbeams from start to finish – it’s time to be happy and alive. Which was something else the audience came for. And got.” (Page 125 of advanced reading copy).
All the Years Combine is a superb book for a Dead Head. If you’re not well-versed in the renowned history of the Grateful Dead, you might not ‘get’ this book. Robertson has compiled a huge amount of information, including bits of humour, and criticism.
About the Author
Ray Robertson is the author of nine novels, five collections of non-fiction, and a book of poetry. His work has been translated into several languages. He contributed the liner notes to two Grateful Dead archival releases: Dave’s Picks #45 and the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 box set. Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, he lives in Toronto.
About the Contributor
Heather McBriarty is an author, lecturer and Medical Radiation Technologist based in Saint John, NB. Her love of reading and books began early in life, as did her love of writing, but the discovery of old family correspondence led to her first non-fiction book, Somewhere in Flanders: Letters from the Front, and a passion for the First World War. She has delivered lectures to the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, NB Genealogy Society, and Western Front Association (Central Ontario Branch), among others, on the war. Heather’s first novel of the “Great War”, Amid the Splintered Trees, was launched in November 2021.
Book Details
Publisher : Biblioasis (Nov. 7 2023)
Language : English
Paperback : 240 pages
ISBN-10 : 1771965703
ISBN-13 : 978-1771965705
This review was previously published elsewhere and is reposted here with their permission.