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    heatherlew
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    The unexpected return of the masters of the Grateful Dead's triumphant show at the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, November 17, 1971, yields great rewards. The Dead came in HOT for their first New Mexico show. Aided by clarity and precision and abetted by confidence and focus, they finessed old standards with definitive takes. With Keith now blending in seamlessly on keys, the first set offered up a triple shot of electric Blues, an exceptional "You Win Again," and a stellar "One More Saturday Night" to wrap things up. And the second set, well, it might just be unlike any you've ever heard. Archivist David Lemieux urges you to turn it up and do it loudly. We won't dare spoil all the surprises, but pay special attention to the rippin' "Sugar Magnolia," the aggressively monstrous "The Other One," and the highly-danceable "Not Fade>GDTRFB>Not Fade." Rounding out the 3CDs, you'll find selections from Pigpen's return tour at Ann Arbor, MI, 12/14/71. Subscribers will get nearly all of the complete show as this year's bonus disc.

    As always, Dave's Picks Volume 26 has been mastered to HDCD specs from the original analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman and is limited to 18,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

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  • SkullTrip
    Joined:
    Re: DaP26
    Both shows are gems and stand strong on their own merits, but Albuquerque hits the sweet spot for me (though it may not be as smooth as Ann Arbor). Nothing sounds embryonic or remotely throwaway to my ear. The first set line up may not be as exploratory or as expansive as they would quickly become, but the band is clearly in the zone and firing on all cylinders. And, more importantly, they sound like they're having one hell of a good time. There's a collective enthusiasm that radiates from each gig, with and without bacon.
  • Willysin4wd
    Joined:
    DaP 26 and RT V3No2 Austin
    Well, earlier i was finally reading the liner notes late at night and Dave discussed the Austin Road Trips release from 11/15/71. I have a tough time buying a la carte on the web with the prices these command, but with DaPa 26 playing, and a head soaked in red wine, I found one at a nice price on Discogs. It just arrived two days ago, I've been spinning that heavily. It is nice to listen to Austin and then Albuquerque. Both really good recordings. I'm turned on to 1971 like never before. Concerning the fist set, i'm enjoying these songs, there's an exuberance to them. I really like hearing the strong harmonies and vocal inflections that changed or got lost over time. They have young voices and the recording highlights them well. I'm also digging Billy's drumming, played like a lead instrument. So much already said about the single drummer years, these recordings are just more testimony time to that. Keith's playing is great, i like that it's right up in the mix and driving the songs along. Just a plug, RT Austin was my first purchase on Discogs, and it seemed to me a more laid back, personal event. Check it out. Kinda between craigslist and ebay?
  • Charlie3
    Joined:
    And Another Thing...
    ...that Next Time You See Me from Ann Arbor is sublime.
  • Charlie3
    Joined:
    DaP 26
    Currently finishing up a second full listen of this release, and while I like all of it a lot, I would agree with Spacebrother's description of the Albuquerque sequence starting with Cryptical Envelopment and continuing through Wharf Rat as indeed transcendent. The same is true of Ann Arbor sequence starting with Cryptical Envelopment through Wharf Rat on the bonus disc. I really don't know which sequence I like more at this point, but both are definitely highlights. There is just something different about these Other Ones, I lack the vocabulary to adequately describe the difference, but the difference is in a way that helps blunt the long dry stretch between Dark Stars in the recent Dave's Picks. Also find myself taking notice of the Sugaree's and the Pig contributions on this release as well. The more I listen to it the more I like it. The sound quality is top shelf as well. I used to worry that there would be a decline in release quality over time, but that does not appear to be the case, they just seem to sound better and better.
  • Charlie3
    Joined:
    No Right Or Wrong?
    I don't know Jim, your post sounds right to me.
  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    First Set
    I thought the Playing and Cumberland were exceptional. Throw-aways? I don't know.. I consider the first set more a spicy but excellent breakfast burrito myself. To each his/her own I guess. I think both shows are well played and find myself liking them about the same. I could be alone here.. but I also like the fact that we pretty much got two shows in close proximity to each other date wise with similar setlists packed into one release. Both shows are well played, they seem relaxed and having fun.. yet both are vastly different in my opinion. Had they come out as separate releases at different times I might not have given them comparative listens. It really brings to the surface what the Grateful Dead were so good at.. improvising and making each show different and special. Just my thoughts, certainly no wrong or right here. Have a great weekend all.. I'm heading out for what promises to be a grand adventure.....
