Grateful Dead

dead.net the official site

Oroborous...I use 'deadhead archives' but I've also seen a version of 'Relisten' as well (which I use via Sonos at home). Both are equally good and mirror the archive.

Sixtus

This ole dinosaur finally got set up for streaming at work. Finally be able to check out a bunch of shows I was at but never heard, as well as other goodies like 2/15/73 that I’m listening to now! Boo-yah!

....and I'd say 2/15/73 is a fantastic initial jaunt into the wide open spaces.
The entire GD World is literally at your fingertips - enjoy the wonders of the future in your hands now.
I feel like that could be a quote from Epcot or something.

Sixtus

P.S. - This Just In; Sixtus = 1; Newman = 0

Good afternoon.

We have verified that your package is being forwarded to your new address here in Sudbury; the forwarding does have a lag of up to 10 days, so not having it yet is not out of the ordinary. We will deliver it once we receive it.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Postmaster - Sudbury

2/15/73: good stuff

"getting rid of the Albatross" - Public Image Limited

TLEO 2/9/73 is tasty

Looks Like Rain...I have already expressed my opinion of this particular tune

auf Deutsch: "rauchen", not "roachin". but roachin is fun, too.

Here's my stab at cleaning up the artwork:

https://flic.kr/p/2hGfSGd

Ha.. I busted a rib on that one. Well done.

Well, after apparently holding my Dave's 32 for 3 (count 'em) days, they decided to let me have it today. So, sorry but Newman draws a bagel this time. Sixtus, it must be that Massachusetts magic, because I was born in Medford, though have been in Maryland for a loooong time. Can't wait to dig into this one. Everybody enjoy and be safe.

Yep. It's back to Muffin Tops for Newman.

...I feel like I am siding with MrHeartbreak a bit on this one... overall, underwhelmed by disc one, don't know how often I'll be reaching for this particular disc. They seem to get warmed up by the time they get to "Row Jimmy", but kind of forgettable up to that point, IMO. Then a vocally bumpy "Cumberland", a decent "TennJed", "LLR", "El Paso", etc. Just not a lot to write home about. I find a lot of these LONG 73 shows to be similar in this way. It seems like the first half-dozen tunes or so are sloppy, either vocally, lyrically, musically, etc. Dunno. Also, very happy that "Wave That Flag" wasn't around long before it became the (much) superior "US Blues." You can just tell that Jerry isn't convinced he should be singing those lyrics. All in all, not a terrible first disc, not a stellar one. I also know that a lot of it is the flow of the show as a whole, and I am really looking forward to seeing how this goes into that monster-looking disc 3.

I'm glad so many are feeling groovy with it though, and I certainly don't mean to harsh anyone's buzz about it.

That being said, by the time they get to disc 2 and the the "HCS", they are in fine form, and the 1st set closes out strong, with solid versions of that song, "Bobby McGee", "Loser", and a great jammy "Playin'" (Love me some 73 "Playin's"!)

On to set 2 now... they are WAY out of tune during the "China>Rider" transition, but the energy is certainly there. Is that Bobby? It kind of sounds like the piano is out, but it's hard for me to tell. The more I listen, the more I think it's Bobby. Vocals sound good though. Definitely enjoying disc 2 more so far though, tuning issues aside.

All in all, not a top-10 pick yet, but I certainly wouldn't kick it out of bed for eating crackers. Plus, I still have disc 3 to dig into!

Peace

Ooohhh... this "Big River" starts off cooking!
Also, it is criminal that the Stealie-bolt is blocked by the Dave's logo... the artwork is fantastic!

...Jerry's playing on "LLR" is exquisite. Should have actually mentioned that as a standout on disc 1.

Peace

that is priceless, bro

you should like disc 3

plenty of good stuff

Hot damn! Now that is some serious music!

Disc 3, worth the price of admission, just as many before have said. Spending the evening grading papers (quarter 1 grades are due tomorrow... ugh.) Oh well, time to listen to this monster again!

