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"The Grateful Dead picked up their instruments and hit the first note with perfection. They never missed a note for the next three and one-half hours. People followed the flow of the tunes. Down on the floor in front of the stage was a sea of heads keeping time with the music. No one sat still. No one, except the youngsters behind us sat still. They were still and stunned." - The Power County Press
And what a stunner it was, that show at the Boise State University Pavilion in Boise, ID on September 2, 1983. Dave's Picks Volume 27 contains every stitch of music from this mid-80s show (our first in this series), one that's as good as any other in Grateful Dead history. When the Dead were on, they were ON! Straight out the gate with a definitive take on the old standard "Wang Dang Doodle," the band swiftly switches back to a setlist of yore, firing off 70s staples like "Jack Straw" and "Brown-Eyed Women" and wrapping things up with a terrific trio of "Big Railroad Blues"/"Looks Like Rain"/"Deal" (don't you let that epic guitar solo go down without you). Primed for the second set, they tackle the complexities of "Help>Slipknot!>Franklin's" with heart and ease. It's clear there will be no stopping their flow - Bobby and Brent hanging in for a fantastic pre-Drums "Jam" and Jerry and Bobby in the zone on a not-to-be-missed melodic "Space." Not a skipper in the whole lot!
Dave's Picks Volume 27 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.
first listen.....
......it's ok. But if this is the best of the mid 80's that Dave can find..........YMMV
What was Dave thinking
This show from 83 is without question my least favorite Dave’s Picks. The band is clearly high on mass quantities of cocane. I’ve never heard anything like it. Every song is so fast they lack any groove or substance.
Disc three is the only saving grace of this release. The jam out of space with Jerry and Bob is captivating and the band finally eases off on the gas pedal long enough to keep the show in our collection.
Maybe Dave needs to get back to the great shows from the 60’s and 70’s next time.
Peace
last night
went to a "Zoo Tunes" show at (you guessed it) the zoo.
X and Psychedelic Furs
X RROOCCKKSS. what a great band. so much great rock n roll. Hall of Fame worthy. so good. yes. they should have been the headliners.
Psychedelic Furs: some good tunes, and an overall good sound. Richard Butler has a great voice. A band I liked from a distance, but never "got into".
overall a great time.
of course, these bands formed when I was in 7th grade.
7th grade.
1977. wow. they didn't hit their respective strides until 1980 or a little later. but still.
Agreed
I tried again to listen to this show...It is an assault on my ears...Not only is the mix horrific there is no cohesion to the playing at all. The sum is definitely not greater than the parts...I too cannot understand why this would be released...I listened to 5-3-72 to cleanse the sonic palette...
Re: Back to the future with stereo
My listen has been on my computer system (good speakers, but not through my studio monitors), and mainly in the car. It's not my ears, it's the tapes. I'll take you at your word that the keyboards are lower on headphones, but I must ask do you really blast a show into your headphones as you would your stereo or in your car? I could check the sound on the living room stereo, but I don't think Jerry's guitar will suddenly spring into focus over Brent vamping, and I also doubt it will remove the Healy effects on the vocals. (I can't believe it took over 10 years of him adding that stuff to question him about it.)
Just because somebody recorded something on reel to reel doesn't mean I have to listen to it that way for it to sound good. I don't buy that argument. Otherwise, I'd just find some old blank Maxells and dub this show and try it that way.
JeffSmith - "Limited Edition" means what!?
I fully agree with what you said including the bit where you said "Maybe/hopefully these again-available releases were withheld from initial sale as potential replacements. Who knows?". I hope you are right, but what nobody yet seems to have discovered is if these items actually do have a number printed on 'em. In the past some people who have received replacements for damaged sets have allegedly received unnumbered ones suggesting they are from a back-up stock. It remains to be seen if these WarnerMarket items are like this. There is also the question about when an item is sold out. If it is claimed to be a limited edition of, say, 18000 when do they say it is sold out? When they have received 18000 orders? Surely not, unless they have extra back-up stock for lost-in-the-post and damaged products. These would surely have to be unnumbered. Maybe they shut up shop when they have received 17500 orders and hold the remainder back as replacements. It is something we as mere punters are not privy to so it is hard to speculate on how the mighty Warner/Rhino machine works. Also, this appearance on Amazon begs the question: "Why now?".