  • daverock
    Joined:
    The Byrds-The Dead 76
    Having recommended Goin' Back by The Byrds earlier today, I decided to listen to its parent album-The Notorious Byrd Brothers. Superb album-both the songs and the laidback flow. Earlier albums, Younger Than Yesterday and 5th Dimension also surely pass the acid test. Things were less happy in Deadland. I decided to listen to DaP 4-24th September 1976. I haven't got to the 3rd cd, which looks promising, featuring as it does Help=Slipknot-Franklins-but the first 2 cds are a bit ordinary. I am not sure I would welcome a 1976 box...I think I've got enough of this sort of thing already.
  • SPACEBROTHER
    Joined:
    DaP 26 - my take
    Gave the CD proper a one-time through listening session (not the bonus disc yet). I find the Albuquerque show to be interesting in that most everything up until Cryptical feels like the band is still working out the songs. Embryonic. Kind of throwaway material in my opinion. Cool as a historic document and reference to see how they grew into the newer material and Keith's recent addition. By the time they hit Cryptical though, it's like a switch gets flipped, and the band goes from rehearsal mode/working out the kinks into what really makes this band awesome. Transcendent. The Ann Arbor portion on the other hand, awesome from start to finish. pigpen's presence clearly lifts the band considerably, and keith plays and sounds the best here of his entire time in the Dead. A true Keith peak. The piano has never been mixed better prior or after in my opinion. I understand wanting to release shows that the Dead didn't have in the vault, and welcome them all, but man, that Ann Arbor run should have been released as it's own standalone package. Those who didn't subscribe, but were lucky enough to score one ala carte, are getting totally gipped out of the best part of this entire release. I oftentimes find these bonus discs to surpass the actual release. I've had the legendary Ann Arbor shows forever, and in good quality, but this is by far the best and cleanest I've ever heard of this first nights show. Absolutely amazing. Another legendary show cannibalized as use for filler. Yikes. (just like 3/24/90 and 7/12/90 and many others...wtf) Sometimes these marketing decisions leave me scratching my head. Hopefully 12/15/71 won't be stuck into some $1500 box set and/or hacked-up into multiple releases. Waaaaay too important of a show for that.
  • Thin
    Joined:
    "Ring Them Bells" by Dylan
    Amazing song from the "Oh Mercy" album. My bro and I have agreed this song is played at the funeral of whoever goes first. FIND THE STUDIO VERSION ON I-TUNES. It's not on youtube. If you think Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is powerful, you will love this. Some of Dylan's most powerful lyrics: Ring them bells ye heathen from the city that dreams Ring them bells from the sanctuaries cross the valleys and streams For they're deep and they're wide And the world is on its side And time is running backwards And so is the bride Ring them bells Saint Peter where the four winds blow Ring them bells with an iron hand So the people will know Oh it's rush hour now On the wheel and the plow And the sun is going down upon the sacred cow Ring them bells Sweet Martha for the poor man's son Ring them bells so the world will know that God is one Oh the shepherd is asleep Where the willows weep And the mountains are filled with lost sheep Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf Ring them bells for all of us who are left Ring them bells for the chosen few Who will judge the many when the game is through Ring them bells for the time that flies For the child that cries When innocence dies Ring them bells for Saint Catherine from the top of the room Ring them bells from the fortress for the lilies that bloom Oh the lines are long and the fighting is strong And they're breaking down the distance between right and wrong
  • claney
    Joined:
    There is a Dark Star on DaP 36...
    ... in the first four minutes of Bobby McGee.
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The unexpected return of the masters of the Grateful Dead's triumphant show at the Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, November 17, 1971, yields great rewards. The Dead came in HOT for their first New Mexico show. Aided by clarity and precision and abetted by confidence and focus, they finessed old standards with definitive takes. With Keith now blending in seamlessly on keys, the first set offered up a triple shot of electric Blues, an exceptional "You Win Again," and a stellar "One More Saturday Night" to wrap things up. And the second set, well, it might just be unlike any you've ever heard. Archivist David Lemieux urges you to turn it up and do it loudly. We won't dare spoil all the surprises, but pay special attention to the rippin' "Sugar Magnolia," the aggressively monstrous "The Other One," and the highly-danceable "Not Fade>GDTRFB>Not Fade." Rounding out the 3CDs, you'll find selections from Pigpen's return tour at Ann Arbor, MI, 12/14/71. Subscribers will get nearly all of the complete show as this year's bonus disc.

