Dave's Picks Volume 29: Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, CA 2/26/77

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January 23, 2019 - 9:54am

1,510 replies

clayv

Joined:
March 14, 2018

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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April 15, 2019 - 8:51pm

#51

Lovemygirl

Joined:
April 29, 2016

*Re/ Keithfan

...Road Trips ‘The Wall Of Sound’ minus the Bonus Disc...I play it quit often! Thank you again my friend, I hope your still enjoying those major Europe 72’ shows...love it!
🙏❤️😎
April 15, 2019 - 8:48pm

#52

MDJim

Joined:
March 16, 2017

6/20/83 -The First and Most Memorable Merriweather Show

I apologize for the length of this post.. but man.. that storm.

I grew up perhaps an hour hike from Merriweather Post Pavilion.. and after getting harassed by Howard County's finest for hiding beer under my car instead of pouring it out on the curb as instructed at a Jethro Tull show a few months earlier culminating in a thorough and regretful search of my parents car and a loss of a nice pipe and some hash.. I just started walking to shows from that point forward (at least until I moved out of my parents house). I probably saw between a hundred and a hundred fifty shows there over the years.. probably about the same number of times I saw the Grateful Dead. I'm ashamed to admit now.. but I knew how to get in that place for free plus the ticket collectors were mostly people I went to high school with, so taping two stubs together and presenting an amicable grin was usually enough to gain entrance. I did buy tickets for many/most shows, certainly for all the Dead shows.. - never take unnecessary risks.

Some background.. I wouldn't compare this to one of the greatest or best shows, but it was memorable for lots of reasons. My first show was 4/19/82 at the Baltimore Civic Center (perhaps my biggest lysergic GD moment, save that for another day).. I believe I made the Capital Centre shows in the fall that same year but they weren't playing super close in the Spring so we headed South to Hampton and my first GD road trip in April for my one and only birthday show. I think I drove and I am confident we did not tell my folks we were taking the family car to partake in all kinds of shenanigans and see the Dead.. in hindsight, so dishonest. Then it was announced that they would be playing two nights in the summer for the first time at Merriweather Post, my local venue. I couldn't believe it.. That would make this run my fourth and fifth shows.. I was still quite green behind the ears.

I had friends that worked as busboys and room service at the Columbia Inn, where all the bands stayed back then that performed at Merriweather, they told stories of bands partying in the bar, tips they got (or not) and what floors they would put them in, etc.. so the night before, on whim.. we showed up and went to the bar. I could barely drive but with an older brother that looked similar, and the drinking age being 18 at the time, I had an ID and we headed past the lobby to find Phil sitting at a table by himself.. we closed the bar that night and had some passes for the next day... I have to say, he was super nice and not at all an icon or unapproachable. I do recall a few of the stories told, but the memory I left with was that I could not muster up the courage to offer anything intelligent to say and couldn't think of a decent question to ask until I was walking through the parking lot to the car at the end of the night. After a few beers, humor was flying and things seemed fine. Phil seemed happy to have a group to party with. I was so young I couldn't even order a beer correctly.. I asked for a tap beer and she brought me a tab (soda).. so she returned it and brought me a draft Budweiser.

So the next day.. a few of us walked from the neighborhood where we all lived to the show, a bit early.. I had my pass and went backstage and it was so weird.. plus early. I just couldn't handle it. I didn't know anyone except my buddy.. and it was like being in a foreign country. Nobody seemed to want anything to do with us and the band wasn't there yet.. So we decided to split before the show started, inhale a bit in safety and get to our seats, which were pretty close.. I am fairly sure we took some mushrooms too which only made it all the more weird. So the only time I ever had backstage passes, I totally wasted them. ..Perhaps for the best.

I don't think you can talk about the show without talking about the storm. Growing up there.. the only time I recall it raining harder was during Hurricane Agnes in 1972. This is the only time I recall the highway on the way in (Route 29) flooding and being shut down like it did that night. The storm was biblical and it wasn't just rain. It thundered and lightninged for hours that night and I believe lightning hit the lightning rod at the venue or perhaps the shed itself at least once (during He's Gone, Truckin' and perhaps one other time), but that's probably impossible to verify. You can hear it on the tapes though including the PA going in and out several times.

So the performance aside, there was other energy and stimulus going on that night.

The setlist was fairly standard for the day.. my second Peggy-O, second Truckin', second China>Rider. The first set was pretty standard, but things started to get weird by The Music Never Stopped.. I forget exactly when the started and ended and then started again, but I think t had had rained in the first set and the beginning of TMNS, then the sun came out for a bit during this song, then set break.. then big cumulonimbus clouds, then it started getting spooky dark as the setbreak came to an end. ..and then things really got weird. In hindsight, we should have starting building an ark.

