• 1,091 replies
    heatherlew
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • daverock
    Joined:
    Kreutzman underrated? Right!

    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.

  • DaveStrang
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Unkle Sam

    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.

  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    nevermind

    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....

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Mexico, Billy the K and Vguy/jokes

    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....”

  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    raised dot, not and playing in the sand

    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

  • muleskinner_blues
    Joined:
    And we hightailed it

    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.

  • Exile On Main St.
    Joined:
    Uncle Sam

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

  • DaveStrang
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Unkle Sam/Raised Dot On Disc

    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.

  • dreading
    Joined:
    Kreutzmann is easily the most underrated drummer, right?

    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.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Irvine '86....

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

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

8 years 2 months

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.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

The comments certainly are more buried in the site. That seems to be the main complaint. The blinding white is less a big deal. There's a few, including me, that wonders if they buried us to better deal with all the product complaints and to a lesser extent some of the open hostility.

It's a new day, starting on a bright note.. and venturing down the path. It's Big Rock Pow Wow day where I stand. That will surely shake the plaster off the walls and rearrange the matter between my ears.

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Been looking around in the community area and it seems a lot of the comments are scattered all over the place, not like before when we all conjugated in one spot, plus, I don't see any of the on line trolls here anymore, which is a good thing. Just makes me think how many of those trolls were not fans, just trouble makers? Outside agitators they used to be called. I would love me some Bruce and Vince 90's shows released in this series. Dave? Whatdya say?

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by unkle sam

Permalink

We are certainly due a good Bruce show or two.. I would bet there are a few being discussed for future release. Not sure how they are going to treat the Vince era shows. I think the last one released (besides 30 trips) was Cal Expo?? and before that Dicks Picks 27?? I recall a little grumbling when those got released. One day we will see more from this era, however..

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

I am 100% on board with this idea. We've only been treated to a few official Bruce-infused releases, and we're overdue. I'm particularly partial to the '91 Boston Garden run, but pretty much anything throughout '91 proper would be appreciated and applauded. The energy he brought to the band during this era was entirely palpable especially when her and Jerry would duel back and forth. It was clear they were both having a good time.

Sixtus

user picture

Member for

9 years 8 months
Permalink

I would love a few 93 shows to get released, I enjoy a good Days Between and other late era songs that have not been heavily released.

user picture

Member for

8 years 5 months
Permalink

I haven't been on the new site much . . . But it looks like a lot of the old gang is here. Man I've missed this random banter about the Dead, music, life, and whatever.

Been really diving into 73 lately. I've always loved Dave's 21, and then the PNW box, of course, and now I'm on Winterland 73. The cojtinued emphasis on the songs, but with the increasingly looser amd freer jams intersprersed. The emergence of Playin as a jam vehicle. Good stuff.

Concurrently, also been slowly working my way through the Warfield run. 9/30/80 is my fav, so far, and also the last one I listened too (but I repeat myself). The sound quality is the biggest differntiator as the shows are very similar, so far. Good stuff, and would make a great box set some day.

Just put in for the week of New Years off from work and have that blocked off to listen to as many 12/31 shows as life permits.

Peace out

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by NCDead

Permalink

1990 isn't a date that normally follows on from the word "Europe", but thanks to the generosity of one of the posters on here, I finally got to hear a recording of the Wembley 10/31/90 show. I enjoyed the music at all three London shows in 1990, but haven't heard them since, and have always assumed that they were great if you were, less so if you weren't. Wrong again! The opening Help/Slipknot/Franklins is superb-a great feel to it. I enjoyed the whole show, so I dug out the Paris show from 27th, in the 30 Trips box. This may be even better. I haven't listened to the whole show yet, but its got a great China Cat/Rider nestled in there. Bird Song features in both shows too, leading into Promised Land to close the first sets. Good stuff.

