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    clayv
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    An institution in American rock music, the Grateful Dead continue to surprise the ears with new arrangements and altered styles. If their playing continues with the force that was heard in San Bernardino, the spirit of the Dead will live on. - Sun Telegram

    We are more than pleased to kick off this year's Dave's Picks series with the much requested and quite spirited complete performance from Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA 2/26/77. The Swing ’77 show was a unique beast, unlike any others from this era: as the band’s first concert of the year, it bridged the gap between the new and re-emerging sound of the returning 1976 Grateful Dead and the precision excellence of the spring ’77 Dead. Debuting two of their most intricately crafted songs of the 1970s, “Terrapin Station” (to open, no less!) and “Estimated Prophet,” the Dead demonstrated right from the start of this new touring year that they were not going to be a nostalgia act; they were going to be as adventurous and ambitious as they were at any time in their career.

    Join the adventure as they soar through tried and true ("Playing In The Band," "Tennessee Jed"), well-loved covers ("Mama Tried," "Samson and Delilah," "Dancing In the Street"), and epic new jams.

    Rounded out with three songs from Santa Barbara, CA 2/27/77, this one was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

    Dave's Picks Volume 29 is limited to 20,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

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  • daverock
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    Ultimate Deadness-Jim

    Yes, I also would place China Cat-Rider in the same class as The Other One, Dark Star and Playing in the Band as the ultimate vehicles-the place where Bill Grahams statement that -"They are not the best at what they do. They are the only ones that do what they do" can best be evidenced.
    Quote may not be exactly accurate- the gist of it is.

  • MDJim
    Joined:
    Roasting

    I am doing a double batch today myself.. I have been having very good success lately. Now.. what to listen to?? I might just have to spin Portland 74.. high energy, jazzy, psychedelic rock and roll.

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    China/Rider conversions

    Before I had cassettes, or when I had hissy cassettes, I would use China/Rider from Europe 72 to try to convert people.
    Years later I would use China/Rider from 3-15-90 and all the way through Drums to convert people.

    Both methods worked for several people.

    Thanks Jimbo.
    Low 60’s, partly sunny, heading outside to roast some beans.

  • MDJim
    Joined:
    Re: 72-74 China Riders

    I tend to agree, Daverock.. If I had someone's attention who had an open mind and wanted an intro to the GD, I might put on something from 72 and then a 73 or 74. You almost can't go wrong with any from this period, and we benefit from many multi-tracks to pull from. Wowwow stuff.

    That being said.. I've never met a ChinaRider I didn't like. I like the progression, the changes in arrangement and of course the improvisation and musical discussions back and forth.

    Some of the early versions are so creative, historic perhaps. The genesis from which all others came from. I have really been getting into the 74 ones lately, especially those present on the PNW Box, 5/17 PNE and 5/19 Portland being the strongest. The crescendo in the transition is a powerhouse. I think 80sfan was the first to comment on how good these versions were, he was spot on. 2/24/74 is also excellent as is the one from Dicks Picks 12.

    But the return on 12/29/77 is amazing too, the transition smooth as silk. By 1980 they had tightened things up considerably and the long, stretched out jam between had been simplified, it was back to the basics.. but it was tight. I might be in the minority, but I really like some of the midi versions in the 89/90 with Copps Coliseum being one of the better versions and the one used in Without a Net is excellent.

    All in all, we might have our favorite periods and favorite versions but the fact that this duo changed and evolved so much speaks to why it is so good. The performances of this pair of songs were never meant to be static, it was highly improvisational and the arrangement was clearly written and intended to change and evolve over time. It couldn't have worked any other way and that, to me, is what makes it special. When you hear those opening notes of Chinacat, you never knew what they were going to get into. So Grateful Dead and that's what made it great. I believe these two songs to be as important as Dark Star, The Other One and Playing in the Band.

    Cone Kid.. Happy Anniversary.

