• 1,815 replies
    heatherlew
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    "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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • mustin321
    Joined:
    Top Notch
    This whole show is top notch (performance wise)...even Help On the Way...does a few minor vocal flubs really turn you off of such a powerful performance? And "no cohesion at all" ...really? none at all? Really? None at all...wow. At the very least, I'll consider myself grateful for not hearing what some of you are hearing...but I still wouldn't want to be in a band with any of you.
  • Mr_Heartbreak
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    simonrob
    I usually try to avoid reading too many of the "review" comments here on the board before I get one of these Picks, because the over-the-top praise is usually just not realistic at all. That leads me to be disappointed almost every time. Let's face it, almost none of the shows released in the series is on a level with the Europe '72 tour or Fillmore '69 - in recording quality (2-track) or performance. However, for you, it might be good, because at least it enables you to keep your expectations low. I really did have high hopes for this Pick, as I saw my first show in '82 and most of my shows were during the '80s. I had just watched the New Year's Eve '83 show on YouTube recently, and it didn't seem to me to be as bad as this show. It was a real letdown. The patches, Jerry's voice, his playing...just about everything. Well, the cover art is cool anyway. As a means to keep my own expectations low, I starved myself of listening to the Dead for a good week or more before my copy arrived. I figured that way, I'd be hungry for my dose of Jerry and boys, and wouldn't so much mind some sub-par performances or recording issues. But once I got past the first track, I was dismayed many times throughout. I guess a few people dig it, but for me, it goes to the bottom of the list...even below that '81 Pick, which I got rid of almost immediately after it arrived.
  • simonrob
    Joined:
    Can't wait...
    I can't wait for this to make it across the pond and hear it for myself. What people have said here about it are pretty much the most diametrically opposed sets of views ever to grace these boards. On the one hand there are the known 80's fanatics (nothing wrong with that) and a few others who are spurting out verbal orgasms of praise on both the sound and performance aspects of this release. Their comments are so over-the-top as to be hardly credible as subjective reviews. On the other hand we have the people whose favorite period was probably not this period, together with some who saw all their shows in the 80's who largely seem to pan both the mix/sound quality and the performance. Can it really all be that bad? Is there nothing to redeem it? We all (should) know that a PA mix is never going to sound like a Betty Board, so there is a maybe a hint about about the quality of the mix. Typically a reel-to-reel recording will have better sound than a cassette simply due to tape track width and speed considerations so that is maybe another hint. I suspect the reality lies somewhere in between the views of the opposing camps, but just where it lies is something I will have to decide for myself when I finally get my copy which shipped a week ago so, with luck, should arrive in a weeks time.
  • Mr_Heartbreak
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Heywood Jablome
    Best screen name ever. Agree with everything you said. I was looking forward to this release, as the Dead shows I saw were almost all in the 80s. But it's a debacle almost from start to finish. You know you're in trouble when Wang Dang Doodle is the highlight. Let's face it, many of us have a shitload of versions of these tunes. I have over 1,200 folders on an external hard drive, each of which has a live show in it. That's about half of the Dead's live career. So why do we need so many shows? It's because they never played a song the same way twice, right? Well, for me, a big part of it - the main part - is Jerry. And why do I love to hear Jerry solo so much? Because he could play a nice, unique, tasteful solo in any given tune. But even Jerry couldn't do it on this show, as evidenced especially by Throwin' Stones. I could not believe it, but I actually heard him play a solo that sounded like it was a solo for some other song. I winced throughout it. By that point, I couldn't wait for my "test listen" to the discs to be over. This is the first time I have ever played a Dead show all the way through and was anxious for it to be over. By the way, I have those Frost '82 shows, and yes, my mp3 files of that show sound better than this release. I love much of what's in those performances. Contrast the Throwin' Stones from this show to the ones from Frost, and you'll see what I meant above. I wish they would put one of those in the series. Who cares if they're not in the vault? Pull the SBD files off the archive, rip discs, and they'd be light years ahead of Vol. 27. Performance-wise, this show is just mediocre at best, terrible at worst. It's more embarrassing than the Dick's Picks '83 release. At least that thing had an interesting Scarlet>Fire. This release...one and done for sure.
  • LetsGoCaps
    Joined:
    A HUGE thank you to JeffSmith
    Jeff, thanks so much for the high res cover art. I will be upgrading several of my digital files this evening. I appreciate you sharing with us.
  • thursday's child
    Joined:
    rv3....
    -----glad you like it. Why do you have to slam on Donna? Just being a dick I guess.....IMHO
  • RV3
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Wow - DAVE PICK #27 = SUPER!!
    Glad to get such a good release for DP#27, and of course to get back into the 1980s(about time). This show is really good, there is a total energy throughout the show...even on the few sleeper songs. You can really tell Jerry was into it on this night, not just mailing it in or "tired" ;) as he was at some points in 1983-1986. This is a great start to get the ball rolling for this series in the 1980s, I know DL mentioned that DP#28 "probably" would not be a 1980s show- who knows? I think the obvious year for #28 will be 1979(maybe 1981-82). I think we will see a hot show from 1979 for the DP#28 release, most think 11/25/79 or 12/1/79 are the two go to shows for the next release…..I think a better & more obvious choice will be 9/5/79: GREAT show, GREAT setlist, & GREAT venue. If not 1979, I believe he will venture into the 1990s with a show from 1991. The obvious choice there would be: 6/7/91, 9/4/91, or 9/26/91... BOTTOM LINE- It's great to see the Dave Picks series move to the 1980s, LET'S KEEP THAT DECADE GOING! Also, I know there is always chatter about sound quality/kick drum etc for 1980s shows as far as being unreleasable....BUT MY GOODNESS- think of all the 1973-1978 shows released that even with a nice recording were ruined because of DG's howling 'er singing (IMHO)
  • raykski
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Jeffrey Norman Save Yourself
    Dave Lemieux goes out of his way to throw accolades at Jeffrey Norman for the mastering work he did for this release. Possibly the originals from which this release came from were so poor and Mr Norman did do a marvelous job. But we're not afforded the opportunity to hear the masters for this - just the final results. I'm guessing that many who have found this recording acceptable might have been lulled after 30 minutes or so of thinking "ah this ain't half bad". But I suggest stopping in the middle of Eyes of the World or Estimated Prophet after being into it for a good hour and a half, throw on any other show they released. You'll be amazed just how bad the sound of this one is. So much of the music is flat out missing. I'm not talking a specific instrument, though some are very hard to hear, but rather the musical range you're left with, the missing sound frequencies. And then there is the whole mix issue. Jeffrey I have to believe this isn't a recording you'd share with your professional peers to demonstrate your skills unless you also have the master to show what you've done, because by itself it is a disaster. If it were me, I'd have my name removed from the credits.
  • jrf68@hotmail.com
    Joined:
    wow...
    talk about yer cupcakes.
  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Hey Ollie!....
    https://i.redd.it/z9tor08szad11.jpg
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

