• 1,184 replies
    clayv
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    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

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • joeincanada
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    re: Dave's Picks #31 Canada UPS charge

    In Ontario, Canada - I Rec'd my DP's #31 on Aug 1st
    Shipped by UPS - did not see driver, did not see package until dinner time. Package Left outside my front door (also with half an address) - Happy to see it!
    Now today, Aug 12 - receive letter in the mail from UPS saying I owe $90.81 Cdn. Unbelievable - did not pay when I called UPS
    Contacted dead.net today and emailed details - First time did not contact Mary E (sorry) So Mary, if you see this comment - ticket # 5012092 at least that's the number on my email saying we will contact you in a couple of days. Can you please look into it. thanks

  • Elbow49
    Joined:
    Site Down

    On Friday evening, minutes after making a purchase on Dead.net, my charge card was compromised.

  • stoltzfus
    Joined:
    Good El Paso's

    2 9 73
    8 27 72
    8 1 73
    8 31 78

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Hail Marye

    I haven't had any issues lately -- with the DaPs and other GD products, that is (plent of personal issues, but no need to go there) -- but I gotta say, Marye AND Dr. Rhino are fine, sweet folks who hang loose, let us blather, even insult TPTB, and they keep a low profile while stepping up every time to handle the forum requests, demands and occasionally (okay, regularly) the abuse.

    Just thought I'd take a minute out of the day to say that, while very frustrating issues crop up, as in recently for our brethren in UK and Europe, both Marye and Dr. Rhino totally deliver and with grace and humor. Neither is responsible for issues, but both work to solve them in a gracious manner.

    So, tip 'o my hat!

    That is all.

  • Colin Gould
    Joined:
    Site Down

    JiminMD

    Yes, the site has been missing for at least 20 hours, but has reappeared since I’m able to type this. The other day the drop down menus would appear on my iPad but would not allow any selections. This seems to have been fixed so perhaps the shutdown was to repair faults on the site. I doubt anyone will thinks to tell us about it though. Communication isn’t one of the sites plus points. Good luck to everyone still waiting for DaP 31, I hope it is sorted soon.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Its arrived and I like it.

    I was greeted with a grinning UPS man this morning who handed me the pick with no extra charge. So many thanks for those behind the scenes who rectified matters.

    I have been out all day, but I listened to the first 6 songs when I got back. I didn't listen to Dave's seaside talk-and I could tell glancing through the sleeve notes that they had very little credibility-" a stunning, inspired first set." indeed.
    I have taken more notice of the comments on here, and they have been mixed to say the least. So I have been happily surprised. I can't imagine playing it that often, but I have really enjoyed what I have heard so far. The opening songs are a bit rickety, but that's all right, and things seem to develop a nice groove during Brown Eyed Women. Not spectacular-but - nice enough. Maybe it will turn out to be a second division show-but a top second division show, and in the context of sequential releases, that is okay with me.

  • cosmicbadger
    Joined:
    Delivery at last

    After emails with UPS, it finally arrived today so I should be grateful. But it was sliding around loose in a low quality, padded envelope with a big tear in it. It is lucky that the set is not damaged. Not good enough for such a special product. Also the address label had only a part of my address on it, scrambled and with no post code. It is a miracle that UPS managed to figure it out. Having maintained excellent delivery service for international orders these last few years it seems that standards have slipped.

    For those still battling the system, I used the UPS web site to send a message (not easy) and got a reply within 24 hours that the problem was sorted and that my delivery was released.

  • dtuck90
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Finally got mine

    mine has finally arrived today. Anyone who hasn't received there's yet I urge you to email UPS and include a copy of Dr Rhinos latest email saying they have sorted payment. UPS got back to me the same day (Friday) to confirm it would be delivered to me today or tomorrow and they called me today at 8am to confirm everything was sorted.

    It arrived with a copy of an email from one UPS team to another passing on the payment reference which is what the local depots need to release the parcel. Hopefully if everyone does this it they will receive theirs and make sure it doesn't get lost in the huge UPS system

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Site was down

    Did anyone else notice this site was down for the better part of a day (and overnight).

    Weir'd.

    I heard from a close friend they were hacked and had to pay £73.92 COD to UPS in ransomware to get the site back up and running. What is the world coming to, I am sure Count Vlad is behind this.. he was really hoping for a summer of fall '85 show and lashed out.

