The Grateful Dead's rugs

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Thursday, April 16. 2009

The Grateful Dead's rugs

The Grateful Dead always performed on Persian carpets. Rug Rag takes a look at what The Dead, as they are now known, walk around on.

And speaking of rugs, here's a 5X6 Bakhtiari "flower bed" design I like. I now must brace myself for the rug expert readers to inform me of everything that is wrong with it...Our rug expert readers must understand that our rugs get rough treatment. They are subject to ice-melting salt, dogs, driveway gravel, work boots, mud, and the occasional spilled glass of red wine. Truly special antique rugs would a shame to use and abuse as we do. New-made rugs? Wouldn't touch 'em. Vulgar, garish-looking junk, most of it, with all the character of a Woolworth's velvet kitten picture.

Posted by Bird Dog in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 19:59 | Comments (9) | Trackbacks (0)

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I'm no rug expert, but this rug I don't like at all. Can't explain why, maybe it's the colors or the design pattern.

How's Mrs BD doing with the shoulder?
I hope you've been picking up the slack, not to mention giving her a foot massage every nite. You big wuss!! : )

#1 jappy on 2009-04-16 20:53 (Reply)

I played in a band growing up and through college. We like to play on oriental or Persian rugs too.

First, the rugs were comfortable to stand on and the fusion jams we played transitioning from song to song (a technique completely inspired by the Dead) were sometimes long. Second, the rugs were sophisticated, intricate and stimulating - both intellectually and emotionally. Third, there was something visually calming about the rugs that was beneficial when playing.

Those were fun days. Now, I jam with my nephews whenever we can. They call the "band" "Me & My Uncle".

#2 Barrett on 2009-04-16 23:29 (Reply)

Nice, Barrett.

#2.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-04-16 23:42 (Reply)

"Me & My Uncle". by
The Flying Burrito Brothers

Damn good band!

#3 RL on 2009-04-17 00:47 (Reply)

The first recording I heard of "Me and My Uncle" was done by Judy Collins In Concert, 1964.

#3.1 Gringo on 2009-04-17 01:27 (Reply)

You're learning.Everything is wrong with it and the treatment you describe is entirely appropriate.And if you really think new rugs are vulgar,garish etc.,you have been looking in the wrong places.
Incidentally,a carpet with this design is known as a 'garden'carpet.Best wishes.

#4 Peter Templeton on 2009-04-17 09:33 (Reply)

Haha.
Thanks, PT. I knew you'd come through! I feel like one of those people who say "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like."

#4.1 bd on 2009-04-17 11:59 (Reply)

Well, I like the rug.

Can't stand wall-to-wall carpet; I can't keep it clean, and it's ugly even when it's new. Give me tile or wood floors with asian rugs any day. When necessary, they can be hauled outside, hung over the porch railing, and cleaned with a garden hose. They're available in prices for every budget, from beer to champagne.

#5 Texan99 on 2009-04-17 15:51 (Reply)

Texan99 ... Oriental rugs are beautiful, especially gently used ones. I love to look at them. But once you pass 75, there are other practical considerations which make wall-to-wall carpeting attractive. If you fall on them [and after age 75, at least in this house, that's a genuine hazard] they can spare you a broken hip. Our carpeting has the very thick padding underneath, and it has spared me at least twice from broken bones. The footing is safe because it is even from room to room without variations in level. And hardwood floors, beautiful as they are, are, well,*hard* when you fall on them. If it comes to a choice of being relatively safe from falls at home or having to move to "a nursing home storage facility," staying in my own home while sacrificing some beauty in my surroundings, home wins out every time.

But I do love Oriental carpets. Or aren't we allowed to call them Oriental carpets any more?

Marianne

#6 Marianne Matthews on 2009-04-18 12:05 (Reply)

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Thursday, April 16. 2009

The Grateful Dead's rugs