MLK continuing to call out Worcester’s political establishment from beyond the grave every damn day. In 1961 he spoke at Temple Emanuel right here in Worcester and called out both the cowardly rush to hide behind the “moderate” position and the northern liberal’s willfully obtuse view of the world, in which social problems are something that exist elsewhere. Not here, surely.
In case you missed it, my reporting on the fact Worcester has $15 million invested in ICE’s forced removal operation: Tangled Up In Ice
We wrap with an extended discussion of the Dead, this being the first time we’ve been able to talk about the late, great Bob Weir with the mics running. RIP to the Other One, up there in Rosa’s Cantina in the sky.
If you appreciate what we’re doing here, it’s on you to keep us in business. This podcast and this outlet in general are 100 percent reader funded. There are three main ways to help: Subscribe / Tips / Merch Store.
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And don’t forget what I mentioned at the beginning of the show: We’ll be at the Framingham Public Library next Thursday, Jan. 29, giving a free talk about mutual aid. It starts at 7 p.m. More details here.
Some other links from the show:
“Are You Afraid Now?” (You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof)
That time the city council forced the Grateful Dead out of town
“In all, 102 Deadheads were arrested for a variety of mostly nonviolent infractions including vagrancy, loitering and possession of LSD and other hallucinogenic drugs.
Worse, though, were the piles of trash and waste left in the wake of the city-hopping hippie hordes who camped in public parks and vacant lots downtown”
Playing In The Band, and Bobby Weir
The Pizza Tapes
Chris’ favorite Grateful Dead song: “Crazy Fingers” (hilariously this version is from Foxboro in 1989, the year after reactionary leadership in Worcester caused them to stop playing here). Most people would not consider this a “Bobby song” but I think it’s a perfect example of Bobby setting the table for Jerry and the rest of the band. I also love Crazy Fingers because it’s not “about” anything. It’s really just a collection of poetic vignettes that work together.
Also, if you want to hear the Dead played by some of your favorite contemporary artists, “Day Of The Dead” is kinda mind-blowing. (Spotify link because that was the easiest place to find it assembled). Everybody from The War On Drugs to Bruce Hornsby to Courtney Barnett to Kurt Vile to Bela Fleck to to Marijauana Death Squads to Lucinda Willims to The Flaming Lips is on it. Bob Weir does “St. Stephen” with Wilco, and “I Know You Rider” with The National. A real testament to your music is the people who will show up to cover it.
Bill’s favorite Grateful Dead song: “Wharf Rat” or “Terrapin Station” depending on the day
Intro by Bill Shaner
Outro: “Playing In The Band” Live in Jersey City, NJ, 9/28/72