    :D

    (sorry, didn't mean to offend those across the pond with a ransomware joke, I am truly saddened by what is going on and I hope everyone receives their pick asap, meant hopefully to soften the edge)

  • simonrob
    Joined:
    Probably not my final comment

    A few minutes ago (9pm Sunday) the UPS website informs me that my package is at the local UPS Access Point but it is reaching the end of the time that they can hold it for. I know it is there because I have seen it. The freight charge of EUR 81.88 still stands. I have sent an e-mail to UPS about this as I have had no luck whatsoever with calling customer service. Their ineptitude has frankly astonished me and I suspect the e-mail is my last hope, albeit a faint one. It is frustrating to know that the issue has been resolved for two others here in the Netherlands whom I am in contact with. They both received their copies last week with nothing to pay. Seems I am not so lucky. We shall see.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years 9 months

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

user picture

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

I'm still thinking it will include something from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's.

ps. I so thankful that we get these vault release so people have something to complain about. I guess we could go back to the days of third and fourth gen cassettes of really good clean Jerry shows.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

Enjoyable show. Great sound and mix. A lot of whiners on this board. Expect every show to be the best show EVER. I have a theory. Third show of a year is always less known. Fourth show and 1st of the coming year have to sell the subscription. Second show has bonus. Stop the whining. Its a bore.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

In reply to by simonrob

Permalink

I emailed Dr Rhino yesterday, and got a generic response thanking me for my patience, but advising me that due to the "high-volume of email traffic I will respond to your email within 5 business days."
Looking at the tortuous tracking information last night, I saw that it was still out there for delivery somewhere, with the same expectation of me paying £73 + on delivery for freight charges.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

6 years

In reply to by simonrob

Permalink

Don't build your hopes up!
UPS delivered mine yesterday. Courier said customs paid.
Today I had a phone call from UPS requesting payment £73.92 which I ain't paying.
They're sending courier back out tomorrow to collect. So I expect I'll see it again soon??

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

In reply to by fourwindsblow

Permalink

This makes me very happy that 6/17/91 is getting a solo release; methinks it will be included in this box (although I believe someone had already speculated/potentially confirmed this elsewhere); similar to how they also did a stand alone release for 'Wake up to Find Out' when it was also included in one of the Spring '90 boxes.

drip...drip...drip....
Sixtus

user picture

Member for

8 years 7 months
Permalink

... I would wait until you see the film before pre-ordering or if your not attending, wait for Reviews to be published/posted HERE or elsewhere, it’s your choice. 😉Imagine if they offered the opportunity to do that with every concert that was recorded both Audio & Film!!! That would be Primo! Lol, it would be a total deffent business model they operate under right now and would Effect Sales. I bet Some fans would pay extra just for the opportunity/chance! Lol ha ha ... who knows maybe after that you won’t be interested in adding this Vinyl/CD release to your collection.
🙏❤️😎
*Plus artwork is Incomplete ;)

user picture

Member for

8 years 7 months

In reply to by stoltzfus

Permalink

...stolz. You crack me up! Lol 😂 The Healing Power Of Laughter is always welcomed!

Also
...”I want my $2.00 dollars!”... ha ha

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month
Permalink

Ok...so i was reading this article with an interview with Bruce Hornsby just now, and I came across a very interesting reference/mention by Bruce therein; it goes like this (and please note his VERY LAST SENTENCE):

"... Look, I’ve spent my career collaborating and getting calls from amazing people. There was the Dead, maybe the single most amazing collaboration. It was a beautiful, often transcendent experience to do that, and maybe especially earlier with Garcia. I wouldn’t trade anything for that. I was so influenced by them as a songwriter. Obviously, the younger generation of forward-thinking musicians feels the same way, hence this several CD Grateful Dead compilation that was put together."

https://www.stereogum.com/2038972/bruce-hornsby-spike-lee-grateful-dead…

I'd say that's a decent hint as to what's about to blow open with this box.

Sixtus

Yep - probably a hint at what's to come (though he could also be referencing the compliation of GD covers from modern bands that was put out a couple years ago). Either way, it should be an exciting day (and looks like I'm WAY off my prediction of a set from 76)!

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month
Permalink

I was really looking forward to it, but was on call and of course 20 min before show time the phone rings. But from what I hear everyone had a good time. However, there was no box announcement here. Apparently it's a U.S. only announcement.

That’s my prediction.

That way everyone gets the announcement at the same time. Tonight’s reveal will show what the Box looks like.

If it turns out to be a high-demand Box, can this website handle the onslaught?

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month

In reply to by stoltzfus

Permalink

Yes, it is a medical kind of thing. The only good thing about being on call this week is I've made more than enough to pay for this years box set!!

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Hi you all, who were in the same situation confronted with an extra charge for transportation to europe (esp. Germany). Today UPs stands at my door and delivered Dave's Picks No. 31 without any extra costs. Dr. Rhino has cleared the situation. So all will get well.

