Dave's Picks Volume 28: Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, 6/17/76

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October 3, 2017 - 1:27pm

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heatherlew

Joined:
October 12, 2016

Dave's Picks Volume 28: Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, 6/17/76

This year's Dave's Picks series comes to a close just as the band's getting back together again in '76. By the time the Grateful Dead hit New Jersey’s Capitol Theatre - for the very first time - on 6/17/76, they were buzzing from their reunion, armed with new and revived material, the Rhythm Devils reformed with the mischievous Mickey Hart once again behind the kit. They'd skived off the unwieldy Wall of Sound and scaled back the venues from cavernous arenas to intimate theatres. Quite the treat!

During the first set, the Dead's playing was nuanced ("Cold Rain And Snow"), detailed ("Looks Like Rain"), and intricate ("The Music Never Stopped"); the singing struck softly ("Row Jimmy") and raised hairs ("Ship Of Fools"). But it’s the big barreling energy of the second set you’ll want to brace yourself for, replete with a disco'd "Dancing In The Streets," a low-down funky “Help”>”Slip”>”Franklin's” and a wind 'em up to wind down "Let It Grow">"Wharf Rat">"Around and Around." Can you keep up? There's only one way to find out.

This complete show, balanced out with a couple of bonus tracks from 6/23/76 and 6/28/76, was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

Dave's Picks Volume 28 is limited to 18,000 individually-numbered copies*.

Grab a copy before they're gone, gone, gone.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

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January 1, 2019 - 5:35pm

#271

MDJim

Joined:
March 16, 2017

Good Ole Dazed

Remember way back when.. days long ago.. when we used to come here to discuss the life, times and music of the Grateful Dead instead of factory defects and discs that don't play so good.

Anyway.. did a bunch of driving over the last couple weeks and perhaps the musical highlight was 12/31/81.. in my humble opinion.. one of the better later-era New Years Eve shows. Fantastic and certainly release worthy.
January 1, 2019 - 12:49pm

#272

Judysparty

Joined:
May 25, 2010

Good Old Boys CD

Dennis, I sent you a PM. Check your box.
January 1, 2019 - 12:06pm

#273

MarinSmith

Joined:
May 13, 2017

Defective disks

I hear the frustration and would be too. CDs seem like simple technology. My experience: lucky with DaP 28, no defective disks but I did have two disks in the PNW box that needed replacement and Rhino got them to me within about three weeks, with one repeat request. It was in the middle of another roll-out. My two cents, if they are taking so long to get you all replacements for DaP28, it must mean they ran out and have to make a new batch. This is costing either the manufacturer (owner of the Mexico plant) or Rhino and one would hope that they learn from their mistakes and get this right. My PNW problems were deep scratches - not sure if that happens from the manufacturing equipment or human handling, but someone at Rhino does know and again, it is in their best interest to clean up this problem. This music is a treasure - let's hope they get it right this new year.
Spinning some 11-30-80 Fox Theater this morning - hadn't visited this in a while - it's helping getting my New Year in Gear! Happy New Year everybody!
January 1, 2019 - 11:36am

#274

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Totally off the subject (as usual)

Does anyone know anything about the "jerry" album.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K14LYZ4?ref=em_1p_0_ti&ref_=pe_942…
January 1, 2019 - 11:10am

#275

deadtony

Joined:
November 4, 2014

Defective discs

I would rather go back a year or two, when the worst problem was a boxcutter mark on the packaging, at least the discs fucking played
January 1, 2019 - 11:04am

#276

Charlie3

Joined:
September 21, 2015

JudysParty

Thanks for the update. Not what I was wanting to hear, but I appreciate the information. I am waiting for replacements for discs 1 and 3 - when they arrive I'll post as to whether or not I get replacements that work or ones that also skip.
January 1, 2019 - 11:03am

#277

deadfeat1

Joined:
July 3, 2008

All the Best!

Wishing everyone all the best in the new year and may all of our discs play flawlessly!

