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    clayv
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    Who's up for a revolutionary evolutionary ride? DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 1/2/70 captures the Grateful Dead as they make their first foray from the experimental 60s into their early 70s acoustic Americana period. Yes, this one is a little bit country and a little bit (psychedelic) rock and roll.

    When the "Magnificent Seven" - Pigpen on percussion, T.C. on keys - first took the stage on 1/2/70, evidence was clear that the trip was about to take a turn. From their western wears to the twang in Jerry’s “broken-string blues,” it appeared they'd brought the Bakersfield sound to the Big Apple. They worked through much of what would become Workingman's Dead, stunning the crowd with laid-back numbers like "Uncle John's Band," "Casey Jones," and "Black Peter." Just the same, they satisfied 60s stalwarts with magical versions of "Dark Star," "St. Stephen," and "That's It For The Other One." Sonic alchemy, indeed!

    DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK, ​New York 1/2/70 has been rounded out with a bit of 1/3/70 (the subscribers-only bonus disc features the bulk of 1/3/70). It was recorded by the great Owsley "Bear" Stanley and has been lovingly mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

    DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30 is limited to 20,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

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  • Charlie3
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    DaP 24 8/25/72

    After all the comments on the bass enhancement for DaP 24 I decided to revisit that one - I have to say that while the bass is certainly prominent at points, I don't really find it distracting and it is really a good show. I am running a straight 2 channel set up with some large floorstanding speakers and no sub-woofer, which may be a factor. There is generally something about a sub-woofer that is uncomfortable to my ears and the large floorstanding speakers have plenty of bass.

    JiminMD, nice summary of the road trips stuff. Have to say that the 12/28/79 show is one of my favorite releases from '79, and that 11/15/71 Austin show is also a highlight. Also dig the 3/31-4/1/88 release as I was at both of those shows, so that adds an extra element for me.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Road Trips

    The series was ok.. but had some spectacular must haves.. As daverock mentioned. I bet Mr. Jack Straw has them ranked..

    Some really do kick some serious ass though, off the top of my head:

    - Valentines Day 68. A stunner. Don't forget to pick your lower jaw off the ground when the final chords of Midnight Hour dissipate or you will have a mouthful of dirt and/or gravel when the spell finally wears off.

    - 5/15/70 (on sale now). The best sounding 1970 acoustic stuff released thus far, and if that wasn't enough to seal the deal a couple awesome electric sets for good measure. (Well.. there are a few acoustic songs on Bears Choice, but these sound every bit as good).

    - 12/28/79 (the other Betty recorded 79 release that escaped the rapid fire synapse exchanges of the famed HendrixFreak)

    - 5/23&24/69 Big Rock Pow Wow. Wow is right! With every listen I like it more.

    - 6/16&18/74. As Daverock mentioned.. not to be missed. A jazz masterpiece and a Grateful Dead classic. Contains my personal favorite Eyes of the World (or at least the last one I listened to).

    - 11/21/73. Goodness! What a great show.. has a little 11/20 just because..

    - A summer and fall from '71. Not sure which I like the best.. Summer has a Dark Star>Bird Song and Fall has the Dark Star > El Paso > Dark Star.. a real Bobby Dazzler to be sure.

    - 6/9/76 (and a little from 6/12). I think it has Sixtus' fav. Eyes of the World and the only official release (so far) with Mission in the Rain.

    - Bonus discs.. some of these are to die for.

    Honorable Mentions include From Egypt with Love, Spectrum 82, Fall 77, well.. all the rest I guess.

    They did go overboard on the recycled packaging concept. Enclosing them in apparently rough-cut recycled brown grocery bags so dark brown on some the artwork could barely be seen. Not to fear though.. they also sourced and mixed in some barely used sandpaper to stiffen up the covers and retain that scratchy, fine grit freshness that delicate CD's just love! And apparently when they were shredding up the paper bags a few of the master reels cut all chopped up too. What else would explain chopping up some of the shows the way they did (thinking 74, summer 71, 79 and a few others).

    ________
    (sorry for the long post, for those under time restraints skip the jib/jab above and go directly to the executive summary below)
    ________

    I guess in summary.. under-rated.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Give it just a minute....

    https://youtu.be/yXbpxNghcCw
    ....and it will blow away.
    Give it just a little minute, give it just a little minute, give it just little minute now!
    Love Phil's dolphin dye.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: Rubber Bowl

    Kenny.. check your PM / EMail.