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Spirit

    I know a few Spirit songs from FM radio in the 80’s but never owned any tapes/albums. Also didn’t know the back story.
    So, I watched this last night and my eyes were opened. Bizzaro Hendrix.
    That would have been awesome to see them on the stage together. Mirror image guitar playing.
    Thanks for the Spirit/Randy talk that got me looking.

    https://youtu.be/E_jYkwWjgh8

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    30th anniversary

    Of my first show!
    4-6-89

    Set 1
    https://youtu.be/qhz8YfKE6O0

    Set2
    https://youtu.be/X7PZHKN51YI

    Think I’ll watch it tonight.

  • Lovemygirl
    Joined:
    “Sunshine Daydream” 😉

    ...The sun is shining brightly today, love it! 😎
    ...August 27th 1972...first pick of the day...🙏
    Have s grateful weekend everyone!

  • KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    The Echoes

    Jimbo, that's so weird - I juuuusst "discovered" that Echoes video a couple of weekends ago. I was blown away that such good quality pre-Dark Side footage existed. I don't even recall how I came across it. That song is special for me. In college I knew from Dark Side of the Moon forward, and side 1 of Meddle (what a great start to a record - One of These Days, Pillow Of Winds, Fearless).

    I rarely listen to Echoes, to preserve the magic. I remember first hearing it. I was always an experimenter with pot or whatever else in high school, whenever I could get my hands on stuff (which was rare). In my second year of college, I met some really cool guys, two of whom were the first to move out of the dorms and into a rental house off-campus. They had parties a couple of times a week there. After a few weeks I was invited "upstairs" for the first time, and there was pot. It became a regular thing, and we had a huge posse of like-minded individuals. And of course there was music. The Doors had made a huge comeback in the 90s, and Jane's Addiction was breaking out. Jane Says was one of the stoner songs we played a lot, but very early on, they put on Echoes. Of course I dug it immediately, but my one buddy kept telling me to wait for the good part....wait for the good part....and then Gilmour's guitar crescendo came on and I was blissed out by it. The rest of the year we would come back to that house from parties, go up and smoke, and put on "The Echoes". Those times were too short, but I'll never forget them. Thanks for the reminiscence.

    daverock - couldn't agree more about China / Rider, although there are a couple of great (but short) renditions on Three From the Vault and Ladies / Gentlemen. I think it did better on one drummer. Phil plays some nice sustained bass notes at the beginning on those two. But they're way too short. Even '72 is beginning to feel too short (5-7 minute range). They were breaking 8 minutes consistently by '73 (China Cat only of course).

    I reached for the original May 1977 Box Set this morning. There's a really exciting Scarlet Begonias on 5/13. It's too bad this one was only 7 minutes, because the drums and jamming is very rockish, especially leading up to the wind in the willows verse.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Get yer hair cut!

    My biggest blip with haircuts was a long one. Between the ages of about 30 and 55, I had short back and sides to fit in with the work a day world. I am back to normal now.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    72-74 China-Rider

    Surely the golden age for this jam. It had been around in the preceding years-it crops up during the February run at the Fillmore East 1970-Dicks Picks 4. But it never really grew wings until Keith joined, and its apex for me arrived in 1974. I've just listened to the first set of 3/23/74-great version on there-as ever the linking jam makes it.
    In fact, if I was to demonstrate to someone who didn't know about the band, why I liked them-one of these China-Rider jams would serve as a great indicator. The psychedelic song-jazz inspired link-traditional American folk/blues song-pure gold.

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An institution in American rock music, the Grateful Dead continue to surprise the ears with new arrangements and altered styles. If their playing continues with the force that was heard in San Bernardino, the spirit of the Dead will live on. - Sun Telegram

We are more than pleased to kick off this year's Dave's Picks series with the much requested and quite spirited complete performance from Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA 2/26/77. The Swing ’77 show was a unique beast, unlike any others from this era: as the band’s first concert of the year, it bridged the gap between the new and re-emerging sound of the returning 1976 Grateful Dead and the precision excellence of the spring ’77 Dead. Debuting two of their most intricately crafted songs of the 1970s, “Terrapin Station” (to open, no less!) and “Estimated Prophet,” the Dead demonstrated right from the start of this new touring year that they were not going to be a nostalgia act; they were going to be as adventurous and ambitious as they were at any time in their career.