7 years 11 months

"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.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 10 months
Permalink

Jason, Icecream, Alvarhanso: Interesting. So...basically we need 84, and 93-95. I've been saying 84 for some time and I recall a lot of really crisp boards from back in the day floating about. But I think definitely 93 and 94/95, as well, are very underrated years. The top shows from those years are really excellent, and of a whole other nature. Garcia ballads (dirge-like), drums/space, etc. Billy talks about it in Deal, that whole "missing album" (much of it featured on disc 5 of SMR) really could have been their best. Not holding my breath on these for DP28: Thinking 79, 76, or 70.
user picture

Member for

11 years 2 months
Permalink

Why do chicken coops only have two doors?Because if they had four, they'd be chicken sedans. Ararar.......... Nope, Vguy's funnier.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 5 months
Permalink

I've now listened to this release several times. Disc 2 is such a fun time and will probably get repeated playings especially when I'm in the car...or jacked up on caffeine. Otherwise I'm not sure when I'll revisit the rest of show (though as I've mentioned, I really do like the release). Starting to turn my attention to the box set coming out next month. Spent the morning listening to DaP 2 (7/31/74). I still cannot believe we're about to get 6 shows from two of the best years the band ever had. The last few years have just been a barrage of amazing (and in some cases legendary) releases all happening at lightning speed (at least compared to the past). After this one though, it's all gravy.
user picture

Member for

7 years 1 month
Permalink

This refund is for the following item(s): Item: Dave's Picks Vol. 20 CU Events Center, Boulder, Co. 12/9/81 Quantity: 1 ASIN: B07 Reason for refund: Item out of stock Well, that's a bummer considering I got a "shipped" notice stating it was arriving tomorrow.
user picture