As always, Dave's Picks Volume 26 has been mastered to HDCD specs from the original analog tapes by Jeffrey Norman and is limited to 18,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

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Boring? This almost made me sad, but then I watched the video again. What a beautiful and unique way to bring people together all over the world.
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Nice list - I'm pleased I'm not the only crazy guy here who agonize is over satisfactory organization of the Digital Dead. I also moved the Dick's Picks 29 tracks into the Road Trips October 77 folder. Let's see what else... May 22nd 1977 - DP vol. 3. I was able to get my hands on some good sounding soundboard recordings of the missing tracks from that show, Brown Eyed Woman, Peggy-O etc. I like that you have June 16th and 18th 1974 in there. Those were horrible shows to have had broken up. The audio was just so good, I would love to hear Jerry's guitar cranking on all those tunes like it does on the ones we did get. How is the sound on those remainders? I also saw that you had October 18th and 19th 1974 on your list - do you find the discrepancy in audio quality between the fully produced tracks from the Movie Soundtrack and the remaining sound board tracks that you used to fill the gaps a distraction? I usually avoid using soundboard tracks to fill the gaps, unless they sound really really close to the Full Norman versions (usually 1977 is the only place I can get away with it). 80sFan - got your PM, thanks man! Digging into that right now.
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Hey all. Yup Keithfan2112, count me in. I've held off listening due to a future better listening experience. I won't avoid the archive because of this, but I will keep releases shrink wrapped from time to time. Last year I held off on a couple of Dave's Picks because I was hemming and hawing over which headphones to invest in. That's another rabbit hole. This year I'm backed up on the DP8 vinyl and now the Fillmore West RSD vinyl release. The grande deluxe is under going a major overhaul this year. Waiting on new speakers to arrive. I rock, like Daverock, the Project Carbon Debut. I will replace my red ortofon with the blue. Thanks wharfrat1. When the new speakers arrive and I'll get dirty running speaker wires through the wall and under the condo. I did say overhaul. Looking forward to a ride in Jim's time machine very soon! Enjoy the weekend Heads. The Music Never Stops. Cheers all!
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9 years 9 months
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Keithfan, I have those '74 shows to fill in the Road Trips songs if you need them (PM me.)
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17 years 4 months
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....gonna be a good weekend. A new Dave's, going to the Vegas Golden Knights / Sharks game tomorrow and going to see Infinity War Sunday.
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17 years 1 month
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The bonus disc art is some of my favorite of the series...very nice.
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10 years 3 months
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Just in case of delivery..... But it does not look like it's going to happen. It would be fantastic if they made it available for download to people who bought it.
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11 years 9 months
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# 26 has found it's way to the edge of the world and yes...The Bonus Disc Art Work is amazingly fine...and I too will be making my way to Las Vegas from the edge of the world tomorrow...but instead of the hockey game (Which would be great to go to) I got a ticket for my wife to see Elton at Caesar's while I will be at The Wynn taking in Mel Brooks' one man show...enjoy all!!!
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6 years 6 months
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#3246 arrived today in western Mass
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6 years 6 months
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Farewell to Charles Neville, a fixture in Northampton for 15 yrs.
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15 years 10 months
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Just ripped it to itunes, working on the Hill show correct order now. I still think the best bonus cover was Thelma. The Senator rocks that Tshirt! Have a good time at the game Vguy! Thanks for the DaP8 Vinyl link, got a copy on the way. Also lucky to score a RSD release.
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10 years
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DaP26 at my local post office. sadly, not today. BUT - Road Trips 11/15/71 DID hit my doorstep earlier today, which I found for a "not outrageous price" on Amazon. Love having an original copy of all of these. And it is sooo solid, which bodes well for this one. Looking forward to this initial listen. Always approach with Virgin Ears if its one I've never stumbled across.... Happy Friday DeadFreaks. Cherry Tree in front yard is 'bout to pop blossoms. Sixtus
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13 years 4 months
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Love the melting tie dye balloon art. I might have to get out my microscope, some of those distant skeletons may or may not be bearded.. Might not get a good listen until tomorrow... but I am savoring the moment. Another fine 71. Life is good.
