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    clayv
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    Hold on to your hat, we're coming in strong with one from the Windy City that'll have you movin' and shakin' from start to finish. DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 31: UPTOWN THEATRE, CHICAGO, IL 12/3/79 signals a true rebirth of the Grateful Dead, reimagining classics and foreshadowing their 80s sound. This is as much in part due to freshly-minted member Brent Mydland bringing the organ back in as it is to Jerry finding new vivacity with his custom Wolf guitar. New guy, new guitar - it all makes for a heck of a good time!

    Set One rolls like never-ending thunder with one standout after another - truly epic versions of "Brown-Eyed Women," "Ramble On Rose," "It's All Over Now," "Althea," and "The Music Never Stopped." Set Two hits with a crack of not-so-lazy lightning, barreling through an outrageous 28-minute "Scarlet>Fire" to a unique “Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance” and wrapping with a "blow the roof off the place" version of "Truckin'" and a rippin' "Johnny B. Goode." Ready for some quiet after the storm? You'll have to wait a just a little bit longer - we've filled in the gap on Disc 3 with a sprinkle of 12/4/79 - "Estimated>Franklin's Tower>" and an incredibly improvised “Jam.”

    Limited to 20,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 31: UPTOWN THEATRE, CHICAGO, IL 12/3/79 has been mastered from Dan Healy's cassette recordings to HDCD specs by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering.

    GET IT WHILE YOU CAN

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  • kwrummie
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    Jerry's new guitar in '79 was Tiger...

    ...not Wolf, like the description says.

  • 80sfan
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    nice!

    I was only 2 days off from my prediction of 12/1/79. I love this tour - can't wait to get my hands on this!

  • jeffkerper
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    Fun tour

    I saw 11/1, 11/2, 11/4 and 11/8 this tour. Some hot stuff, first Alabama/Greatest Story, I think the band was energized with Brent adding something new to the mix, and the set lists were more varied than Spring 79 when they hadn't rehearsed that many songs. Having said that, Brent's Fischer Price tinkly keyboard sound leaves me a wistful for Keith's grand piano. C'est la vie, add it to the collection!

  • 7thWalker
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    YES!!! Always a good vibe at…

    YES!!! Always a good vibe at the 4,300 seat Uptown! This was the week before I saw them for two nights at a 3,500 seat hall in Kansas City. It was a great period as "new guy" Brent was really coming into his own and they could still get away with playing small venues like this.

  • boblopes
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    interesting info on David Glasser

    In 2004 I started my association with Grateful Dead Productions working with the Dead’s engineer Jeffrey Norman on the DVD release of The Grateful Dead Movie. Jeffrey and I were introduced by the late Don Pearson, the Dead’s visionary sound system designer. Don liked what he heard when Sam Berkow brought him to the newly christened Studio C, and he thought it would a great place to work on the Dead’s surround projects. Since then, I’ve mastered a stream of Grateful Dead releases: the 73-disc Europe ’72: the Complete Recordings, Truckin’ Up To Buffalo, Sunshine Daydream, Formerly the Warlocks, the 23-disc Spring ’90 (the Other One), as well as remasters of all 13 of the Dead’s studio albums. What a thrill to hold the masters of American Beauty and Workingman’s Dead in my hands! Jeffrey and I have just completed mastering the 80-disc 30 Trips Around the Sun, a career-spanning concert retrospective.

    Here's a link to the info from Airshow Mastering: https://airshowmastering.com/engineers-corner-spotlight-on-david-glasse…

  • Mr. Jack Straw
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    BRING ON THE BOX

    This pick is...fine...but the video has me intrigued! Something so big it kept Norman away from mastering the Picks? Suggests a large multi-track release....since the RT he missed was the Spectrum '82 show which came out right before the Europe '72 box! That one was 22 multi-tracked shows....even 8 multi-tracked Spring '90 shows couldn't pull him away from Dave's Picks....so what's left? The '71 Skull and Roses shows and the 1980 Warfield/RCMH shows?

  • direwulf
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    Box Sets

    God, I hope they dont just keep releasing larger and more expensive boxes than the 30 Trips. That was almost too meaty to digest if there is such a thing, a larger more expensive set would surely cost me a wife!

  • Across the Rio
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    Looks Good

    Looks like a good show. I've got a few good ones from this tour, and for fall '79 I was hoping for Cap Center. Never heard this one and after listening to Dave and looking at the set list I am sure I will be glad he chose this.

