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    clayv
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    Just like the singular Cornell, just like the one later called Sunshine Daydream, just like hallowed Hampton, DeKalb stands legend on its own as one of the most sensational performances the Grateful Dead ever did do. Early tape-trading circles earmarked the show as upper-echelon and when you have a listen, we're sure you'll be inclined to agree. The original reel-to-reel recordings have been shined and polished to perfection, showcasing mighty fine fret work, sparkling keys, and unparalleled harmonies. In fact, we can hardly pick favorites - from start to finish, there's just too much good stuff!

    Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 33: EVANS FIELD HOUSE, N. ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DEKALB, IL 10/29/77 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

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

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  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Ticketbastard

    $53.30 in fees for Roger Waters.
    WTF?!

    I haven’t seen a concert since D&C in Nov. 2017, so I dropped the coin for Waters and got a floor seat by the SBD.
    Could be his last tour?

  • FiveBranch
    Joined:
    August 1 1994

    About the only East Coast show I missed that summer. Figures. For the rest, I remember more the surrounding experience of being at them rather than the actual music. But Jerry's tone on Bolt was incredible, like he was shooting pinpoints of light wherever he so desired.

    One '94 show I do remember though, like it was yesterday, was March 21, Richfield. During the second set it felt like I was in a small theater for 700 rather than an arena of 20000. They closed the circuit that night!

  • bob t
    Joined:
    Looking for an anniversary show to listen while you wait for 33

    Check out the Uptown Theatre 1/31/78 show.... First Scarlet>Fire in 13 shows!!! Or check out the night before for the Eyes of the World>Stella Blue>Franklin's Tower run.... The week off of intense touring helped Jerry's laryngitis!! Have a good weekend everyone.. bob t

    Edit: Well my Dekalb show wasn't suppose to be here until Monday, I checked the shipping status that it had arrived at the town's post office via UPS a few hours ago and was supposed to be delivered tomorrow. Just went to post office and picked it up..

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    8/1/94

    Was one of only 3 we saw that year, but definetly the best one. Cool set list and definitely some great moments, but to me, buy then, that’s all there were moments. Have to qualify that with the fact that I only saw 7 shows the last 3 years, and of course the recordings of other shows are proof that they still could play some good shows, just not as consistently....
    My recollection was that Vermont kinda sucked, the first night in Detroit was good and Jers Bday was even better.
    Thanks for the link, I’ll have to give that one a listen...been going through and trying to hear all the shows i was at but never heard recordings of. I’m up to spring 87 so far...

  • Oroborous
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    Re: Deadvikes

    Would love to see the notes. 87/88 was a transitional year for me as well as the band. After the big guy went down we were stoked for 87 spring tour, and though it was awesome to see him/them (the energy was nuts), it started to become apparent that musically things were different....the go for it “riding the luge” energy was gone, and thus imho they weren’t going for it or jamming as much. Instead, they were tighter and more relaxed/polished then the previous few years. Some folks like that better, which is cool, I didn’t. Like I’ve said, I like my Dead loose and dirty...
    At first we were just ecstatic that they were back still at it! But as time progressed, this became a problem for me. We went to Hampton, Harshford, Philly, and had tix for Woooooster, but sold em for various reasons, but mostly because we just weren’t felling it, something was missing? Summer was Alpine, Wonderland, Crotchfester, and Fox borough, with more of the same, while at the same time the crowds/vibe was changing. Alpine was a shit show (I believe that was when the modified the hill/lawn area to sell more tix?) Don’t get me wrong, I still had a great time and there were great moments and hey, it’s still the Grateful gull dang fuggin Dead. But I had been a eat, sleep, shit DH for over 10 years at that point and was starting to feel like the cost/benefit ratio of going all over the place, and the compromises, was starting to slip a bit. That combined with the venues named for the fall tour had me for the first time not wanting to go...(never went to the big city shows for various reasons).
    So by spring 88 we were itching to check things out and see if anything had changed? So Hampton, and specifically that 3/27/88 show was a nice surprise, like a homecoming of sorts. Things progressed nicely through summer, though still a little white bread for this freak. Fall saw one random serendipitous Rectum show on 9/8/88 which was nice, then we did the Florida shows in October. Don’t recall the shows being all that, but boy it sure was fun down there, many good stories etc. Years later I got to hear the Miami show and it’s pretty good, better than I recalled. The St Pete’s shows I’ve only heard one set so far but it didn’t change my opinion.....sorry to ramble, the point is there was a musical progression going on, along with the eventual settling of the scene after all the hoopla of 87, that finally seemed to coalesce nicely as we rolled into 89....
    Funny thing as many here have discussed over the years, but listening back now, I like 87 much more now then at the time. It reminds me of 77 in many ways; tight, precise, lots of new tunes, but lacking the huge jams I love so much, and the daredevil seat of the pants edge that sometimes led to the X factor, and other times train wrecks..
    But it’s all GOGD to me!