Join the adventure as they soar through tried and true ("Playing In The Band," "Tennessee Jed"), well-loved covers ("Mama Tried," "Samson and Delilah," "Dancing In the Street"), and epic new jams.

Rounded out with three songs from Santa Barbara, CA 2/27/77, this one was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

Dave's Picks Volume 29 is limited to 20,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

You should definitely check out Ascension, but there are 2 versions that were recorded, and Coltrane decided, after the initial pressings, to put the other version out. The only way to know, on vinyl, is on the runout, it is etched "Edition II". So get the cd that has both versions, Edition I and Edition II.

Thanks for your advice regarding Ascension, which I will make note of. Its not always easy to identify the best version of albums-especially when you step outside your comfort zone. I decided to buy "Blue Train" on the spur of the moment-but I have no idea whether the one I got is the one with the best sound. There were two versions on vinyl available-and although I bought the least expensive, it is marked as being 180g, and was released in 2017-so I guessed it would sound alright-and I have to say-to my ears-it does.

Maybe Ascension is best bought on cd rather than vinyl, as this seems to be the only sure way of getting the definitive version. A new world beckons.

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Picked up my first Motörhead vinyl, Ace of Spades on Friday afternoon amongst a few others...Appropriate for the weekend as we went to the casino on Saturday and played hold em until 4am...just now recovering and listening to the album now...

This album rocks...think I’ve heard a couple of y’all mentioning Motörhead...then on the first Episode of “Billions” on Showtime, Axe was wearing an Ace of Spades shirt, and they ran the final credits while The aforementioned “Ace of Spades” song was rocking. Too much synchronicity with the board to. It but the album....been banging my head for the last 45 minutes!!!

Daverock...Since this is a London band, I have to ask...CockRock? or did that label fall off by the mid 70s?

And ...What other Motörhead is recommended by the group?

KCJ

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In reply to by CaseyJanes

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I've only got two Motorhead albums, Overkill on cd, which is pretty good, and an amazing looking double album compilation called No Remorse on vinyl. Th sleeve is actually made of black leather and has a silver image of some sort of monster on the front. This is great, if its still available.
The live album No Sleep Till Hammersmith was a good one-though I haven't heard it in decades.

No, Motorhead weren't really considered cock rock in my neck of the woods. Cock rock was normally a bit slower, and typically featured a male long haired singer- a putative sex symbol, if you will- who wore a shirt half way open down his chest and ball breaker trousers. They/he mainly sang about his sexual prowess with women. Led Zeppelin and Free/Bad Company were notable examples. Blues rockers were always at risk of falling into this ditch. Motorhead were much better!

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In reply to by daverock

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essential, in my book:

Motorhead
Overkill
Bomber
Iron Fist
Orgasmatron
Bastards
Sacrifice
Overnight Sensation
We Are Motorhead
Inferno
Aftershock

and then there are the great ones
and then there are the good ones
and then there are the OK ones

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I got a chuckle out of your work email commentary. Really, what was I thinking, allowing work to encroach on the sacred holy Head commute? It did me listening to that kick ass Miracle. The Closing of Winterland is a show I put on sparingly, because I love it so much. Stagger Lee - has Garcia ever sung it any better? That's a rhetorical question, no he has not :D.

Also just enjoyed U.S Blues from Pacific Northwest (6th Show). I love the heavy piano chords the key to companies Garcia's main hook with. I used to think 76 was where this one was at, but I think Billy and Keith really make it swing in 74. Well time to tune out of here and TuneIn to the drive home. Jimbo, it's not lost on me that I mentioned probably your two least favorite Dead songs, Truly a coincidence.

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How is this band so gat dam good!

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7 years 9 months

In reply to by Butch

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Lucky, I guess.

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17 years 5 months

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....are you talking GD or Motorhead? Please specify.
....and yes. Jimbo is not a Miracle fan, but Stagger Lee? News to me! (lol. I rhymed that shit).

Correct.. not a miracle fan.. I just cant get into the lyrics. ...and the finger people on the way into the show. But that's just me, not meant to distract those that like that tune. If it works, great. I always wanted to like it...

Man.. my taxes this year somehow became brutally difficult. Mine.. will not fit on a 4X5 card. It's been a year of major change. Oh well.. scratch that. Onward.