Member for

14 years 8 months
Permalink

I heard discs 1 & 2 today (so far) it's a strong show. not legendary, but strong and hot enough for a "three smiles up" rating. it sounds like classic 83 GD to me. yes, there is the splice in Eyes. Some other minor things here and there. I can live with that easily. I like this release a lot. I like that it is from the early 80s. more, Dave, please. release 6/10/73 and 11/19/72 first, and then more 80s.
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

in his sunglasses and dirty grey hair, sitting back and coolly strumming the Baba crash cords with I guess the Tiger guitar, that looks like the old Gibson SG. I would love a still of that (i.e. Shirdeep's video posted below) Weir looks hysterical doing his Townshend-esque jump and pseudo windmill, but I love him still. Who's guitar dude #3? Also looks ridiculous jumping like Townshend. But it's all good fun, they know they look silly. First Baba I heard was an Napster download with no TNK attached to it (probably edited out). I have no idea from where it hails, but it sounds like a AUD recording, and the place goes bonkers when Vince sings the opening verse.
user picture

Member for

11 years 1 month
Permalink

I think it might be RFK '92. If it is then guitar guy #3 is Steve Miller. He opened the show & joined the boys during their set as well.:o)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 8 months
Permalink

Folks, I'm trying to figure out if the recording/mixing quality of DP 27 is as marginal as most of my discs sound, or if perhaps I received some poorly "pressed" discs. The show is obviously great, but only song on all 3 discs that sounds like an "A" recording/mixing is the very last song, It's All Over Now, Baby Blue. This last song sounds fantastic, but most of the previous songs sound OK to marginal. Particularly, on Disc 1, Bobby's voice sounds like he was separated the band and was singing into a bad mic... or something like that. Anyone else experience this? I'll feel better is so. If not, I'll contact Dead.net to inquire about getting a replacement set. Thanks!
user picture

Member for

8 years 10 months
Permalink

Uh, no, there is nothing wrong with your discs (unless they have skips or won’t play), they were designed to sound like that. That’s what was in fashion in 1983. Put your seat back in it’s upright, locked position and hang up the phone. Do not call customer service (unless you actually have a defective disc that won’t play). Wait, maybe you should call customer service...... For more information on the special qualities of 1983 recordings just scroll down this page and take in all of the informative opinions.
user picture

Member for

7 years 1 month
Permalink

Nope, back on the phone with customer support. You have to ask them for the rose-colored glasses they send with some of these sets. A lot of people think it sounds great.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 10 months
Permalink

Gene Lopez, is that a bit? Sort of amusing
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

I like this recording. After the first track, things seem to sharpen up. This isn't the best, but it most certainly isn't the worst.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

Have you folks realized that this Amazon account isn't legit?
user picture

Member for

15 years
Permalink

Hey Ummmmmm...can you expand on your statement? Thanks!
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 10 months
Permalink

...yeah, no. The "surplus" discs are coming from the returns department. In all likelihood, like we've already said, these are extras slated as replacements for defects. So, again as we've already suggested, they must be clearing house; and seem to have already cleared house. I was able to grab some of the DP, but had my order of Hampton box cancelled (sold out- as someone else here had for DP20). Re: Hampton cancellation, that makes sense, as I think when I ordered it said only "3" remaining.
user picture

Member for

7 years 1 month
Permalink

I took a shot, ordering Dave's 22 & 20. Scheduled to arrive today... they cancelled 20, so I'm interested to see what or if anything shows up.
user picture

Member for

12 years 6 months
Permalink

If this isn't the worst Dave's Pick release then what is?I've read a lot of posts on many other releases and have never seen so many people that think this is a king size turd. You have to work hard to justify and fool yourself into thinking this is great. I've given this 4 listens front to back now and still don't get it. Finally the last song was good. It's not even the sound quality, I can deal with that. It's the total lack of cohesiveness, horrible vocal harmonizing, and the guitars sounding like they're on different songs and tempos. This like defending your favorite restaurant even when the food has gone so downhill it's inedible.
user picture

Member for

11 years 1 month
Permalink

if ya hate it so much why not stop listening to it?Pick something else and relax.
user picture

Member for

12 years 6 months
Permalink

Perfect idea and already executed on, will probably never leave the expanding row of releases ever again. I listened to it enough times to be sure I wasn't being overly critical.... I wasn't. This is the first release out of 27 that I've ever complained.
user picture

Member for

13 years 2 months
Permalink

It's definitely Warner. You can tell by because they seemingly don't have a solid grasp on the amount left in inventory. I find it all quite humorous.. at this point, it's a gift to those that didn't get them and now can at cost, so it's hard to be bitter about it all. But this is not a scam vendor. It will be interesting to see how many 30 trips are left/how long they stay on sale. These things have become impossible to get.
user picture

