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  • mkav
    Joined:
    Sphere and other stuff

    Hey Graceful...congratulations on the contract offer. I can't wait to read the final product.

    I read an interview with Weir in which he envisioned the artists being able to control the visuals somehow, with real-time interaction. I won't pretend to understand the technology, but neither will I underestimate it. I'm sure it will happen.

    You made an astute observation about the shows. We, and most people in our section, were watching the screen more than we watched the stage. Often, the stage was projected onto the screen. Imagine Mayer and Weir 100' tall!

  • Graceful_Dead
    Joined:
    Hey MKAV,
    Thanks for taking…

    Hey MKAV,
    Thanks for taking the time to write. I feel I have a better sense of what went on.

    I watched lots of YouTubes; some with better camera work than others, but on a BIG screen at home you get some feeling for it. And can hear the crowd all oooh and aaaah together. Interesting to me how often the visuals were so bright that it did not look resemble the darkened concert hall that we are all so used to.

    Must be a very different experience for the performers to not have every eye locked on them. At times they appear to be playing accompaniment for the visual, as you have said.

    As for the timing of the musical transitions: it is my impression that as the run went on, the band id more adjusting to the visual, and not the other way around. Clearly the technology is not yet there to be quite interactive (like different color swirlies reacting to individual instruments); my sense is that the band knew the plan for the big visual transitions and they could tread water a little as needed to make the music transition match the visual. Just my view from the free seats.

    And PS: I just received a third contract offer for my book manuscript, Thanks for your support.

  • mkav
    Joined:
    Sphere?

    I'm wondering if any fellow SSDDers made it to Vegas and if so, I'd like to hear others' observations. I got to see one show 8/9.
    It was maybe the 4th or 5th time I've seen D&Co. The band was definitely "on". Tight. Not overly meandering with slow, pointless noodling, (Dallas in May 2023 actually was pretty bad in that respect). Better tempo than previous shows. The pace on most songs and jams was spot-on IMO.
    I have to imagine timing the ends of songs to coincide with the visuals' changing was a challenge, but it was seamless.
    Going there was a hassle and expensive, but I'm really glad I went. The band was really good. Boy, that Johnny B. Mayer can play!
    Having said that: the venue overshadowed the band IMO. Between the 168,000 speakers delivering pure, crisp sound to every seat, and the massive 3.7 acres worth of very cool visuals, it would have been hard to not put the venue as the highlight. YouTube videos are nice but really can't capture the magnitude.
    We had seats in 4th level, right in the middle. I can't imagine a better seat for the visuals. The sound was perfect. A friend was in a lower section and he related the "experience" was cooler down in 100 level, but the visuals were much better higher up.

    Anyway, IF they do it again, AND I can financially swing it next time, I'll definitely go again. If your circumstances allow it, I'd encourage you to go, too.
    By the way: my "mind-altered" state was not dramatic at all, but the visuals were so large, so intense and just so cool, at times it felt like a hallucination...in a good way.
    Las Vegas is and never was my thing, but the overall show made it worth it. Shakedown Street definitely had a "corporate" feel to it, but there a shroom sales lady there...very low key...so at least we had that going for us; which is nice. No veggie burritos, though.

  • Graceful_Dead
    Joined:
    Cold iron shackles, ball and chain

    I must have sung along to Tennessee Jed 1,000 times without it ever dawning on me that the first lines refer to an incarcerated person. “Listen to the whistle of the evenin' train” really evokes the character in Johnny Cash’s song who is stuck in Folsom Prison.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    MKAV/Richfield

    Saw 90 & 91
    Enjoyed them all!
    Really liked 91.
    Still think a show or two from there could be part of a very nice fall 91 box.
    Fond memories camping out with the GF at the time, getting down to the nearby whale cries from Sea World or what ever it was?

    GOGD turned us onto the fine 92 shows, especially the stellar 6/8/92.
    Haven’t heard 3/14/93 yet, recall the fall shows were so so
    Haven’t heard 3/20/94 yet, but WTJ turned us onto the enjoyable 3/21/94.

    Being from WNY it’s weird we never hit a Cleveland Dead show (Cleveland Rocks!) but saw everywhere else around there.

  • mkav
    Joined:
    ORO ...Richfield

    oops..sorry about the double-post.