  • Charlie3
    Joined:
    Real Gone Feedback

    Thanks for the feedback on Road Trips Fillmore release. Before I ordered I had sent an email to Real Gone asking if the release was currently available, and the response stated: "We finally got it in. Retail release date remains unclear as a large portion of our stock is still missing. But you can order from our site now." Just in case anyone was interested.

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    I'm still banking on....

    those two dead horses: '79 for DaP 31 and fall '72 for the box.

    A '79 for DaP 31 would seem to be the first since DiP 5 from 1996 (???!!!), at least according to my shelves. (Perhaps I have missed a release or two?)

    A fall '72 box would fly off the shelves while July 78 and PNW are still in stock.

    In 5 daze, we'll know about DaP 31 and in 23 daze we'll know the box.

    Yowzer! I sure hope I haven't jinxed anything...

  • estimated-eyes
    Joined:
    1978

    All the 1978 talk brought me out of the weeds. I have never been a completist with the Grateful Dead releases-- I have skipped plenty of releases over the years (box sets, Dicks Picks, Road Trips and skipped 4 Dave's Picks before doing subscription in year 3 and subsequent years). I have surely skipped some good ones-- especially some Dicks Picks that I should have in my collection, but hindsight.... If given the choice, I will almost always skip 1976 shows, the 1974 compilation releases, anything post-Brent, and most box sets because of cost and familial responsibilities.

    That said, a couple months back someone on here did a listing of releases by year. I am missing releases from almost all eras/years. I almost never skip a Pigpen release (kick myself for not getting the Kings Beach Bowl 1968 release). For every year sans Pig with a significant # of releases, I skipped some-- except for 1978. I found that I have every 1978 release they have put out.

    So, 1978 must be one of my favorite years. I think it goes back to my tape trading days. One of my first tapes was Winterland 10/22/78 and I soon got 7/8/78 (my 8th birthday) set 1 and encore. Both stellar shows and I can say that the Scarlet/Fire through Going Down the Road Feeling Bad on 10/22/78 is some of my very favorite Grateful Dead. I absolutely love the From Egypt With Love release. Not much to say about 7/8/78 that hasn't been said (I got KISS stuff at my 8th birthday party) other than I never had the second set and WOW.

    Dick's Picks 18 February 1978 is seared in my mind. Another top notch Scarlet/Fire, a long Samson (broken string extends the intro jam), top of the line Truckin' and a rockin' Other One with a screaming Jerry jam in the middle.

    I could go on and on (the Lazy Lightning/Supplication from DiP 25), but why 1978 for me? The sets are more predictable than 1977, many times the band seems to run out of steam after Drums even on official releases and Bobby was doing his experiments with slide guitar in front of 10,000 people nightly. Well, I think that I overlook the valleys and feel that the peaks are so significant that they truly elevate the rest of the show. I have skipped every box because of cost-- except July 1978. I couldn't pass that one up. And I love it-- and agree that the 'hidden' gem of the box is 7/1/78. They had to have melted some country and western faces that day. Just a blistering set in front of what was surely an interesting crowd.

    That said, there have been some weaker 1978 releases-- DaP 7 and the MacArthur Court come to mind. Both are overrated, in my opinion, but am happy to have them in the collection.

  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    Dave's 31

    will be announced on July 16th at 10 am.

  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    Announcement

    I wonder... if they announce the new box during MUATM, does that mean there will be a pre-order email the following day? Like others mentioned, it seems odd that they would announce it first there...

  • Slow Dog Noodle
    Joined:
    Charlie

    I too pre-ordered that Road Trips (5-5-70) from Real Gone and got the e-mail around the original release date that it would be delayed. Mine showed up at the house (Chicago) this past Tuesday.

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Who's up for a revolutionary evolutionary ride? DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 1/2/70 captures the Grateful Dead as they make their first foray from the experimental 60s into their early 70s acoustic Americana period. Yes, this one is a little bit country and a little bit (psychedelic) rock and roll.

When the "Magnificent Seven" - Pigpen on percussion, T.C. on keys - first took the stage on 1/2/70, evidence was clear that the trip was about to take a turn. From their western wears to the twang in Jerry’s “broken-string blues,” it appeared they'd brought the Bakersfield sound to the Big Apple. They worked through much of what would become Workingman's Dead, stunning the crowd with laid-back numbers like "Uncle John's Band," "Casey Jones," and "Black Peter." Just the same, they satisfied 60s stalwarts with magical versions of "Dark Star," "St. Stephen," and "That's It For The Other One." Sonic alchemy, indeed!

DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30: FILLMORE EAST, NEW YORK, ​New York 1/2/70 has been rounded out with a bit of 1/3/70 (the subscribers-only bonus disc features the bulk of 1/3/70). It was recorded by the great Owsley "Bear" Stanley and has been lovingly mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 30 is limited to 20,000 individually-numbered copies*.

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

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I think any 2 wheeled transportation that has a combustion fired engine is considered a motorcycle, but die hard bikers will always say no because they do not want to be in the same class with the moped or scooter.

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Dave's 11 11/17/72 was a third Pick, so it may hold a lot of times, but not always. The first 2 are definitely to sell the subscriptions, but there can be duds in there, too. DaP 25 11/6/77 and DaP 22 12/6-7/71 are a couple of examples. I find the ones I like least are the last Pick of the year. DaP 4 9/24/76, DaP 12 11/4/77, DaP 20 12/9/81, DaP 24 8/25/72 and DaP 28 6/18/76 range from ones I almost never listen back to (12, 24, 28) to ones I won't listen back to after giving them multiple chances already (4, 20).

The ironic thing in hendrixfreak's take (which is perfectly reasonable) is that DaP 23 1/22/78 was so heavily requested, and a legendary show. Legendary mainly for a few seconds of a Close Encounters tease (kinda like the other worst Pick, IMO, DaP 7, which I grant was a third Pick, which was infamous for a few seconds of Staying Alive!?!), but the show barely gets any play from me. And when I do, I choose Minglewood, Jack Straw, Peggy O, Tennessee Jed, Row Jimmy, Music Never Stopped then the second half of set 2, or disc 3, up to Around & Around. I probably made a highlights disc of almost all of that at the time. I'm not huge on 12 11/4/77 and 25 11/6/77, as they, too, have great moments, but don't carry my attention the whole way through, where some Picks I don't want to miss anything. I was surprised on that relisten to all of DaP 9 5/14/74 how exceptionally well they played just about everything up to that Dark Star that I had steadfastly avoided so long. Even the Playing in the Band, which they essentially butcher the re-entry to, they take the ending and ramp the energy up to 11 to make up for the botched part. But like 11/6/77, which people had clamored for since DiP 35, it has a great opening 1-2 punch in Mississippi Half Step-> Jack Straw, but then what? Music Never Stopped is typical '77-'78 excellent version, Samson is good with a fun intro, then the Truckin'. And I'm a lover of Wharf Rats, and that one doesn't really get me going, either.

What does all this gibberish mean? Perhaps not much, other than sometimes the shows that a seeming consensus of fans have wanted released aren't quite as good as the lesser known shows that Dave is able to surprise us with. 11/17/71 and 11/17/72 are prime examples, not just because they're among my personal favorites, but because they are just fantastic shows. Some of the very best shows released have been part of box sets, or Dick and Dave already put them out in the DiP Series, and a couple of gems in Road Trips (6/9/76, 5/15/70, 11/21/73, 11/15/71 spring to mind). You hope everything in the DaP Series will be awesome, but hey not every Dead concert that you paid money and traveled to see was Cornell or even MSG 9/16/87 (45 min 1st set still baffles me, for a show with such a reputation). Count me in on wanting 7/13/84 to be a DaP, but I don't think it's an oustanding overall show, I really like the Scarlet> Touch> Fire> Man Smart and Dark Star (plinky keys and all). I think it just is what it is at this point with the Picks, with them having to put out 4 per year and entice into getting a big box every year, too. I'm okay with that deal, and will let it go down next year, too. Even the shows I don't particularly like are nice to hear at least once or twice. Except DaP 20 12/9/81. I can't find anything positive to say about that one other than the Albert Hoffman bicycle cover. (And that isn't anti-80s bias, it's anti-bad show bias.) :)

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That is a picture of me doing what I do best...Not my Dog! Ahem....
But thanks for the kind words. And though we are blessed with some awesome regulars, it’s the rest of all y’all that keep coming back for more and throwing those spices into the proverbial stew that keeps it all fresh and alive! So thank you brother Dreading et el!