  • Trainwrecked
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    Nooooo, my friend. This is no Betty Board.

    It sounds like somebody recorded this from the next room through a keyhole or something. I think Betty boards died out of existence at some point in November of 1978. There are a few good recordings from that month but they're also many really bad ones. There's nothing good from December or January and February of 1979.

    I like the colors of the artwork. I'm not sure why the dragon was chosen, anyone?

    I'm pretty sure this is going to be a one-and-done just based on the sound quality alone. That would go for any era. I listen to the Music Never Stopped on the listening party and it just sounds lackluster without Donna. Yes, best Dave's Picks ever, wish the whole series was like this.

  • boblopes
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    Jeffery must be busy with the upcoming box...

    "12/3/79 has been mastered from Dan Healy's cassette recordings to HDCD specs by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering." I wonder if this got some plangent processing to make it sound better???

    Looking forward to this release - can never get enough Althea's!!!

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Hold on to your hat, we're coming in strong with one from the Windy City that'll have you movin' and shakin' from start to finish. DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 31: UPTOWN THEATRE, CHICAGO, IL 12/3/79 signals a true rebirth of the Grateful Dead, reimagining classics and foreshadowing their 80s sound. This is as much in part due to freshly-minted member Brent Mydland bringing the organ back in as it is to Jerry finding new vivacity with his custom Wolf guitar. New guy, new guitar - it all makes for a heck of a good time!

Set One rolls like never-ending thunder with one standout after another - truly epic versions of "Brown-Eyed Women," "Ramble On Rose," "It's All Over Now," "Althea," and "The Music Never Stopped." Set Two hits with a crack of not-so-lazy lightning, barreling through an outrageous 28-minute "Scarlet>Fire" to a unique “Lost Sailor>Saint of Circumstance” and wrapping with a "blow the roof off the place" version of "Truckin'" and a rippin' "Johnny B. Goode." Ready for some quiet after the storm? You'll have to wait a just a little bit longer - we've filled in the gap on Disc 3 with a sprinkle of 12/4/79 - "Estimated>Franklin's Tower>" and an incredibly improvised “Jam.”

Limited to 20,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 31: UPTOWN THEATRE, CHICAGO, IL 12/3/79 has been mastered from Dan Healy's cassette recordings to HDCD specs by David Glasser at Airshow Mastering.

GET IT WHILE YOU CAN

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I look foward to the complaints and excuses more these days than I do the actual announcement. Some really funny stuff out there.

Who knew that they had no internet overseas. I certainly didn't.

It is a shame though that our resident economics expert fails to understand that demand is forecast by the number of subscriptions sold. Maybe he can find solace by listening all those extra copies of FW69, E72, etc. that he has evidently stockpiled.

Happy for all those who got their wish on this one.

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Music is a warm blanket.

Grateful Dead is that.

Sixtus

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So sweet to see this awesome show in the Dave's series. The mighty Uptown Theatre!! 12/3/79!! My second show!! My brother John scored tickets - grabbed him a copy a la carte from airport parking in ABQ : )

As my friend Rick emailed when I relayed the DaP 31news: "Ya Made my f***in day And renewed my faith in how right we are to invest our hard earned money into the Dead without a thought." As memory serves, Rick saw every Uptown show. Subscribe!

Also - the cover art is WAY cool!!

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I had intentions of skipping the announcement and staying off this site, then just being surprised at what showed up in my mailbox in three weeks. I made it three hours, then caved and peeked.

I love that we're tapping 1979, and I love the cover art on this. Should be a hot show, regardless of source.

For the box, it's seeming like 1991, which would be fine by me. I like all the keyboardists, and just hope that whatever they release, it's from the Jerry era. :)

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I like the setlist, Jack a Roe, finally an Althea, big Scarlet Fire, Terrapin> Playing and a Wharf Rat, plus the filler looks tasty. The cover art is nice, too.

That said, the perceptible hiss in the Listening Party tracks is kind of a bummer, but it is what it is with cassette masters. The vocals seem way up front, too, which makes sense as a PA tape. Hard to tell from Dave's hyperbole how good a show will be, but I'm looking forward to this one.

The box announcement will get me out for another MUATM, which thankfully is actually in town this year after having been 1-2 hours away every other year. Senor Norman hard at work since December has me thinking Fall '72 is indeed the choice, wanting to make it sound as sweet as possible.