Listened to half of 7/19/74 this morning, I think because of several call outs from the kind folks here this week and last. It sounded better than I remembered, and it's a nice little show. Funny all the grief this one got because it didn't have a Dark Star or an Other One. To me, it's an 8.5 to 9.0 out of 10, which is really, really good.. Mighty fine.

Having a shitty weekend into the this week.., nothing unusual, just normal life shit. I think I must remedy this immediately and take tomorrow morning off from work and get out. Calling in for a play day and will be sure to avoid the boss. Now what to play, what to do.... time for bed, cannot oversleep, up early. I guess I should finish Selland Arena and take it from there. I might just venture into 2/23/74 Winterland. Man.. they really should have released that three night run as a box set. Obvious choice..

Night all. Be good, be nice, have fun. Do something random and unnecessary tomorrow that makes someone else happy.

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...wishing everyone a grateful day today, remember to smile smile smile!...

...this is making me smile as I type this message, September 24th 1972. Palace Theater, Waterbury CT... :) :) :).....
The magical 72’ era but at a different pace than Europe 72, No PigPen :(...
Still theirs plenty to love about this show!
Just listen to the Dark Star >>China cat>>I know you rider>>sugar magnolia ! Wow , holy Toledo !
Ending the performance with a fine ‘One more Saturday night’... 🤠
Rock on my brothers & sisters!
🙏❤️😎

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... last week in between my Grateful Dead listening, I thru these 5 LPs on my turntable, anybody dig these bands?... 🙏❤️😎
#1) ‘Good Rats’ -“ RATCITY in BLUE”...check out the song that’s the title of the album, ‘ratcity in blue”! Killer track/song.
#2) ‘Bowie’- “Diamond Dogs” , some primo tracks on this album including “Rebel Rebel.” 😎
#3) ‘Jefferson Starship’ - “SPITFIRE” ...’Dancing with the Dragon’ 🤯 and “ST. Charles “
#4) ‘Jethro Tull’- “Bursting out” ...a sweet “Flute Solo Improvision/GOD” 😉
#5) ‘Cat Stevens’ - “Buddha & The Chocolate Box!” ...lovely track/recording of “Oh Very Young!” ... a beautiful song, both musically, lyrically and spiritually ! 🙏❤️😎

... now back to to earth , have a grateful day everyone! 🙏❤️🤠

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Ace of Spades behind his ear...

Anyone care to wager a guess?

What will 'they' release first:

New cover art for Dave's vol 30....or will they unveil the next box set?

BOX SET: 1969....in accordance with AOXOMOXOA 50-year anniversary... 4.21 4.22 4.23 ARK plus something from Fall 1969

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I was referring to the Dead vguy. I had a moment while listening to my newly purchased Dick's Picks 24 during the Morning Dew. The medley it's in was mentioned by someone recently. The PITB part is fierce. Now I want to see how the other 2 times they played this arrangement sounds.

MDJim I just listened to Daves Picks 17. I have been into 1974 lately. I enjoy the jazzy rocky improv. The second set is exceptional and a much cleaner recording than Dick's 24.

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Kaptain Kopter and the fabulous twirly birds; Randy California some great guitar work on this one
Alan Parsons project, Tales of mystery and Imagination, Dr Tar and Professor Feather
Grateful Dead 4-1-91, Jerry and Bruce on point
Back Street Crawler, The band played on, Paul Kossoff at his best
Paul and Gracie, Sunfighter Earth Mother your children are here

If the border gets closed, will that mean we won't have to deal with shitty mexican discs anymore? If so, I all for it :)

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Are on a 81 kick together! For me it started with a visit to MSG 3/9 and 10 and burned from there.

Also suggested: 3/7 for a 17 minute Bird Song and I am loving the sound of the matrixed Uptown Theater tapes. The second sets for all three nights are well played in my opinion. Check out Jerry's licks at the beginning of GDTRFB on 2/26.

I am now starting the September Greek shows. There are several AUD recordings. Can anyone recommend a favorite recording?