Keep the interesting insights and suggestions coming-love it!
January 1, 2019 - 9:29am

#278

adedhed68

Joined:
August 13, 2007

Re: JudysParty

I really appreciate your post as well as Unkle Sam’s post. The whole situation is just sad, maddening, and to say the least frustrating, I, like many others, received a defective disc 3, and I, like many others, received an email on December 13th stating that the replacement discs were to arrive at Rhino and be shipped out the following week. WELL, I’m still waiting for word about the replacement disc, but I am reserved to the fact that it will probably be defective as well. I’m also reserved to the fact that the next Dave’s Pick (#29) will have skips and defects. I totally expect this to happen. And like Unkle Sam has said, I doubt I will purchase another box set until I hear whether or not there are defective discs. This music isn’t cheap, but they are cheaply and carelessly made. In all my years, I have never had the kind of problems that I am experiencing with Rhino and dead.net. It’s a shame and quite frankly, it’s unacceptable on every level. We should all be excited about Dave’s Picks 29 later this month, but in my case, I’m kind of dreading it, because I have no reason to believe that I will not receive a defective product. The whole thing is disturbing. I mean, I receive the music in the mail, and then sit on the edge of my seat, waiting to hear a skip. It shouldn’t be that way. Nope
January 1, 2019 - 6:14am

#279

unkle sam

Joined:
October 3, 2008

judysparty

First, I want to thank you for your very thought out and eloquently worded post. You, of course, are correct in everything you say. We, as a community of music lovers and deadheads, need to speak up about this continuing decline of quality product being released. It is a sham, a ripoff and a travesty that rhino, who obviously could care less about anything but profit, continues to release subpar product and expect us, as loyal customers, to just blindly purchase their defective product. What happened to the good old Grateful Dead? The best American rock band ever is now being reduced to the discount bin of history due to their practices. Why would anyone want to continue to purchase anything from rhino if they continue to rip their loyal customers off? We all want the music and we deserve the best, like the good old days when a Grateful Dead product was made in America, with loving care and great devotion. We DESERVE this, we pay for it and it is a slap in the face of all of us that they just laugh and say "they have no choice, they will buy anything that we put out". I, for one, will never buy another box set without listening to the reviews first and hearing what the discs sound like, what they are made of and who or where they are made. Until this blatant abuse of our loyalty and love for this band is recognized and dealt with, I will no longer just blindly purchase their product. I will never preorder another box set, unfortunately, this means no more dave's picks either, which is basically a leap of faith. Rhino and the dead.net expect us to just purchase their product without even telling us what it will be, or where it is made or what will happen if the product is defective. For rhino to just send you the same defective discs in exchange for all ready defective discs is just a slap in the face and a kick in the crotch to all of us. I totally agree with your post and could not have said it any better. It is time for us all to rage against this machine that continues to issue inferior product and laugh at us all the way to the bank. I believe in bridges, not walls, so lets bridge this gap rhino, I will gladly pay more for a quality product.
January 1, 2019 - 5:26am

#280

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Defective discs-Judysparty

Very sorry to read of your experiences with recent cds. I have had slightly better luck. The only faulty discs I have received were in the last Daves Picks, and like most people, I am waiting for the replacement discs to be sent out. I agree with what you say-it is important that we speak up and communicate with each other about the service we are paying for. More attention to the quality of the discs, and less to their presentation may be appreciated.

I don't give a stuff about New Years Eve-but I must say, I played the first cd form the 12/31/76 show at Cow Palace this morning-and that is one incredible Playing in the Band! Its great when you come across an absolute pearl when you are not expecting to.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

Dave's Picks Volume 28: Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, 6/17/76

This year's Dave's Picks series comes to a close just as the band's getting back together again in '76. By the time the Grateful Dead hit New Jersey’s Capitol Theatre - for the very first time - on 6/17/76, they were buzzing from their reunion, armed with new and revived material, the Rhythm Devils reformed with the mischievous Mickey Hart once again behind the kit. They'd skived off the unwieldy Wall of Sound and scaled back the venues from cavernous arenas to intimate theatres. Quite the treat!