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Mine will arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday, smile, I could drive and pick it up and be home in 3 hours maybe? Hey Sixtus, thanks for the info on cherry blossoms, We popped dogwoods about 4 weeks ago, and they are still hanging in there. The cherries bloomed about the same time as the dogwoods but have been gone for a couple of weeks. Been a cold April here but a spectacularly beautiful visual spring. Now I know spring is popping where you are. Nice!
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Dang love the Neville Brothers. I have an excellent board tape of them opening for Grateful Dead on 12/30/86. Well I have an old box of tapes, now I need to find it. I wonder if Charlie Miller takes head cases?
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Always great to compare notes, GFAr my friend. Sadly, Spring has been absent until just a few days ago in these parts; it's been remarkably cold in the latter half of "Winter". But Poppin' Blossoms is a great way to track geo-progress, interestingly. Now as for Geo-locator of my DaP 26, it needs a "beam me up Scotty" link, to my hands! Sixtus
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13 years 4 months
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You set the controls of the riding mower to Monday afternoon.. I am ripping mine as I write this. Perhaps I will get a cursory start to the listen this afternoon. Beautiful spring day here and the rivers are booming.. got in my third run this season on the river I live on. I am either out of shape or this river has gotten harder. Oh, and the Feb floods changed a couple of the rapids including one of the class V's, making it just a little tighter of a line. What a drag it is getting old....
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Right on. Although Monday may not be necessary; tomorrow appears hopeful! Nonetheless, a good spin on The Mower is always worth a try. Speaking of which...who saw this ridiculous data share this week of, like, the Entire Galaxy?? http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2018/04/european-satellite-reveals-motio… http://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1606a/zoomable/ (zooming-in, encouraged on the 2nd link) Be safe on those rapids. Sixtus P.S. NFA>jam>GDRFB>NFA now commencing
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9 years 9 months
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#14995 has landed and it sounds GOOD. I like it better than DaP 22 already, more crisp and less jangly sounding to my ear. Bonus disc art if ya need it: https://goo.gl/RKh5co
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7 years 11 months
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I start a new gig selling cars on Monday. I've never done this before but I'm excited. Glad this years box wasn't released during my hiatus. Thanks to all who sent me well wishes. DP26 should be in my mailbox when I get home from day one at new job. Happy day!! Last weekend off for the near future...cheers!
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10 years
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Thanks Jack Baller for that totally cool sneak peek at the bonus disc cover artwork. Holy Crap! It's King Cool. Sixtus
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17 years 4 months
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....I whole heartily agree that it is fukin beautiful. #13318 is safe and in hand. Will be listening later tonight....
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6 years 6 months
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Long time reader, first time subscribing to Dave's Picks. This is my first bonus disc and it's great not to have to buy it off eBay! I'm so happy, it sounds so good (and I have "Virgin ears" ;-)
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16 years 11 months
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Completely different feel with Pig Pen back... Not even saying one is better than the other...
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14 years 11 months
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Dude on the right - sportin' a beard??
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13 years 11 months
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Yeah, A goatee this time? Criminy :/
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9 years 3 months
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That is some beautiful artwork. Cant wake to get my grimmy, um washed hands, on it. My old eyes, it almost looks like there may be two guys looking straight out and they may both have beards. Dang shadow of the moon
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9 years
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Few more days until my DaP 26 arrives so I’m catching up on E72. Crawled out of the vinyl rabbit hole for a while to go digital.Bought a cool tie-dyed Victrola record case for storing my new vinyl. Why does nappyrags always get such low numbers? Welcome Hippychic.
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12 years 1 month
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Haven't listen to that show in over 25 years. It was our first New Years trip and that was clearly the best night of the entire run. Nevilles on stage during Aiko was the highlight.
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9 years 3 months
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I got into 12/27. 30, 31/1986. Loved being there. I enjoyed all three that I saw very much. Each seemed to have a different vibe. Loved the 30th. I thought the 27th was slinkier, like trying to find each other. Much of it good, some of it like a blind man in the dark. Of course the 31st was what, almost 10 hours in the old auditorium. Ahhh, the old truckin floor!
