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    heatherlew
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    "We left with our minds sufficiently blown and still peaking..."

    We're headed back to that peak with the newly returned tapes from Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, 11/6/77. The Grateful Dead's last touring show of 1977 finds them going for broke, taking chances on fan favorites like "Jack Straw," "Friend Of The Devil," and "The Music Never Stopped," carving out righteous grooves on a one-of-kind "Scarlet>Fire" and a tremendous "Truckin'." An ultra high energy show, with a first set that rivals the second? Not unheard of, but definitely rare. Hear for yourself...

    DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 25 features liner notes by Rob Bleetstein, photos by Bob Minkin, and original art by our 2018 Dave's Picks Artist-In-Residence Tim McDonagh. As always, it has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and it is limited to 18,000 individually numbered copies*.

    *Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

    Get one before they are gone, gone, gone.

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  • daverock
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    Dantian
    Great and moving story-thanks for sharing.
  • Soul of Dantian
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    One last Ray Charles story...
    before I go. Last summer my Mom was about to go off to hospice to die, and we planned a full day to spend together, right before she left. Sort of a reconciliation day, making everything all right, as it were. Now, we had always shared discussions on music, poetry, and philosophy together, and as such, the night before she left, I spent many hours putting together a CD of music which might communicate my heartfelt feelings to her in a shared language she would understand. I know this story may sound odd to some of you, but it is what it is, so please do not judge... Anyway, she was always a big Beatles fan, and one of the songs near the beginning of the CD I chose was the Beatles, "Here Comes The Sun." I decided to follow this up with "Let It Be," but being the music aficionado that I imagine (no pun) I am, instead of the Beatles version, I turned to the other two versions in my collection, namely the Ray Charles one, and the Aretha Franklin one. After much thought, I finally settled on the Ray Charles version of "Let It Be," as I figured it was more representative of my own voice on the CD, and would be more like my voice speaking to her. The next day, with CD and other presents in hand, as I am walking over to her apartment, which was just a few blocks from mine, to spend our last "real day" together, I start to hear the faint sounds of music on the air. As I continue on my journey towards her building, the music starts to take shape, and I can barely believe what I'm hearing... Thinking that my mind is playing tricks on me, I start to hear the lyrics to "Let It Be!" As I keep walking, the sound is getting quite clear now, it is indeed "Let It Be." I turn the corner, and there is an older black man with a boom box (who uses those these days?) and he is playing on his boom box the Aretha Franklin version of "Let It Be" (how obscure, what are the chances?). I took it as a sign that the universe was replying back to me, just what I was telling my Mom, but in her voice back to me as if she were speaking to me. I went and spent a great "last" day with her (probably the best day we ever had together as adults), and sadly, that was the last real day I had with her before she passed. I just felt like I had to tell this crazy story here, among other "misfits" who may have experienced the "edge." This is a crazy world we live in, and we don't fully understand all its mysteries...
  • guit30
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    To Terrapin Moon
    When they release a show, they usually take down the good quality versions of the show from the vault Jim
  • Mr.Dc
    Joined:
    Sign of the 3 eyed Men
    The Elevators have had a very unfortunate history when it comes to their released recordings. The sound quality is usually horrible, the accompanying info/notes are usually misleading or incorrect, and from what I've gathered, it seems that the money has never really gone to those who actually deserve it. The "Sign of the Three Eyed Men" box set is another example of a sketchy cash grab, where everything can be found in better quality elsewhere (cool artwork though). The best way to hear the 13 floor is to seek out about 10 different compilations/bootlegs, kinda fun in it's own way but definitely not ideal.
  • jrf68@hotmail.com
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    Oooohh
    Is it possible to purchace or download the Janis show?I would love to have something like that...
  • hendrixfreak
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    A gentle correction on Bear's Sonic Journals
    The Doc and Merle Watson box released several months ago is actually the second release branded as Bear's Sonic Journals. The first? 2012's Big Brother and the Holding Co, featuring Janis Joplin, 23 June 1968, at the Carousel Ballroom. Easily the best rec'd Janis performance and, as luck would have it, the very best Janis performance on tape that I'm aware of. I'd urge anyone to get this along with the unbelievable sound quality of the Doc and Merle Watson evenings at the Boardinghouse from 1974. Bear really captured the acoustic instruments like no one else could. Doc Watson, who was blind, even remarks on the tape about the "nice young man" with the microphones who was recording the evening. And what a great contrast -- Doc Watson and Janis Joplin. Small plug: the Owlsey Foundation accepts donations for the preservation of Bear's 1500 concert tapes. So I've been sending $50 each year to help preserve this priceless trove. If you donate $400 for a specific band, which they'll confirm is in the archives, they'll make the tape transfer to digital and, if that show (which they won't provide date/location details on) gets released, you get a thanks in the liner notes. I immediately inquired about Jimi, Roy Buchanan and a few other favorites. Upcoming: the "secretary" of the Foundation told me they have two full sets of Allman Brothers at the Fillmore West (I believe) with the original lineup (read: Duane, Berry) and Bill Levenson appears to be readying those two sets for general release. Can you imagine? Two more sets of Duane leading the ABB from (I'm guessing) 1970-71. And Bear taped it, so it's gotta be phenomenal. Over and out!
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Reddits latest AMA session?....
    ....Steve Parish. 4.13. Get em while they're hot!!
  • gdgray
    Joined:
    Vinyl Doc Watson
    Bought this on vinyl and had excessive skipping. Went through two copies before returning to Amazon. Very disappointed as this sounded great when it didn’t skip. Upgraded my catridge and counter weight to no avail. May rebuy down the road. I would like to see more releases from Bear.
  • jrf68@hotmail.com
    Joined:
    Since we're waiting...
    My current favorite listen? Doc & Merle Watson The Boarding House~San Fran. The 1st of Bear's Sonic Journals... :0)
  • mhammond12
    Joined:
    Speaking Of The Who
    They should be announcing the dates and locations of their annual "Farewell Tour" soon.
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7 years 8 months