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Yesterday (4/1) was the 39th anniversary of my first show, Capital Theater, Passiac, NJ. I knew NOTHING about the Dead, my now wife was the head. So the show was a complete blur to me. I remember when we sent away for tickets the local TV channel show tickets being picked. They had filled a small above ground pool with all the request and they had a babe in a bikini walking in the pool randomly picking names,,, I guess we got luckly!

https://www.jambase.com/article/grateful-dead-pull-off-instrument-switc…

Here's a link to jambase talk of the show. The April Fools day joke went right past me then!

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8 years 1 month

In reply to by wadeocu

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Check out: 10 16 81 Netherlands....acoustic and electric....smoker!!!

There's a GLORIA in there somewhere....they open the electric set with Playin'.... GARCIA STRETCHING OUT HIS LICKS LIKE SILLY PUTTY. SO flippin' funky!!!

I believe the electric set, sans drums/space, is one long stream of tunes.
G
L
O
R
I
A
Ahhhhh

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In reply to by stoltzfus

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GD81 was always "yeah, that's nice... I like a few of the shows..."

until I was gifted a bunch.

bloomin', bloomin' like a red rose

It's like being a freshly minted Deadhead all over again.

THANK YOU, CRAIG!!! :)))

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Stoltzie I enjoyed the March 3rd 1981 China Rider. I finally started bringing my headphones to work and listening at my desk. I don't know why I didn't start doing this years ago. Not only is it quality listening time, but people approaching my desk know to f*** off now, without me having to figure out a polite way to convey the sentiment. Also partook in Feels Like a Stranger and Bird Song. It sounds like Bobby stopped playing the Bird Song melody alongside Garcia by '81. I miss him, because he always went high when Jerry went low.

Butch, I recognize your user picture - "Sunshine Daydream" poster (not to be confused with the album / movie release). I have it hanging framed over my fireplace.

Jimbo & Butch - count me on board with DaP 17 "Coattail Skeletons" there are some shining moments in set 1. Set 2 is solid - WRS, Jam, Eyes of the World top 5 for me. Even the China Doll keeps my attention. That song usually depresses me, along with Black Peter. I can't imagine they ever played the two back to back. But what I wanted to add about DaP 17 are the great harmony vocals - mixed so well. Dig it.

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In reply to by unkle sam

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My People Were Fair and had Sky in their Hair, But now they're Content To Wear Stars on Their Brows- Tyrannosaurus Rex
Impressions John Coltrane
Blue Train John Coltrane
Blonde On Blonde Bob Dylan
Nassau Coliseum 3/29/90 GD

Also-re Randy California-listened to Future Games for the first time in years last week-Spirit's best album in my humble opinion.

Actually had clue not 1 what was going on. Six to nine months before, couldn't spell Greatful Dead, thought they had to be HEAVY METAL DEVIL MUSIC. Hell I was grazing on Andy Williams, disco and 50's "oldies". It was only maybe a month before I had tripped for the first time. Now here I was freshly divorce, living the life with this hot babe, almost no clue to the music (she had skeletons in the closet on cassette and I like Friend of the Devil), in the old small theater, tripping balls,,, so no my mind wasn't blown at that point, sensory overload must have prevailed.

Month or so later went to a midnight showing of a Pink Floyd, once again no idea who this Mr Floyd was. Tripping once again and still not being a veteran, a little paranoid (THEY know I tripping!!) The movie starts gets about 1/2 way thru first song and bang, the movie stops, the house lights come and this old usher looking guys comes down, first flash,,,,, THEY DO KNOW!!! Then he mouthing words,,,,, They people came later, were going to restart the movie from the beginning, sorry. That blew my mind a bit. I never had a movie stopped and restarted for late comers!!

We did that Rocky Horror thing around them, tripping once again,,,, meh,,,, still don't really care for the RHPS.

Firesign starting to arrive!

Give Me Immortality or Give Me Death!

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In reply to by Butch

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A classic.. doesn't get discussed much. One day they will get around to releasing Maples Pavilion 2/9/73 which for some reason I put in a similar category as the Cow Palace 74.. both somewhat flawed and early in the year but classic nonetheless.