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13 years 4 months
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Haa.. ..but really, what's the difference between a full head of hair, a beard and a goatee anyway.. A crown of roses works, other than that.. Still the debate continues. I am having a hell of a time ripping and reordering this. Looks like a couple songs didn't import at all. Trying another PC. Weirder than beards with skeletons I say. Edit: AJS/GFar, I was at that NY run as well. I was the guy in the tie dye, staring blankly that unresponsive to any form of communication.
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12 years 1 month
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Agreed. A very cool scene. Very cool venue. Much different than East Coast shows. I thought the volleyball games behind the soundboard were awesome. My memory fails me, but didn't David Crosby do a set on 12/31?

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17 years
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Deep in the first set and sharing Dave's excitement about this show Tight and tasty. Definite upgrade from what i have. 'Keep him happy all the time...'
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7 years 3 months
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My copy not scheduled until Tuesday but hoping they're just padding estimate. Curious how 2nd set sounds....Dave made comparison to 11/15 in Austin which is a quite a claim in my book...Guess I'll have to wait and hear for myself.
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10 years 3 months
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Right there with you on the 4/26/72. You mentioned a couple months ago that of all the music on Europe 72 it's taking me the longest to digest all of The Other Ones. I've listened to this one 3 times, and it is magnificent, just requires some undivided attention. Caught some glimpses of Mind left body, but they never fully committed.
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13 years 4 months
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This is hot. I haven't given it a focused listen, but this is a hot one.
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9 years 3 months
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Absolutley. He did an accoustic set, alone. He had just gotten out of the mexican prison. He looked us right in the eye, and warned us about going to mexico. that is harsh. Life has great blossom, but harshness also. They treated him like crap. Then the Nevilles. Whew, relapsin. Man, the Nevilles can make an arena wiggle. I mean New Orleans in Oakland. Then fellas
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17 years 4 months
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.... funny. I thought it was plugging along pretty good. Guess that's why I wasn't in the band. I wonder if Jeffrey Norman gets a boner when he opens a batch of freshly received reels. I bet it at least tingles. The sound on this is making me.
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13 years 4 months
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VGuy.. Don't scare away HippieChick with your locker room talk. We wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. Yet...
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17 years 4 months
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....gotta catch 'em all. ;) ;) ;) This take is pretty sweet. Especially at the 3:12 mark. Check it.Don't worry HippieChick. I've got my hands outta my pockets.... ....I miss the "old" font. This ones stale and boring.
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15 years 6 months
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Just like Jack the Ripper, Just like --- That new pick looks great, I mean the songs look like more 72 or 73, can't wait til Cosmic Charlie puts it on youtube, Since I couldn't get this, I got Jerry Garcia Live: version 4. Incredible show with just Jerry and Keith, his bass player and drummer that he usually uses, and Donna and Maria Muldaur. Lots of "Cats Down Under the Stars" and songs from around then. It is early 78 ,Jerry sounds awesome,playing excellent with Keith. Great recording and mastering, The CDs are twice as thick as Dead CDs, made in USA. No HDCD. Have a good one Folk.Jim
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10 years 2 months
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I haven't got mine yet-and I am not expecting it for about another month. But that's alright-its on its way, and I have plenty of other things to consider. Like this compilation of shows from Fillmore East April 1971. I know I am in the minority here, but I don't much care for 1971 prior to Keith joining. Just my personal opinion-there are plenty of people on here who know what the are talking about who rate the period very highly-so I accept that its my loss. So listening to this collection of cds has really been a surprise to me. I haven't played it for ages, maybe because I listen to the Portchester run in February and get a bit put off. But I like this-really tight versions of songs with great playing and tone from all concerned. Bobs singing seemed to come of age around this time-in fact its all good-and I haven't even got on to cds 3 and 4 yet, which feature the famous jams. It all seems much better than the Portchester run from February-again just my opinion. Actually, these Fillmore East April 1971 shows would make a nice box set. With an interesting selection of guests such as The Beach Boys and Duane Allman it would be a varied and interesting collection that reaches a great peak with the second sets of the final two nights.
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17 years 5 months
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Still waiting for my copy to cross the pond, meanwhile the last 5 listens were: Kal David & Lauri Bono - Paragon Doug Sahm - The Return of Wayne Douglas Jerry Miller & Co. - Live at Cole's Mike Henderson - Edge of night Tail Gators - Tore up All over the musical map there! Liner notes on the Doug Sahm album: Thanks to God for giving us Doug Sahm. Too right!
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