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

Daverock, if I am not mistaken, ole' Brucey was on that Europe '90 tour, and he added some awesome stuff. The shows you mentioned are my my radar; and I also remember finding a pretty good near-sbd copy of the 20-OCT-90 show in Berlin years ago, and what I find hilarious now is that (A) I've easily found a copy of what I found back then on the interwebs (see link below) and (B) how obvious it is that whoever wrote down this setlist was either waaay tripping or had no idea what they were listening to:

https://www.discogs.com/Grateful-Dead-Live-In-Berlin/release/3850365

The Shakedown the night prior is also one for the ages.

Sixtus

user picture

Member for

8 years 5 months

In reply to by Sixtus_

Permalink

You Have Step Uptown and Checkeroo are my favs! I'm totally buying that.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by Roguedeadguy

Permalink

From the Urban Dictionary:

Not a full scale check of the surrounding area but a quick scan around.
I'll just have a checkeroo to make sure I didn't leave my stash behind in the hotel room.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by Sixtus_

Permalink

Yes, Bruce was there. It was very strange on the 1st night-10/30/90. Bruce led the jam out of first set closer, Let It Grow into one of his own compositions, Valley Road. I had never heard it before, and by the look on the bands faces-neither had they. It didn't seem sympathetic to Let it Grow at all-and as I remember it both band and audience stood there with bemused faces as Bruce obliviously and enthusiastically played on. It had all gone very quite by the time he had finished, and the band shuffled off stage. It wasn't bad-just unexpected.

I love that Valley Road, especially the loose Bruce/Jerry interplay before the song. I wasn't there though, interesting comment on body language, etc. It was the second of six times played, the first in Germany 8 days earlier. I always looked it as a solo song that he just wasted to play with the boys.

As most have said, I am a big fan of the energy Bruce brought and man can that guy play the piano.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

The previous site did have a lot of spam issues, as well as commentary that wasn’t always appropriate for a commercial product sales website. People are starting to filter back in here, I imagine that more will reappear when 2-26-77 starts arriving in mailboxes.
The white background actually makes it easier to read on a phone, so I’m all for it. With the old yellow background I was having trouble reading the text on a phone. I rarely read these boards on a computer, just phone or tablet.

Valley Road 10-22-90
https://youtu.be/IG2aLwil6Bk

It was played a few times.

Just checkaroo-ing in

Now, how ‘bout some reCAPTCHA crosswalks.....or fire hydrants......or cars......or buses....or traffic lights.....
When do I get the dancing bears reCAPTCHA?

user picture

Member for

8 years 5 months

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

I *know* I'm not the only one who's forgotten to do that particular checkeroo :)

To the housekeeping staff at The Sleepy Fawn Motel . . . you're welcome.

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

I vote yes, most of those shows are top notch, new energy, new keyboardists and Jerry on fire. What's not to love? I would love to see these all released via box set, like E72, that would be awesome. For the same price too and not on cheap disks. There are a lot of fantastic shows with Bruce and Vince at the Ivory, check out those 3 shows from April in Orlando 91, I was there and it was like stepping back in time to the 60's, lots of freaks, flowers in their hair, no hassles from the police, in fact, they were quite friendly, and really good doses everywhere. I wouldn't mind that 81 Europe tour being released either, that Barcelona show from that tour is just frigging awesome. Give us some European Dead love Dave, I'm sure these would sell like hotcakes.
Valley road was a Bruce song that was played by the boys for Bruce, his big hit back then and, well, it was a big hit for Bruce. It's good to see the E90 tour getting some love by others other than me. Would that make you guys the other ones? :)

user picture

Member for

11 years 4 months

In reply to by unkle sam

Permalink

Still no Dave's 28.
I don't know what to think anymore...
:O(

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

I would be into another release from this tour. The 10/27/90 paris show from the 30 trip's box is a monster. would also love to see Compton Terrace and McNichols from Dec '90 released. Those shows were epic. Especially 12/9/90. Awesome show.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by unkle sam

Permalink

That would be an exciting and off the wall choice for a box set. As would Europe 1981-which is all but lost in the mists of time.

Thinking back to Bruce playing Valley Road with the band on 10/30/90-at that time, I had never heard of Bruce, and had never heard Valley Road before. Maybe because I was so bemused, I projected this state on to everybody else-including the band.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

All this talk of Europe, especially Europe 81 reminded me of days long ago when Rhino used to sponsor Blair Jackson to write here once a month in the form of Blair's Golden Road.

