Grateful Dead

I have been slowly absorbing the 73/74 box set from last year, and have just finished the 1973 Portland show. Beautiful clarity to the sound, and it is very obvious that all members of the band were absolute masters both of their instruments and in their ability to connect with each other. Bill too, obviously. During these shows no one member seems more important than any other-very different from other improvising rock bands of the time, who tended to feature a stellar soloist-usually a lead guitarist-with a supporting cast.

Incidentally, its taken me this long to really get into this box. When It first arrived, I was distracted by the fact that so many people had received faulty discs. So I played them all one after another in a short space of time. The discs were alright, as it goes. Then I played them all again, in a more relaxed frame of mind-but, maybe because I had just already listened-it all seemed a bit much.

I can more than understand how you feel…those feelings are still fresh after the PNW Box Set. Here's hoping you get a refund or at least a playable disc.

found 29 in the store under Dave's picks, it's still there if anyone is interested. I know I said in my first post that it was a raised dot but under closer inspection, it is just a dot, a blemish, a digi dot, a doohickey on the thingamajig. I was just on this page and went to the store to see if 29 was there, came back and had to log in again, again with the captcha's and buses and traffic lights and fire hydrants and motorcycles....

Skinner, sounds like a gas. Really dug your opening paragraph and finall sentence! LOL Thanks for the review.

Dreading; totally agree, sooo underrated. Now I love the Mickster, and he is also a fine drummer. Personally feel some of his solo albums are some of the best of the band. But imho Billy was better on his own, or when Mick took more of a percussionist role e.g., like early on, think of all the cool hand held stuff on 69 Dark Stars, or his role now in D&C.
Non of this is a diss on Mickey, just love Billies very unique style. See his interview in the Dead movie where he talks about how it’s just like dancing when he’s on. Always thought that was the perfect way to describe his playing versus “drumming” in the conventional sense.
Felt like by the 80s they quit trying to out “drum” each other and sort of meshed into one beautiful beast.
Perhaps age was a factor? Late seventies felt like they both just blasted all the time....perhaps too much powder?
I believe Billy alluded to some of this in his book, but the memory is going fast so would have to look it up.

Vguy; have seen you keeping the drive alive here with Jim and Daverock and others during the site transition. Thanks!
Thinking perhaps the time of year was also a factor in the low traffic as many get really slammed fall into the new year? Seems like more of the regs are coming around again, “which is nice”
But your jokes or lack there of have been missed! Here’s one for you bra!
As a mother is bathing her young son, he starts to hold his balls and asks her “momma, is this where my brains are?”
The mother is taken back for a minute but then reply’s, “not yet son, but someday”
Batta bing! Heh-ooohhh

Stay warm folks....”it’s forty below and I don’t give a @#$ cause it’s off to the rodeo....”

hey, it's not a raised dot, just a dot, like a period on paper, no indentation or applied extra product, just a dot, and it ain't coming off. No, this dot was not on the original, this is new but oddly enough, in the same spot when it plays. Go figure, I'm now going to ask for a refund. I sure hope this doesn't happen to Dave's 29 or 30.
Speaking of 29, wasn't the leftovers suppose to go on sale today? Did it happen and I missed it? Kinda gun shy for getting another copy anyway, just don't want to deal with anymore poorly manufactured discs.
Glad you had a good time in Mexico and glad you made it back in one piece, according to some, it's a dangerous place full of gangs and drugs. Did you see any? ;-) Sure wouldn't mind some Acapulco Gold

Got back from Playing in the Sand late last night, quite the experience. It reminded me of a celeb rehab resort , a Road to Wellville for Deadheads or something.

The shows were fun, I would say still getting tuned up for the year (similar to last year, though a little less rusty I would say). Mayer was on point and there were several highlights, but some fumbling through as well. Over the course of three shows, I was hoping to get a few more of the songs I haven't caught yet (Truckin, Cassidy, Viola Lee, etc) but got a ton of great stuff.

I much prefer China > Rider as the straight sequence, but the first night with Cumberland sandwiched in there was a highlight. The transition from Deal > Bucket on the second show was the best, smooth man. Got a Dew..

The package is well put together, with the shuttles and other amenities taken care of. Got to do a day trip to Chichen Itza, sacrificed a virgin, seemed to fit well with the overall vibe of the trip. The guide took us to one memorial wall full of skulls, said the Mayans believed the skull was a symbol of the pathway to a better life. As you can imagine, quite a hit with that particular tie-dyed tourist group.

Stayed up the night of the last show and wandered the beaches and after parties. Found a drum circle on the beach in the dark that was sort of surreal, especially with the super blood wolf moon. Came across a little jam session, unfortunately at the tail end, but enough to sing El Paso and Big River with a small group including three flute solos on Big River. OK that was fun.

Everyone was really friendly, received a bunch bunch of stickers and coozies, all really well done for non-official merchandise. We didn't know to bring anything to trade, but received a ton unsolicited. The food and beverages were all well done, and the staff kept the place spotless during the shows. Everyone generally well behaved, no fights, vomiting, being obnoxious. The Luke Bryant "Crash My Playa" group was coming in as we were leaving...we'll see if they can say the same, haha.

Worth the trip? Ancient astronaut theorists say yes.

Is the raised dot on both your original and replacement CD?

Anyone with the 'Raised Dot' try the following (I know you should NOT have to do this):

1. Clean the disc - most times it will 'moisten' the DOT.

2. GENTLY scrape (don't dig) the Dot with your thumbnail. I know it sounds crazy but CDs are more resilient than most folks believe.

3. Clean the disc again. Repeat as necessary.

I've purchased many used discs over the years (some had the price reduced because of this) and this has worked for me many times.

Cleaning solution: 2-3 drops Dawn dish soap to 1 gal. distilled water - Dawn dish soap is used to clean water fowl caught in oil spills and is a mild non-abrasive cleanser.

Hope this helps and again you shouldn't have to do this.

I've been listening to the Dave's Picks Berkeley release from 72, I think number 24. Kreutzmann is unreal. He has so many quick fills and changes in which drums he's hitting to hold down the beat within each measure, while maintaining the timing for whatever particular measure he's in. It's a shame they brought Mickey back. I guess Jerry just wanted something else for the band.

Street lights do not count as traffic lights.

....my first show. To be honest, I recall little of it. I do remember that the crowd was really cool though. Fun bus.