It will be six years this spring since this blog first appeared. It has been up, down and at times, on vacation several times during this period. Due to mainly to the issue of time, as well as a growing weariness of blogging in general, this is the final post on Heavy Tweed Jacket.
When HTJ began, there was a small group of bloggers with similar interests. Some of them are still blogging and some seem to have retired from the pursuit. We all have our favorites, and among mine (in no particular order) are: Longwing, Maxminimus, Tucker, The Trad, Ethandesu, The Glengarry Sporting Club, To the Manor Born, The Epic, Laguna Beach Fogey (Admiral Cod), Sartre, Coiled Pleasures, An Affordable Wardrobe, A Suitable Wardrobe, The Daily Prep, Luciano Barbera, Mon Avis Mes Amis, Bulldog, Grosgain Garage, A Continuous Lean, nadsat, and A Trip Down South. Some of these blogs began earlier than others. Some are highly personal, some have an inherent commercial interest. Some are very regional. Some have carried on longer than others. Some are defunct. However, each has helped the conversation along with voices that are unique, and at times, urgent and challenging.
There have also been a number of loyal readers who have also contributed to this endeavor, and their comments and criticism have helped this blog immeasurably. I cannot name them all here, but please know that I have appreciated all those who have taken time out to compose and make comments on this blog. The platform that Blogger provides is one that encourages conversation and I think that the quality of blogging is better for it. Thank you.
Which brings me to the topic of Tumblr and the issue of social media. When I began blogging, though Tumblr existed, it had not really not caught on yet. Tumblr is a fine medium for the sharing of images and video. It is not, however, a medium that encourages overt conversation. The images (words, photos & video) become the conversation. In this aspect, Blogger far exceeds Tumblr in the creation of conversation and dialog.
It has been said that life is local and home is where you live. This is very apparent as bloggers often celebrate the regions and areas where they live. However, what I have found fascinating is the international aspect of blogging that brings people and ideas together from around the globe. Over the years, it has been humbling to look at the statistical information about this blog and see that people from all over the world have been kind enough to visit and share their experiences and ideas. I have always written in English and assumed an English readership, but there are other bloggers who have provided translation options for their blogs. If my not having done that has been inconvenient, I sincerely apologize. A global conversation is one of the wonderful benefits of this form of media.
Finally, this blog has always also had a Grateful Dead connection. I was tempted to suggest listening to the song 'He's Gone', but that seemed a bit melodramatic. Given the global reality of blogging and the interest that people have been kind enough to show towards this blog, perhaps the song 'Eyes of the World' is more fitting. Now, there are plenty of opinions about best versions, but I'll give links to some of my favorite shows that can be listened to on The Internet Archive.
2.19.73 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL. Phil Lesh's opening comments are classic. Heavy chill happening' on He's Gone, and excellent versions of Truckin'>The Other One>(a very nice) Eyes of the World>China Doll.
6.10.73 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. The show begins with Morning Dew so you know it's going to be good. This is a long show. Eyes of the World begins the second set from a cold start, and it's a corker. I just listened to this in the car again today and reconfirmed that is a stone cold classic. If you have the stamina, the long sequence of Dark Star>He's Gone>Wharf Rat>Truckin'>Sugar Magnolia is commendable.
6.9.76 Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA An a-mazing show that starts with a nice Cold, Rain and Snow, always a portent of good things to come. From Saint Stephen onward it is simply tremendous. Eyes!
5.15.77 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO The whole darned show, but just give Estimated>Eyes a listen. From 5:45 onward Estimated is pure Jerry. This was the first time that Estimated was jammed into Eyes. They nailed it.
1.17.79 Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT This show was a reschedule of the cancelled 11.25.78 show. The cancellation announcement is classic. Steve Rolfe's audience recording is Magisterial - no exaggeration. Very few audience recordings reach this quality. HTJ's picks are Shakedown Street, Stagger Lee, Scarlet Begonias>Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet>Eyes of the World.
I have learned a great deal from researching, writing and posting on this blog. It might have ended sooner were it not for wanting to do the last two posts on The Pink Shirt for Women and Brookscloth. Ironically, HTJ will stay up over on Tumblr for the time being. Thank you for six years of Heavy Tweed Jacket.