    Agree 100% on the first post-Brent shows (rather "show" as I only got to see the 2nd one).

    I saw many shows in Richfield 1990 - 1994. Always a decent vibe IMO even for a Coliseum. I lived close by, my family included 2 little boys so could not travel but did make a point to see as many as I could in Richfield.

  • mkav
    Joined:
    ORO ...Richfield

    Agree 100% on the first post-Brent shows (rather "show" as I only got to see the 2nd one).

    I saw many shows in Richfield 1990 - 1994. Always a decent vibe IMO even for a Coliseum. I lived close by, my family included 2 little boys so could not travel but did make a point to see as many as I could in Richfield.

  • Graceful_Dead
    Joined:
    Another 50th Anniversary

    This October will be the 50th anniversary of the first set of farewell concerts.

    How many have there been since then?

    Appropriate time for the Kennedy Center honor

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Spiral Light was good

    That really moved things up a gear for me with The Dead. Not just the magazine, with it's great reviews, articles and news items, but also because through them I was able to access tapes. In fact, if I am a Deadhead, I would date it from about 1987, when this happened. Up to that point I had all the official albums and the odd bootleg, but from then on I was getting tapes delivered regularly. And once you discover one source, others seem to open up too. Great stuff!

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    My bad

    I didn’t look up, but I think I mixed up the Pranksters trip.
    Thanks for correcting and straightening out the ole synapses lol
    Now that you mention about/for the millennium etc…and not in 90…

    And also, now that mention, Brent’s passing probably would have added to the energy factor. We were at the first shows in Richfield with Vince after Brent’s much too early demise, and there most definitely was a lot of extra energy.
    A lot of what now and uncertainty and ?
    Will it suck? Will it be good? Things had been steadily improving the last couple years before so there was a lot of anxiety or uncertainty.
    But man, once they started playing all that energy morphed into that big ole ball of “1” that everyone in the building became, and as the night progressed it was like you could feel 18K people all exhale in relief all at the same time, as we all realized that, “yeah, this is going to be different, but it’s gonna be alright” we will survive, we will get by!
    So I’m sure that must have been a variable too.

    Back to the bad actors thought. Again, I’m struggling to not be so ?
    I feel I’ve painted an overemphasis or oversaturated picture of people?
    Let’s think of it this way, it’s like BITD when grownups used to say “one bad apple spoils the barrel” meaning, most certainly most of the folks at shows were like the good apples, but now there were more and more bad ones getting into the barrel. And though there weren’t so many relatively, the bad ones were now a whole new kind of bad that spread the rot more prominently. ?
    Hopefully that makes better sense?

    Edit: Or lol
    What BC just said ; )

    And perhaps the biggest factor was just sheer size like BC said.
    No matter what kind of head, there just were now too many for the scene to function healthy…