Late to the bus
I make every effort not to think about how much we paid for Dave’s Picks 1 thru 10. Or all the box sets we missed first time around. Very glad we own them as we love it all, but it took a large amount of money to own em’. At least we’re caught up now and can own what’s going to come out from now on.
Point of reference and apples vs oranges
It’s painful to see folks trying to “compare” these wildly different kinds of recordings.So perhaps I can give a bit of reference for those who don’t understand? (If you do, pardon moi)
The two biggetst apples vs oranges things to consider are multi-track versus 2 track stereo, and the purpose of the mix involved. The stuff most all y’all love so much were purposely, consciously mixed to listen to more like a studio mix if you will; balanced guitars, vocals etc.
Betty et el had separate feeds JUST for recording, to listen to later etc.
The 80s stereo mixes etc were a feed off the soundboard of which the mix was for the live reinforcement of sound relative to the venue etc. Guitars are often so loud on stage, that not as much needs to be reinforced through the PA, while the voice doesn’t normally have a “loud amp” so they need to be more prominent in the mix.....voices and acoustic instruments are not as loud as “guitar amps”....if you’ve ever tried to have a conversation next to someone cranking an amp you understand this...
Now out in the audience, preferably in front of the soundboard, everything sounds appropriate, balanced etc. That’s the purpose of a live reinforcement mix; to sound balanced and good in the audience, so one can hopefully fully appreciate each and every channel.
Also, unless you have a multi-track mix, you cannot go back and change individual tracks later. This would be like trying to lower the level of the bass guiitar, on a stereo, 2 track album your plating in your living room. You can mess with the tone of the bass, but you can’t do much about how loud or soft it was mixed.
That’s why multi-track releases usually sound better. Perfect example is Live Dead, Skull fuck and Europe 72. Though they were recorded live, because their multi-track recordings, they were able to go back and sweat-in up the vocals, and in some cases even do overdubs (redos). That’s how they added Merls organ on Skull Fuck. Nowadays with auto tune, they can go back and fix flat or sharp vocals. My guess is they’ve done that with some of the old 70 shows, and DG in particular...
The multi-tracks tend to be what audio folks call more “airy,” they breathe more, there is not as much compression of all the different sources, so the instruments stand out better. There is also the matter of physics as related to the increased tape area of multi track to cassette, and the usually increased speed the multi’s were recorded at. This also makes a huge difference.
They multi’s also don’t usually have much as far as effects on them. That is added later as need be, for different purposes, and usually more sparingly, another plus of Muliti. The live house mix has the same effects used by Healy to enhance the sound in the venue, not for your living room, and certainly not for your car....
Hopefully this helps to see how completely different these techniques are, and how their inherent characteristics based on their intended purposes make them so very different......also hope it helps understand how often the vocal to instrument balance can be so different too?
One more notable fact. No soundboard recording, whether multi or stereo sounds exactly like the actual instruments recoded. Take Phil’s Alembic bass sounds on all the 70s releases everyone loves so much. As great as Beatty et el did, I’ve never heard a SB only mix that sounds what his rig really sounds like live in a actual hall. This is based on owning/using the same gear, and working with other musicians as a tech. There is Increased full freaquncy range live, versus the often overly middy sound of especially the Alembic basses direct....this is in part because a direct to tape mix does not incorporate all the other gear in the line; pre-Amps, eq, even the power amps can effect tone, especially more power. The great thing about huge amps isn’t that they can be louder, it’s that they have way more tone, or fuller sound, without having to be loud!
So if you must compare, try to understand what your comparing. Of course with any audio, gear, speaker set up etc. the bottom line is YOUR point of reference and what YOU like.
Also, the Dead played for thirty years, not four or seven....some of us want to hear as much of all years as reasonably possible. Obviously there are some shows that are better than others, and some years have much more consistency But that doesn’t mean there are not great shows from all years. The problem is mostly finding both great shows, that were recorded well that also sound great....
This is what Dave has alluded to. And yes, unfortunely, for much of the eighties these 2 track House mixes are all there is.