I will have to check out the recording, but I am not surprised of your comment. I think something between 8 and 10 years ago something clicked with the remastering process and we started getting cleaner sounding releases, all other things considered. I first noticed it on Road Trips Volume 3 Number 3, Fillmore East 5/15/1970. Listen to acoustic stuff and compare it to Harpur College and a few of the other 1970 acoustic shows.. perhaps he found a sweet spot with compression techniques.. who knows, but we are seeing cleaner sounding releases now than when they first started, all other things remaining equal.

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I concur with you on your pick of Future Games being Spirit's best lp, totally wore out 2 copies of that lp, listened to it a lot when it first came out, being a big Randy fan and was dosing a lot back then and that is a great album to trip to. I asked him about that lp and he just smiled a big cosmic smile and said it was a "late nite" in the studio, with eyes as big as saucers. If you listen to the version of All Along the Watchtower on that lp, it's notes are different than Jimi's version kinda backward progression if that makes sense. Don't think that one is on cd, at least I have not been able to find it. Potatoland is also a very good lp, with Kaptain Kopter and Commander Cassidy in orbit. Take my hand, going to potatoland..... (which was Randy's name for the mainland when he was living in Hawaii). I was living in Florida back in the 70's and 80's and Randy and Cass had a home there on the time coast (Tampa/St Pete) we partied several times back in the day, he was a great man, as was Cass. Cass had a big crush on my wife at the time, he loved big chested women :) (and she had biguns)

What great memories you must have of that time. You were definitely in the right place, at the right time. I came across Spirit through a Dead fanzine in England in the late 1970s, called Dark Star, that championed Spirit, and interviewed Randy and Cass whenever they came to England. I was impressed, and bought Future Games, Spirit of 76 and Son of Spirit. Also a great live album called Made in Germany-that was actually recorded in England and Florida. I have never heard Potato Land. In fact, it hadn't come out then-I can remember the magazine campaigning for its release. I haven't heard the other album you referenced either-Kaptain Copter and the Twirly Birds.

I also saw them-just the once in about 1981-the three piece of Randy, Cass and Larry Knight-I think.. A truly great band. I actually prefer the 1970s version of Spirit to the late 60s one-although Dr Sardonicus is a classic also.

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I watched it today finally. Pigpen is so cool!! I never heard him speak before what a blast. I laughed so hard when Bill said he often forgot what song they were playing after they had entered the jam part. All rock n roll to him! I wonder if he sat back there sometimes just thinking damn these guys are good! It made me sad though. Poor Jerry. I miss him.

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Nice to see some mods on here, to balance out the rockers.

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I am trying very hard to get into the other one from 1972 to 1974. What are everybody's top five or six? I like

4/26/72
8/25/72

But besides those, they get very "out there" and I'm usually not patient enough to wait to see if it's going to knock my bra off later. Any suggestions would be helpful as I conquer one more Dead frontier. I love all the 1971s, and most of the later ones. It's those jazzy spacey ones in that 72-74 period I must master. Thank you.

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...April 5-6th 1982 Live from the Spectrum,PA
I have to start by stating for my personal taste this is a Primo Mix, I love everything about it! Audio wise this works for me. 🙏
I’m listening to it right now actually, “Jack-A-Roe” Jerry is just as sweet as a slice of pie. 🙏❤️😎
...the set-list is to die for, very Good Ol Grateful Dead three discs in a row!!!

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very much agree on that one , I'm a bit of a sucker for " baby blue " and this is a nice one .
also stumbled over Vol 3 No 3 which I'm very much enjoying ( is this similar to what's coming at the end of the month I wonder ? )

I would be very surprised if I personally could recommend an Other One from 1972-1974 that you hadn't already heard the like of. For me, the great thing about them is that they are jazzy, and do go out there.

But they are obviously totally different from the previous eras ones-especially from when Mickey was in the band up to February 1971. Those are really powerhouses-my all time favourite being Binghampton 2/5/70-but I also like all the great ones from 1968 and 1969. Which probably accounts for...all of them

In 1972-1974 they seem more "jazz" than "rock" without a drummer and with the added piano. I wasn't sure I liked them as much when I first heard them, about 30 years ago- but I do now. But I like jazz more now than I did 30 years ago. It is almost like a different band playing-the dynamics are so different.

