• 3,418 replies
    heatherlew
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    "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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • daverock
    Joined:
    Dantian
    Great and moving story-thanks for sharing.
  • Soul of Dantian
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    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
    Joined:
    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
    Joined:
    Oooohh
    Is it possible to purchace or download the Janis show?I would love to have something like that...
  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    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.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

8 years 2 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.

user picture

Member for

9 years 9 months
Permalink

12 parsecs haaahaaaaa I like star wars. They hate that ship! DP 12 has been commented on lately. So has WRS, but not the one from DP 12. It sounds great to me, but I've only been on the bus a couple years. This song take some time to be fully appreciated. Where does this version rank with the more experienced folks? I heard talk of Dick's Picks one and road trips 1974 as having great versions. Is this one up there? Does anyone know why Dark Star was not included on this CD set? For a set that is so heavily laced with jams, I don't see Dark Star. But the setlist page says it was played.
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

It took me some time, but I finally figured out how to do it by poking around and thinking a bit. To post videos, I use YouTube to create the syntax to embed the video. From YouTube, grab a video then underneath it there is a Share option, click it. Then underneath that there should be an Embed option, click that and a small box will appear with text. Copy this and paste it into the post you created and hit save and viola.. your video will post. Pictures are trickier.. I tried a ton of things and nothing worked.. Eventually I stole the YouTube method and cheated.. Go to YouTube, grab a video and do the Share/Embed process, copy and paste the text. Within the text there will be the original https link to the YouTube video with syntax both before and after it, the link to the video will be in quotes. Paste this.. then google search for an appropriate picture, select Images from the top of the search results. Scroll down and grab the image you want, click on it. Then to the right there will be an option to View Image, click on this and just the picture will appear. At the top of your browser will be the https statement (the link). Copy this and paste it to where the YouTube link was in your post, hit save and viola.. you should get something like this. You might have to tweak the height or width within the syntax to get it to look right, but it should work. Edit: Keep it clean.. no naked or kinky skeleton pics folks.. this is a family friendly site. :D
user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months
Permalink

That’s a lot of work... I’d like to hear shirdeep’s method.
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

There's probably a tool you can use or a better way..
user picture

Member for

8 years 10 months
Permalink

Yeah, i've tried and failed too. I have TONS of GoGD/Audio Porn in Google photos. Would enjoy seeing what this community has to offer visually. Something tells me alot of cool stuff!
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

....yeah. Its me, because I feel like a tool when I try and do it. Face it people. This site is a relic. We need some Indiana Jones action....
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

Pretty good Tony. How old is she? I'll be damned if I can get shirdeep's method to work. I will continue to use my constipated method for now, but I suspect shirdeep is onto the better way. I just don't know java. Java is for drinking, not typing.. I suspect lots of people will start getting their Dave's Picks 25 today. Can someone please make a comment as to sound quality and show performance? Someone a couple days who caught every 77 East Coast show back in the day commented that he/she was 77 saturated. I have to admit, 77 has not been in my circle of listening shows lately, but I am starting to get a little curious about this release. It is a monster show..
user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

I have to say, I like the level of detail on this volume. It's much more pleasant to look at than last year's volumes.
user picture

Member for

9 years 9 months
Permalink

Just want to know if anyone had any info on Dick's Picks 12 and Dark Star. It's listed as having been played on the 28th at Boston, but they didn't include it on the release. Bad tape reel?
user picture

Member for

10 years 6 months
Permalink

Hey LoveJerry, According to a list of All Dark Stars I pulled off of setlists.net a while ago, the only Dark Star played in June '74 was 06/23/74 at Jai-Alai Fronton - Miami, FL. Dark Star's not on the soundboard I have from 6/28 either.
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Thanks alot Jim, she's 17 and been drawing since she was just out of diapers, she did that free hand, she's something else when drawing portraits! She likes some of the deads tunes, not like my 11 yr old who drops a load whenever i happen to put on any version of Tennessee Jed!
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

I seem to recall a Dark Star tease of some sort in the 28 minute jam on disc 3 between Weather Report Suite and U.S. Blues. I bet that's what they are talking about in whatever you were reading. They did not play Dark Star that night but might have danced around the melody while they were in hyperspace. Bueller? How did you know I was playing hooky from school today. Well.. it's 26 degrees and high water.. good day to brush the snow off my boat and get a little river workout. :D
user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

I too received a notice, now it says I won't see it till the 30th of January. Funny, it's in Tennessee now, and will take 5 days to get here. Looking forward to this release, that first set looks awesome, Half step opener with a Friend of the Devil, Dupree's, Dire Wolf and a Passenger, one of my favs. Second set ain't no slouch either. I must agree tho, 77 burn out seems to be going around.
user picture

