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    heatherlew
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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.

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  • 80sfan
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    amazon
    curious what else will appear on that page...definitely worth bookmarking. Hey maybe a Dave's Picks 1 will show up and some lucky guy will be in the right place at the right time (a man can dream).
  • simonrob
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    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?".
  • alvarhanso
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    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.
  • stoltzfus
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    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.
  • sonomajon
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    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...
  • twoswans
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    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
  • thursday's child
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    first listen.....
    ......it's ok. But if this is the best of the mid 80's that Dave can find..........YMMV
  • frosted
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    DaP 27 first impressions
    I listened to discs 1 and 2 in the car yesterday. My car system always sounds worse than my headphones, so here were my first thoughts from the car listening. I'm not much of an 80s fan, but I was pulled into this one by some of the previews I'd heard, and was going to get it regardless because I subscribe. -I liked the energy level -The drums sounded sloppy -Like others said, it was harder than usual to distinguish Garcia's and Weir's guitars -Garcia sounded like he was rushing the vocals and his usual soulfulness suffered somewhat from that. That's aside from the fact that his 80s voice had strained compared to the 70s. -Phil sounded like he was playing simpler lines than usual. Maybe the tune selection on disc 1 impacted that though. -I liked the LLR version, usually not a favorite, but they did some different things with it instrumentally. -Brent's keyboards, again never a favorite, were too prominent for me. Then this morning I listened to much of disc 2 again, plus disc 3, all on headphones at home: -What a difference! Sound is so much better and the instruments much more balanced. I could make out the guitars more clearly. The drums did not sound as sloppy and unfocused, though on disc 3 I did detect a bit of the mid-80's pop music influence big drum sound. -Garcia's vocals sounded better to me on Black Peter and It's all over now baby blue. He took his time, and let his deeper register bring out more of the soulfulness. Those songs are designed to be that way though. I actually liked the Black Peter better than some 70s versions I've heard where it sounds like he's straining. I don't say that about too many 80s shows' tunes. -Brent's keyboards sounded better balanced in the mix on headphones than in the car. -It's all over now baby blue has always been one of my favorite encores. I'd rather end that way than with a Chuck Berry rocker most of the time. This one didn't have quite the deep mystery of some of the 60s versions, but I enjoyed it. Overall, I will probably pull this one out semi-regularly. Though I'll still go back mostly to 60s and 70s, this was a pretty good job for the sound quality issues that the 80s presented. Not at all unhappy with this choice.
  • mustin321
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    #482 has arrived -- (lowest number I've got so far)
    This show kicks so much ass! The entire 1st set is really solid and energetic. Love the Wang Dang Doodle opener. Seems to set the tone for the whole show. New Minglewood Blues really rocks too. What can't be said about the 2nd set? The Help>Slip>Franklin's is a good as any others I've ever heard, if not one of the best. The jam out out of Eyes is absolutely insane...Bobby and Brent playing off of each other in a very unique and energetic way. Gives a great contrast to show considering Jerry was playing so well and throwing down sick solos on every single song, a nice reminder that everyone else was shining that night. And then the Space is very melodic and lovely...just great, interesting, & unique stuff.
  • Cousins Of The…
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    Thin: Bobby Slide
    I couldn't have said it better!Another side effect of The Slide, is that Bobby played it on top of Jerry soloing, at the same volume. But that was mid-78 to 79; thankfully, by 1980, the Slide appeared only for a few solos in Rooster, Minglewood and later Walking Blues.
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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.

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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.
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Why do chicken coops only have two doors?Because if they had four, they'd be chicken sedans. Ararar.......... Nope, Vguy's funnier.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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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!
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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.
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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.
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Gene Lopez, is that a bit? Sort of amusing
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14 years 11 months
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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.
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14 years 11 months
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Have you folks realized that this Amazon account isn't legit?
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Hey Ummmmmm...can you expand on your statement? Thanks!
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...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.
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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.
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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.
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if ya hate it so much why not stop listening to it?Pick something else and relax.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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....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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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I completely agree...came back to see what others were thinking. This is a first - albeit big - disappointment from Dave's Picks.
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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.
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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.
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17 years 3 months
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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.
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17 years 3 months
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Wash your ears with soap, it helps.
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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.
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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.
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