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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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  • KeithFan2112
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    Pat Fox
    Are your songs in order of preference? I assumed not, but everyone else is talking about which spots songs take on their lists. I couldn't make a list without including performance dates. Like Sugar Magnolia post-hiatus wouldn't make the list, but just about any E72 version would be top 10.
  • Angry Jack Straw
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    No Uncle John's Band
    or The Eleven or Comes a Time or Help>Slip But Blow Away and Built to Last made it? Huh?
  • alvarhanso
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    Pfox top 50
    Wow, your bottom 3 on that list include my favorite Dead song in Scarlet Begonias, another top 5 of mine in Bird Song (put on Dave's 11, 11/17/72 right now, and tell me there's one Feels Like a Stranger that ever comes close to that), and Music Never Stopped is a classic, probably not in my top 15, but a consistent barn burner for the last 20 years they played. Also, Ship of Fools must strike a deep chord in you, which that's totally cool, it's a heartfelt choice. Loser I dig a lot, maybe top 20 for me. Otherwise, the rest are somewhat a variation of my choices. He's Gone would be top 15 for me, 11/18/72 being my particular favorite, but I also love the later versions, the one from MUATM a couple years ago, Foxboro, maybe was outstanding. Okay, quick top 10 (have tried this with friends in the past and never been able to keep it consistent or to 10, but shall essay it anyway) 1 Scarlet Begonias 2 Terrapin Station 3 The Other One 4 Dark Star 5 Bird Song 6 Wharf Rat 7 Weather Report Suite 8 Foolish Heart 9 Eyes of the World ('73-74 particularly for the bass solos) 10 Playing in the Band (primarily '72-'77) 11 The Eleven The last one is Nigel Tufnel approved. Bob and Mickey would approve of the penultimate pick. Foolish Heart I expect wouldn't show up on many lists, and the fact that that made it over Jack Straw, St Stephen, China Cat, Uncle John's, and any myriad other number of great tunes is just that I really like that song, musically and lyrically, those interweaving riffs are just fantastic, and plinky sound or not, it strikes a resonant note in me. Another song I wish I could shoehorn in is Pigpen's beautiful The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion), which was a revelation to me when I got the Europe '72 shows. This was a tough task, and I bet I couldn't replicate the same top 10 tomorrow.
  • 80sfan
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    That's a great list - a few thoughts: If I were to ever make a list, Jack Straw would also be in my top 10. However, so would Row Jimmy (actually several of the songs from wake of the flood would be high on my list) which I see you have closer towards the end. Cassidy & Franklin's Tower would probably be in my top 10 as well. I would probably put Sugaree higher - great song and one that holds special meaning for me (mostly because my wife and I bonded over a shared love of that song when we first met). Also unless I missed it, I didn't see Attics of my life on your list. That song just kills me (and also holds special meaning since part of it was read at my wedding). I agree Terrapin is a top 5 song and loved seeing Mountains of the Moon - wish it would have made it past 1969 but I guess it just belongs to that era. Loser would probably be closer to the bottom of a list I made, but I must say how happy I was to see TOO so close to the top. I'd take a good earth shaking Other One over (most) Dark Stars. In fact I prefer many PITB from 72-74 over Dark Star too (I know I'm in the minority). Finally, I was surprised to see Eyes so low on the list. Any version, any era, I'm probably going to be happy to hear it. Sorry, that was a pretty rambling response, but awesome list - was fun reading it. EDIT: No Half-Step or Cumberland? Two songs that would also probably make my top 10... EDIT 2: I'd probably move He's Gone higher and also add Dire Wolf to the list. Bertha and Wharf Rat feel like they are in the right spots...
  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Warren Miller
    Made extreme skiing films before people knew what extreme skiing was.Of course, it’s even more extreme now. Before YouTube, Warren was really the only place to see that stuff.