Dead Days indeed....
Wednesday: @7/3/88 finally got to this one. Can still see that dipstick flying towards the stage during Birdsong....
Thursday: cobbeled together enough gear to watch @7/4/89 30th anniversary....such a night!
Friday: @7/5/19 Folsom lake, er a, I mean stadium! Cold Rain and Snow Indeed!
Saturday: @7/6/19 Folsom, ahhh more like it! Good show, could nit pick that the last-show of tour set list might of had some more meat & potatoes, but I won’t...
Sunday: watched 7/7/89: yaaasss, Kiethfan, nice cherry popper, Scarlet definetly a Bobbie dazzler! Though like the @3/22/90 too....so many, how to choose?
Monday; finally ripped the 50th albums etc and Warfield 10/9&10/80. Listened to 7/3/66, the Aoxomoxoa bonus stuff, the Warfield sets, 7/8/81 #1 and 7/781 #2.....ok, I’m all deaded out...phew, pant, pant.....
Hopefully RT 3.3 will be in the box mananna....might need a rest first!

Cheese and Rice...so woke up this morning in my own bed...no idea how I got there? With flashes of random visions of running, no more like gliding through the mountain forest with these huge but graceful beasts, all of us beyond high, like communicating on a whole other level?.....and wild ritualistic ceremonially dancing and drum like instruments, but totally made from giant like natural red woods, not man made, all the most beatific vibes......so wake up quite confused to say the least.....eventually everything seems to be normal.....except that damn smell??? Ewwww? And I swear I heard bats as I became cognizant?? Or was it Bullfrogs?
Did you ever wake up with Bullfrogs on your mind?

Sigh, back to the grind tomorrow....always tough going back especially after a 5 day Dead fest!

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In reply to by Vguy72

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First.. "Scarlet definitely a Bobbie dazzler!" Well, that cracked me up. Lots of good stuff in lots of recent posts here.. but I do find myself liking several of the duds mentioned.. The Other One from 1/22/78 and 8/25/72 I thought were both excellent, but I did like the comments and viewpoints and there were some lessor shows I guess.

Bullfrogs.. they built this river takeout, hiking trail parking lot behind my house a few years ago.. and it's in a flood plain.. so they somehow thought they had to engineer the hell out of it and tried to build a slow drain system such to not add to the runoff during a flash flood inducing rain.. so they built these silly trenches near the edge of the lot complete with cattails, water that won't drain, bullfrogs and essentially a mosquito factory where once there were none. If it worked.. that'd be great but it honestly serves no purpose, when it rains hard it floods there too. So I go to bed with bullfrog mating calls each night and for no reason.. fun for about three minutes. ..and just to squelch any rumors, these bullfrogs do not make you trip when you lick the slime from behind their ears. More on that later....

I especially like the non-decade, keyboardist neutral banter. Sure, we all have our favorites.. but lightning did strike in the later years, perhaps not every night.. but.... A very kind and wise soul here that no longer seems to visit these threads but saw shows throughout their history once sent me a PM stating he never understood the decade bashing, that was never how it was. When the band was on, they were on.. and there were plenty of great shows after Pigpen and Keith left the band. He went on to add all this started after the band had packed and gone. I guess tapes become their own source of history, but being there was different. After all, there were stinkers in the early years too.. you just have to poke around and there were some smokers where you would never expect to find them. Anyway.. if Betty recorded the 1980's she certainly would have turned water into wine along the way.

What were we talking about again? 1974 Eyes of the World? Exactly.. Listened to the Eyes from the Swing today.. amazing and clearly the best. Anyway, it was simply wonderful and carried me through the hardest and scariest part of my river day.. no flips, no upside adventures, so it clearly must be the best. Great show. ok.. back to your previously scheduled bouts with chemically (or toad licking) induced dementia. :D What were we talking about again?

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Jim, those 2 Other Ones aren't duds, and 8/25 I hate to say my problem is being really distracted by the extra bass. The Other One is the absolute best part of that show, and it's great to have the whole thing as the one on Archive is cut at 16 min, so it misses 12 min of fiery jamming. And I was including the 1/22 one in the part of the show I really dug, but that I get about 70 min of highlights out of what was supposedly a legendary show was more my point, coupled with getting what we ask for isn't always best. Like 11/6/77. Maybe if it hadn't been so widely requested, we could have gotten a more obscure choice that was a better overall show. Though conversely, DaP 29 2/26/77 is every bit of its reputation, and a bona fide great Pick made possible by the returned Bettys. Of course, it's all pretty subjective. :)

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I have listened to this one several times since it was released and it is even better overall than I remember from my tapes. It is a show I go back to quite often. Jerry definitely redeems himself after that botch during Scarlet Begonias. Just have to see it through into the Jams.