    69 Vikes: I was way into the Vikes back then as a wee lad, especially loved Alan Page! I was so into them I got the Chefs/Viks electric football game for Xmass! Was crushed when they lost.

  • Thats_Otis
    Joined:
    A Whole Lotta Molly

    TDIGDH - "Molly Dee" rehearsals - 1983

    I have never heard of this tune until today, but it is a Robert Hunter penned song that the Dead never adopted (though it seems from reading the comments on the archive that it has been performed by Hunter and Mickey...)

    Anyway, this is just a bunch of tracks of the boys rehearsing this bubbly, bouncing little tune, and damn is it catchy! You also get to hear some studio chatter, which I always enjoy. Makes for cool background music. The first two tracks are the best, but poking around is fun too!

    The lyrics that Hunter wrote are posted in the comments on LMA.

    https://archive.org/details/gd83-01-31.sbd.miller.21265.sbeok.shnf/gd83…

    Happy Friday, DeadLand! May your football team be victorious - mine was not :o(

    Peace

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    8-1-94

    I was there.
    Jerry’s bday and there was a huge happy bday banner to sign in the parking lot before the show, then they brought it inside, and may have hung it from the upper level. I think that the crowd also sang happy bday.

    The Jam (all band members onstage) between Space and Watchtower was pretty cool.

    I’ve had a SBD of Set 2 for years but never saw a SBD of Set 1 in circulation.

  • JeffSmith
    Joined:
    CopperDomeBodhi's Cover Art

    Here's the link to the excellent scan that Copperdome did and posted earlier (1/25).
    https://i.imgur.com/8ztm2Wr.jpg

    I think the torch has passed – I used to rush to cobble together cover art from scans of the CD's & post them here , but CopperDomeBodhi's quicker (no Mail "Innovations" for him?) and his corrections are smoother. Nice! Now, if my Dave's will just show up! . . . Onward.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    wuss alert

    Stoltzfus - I prefer to think of myself as a sensitive guy, rather than a wuss. Its not true, but I prefer to think of myself that way.
    On the way out of Wembley after the first set, I passed a guy outside who asked me if I had a spare ticket - so I gave him mine. So all was not lost.

    Incidentally, that's quite a poignant question, asking me if I live in Europe. I do, but only just. This is actually my last day in Europe, as Britain are leaving at midnight tonight. My neighbour, who has never heard of the Dead (or the Pink Fairies-I can tell just by looking at her), thinks this is a good thing.

  • CaseyJanes
    Joined:
    My Wodge

    My Wodge has arrived and is ripping now...number 15,738. One good thing about no filler is that the second disc rips very quickly...

    Just about ready to rock!

    Does anyone have the link to the artwork?...I remember someone posting but I didn’t save it.

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Just like the singular Cornell, just like the one later called Sunshine Daydream, just like hallowed Hampton, DeKalb stands legend on its own as one of the most sensational performances the Grateful Dead ever did do. Early tape-trading circles earmarked the show as upper-echelon and when you have a listen, we're sure you'll be inclined to agree. The original reel-to-reel recordings have been shined and polished to perfection, showcasing mighty fine fret work, sparkling keys, and unparalleled harmonies. In fact, we can hardly pick favorites - from start to finish, there's just too much good stuff!