  • stoltzfus
    Joined:
    well...
    to me, the top ten at the moment would be Dark Star Sugar Magnolia Cassidy Box of Rain Scarlet Begonias Fire on the Mountain Franklin's Tower Eyes of the World Saint Stephen China Cat Sunflower
  • Slow Dog Noodle
    Joined:
    Warren Miller
    I have many vivid memories of watching Warren Miller ski films with friends back in the day. He was a big part of making skiing such a big part of my life and a source of lots of fond memories, along with Glen Plake. My handle comes from a Warren Miller film. Slog Dog Noodle is a way of skiing bumps, rather humorously. I'm sad to learn of his passing. Ski on Warren.
  • KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    Led Ded
    Try Rockin the Rhein Sugar Magnolia, loud, undistracted, possibly high. In my humble opinion, this song was only really really at its best in 1971 and 1972. The version I'm pointing you towards is significantly better than most. They really catch the groove, and Donna does not sing on the Sunshine Daydream part. As much as I like Donna, there are some songs I think sound better without her. It's worth it just to hear Billy's drum fill, but they are all locked in. I hate to think the song that tuned me into the Dead isn't even on your top 50 list, but to be honest, I don't care for it much after 1972. It's first big change was when Donna joined in. Then Bobby put down the Gibson after '74, and then 2 drummers really changed the groove for good. On a different note, Lazy Lightning / Supplication from November 2nd, 1977, Seneca. Not a big fan of this song in general, but this one is really good. DP 34 filler.
  • LedDed
    Joined:
    Top 50 repost
    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.
  • LoveJerry
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    The Other One DP 18
    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.
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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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Thanks for this post space! Great insight to a critical time in Dead history. Grateful as always...
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Feel very lucky and blessed to have seen the Boys @ Autzen Stadium 8/22/93 and again in '94. But like spacebro mentioned, the dip from '93 to '94 was tangible. Had the opportunity to see a '95 Portland show, but decided to pass. TBH, i wasn't nearly the rabid fan then i am now. So much amazing music happening in the mid-90's. I was much more into warehouse raves and disco biscuits at the time. Heh.
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If you have not already heard, leave here at once, it's 4/23/77 ROLL AWAY THE DEW! I think it vanishes in a few hours!! FEATURES>JAM OF THE WEEK at least an hour of one of the top ten all time shows
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My Dave's Picks vol. 25 has finally arrived here (original order was MIA, thanks to Brazil's awful customs/mail services), and I'm totally amazed with the "Mississippi..." version here! Can someone recommend another version as fantastic as this one, please??
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That half-step is possibly the best one. Glad you finally got your DaP25. Hope 26 didn’t go missing.
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download series volume 1 - April 30 1977 with a few highlights from previous night, maybe available on itunes ? hopefully you can access these from Brasil. I remember traveling through the nordeste of Brasil and this was one I enjoyed a bunch. Especially Peggy-O" "Looks Like Rain" "Mississippi Half Step Uptown Toodeloo" all 3 in a row. "Brave the Storm to come" Others were "Friend Of The Devil" St. Stephen -> Not Fade Away > Stella Blue > St. Stephen !!!! "I've stayed in every blue-light cheap hotel" ~ One of the best https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grateful_Dead_Download_Series_Volume_1 its a great download. May 1977 has quite a few of the other top tier performances 5.7.77 5.12.77 5.17.77 9.3.77 11.5.77 , all of these dates have been released, the only one that maybe easy to find and purchase is 9.3.77 aka Dicks Picks 15 a couple from other years are 8.5.74 aka Dicks Picks 31 and 7.12.89 RFK Summer 1989 Box set. I was just commenting on Daves Picks 26 page about this one and the Half-Step you mention and then I saw your post. what part of brasil are you at ?
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Finally after much delay...15039 is on the player as I type. On 1st listen, Set 1 is great, I now 'ave a deeper appreciation for 1/2 Step - killer!
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Is that a replacement, or was it ‘lost in the mail’?If replacement, does it have a number?
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17 years 6 months
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BCE got it off of Amazon from recently discovered overstock...