I’m with the folks who would rather have a great show, even only from a house mix.
As Eecktars rule of relativity states sometimes “a little bit of somethin’ is better than all of nothing”
And hey, like some have said, If unfortunately you don’t dig some of this stuff a) don’t buy it, b) don’t listen, and/or c) sell it or pass it on
“take what you need and leave the rest”!
Remeber what I think Vguy said “ remember how bad old shitty cassettes with the hiss, wow, and flutter sounded”
This perhaps is a fairer more reasonable comparison; old 2 track cassette soundboards to this type of release. Comparing Multi track recordings intended for remix, mastering and duplication for release I.e., 90 boxes, E72, Live Dead etc, to stereo cassettes based off of the house mix and intended more as a way to critique the house mix, is beyond apples and oranges ; )
Bob's slide-Thin
So we agree-neither of us like Bob's slide playing. I was speculating on why someone might like it. In so doing I was reframing his..unusual.. approach as being the result of experimentation , rather than poor technique. No big deal. I wasn't aware this was a cliché-I've never read anyone else saying that. Unsurprisingly!
Apples vs Oranges
I concur Captain Kirk, on all points. Has anyone found a better Boise '83 recording to post on here yet? NO.
Thank you
Three brothers. Aged 92, 94 and 96 live together....
...One night the 96 year old draws a bath, puts his foot in and pauses. He yells down the stairs, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"
The 94 year old yells back, "I don't know, I'll come up and see." He starts up the stairs and pauses, then he yells, "Was I going up the stairs or coming down?"
The 92 year old was sitting at the kitchen table having coffee listening to his brothers. He shakes his head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful." He knocks on wood for good luck. He then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."
Bob’s slide
I liked the slide, eventually, once he became proficient....obviously not a virtuoso, but he did with slide like he did with everything else...his own way. Not going to argue that it didn’t sound worse than train brakes screeching or a cat in heat early on though!
dap 27
these 80's releases are a real novelty. I like all eras but this will get listened to probably only on the anniversary date. Sorry but like the Boulder release sound is not so great and to me it seems like they're going through the motions, not to mention at like triple time...? Maybe it was just me today or first listen or that I started the day and did enjoy 7/31/74 this morning...
I've said it before and i'll
I've said it before and i'll say it again lol Rhino/Grateful Dead Productions are not responsible for your merchant business on ebay I find that market place shit fuckin hilarious
13022 has landed..
I think it sounds fantastic, not sure what everybody else is hearing or not hearing but it sounds like they are live in my cave and that’s enough for me!
if you need and want your
if you need and want your digital copies of Dave's Picks to look fancy and have the fantastic artwork that is adorned on the covers, than look no further than www.albumartexchange.com it is free, but you will have to register to download artwork. if you don't register you will have a "watermark" on your artwork and it will look like poo poo
Re: apples and oranges
There is no debate about multitracks going on here as the Dave's and Dick's Picks were all 2 track recordings with the exception of Dave's 8 which is a 2 track plus an Audience recording for a Matrix. Healy's PA mixes are what sourced this show, and most of the 80s tapes, and, yes, that is a totally different animal than Betty's (or Owsley's or Rex's or Kidd's) 2 track reel to reel recordings that they mixed from a soundboard feed that probably included amp mics mixed into those 2 tracks. And it is this difference (plus the use of cassette masters) that many of us dread. Plus the PA mixes have to have vocals and keyboards pushed up front where that was much less an issue with Keith and a piano that couldn't be plugged in and prior sound rigs. This recording is good in having more low end than is normally heard on these 80s PA mixes, but that could be Mr. Norman's deft touch, rather than a stronger low end mix by Healy this particular night. Owsley denigrated Healy's mixing abilities, claiming "he couldn't mix a cake from a Betty Crocker package", and though I wouldn't go that far, his additions to vocals often detract, as they do here, to me, most obviously on Mama Tried and Big River. And Healy's effects are definitely on the 2 track recordings, because it went through the PA, so he mixed it in there. There may be less in 1983 than in 1988, but it's definitely there, and while it may work for something psychedelic like The Other One, it doesn't sound good on Mama Tried. At all.