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The two I mentioned from 1972 are more melodic than most. They remind me more of Dark Star during the parts that are not the Other One theme itself. I love the 1971s because they are less Space than 72. I like the Jazz of 72 but can also deal with just the rock of 71, where the Jazz has not yet taken hold. I was very happy with the ones we got with Dave's Picks 22 + 26. I have yet to deeply explore the duel drummer ones that you speak of. Your use of the word powerhouse makes me I think I may have been overlooking some incredible listening experiences. Thank you

EDIT : Stoltzfus aye aye cap'n! Thank you

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In reply to by daverock

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...Daverock....your accounting below is spot-on from where I sit. Couldn't have said it better myself.
That's the Thing.
From one era to the next, one year to the next, sometimes, from one tour to the next (and even within tours), the songs evolve and morph into something brilliantly different. Jazzy included. The Other One, a prime example.

Also take Eyes of the World in this Spring 90 tour as another example. The first time it's played in Hartford, early in the tour, it's briskly-paced and drummy-driven - fairly typical for those 80's Eyes that were FAST. Then the second time they play Eyes in spring 90, it's remarkably SLOWED DOWN in Albany. They pulled back on the throttle; it's not as percussion-driven, and has a more laid-back vibe. Then, the final time Eyes is played, of course it's with Branford and that one speaks for itself but again - the slower more jazzy feel to it. And it seems there it remained, til the end. And Most will probably agree that this wasn't the first time Eyes made a stylistic change - it's happened at least twice before. Cool, that stuff. But again only reinforces Daverock's epic point.

BTW, Spring 90 wraps up today; about to launch that one since I've found myself working from home this afternoon. Love that top-half of the second set, which I refer to as "The Kitchen Sink Set". At least on paper it looks kitchen sink-y.

https://archive.org/details/gd90-04-03.sbd.hinko.17811.sbeok.shnf

Its sunny on my back patio as I type....

Sixtus

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It's been a while since I listened to it.. but I recall 5/10/72 Concertgebouw as not completely unravelling into insanity like some of the others from that period. It seems more focused on jazzy, blissful contentment.

..but I could be wrong, it's been a while. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't at least a few moments of dissonance.

I believe I understand what you are getting at, though. When DiP 23 first came out (September 17, 1972 at the Baltimore Civic Center) my first impression was that it got pretty out there and took some time to get to the point.. I mean way out there. But I have warmed up to them since then. One of my favorites from that period has become 5/3/72, but it took a little time to absorb it. It achieves liftoff for sure and clocks in at 37 min, 43 seconds when you add in all three parts and the drums in the middle. So I guess I have warmed up to those 72-74 versions, but for me.. it didn't happen immediately.

Oh, and the one from DaP 11, Wichita 72 is shorter than most.. but it does seem to pack in some out there moments into the song nonetheless.

It may be "short" at 19:49, but as I was literally listening to it on my ride home from work today (not expecting to find it mentioned, but not too shocked either), I was wondering about it as I do each time, as to why it's tracked as starting where it does, but The Other One on DiP 1 is like 1:37, but clearly one of those jam tracks is part of The Other One. Here, there is no definite start until that verse comes in like 18 min in, and they've never, not a single member, actually touched on the Other One riffs until about a minute before that verse. The jam where the tracks split seems to shift to 6/8, but doesn't really stay there, and doesn't intone TOO. The whole thing is basically a long, weird Truckin' Jam that ends up with a nice Other One verse and a beautiful segue to Brokedown Palace. Mr. Norman is not the only one calling it a 19+ Other One, the one's on Archive are tracked similarly. I just find it odd is all. I also just find this all the way out there Other One to be one of my very favorite ones. Certainly my favorite weird Other One.

The one from exactly a year earlier on DaP 26, also mentioned, is in my top 5 easily. One not mentioned enough, IMO, is 12/20/69 the one from the 2013 bonus disc with DaP 6, in addition to a magnificent Smokestack Lightning, TOO is 13 min of primal Dead, that gives way to Cumberland Blues.