During the first set, the Dead's playing was nuanced ("Cold Rain And Snow"), detailed ("Looks Like Rain"), and intricate ("The Music Never Stopped"); the singing struck softly ("Row Jimmy") and raised hairs ("Ship Of Fools"). But it’s the big barreling energy of the second set you’ll want to brace yourself for, replete with a disco'd "Dancing In The Streets," a low-down funky “Help”>”Slip”>”Franklin's” and a wind 'em up to wind down "Let It Grow">"Wharf Rat">"Around and Around." Can you keep up? There's only one way to find out.

This complete show, balanced out with a couple of bonus tracks from 6/23/76 and 6/28/76, was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

Dave's Picks Volume 28 is limited to 18,000 individually-numbered copies*.

Grab a copy before they're gone, gone, gone.

*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Yeah, it's expensive....

....but worth every penny. 👌

The Big Box

Listening to it sequentially is like eating an IBM machine.. it took me six months to fully digest it.

It gets mixed reviews, probably deservedly.. there are a few tent pole shows that make the whole thing worthwhile, and many absolutely killer shows that come in just under that bar. There are a few that might not be mandatory revisits, and the project created a precident where patches and cuts made their way into official releases which many were not used to. But once you get that behind you, it's the off the radar shows that seal the deal. 84, 87, 91, 85 and the later era shows come to mind (I think I left out some highlights..it's late). Even 86 has wind beneath it's sails.

I don't know if its a must have, but I still drink from that well regularly and still find surprises and new areas to explore. Expensive? Yes, but simply because there is so much there.. the per disc/ per show price is the same as it ever was.

Edit: I think the sound, excluding the shows where the masters were subpar (the cassette master years), is very good.

30 Trips Box

No regrets here, that box is among the highlights of my collection. As Jim noted, it does take a while to fully digest, but there is a ton of good stuff there. I have listened to the shows from '69-'75 the most, multiple times each, followed by '77, 82, and '87, but I have listened to almost all the shows a couple times or more. The '82 show is probably the worst recording quality in the box, but the show itself is strong enough that the sound quality is no too distracting once I adjust to it, and the '69 Dreambowl show is, in my mind, neck and neck with 2/27/69 Fillmore West show, the source of the classic Darkstar on Live Dead. I could go on, but suffice it to say, it is full of good stuff. Arthur Morgan would approve.

30 trips hidden gems

Summer 85 isn't exactly a secret, but I agree with Jim and others...some nice gems in this box to be found from the 80s. The 85 show is one I go back to more often that I would have thought. Actually the shows from 82-87 in general have been played a lot in my house. All great stuff.

Arthur Morgan would approve....

....yes. He probably would, but you know he would steal it, not pay for it. I know a few of you are playing Red Dead Redemption 2. Simply the most incredible video game i have ever put my hands on. Rockstar pulled out all the stops on this one. All my horses are named after Dead songs. Now if you excuse me, i need to go brush Supplication and feed him some apples.

RDR 2

I suspected I was not the only one on these threads that might be digging that game. Definitely a game that elevates video games to something more than they have been in the past. That western vibe puts me in the mood for some of the Dead's cowboy tunes.

Stan Lee dead at 95....

....stupid Mondays.

Stan Lee

the inspiration for me to write my first sci fi short story, I was only 11, and it wasn't very long, but I still remember how his super hero's lit up my imagination, what a story teller. I was and am a huge fan of all things Marvel, I still remember when I was a kid going to the store and pulling those new issues off of that turning wire rack, I couldn't wait for the next issue, they were only a dime. Where does the time go...via con dios Mr. Lee.

When I was 10....