I am into Eugene as well. Boulder? Not so much. Dave could have done better for his first dip into '81.

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Comments were made about the extra bass that Jeffrey Norman added to the Berkeley Dave's Picks. That absolutely drove me nuts when it came out and for almost ever after. Then I found a setting on my digital player that expands the stereo separation, and in doing so seems to filter out that extra bass. Go figure. So now I like it. Fantastic Other One. The whole thing rather compliments Veneta well. "would somebody turn these monitors up? For fuck sake," probably my favorite Bobby line.

I'm listening to Dick's Picks 18 this morning, Playing in the Band particularly. A 24-minute version precedes what is in my humble opinion the all-time best Wheel they ever played. The Wolf intro is worth the price of admission alone; but Keith does a fantastic job with the Wheel chords softly playing in the background. Definitely a passage best accompanied by a parking lot balloon.

But the real story I came to tell is about the Playing in the Band. I don't think I've listened to this more than a few times, all ways too eager to get straight to the Wheel. The first 15 minutes or so is as good as two-drummer Playing gets.

Brokedown Palace may be my favorite Dead ballad. Those two E72 versions with Pigpen on the Hammond......

The list of dislikes was so long, but everyone has their favorites. 25 is a hot show in my book and their best November 77 release to my ears. Love the opening half step and the whole first set. And yes, that Scarlet Fire is different, but the rest of show is great. I also really like the Colgate show was well, with the bonus third disc. Dave's 4 and Dave's 28 from 76 are both solid shows from 76, with great should quality, but I have not yet listened to a show from 76 that I did not like. Most of the 76 shows were recorded by Betty except the falls shows when she was gone for a while after Rex's accident. I also think Dave's 24 is a fantastic sounding fall 72 show, different, but solid. And I agree, the 81 Boulder show was not the best. I did give it a full listen when it came out, but it does not get much play. And don't forget Boise!

Dave's 31? Still think we may get our first 79 release.

Enjoy the Dead you love, there is a ton of great shows out there.

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In reply to by alvarhanso

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I was too lazy to go back further than two years, so my data set was limited, perhaps leading to an erroneous theory. Ah, those old erroneous theories -- pretty much covers all my theorizing....

Interesting that you nailed down 11-17-72 as a 3rd DaP -- as you know, I'm a freak for fall '72, so that upends my "theory." But you also mentioned your disinterest in 8-25-72; perhaps I'm alone in enjoying the hell out of that show.

In any case, with my "theory" in tatters, I'm just fixated on timing now. DaP 31 news seems destined to drop sooner than the box set.

To be clear, the past pattern has been an initial announcement of the box's musical contents, then the "reveal" of the physical product during MUATM. Dave did say a while back that they'd be "shouting from the rooftops soon" on the box... so I assumed that meant the usual one-two, content announcement, then physical product "reveal."

Hell, if the box news is held til MUATM, which I plan to attend (saw the Soldier Field show a few days later, my only Hornsby show) , that's only 23 days away. And I'm a bit ambivalent. If it's not an era that interests me, I save some $$ and simply dive back into the riches that already line my CD shelves. Typically I listen to a show, then shelve it, so that it remains a wonderful discovery on a much-delayed second listen.

Pulled 7-7-78 last night and enjoyed re-living the first set. We tripped all day and looned out on a lot of people, then when the heat of the day had passed we were crispy as hell and the purple stage lights came on and they played a Jack Straw / Candyman opener. After getting too close to the stage at past GD shows -- that incessant hum of lysergically elevated minds, or was it the amps? -- by 76, 77, 78 we would "take a step back" and enjoy from what seemed like a prudent distance. On 7-8-78, my buddy Peter nudged me during the Other One and pointed out that the entire first three rows had emptied to dance in front of the stage. (Naturally, they don't allow that anymore.) So we scampered down and hung out in the first row for the rest of the set. Those were the days, eh?

I do stand by my call on DaP 31 as a '79 show. Soon to be proven wrong, once again, my friends.

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Being a life long rider. The differences (mostly), scooters you step thru, motor cycles you throw your leg over. Also "most" scooters are automatic transmission, not really an auto trans, you just don't shift them.