Member for

9 years 9 months
Permalink

I checked out the Jam but didn't really hear the Dark Star theme. It was more like the Space part of Dark Star, and the little dooka-dooka-dooka sound effect that Jerry (love the man) makes on his guitar. If you start Sugar Magnolia on 4/29/72, you can hear the sound I'm talking about. The set list I got from a site someone hear recommended, I thought you, or maybe stoltzfus or keithfan. Maybe it was icecreamconekid. Set list FM. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/grateful-dead-bd6ad4a.html?song=Dark… If you click on the link and then click on Grateful Dead (underneath the "performing artists" circle graph, it will list the dates. If you scroll to the bottom of the list of dates, you will see that only 25 dates fit on the page. If you click page 2, it will have 1974 on it). This is the most awesome set list site, I love it.
user picture

Member for

10 years 11 months
Permalink

As Jim said, I believe there's a tease somewhere within the 28 min jam out of Weather Report Suite. Much of the jam is an unlabeled Mind Left Body Jam, which is ironic, given that this release marked the first labeling of a MLBJ, but did it incorrectly in the 90 second track between China Cat and Rider. Also, while it is a MLBJ, it is also the perfect bridge between that and The Music Never Stopped, which has that very brief progression that replicates MLBJ. The 6/28 jam shifts from the spaciness of MLBJ toward the rocking funk of MNS. And I believe it's in the few minutes after the peak that it veers toward Dark Star territory, without ever getting fully sucked into the vortex. And then Bobby's jazzy vamping leads elsewhere entirely. I'm glad that this Pick keeps coming up, giving me another excuse to check out this glorious jam!
user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months
Permalink

Although tracking is not yet available. I live a 3 hour drive from La Vergne, but due to mail innovations, will be lucky if I get it on Saturday. 6-28-74 Dark Star Jam I believe that Dead Base lists it’s presence (I’m at work and don’t have a DB here) and I think it’s something like MLBJ>Dark Star Jam>U. S. Blues. If there, it’s just a spacey segment. I always considered it to just be MLBJ>U. S. Blues
user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months
Permalink

It's "On The Way", hopefully it doesn't get lost in Tennessee this time like DP 24. Hoping for a Saturday listening party, but I won't hold my breath.
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

I can also definitely verify its in there - I was JUST listening to this very segment on the way to work yesterday (as a result of all of this chatter the day prior). They toy around with the Dark Star theme for a minute or two and then it heads off into another direction and they never actually come back to it proper, nor of course do they sing any of it. It's a JAZZY interstellar exploration with some very nice grooves, inclusive of the MLB aforementioned. I'm a also a sucker for the WRS on DiP One...it's good. Sixtus
user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months
Permalink

And they wonder why people have phobias about clowns…. Not me though. Growing up I had a sad clown painting on the wall of my bedroom, painted by an uncle during the first months of a hapless marriage. So I’ve always preferred riding the Bolo bus and when at a circus, always root for that tiger. In any event, since 6 am this morning my package has been sitting in the 'Innovations Facility' down in TN. Hopefully they’ll find a solution for getting it to me here in Michigan by the weekend. Not hopeful though :-(
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

aaahhhhhh! Makes me want to sleep with the light on.. or not sleep at all. Very cool.. can we get her to do the cover art on next years Dave's Picks.. tripping clowns anyone? I wonder if we can get her to take up a 12X14 of the 4/1/88 Road Trips (was at that show)? Encourage her Tony.. for her age, this is remarkable. What media did she use? Do I detect some water colors or are the mushrooms kicking in?
user picture

Member for

11 years 4 months
Permalink

I would even go so far to call it a Dark Star jam, not just a tease. If you take a listen to the Moore AUD tape (link below), Jerry introduces the Dark Star theme immediately out of the MLB jam, at 14:06 in the "Jam of Various themes" track. The common Dark Star pre-verse jam is clearest in the next 30 seconds or so, but continues until 17:35, when Jerry moves into a jazzy two-chord vamp that lasts until 24:35. That part would certainly fit in a Dark Star, but it's not obviously related to the DS melody. At 24:35, the spacey buildup to Tiger starts, collapses, and gives way to the speedy riff that becomes US Blues. Very fun to listen to this after a long break from it and see how the whole thing is constructed. Here's the link: https://archive.org/details/gd1974-06-28.sonyecm99.moore.berger.106003… But is it the best WRS? Maybe. At least of the full suite versions, I think 6/18/74 gives it a run for its money.
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Jim, that idea is right on! It would be pretty sweet if they held a contest for a chance to design a Daves Cover! As for my girl, she did that piece with colored pencil and watercolors, She is really talented, i could not be more proud of her! She graduates this year, I am really pushing her to explore options for an art school or something, but she seems lukewarm on it. Ill post some more of her work when i get the chance. Thanks for the kind words, she got a kick out of it when i showed her the post
user picture

Member for

11 years 10 months
Permalink

Is in the house! I might get a chance to crank it a bit as the Mrs won't be home for 90 minutes yet....
user picture