Peace

Wade - Not to worry, I ran your new and improved DaP 32 CD cover art through the Dave's Picks BeardBeGone App (R) TM. It uses the Dave's Picks logo to cover up skeletal facial hair and other unwanted anomolies.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/185387926@N02/shares/y3418U

Tragedy narrowly averted.

Truly lolling

I finally "got" the Dark Star from 10/21/71

Wow.......

Check out 'Almost grown' by Chuck berry on you tube. Can't find a way to put link up.

Called yesterday to see where my Dave's 32 is since I haven't gotten a shipping email. I was told "that it might be shipped in the next two weeks!" Let's say I was the nicest and they skipped me from doing their post call survey. Im a subscriber for many years and my buddy who buys them as they go on sale gets his way before I do. Something isn't right on their end! I will just dig out my Charlie Miller soundboard and enjoy the DEAD!

Thanks for the magic you worked on the Dave's 32 cover art (http://i.imgur.com/3jnNFms.jpg)! Hope maybe you'll share more with us in the future. Bravissimo on you brother!

Glad to hear you're digging Dark Star from DaP 3. I also just recently step this one up from mediocre to excellent in my head. Back on the 4th of July weekend I was playing that game with my family and buddies wear I guess the concert that the song on Sirius Radio is from. It may be some other music Source like Pandora I don't know I don't use that stuff. But this Darkstar came on and I was blown away by it and couldn't figure out what it was, other than two isolated 2 perhaps the 1972 2nd half. Keith piano gave that away. But then I heard sitting on top of the world come on and I knew for sure that point that I had forgotten about the 1971 brief era with Keith. So once again I blew everybody away with my magical Grateful Dead powers.

Of course I like to of course I like to put part 1 and part 2 right next to each other and crossfade them. You can't even tell there used to be something in between them. End up with a nice 17 minute Dark Star. And the vocals sound so good on this one, specially part 2 if I recall accurately.

If you don't have the bonus disc from Road Trips and you have Sirius it is on Row Jimmy..... 46 minute Dark Star soon to be on if you have never heard it!!! Bob t

I just listened to the DaP 32 Dark Star for the first time. Jerry starts strumming those beautiful Wharf Rat chords at the end, then suddenly switches gear and does Sing Me Back Home. Ouch. Big Wharf Rat fan. Not so big a Sing Me Back Home fan. I may have to "fix" that little "problem".

A nice little song, semi-autobiographical.. written while Merle Haggard was in prison contemplating the fate of his cellmate who was sentenced to death by gas. I think it was first sung to his cellmate shortly before he met his maker.

As a fan of Wharf Rat, I like the change up..

I haven't had a chance to give 32 a complete spin yet.. argh.. hopefully it sounds at least as good as I remembered it.

This is one of those songs I try to play for people that think all GD sounds the same, incessant noodling, bad vocals and a stoned out Garcia behind the wheel of a bus to never-ever land.

Sing Me Back Home, A Voice from on High, Cold Jordan, Unbroken Chain (studio).. these songs sort of crush that stereotype (I think?).

An early cover of this song appears on the Everly Brothers album Roots which also included Mama Tried. The Flying Burrito Brothers attempted a recording in 1970, the Byrds also dabbled with it in 69, but both were released much later. I wonder what influenced Garcia's decision to bring it into the GD fold? My guess is Parsons and the Festival Express train ride.. but who knows for sure. Giving this some thought, I bet a lot of that '71 Country feel was heavily influenced on that famed 1970 Train.

Dr.Jim - You've got a lot of catching up to do with that new app of yours! Of course I have considered branching out with my beard applicator to make sure even non-dead heads may come to know the power of the bearded skeleton. Imagine it - high school biology books, Iron Maiden merch, doctor's offices, and then there is (shuddering from excitement) the Halloween industry! The potential really is as far reaching as one's imagination can carry them. Yes sir, I envision that great day in the future when I can turn to all the bearded skeletons and say "yes, we are indeed everywhere!"

I wish you luck with your BeardBeGone App (R) TM, but I do not apologize for that choking sensation you are feeling now; that is just my dust that you are now dining on! - WadeO

This one is for you Keithfan. I have been listening to 11/4/77, Dave's 12, in the car this week. Love the release with the exception of their first Iko Iko. Thank god this got better in the 80s. This one does not do it for me and it is 10 minutes! So slow and the band doesn't really seem to know how they want to play the song.

