Grateful Dead

It's been quite a while since I left a comment here. I read some, but not all, of the comments below regarding this particular release. As someone who saw the Dead quite a lot throughout this period, I had quite a few different reactions while listening. I saw my first show in '79 and the fall '83 tour was the first tour I did in its entirety (definitely wasn't the last). I, like many Heads, mourn not having seen the band from the beginning, but particularly '71-'78 which are my faves. Just missed it by a few months! Alas... But thanks to the steady flow of releases, I get to be transported back to my fave era (and hoping for more vid releases from the 70's as that is a whole different level of immersion). That said, I loved seeing the Dead in the early to mid 80's. There was no question that band, and most obviously Jerry, were going through changes and not all of them good. Yet every year, every tour, has its own sound, its own reflection of what the band was exploring, both internally and externally. Despite having seen so many shows from the early-to-mid 80's, it is still sometimes difficult to listen to shows from this era as my ears have been given so much wonder and near-perfection from earlier recordings. Someone below mentioned that, perhaps, it requires having seen the Dead during this period to allow the full context. I know when I start to feel hyper-critical of a show like this, if I close my eyes and remember what it was like to actually "be there," I start to relive the excitement of seeing the Grateful Dead and Jerry and following whatever adventure they were doling out on any particular evening. Particularly now that we can no longer do that. When I allow myself to "live in the moment," I am able to take something valuable away from reliving/listening to shows from this period. Which isn't to say I don't still cringe from time-to-time. But I did that, too, back then. When I take in the whole of Grateful Dead, the Brent years were never my personal fave. His influence on the band took them in a very different direction. But it was a direction they chose to go and it allowed them to explore new territory they clearly felt compelled to uncover. And, at times, it was truly glorious. Lord knows I danced myself stupid during this era and Brent did help create moments of sheer bliss that I will forever be thankful for. And for anyone who paid attention, Brent inspired Jerry. This particular show is not, in my opinion, one of the best of this period. But it is very representative of this period. There are certainly others shows I would go to first. But like all things Grateful Dead, that's both personal and subjective. This era requires more work from me to fully let go and abandon myself to the music; there's a lot that works toward pulling me out. Like this version of Help On The Way. One of my fave songs, but this version struggles and I struggle to remain connected to it. But hell, that can certainly be said of particular shows and tunes from any era. Part of the joy of Grateful Dead is that they were so vulnerable onstage. One cannot separate their personal struggles from the music they made. It's a large part of what allowed them to be so captivating and moving. And it was a 30-year journey that, like life, has many different tones and shades, some darker, some lighter, some more refined, some more confused and uncertain. Some more joyous, some more painful. But all Grateful Dead. Favorite shows or least favorite shows, favorite eras or least favorite eras, I'm thankful for every damn piece of it. So long as you keep the music coming, I will celebrate it in all its perfection and imperfection.

I agree with what Daverock said too. I saw around 200 shows between '82-'90. However, being from that era, I got hooked by listening to tapes from the 70's, they are what convinced me to go to Baltimore CC in 82 (special place in my heart for them). In fact, the show that "made" me a deadhead (if that is possible) was Dane County 73. The Dark Star>Eyes>China Doll specifically. That being said, I find it really hard to believe that so many people approach THIS band from an either/or...binary point of view. They are just too complex for that. For some reason, LSD/speed trumps cocaine/heroine and Cowboy Bob trumps Blues Bob. For some reason, setlists were predictable in the '80's but not so in the 70's. Are you kidding me? News Flash,they were predictable when albums were released, NO MATTER the era. 60's/70's = young/energetic, tight, harmonic, experimental 80's = loose, uneven, often bi-polar, refined, even romantic, experienced, crafty, clever. Take your pick-that is one of their most alluring qualities.

....a game where Germans throw bread at each other?Gluten Tag.

The number 27 is a special number to me.1.) it is my birthday 2.) Several special Grateful Dead shows were on October 27th: a.) 10/27/71 - Syracuse, NY (not yet released) b.) 10/27/73 - Indianapolis, IN (not yet released) c.) 10/27/79 - Cape Cod, MA (30 Trips Around The Sun box 2015) d.) 10/27/90 - Paris, France (30 Trips Around The Sun box 2015) e.) any and all other GD & individual bandmembers and legacy band shows, along with any other GD shows that were on 10/27. However, Dick's Picks 27 (12/16/92 Oakland) is a letdown. After a few initial plays, I sort of put this one on the shelf and haven't played it too often. I think the last time I played this show was 12/16/15. It's good but "I just don't get it." A very good recording. This Dave's 27 is a fun show in my opinion, but it's not quite up to the highest GD standards. I enjoy it, it is "cool."

If anyone missed out on this release and hasn't nabbed one yet, I've got my unopened copy (#9992) sitting on the shelf looking for some love. Since it won't be getting any here in Skullville, I'd rather find this sad puppy a good home than have it stare at me all rejected and forlorn. Shoot me a PM and I'll gladly send it your way. Meanwhile, I'm spinning 9/18/74 while I work from home. Sweet, jazzy goodness...

I agree! Never heard one I didn't like! The one on this release is particularly strong! Today in GD History - The 1st Baby Blue played since 74: 8/14/81 Welcome back, Baby Blue! This is an AUD that sounds pretty good, especially as the 1st set goes on. The 2nd set sounds great to these ears - a little boomy, but it's a strong AUD. The whole show is hot! https://archive.org/details/gd81-08-14.nak700.gardner.8213.sbeok.shnf/g… Peace

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Well alright, just got DP 27. Wang-Dang Doodle. Just like an old wet noodle. But somehow it's all good. Brent's toy piano, Jerry's trying but not tie-dying. Bobby's being Weir. Mickey and Bill mix is muddled, and of course Phil is virtually non-existent. Oh well. What can I say. I'll be back fo mo!

It is time for the quarterly airing of the grievances. More predictable than most Dead shows. After a shipping snafu, my copy of Dave's 27 arrived yesterday. I had a good listening session to the second set on the home system last night. I like this release. Count me among those who would like to see more later era releases. I think it's important to document the band's work throughout their career. I fell in love with the Grateful Dead as a young person in the early nineties, listening to very crappy, high generation casette copies of shows - that I felt fortunate to have been given at the time. This release sounds 10 times better than any of my old tapes did. A few years ago I listened to a lot of early 80s shows via archive and etree. This release sounds pretty darn good - given that it is from that era where sound quality of recordings isn't great. I think they did a nice job, given that their source is a 35 year old cassette. This is a fun show to my ears. I really enjoyed the slipknot, Franklins, Eyes and the pre drums Jam. Very fun. I'm grateful for this trip into Fall of 83.