Member for

16 years
Permalink

As seen on an ancient (1988) tape trader's list: 1983/09/02 - Boise ID, Pavilion, SBD - B+ --- What we really have here in this Dave's Picks 27 is a B+ (trader's sound quality rating) cassette that was painstakingly transformed into a three compact disc set by Jeffery Norman, supplied by Dave Lemieux.
user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months
Permalink

....I'm not sure if that is praise or sarcasm. I like it. That's the most important factor to me. I would give it a solid B- though. Of course, that ancient review was before the discovery of Normanization.
user picture

Member for

6 years 8 months
Permalink

Heywood I hear what you're saying and I agree. This show is so very mediocre at best. Band is tight half the time and completely out of sync the rest. Audio is all over the place. It may be good for 83, but I can't think of an official release from the 70s that it's better than. I think it's a necessary step for the powers that be, to keep the guys who want 80s shows coming back, but fellas, perspective, it ain't great by a long stretch, and it's not in the same league of anything that's come before it. Except DaP 20. It's a far cry from the series mission statement. I'm fine with an 80s clunker every 8 - 12 releases since it keeps the machine moving.
user picture

Member for

14 years 8 months
Permalink

9/25/91avoided it for a long time finally gave it a proper listen H>S>F Roses > Dire Wolf all Disc 2 is great filler on disc three is 3/31/91 Eyes, 20+ minutes 9/26/91 would have been better, in my opinion, but this one's ok.
user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Some of my earliest Grateful Dead collection consisted of a couple of tracks from Dicks Picks 17, Throwing Stones and the Mighty Quinn. At the time I was not yet a fully trained Jedi, and was cherry-picking songs from all of the available releases I had at my disposal. I loved throwing stones, especially the jam and solo, and of course I was a sucker for all of the great covers, so I downloaded the Mighty Quinn as well. Eventually I bought the whole thing, and quite frankly I love it. There's a smoothness to Vince's keyboards that I enjoy - thanks for the reminder Stoltzie, I think I'm going to put this on.
user picture

Member for

6 years 11 months
Permalink

Dick's Picks 17 was one of my early purchases as well. I've always been a sucker for Jerry's anthemic guitar solo on Throwing Stones but on this version, Bruce's piano absolutely steals the show! Pretty solid '91 release as I recall. It's been a while since I've listened.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

7 years 6 months
Permalink

Anyone have an extra Dave's Picks 12 they want to sell? I have 25, 26, 27 to trade as well. PM me if so
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I completely agree...came back to see what others were thinking. This is a first - albeit big - disappointment from Dave's Picks.
user picture

Member for

16 years
Permalink

9/26/91 was a better show to pick for Dick's Picks 17. Someday, and hopefully very soon, 9/26/91 will be released. But the fact was already established to hold back on some of the jem-of-a-show for later and not to release all the best shows first so later down the road there would be no more great-to-excellent shows to see official release. The only parts of Dicks 17 I listen to anymore is the Help> Slip> Franklin's opener and the 2nd disc: Victim> Crazy> PITB> Terrapin> "Boston Clam Jam" Drums> Space. The Drums> Space really is neat when you're stuck in slow traffic. Most, if not all of my listening of music is done when I'm driving my car. I am totally grateful that this show was released.
user picture

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

It looks like these verified fan presales are selling out fast. Arlington Theatre in Santa Barbara sold out in 15 minutes, but there are a couple of VIP seats left.
user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Not even close. This is a nice release and it sounds fine. Now April 24, 1978 aka DaP 7, I might call a clunker. Never been a fan of that show, the sound of it or the performances. When quoting the "Bee Gee's Saturday Night Fever" during the "cowboy songs" is the big highlight, it's not a good show. In contrast, Jerry's playing on 9/3/82 far surpasses the dredge from 4/24/78. The show from 2 days prior, 4/22/78 (DaP 15) on the other hand, is a great show and far better.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Wash your ears with soap, it helps.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years
Permalink

So uneven. A great time was had by all, however. You didn't "have to be there", but it certainly helps contextualize some of the awful GD archival product we occasionally hear.
user picture

Member for

9 years
Permalink

Working on another HD gift for a member of this board who contacted me for "more shows". I love being able to pay forward the kindness I've been blessed by from the good folks here. Sir, if you read this post please check your PMs. 76 is loaded, I await your instruction.
product sku
081227931599