The second set started with China>Rider>Sampson>He's Gone>Truckin'>Drums. By the transition in China>Rider, everyone was getting soaked and the rain entered the pavilion area as it was raining sideways. I had to pee as Sampson started and by then people were body sliding down the lawn and everyone was so soaked that it just didn't matter anymore. Soaked to the bone, you couldn't get more wet.. When I got back to our seats, the heavens opened up and the lightning started and it went from weird to downright scary. The people working at the venue sought shelter, anarchy ensued and there was a mad rush from the lawn to the pavilion area. Everyone got squashed and became bug eyed.. and safety became a big concern. We got pushed forward and what row you sat in mattered less than the need to create more room inside, under the shelter. By He's Gone, there became a general feeling of insecurity and helplessness, just as I began to peak. Lightning struck the shed and the power went out.. but the weirdest thing of all, the band was just as freaked as we were, but the they kept playing on. I swear Phil and Jerry were playing power chords in sync with the thunder and lightning. By the time Space ended, we got a rare Bob Star (one of three times played).. during Sugar Magnolia I think Bobby got shocked and put down his guitar and took his mike to a strange part of the stage and started wailing into the mike.

There was no encore and no soundboards exist.

So what to 20k tripping, soaked, disoriented hippies do when the show ends? The deluge had stopped but it continued to rain. There was a tiny creek between the venue and the parking lot, usually a trickle like you see on a water fountain.. it was flooded way over the banks and to make matters worse had washed away the foot bridges, so you really couldn't safely walk to the parking lot, but people managed.. the lawn was so eroded both from the rain but more from people doing mudslides down it that at dawn, they had to bring in heavy machinery and rebuild the lawn as there was another show that next night. After they Dead left.. they really went to town and had to do a total rebuild of the lawn area, changing the contour forever.. lots of heavy machinery. They spent the day off to rebuild it with different contours to the format we have to this day.

When we walked home, still tripping.. we could not go the way we came, it was not passable. So we went an alternate route. Getting over the highway, which was still flooded.. we held hands as the current was strong and waded in waste deep water eventually getting to other side and about an hour later to mom and dads house. Some quick showers, then post show activities until the sun came up then sleep.. only to do it again the next day on a reformatted lawn with straw and new sod. They played Looks Like Rain that next day and you can imagine the crowd reaction.

So back to the show.. Yea.. I sort of remember 6/20/83. It was the weirdest, highest energy GD show I ever saw. Not the best, but certainly one of the most memorable. I saw every GD/JGB show played there but this was perhaps the most fun. Thanks for jarring my memory.
April 15, 2019 - 8:22pm

#53

KeithFan2112

Joined:
August 6, 2014

Unbelievable

They say the oakwood interior of the cathedral was built in the year 1200, requiring trees that would have been 400 years old, thus sprouting out of the ground in the 8 or 9th centuries. Hard to believe.

Bob t - thanks for the heads up on One From The Vault release date. I could use a change from the E72 binge. I did manage to get in 6/14/76 and 12/26/69 today, both on the Rolling Stone top 20.

Lovemygirl - I don't recall which ones you sold me, I'm thinking Tivoli II, Lille France, and maybe one of the Lyceum shows? Lotta weed in between ;-) I don't remember what I sent you, refresh my memory. My memory is outstanding on everything until I was 25, and then past 3 weeks. But everything in between is shit.
April 15, 2019 - 6:53pm

#54

MDJim

Joined:
March 16, 2017

6/20/83

Holy Smokes.. yes, I was there. It was biblical, as much or more from the storm then from the music.. but it all combined for a complete sensory overload.

I wrote something on this a couple times over the years.. but I think I was too shy to share details, or perhaps too lazy to try and remember it all and it put to paper.

Just getting home, if I have some time once I get settled I will try and put my arms around it..
April 15, 2019 - 6:17pm

#55

Angry Jack Straw

Joined:
October 2, 2012

Our Lady

Such sad news.

Not just an architectural marvel, but one of the most important structures in the history of mankind.

My deepest sympathies to the people of France.
April 15, 2019 - 5:58pm

#56

nappyrags

Joined:
January 24, 2013

Hey Stone Jack Baller...