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The bus came by. We got on. That's how it all began. Almost as soon as the Fare Thee Well shows were announced, folks started planning to meet in Chicago. They met. They connected. Things were never the same. And now, further! Or maybe Furthur.
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infinity and beyond indeed.... Positive thoughts and energy for the Sarge.... is it pie time yet?
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13 years 8 months
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Hey now brother. See you're first on the new bus. Much nicer than the old one. Thanks for putting the coffee on. Sarge is sleeping in the back, opiates can take their toll especially when mixed with them bones. Thanks for asking btw. I'm certain the tribe will find us, we are everywhere. Thanks to geoalwaysthesentimentalonemeister for the new bus name. We have to honor the past and prepare for the future....you have taught me a tremendous amount George, thank you. marye, thank you on behalf of the rabble for giving us space and the freedom to be the freaks we are, thanks for the new bus as well. You are always welcome here. Sarge, don't bogart that bone my friend, pass it to Boo Boo.... Hey Boo Boo some pie please.... Hey Jerry we still miss you.... Hey JeffSmith....Onward? We still need a driver, I retired after FTW, Sarge is rehabbing and Miami is MIA.... Love is real Not Fade Away....mmmm bop bop .... bop bop
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Did somebody say new dus???? Hey Sarge, gimmie the keys and we'll take this baby out for a spin...you packed extra bones right? Hang on tight boys and girls as da wheels on ba dus go round and round... Hope All the Daydreamers are enjoying the summertime... Love to you ALL!
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13 years 8 months
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that's what I'm talking about... welcome home Miami glad to have you (wo)manning the wheel. Keep on truckin' mama....
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10 years 4 months
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Can't believe it's been over two years since Sunshine Daydreamers started hopping on this bus! What a long strange trip it's been! Onward indeed! LikeToHike's got my vote for new bus driver. Look forward to more white-knuckled, free-wheeling, cryptic, sleight-of-hands bus trips through the cosmos. (I know I've already said) ONWARD!
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9 years 8 months
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LiketoHike behind the wheel, Oat Jeff directing us onward, and rrrrgggrrr keeping us sane, whoo hooo I'll take a slice of that blueberry peach, a la mode please
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Watcha talking 'bout Willis... One thing is for sure liketohike will keep us safe.... Hey Boo Boo this pie is making Sarge pie eyed.....is that normal?
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9 years 8 months
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that's not the pie, its the autumn haze, the pie makes him drool
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9 years 5 months
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funny...Sour Diesel is what ba dus runs on...imagine that
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9 years 9 months
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can run wild with the aforementioned gas...inspiration an be found anywhere. Good to see Daydreamers here and there, welcome to the Sunshiner's new lair; May all who stop to shake hands and sing, Hear the music, the ripples that ring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-voI8q4j87U&feature=youtu.be Happy Birthday Terrapin, and welcome aboard one and all.
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13 years 8 months
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To coin a phrase. When my nephew was recounting his adventures in the pit at Wrigley (a month ago already?), he was talking about the time between Scarlet and Fire. Lacking better terminology, he said, “We were in the caret”, as in the > symbol used in setlists. I know all of you have been “in the caret” at some point.
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10 years 4 months
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Perfect! Well said nephew of Graceful_Dead. Oh, to be in the caret! Onward. . .
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13 years 8 months
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It soothes my soul to see so many old faces....ummmm make that avatars back here. This forum has been invaluable in offering me smiles, laughs and some much needed support over the past two years...Have a great weekend, I'm going back to the >, it is indeed a sweet spot.....kinda like the Philzone...
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Hey Now Daydreamers dis dus is rockin' and rollin' down the road...quickly approaching August...you know what that means.... The Days Between! We miss Jerry on this Bus, yes we do... Who's going to Meet up at the Movies....raise your hands/paws... Have a great weekend all...enjoy the last days of July.
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I know... Meet up at the movies is on my radar, funny thing it's on August 1, 2017....funny coincidence? Ohhhhh I get it, it's to celebrate mkav's wife's birthday, boy that is sooooo thoughtful of them.... HEY MRS. MKAV HAPPY BIRTHDAY! from the dog and me..... the Days Between, I can feel some songs coming on the horizon.... the wheels on this bus sure do go round in circles indeed!
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9 years 9 months
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Liketohike, Liketobrivebadus, and liketosmile, We be celebrating the past, honoring the present and anticipating the future, as all of it makes up the magic carpet we find ourselves on. So many ways to communicate, so many ways to share, so many ways to smile. Good to see you and you and you on board...pets, parts, and participles, the rising sun being blue, the sky a vivid yellow, ba dus crammed with laughter and song...and donuts, always those pesky donuts and coffee too. Got a spot for all...we miss Jerry but remember his smile. Destinations unknown by some, imagined by others, and a planned by those whose wheel stopped revolving long enough to score tickets. All share in the journey, all welcome aboard. Know that these wheels slow down for caret crossings, stop on a diner's dime, and have been known to circle back as needed. Price of admission is a hoot and a holler, or a flashing peace sign and smile. So pay at the door, pay it forward, put it on the tab, it don't matter a bit. Your seat is reserved always and forever. Allllll aboarrrrrddddd!!!
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9 years 8 months