"We left with our minds sufficiently blown and still peaking..."

We're headed back to that peak with the newly returned tapes from Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, 11/6/77. The Grateful Dead's last touring show of 1977 finds them going for broke, taking chances on fan favorites like "Jack Straw," "Friend Of The Devil," and "The Music Never Stopped," carving out righteous grooves on a one-of-kind "Scarlet>Fire" and a tremendous "Truckin'." An ultra high energy show, with a first set that rivals the second? Not unheard of, but definitely rare. Hear for yourself...

DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 25 features liner notes by Rob Bleetstein, photos by Bob Minkin, and original art by our 2018 Dave's Picks Artist-In-Residence Tim McDonagh. As always, it has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and it is limited to 18,000 individually numbered copies*.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Get one before they are gone, gone, gone.

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12 years 6 months
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The fun begin. I ordered one without a problem. HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!!!! PLAY DEAD DEADLAND
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17 years
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How long will this stay up? I bet less than 30min. Thanks Dave!
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16 years 11 months
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...set list? C'mon Toronto philler!!!
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12 years 11 months
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Still digging the color palate used for the cover art. Also like the detail of how in step each of the dancers are, they don't seem to be twirlers, I picture more of a style like the cowboy character in the GD Movie getting down in the cowboy boots. And they somehow managed to work the scheduled system maintenance around this release time. Bring it on.. (wouldn't hold my breath for filler material, but fingers crossed).
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8 years 2 months
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did they play Binghamton, anyone know? I have a R-to-R of a Binghamton concert, don't know if it's this one or not. Also, yes, a set list would be nice.
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9 years 10 months
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Cool colors, cool background. The pathways in the background, and the fish skeletons, and the rooster forming out of the flowers make me think Roger Dean (and who doesn't love a good old fashioned Yes album cover). Glad people are purchasing without issue. I wonder if it will take longer to sell out at 2 per order (or is it 2 per customer?) I have this vision of eBay people logging in repeatedly to order two at a time until they have 20. But I guess the shipping cost would not make it worth their while at that point. Well in any case I have my trusty subscription.
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12 years 11 months
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They played four shows there over the years:05/02/70- Harpur College - Binghamton, NY (amen,.. Dicks Picks 8) 11/06/77- Broome County Arena - Binghamton, NY 05/09/79- Broome County Arena - Binghamton, NY 04/12/83- Broome County Arena - Binghamton, NY
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15 years 5 months
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Can we move on from 1977 now? The band toured for 30 years and there are many great years and great shows. Anybody check out Gainesville 1980? Saratoga '83? Landover '88? Dave, let's hit some Brent shows for a change. Thanks for listening.
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6 years 7 months
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So psyched to a have a subscription for the first time this year. This first one is an epic one too. I've been checking out dead.net every day to see if it was out yet. I got the email that it would be released today & I couldn't wait to hear Dave talk about it. Love the artwork too. I am one happy Deadhead!!
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8 years 2 months
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Have the subscription but decided to buy a copy for a friend (he's notoriously late on these sort of things) and ordered with zero issue. Glad to see the site is running like some smooth butter! Artwork is cool IMO, love the colors and the imagery. Currently listening to the 'listening party' for the first time, sound is awesome!
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12 years 8 months
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so instead i'll share my list: "top 50 original grateful dead songs". 01. Terrapin Station 02. Ship Of Fools 03. Loser 04. The Other One 05. Brown Eyed Women 06. Bertha 07. Jack Straw 08. Wharf Rat 09. Weather Report Suite 10. Playing In The Band 11. Mountains Of The Moon 12. Althea 13. Black Throated Wind 14. Estimated Prophet 15. To Lay Me Down 16. Fire On The Mountain 17. Franklin's Tower 18. Deal 19. Sugar Magnolia 20. Dark Star 21. China Cat Sunflower 22. Blow Away 23. Candyman 24. Friend Of The Devil 25. Black Peter 26. Feel Like A Stranger 27. Shakedown Street 28. Stagger Lee 29. Doin' That Rag 30. Brokedown Palace 31. St. Stephen 32. Sugaree 33. High Time 34. Touch Of Grey 35. New Speedway Boogie 36. Box Of Rain 37. Cassidy 38. Eyes Of The World 39. Truckin' 40. Built To Last 41. Mr. Charlie 42. He's Gone 43. Here Comes Sunshine 44. Standing On The Moon 45. Throwing Stones 46. Crazy Fingers 47. Row Jimmy 48. Bird Song 49. Scarlet Begonias 50. The Music Never Stopped -----
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16 years 11 months