Limited to 22,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 33: EVANS FIELD HOUSE, N. ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DEKALB, IL 10/29/77 has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman.

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

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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That's right, I have this show as sbd on 2 cdr.
CD 1 - first set + opener second set
CD 2 - second set continues + encore

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Big '77 fan here. I have them all and it's my most listened to year.

BUT, I was wondering, am I the only '77 fan who does not "get" DeKalb?

It's one I don't play a lot, seems kind of stiff sounding, and missing that fluidity and the mellow yet powerful vibe of '77. Best live Might As Well suggests the sleeve notes? Really??! We all hear with different ears but this lacks the bounciness and fun of a decent Might.

To these ears there are better versions of all the songs in the shows around this, before and after.

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Yes, you are the only person who does not "get" Dekalb :) I suggest getting in the right frame of mind and give it a few more tries.
One of my favorite 2nd sets ever. Eyes rivals Englishtown imo.

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I would agree - great second set. Before receiving this pick, most of the more memorable comments I read praised up the first set more. Consequently, when I heard it ...its good, but...up until the final track WRS, it didn't quite meet my expectations.The second set though, features some great jamming - the links between Eyes and St.Stephen and St Stephen and NFA are worth the price of admission alone.

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... anyone remember or have this old release. I gave it a spin for old times sake. Still enjoyable after all these rears! 🙏❤️😎💀🌹
Grateful Dead Lp For The Faithful Live 1980 Acoustic Reckoning Radio City

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In reply to by daverock

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Dekalb is a good show.. and I believe Thin was being a bit benevolently facetious :D, this has been a long time favorite of his.

There is more than a thread of truth in his comment of being in the right mood to absorb a show. I am sometimes distracted and even repeat listens don't allow me to open up in the way it takes.... It has taken me years to finally get shows that are long time favorites of many here. Sometimes things just don't speak to me immediately, sometimes I get it years later providing that delayed aha moments, sometimes I never get shows that others praise. That's just the way it is.

Plus.. I can speak for myself, my tastes have changed over the years.

I have learned to trust myself less and try not to judge because tomorrow never knows and something previously unloved might just grab me in a way I did not expect.

Pete's point is well taken. I wonder how in general it compares to #29, The Swing?

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I consider myself lucky that it only took three weeks for my first purchase from this site to arrive and what a great show for me to start with! I particularly like the Looks Like Rain and Black Peter on here but they're all good versions of great songs. While Dave seems to have a lot of favorite shows "from his tape trading days" he's definitely right about this one!

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Dap 33-3rd disk really smokes. Play it while doing something at your desk and you will realize "wow, this is some heavy shit. A little jasmine incense helps the mood quite a bit too. Peace. P.S. some beer too.

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Yeah it appears one of them is even a BOTanist. I might have to check out that website...maybe some good afghanny kind...yum!

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In reply to by CaseyJanes

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I forgot about the bots and my anti-bot post. It looks like MaryE and her crack team have deleted those posts, a big win for dead.net and a big loss for count Vlad.

Just thought I'd post a little refresher so it doesn't looks like KCJanes is off his rocker. (well, he is off his rocker, but in no way is the previous post indicative of his mental state, he is just referring to a post that is no longer there).

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Superb release. while i can say i have enjoyed listening to several shows by Dead&Co, Jerry shows his strengths in this dekalb show to make for a good contrast with John's style in D&C.

Jerry is a master of letting the rest of the band get their musical style points in, even while he solos, though everyone is soloing in their own way. When Jerry cranks it up he is "accenting" an entire jam section, as much as he is "leading" the band with a "solo". especially the Good Lovin, Jer just crushes it but isn't necessarily doing a solo run of notes, but strikes where everyone else leaves an opening (OR JER FINDS THE OPENING), yet he is in the pocket or riding high above the herd, or even swinging a wee bit low. Just a stunner of a "solo" break in Good Lovin. You expect him to sound one way yet he comes in or lays back in his own unique way. Just an enjoyable stretch of music. Black Peter also has that approach but in Jer's blues mode. Alot of techniques in one song that are not just note runs.