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Was a good show on a fine tour but, outside on the road the police were on the hunt for heads, fortunately I left late in my '70 VW camper, but we saw so many folks pulled over it was sick, it was one of two years in a row they pulled that crap, so bad the Dead's newsletter that came with mail order tickets warned of the situation. We are headed to the show, hopefully no presence after....... Happy Birthday wishes to Ms. Mkav and also to a certain retired Dus Briver......
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13 years 8 months
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So at the Burgettstown show this June, whatever lot we parked in, the local 5-0 had drug sniffing Rin Tin Tins, we were tailgating and minding our own business, this Narc comes by with Lassie who starts sniffing me n my buddies. Well all we had was in the closed car, they proceeded to the hippies to our left, a sweet lady and her friends. Said dog sniffed her, whimpered, cop asks her to empty her pockets, she pulls out a lighter, bones and a bag of herbage. He grabs her, cuffs her and takes her away. Ain't that a fucking shame. Hey Boo Boo, thanks for remembering! 7-12-89 was indeed a great show.... Hey Sarge, no more Vicodin!
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Thanks to your heads up regarding the situation at Burgettstown we avoided the heat, but they sure did have a strong presence cuffed and dragged away for a few bones, WTF and all the real criminals are wearing white shirts and suit coats.... and we can't forget birthday wishes and thoughts for the one we miss........ Dereck and the Dominos released on vinyl today and Jerry's Reflections as well
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13 years 8 months
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Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs on vinyl? I'm on that like white on rice..... it's my favorite album of all time, if I had only one to bring to a desert island, that's my pick....
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9 years 8 months
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Music Direct gets the first allotment from Mobile Fidelity, so the earlier presses and ships a day or two before anyone else, I pre-ordered and it shipped today, Happy Friday, oh yes!
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15 years 10 months
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Made the leap over to our new home!! Have a good weekend Folks! It's about 108 down here...no worries!
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17 years 4 months
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mrs mkav (who is Mary, so maybe she is THE mkav?) says thank you to all the birthday well-wishers, and back atcha Rich.
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9 years 9 months
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Is this where I get on?
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9 years 5 months
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It certainly is...dis dus stops on a dime...as Geo has pointed out, and it's known to circle back to pick up those we may have missed. Climb aboard and take a seat...Hey Sarge...pass the bone to Kurt Dawg...and keep em comin'. Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend...come inside, come inside...
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13 years 8 months
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Happy 75th brother.... nothing left to do but smile, Smile, SMILE!!!!!! :-)
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16 years 6 months
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Hey Now Marye - we took the plunge today. It's nearly sold out too, in less than 1/2 a day. Only unanswered question is the show dates (three shows over four days). Doesn't matter...we're stoked for 6 days and 5 nights of intimate Dead, on-the-beach. Should be pretty cool. Any SD'ers bringing their flip-flops?
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9 years 8 months
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Did any body go the movie last night? Our local theatre needs a sound system update, ceiling speakers don't cut it.
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13 years 8 months
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Tell them to get some KEFs.... or better yet, Bose :-)
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9 years 8 months
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yes, bose,with a stereo input......
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10 years 4 months
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All the best to those of you gravitating toward Morrison to help celebrate Jerry's 74th! Gonna be a high time at Red Rocks tonight! Onward!
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13 years 8 months
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Jerrys 75th my man ONWARD! :-)
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10 years 4 months
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Still miss Jerry!
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13 years 8 months
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I know (said disaffectedly David Gans style)
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15 years 10 months
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Just listened to the Jerry birthday show on Sirius this afternoon...AMAZING!!! Just my .02!! :-)
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13 years 8 months
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I am putting finishing touches on a presentation about the Dead phenomenon, and realized I have never seen an estimate of the number of Dead Heads that exist. Has anyone seen anyone try to SWAG this?
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17 years 4 months
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interesting question...what do you define as deadhead? i know plenty of people who like the dead, have more than a passing knowledge of the dead's work, and may have even been to a few shows, but probably would not consider themselves "deadheads". Would you, for this purpose?
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I feel ya, mkav. Maybe its like a weighted FTE measure to account for people who are Dead-curious. The alternative, strict, way to go is to say, you are a Head when you are ready to declare that as an identity. And thanks Rich for, well, you know, being ... rrrgrr But the simple questions is, does an estimate exist? it should be a census category. But I now believe we're now off the endangered list.
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13 years 8 months
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Very round, unsupported number in that article on the UNC prof.I guess we will have to develop our own methodology.
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13 years 8 months
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Valid point Tom. How about this... will anyone who is a deadhead please raise your hand.... now all you have to do is count them.