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https://archive.org/details/gd1977-11-06.mtx.seamons.92273.sbeok.flac16 They played Binghampton in 1970, 1977, 1979 and 1983 (though there have always been rumors of other shows in the late 60/early 70s that have evaded confirmation). Set List*: 1)Mississippi Half Step, Jack Straw, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues-> Me & My Uncle, Friend Of The Devil, Minglewood Blues, Dupree's Diamond Blues, Passenger, Dire Wolf, The Music Never Stopped; 2)Samson & Delilah, Sunrise, Scarlet Begonias-> Fire On The Mountain-> Good Lovin'-> Saint Stephen-> Drums-> Not Fade Away-> Wharf Rat-> Saint Stephen-> Truckin', E: Johnny B. Goode * Possibly other tunes on the Official Release.
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14 years 8 months
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Dave drops this so casually... did we already know about it?? I’m a subscriber, but I must have missed that announcement — the good news just keeps coming around!
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8 years 2 months
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Took about 40 minutes by my count..
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11 years 5 months
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Having attended Toronto and Binghamton (I could not make it to Colgate :(and owning R to Rs of both shows until recent downsizing, I always LOVED the Toronto show (small venue, great list and great "little versions" of BIG tunes) and felt (at the time) that the band was a little tired in Binghamton (Slow tempos if I recall) And I believe that this was the show where Billy needed "a light" as well as nice (one off?) of Mexicali > Me and My Uncle Having recently been a little "scalped " on being a late purchaser of the Eugene show,I am opting in....looking forward to "attending" this show again
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12 years 6 months
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In 48 minutes.
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16 years 11 months
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The email arrived 10:12 but I was working in the kitchen. Got here 5 minutes ago and they're sold out. Sure glad I subscribed. First year I've done it.
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8 years 8 months
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Let the complaining begin
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17 years
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What the price on eBay will be.
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13 years 7 months
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Setlist SHARE SETLIST Set I Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo Jack Straw Tennessee Jed Mexicali Blues Me and My Uncle Friend of the Devil Minglewood Blues Dupree's Diamond Blues Passenger Play Video Dire Wolf Play Video The Music Never Stopped Set II Samson and Delilah Sunrise Scarlet Begonias Fire on the Mountain Good Lovin' St. Stephen Drums Not Fade Away Wharf Rat St. Stephen Truckin' Encore: Johnny B. Goode
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9 years 7 months
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....based on Dave's seaside chat it seems it will be a good year to follow - including what should be a cool & exciting box set of some kind... Not at all surprised this sold out so quickly - people were warned! Hopefully the copies made it into actual Heads' Hands as opposed to Bot Hands... Sixtus
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6 years 7 months
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....clearly your education is not complete. Your list is missing The Eleven and Turn On Your Love Light, Ripple and others. Yes, I know you said "original" and Love Light was not written by the Dead, but they took it to places it to places in '69 and '70 that none did before or since. Epic. Sadly they stopped playing The Eleven in 1970. Now get on with your studies!
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10 years 11 months
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Just got the e-mail today and it's sold out??
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12 years 8 months
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i've never been a big fan of "ripple". IMO it's a lot like bob dylan's "blowin' in the wind". great poem, lackluster song. i've considered creating another list of the best GD covers. if i added covers to this list "morning dew" would be #1, knocking "terrapin station" down a spot. ----
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13 years 7 months
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Awww maaaan....
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13 years 7 months
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I find it next to impossible to believe they processed that many orders since 10:00am...What the f&ck?! Oh well I have a sbd copy of this show anyways
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9 years 4 months
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Oh no!!! It’s sold out already! :(
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9 years 4 months
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I know...me too! Just got the email and gone. :(
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8 years 2 months
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With the amount of Subscriptions sold, there was probably >600 copies out of the original 18k available for a la cart orders
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14 years 5 months
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I willlllll subscribe please subscribe in December (or November) subscribe A LA CARTE IS DEAD (pun intended and not intended.)
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9 years 9 months
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Maybe it is because they warned us 4 days ago with the email that for the first time told us exactly what day and time this went on sale. Has Dave already hinted at which Albuquerque show is next, '71 or '77?
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10 years 4 months