DaP 6 and bonus disc: throw 2 Dark Stars, 2 St Stephens, an Eleven, 3 versions of Mason's Children, 2 Lovelights, 2 Cumberlands, 2 China Riders, 2 New Speedways, 2 Hard to Handles, 2 Black Peters (this could be a minus, as could the Masons), and throw in a Cold Rain & Snow and High Time, and you got a stew going, baby! And maybe the most badass cover in the series.

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I remember trading an extra sealed copy I had once upon a time (to a user on this very site) for a lightly worn copy of JGB Warner Theater 1978. Great deal for both I'd say! Still looking for a trades if anyone has any they want to slang my way. Still looking for original pressings of JGB Kean College 1980 and Bay Area 78. I have several to trade including a sealed copy of DaP 10 (alas w/o bonus).

There's a great and famous clip of The Dead on Playboy After Dark from 1969, during which Hugh Hefner interviews Jerry. Hefner comments on the two drum set up and asks Jerry if there is any particular reason for this. I can't hear everything Jerry says in reply, but he uses the word "annihilation" and compares the sound to "the serpent that eats its own tail."
I imagine The Dead's sound between 1968 and February 1971 as being very, very loud. It was presumably loud in 1974, but during those earlier years the volume may have been part of the effect - the distortion and feedback etc- rather than simply an amplification of what was being played, like it seems to have been in 1974.

Changing the subject- and on reading Sixtus's post - maybe I should listen to more 1990 shows. Every year I play the one 1990 box I've got from the Spring tour, the second one, with 3/29/90 in. Every year I enjoy every show, and then I forget about 1990, and head back to where I feel I belong.

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Some serious recommendations for The Other One. The one I could absolutely not recall ever listening to, although I'm sure I must have, is the Dave's Picks Volume 6 bonus disc from 2013. Just as good as advertised. How many times does Pig Pen say wait a minute afterward? I'm in the middle of the other ones that were recommended, no pun intended. I think it may have even been Wilfred t who recommended the Dave PIX11 version to me, possibly two years ago. Or maybe it was wissinoming deadhead? Well, that one's cooking my speakers up as we speak. Jimbo, I have Amsterdam queued up after that. I don't have a great recollection of that one, other than great loud crunchy guitars , more than usual for the show is on this box set. I know it goes into a fantastic Wharf rat with very nice mesmerizing intro riff.

Love Jerry, check out Europe 72 beat Club version. That one's about 20 minutes long and not to spacy.

Just have to add - the Drums that precedes the Amsterdam Othet One is crazy fast, and Billy is walloping the shit out of them.

Have to add this too - while not in that '72 - '74 range, and not in that two drummer period, and not with Keith Godchaux- The Other One on Three From the Vault is a cooker. Even features an intro Cryptical. Also departs into one of the best Wharf Rats I've ever heard. Speaking of which, I listen to this the other morning after listening to the February 18th show version, which of course was the first time it was played, and Mickey's last show. There is some really mesmerizing keyboard undertones in the 2/18 version that I don't hear for the rest of the Port Chester run on Wharf Rat. Made me wonder if there was any chance Mickey was playing some organ, as it doesn't quite sound like Pigpens style. He did, afterall, compose Fire on the Mountain on a keyboard.

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hope everyone is well!

Last 5:
Winterland 73 Bonus
Road Trips 3.3 Bonus (getting in the mood for the upcoming release)
30 Trips: 1991
Dicks Picks 12
A random iPhone mix I made for running, which includes Cumberland Blues (4/8/72), Scarlet>Fire (5/8/77), Estimated>Eyes (2/3/78), Help>Slip>Franklins (one from the vault), Row Jimmy & He's Gone (Dicks Picks 28), China>Rider (5/3/72), 1/2 Step (5/7/77) and the NFA>GDTRFB>NFA from that Nov 71 Road trips release...I know, very random but gets me over the hump when I'm out there running...

On another random note, I saw a cover band called Grateful Shred when they were in Ardmore PA not too long ago. Believe they are an LA based band. Anyway, they were very fun and worth the fairly inexpensive ticket price if they ever come to your town. A band called Garcia Peoples opened for them - not a dead cover band but really cool vibe about them and worth also checking out (believe you can stream an album on Spotify).

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