Mayer, while i give him alot of credit for what he is doing with D&C, I feel until this last year, he feels he needs alot of note runs, which isn't a bad thing and he has GREAT tone, but i think it has been until recently he is starting to realize that he doesn't always have to be chicken-picking away. Maybe because the older members are not in their prime like in 77 and dont have that huge popcorn-rolling thunder sound, that John feels he has to fill the audio with so many notes. do not want to sound too negative. I have enjoyed listening to several of D&C's shows, but usually they are the shows that John takes a breath and doesn't feel he needs to be on continual solo mode. More of his attitude to soloing needs to be like when he does blues songs in DC.

in DP 33, Jerry does some great sustained power chord "slides", notes/phrases that hang in the air, or slice sideways-parallel, while the rest of the band do their own solos, whether on bass, drums or rhythm. Jer notes are also just as much"shimmering", even more so than "runs" or "fast". Not every song has to be Big River polka picking (though nothing at all wrong with Jer's polka picking ;) ....

Peace.

LED...interesting post. I have never heard John Mayer, I have to admit, although I have heard plenty of Jerry. I seem to remember reading somewhere...God knows where...that Jerry once said that when soloing he followed, and took inspiration from what the others were playing. He disputed the notion that he was a "lead guitarist", or a leader in any sense of the word, but was simply responding to musical statements made by others.

If this is so, and I haven't just imagined it, then this suggests that Jerry was serving the music, and not letting the music serve him. Maybe the most effective and compelling musicians are those that can do this. Its not always easy to recognise who can and cannot, either. We can all learn flashy licks, but to truly loose yourself in musical communication is something else entirely. Maybe the difference between the two approaches is the difference between music as entertainment and music as art.

I always liked the statement by Keith Richards that there is no such thing as "lead" guitar playing. There is just guitar playing.

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In reply to by daverock

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Ok , so I got my copy eventually last week , though not after some digging around on the UPS website . Though I have to say that all though it was still shrink wrapped I’ve bought better condition second hand daves previously on eBay . It had the air of something that had definitely been around the block ( disks fine BTW ) . Anyone else this side of the pond have the same ?
Mainland and us sad saps in the UK .
Stay save all and don’t cough on each other .
😺😺😺😺

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In reply to by perithecat

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Peri....no, it must be at least 4 weeks since this was delivered here in Lowestoft. And it was in pristine condition when it arrived. I had to go to the depot to pay customs charges before it was released into my care, but apart from that all was good.

Its hard to tell with health at the moment when its best to stay at home and start worrying. I feel a bit rundown at the moment - oh no - I've got the dreaded lurgey!

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My copy is defective. I asked over a month ago for a replacement, which they promised. They still have not sent one and keep putting me off by email. OVER A MONTH!!! What can I do? Nothing. They know they have a monopoly so they can get away with THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE!

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It is March 15, 2020 and have not received my two copies of Dave's Pick's Volume #33?
Customer service is getting worse and worse every time I pre-order or purchase anything!!!!
Does Dave even know how bad it really is??? I mean I cough up money for pre-order and then
get NOTHING!!! No e-mails explaining the problem nothing. I feel like I'm getting ripped off!!!
Very sad!! Dave needs to know how bad this is!! I wish I knew how to reach out to him to tell him in person because this is bad!!! Might have to get lawyer involved.