....I discovered comics. Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider, Spider-Man, Incredible Hulk, and on and on. And that's just Marvel. Still have a dozen long boxes of them. I'm younger than Unkle Sam, so in my day they were a 20¢.... I knew this day would come. Doesn't make it hurt any less. Excelsior to you. The Hugh Hefner and Jerry Garcia of comics. Godspeed Stan. Thanos ain't got shit on you. 💪

Captain America gets it....

https://relix.com/articles/detail/captain_america_digs_deadheads_the_gr…

more love for 1976

I think Dave does the best job when not only the release fills you with joy, but inspires you to spend more time with additional shows from the era. This release does exactly that (at least for me). I've done nothing but listen to shows from 1976 for the past 2 weeks. Been mostly spending time with the June shows but also listened to the Cow Palace NYE show the other night. Man, what a great show. Cool setlist, cool and different vibe to a few of the songs, a PITB that stands the test of time...and then out of seemingly nowhere, a Morning Dew that blows the roof off of an otherwise chilled out show. thanks Dave for sending me down this rabbit hole

#23

Finally got hold of DaP28, looking forward to listening, not listened to much 76 compared to most years.

#23 has to be the lowest number I'll ever get (I care about the numbers more than most, no idea why since they're pretty meaningless!), so that was a nice surprise.

Can't wait for the new year of DaP and another box on the way!

Hope everyone's well!

Charlie3

I noticed you didn't mention the 1978 show from 30 Trips. Possibly the most overlooked show from the box. It ranks very high against other '78 shows, IMHO. Contains the only officially released Mississippi Half-Step from that year (and a damn good version of it). 17 minute Let It Grow. Also one of the best standalone versions of this tune, top 3 in my book. Killer keyboard work from my compadre Keith on They Love Each Other. Very nice Cassidy and Brown-Eyed Women (check out Jerry's solo). And that's just the first set. Solid Samson & Delilah, which benefits more than most from the Wolf; and one of the top 3 or 4 Estimated Prophets (complete with extended early solo from Jerry - almost 2 minutes of pure bliss there). Anything in 1978 after April was hit or miss, and they definitely hit on this one. Oodles better than the two shows on DP 25, to my ears anyway.

Keith Fan

Speaking of top versions of Estimated Prophet, yesterday I listened to 11-13-87, and that one went straight to the top. If this version isn't in your top 3-4 give it a listen and let me know what you think.

KeithFan2112

Thanks for the reminder, I'll have to go back and give that '78 show another listen soon. That 30 Trips box has a ton of great stuff, particularly that awesome '73 show you referenced on the DaP 2019 thread.

Honestly, since the 30 Trips Box came out, which was right after I finished picking up the Europe '72 shows, there have been so many great releases that I haven't fully digested all of them. I've listened to it all at least a couple of times, but I don't think that I fully absorbed the details and intricacy of each show. I'm on about the 3rd or 4th listen of the PNW Box, that has been my primary dead listening since it came out, sometimes I can't get enough of that '73-'74 sound.

The '78 Thirty Trips show....

....I listened to the first set of that show last night! Funny how that happens sometimes.

Slowdog

Is that an official release? Driving right now, limited hands.

78 30 trips

Keithfan...that show features my all time favorite Samson.

Also, if not mistaken, there is a really wild Around & Around. Really high energy show - definitely worth everyone's time.

Coooooool....

....https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-good-lovin-1970-video

Re: 11/13/87& Free Phil Stream

No, not an official release..

I'd be surprised if VGuy wasn't there??? I will have to give that a listen too. If anyone wants it, (or anything else really that hasn't been released) send me a PM and we will figure out a way.

Free Phil stream tonight on Nugs.net. 8:00 PST.
http://nugs.tv/

New Potato

That is a cool profile picture.

11.13.87....

....no. I was not there. I was at the 15th though.

Re: 11/13/87

Slacker

Charlie3

Thanks, took it a few days after seeing Dead and Co in Boulder last year, in canyonlands, trip of a lifetime. That second Boulder show was incredible start to finish. Apparently the one this year wasn't bad either. Great part of the world

RIP Roy Clark

A tremendous picker and nice guy all around; at least one tune in common with Jerry: Magnificent Sanctuary Band

Re: RIP

Oh man..

I can't say Country is my thing, after a few Me and My Uncles.. I need a break..