The good ol Grateful Dead are my favorite band and have been for forty years. But the fact is is that they were very mediocre quite often, especially in the last 15 years. There are great shows from that period, but this isn’t one. There are at least ten shows from fall 79 that are better then this release. Dissenting respectful opinion should be welcomed and not looked down upon. My opinion is that the Ramble on Rose, Althea and Terrapin and others are painful to listen to. Just listening to the filler from the next night shows a more awake Jerry.
I don’t expect every release to be great, but there are plenty of good shows left in the vault and my opinion is is that this wasn’t one of them. Maybe Dave walked into the vault to grab 12-1-79 and a blue heron flew by and distracted him and he grabbed the wrong show.....I have lots of great shows to listen to, including the first two picks this year and I’m grateful for that. I guess my point is that just because it’s the Grateful Dead and Dave says it’s a great show doesn’t make it so.

People paying and supporting the cause have a right to voice an opinion, as do you. If that wasnt Jerry and the Dead and you heard a live recording of that show I think youd be more critical. This band and Jerry get a lot of slack for the rough nights and its well deserved - they gave us everything they had to the music. When it was a live show I took whatever they had on a given night and was always grateful. It was what it was in the moment. But now that its Dave picking shows and selling goods online 24 years after Jerry left, I think we can request better material or feel free to voice when we think he laid an egg. Sorry that offends your senses - but to my ears, Jerry, sadly, is a total wreck on DP31 . Glad your ears hear it different and that youre enjoying it though - if you want an extra copy Ill sell you mine at face value

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Just got mine. just uploaded to Itunes. I for one know I'm going to love this one immediately so will save my thoughts until after a listen.

Bummed to have to miss the Meet-Up. It will be epic. Not playing anywhere near me withing a 6 hour round trip drive. This is the second time they've overlooked my city. All previous showing played in my hometown. sure, attendance was less than stellar, but the money is in the release. Hope this is the box.

Hope I can afford the box. Hope it doesn't sell out before I can order one. These always seem to come out when I'm between pay periods and/or low on funds. If it is Giants '91, hope the edition numbers are high enough. sometimes they don't print enough copies of these to accomodate demand.

Whatever the case, the movie and box will no doubt be awesome.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

Also, any HQ scans of the cover from Dave's Picks 31up yet?

Thanks! Hope everyone is enjoying your Summer.

Listening to it with headphones - sounds good enough to these middle aged ears. Dave is right - from Oct through December, 1979 is full of fun, energized performances. Really like this little pocket in time and I'm happy to have this release.

user picture

Member for

10 years 9 months
Permalink

and I still don't remember much from the July 31/Aug 1 GD/Band shows in lovely Roosevelt Stadium. They could've filmed Bladerunner there...

It rained at least one night. And on Aug. 1, a woman riding on someone's shoulders was able to approach the lip of the stage and hand a birthday cake up to Jer. The music? I confess to few specific memories.

The run-up, though, was, in today's parlance, "epic." That was July 26 (travel), 27(soundchecks), 28 (shows) at Watkins Glen. We walked away from the all-star jam as Jer broke into Dylan's Takes a Lot to Laugh... and we got on the road because we had to. Made it home on the 29th. The very next day we go to a two-nighter with the GD and The Band. Guess I had a good time!

Let's do the math... In six days, I saw the GD and The Band play four shows each. Together. Throw in two Allman Brothers shows. So that's ten shows in six days. Probably explains why the first few days were memorable and the second half of the game is a bit fuzzy.

But I'm still on my feet! Confessions, confessions....

On to the movies, the box set and more summer.

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Toggle back, yes there were scans kindly posted recently!

Blue Heron! :-)

user picture

Member for

12 years 1 month
Permalink

I live in Maryland. My subscription Dave's Picks Vol. 31 is still sitting in Rhino's warehouse, "Shipment Ready for UPS". Anybody else with this problem?

user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

After reading Dave's description of the DP31 first set I was prepared to be blown away by this show. Sorry to say it is not living up to expectations. Maybe unfair to judge having only listened to the 1st set but it's pretty mediocre. Sounds like the Scarlet > Fire may have potential but AARGH. Audience patch in Fire! C'mon, really? Not the first time one of these offerings has been a disappointment through the years. I'm sure plenty of hard work goes into these releases and I will continue to subscribe since it's an easy Christmas gift for my wife to get me but I hope future choices will be more satisfying. BTW, we saw them 3 weeks later in Oakland and they were on fire.

Not quite the same issue as you but according to the tracking, mine has been sitting in the OKC post office for 5 days now! Obviously not Rhino/Dead.net's fault but frustrating.

user picture

Member for

11 years 1 month
Permalink

DP 31 captures the Dead at a good moment in '79. They were definitely in the groove for this show and it has "that swing". Sit on your porch, open a cool one and let this music wash over you as the sun goes down, remove all negativity from your mind and you will experience the music the way did way back in '79!

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

It's not BIG, it's GIANT.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

This box is right in my sweet spot! 5 shows / $167 with shipping & tax. Don't have to break the bank or hide it from wifey. Nice mix. Bring on The Swamp!