Finally, add me to the chorus of folks saying SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE! If you find you don't want a Pick when it arrives, you can sell it to someone who is up in arms about missing the Pick. And who would want to shell out 100 bucks for a single disc to get the Bonus Disc on ebay? If you like 3 of the 4 Picks, consider it $33 per Pick, if you like just 2, $50 is about how much the Real Gone versions of DiP and Road Trips go for. And again, you could unload the unwanted Picks right here and make sure a Deadhead who wants it gets it. The subscriptions go on sale in November, save 25 bucks each month til then, and boom! You won't have to worry about missing a Pick that sells out before you get the email.

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As much as I dig the cover art and the setlist, this won't get any play here in Tripville.
So if anyone missed out and wants my subscriber's copy, send me a message and we'll work out the deets.
I'll pass it along to the first person who hits my inbox.
At list price and a few bucks for shipping.

Plink-a-plink-a-plink-a-plink-a-plink...

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What you have is a "I need a miracle Dap 31 ticket. We will see who the lucky guy will be.

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In reply to by SkullTrip

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Its like Christmas Eve in church on here at the moment. 54 new messages when I clocked on last night, 45 new messages when I clocked on this morning. There's normally between about 3 and 10.

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Hi there! By any chance is that copy of Dave's Picks 31 still up for grabs?

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I may have an extra copy this. Willing to make trade if any one interested. Looking for someone to burn me a copy of their FW69 complete box set. Send me a PM if anyone interested.

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Looks like they did not limit this one to 2 per order like the other two
previous Dave Picks. Maybe they thought that this one might not sellout as fast.

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It's been quite a while since I dropped in around here. I guess the change to the new site kept me out til now, but it's good to be back. Loved the first two picks this year as well as Warfield vinyl- sounds so warm.

I don't know too much of '79, but this is a welcome addition to the collection. Cover art is legit on this one.

Bring on the Ark box. It's time.

Hope all are well and enjoying this trip around the sun.

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Me likey. :-) Now put it on a shirt and sell it!

There are 2 more listening samples of 12/3/79 from the Taper's Section and it's entry from Archive.org. Looks like this will be from a cassette master?

http://www.dead.net/features/tapers-section/march-24-march-30-2014

http://www.dead.net/features/tapers-section/november-24-november-30-2014

https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?and[]=date:1979-12-03%2A

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There are a couple of people have commented that they don't want a big box set. Is it the money? If so this really works. Start putting away $10 a week in a slush fund. I did this to buy a racing bike and had it in a year. I would venture to say that anyone who has the system to play CDs on can find somewhere to cut back $10 a week and put it away. Smoke less cigarettes or weed. Live on Ramen for a month. I just really can't describe how cool it was to open up 30 trips around the Sun. And I was only able to get the all music Edition. I was not into the Grateful Dead big time the way I am now when it first came out.

Or is it something besides money? I can't imagine but, just the thought of 20 brand spanking new shows from 1972 makes me a little bit Gaga. I'm talking Radio Gaga. That's all we need.

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In reply to by wilfredtjones

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Nice to see someone else yearning for that April 1969 box! It would fit in nicely with the 50-year theme, with AOXOMOXOA

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I see there has already been discussion of the Source used for this release. I am looking forward to hearing the full show soon. There is a nice write up on this show in the Deadhead's Taping Compendium. There should be updated volumes of the those books, or something like them, by the way. Chock full of reviews, etc. That's why DB50 was such a let down for me, There were hardly any new reviews of shows!

Now that the surprise is gone, the fun is half over.

I boldly predict Dave's Picks 32 will be from the 80's or 90's. Then again, I could be wrong

Now.. how long until this hits my front porch? What I want to know, where does the time go?

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Someone else mentioned this: Let's get in all the keys players for this 2019 series. DP 30 had TC, I think it would be really neat if 32 had both Welnick and Hornsby. Lots to choose from Fa90 - Sp 92! Some great accordian/piano guest appearances through to '95, too: http://www.agitators.com/gd/bruce.html

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What kind of racing bike can you get for 10$ a week saving for a year? Are we talking remote control or mini-bike cause that's only 520$. Maybe I'm not as familiar with the second hand market for motorcycles but I wouldnt trust my life on something that cost 500$ and goes 120mph or even 60! Not that it matters cause I'll put whatever the box set costs on the credit card anyway :) Shhhh don't tell my wife....

