6 December 2009 Dead but not forgotten

In our living room, the television is silent and the stereo is reproducing a Grateful Dead 2nd set recorded 1-26-1993 at the Oakland Coliseum. This is one of my favorite shows although 1993 shows in general are not well regarded by hard-core Dead Head taper-traders. Musically it is well played but not spectacular. It was the third of three shows in the 1993 Chinese New Year run. I recognize its lack of acclaim but still enjoy it. The ’93 Chinese New Year’s shows were the first shows Gloria and I had tickets for together.

We’d met at the airport in Memphis and flown to San Francisco together. We had a wonderful week there in San Francisco, getting to know each other better and falling more deeply into love with each other.

The Grateful Dead were the common link that first brought us together in an on-line location where we noticed each other. Behind that, our common ages, professions, religion, and other factors refined and tightened the connection that led to our marriage. We were able to attend five shows together and we wouldn’t have missed any of them. Of course we have many more shows on tape of CD that have arrived at our door by means of trade or gift. The band really died with Jerry Garcia but remnants continue to make music. We listen to them at least once a week. 2nd sets seem to be of optimal length and construction to play as accompaniment to one of our favorite amusements.

Musicians, those who learn their art well and share it with the portion of the music world that enjoys what they play, earn a special sort of immortality. Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Hayden, Armstrong, Goodman, Shaw, and a host of others who left the sounds they could hear better than anyone else behind them in score or on record deservedly live long after their corporeal form is dust.

Also dead, but not forgotten, one of the better television shows of the last decade, “Monk.” Tony Shaloub’s portrayal of an obsessive-compulsive former detective, devastated by the murder of his wife and his subsequent mental breakdown that resulted in his dismissal from the force, was spectacular at the least. The series ended Friday night. We watched the final episode last night after dinner. Shaloub took the part and made it distinctly his as did Peter Sellers with Clouseau. Randy Newman wrote the theme song for the show, one of the few themes I could really enjoy hearing week after week. And in excellent follow-up, Newman wrote “When I’m gone” as the audio portion of the final scenes in the episode.

Indeed, I will miss “Monk” greatly. Some actors can’t fill the everyman role well. Others find one role and it fits them like a glove. Shaloub was Monk. I can’t see anyone else playing the part, just as no one could replace Sellars as Clouseau. James Garner found such a role as “Rockford.”

Since “Monk” is already playing in syndication, I suppose I could watch re-runs. I doubt that I will.

I took 45 photos this morning as the sun began cresting the eastern valley wall. I was hoping to catch the brilliance and reflection of the sunlight on the heavy snow.