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Just a quick off-topic remark... although, is anything truly off-topic whilst waiting for two vault release announcements? I harken back to the discussion of whether pork chops and mashed potatoes should be kept separate on one's plate...

This past weekend, while Dead & Co. played up the street in Boulder, we planned a two-day, 35-mile pack raft trip down the Yampa, thinking we'd knock out about half the distance on two consecutive days. At the put-in, we had to inflate the rafts, strap gear to the bows of our boats, etc. It was somewhat alarming to see a public health notice that West Nile Virus had been detected in mosquitoes at that site, as we were repeatedly bitten by same. So we take off as fast as we can and within a couple miles we see four great blue herons and a flock of about fifteen white pelicans. Elk etc. We stop at the first official river campsite to see what the prospects are like. Within seconds, we was swarmed by a particularly vicious brand of mosquito; swarmed as in difficult to breathe without inhaling them. True, full-body swarms! Yikes! Suddenly, welts everywhere. We reboarded in a frikking hurry and only set foot on shore once again, late in the day, when the up-canyon wind stopped forward progress and grounded us and the mosquitoes. We shoved off the second the wind abated and, in a measure of the misery dealt by angry mosquito swarms, we paddled the entire frikking 35 miles in one day, arriving at yet another swarm at the muddy and therefore slow take-out. More welts, which we treated by inhaling a good sativa and a couple freezing cold Hamms. Okay, the welts were still there, but we felt better about them. Side note: I have tested the leading non-DEET sprays and lotions and this just in: they do nothing against the angry swarms. NOTHING! Only DEET works and one needs to re-apply frequently. Because DEET is bad for humans, this is not a solution. So I just postponed my week-long backpacking trip into the Wind River Range to see the origins of the great Green River until August, when the angry swarms are a lesser threat.

No wonder we saw no other humans on the river that day -- or anywhere near the put-in and take-out. Still, we had a few puffs and a few Hamms while cruising down 8000 cfs on the Yampa, so in an echo of Apocalypse Now, our mantra was "don't step ashore"...

And now, back to your regularly scheduled "what were we talking about" conversations.

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How I love the human species. Such a mysterious and complicated creature. I can have 80% of what I want, and still complain about the other 20%. I forget to count my blessings and focus on the positive. As Blind Owl Wilson said "It's the Human Condition". For me, sometimes the wait is the most exciting part. Once I actually have something, "The Thrill is Gone". (Sorry B.B. King) I hope everyone stays safe, and enjoys their summer time.

Statistically speaking there maybe credibility to your theory as only one out of what? Six “third” shows would still prove to be statistically significant lol
Personally, I liked most of those shows....and 77-78 isn’t in my top years...Eugene, Bingotown, that 72 Baserkley etc..... Boulder was ok, at least they tried something different (the release that is) and Boise was decent if only the sound was a little better. it’s so funny how we all get moved by different shows!

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Vinyl Warfield should be here today! :-) CD's tomorrow!

Oroborous - wake up with bullfrogs on my mind? Only when I past out that time in the swamp, opened my eyes and there was Jeremih sitting on my wet head, with large swarms of mosquito buzzing around me with my body racked in pain!

Stoltzfus - yeah, got an icon up!!! And that was the best you could do? :-)

JiminMD - Funny you once again bring up 80's under rated because of poor recording. (Agree, I was there also) But just last night at the store I had a long mix going on when I Al Jolson came on. I thought of Jim's comments about poor recordings. I read/heard once the recordings of Jolson didn't do him justice. That he sang in a very deep voice that couldn't record well in the day, but live you could feel it!

I tried to limit my negativity, but the topic was less than stellar Picks, and I mentioned 24 8/25/72 and didn't hammer the point home about that extra octave on the bass, because Mr. Norman posted his apologies about that at the time, and didn't want to make him feel bad in the off chance he checked in the forum. As a guy who attempts to play bass, and loves his effects pedals, I was really stoked for that release when I first heard it and thought Phil had a prototype octave pedal, but when I found out it was bass that wasn't actually there, my opinion shifted on it. And as a guy who focuses on the bass playing just about more than anything else, it's extremely hard for me to have enough bass there without still hearing that imposed octave. That show, particularly the Bird Song and Other One are fantastic, is a good one, but to my ears, it becomes an annoyance. Again, subjectivity. And ironically that octave maybe helps the feedback/bass driven jam in TOO, but that's about the only part of the show I listen to. For DaP 25 11/6/77 I love the opening duo, dig other parts of the first set, but after multiple attempts have found the second set, particularly the Scarlet Fire just isn't to my taste. I love Spring '77, perhaps for the same reason many don't like it: they're more precise after recording with Keith Olsen, and having another day of working with him in early May before the fabled Holy Trinity. Fall '77 isn't my cup of meat due to less cohesive playing. But, you do get things like Let it Grow which wasn't played at all in May (can't think of one at least) and Dupree's, and DaP 12 11/4/77 is a rip roaring show, and I dig it when I listen, but I don't ever find myself choosing it. And again, don't want to harsh anyone's positive vibes about certain shows, and I avoided any real mention of Boise, because that seems to be a Flashpoint for Era wars to break out. But those tapes sound awful. Boulder is a reel to reel and sounds great, but the music is what kills that one for me.

