Grateful Dead

I don't think the real problem here is this show, whatever its (obvious) flaws. It's that this is part of a subscription series, and the fact that it's getting such strongly negative reviews demonstrates that it's definitely considered by many to be a subpar show FOR THIS SERIES. If this just came out as a release that anyone can buy, any time, I wouldn't care. I would have listened to the sound clips, and probably wouldn't have bought it...even though most of the shows I saw were square in the middle of this era. But because Dave's Picks are set up as a 4-releases-per-year subscription series, I got this as a result of subscribing. Here's my experience with this release: When announced, I felt a little thrill. "Oh, an 80s release. Maybe the tiny but very vocal minority who bitch about EVERY SINGLE 70s RELEASE will finally chill out a bit. Maybe, when the next Pick after this one is back to the 70s again, they won't complain" (I won't hold my breath.) But I was glad I'd be getting it. I watched Dave's entire seaside chat, and began to feel some trepidation. When he admitted he is prone to hyperbole, then declared that the Dead really made Wang Dang Doodle their own here, I started to worry. Anyone who hasn't heard it, check out Koko Taylor singing that tune. Then listen to Bob Weir sing it. You have to admit, it's a white boy trying to sing the blues, and Koko has more soul in her little finger than ol' Bobby has in his entire body. I love Bob, but gimme a break. I get the discs. Wang Dang Doodle is actually not bad, though you can hear Jerry's vocal struggles right out of the gate, even on harmony. Then Jack Straw, which is pretty much a train wreck. It's mainly downhill from there. A few bright spots, but many rough ones. I've already posted about this show, so I'm not going to go through a song-by-song critique. But this performance is the kind of thing that could clear a room if your guests have overstayed their visit. I wonder how many of the last, say, five releases before this led to words like "disappointing," "cringeworthy," or "awful" in their respective threads on the board? Remember, these comments are coming from Deadheads, not just civilians. Releasing this is not the problem. The real problem is foisting this on subscribers, who already shelled out good money for it without knowing they would get it. When I heard the combination of shaky performance and subpar audio, I was dismayed; by the time I got through the multiple audience patches, I was INSULTED. Like I posted before, I was relieved when I finally got through disc 3. I've never had that experience with a Dead show - I avoid the bad recordings and performances in the archive, and skip what I don't like in my own collection. But I needed to at least make sure the discs didn't have any skips. As a Deadhead, the relieved-it's-over experience was a jarring one. I could see a couple tracks from this making it onto a Road Trips-type compilation, or as filler for something else, but I don't think it was release-worthy. I'll still most likely subscribe again next year, but if I got 2-3 in a row like this, I wouldn't subscribe again. I work for myself, so I can pull the trigger in real time on a la carte releases, and that's what I'd do.

All good, brother. I live my life for the punchline and tend not to take things personally. Just how I'm wired. So your post gave me a solid chuckle.

Which Dave's Picks has the best sound quality? Top five. I'm not familiar enough with all of them to make a list but would love opinions.Last 2 I listened to have good sound. DaP 18 76 Orpheum (though Bob's guitar is missing.) DaP 13 74 Winterland. Thanks.

Thanks for taking a joke from this asshole in stride. Well done. I had a colleague who used to pipe up in meetings after someone (usually me) had voiced an opinion or question, half under his breath, with perfect comedic timing: "idiot..." Yes it was funny every time.

The Grateful Dead was not just about good music thats why I think you get mixed reviews on shows and you can't compare shows from one era to another. You know The Dead probably thought they made enough music over the years to make everyone happy, but I don't think they succeeded when you read these threads.

Not sure why that would even cross your mind, Estimated-Eyes. Guess I should have been more specific though. I'm responding to people being called "stupid" and "assholes" for various reasons in the thread. Just seems juvenile and unnecessary. And thanks, Thin. I take that as a compliment, idiot that I are.

94 and 95 rocks shirdeep. phish should put that phil lesh show out sometime. why not? they put out the one out where Weir played with them, on Dead songs on the recent fall tour

Unless you think I called someone a hyperbole, I don't think I did any name calling-- hope that wasn't directed at me, SkullTrip. I guess I was trying to say that there will be haters and lovers of the show, but on a whole for many of us, this show is adequate.

What an idiot.

they eventually adopted the Samson and Delilah chord-y thing, but early versions had the type of jam you hear on 9/2/83. not sure when they started the S&D chords. sometime in 84? opinion alert: I happen to like the the more chaotic jamming approach than the S&D chords. 1000 opinions in Deadheadland it's very similar to a political thing: one person's president is another person's lying sack of shit. 9/2/83's great! 9/2/83 sux! and the band keeps playing on