There's a great write-up on the '81 European Tours (there were two that year). He gives great praise for the performances but alas it was the mix that makes these shows difficult to release. Check out his comments below, very well written and on point.

https://www.dead.net/features/blair-jackson/blair-s-golden-road-blog-fo…

If only we could go back in time and brainwash the boys and management not to pull the plug on 'high end' recordings in 1979 forward... I believe if the 80's forward got the Betty Treatment they would not be so oft maligned..

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month
Permalink

I "hate" this new format. I guess I am just getting....old!
Mr. Pete------->
aging hippie

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

In reply to by mbarilla

Permalink

I always liked Bruce's solo stuff for the most part; I recall fondly that song 'Mandolin Rain' as it was playing a lot on the radio when I was enduring a devastating break up (why was it me always getting dumped?!?!), and that song just rang the true note of the soul in the same way that song describes. But it's pretty catchy nonetheless, if not a little lovey-ballady but hey they can't all be groovy rockers. He also does a solid Jack Straw on that 'Deadicated' album from the early '90's.

Of course I will use every opportunity to tout a favorite Bruce/Garcia-moment so do your soul a favor and go listen to this Foolish Heart - especially the jam at the end. OH Man. And the show overall is pretty great - indicative of the magic that was conjured during his tenure.

https://archive.org/details/gd1990-12-28.sbd.miller.114440.flac16

Sixtus

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

Just wondering if anyone who got skipping discs on this release has received replacement discs yet. I am still waiting for replacements for discs 1 and 3 myself.

Listening to the Road Trips '69 Big Rock Pow Wow release today. I picked it up recently and haven't had a chance to give it a full listen, but I saw someone on here (MDJim?) mention it in the last few days and thought I should try and give the whole thing a listen.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by Charlie3

Permalink

Per Marye’s recent post:

December 4, 2018 - 11:20am#50
MARYE

Joined:
May 26, 2007
Disc 3 Folks
SO sorry. You are not forgotten.

I knew y'all would make it right, in the end.

Good on ya, "Mac" and Team Rhino!

As an aside, I understand why you had to create a new website, with the incumbent latest security features, but I am no longer contributing due to the onerous and sterile nature of the interaction. *Shrugs*

MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK YOU FOR RELEASING THE SWING!!!
2-26-77 ARE BELONG TO US !!! !!!

Peace.Love.Disc.

Happy Holidaze!

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

Thanks Icecrmcnkd, Bob T., and Guss West. I got that email this evening as well, makes me feel a lot better to know that the replacement discs should be on the way soon. I kind of figured there were a lot of replacement discs needed based on the number of comments from folks who got skipping discs. I am really looking forward to playing this release through without skips, as it sounds fantastic other than the skips.

Nice to see an uptick in the rate of posting, I really dig reading everyone's comments on these releases and other things to check out.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

Fantastic farewell gig by The Pretty Things in London two nights ago. They brought the house down for the final time with a blistering set that focussed on many of the great records they made in the 1960's leading up to the album Parachute. They also covered some authentic sounding country blues, with Dick Taylor playing superb acoustic slide. They also played a fair bit off their best album-one of the best psychedelic albums to come out of England-S.F.Sorrow, and the classic psych single Defecting Grey from the same year, 1968. They were joined by no less than Dave Gilmour, who jammed convincingly on several songs-a swell as a grumpy looking Van Morrison.
A truly great band and night.

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

A wonderful band back in the day. Great to hear they can still cut it. They were always better than the Rolling Stones in my book. Parents with daughters feared their influence more than that of the Rolling Stones - which should be considered a compliment of some sort.

Looks like its gonna be a white Christmas - on this website, at least.

Archaeologists in Egypt have made an exciting tomb discovery - the final resting place of a high priest, untouched for 4,400 years. Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, described the find as "one of a kind in the last decades".