And I noticed no one has brought up DaP 19 1/23/70 which has TIFTOO and Dark Star and Lovelight, etc, but doesn't ever seem to stoke much commentary good or bad or indifferent. That buttresses hendrixfreak's theory, and makes The 11 the real outlier.

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In reply to by CaseyJanes

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cannot tell you how much this passage resonated with me:

"When we arrived in the bustling parking lot where thousands of Deadheads had already gathered, we instantly felt relieved, accepted and embraced. I think we all were feeling homesick during our first week of college. So we, this bunch of strangers, went home together to a place to which none of us had ever been."

That's really it - accepted and embraced. That captures exactly how I feel, whether it was a dead show, a dead & co show, a dead cover band show, etc. You walk in and can finally fucking exhale and let go of the bullshit and just have fun for a few hours among people who you know are feeling the same way you are. Hard to top that feeling.

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In reply to by alvarhanso

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No worries Alvarhonso, it's all good. The discussion pushes the topics along and often makes us revisit stuff sometimes yielding entirely different perspectives. ..and it is very subjective.

I should listen to them all again, it has been years since I listened to some of these. Listening to 7/3/78 St Paul as I write this, making this the last Scarlet Fire I have listened to. It sounds mighty fine and the Dancin in the Streets has a little more kick than I remembered. Very tight.

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I enjoyed them all - some were no brainers (#13 - Winterland, Feb 74). Others I'm still surprised at how they stuck with me (#15 - Nashville, 78).

The only ones I don't revisit that much are the fall 71 shows for whatever reason. All great stuff, just not my go-to when I need a fix. I've also been listening to the 1978 box recently - really great stuff, and perhaps the most under rated box set they've ever put out. I still cannot believe it's available...

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That's a lot. Are you sure? Why the hey would Norman do that to those tapes and not others? I'm going to compare it to the 4 cd set from April '71 (Ladies and Gents). I've always considered that one rather chunky bass-wise.

Here's an under-rated pick: DaP 30! Nice booklet with that one! :-)

P.S. My vegetables do come into contact with my potatoes, and Pork Chops sometimes. I never weighed in on that one, but I did think about a whole pork chop dinner (gravy and all) in the blender and passed.

Drinking Hamm’s.

Do they still make that?

About 10-15 years ago Stroh’s was brought back for a summer nostalgia release. Naturally I bought a 6 to relive some glory days of high school circa 86-87 when Stroh’s was being sold in 15- and 30-packs. And for the same price as 12- and 24-packs of competing beers! How could a poor teenager not go for the package with the extra beer?
Anyway that nostalgia Stroh’s was horrendous and I drank less than half a can and gave the rest away.
Buying that in the first place was erroneous thinking on my part.
Lesson learned, don’t go for the nostalgia beer.

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In reply to by wilfredtjones

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Yes, Norman confessed.
He manipulated the bass a bit too much.

But what about the Winterland 10/74 kick drum?
Some people hate that.

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Next Tuesday the 16th let the guessing game begin!!!!!
I say it's from '79.

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I also whipped out Dap 25 and found the bass problem minor imho. It is still stellar and that He's gone is just sweet. I try to go back and replay some of the past Dap's to get another fresh listen and find that some days it's dependent on my mood. No clue for Dap 31.