So this is my e-mail to "The Grateful Customer Service"
Pretty funny if you ask me: Send you out a "replacement Copy"
They didn't even read my e-mail. I got two subscriptions, one for me and
one for my nephew. This is the first time I ever got two subscriptions since
So a week after the release I still did not get e-mail telling me they shipped volume #33
So I reached out to them and this is their response:

February 05,2020
Hello TIM,
Thank you for your email.
We are currently awaiting a quantity of Dave's Picks Vol. 33 numbered stock to arrive at the Rhino office.
Upon receipt, we will send a copy to you.Based upon recent advisements, we hope to receive this stock within the next 4 weeks.
We are very sorry for the delay and inconvenience.
Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Dead.net Store Support
We value your feedback! Please CLICK HERE to rate your customer service experience.

So on March 15, 2020 I reached out to them again. This is my e-mail:

Ok!
today is March 15th!!! It has been MORE THAN 4 weeks!!!!
I would like to be informed or shed some light on where my two copies
of volume #33 are!!! Any response would be better than none at all??

Is this going to happen next week when I'm expecting my 2 -1976 box sets??

Tim Dobert

Response:
Hello TIM,
Thank you for your email.
We are currently working with our warehouse to ship you out a replacement copy of Dave’s Picks Volume 33.
We are very sorry for the delay and inconvenience.
Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Dead.net Store Support
We value your feedback! Please CLICK HERE to rate your customer service experience.

I feel like I have been scammed $200.00.
Daniel didn't even really read my e-mail. He said he would send out a replacement copy.
The best part is at the bottom of their e-mail:
We value your feedback! Please CLICK HERE to rate your customer service experience.
WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!!

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what the Doc can do.
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I feel real bad about what I said about customer service.
I got a big reality check today about what is going on in our world today.
My issues should be the least of anybody's worries. I'm very sorry.
Please everybody take care of your self. Think positive. We will get through this.
Cheers. Tim

Not that I am in apposition to accept or reject apologies...or influence things in any way. But I would like to say don't worry, and hopefully you are well stocked with plenty of Dead to see you through these troubled times.

Hi Tim, I am guessing you are UK based ? Have you received your DP33 yet as there is no sign of mine anywhere and now getting kind of anxious, small fry compared to what is going on elsewhere but just kind of curious to know if I am the only one without a copy?

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MaryE....can you help me? I ordered DaPick subscription. I moved in January and did not update my address until Feb 3rd. I emailed Dead customer service the first week of February 2020 and updated my current mailing address. Customer service replied, stating a copy would be delivered to me in four to six weeks. I never received Da 33. I emailed Customer service again about a week ago. They said, due to Covid-19 they are unable to ship. Do you know when I might be receiving my copy? I totally understand that things are slow due to Mother Earth needing to heal while we relax at home/work from home....hope you are well, safe, healthy, and peaceful. Stay bright!

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What the Doc has to say about this...
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I received my copy if DaPicks #34 in the mail today but no bonus disc, do y'all know if that is being shipped seperately??

Cheers

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In reply to by smorris101

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....did you subscribe? If yes, then it comes with the pick. If ala cart, it's not included.

I wouldn't be hard on yourself. They've been having delivery problems for past 2 years or so. I've started getting the subscription delivered to me overseas, and then the Picks I really can't live without - I'll have one shipped direct to my sister in the USA. Easy to blame covid - but reality is these problems been going on a while now (I still never got my Vol. 29). When you can eventually get Rhino to respond properly - they do a good job at trying to make amends.. but it's ridiculous they've allowed this to go on so long.

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Exchanged a few emails with customer service. Last one was 2 months ago and I was assured that I would be updated with any new information. Is no news good news?? On the plus side, I got #34 last week and it's better than I hoped it would be!

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In reply to by Vguy72

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I was expecting to receive this, too, since it is in the Track Listing with no caveat -- which I now discover they only included on the Product Description tab -- not exactly fair and righteous! You know, it pays to act fast if you want one of these, so once I checked the Track Listing, I just went ahead and placed my order based on that. And that bonus disc is a deal breaker for me this time around. But rather than just (try to) return it, since it's sold out, I'll be looking for someone who might want to buy it directly from me. I don't even know if there's a direct contact method in here, but if anyone is interested in buying the basic 3-disc set, see if you can get in touch with me and we'll work something out. Thanks for listening!

