Thursday, June 07, 2007

Special Deadpod interview - Lee Johnson

Hello Friends!
An extra deadpod this week - this is an interview that I had with Lee Johnson, Conductor and composer of Dead Symphony #6.
Mr. Johnson talks about the process of bringing the Grateful Dead into the classical world and about why he thought their work merited being made into a symphony. I've provided several musical samples of the work as well, so you can hear just what a great job he did on this project.
Dead Symphony #6 is available at http://deadsymphony.com

You can hear this special deadpod here:
http://media.libsyn.com/media/deadshow/deadpoddeadsym.mp3

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:30 PM

    This is certainly one of the more interesting ideas I've heard in a long, long time.

    Looking forward to hearing the entire symphony... maybe even live!!

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  2. Can't wait to get my copy. I would have thought you would've asked him about Terrapin Station in that there was an orchestral arrangement done for that (Boston Symphony?). So, it not that new of a concept in that it was touched on a little. Still, the quartet at the end was just great. I just can't wait.

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  3. I have listend to this a few time now. I did like it and as a Dead fan, think it's a must have for the collection. I just wonder why he picked some of the songs on there? I mean, Mountains of the Moon? C'mon, does anyone really need a symphonic version of this song? Seems there were definately some better song choices out there. Would have also like some more upbeat arrangements. By this, I mean bring in the brass, bring in the booming drums...make it inspiring. Look, 10 years he was working on this which is a long, long time. Like I said, I bought my copy and highly recommend it. The China Doll was amazing and worth the price alone.

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  4. Anonymous12:50 PM

    I'm very excited to get my hands on this! Professor always makes great recommendations. Please keep them coming!

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