Rock on

user picture

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

Box is ordered, looking forward to seeing what it will look like. Given the source material, I anticipate that the sound should be excellent.
Edit: Actually, I was at the July 12, 1987 show, makes it even cooler. Saw the July 10, 1987 show in Philadelphia at JFK Stadium also that summer.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Blue ray box ordered - only 6000! Nice size for me and in the range of affordable on my pension so I am a happy Deadhead. Now if I could just get to hear DP31 :-))
Overseas Deadheads have always been here. I traded tapes via Relix adds from the late 70’s. Those that have their DP31 treasure it or pass it on. Peace & love to all.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 8 months
Permalink

Still waiting
Why????
The address on my package forgot to put the apartment #
So now it goes back to the sender
It takes 2 days to respond to a email
Never had this problem before
I wish all releases were digital
I wouldn’t have to deal with this mail foolishness
Also it would stop the “mark ups” on eBay later
Anyway I’ll get the Chicago Dave’ s pick sooner or later
Forgetting to put a apartment # for a Brooklyn Mailing ........madness!!!!!

Had a casual listen to the first set this evening driving around in the Toyota. It’s All Over Now was a standout for me. And I really like the well placed cannonballs in Jack A Roe. Have they had those before? I am assuming they came from Mickey rather than Bill. Maybe he was listing to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 before the show.

Sound wise, I think the vocals mesh better with the instrumentation than last year’s DaP 27 Boise. Could be better, but unobtrusive when the volume is kept reasonable. You can really tell when Jerry leans into the mic.

Looking forward to a close listen of Set II tomorrow.

Carry on!

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Really enjoyed the show tonite. High lights for me were Might As Well and Truckin' > New Speedway Boogie. Great stuff. This leads me to believe that the new box will be delicious!

Rock on

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

9 years 3 months
Permalink

Dead.net have submitted the missing commercial invoices and now it says mine will be here on Monday. Tracking still showing a payment is due but hopefully it has already being sorted or is about to be...

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Permalink

Here in the Netherlands I see exactly the same information. On the UPS site, my package is still in Louisville,KY, but instead of daily warehouse scans, yesterday the following appeared: "A missing commercial invoice is causing a delay. / The information requested has been obtained and the hold has been resolved." and today there has been an import scan followed by an export scan. Delivery is scheduled for Monday. The freight charge of 81.88 EUR is still shown. I just hope they don't ask for payment on delivery. Optimism levels rising, blood pressure falling...

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

5 years 4 months
Permalink

Mine apparently ready for collection from the local UPS delivery point...all charges settled. Let's see this afternoon...

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I saw the bulk of my shows in the '78 - '80 time frame, so I was looking forward to this release very much. I have listened to it once and found that I like it. I will be listening to it continually for the next week as I usually do. I like to really dig into any new release. Are there some ballads that seem a bit more slow then usual? Sure, but it is certainly not the train wreck some of you had led me to believe it might be. Just goes to show that every listener hears things differently.

I sign onto this forum first thing every morning, and check back on it constantly throughout the day. You Dead Heads are my kind of people. So it is with love and caring that I have to say to some here: PEOPLE! GET OVER IT"! Every release will not be Veneta! Just because Althea comes off a bit slow does not mean you have to comment on Jerry's heroin addiction, or his diet, or his traumatic life! Maybe he had a headache or a bellyache this night? Maybe he had just had a blow up with his wife / girlfriend? Maybe he just wanted to try it slower tonite as was his want, to keep changing it up to keep it interesting.

I think we all have the right to comment on the music, but try to keep it to that. Not to pontificate here, but none of us was on stage or back stage that night so none of us knows exactly what happened. All I know is, even when I hear a show that I thing is not up to par, it is still better then 95% of the crap I hear out there today. So I will sit back and enjoy this one and if I come across a show that is not too good, I will put it on the shelf and await hungrily for the next one.

Rock on

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 10 months

In reply to by simonrob

Permalink

After 2 episodes of sending the UPS man away after refusing to pay £73, package containing 31 got pushed through my letterbox this morning, so the good Dr Rhino seems to have sorted the problem. Hopefully those still waiting will shortly be rewarded for their patience

user picture

Member for

14 years 11 months
Permalink

I was in good shape for the first set ;)))

at set break I ate a couple pieces of candy ("green M&Ms", not electric ones)

the theater was 2/3 full, with a lot of space in the front row. so I moved up there and looked up at the screen with full sound.

"Giants Stadium". from my vantage point, it looked like everyone in the band was a 10 foot tall giant.

It was cool.

Phenomenal show. The sound was soooooo good.

product sku
081227924300
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/music/dave-s-picks/dave-s-picks-vol-31-1.html