But I had a lot of respect for Roy Clark. He was a great guitarist.

yesterday's weather brought…

yesterday's weather brought the NYC/NJ area to a standstill (thanks to poor planning...)

While I was stuck in the car however, I got some quality listening time in. I moved off my 76 phase and dove right into late fall 79. 11/5 & 12/1 were on my list yesterday. Man, I'd love to see more releases from this era (though the ones we have are pretty sweet).

Re country: also, not my thing, but I do love El Paso, mama tried, and big river in particular. MAMU was definitely done to death, but the versions from 1970 or so are pretty solid and always worth a listen...

Dead Country

To me, the year the Dead really got to grips with country , live, was 1971. The country songs, and country based songs they played at shows during 1969 and 1970 always sound a bit awkward to me. But in 1971, both in terms of singing and playing, the pieces all seemed to drop into place. And stayed there. Having said that, both Workingmans Dead and American Beauty are great albums. Its just that the songs on those albums didn't translate to the live arena straight away.

But I never really got into country music per se either. Not like I did with blues. When I realised that a lot of the music I liked was based on blues I started listening to as many real blues musicians-as opposed to rock musicians playing blues - as I could. This would be in the late 70s. Everything from the early 1920s onwards. For some reason, country music never captured my imagination in quite the same way.

Country

Not really a big country music fan, but some of it is essential. Johnny Cash for example has a number of classic songs, and really the entire Live At Folsom Prison album is essential in my view. Folsom Prison Blues is a masterpiece and the performance live at the prison is beyond compare, I can't play it too loud. And later on his take on Rusty Cage and Hurt Myself Today are just about perfect, especially his version of Hurt Myself Today which is haunting. And what about Boy Named Sue? Is there a song with a better story? Can you listen to that song and not feel something?

A turning point on my country music appreciation came when I was fiending on Grand Theft Auto V, cruising around listening to the in-game radio stations, and eventually listening through the country station playlist of classic country - Willie Nelson's Whiskey River is now etched in my brain. Willie's song Crazy is a classic, whether he performs it or whether it is Patsy Cline singing it. Definitely worth checking out some of the classic country music, can't really say anything about modern country as I haven't checked it out. Just my two cents on the country music topic.

Johnny Cash Live at Folsom Prison

Yes-that is a great album. I used to love listening to that on the longish-long for England-drives cross country I used to do a few years back. I actually saw him live, too, round about 1987. I can remember he did "Big River" which I only knew as a Dead tune at the time. But he had a great voice. Whenever I hear a record by him, and he starts singing, I stop what I am doing, or thinking about, and tune in.

Country

I'm a big early Country fan(early Blues too); check out the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, the Delmore Brothers, Bob Wills, Tex Williams, Red Foley, Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, Sons of the Pioneers, Hank Penny, Merle Travis, and so many more.
In my opinion Johnny Cash's 50s Sun records are his best(I walk the Line, Hey Porter, etc.)
Whoever said 1971 was when the Dead started to sound good on C&W tunes was spot on.
By the way, I can't find the comments section for the PNW box...anyone else?

PNW comments.

Can be found here:

https://www.dead.net/forum/pacific-northwest-73-74-complete-recordings-…

At least that is where I found them.

Accessing comments pages

What seems to work for me is picking the "Community" option top right. Then faced with a number of headed options, I go for "Dead products", bottom left. Hey presto, a list of topics under discussion appear. They seem to be in a random order, but all recent releases-Dave Picks, the 73/74 box, the new dvd/bu ray, the subscriptions are there if you scroll down.

Comments

The easiest way to get to them is to bookmark them the first time you visit.
To do that you can go to the Community page as Dave said, or on the store product page click on the comments button towards the bottom.

But why is this comment page formatted differently?
http://www.dead.net/30daysofdead/nov-17-2018

If anyone is looking for…

If anyone is looking for this or any of this year's Dave's Picks, shoot me a PM. $25 plus shipping. The bonus disk is an additional $25.