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In reply to by direwulf

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Riding a bicycle at 120 mph.. now that's radical.

(I am guessing they meant bicycle) You can sometimes get a used older model racing bike so long as it's not carbon or something really cutting edge for a reasonable price second hand.. once the newer technologies come out, yesterdays big thing isn't that big anymore.

I was thinking the Hornsby years for #32 in fact.. like 79, so would go 91. It's time. Then surprise us all with something really outrageous when they key up the new subscription. It would make sense to do this if you were Dave/Rhino.

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In reply to by direwulf

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A '91 show would also mean the 2019 series has a show from each "decade." Dave was saying that DP 30 is basically a 69 show, just like DP 32 is basically an 80s show. There's of course DP 29 from 70s, which leaves the 90s for 32.

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I just got word that Jamie from Plangent has worked on new GD and says "we're going to love it", is it a fall 72 big box? And if next year is supposed to be better what could that be.

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That’s my prediction and hope. They have it all in multi-track and the shows are great. Based on Dave’s “audio side of things” comment and the apparently demanding work load, I think it will include video.

I’m excited about this; the biggest issue I have with my Bruce and Vince tapes is an unbalanced mix. I like this period of the band’s career. It will be nice to finally hear some of it properly mixed.

Love any Uptown show! Also dig the dragon with matches cover! The wolf paw cover was nice too; I like this trend.

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Sorry couldn't let today go unmarked... For me this is the start date of the resurgence of the 89/90 awesomeness!! Partly because of the return of We bid you Goodnight.... Enjoy the heat wave!!! bob t

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I love the new Dave’s picks and for me if 32 is before 79 this year for me personally has blown my ( need to get the bolt!) socks off!
I dig the sound recording, charm, different, atmospheric but not to the point where you can’t separate the notes. If it sounded like shit and garbled junk that would be a huge disappointment but it doesn’t; to me anyway but hey everyone has their own interpretation!
Another box set 💭 thought.... if they gave Betty the utmost respect she deserves and did a Betty boards box that would fuckn be awesome 👏, bunch of pictures of her and whatnot! Hot damn them Betty boards are the real deal Holyfield!;)

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Bolo's clue about when there was one starbucks. First opened 3-31-71. Maybe another multi year package. Dream box Roosevelt stadium shows with 8-1-73 FOR JERRY'S 30TH

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Someone early mentioned (kinda sarcastically) they should fill in the pop up box to get on the dead mailing list. Did you ever notice no matter how many times you fill it out, it still ask!?! You would think the box would know if you're on the list!

Second, I sure it's been said before, I sure I've said it before, but comments about EVERYBODY has a five spot or a ten spot to put away every week to buy a big box set. It's just not true. So people don't have an extra whatever to throw on the side. Some struggle with school cost, medical bills, normal everyday bills. Maybe the working poor can't cut back on weed, because they don't buy it. I agree I meet a lot of people at our store who are spending money they don't have on things they don't need. So easy on spending others people money.

On the flip side, box sets are a luxury want, not a need. If you're bummed because you can afford a box set, oh well. I can't afford a world cruise. BUT, unlike a world cruise, I'm sure if you're on this forum you can find someone to knock you out a copy. Collecting shit (whatever that shit maybe) cost money and not everyone has it.

Sorry if I'm out of line.

On the plus side - my second copy of Reckoning came in the mail from Barnes & Noble, turned out I could return at local store, so I did.

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FYI - found thru the library The bootleg box set volume 1 & 2. Appears to be 14 cds. I'll let you know when in house. Have you ever seen these set?

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In reply to by Dennis

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Thanks Dennis, your post helps put things in perspective is a soothing, calming way.

As for GD Music, I probably have enough to keep me busy for a lifetime.. but I do enjoy the new releases. It's really not a problem for me at all. I could quit anytime. I don't really think about it that much.. I could quit tomorrow. Or the next day at the latest. Starting tomorrow morning I am going to listen to more Floyd and Stones. Some Who perhaps some Parliament.

Now on to Dave's Picks 32.. or the new Box Set.. what's it gonna be, can we get it early? I need a new release now. Let's break into the vault and Free the Reels, who's with me? We have a tunnel to dig! Let's storm Lemieux's house.. is it Vancouver Island or the city? The first to liberate is 6/10/73. Who's with us, join the Freedom Reel Liberation Movement.. Where's my shipping notice! Dammit Lemieux.. where's my Dave's Picks 31!