Have not gotten through all of 32 yet, will have it done by tomorrow night.

Saw your comment Jimbo. I usually reach for Brokedown Palace in my attempts to open people up. Nice factoid on Merle. Lyrical content of SMBH, Black Peter, and China Doll bum me out, so I usually skip. But in my pursuit of best versions, I always give them a once-over.

There was a recent Black Peter, either from 1971 (DaP 22 or 26); or from 1973 (PNW 1st or 3rd show) that was played with unusual greatness. You recall? Dave may have given it a callout in the Seaside chat.

China Doll from DaP 17 - wow. This one comes out of Eyes of the World and both tracks have extraordinarily well sung choruses (and somebody knocks a bottle over on China Doll right next to a mic; this is the perfect accidental "effect" to complement the setting established in the lyrics (i.e. dark, alleyway, with a street light at the other end illuminating a light misty rain). It's maybe not quite a Woodstock sunrise on See Me Feel Me to close out Tommy (what is?), but there's always a little space for the current surroundings to sink into a performance. I used to be into Dave Matthews Band, and there's a live performance of Two Step with thunder crackling in the background as the two minute intro plays out.

Major diversion there. Bottom line is I weaved the Wharf Rat from Baltimore on 3/26 into my DaP 32 after Dark Star. A six second crossfade blends it in almost seamlessly, since the Wharf Rat chords are already in progress at the end of the Dark Star.

Atta boy Deadvikes. Yeah I know what you mean about Iko Iko. My first was alongside 100K at JFK on 7/7/89. But I did get used to the slow versions.

Play France from Shakedown Street album!!!!

Thanks Dave!!! Well done.

Jim, I had no idea Merle was in jail, but yes, heavy lyrics. Disc 3 won't let you down.

Deadvikes, I'm with you on the painfully slow Iko Iko. They play it slowly on Rocking the Cradle too. I haven't put the rest of 11/4 to the test in many months. I will give DaP 32 a break now and put it on.

KeithFan2112, this statement cracked me up when you said, "I weaved the Wharf Rat from Baltimore on 3/26 into my DaP 32 after Dark Star. A six second crossfade blends it in almost seamlessly, since the Wharf Rat chords are already in progress at the end of the Dark Star." I love how you figure if Dick snd Dave can take editorial liberties, then you can too. I don't know if yo remember, but you sent me your version of "Skeleton Skaters" last year, which includes a few songs from the same run. If you're doing that with DaP 33, I'll take one. What did you name that one?

Btw your avatar comes from a poster called Sunshine Daydream that I used to have framed over my fireplace. Skeleton smoking on an island beach, looking out over the ocean, right?

To answer your question Butch, I'm having trouble coming up with a subtitle for this one. Ideas welcome. When I say I'm having trouble, I mean the best I could come up with is "Live at the Spectrum Spring '73".

I remember hearing that on tape in a very special state of mind

It was cool

Ollin Arageed > Fire on the Mountain > Iko Iko

It stings, but hey.. If it's bearded skeletons people want, who I am to interfere.

My tech venture, beardbegone.. it be gone.

Too funny, that first pic completely cracked me up. Thanks for that Wadeocu..

Now, I begone.. back to your previously scheduled Day Job encore.

https://youtu.be/jvOw8w6dOCE

Check our Vince........

Edit:
There’s a close up of him at 14:11

Edit2:
Check out Vince’s hair on this one.

https://youtu.be/rs9wuaVV33I

Now that is some serious stuff. If that song doesn’t move you, you have no soul. Love the WR fake into it on this release.

Thanks for the back story Jim. I never knew it.

Cover songs like SMBH are immortal. She Belongs to Me and Visions of Johanna are in that category.

Well, I FINALLY got through this release in my travels around town, and I have to say, I was shocked by what the actual highlight of the show was for me.