Affirmative

Ordered Oct ‘77 Road Trips from the Warner Music Store on Amazon and it came with the bonus disc.

testing

just testing to see if this pops 28 back to the top

more test

I go to this web page to find "comments"

http://www.dead.net/recent

they seem to be listed in "most recent comments" order.

Also on the capcha shit, I'm seeing more spam then on the last site.

Mmmm... This looks tasty!

https://www.amazon.com/Bear-Sonic-Journals-Before-Were/dp/B07JJQ6ZMR/re…

Jack & Jorma....

....it sure as hell does simonrob!

Jack and Jorma

I went to the foundations' website and this show is no where to be found there. Sure looks good, early Tuna before they were Tuna, but still very hot. Gonna need to do some more research on this one quick. Thanks for the heads up Mr. Simonrob.

7 tunes, 70 minutes of pre Tuna

Three old favorites and 4 new unnamed songs until this release, from 69. On sale for 15.00$ Pre Tuna, interesting name, but what would they call themselves back then? Post apocalyptic Airplane trio? Psychedelic Blue Seafood? Got any ideas?

New Old Tuna

Old, New Tuna? Very interesting indeed..

Happy Thanksgiving to all.. may your cup be full.

A special congrats to those affected in the Northeast.. I believe today marks the first day you can buy weed legally in the Eastern US as MA opened its first recreational dispensary. I honestly never thought I would see this in my lifetime. The times they are a changin'

I got in a nice revisit listen to DaP 28 yesterday, still sounds fresh. I put it in the same category as say Nashville 78 simply because the recording exceeded expectations and the show was solid. Not sure if it's the best Dave's Picks ever, but it's a solid release. Which reminds me.. we need more new music, that new car smell is beginning to fade.

Really enjoying the fall, but the bittersweet winds of Winter have arrived.. (darkness falls and seasons change). Hoping for a great winter..

Bring on the swing, happy holidays and blue cheer to all.

dave's 15

Funny you mention that - I go back to that show often. Great sound, great show. Maybe one of the better first sets in all of 1978. This is a pick that I can see going back to quite often as well. I love when we are surprised like this. Life is good...

Hope everyone has a great thanksgiving. Our dinner is fairly small (my family + 1 other family) so there isn't much drama, but there is a lot of wine. Good times all around.

Another 76 Gem

Finally obtained a copy of Dick's 33. Two unbelievably great shows from October of 1976. Recording and mix are top notch. Not quite as good as The Cow Palace show, but very close. Expensive but worth it.

DaP 28

Like many '76s until 10/15, at first seems slow. But I got a good long undisturbed listen in twilight, loud, and man does this deliver. The (somewhat) slower pace on most songs gives Jerry a chance to really sing. Tennessee, Wharf Rat, Ship of Fools, TLEO, FOTD--all good. It's a chamber music era, the emphasis is on the melodic and harmonic dynamics, not the volume dynamics.

Thanks to all!!

sigh...

Still haven't received Dave's 28. Bummer

Today in MA

Jim, I agree, today's historical day in Mass. is one I had long ago accepted as a pipe dream (pun, intended).

I recall watching the show 'Weeds' through to its conclusion, wherein it time jumps like 7 years into the future, and pot is legal. It was an interesting, winning end to the show, and I remember thinking how liberating that would really be. Amazing it has now come to fruition in my state of residence. Soon to follow will hopefully be enough dominoes to change this on the most basic of levels to the positive.

Also wanted to chime in a say Happy Thanksgiving to all, near and far. Be well.

Sixtus

Just in case you didn’t hear the news

Michigan legalized weed this past Election Day.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/marijuana/2018/11/20/michigan-board-ca…

This is too much...

I have finally come around to the seemingly majority opinion that this refit of the website has led to the death of the community that I have been a part of these many years. Pretty bummed.

Part of the problem is clearly how difficult it is to find the discussion threads. Perhaps we all agree to follow one of the threads on the community page - maybe we could collectively decide to park ourselves on one of the permanent forum pages... I don't know. I do know that checking this site has become less and less of a daily thing for me, and that makes me sad. What the hell am I supposed to do at work now?

Peace

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