Hey.. it's not taking my address now either. AAaaak!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIFnx5hxMA0

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In reply to by JimInMD

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....sounds like a grand idea Jim. After that, we can tunnel to Area 51 and show those Facebookers how to properly raid the place.

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Can't wait...Thanks to everyone who makes these drops of heaven rain down on us every 3 months.

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In reply to by wilfredtjones

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As soon as it was announced I went searching in apparel hoping for the shirt too. Got my fingers crossed.

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I'm still hoping for the 1969 Ark Shows to be released but I would be equally happy with a set of concerts from the Fall of '72. If they release a set of shows from '91 I won't be nearly as enthused, but I'll probably still purchase them.

Regardless of what they choose to release, my biggest desire is that the discs are all in good condition so that there's not the issues that I (and many others) had with last year's PNW '73-'74 box. Last year was the first time that I had to request (and eventually receive) replacement discs and I hope it was also the last.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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I went to high school and almost graduamated I promise!

I've got a bike. You can ride it if you like
It's got a basket, a bell that rings and
Things to make it look good
I'd give it to you if I could, but I borrowed it

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I'm listening to the 12-4 show right now on the archive: Master Soundboard Cassette -> Cassette -> DAT.

https://archive.org/details/gd79-12-04.sbd.clugston.2535.sbeok.shnf/gd7…

To me, this sounds better than the Normalized Boise show released last year. And this one has yet to be Glassered.

I'm looking forward to this one with an open mind and open ears.

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Oh, well, that's very different. Nevermind. Don't we all have an Emily Littella moment from time to time...

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Bolo's contest answer was a '71 show. That probably was a clue.

I'm going with a big box of spring '71 shows with a mix of multi-track and 2-track recordings.

ps. And with the talk of it being The Giants Stadium shows could be hinting to N.Y.

Thanks for the heads up about the Tangerine Dream Bootleg boxes-and for your posts in general, which always seem to come form the right place. But back to those bootleg boxes-I got the first of these when it came out in 2003, but looking on Amazon it looks as though a remastered edition has come out since then. Its a great box-I was actually playing the first cd-Sheffield 1974, this morning, funnily enough. Two of these cds, the Royal Albert Hall show from 4/2/75 are included in the new In Search of Hades set.

I didn't know there was a second box in this bootleg series, though. It costs quite a lot now, too. On the whole, though, I am not too fussed. It covers the band from 1976 on into the 1980s, when they got a bit more conventional. Once they realised how to play synthesizers etc, they started playing melodies on them-which is never a good idea!

I'm still haunted by the idea of getting In Search of Hades, myself.

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....I’ve been dig’n the Grateful Dead, “Rocking the Cradle” from Egypt,Cairo 9/15th-16th/ 78’ past Release... 🙏❤️😎 the DVD is a Plus too!

...new box set includes Visuals ! 😉

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2 weeks till the meet- up. Hope to see some old friends from the shows!

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In reply to by carlo13

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A subscription guarantees you 13 CD’s (some may be defective, but you’ll eventually get replacements) along with free shipping.
If you kept only 1 release and sold the other 3 you could break even, or even make some cash.
And you wouldn’t have the stress of missing out on a release.

Watching 7-17-89 DVD in honor of the anniversary.
Bring on the Alpine 89 CD/DVD,BluRay Box.

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I predicted a '79 show so I feel pretty good about that. Usually I have no clue! Lol. I thought they might go late year to scratch that Brent itch for those who need it. I saw almost the exact amount of Brent / Keith shows and I love them both. The vast majority of my shows, about 50%, were in the '78 - '80 time frame. Gun to the head, I'll give the nod to Keith, but I have zero issues with Brent.

As far as the box, I hope they keep it to $250 or less this time around. Funds are a little tight right now. I would love to see something from the Vince / Bruce days just to add to the variety, but I am good with anything. Autumn '72 would be Grate!

Rock on

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That is only one show away from the one folks are mostly expecting. We've heard a lot of folks requesting Stanley, but far fewer for the Uptown. Even though it has been said the Dead never played a bad show there. He has done this at least a couple times previously with the BCT and the Felt. The second set here looks hearty. The additional Jam from the next night will be sweet. The only thing better than an Estimated>Franklin's would be a Shakedown>Franklin's and we all know there was only one of those. W.A.G.? :-)

P.S. Good 'ol Traffic Lights and Chimneys.

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