This is obviously secret code to play From Egypt with Love or the October 78 Winterland road trip shows, July 78.. it matters not. I don't take these things lightly.. what have we to lose? Besides.. discovering 4,400 year old treasures deserves a little celebratory activities.

.....I've always known high priests are good for something! Just have to wait 4000+ years for exhumation. So party it will be. Sounds like a good ride for Me and My Abrictosaurus.

Finally bought the last hole in my dead DVD collection, Trucking up to Buffalo. Have owned the CDs for years. Man, what a great show on DVD. 5.1 surround
sound and it sounds great, brings back a lot of good memories for how shows were in the late 80s. It has been almost 9 years since we have had a video release, with CW & I being the last in 2010. I would love to see them get back to releasing some more late 80s shows as well as 1990s. How great would it be to have some of those Spring 1990 shows in blue-ray with surround sound. I know I would be all over that.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

You would recommend surround sound then? I haven't got it, but a lot of these box sets and anniversary releases seem to have discs with this sort of sound. The new version of Electric Ladyland boasts a surround sound disc, I notice, and I have numerous King Crimson discs also with surround sound lying dormant in the box.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

I'll give my humble opinion without going too deep into the technical rabbit hole.

I rarely listen to straight music on surround sound and I don't have many albums remixed for surround sound (DVD Audio of American Beauty and Workingman's Dead come to mind). But lots of older stuff is getting re-released as Blu Ray audio DVDs (like The Grateful Dead Movie some years back).

I pay attention when something is remixed for Blu Ray. I believe the Ice Cream Cone Kid sort of started this side trip talking about great sound on the reissue of The Song Remains The Same on Blu Ray. Since there are more tracks and more audio storage capacity built into this medium (left front, right front, center front, subwoofer, left back, right back).. this necessitates a remix to take advantage of the new sound options. If they do a really good job on the re-mix it can make a big difference both played back in Surround Sound or as stereo.

So it's both the sound and hopefully a more insightful mix that can make it worthwhile. It seems more prevalent in concert DVDs and movies, less options for standard albums. There's more to it but that's my simplified, boiled down take. If I have something wrong/distorted/omitted, hopefully someone will chime in with other insights.

Where's wjonjd when you need him?

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

Yes, that makes sense that a disc would need to be remixed specifically for surround sound for optimum effect. Maybe a bit like how an album needs to be mixed specifically for vinyl, to get the best sound, rather than using the same mix that has been released on cd. Obviously, I am straying out of my comfort zone talking about such issues.

I have had surround sound - blu ray discs at that-thrust on me somewhat through buying box sets. This last day or so I have been listening to the studio albums from King Crimson's "Sailors Tales" box set-Wake of Poseidon, Lizard and Islands. They sound, in their stereo version on cd, simply amazing. But there are also blu ray discs with the same material mixed for surround sound. I can't help wondering what I am missing out on-if anything.

Conversely several 1960s albums sound better in mono-Piper At The Gates of Dawn and Sergeant Pepper come to mind. There seems to be too much choice, in a way. I often put a disc in-this obviously applies to films too - and am perplexed by the range of options concerning sound. This abundance of choice isn't confined to sound, either. Try buying a coffee in London.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

Playing a 2-track stereo mix on a 5.1 surround system won’t get you any added benefit, and it may not even sound as good as on a stereo.

I’m not sure if a studio recording will gain anything by being mixed in 5.1, but a live recording seems to get a fuller, fill-the-room feel (although I did see comments that Quadrophenia sounds great). The recently released Song Remains The Same on BluRay audio sounds awesome; mixed from the original multi tracks to hi-res Blu-ray audio. With Blu-ray audio you get hi-res lossless, but you still need the TV turned on to navigate through the menu.
What system you have also matters. I have an Onkyo 5.1 Home Theater system, not too pricey and sounds great, but the Blu-ray player makes a big difference. Originally I had a Samsung player, but when I got the Fare Thee Well Blu-rays the sound wasn’t that great. I then ponied up for an Onkyo player to go with the Onkyo 5.1 system and the improvement in sound quality was amazing. I think that the Samsung player (~$70) is just meant for playing movies, whereas the Onkyo player has a better audio chip in it.