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In reply to by wilfredtjones

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He said he boosted the bass because it was low in the mix (an oddity in itself as Owsley made the recording, and he's notorious for bass heavy mixes), and in quieter passages the sound of the bass sounds like an octaver effect, like a MuTron Octave Divider, which Jerry added a few years later along with the MuTron Envelope Filter. I've tried decreasing the bass on my stereo, and on the EQ in the car, but I still hear it. Mr. Norman said he did it on DaP 25 as well, though it is far less noticeable; in fact, had he not said anything, I wouldn't have known. On the Berkeley show, though, it's overwhelming to my ears. It works in the throes of The Other One's feedback jam following Phil's not quite Philo Stomp, but in those quieter songs it distracts me...

To Carlo, I just may find it more distracting because that's usually the main focus of my listening to most music, not just the Dead. I'm similarly irritated by songs where I literally have to strain to hear the bass clearly. I find that an exhausting exercise. It's worse when I'm playing and can't hear it.

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Dap 25 bass enhance is kinda like what they did to smokey and the bandit 25th anniversary dvd when they replaced the bandits car revving engine sound with a different computerized sound for the new age kids watching it. Look it up. It's so weird that they replaced a real motor sound of the actual car to a digitized sound that does not match up with the real deal. Dap 25 was nothing like what they did to the dvd. It was more subtle but still there. No biggie for Norm.

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You are right. I would not have thought it was enhanced if no one said so.

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Almost as good as Veneta. Put it on my gravestone.

As I mentioned earlier, it only took a simple digital playback adjustment for me to all but mute the effect of the bass add-on that Norman did; so with all of the different playback options, equipment types, and audio configurations we all have, I understand better why some people never heard the extra bass, or at least didn't hear enough that it bothered them.

But as for the performance itself, the show kicks complete ass.

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On the heels of the official DaP 31 announcement and the anticipation of the new box set reveal I went a little nutty in a good way. I came across a Road Trips Vol. 1 # 3 Summer 71 with the bonus disc at a decent price on good ol' eBay. I put an on offer on it which was accepted so I managed to add it to my collection. There are some really nice jams on that release and the 7/31/71 Dark Star surprised me.

However many of you on this thread recently talked and raved about the July 78 box again. That is one i did not have and after the latest rounds of discussions I decided I needed to get it I almost bought it several times in the past but I let pass by each time I considered it. With less than 500 left I felt like i could not pass on it any longer. Plus I consider all of you who comment regularly on these threads/pages to be Jedi masters when it come to all things Grateful Dead - dare I say this is Grateful Dead's Jedi council? The bottom line is all of you know what you are talking about so I couldn't pass up a recommendation on that box any longer.

So between July 78, my recent Road Trips acquisition, and Dave's 31 I will be busy. Plus MUATM is on the horizon too. All I need is a Dead and Company fall tour and I will be set. Good times!

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We all should bet on when the first neg. Is placed.

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I don't know KF, Veneta's awfully good ya know! To be honest I have not listened to Berkeley since it came out. I will have to run it back.

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In reply to by Mind-Left-Body

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Consult the GD Bulletin that was just sent out.

Now, can I navigate the reCRAPTCHA gauntlet....?

I've always enjoyed reading diverse opinions on things. It's always turned me off if everyone thinks and says the same thing. I read on the back of his biography recently, a quote from Nietzsche, that said words to the effect that convictions are bigger enemies of truth than lies. Its ghastly being with a group of people who all agree with each other all the time. You might as well talk to yourself.

My hope for posts following the announcements of the new releases, especially the box, is that no-one sees fit to remind everyone that their prediction has come true, and that they were right all along.

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In reply to by Gratefulhan

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I'd like to join in with the people who know what they are talking about, and congratulate you on your latest acquisition. Not only are there some stellar shows in this box, the sound quality is supreme too. I wish my guitar sounded like that ! Nice looking box, too.

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Omaha Space that is where it's at.

Enjoy your first forays through the box. Enjoy the artwork, too! :-) Right On!

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Just grabbed the new vinyl for $80 plus tax on Barnes & Noble. Used a 15% member coupon that they sent out. Not a bad deal if you are B&N member....it's in stock, so if all goes well I'll be jamming by this afternoon.........Can't wait!!!!!

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Revisiting the July 78 box. In my opinion, the first show is the gem here, with 7/8 a close second; for me, my appreciation for the rest of the shows depend on whether Bobby overpowers Jerry with out of tune slide or not...for example, the 7/5 Sugaree starts great, then Bob starts playing lead slide louder than Jerry which ruins the whole jam..been trying to accept Slide Bob for decades, still can't stomach it! The two Werewolves are scary...
To be sure, there is some great stuff in there the Eyes and Dancing are flawless.

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