Completely Conspicuous 534: In the Dark

I'm joined by guest Phil Stacey as we discuss the Grateful Dead album In the Dark. Show notes: - Recorded via Zoom - We originally planned to do this in early March, but then something happened - In the Dark was released in July 1987, seven years after the last Dead studio album - Phil had just graduated from high school, Jay was going into junior year of college - The band had been playing the songs in concert for years - Jerry Garcia had gone into a diabetic coma in '86 - Had to re-learn how to walk, talk, play guitar - Band was renewed after his recovery - CDs were just starting to get popular - We both didn't get CD players until 1989 - First CDs: Phil's was 10,000 Maniacs, Jay's were Cult, the Who, Joe Jackson - The Best of Steve Miller was a college staple in the '80s - Recorded live in an empty theater - "Touch of Grey" was all over MTV and rock radio that summer - Very catchy single - Phil: Album was breath of fresh air after two disappointing releases - "Touch of Grey" resonated with Boomers as well as younger listeners - New fans were known as "Touch heads" by veteran fans - People were going to Dead shows for the scene, not the music - Released videos for "Hell in a Bucket" and "Throwing Stones" - The one clunker is sung by keyboardist Brent Mydland - Jay: His vocals didn't seem to fit - They ladled on the synths - Phil: Mydland was good at harmonies - Vocals sounded like Kenny Loggins or Bob Seger - Phil: Listening to at least one album he hasn't heard every day - "West LA Fadeaway" may have been inspired by Belushi - Phil gives it a B+ - The success of "Touch of Grey" was so unexpected - Next up: We talk about the last Dead studio album Completely Conspicuous is available through Apple Podcasts and anywhere else you get podcasts. Subscribe and write a review! The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.