I too just got my notice that the CD issue of the Warfield performances will be in my grubby paws in a few weeks...I tried at first on a couple of record shop websites that do online ordering of what is left of the merchandise on Sunday but no luck...I went to Amazon and Bingo! i feel like I won the jackpot considering how many copies are on Ebay for over a $100 a pop...can't wait...meant to say that the nearest record shop to me is over three hours away...at least it's all downhill but still...
April 15, 2019 - 5:56pm

#57

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

One from the Vault Anniversary 8/13/75, released 28 years ago

Did anyone just see the post on facebook from the Dead about this. Released 4/15/91, 28 years ago..... This changed everything if you were trading tapes back then!!! Everyone had this show, either FM, or the bootleg called Make Believe BallRoom.. But now we had a legit release!! It really did change everything... It took away i have 1000 hours of tapes and only want to deal with someone who had the same amount and started to level the field..... Sorry to rant but I was in that era... bob t

Edit my first copy of this were two cassettes!!! Didn't get the CD's because wasn't a fan yet!!!
April 15, 2019 - 5:23pm

#58

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Fire

Hopefully no lives were lost or people injured-doesn't seem to be much in the news about that. The only thing I could find was that one firefighter had been burned. Pretty remarkable.
April 15, 2019 - 5:07pm

#59

Exile On Main St.

Joined:
August 10, 2018

Sounds to me

like we have a false prophet among us.
April 15, 2019 - 4:22pm

#60

Lovemygirl

Joined:
April 29, 2016

*RE/ Trainwreck, Keithfan & Paris

...first I’d like to make a statement about the horror in Paris today, a sad day in my soul, so much lost turning to dust & rubble, my prayers are with Paris’, May the songs of old play on in heart & soul. 🙏❤️😢
...Trainwreck, you asked me about my last post and by what I mean by “treasure trove” is a new batch of tapes have been recently found. 😉 I’ll share more info when I can. ‘Exciting News For Me’, I love new and unheard recordings of all bands, the Grateful Dead more so now in my life than my past with the likes of ‘Elvis’ & ‘Beatles’ Records lol ...Plus Some confirmed dates for new Dead releases/product...😌
...Keithfan, hope all is well as always. What three shows did I send you from the ‘Europe 72’ boxset, i can’t remember, but I do remember them being Primo Shows ! 😎 and the Primo Show you sent me, love it! 🙏❤️😎
Off to dinner, have a grateful evening everyone...

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

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.

DAVEROCK and Ascension

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.

MP51-Ascension

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.

Motörhead

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

Motorhead

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!

recommended Motorhead

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

Stoltzie & Simonrob

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.

How????

How is this band so gat dam good!

re: how

Lucky, I guess.

"How is this band so gad damn good!"....

....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).

Re: Miracle

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.

*RE: 30TATS

...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!
🙏❤️😎

*RE: Last Five Listen’s...

... 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! 🙏❤️🤠

Ace of Spades behind his ear…

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

the ace of spades, the ace of spades behind his ear

just had to say it

mo' March 81 fluffing...3/5/81 has a sweet To Lay Me Down

and 3/3/81's China > Rider... :)))

stay Grateful, my friends

The Dead

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.

Stoltzfus

Yes, Garcia had some insane moments in 1981!!!

last five

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 :)

Stoltzy and I

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?

As usual, A day late and a dollar short....

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!

Stoltzy And I

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

4/1/80 as first show?

the opening must've blown yer funky mind

seeds that were silent all burst into bloom

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!!! :)))

Like a Rolling Stone...and the FBI...and the BBC....

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.

5

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.

first show,,, mind blown?

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!

DiP 24

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.

Randy California future games

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)

Future Games-Sam

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.

4/1/80 opening: band switched instruments

it is a sound only a Deadhead could love

I would have been like, wtfuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu...

Long Strange Trip

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.

Happymod Apk Download

Happymod Apk Download
https://www.neeapps.com/happymod-apk-download/

Mods

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

Mods, and Rockers, and Robots...

Oh My!

Re: DaP 17 Not Having Dark Star or The Other One

Guilty as charged!

Speaking of The Other One

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.

Lovejerry...I am shocked!

please listen to 8/12/72 asap.

* ‘Road Trips’ Volume4 Number 4

...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!!!

‘Road Trips’ Volume4 Number 4

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 ? )

Spring is here

The time

is right

for Dancin' in the Streets

4.3.70 ~ U.C. Fieldhouse ~ Cincinnati, Ohio

The wind in the willows

Play

Tea for two

The sky was yellow

and the sun was blue

April 3, 1982

Scarlet Fire

Other One-Lovejerry

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.

A Musical Chuckle for Coffee Lovers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlc5Bii_Qf8

Cool daverock + Stoltzfus

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

A Different Band

...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

72 - 74 The Other One's

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.

DaP 11 Other One

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.

DaP 6 props

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).

Double drums late 1967-February 1971

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.

Morning Rockers!

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.

last 5

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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