This mix compiles 18 versions of the Grateful Dead’s “Mind Left Body” jam from 1972-1974 – plus an appendix of 12 later manifestations (1975-1993). These eras are presented as separate mixes.
(This is version two of the mix, including volume and EQ improvements on four tracks.)
1972-1974 MLB MVP goes to Billy. If you could isolate his drums, you would find so many killer samples.
All performances are provided complete. I created jump cuts in some places, but those are at or after the moment when the theme vanished from the jam. (Preferable to constantly fading out as some other theme begins.)
I created sequences for each disc that help create a listening experience with some coherence and flow. Every MLB had its own tempo, vibe, and attack - bursting or emerging out of somewhere else, on its way to somewhere else.
You can also sort all tracks chronologically. The song title format of the mp3 files is: “MLB (YY/MM/DD).” Chronological isn't an ideal, continuous listening experience, IMO, but it enables you to use the mix as an audio reference work.
The standard written reference work on “Mind Left Body” is here. Worth reading all the way to the bottom! I believe I checked out every version noted in the post, and I only omitted the ones that are barely there.
While it is true that most of the post-1974 performances aren’t full MLB Jams, by early Seventies standards, they also have the benefit of doing different things with those four chords. The 12/30/83 > 10/20/84 > 11/29/81 sequence combines into a pretty thrilling jam, for any era, with MLB cropping up in interesting ways.
Two-hour mp3 mix zipped up here
Disc One: 1972-1974 (63 minutes)
- MLB (6/28/74)
- MLB (5/12/74)
- MLB (11/20/73)
- MLB (10/17/74)
- MLB (5/19/74)
- MLB (6/16/74)
- MLB (9/14/74)
- MLB (4/8/72 w/other themes)
- MLB (12/2/73)
- MLB (9/21/73)
- MLB (12/18/73)
- MLB (11/11/73)
- MLB (10/25/73)
- MLB (10/19/73)
- MLB (7/31/74)
- MLB (10/30/73)
- MLB (9/21/72 w/other themes)
- MLB (3/5/72 inside “Good Lovin’”)
Disc Two: 1975-1993 (44 minutes)
- MLB (10/18/78 - w/“Mojo" licks)
- MLB (12/30/83)
- MLB (10/20/84 - w/other themes)
- MLB (11/29/81 - w/other themes)
- MLB (2/28/75 - “Music Never Stopped” rehearsal)
- MLB (7/16/90)
- MLB (3/24/90 - “Mud Love Buddy”)
- MLB (6/8/92 - out of “Corrina”)
- MLB (3/10/93)
- MLB (3/10/85 - AUD)
- MLB (6/4/83 - AUD)
- MLB (9/6/79)