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I'd suggest the decision must encompass the recent pattern: The next box either represents newly returned tapes, and clearly that means lots of '77 and '78 reels in hand from the couple ID'd as the ABCD Corp in liner notes. But recall as well that Dave is holding the Mtn Grrrl returned tapes, a transaction now a couple years old, which I believe I recall had a previously unknown '70 or '71 concert in its entirety. Or, the next box covers a so-far under-represented era for box treatment or even gaps in DaPs. He has spoken of the wealth of material for fall '72 and that such a box is due at some point. We know there's a bias for a) good tapes and b) what sells, while retaining enough of each year to power DaPs for another decade or more. With a '77 DaP for #25 and a '71 for #26 already announced, and believing that 1969 and 1970 inventory is limited (thus only single-show or, perhaps, double-show releases likely), I'd have to place my bet on Summer '73 or Summer '74. With WoS vocals issues, I'm going with a Summer '73 box. (4) shows, (12) discs. That'd fix a hole in the release continuum and take a break from the most-recently-returned-tapes approach. There you have it. Unassailable logic. I mean, I've never been wrong before...
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9 years 4 months
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I think you're right, the logic is unassailable. It will be 72 73 or 74 for this year's box set, if we're lucky. But I wouldn't complain about a rabbit out of the Hat with 1970, the fall is under-represented, because of the whole Bear jail situation, but you just never know what this return of goods May bear. Incredible that they sold 18000 so quickly. I think the dead and Company touring has really helped Dave's Picks sales. And if you still didn't get a copy, it may be time to put your bong down in tune in to the message boards a little more often.
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16 years
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davidadavis This was also the last of my '77 shows. I saw 7. All have been released so far except for Springfield 4/23/77. That's another great, unique one that needs to get out there.
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8 years 2 months
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Harper College, that was it! Great show!
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16 years
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I couldn't disagree more with Dave's comments about '77-'78 Dead. He says they were really taking chances in '78, moreso than in '77. No way. '78 was the beginning of the era predictably formatted shows. This is the beginning of the end of the era where the Dead would routinely take chances. Summer of '76 through Spring of '77 was the peak in terms of unpredictability. During that time, songs moved around, jams moved around, and the format was flexible. There were still lots of long jams. That all started going away in Spring of '78.
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16 years
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Please no more '72 for awhile. There's been far more '72 than any other year, and the Fall sounds mostly like the Spring except for the absence of Pigpen and the addition of a small number of songs.
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16 years
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Please no more '72 for awhile. There's been far more '72 than any other year, and the Fall sounds mostly like the Spring except for the absence of Pigpen and the addition of a small number of songs.
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9 years 4 months
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Latter half 72 sounds much different than spring. It is probably the one calender year from the 1970s whose set list has changed so much, it's like a different year just about. And the jams evolved enormously in Dark Star, Playing in the Band, China Cat, and The Other One. New songs like Bird Song, Stella, Mississippi Half Step, and so on. Need way more. We've had 2 in like 15 years, maybe more.
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16 years 8 months
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a sweaty sea of Heads! Would be great to add filler from the 5/9/79 (particularly if a SB is in the vault), especially the Truckin' from this show as a comparison. The '79 Broome Truckin' is, I think, one of the most intense of this period, with a cadenza that goes on for ever!
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8 years 8 months
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‘The Last Ones’Winterland October 1974 is screaming to be released. Audio and video.
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14 years 9 months
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Enough 72 already, all shows sound the same. And please no more 77 either, and forget about '71, too many of these released recently. No 80's and 90's, bad sounding tapes and declining Jerry, respectively. 66 & 67 are rough, so none of these two. 68 and 69 have been well covered and set lists are boring. 76 is too slow, 78 is too sloppy, 79 is too inconsistent, 70 has incomplete shows, 75 is non existent, , 74 has bad vocals mix, 73 is too close to 72, which we have too many of anyway.
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9 years 4 months
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Icecreamconekid, I would enjoy that box very much. If I had to choose between that and 1971 Port Chester oh boy. The battle of the multi-tracks. I would definitely like to see a remastering of the winterland stuff. There's something a little bit off about that one with the drums. I think a few people have mentioned that before, no offense to mr. Norman I love man, just would be cool for something more refined. Then I can't decide which one I'd rather have more. I guess since half of the winterland Run came out on the movie soundtrack, I would have to go with Port Chester. Haha cousins, you have me there for a sentence or two! Let's just do it with message boards and that will solve the whole issue
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