I totally get different recording techniques yield different results. I also get that Dave also said that this is a better sounding PA mix tape from the 80s, and while that may be completely true, it doesn't mean it's a great sounding tape. I'm not expecting it to sound like Dave's 21 4/2/73, but I don't see why any of us who do not like the sound of this Pick need to adjust our expectations or listen on headphones when we don't like how it spunds in our cars, on our stereos, or on our computers. When the AUD patch in Eyes hit, I thought that sounded good, and that they maybe should've gone Matrix again, though that wouldn't bring the guitars up much, and the vocals would still be well out front.
If they want to put out more '80s-'90s shows, that's great. If they sound better than this. I actually would love for them to use the multitracks where they have them, so they can put out some of those later shows. That would give us great sound quality, and if it's picked, usually the playing quality is strong as well. If a crappy board tape surfaced of say 11/8/70 I wouldn't want to pay for it, even though that show is about at the top of my wish list, because I'd rather a somewhat lesser show with much better sound come out. Of course, that's just me, and I am not Rhino's only customer, and this isn't Duane-era ABB we're debating, where you literally have 80-100 tapes floating around in various quality, whereas the Dead have hundreds of high quality tapes, hundreds of mediocre tapes, and hundreds of incomplete or bad sounding tapes.
On Phil's Alembic sound on tape versus live, I never got to see him playing the Alembics, so my reference for those is the tapes, and I love the sound that's captured. And it's funny you say that, because a Phish show I went to a few years ago, Mike Gordon onstage sounded just like Phil on tape in the '73-'74 period, and I thought he sounded great, and looked forward to hearing that tone on the board tapes later, but it was gone, replaced by the sound of his direct out and whatever mix the sound guy threw on there, so he sounded like Mike on tape, but live I was blown away by that wooden tone (that's always how I've described it) that sounded just like Phil.
Now wait....
....are we talking sound quality or performance. Other than the missed verse in Help On The Way, performance was fine for me. Other that the jarring aud splice in Eyes, quality is fine for me. My dogs ran out of the room though and hid under the bed. Should I be concerned?
ok, lmao fourwindsbelow
ok, lmao fourwindsbelow comment has been the funniest comment I've read in here second to a '90 show comment story that had me in tears of laughter. yeah, cuz these are two track tapes they were never recorded for commercial posterity. but just for reference to listen back to and see what worked and what didn't. any major enjoyment from these two track tapes is purely coincidental.
DaP 1 on Amazon
Last time I saw Dave’s Picks 1 on Amazon, it was listed at nearly $6000.00. Obviously, I passed on it.
mine came in today. I haven't
mine came in today. I haven't played it but I have it ripped and im gonna tear into it after a jaunt on the treadmill with phish. but look I have heard some '70's shows also were jerry was low in the mix, whatever that one 72 dicks picks one is in NJ, whatever that '72 show for daves that's at the academy of music, the Waterbury show for 30 picks, and quite a few shows where jerry's guitar is kinda low for many estimated prophets in the late 70's. its just not 83 but sound quality is really subjective when you get down to it
"Jelly roll will drive you stone mad"
#6779 found its home
Hey Terrapin Moon, cool pic with Spider-Man and fiends.
Electro !!
amazon deals
This whole unearthing of "sold out" dave's picks on amazon does seem a little fishy to me. What could be the nature of this recent offering. It would be nice if someone in the know could offer some insight. Maybe Mary E. She seems to be somewhat of an insider. Bolo would only offer clues!
Hey now, #9480
I'm scared of my first listen due to somewhat neg.responses. but Like some of you guys say "A little bit of something is better then all of nothing".. which is true for most things in life.
Slide guitar
Bobs slide riffs are different, but good in my opinion. Kind of Dukes of hazzardy. Mixing it up sometimes makes it unique. The first set sounds kind of muffled but evens out later on.