Member for

11 years 10 months
Permalink

....Sorry to say but this artist does absolutely nothing for me on the cover work...looks like the wasted doodlings of a meth head and kinda cliched hippy crap to my eyes...but what the hey...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

I like the colors and frankly the whole thing would be good if the skippy hippy dippy couple werent in the picture.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 8 months
Permalink

I think that would go over .... well .... like a box of seastones
user picture

Member for

15 years 7 months
Permalink

That is a farout pic on your link that your daughter did, is she into the Dead?guit30
user picture

Member for

10 years 6 months
Permalink

Thanks LoveJerry, Jim, Alvarhanso, Sixtus, My Lightning Too, & everybody. Looking forward to tonight's homework listening to DP12's (and Moore's Aud and Miller's sbd) fully played WRS with assorted jam motifs into US Blues with better ears. Onward!
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Thanks for the your post, She likes the dead a bit, but into her own thing as well. I have an 11 yr old boy that loves them though, at least someone will inherit my collection!
user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

Weird world, I live about 90 miles from La Vergne Tn. Of course Nappy has his, last time I was in the running to see if I got my sooner than Simon Rob and the European folks. As many have stated, these packages seem to follow Nav System directions, Oh no train coming. G
user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

better than I could do. fish are rising up like birds. the colors especially appeal to me. also: Seastones box? I'd buy that, baby.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

at bt.etree user stevestw? used to post great shows with articulate reviews and often put out compilations of, for example, noteworthy Terrapin Stations, These were a series of the same song from over the years which were particularly strong performances of that same song complied into one single torrent. I recall someone once suggested that we should have a compilation of Note Worthy Donor Raps from Phil. Funny! Just imagine listening to an hour of Phil's Donor Raps? LOL! OMG!
user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

the Bertha is excellent, aspiring artist indeed!
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

How much more red can this cover get? The answer is none, none more red..Actually kinda like it though
user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months
Permalink

I've heard that before, think it's hysterical. I shouldn't even say this.. but here I go.. my main tour buddy and I were at a series of NY shows more than a decade ago. Phil often mentions Cody in his donor raps and I think I said something to extent hey.. didn't he say it was Robby last night? ..and an ongoing dialogue and Phil the vampire was born. To which we incorporated into the Phil Donor Rap CD. It's still a running joke, I would like to thank to boy scout troupe 371 for...... I apologize.. very off flavor and said only in jest.. I'm a big Phil supported, but we still howl about it from time to time. I'm pretty sure this is the only thing keeping Keith Richards alive. ..and for what it's worth, his donor raps convinced me to be an organ donor (though considering the likely shape of some of my organs, I'm not entirely convinced I am doing good).
user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

There is finally a way to post pics online, I think. I had contacted Sixtus a about 18 months ago about working with his buddy that hosts the Sixtus Mixtus. His buddy was out of country at the time, and I ended up getting sick and never followed through. I am gonna see if this works, we shall see. G IMG42 pics are fuzzy do to bad camera software
user picture

Member for

13 years 1 month
Permalink

i spent a good deal of time making this list, so i was hoping to get more feedback. i've never fully agreed with similar lists regardless of subject, so i don't expect anyone to be 100% satisfied, but i think this one is pretty solid, so tell me what you like, or tell me what you don't like. 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 -----
user picture

Member for

9 years 4 months
Permalink

Ok let me get my sh$t together to post how. That was a pic I took maybe almost 2 years ago when folks, some may remember, were discussing the tickets that came with the Warlocks box. They were wondering if they were left over tickets or reprints. Well this long of a time after I have finally responded. OK, I know I am moving much too slow. You can tell that they are reprints. The actual ticket is a fraction larger and The Warlocks was printed in a gold foil print instead of black, like the reprint. Sorry pic is fuzzy. This was an old digital camera and its software is causing all pics to be fuzzy. Need to take again with my phone, check back in two years. G
user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months
Permalink

It doesn’t show up on my iPad, it just says IMG42.It’s weird but there have been times where someone’s pic doesn’t show up, but once I log in it appears. Other times I can see a pic, but the next time I visit the site it does not appear. I’m logged in now but cannot see Gary’s pic.
user picture

Member for

9 years 9 months
Permalink

Unparalleled. From 76 - 78 none equal. So good my hair got caught in the fan while I was thrashing. Agree about the cover art. One of my least favorites. For my taste, I would be OK with all the red possibly, if the foreground characters were different. I'm not crazy about the country Jamboree skeletons. Rootin tootin hootenanny hollerin country Jamboree. Or maybe not, that is a lot of red.
user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months
Permalink

That took some work, impressive. Likes: Loser, Brown-eyed, Wharf, Althea, Franklin's, Candyman, Black Peter, Sugaree, Speedway, Truckin', Mr. Charlie, He's Gone, Row Jimmy... not as much: Weather Report, Sugar Magnolia, Cassidy, Throwing Stones. You did ask. Still an admirable list, nice.
product sku
081227931742