I still stand by my original post noting that Disc 1 is not particularly engaging, though there are some decent highlights. Discs 2-3 hold much more promise, but believe it or not, the unique jam on Disc 3 was not my highlight. Nor was Playing in the Band or even Here Comes Sunshine.

Nope, the absolute hidden gem in this show is the beautiful standalone Stella Blue towards the end of Disc 2. I'm a big Stella Blue fan, and I've always loved the '72-'73 versions with the original lyric "can't keep from cryin.'" Seriously, give this thing another listen. It's just about perfect. Jerry's tone, playing--everything. Freaking awesome.

I'd pay $25 just for this Stella Blue. Sure, there's plenty of great stuff on Disc 3, especially the run from He's Gone through SMBH. A very nice He's Gone with an extended gospel-y outro, a good Truckin' into the jam, and so on. But I'll be going back to that Stella.

Dang, I love this band.

....what's left of it is glorious.
Edit. That Tubes video is somehow..... hypnotic. Vince. Second from stage right. RIP my man.

Love that song! Not a country fan at all, but that song is freakin' awesome! I can understand keithfan on it being a bummer, but how is the terrible tale of August West any more cheerful? I love Wharf, too, so not a knock on that classic.

Also, I'm in agreement on the awesomeness of that Stella Blue. Glad it was placed there and not after Dark Star; as a stand alone, it was a thing of beauty. Haven't gotten to listen to disc 3 yet, but, thus far a good release, nothing mindblowing yet, hopefully that will change with the big jam sequence.

Watching a little Thursday Night Football and they go to commercial with a little Shakedown Street. For you Non Football fans out there the Oakland Raiders are Playing the Los Angeles Chargers

My daughter (age9) and I just finished a movie and I flipped on the Chargers vs Raiders game after. As they were going to commercial they played a short 4-5 second funky musical section of Shakedown, no lyrics. She looks up at me and says “really the Grateful Dead”. I say “yeah you’re right....that’s pretty good, but can you name the song? She smiles and thinks about it...”isn’t it that shakedown song”?

It’s ingrained in her....she can’t help herself! Love her!!!

Edit: Ha Kevin Brandon...just saw your post...also she could not name the date or venue, so there is still work to do.

I am with you on the SMBH being underwhelming. It's not that's its a bad song but it's the story. Merl singing a sad song for a death row inmate? Unless I'm wrong he should have written about the victim of this cretin. I don't know the whole story but if your on death row it's a clue. Sorry if I offended anyone.

I remember watching Sunshine Daydream at Meet Up At the Movies, and being sooooo into the whole film. Then the band broke into Sing Me Back Home, and very shortly thereafter, the tears were streaming down my face. For me it was a wonderful moment. One of the people I was with later mentioned that they cried during that part too.

Copperdome, I initially thought you had removed the color from the Dave's Picks banner, in order to allow more of the art to show through, but in comparing your work to the actual cover, I'm now not seeing much difference? What am I missing?

....game was in the background, but that little tease made me turn my head.

I don't think the song is about the inmate about to be gassed, it's about a friend singing his last song to the inmate that is about to be gassed.

"Let my guitar-playing friend do my request" The friend being haggard.

So it's more about the third person in the room (Haggard) and his feelings.. more of a requiem. A moment of reflection and remembrance. At least that's my take on the lyrics.

Not that there's much good that goes on in San Quinten.. Haggard was in for I think armed robbery, but it was a life changing moment.. he decided he didn't want to die in prison and turned his life around, and as far I know did not continue with a life of crime.

I think that's the point of the song. Poignant and soul felt. Nothing good about it except perhaps change and later (hopefully) redemption.

But the emotional content is there.. and that's what attracts me.

Not that you have to like it.. quite raw and honest. It's not really GD like except for the emotional content. ..sometimes that's all it takes.

That’s the whole point. Summed up in a single word.

That's why we all love this band.

That’s why SMBH is such a great song.

That's why ice hockey is such a great sport and why squeakball is such bullshit.

Sorry for the rant. Just being honest.

By the way, put me in the fan category for China Doll and LLR. China Doll is a classic. And shamefully I must admit that I prefer the 80s versions of LLR with the rolling thunder effects and Garcia’s guitar mimicking rain.