Luvinit
While it's unfortunate that some of the reviews here suggest that this is not a pleasant listening experience for some. I cannot gauge my enjoyment based on that of others. Quite simply, I love this release, I love the sound, I love Phil' Sonic Base. For me there is something to like or love about almost any era of Grateful Dead. It's like watching your kids grow up, hit peak times and some valleys, always interesting, always moving forward. If I took a snapshot of just the released material to date including box sets I would need lead to believe that this band only existed from 1972 through 1978. Great music in these years for sure, but it only tells part of the story. One of my favorite things about this band and my nearly 40 year journey with them is the fact that the thing I loved about them on Monday is not the thing I love about them on Friday. In other words, I would get tired of listening to them if only one thing or a set of things appealed to me. The fact that there are layers and caves to explore with this music is what makes it endlessly fascinating. This release opens new doors and rekindles old memories of when I toured with them during this period and had, quite frankly, the time of my life. Thanks David for letting '83 loose!!
HARSH Eyes cut, but even harsher missing part of final verse!!
Why oh why did they not at least patch in the whole final/3rd verse in Eyes during that brutal cut to the audience???? Daves Picks 27 is missing part of that 3rd verse that is on the bootleg/archive versions. I'm inclined to just listen to the archive version due to this. What a horrible decision!
Like this release otherwise. Yeah, SQ cant compete with the Betty boards, 16 track Europe 72 remixes and especially the 89/90 24 track remixes, but it still sounds decent on a nice stereo. Drums go DEEP in the low end which surprised me. My subs came to life!
Not patching in the entire 3rd verse to Eyes is inexcusable though. WTF???
Dave's Picks 27
Got mine today. Have not heard the entire show yet. But a couple of thoughts:While reading the booklet, I was surprised to read that this show has been in the vault for a while. I guess I just assumed they had a ton of recently returned stuff to put out.
20 years ago, I would only listen to shows up to '72. A snob you might say. Then I started checking out '73-'74 shows. Great stuff. Slightly more open minded.
When 30 Trips came out, I decided to buy only the first 10 shows. Then '76 looked interesting, then, what the hell. '77. Accidentally over bid on '85. Kind of liked it. Finally, there were 5 shows I was never gonna buy....but I bought 'em anyway.
I don't love all the shows, but each has it's charm, and value.
Went back, bought all the DP's I passed on. All the Road Trips I passed on. Bought subs for all Dave's. Only missing 2 bonus discs from RT's. Have only ever passed on 4 box sets.
What does it all mean?? I have learned to appreciate everything, without LOVING everything.I will Happily investigate ANY show, and find SOMETHING to like about it.I think this pick was for the folks who keep asking for'80's shows. That's nice of Dave to support these fans. I have no problem with it.
Life is not fair. We don't get everything we want, every time. I can be happy with that. Maybe you should too.
P.S. Everybody knows Tiny Tim invented Rock & Roll.
Citizens...
...this show is hot! Well, as far as I've gotten at least, and that's through the first set. Will make my way through discs 2 and 3, tomorrow. Definitely "luvinit," so far, like sklnrzs put it, and by the way the rest of your post is well-said. Couldn't agree with you more. I'm finishing up Deal right now. Sonic Phil bombs away! Dave talks about the "magnificent" shows from June 1983 that unfortunately lack any usable recording. There's eight shows from that June- each one is blistering.
On another note, what's Bobby singing in that back cover photo???
And the Big RxR Blues is Big indeed....
....and I double dog dare you doubters on that opinion. You know it to be true (Obi-Wan hand sweep motion). Jerry's chasing Jerry throughout. Can't catch me! I'm the gingerbread fuckin' man! Even my wife asked me. "Are there two Jerry's on stage?" Golden.
Love this release
I can't say enough good things about this release. I love the energy here, the the performance and the tempo. I get what other's are saying about the quality however this was a big problem for all shows recorded in this era. I'm so glad to have a release from this era. Love the fast tempo the band plays here.My Favorites are the Wang Dang opener and Jack Straw in set I, Set II I love the Eyes>Jam Drums>Space>Throwing Stones. Hot Show!!
Bravo, Dave!
Best yet, imo! sparkling gems everywhere. I can hear Bobby!!
Thank you!
ears
I have made an appointment with the audiology dept to have my hearing checked. If anyone really thinks this sounds good, which some have stated here, then I must need a check-up. I am listening to this through a audiophile stereo with Altec Lansing speakers. Cut my teeth on early 80's shows and....well, this is just not how I remember them sounding. The entire band must have consumed an oz of coke that night, which doesn't go well with the doses that anyone in the audience partook of. Wait, was there doses in Boise back then? ;) Back on the shelf this will go to collect dust.