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16 years 3 months
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At first, thanks to all who have been visited my mirrors, mostly XL 'Cats under the stars' mirror listed in cat shop. The mirror is ready for shipping worldwide, you can find it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/595957100/cats-under-the-stars-mirror-jerr… I'm working currently on another mirror dedicated to Jerry. It's 'The Wheel' mirror, with the lyrics applied on the back side of the mirror. Hasn't been listed yet, but for Jerrys's birthday I listed psychedelic Jerry's hand made as a wall mirror: https://www.etsy.com/listing/632494283/psychedelic-jerry-garcia-hand-de…
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It was lost in the United States Postal Service system.Much frustration with the delay, now turned to joy. The only date I think I see on the label is in the lower section under the 2nd bar code and above the description, which reads: 01/2018. There is also the 3rd of 4 bar codes on the label in that box.
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While it's not surprising that tix to the P&F Headcount Benefit Friday at the Apollo tumbled down several echelons of the firm's socioeconomic caste without claim, I still consider their availability a great fortune. Having never visited, attending any performance at that historically significant venue for the (my) first time would have been cause for a bucketlist deduction, but this was clearly special. Though tired, I returned home to discover that 2018's stellar - and costly - box set run would continue with the wish-list-topping (now that Szell is out) release of BOTT material for Dylan's 14th Bootleg installment. Because the amazon.uk page appears to address a Japanese import edition, I shouldn't imagine that the price quoted for this (purportedly) 6-disc release will be as exorbitant for the conventional Euro & US versions./K https://www.amazon.co.uk/More-Blood-Tracks-Bob-Dylan/dp/B07GVXL5DQ/ref=… Shout out to the old Eleven - I miss you guys! :)
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Rather wondering when someone was going to mention it; I thought it was just ephemera that bore some metaphysical correlation to page 5 of the accompanying text.
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Technology fosters a certain audiologic pedantry that discounts the practical difficulties of archival transfers. Still, while a bit of the 2-track blues is understandable, Plangent alchemy has affected significant sonic upgrades to existing sources. Portland 74 is a well-known quantity to most, but the Truckin' Jam is a luminescent passage that defies contempt for even acute familiarity. While my favourite GDTRFBs tend to grind like roughly upshifted semi gears in transition from the preceding track, this strong rendition ascends from NFA with deliberate fluidity; also, Keith's bubbly, assertive, sometimes catalystic play makes many first-set standards remarkable. The daughter of the woman who cleans house for me**, age 10, was so entranced by the PNW outer & small wood boxes - suggesting it would make for good jewelry storage - that I gifted it immediately; heck, I was only going to shelve it for the next 50 years (according to actuarial tables), but it's become the center of focus for child - if only for a short bit - who exhibits more enthusiasm than I'll ever muster after unboxing. Still, it's easily the most aesthetically pleasing musical release from top-to-bottom that I've ever seen. Couple disks heading back, but that's been par for the course since the beginning, and I've never had a problem with speedy replacement. **This really isn't saying much in-and-of-itself: in Appalachia, if you've got something then it's implied that you will try to help others, and the most dignified way to do is offering work that you might otherwise undertake yourself. You'd be surprised the difference even a little makes here at altitude. :)
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...she's what's yer life's been missing. Caution: the related video library is quite nearly addictive as the ETOH in Billy's 64 oz., genetically attached megathermos.
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Phish tix in the po'box this p.m.; unlike Lockn where I at least feign roughing it in rolling 4 **** accommodations, I've decided my Outback and bricknmortar lodgings will do just fine on what should be an adventurous run from Hampton to Vegas between 10/19 and Halloween Night in Sin City. I'm only taking one show in Rosemont to facilitate a leisurely slog west, to include a one-night cabin rental in Grand Teton before spending another night in SLC (never visited either!). Near-universal wifi and a mobile workstation have revolutionized my quality of life more than quilted toilet paper, hot water heaters, and Trader Joe's Cookie Butter (though none are indispensable at this point). I've got trail running routes mapped along the way in addition to having identified a couple Y's where I can day pass into lap swimming. Happy.
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If anyone is looking for this or any of this year's Dave's Picks, shoot me a PM. $25 plus shipping. The bonus disk is an additional $25.

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