The other thing about Blu-ray audio is that you usually get both the 5.1 and stereo mixes, so you can do your own comparison.

But what do I know, I’ve started buying vinyl too......

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

Correct.. but usually if they go through the effort to create a surround sound mix, they toss in a remastered stereo mix too.. which does sometimes sound better than the original stereo mix.

Speaking of remixed multi-tracks, I listened to parts of the 10/8/89 and 10/9/89 Hampton Formerly the Warlocks shows. I had forgotten how powerful that slipknot! was on the 10/8 Help/Slip/Franklins breakout. I know the DS gets all the hype from this run, but don't overlook the H/S/F's and Morning Dew from the night before.. plus that haunting Death Don't Have No Mercy and soulful Attics are a real treat. The sound is good, but not as good the Spring 90 TOO boxset. Oh well, still two great shows regardless of era.

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

I do not have a surround sound system, but it seems to me that if you want true surround sound you would have to remix the sound to get each instrument or player positioned in the proper speaker, would you not? If there are 5 speakers, you would have 4 for the highs and the midranges and 1 for the base line, is this not correct? I know when I had my quad set up years ago, the albums were mixed to quad sound, that is to say that certain instruments came out of certain speakers, and sometimes they were switched around, moving in stereo you might say. Most of these quad mixes were definitely different that their stereo counterparts and gave a "new and different" sound to the music. Does surround sound do the same thing? I have heard it in stores with movies, but never with just music. It really doesn't seem possible to remix a two track recording to surround sound and have it sound different except that the sound is now coming out of 5 speakers verses just 2 in stereo. I do believe that digital music could be remastered to surround sound but analog tapes, like 2 track or even 8 track, would be very difficult to remaster to get that true surround sound sound. Anybody got any thoughts on this? I have been curious about surround sound, but if it's just to get the sound to come out of 5 speakers instead of 2, doesn't seem like much of an incentive to invest in. Any engineers out there with any info on this topic who would care to enlighten us?

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

My head is configured for stereo i.e. I have two ears, one on each side of my head. Maybe I'm missing the point here.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by simonrob

Permalink

But hearing is 3-dimensional, which is why you can tell the direction of a sound.

I think that surround sound is an attempt to produce 3D sound, which helps with movies, and seems to sound pretty good with some concert recordings.

Sam,
My 5.1 is five speakers (center, L R stereo, L R surround) plus the subwoofer.

I have a regular stereo system with 2 speakers and a subwoofer for stereo audio recordings. And a 5.1 home theater system for TV, DVD, Blu-ray. The surround sound works quite well for watching hockey, it does have a 3D sound effect, especially when they crash into the boards.

The Warlocks release is the best 89 release they have put out. Two really good shows. This one they used Plangent. Not sure why they have not used this process again for the late 80s or 90s. Hope they go back to it!

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months
Permalink

All that fancy talk aside, Van Morrison gunned down the old man with a transistor radio.

\m/

user picture

Member for

8 years 2 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

If anyone doesn't have the 89 RFK release, I would jump on at $44 right now with the 25 days of Christmas. Great deal and you won't be disappointed. Always loved Phil and Just Like Thumb's Blues. Or you could wait and try to buy in on eBay in a couple years for $300?.

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

Looks like we are getting another two from early 1970 as Dave's Picks 30. 2019 is shaping up to be a particularly good year.

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

In reply to by MDJim

Permalink

So, we get a phat double-dose right outta the gate into 2019....first, Schwiiiiing!!!!! Then, 1/2/70...??? I mean, that Dark Star knocked me over the first time I heard it....totally epic. The rest of the show....momentum like a rolling freight train.

Good news for a pre-Holiday offering.

Hope The Clan is well!
Sixtus

user picture

Member for

7 years 9 months

In reply to by Sixtus_

Permalink

Wow is right.. a one two punch if ever I have seen one. Super stoked for these first two offerings. Just say yes to Plangent.. Kayak Guy is right!

product sku
081227931582
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/dave-s-picks-volume-28-1.html