The future is here , we are it , We are on our own
Staking turf , dividing up meat Ashes ashes all fall down http://www.dead.net/sites/all/themes/dead2013/jplayer/?url=https://sos2… Jack Straw ~ Sugaree +*+*+ 4.23.84 +*+*+ New Haven Connecticut
unkle sam don't waste your money
Your ears are fine this doesn't sound that good. After some equalizing mostly lowering the middle around 400hz to 600hz and around 2000khz and increasing a little on the ends it's not too bad. The only Dead I have official or not that doesn't need at least some equalizing is (you guessed it) Spring 90 The Other One.
sound/performance
the sound on this does have spots of "wha'?"
the performance itself is fine.
I like really good sound, but I have never been a major audiophile.
I enjoy this show.
more 83, Dave.
really too bad that 6/18/83 and 6/20/83 and 6/22/83 are either not in the vault or are deemed not releasable.
5/13
5/15
10/11
10/15
10/31
"mowr, mowr, mowr", Dave.
sknrzs RE: Luvinit
Well said. Great post.Totally respect folks personal favs and would never disagree that some eras are more consistent then others, but the Dead gave us thirty wonderful years of music, not six, and what you dig at any given time does not have to be static....
“Some times you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t”
Mr Ones RE: DaP 27
Great Post, love the philosophy. Just because everything can’t be a favorite, doesn’t mean it’s not good or have some value.....
finally...
We recently moved so things have been a little crazy lately. My wife laughed when literally the first piece of mail we received at our new place was Dap 27. However, I didn't get a chance to listen to it until today.
Even before I put it on, I was in a mood for an 83 show. Sirius was playing a chunk of 10/21/83 when I was in the car earlier today so I was already in the right mindset.
I have heard others say there are sound issues, but it sounds just fine to me. It sounds like an 80s show which is not an insult in any way. It's not flawless, but neither were the 80s, especially 83. It captures the era and overall I'm really happy with it.
I obviously like 80's shows in general so I'm biased, but this is a really fun show. The boys are obviously into it and having a great time. I'm happy to have this one in my collection and I have a feeling I'll be spending the rest of the week going down the 83 rabbit hole. thanks Dave and co!
I'm with you
I saw 20 shows in 1983 and for sure had a great time. But listening to this one again gives me pause. Jerry's voice is shot, they race through most of the songs (Jack Straw, Deal, Help on the Way) and the Help on the Way is cringeworthy. He can't remember the words, he can't play the leads, they cannot get it together. Hey, we have a whole decade of amazing stuff (68-78) so it's not like there's nowhere to turn. But I'm baffled that the masses are clamoring for more 80s stuff, or raving about this show, neither the sound quality nor the musicianship is notable. Back to '72 indeed!
Higher resolution cover art
#10297 finally landed last night. There have been some pretty good links already, but If you need a higher-res, color-corrected version of Tim McDonagh's cover art, here are my scans:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lz8295bje2dpsxf/AAA2cik9bkrnlJ8kxsNPA1iQa?dl…
There’s a “Rectangular” version (just like the CD cover) plus a “Square” version for anybody so inclined
You can also find my scans for all Dave’s Picks and Bonus covers at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qx5j9ydoc7bzm8z/AAD8yK_vCv_kQ-oLkLJQVCEla?dl…
Pass ‘em around, and keep the music playing.
Dave27 - Sound is Just Awful
The performance is uneven, as mentioned in many posts some tunes are raced through. But mid 80s shows were always more about being there than the quality of their playing. You went because the scene was still too much fun to miss. I can accept the performance because it is mid-80s. But the sound? Not sure how this show can be touted for its sound quality. The mix is poor, Brent's keyboard is in your face, Jerry sounds like he's playing in a back room a good 50 yards behind the stage and Bobby is some where between them, but still far back. Drums? From the recording I'm guessing Billy and Micky had the night off. Just a terrible recording. This will most likely be the first and last time I listen to this show. Dave if this is the best of what's left of the mid-80s then leave the rest where they are.
product sku
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