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When HTJ began, there was a small group of bloggers with similar interests. Some of them are still blogging and some seem to have retired from the pursuit. We all have our favorites, and among mine (in no particular order) are: Longwing, Maxminimus, Tucker, The Trad, Ethandesu, The Glengarry Sporting Club, To the Manor Born, The Epic, Laguna Beach Fogey (Admiral Cod), Sartre, Coiled Pleasures, An Affordable Wardrobe, A Suitable Wardrobe, The Daily Prep, Luciano Barbera, Mon Avis Mes Amis, Bulldog, Grosgain Garage, A Continuous Lean, nadsat, and A Trip Down South. Some of these blogs began earlier than others. Some are highly personal, some have an inherent commercial interest. Some are very regional. Some have carried on longer than others. Some are defunct. However, each has helped the conversation along with voices that are unique, and at times, urgent and challenging.
There have also been a number of loyal readers who have also contributed to this endeavor, and their comments and criticism have helped this blog immeasurably. I cannot name them all here, but please know that I have appreciated all those who have taken time out to compose and make comments on this blog. The platform that Blogger provides is one that encourages conversation and I think that the quality of blogging is better for it. Thank you.
Which brings me to the topic of Tumblr and the issue of social media. When I began blogging, though Tumblr existed, it had not really not caught on yet. Tumblr is a fine medium for the sharing of images and video. It is not, however, a medium that encourages overt conversation. The images (words, photos & video) become the conversation. In this aspect, Blogger far exceeds Tumblr in the creation of conversation and dialog.
It has been said that life is local and home is where you live. This is very apparent as bloggers often celebrate the regions and areas where they live. However, what I have found fascinating is the international aspect of blogging that brings people and ideas together from around the globe. Over the years, it has been humbling to look at the statistical information about this blog and see that people from all over the world have been kind enough to visit and share their experiences and ideas. I have always written in English and assumed an English readership, but there are other bloggers who have provided translation options for their blogs. If my not having done that has been inconvenient, I sincerely apologize. A global conversation is one of the wonderful benefits of this form of media.
Finally, this blog has always also had a Grateful Dead connection. I was tempted to suggest listening to the song 'He's Gone', but that seemed a bit melodramatic. Given the global reality of blogging and the interest that people have been kind enough to show towards this blog, perhaps the song 'Eyes of the World' is more fitting. Now, there are plenty of opinions about best versions, but I'll give links to some of my favorite shows that can be listened to on The Internet Archive.
2.19.73 International Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL. Phil Lesh's opening comments are classic. Heavy chill happening' on He's Gone, and excellent versions of Truckin'>The Other One>(a very nice) Eyes of the World>China Doll.
6.10.73 RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. The show begins with Morning Dew so you know it's going to be good. This is a long show. Eyes of the World begins the second set from a cold start, and it's a corker. I just listened to this in the car again today and reconfirmed that is a stone cold classic. If you have the stamina, the long sequence of Dark Star>He's Gone>Wharf Rat>Truckin'>Sugar Magnolia is commendable.
6.9.76 Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA An a-mazing show that starts with a nice Cold, Rain and Snow, always a portent of good things to come. From Saint Stephen onward it is simply tremendous. Eyes!
5.15.77 St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO The whole darned show, but just give Estimated>Eyes a listen. From 5:45 onward Estimated is pure Jerry. This was the first time that Estimated was jammed into Eyes. They nailed it.
1.17.79 Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT This show was a reschedule of the cancelled 11.25.78 show. The cancellation announcement is classic. Steve Rolfe's audience recording is Magisterial - no exaggeration. Very few audience recordings reach this quality. HTJ's picks are Shakedown Street, Stagger Lee, Scarlet Begonias>Fire on the Mountain, Estimated Prophet>Eyes of the World.
I have learned a great deal from researching, writing and posting on this blog. It might have ended sooner were it not for wanting to do the last two posts on The Pink Shirt for Women and Brookscloth. Ironically, HTJ will stay up over on Tumblr for the time being. Thank you for six years of Heavy Tweed Jacket.