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DP33 -- great playing but to me late 77 is the beginning of Keith becoming irrelevant to the sound. The problem being that the Yamaha electric grand he started to use from Autumn 77 simply doesn't cut it as far as I'm concerned. Weedy sound -- muddles too much with the rhythm guitar, no real dynamics.

It just annoys me how awful it sounds - ps I am a pianist :)

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... I used to think Jerry played his electric guitar like an Acoustic guitar, and sometimes Vice versa! I am a DeadHead & BrainDead! 😅💀🌹

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It it obvious that your new shipping methods DON'T WORK! Why can't you deliver this on time any more? Ever since the Grateful Dead sold out, service has gone down hill! PLEASE FIX THE PROBLEM!

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In reply to by ChinaMattSunflower

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In the days when the Grateful Dead ran the business, I never had any problems! I think it criminal that this company treats us like shit! When you pre-order, you are being USED for venture capital! Basically they are using your money to produce the product! In the past, they use to reward us for this by delivering the product you paid for, on or before the sale date! Now it seams that greed has taken over and any thank you is gone! Please give us the support we are paying for!

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In reply to by hendrixfreak

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I just tried posting a note about Dave's Pick's 36 over there - but I am too challenged here , uh let's say 'technically challenged' to go back and finish the thought there (after a keyboard slip killed my connection) . . . Where was I? Searched by date again and found a few more of us who were there and other fans of the show.

I was there. Start to finish - the whole show has the little gems. Sparkles. Bird Song that night is always a favorite show memory. David Lemieux is saying how his 3-26-87 Bird Song is the best played/recorded performance, and hearing it on DaP #36 I'd allow that. If that'd been the Bird Song I'd first seen, I would put it at the top of the list too.

I don't have an opinion about best all time song rendition (of anything) because it's too hard to listen to all the tapes!

Even if it weren't so hard (like if you are the archivist for the band), then the recording quality is going to become more of a factor in your choice. And there can be no (or little) doubt the about it: This new Dave's Picks Vol 36, 3-26-87, speaking from the sonic point of view, has it all over the 1981 boards, which were very dry and sometimes roughly mixed. In 1981 I'm not sure the band wasn't mastering the boards only to HQ cassette, and there were seeders a tree - sometimes gaps happened downward the branch, but even top deck on a chain is a step down from 7 or 10 inch Open Reel etc.

12-26-81 Oakland Civic Auditorium.

Well, my dupe of the Jim P. audience master tape, has served me very well - it still amazes me.
Side A has Boss Man, Bird Song and Big RR Blues. I had to check the list. Boss Man and Big RR Blues. Same set. Side two, Some Drums, w the "A Day at the Dentist" space into Eleven Jam, Truckin'... My tape cut Black Peter, but still... Some fun. I guess Jerry had the blues that night -- I had to check my memory runnin' some old kind of trick... Boss Man and Big RR Blues! But that Big Boss Man, I just read they only did it the once with Garcia on lead Vocs?
Wow - I didn't know that.

I have always enjoyed 12-26-81. My C-60 always sounded just like the show to me. (at least when I had a good stereo set up)
The tapers I knew back then had developed a three mic set up and used a pre-amp on the phantom channel, (or was the the xy pair)--they employed a sweetener on the low end - and 1981 they were experimenting with DBX to extend total dynamic range. Not perfected yet but close...

It was really hard to make your copy of the master tapes - they output real clean at average or low volume, so one was tempted to boost input - then as the band peaked you'd get over saturation, which can cause distortion (even on cassettes) and you'd get tape more hiss if you didn't boost.
People use input limiters, and signal compression, (now available as various digital plug-ins for various mastering platforms), all the time for pro remastering now, but back then, you came with your tape blanks and deck and get jacked directly to the output bus if there was one, or straight in the back of the next deck in the sequence if they didn't even have a bus.
Well - I sort of , I guess I kind of miss taping parties.

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