I think your right,man. I sometimes come to conclusions on bad people. My sister was a victim of rape many years ago and I have a hatred of all scum since. It's made me bitter of all criminals. I listen to the dead to mellow me out and sometimes the memory comes back. Sorry for the grim story.

Sing Me Back Home…. never heard a version like that before! Coming out of the astral netherlands and sung six miles high rather than the usual six feet under. A much, much different take on the song. I can’t help but think having it segued from an atypically short Dark Star was in honor of Pigpen, as he had just a bit too much salt in his blood to carouse with the band’s usual psychedelic sojourns.

As for the open improv after Truckin’, this is what I found on my flow pad this morning while eating my eggs:

Truckin>

Don’t Step on the Caution>
Keith’s Doorbell Jangle>
The Other… What?>
All Man’s Bass n Drums>
And Another Other… What?>
Jerry’s Sunshined Tomatoes>
Spiced Out Gazpacho>
Slow Waltz with the Glyphic Mayans>

Dark Star

Wow, now that's some heavy stuff. So sorry to hear this, senseless useless and devastating. Nothing good about armed robbery either but what your family went through is on a whole different level. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been for all involved.

Love this version. Long and a little grainy. For me however it doesn't top the version from 5/26/72, the last night in Europe. Venetta version, agree with Deadheadbrewer, is another top one for the band.
So many good ones, we are lucky to have all this great music.

KCJ, good to hear you daughter is absorbing your habit. Same thing going on at my house, my daughter likes to sing Brown Eyed Women, Bertha, Let the good times roll. So great!

....after like 5 or 6 listens to that ridiculously amazing Jam coming out of Truckin', I am pretty convinced in my own little world that the entire jam is actually a Dark Star in disguise. I can say this factually by noting that at 36 seconds into the track, you can ever so slightly hear Jerry play the Dark Star notes one single time...then at around 43 seconds there is another, even fainter reference to the theme (I couldn't quite figure out who it was though).

Based on this observation, I shall dub this jam 'Dark Star' in my mind. It then of course bookends quite nicely into an actual mini-foray of the spectacle itself, more than 22 minutes later.

Quite happy with this release and glad it arrived despite going off the beaten path a bit.

Housewarming Party tomorrow night, casa de Six. Who's around?

-Sixtus

maybe it's about "the prisoner" feeling insane amounts of regret (yeah, shouldn'ta offed someone in the first place), as they see the big sleep approach.

anyway

I have been listening to 4/17/71 for the first time in a loooooong time (old copy has pops and distracting noises, new copy is clean). Classic April 71 GD.

I have a coworker who likes the GD. I have given him a bunch of my old shows that I have multiple copies of. The other day he expressed interest in more, but "no more 71". Ha.

So I gave him unofficial copies of 7/8/78, 7/5/78, 12/31/76, and some others.

PS: A tip of the hat to people who are braver than me, and can stand up on Veterans Day as veterans. My father-in-law was a veteran (missed being sent to Korea back in the early 50s, thank goodness). When we said farewell to him this past summer, he got a military salute before internment in the vault.

Y'all be cool, Bob.

Jam and Dark Star are all one big Dark Star to me. There's even a Spanish Jam in there. I've taken things a step further than just crossfading the Baltimore Wharf rat on to the end of Dark Star. I have put Dark Star before and after Jam and crossfaded them into each other so it sounds like a normal dark star that has the beginning verse the jam and then the ending verse. Cheap thrills but it works for me. Sing Me Back Home then comes in after Wharf rat and also crossfades nicely. So I've added wharf-rat to the repertoire of this show. Kind of like I added Here Comes sunshine to Skeleton Skaters. Now if I can just find somewhere to Squeeze Inn that Birdsong from 3/16/73..... I usually dig it after Promised Land oh, like the way they open Dick's Picks 36. I know people are getting ready to help me with rotten tomatoes and desiccated eggs. I'm not even sure if that's a word but Keith Moon said it in the kids are alright so it must be cool. If I had to pick one rock and roller who I'd like to spend the day with it would be Keith Moon.