During the mid-1970s, the Grateful Dead saga was unfolding like a Greek classic. The Sisyphean Wall Of Sound had nearly broken the band. From it spawned a Medusa head of countless side projects, all deliciously fruitful but woefully not the same as the whole. The chorus lay in wait, pondering the reemergence of their heroes, and wondering if "THE LAST ONE" had really been it...
But in early 1976, Apollonian light and healing would shine upon our intrepid wanderers once again. No more epic battles for the people with cops and lines and tightness, the Dead would return triumphant in smallness, playing intimate theaters and renting equipment along the way. No more ticket scams and greedy promoters, they'd give back with first ever mail-order ticket program, one that had a few kinks to work out but eventually served the fans well.
Musically, June 1976 signaled a Golden Age of harmony and prosperity for the Dead. It marked an Odysseusian-like return for Mickey Hart. Donna Jean was in lock-step with the sirens' call. Jerry and Bob delivered orphic delight with solo musings like "Mission In The Rain" (the only tour they ever played it on), "The Wheel," and "Cassidy," emboldened by group effort. There was fresh repertoire from Blues For Allah, breathing new life to the Dead's continually morphing sound - as Weir once said of the '76 tour, they wanted to play "a little bit of all of it." Old favorites were re-envisioned with cascading tempos and unique sequencing, making the crowd question if they'd ever heard these songs before. And there was comfort and joy in the familiarity of watching the band make it up as they went along. By all means, it was clear that the bacchanalia of live Dead would reign on.
And now the revelry from this epoch, evidenced by the near-studio quality sound captured on two-track live recordings by Betty Cantor-Jackson, lives on, bolstered by Jeffrey Norman's HDCD mastering. It's housed for posterity in a handsome box featuring original art work by Justin Helton. It’s documented in liners by Jesse Jarnow and photos by Grant Gouldon. And it’s ready for a spot on your shelf.
As part of our pre-order for this Dead.net exclusive boxed set, we'll be delivering downloads of each listening party - one for each show included in JUNE 1976 - to purchasers from now until the March 20th release. Order at any time before release and you'll receive all the listening parties to date.
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition of 12,000
What's Inside:
- 5 Previously Unreleased Complete Shows On 15 Discs
- Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA 6/10/76
- Boston Music Hall, Boston, MA 6/11/76
- Beacon Theatre, New York, NY 6/14/76
- Beacon Theatre, New York, NY 6/15/76
- Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ 6/19/76
- Sourced from Two-Track Master Tapes, Recorded By Betty Cantor-Jackson
- Mastered in HDCD by Jeffrey Norman
- Restoration and Speed Correction by Plangent Processes
Sideways Jack Straw
Remember those discussions from a few years ago?
We have lift off
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpxS_itwrZQ2FtbQli7Qi0Q
Uploading video is really slow, this will take a few days to get everything uploaded.
Better Call Saul!!
I love Better Call Saul and can't wait for the next season to be aired. Likewise, Sideways and Midnight Run are great fun too!!
Sam Rockwell, Better Call Saul, and Wichita
Have always loved Sam Rockwell. First paid attention to him in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (speaking of underrated movies, GREAT adaptation of great chunks of the story), then found out later that I had seen him in The Green Mile as Wild Bill. The guy is an excellent actor, and I just watched Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and was blown away. The Way Way Back is one I happened on on Netflix, and was surprised when I saw him, and it was a good movie, especially for the summer vacation-coming of age genre.
Better Call Saul is, I think, the best show on tv. Far better than Breaking Bad was, and the way AMC and the Emmys and Golden Globes have treated it is shameful. No major acting awards, and AMC delayed this current season a whole year so they could have two more Walking Dead seasons and a Fear the Walking Dead. How Michael McKean and Bob Odenkirk haven't snagged any Emmys while Aaron Paul got 4 in a row is an indicator of why awards shows are so ridiculous.
Lastly, to brother Jim, glad you had that Eureka moment with Wichita! I can't really explain why it's probably still my favorite DaP, the setlist isn't outside the norm for the time, the biggest jam isn't a proper Other One, but something about it just clicks for me. And there is just something about those 11/17 shows. They're so good, the '73 one DaP 5 is my third favorite of the November 17 trio behind '72 and '71 DaP 26. The great filler on disc 3 doesn't hurt Wichita's case, either.
Alvarhanso
Yup. I completely agree that Better Call Saul is superior to Breaking Bad. In my opinion, it is by far the best show on television right now. Especially since Silicon Valley is no longer in the mix.
The photography, directing and writing are unmatched. I’ll be very disappointed when it comes to an end next year.
Sam Rockwell, up until recently, has always seemed to have played sort of fringe roles. A great actor though. Three billboards was a good movie, but I wasn’t blown away by it. Moon was another of his movies that was decent.
I don’t worry too much about Better Call Saul not getting any awards. It’s kind of like the Grateful Dead. People who enjoy it are really into the show, but it is clearly not for everybody. The Dead were are arguably the greatest rock band ever assembled on this planet. They never won any god damn trophies. But, Milli Vanilli has one.
04520 arrives on schedule!
Deliveries from dead.net usually arrive in Regina, SK like clock-work, two weeks after I receive the delivery notice, plus or minus a day. The delivery notice for June '76 arrived March 17th and the box arrived today - exactly two weeks. I have been very lucky compared to some on this site, whose delivery travesities have been well documented previously and unfortunately are still ongoing. Of course Canada Customs collected the CDN$28 Duty on the "importation of goods" in advance which has to be paid before the box is released. Unfortunate, but part of the process in Canada. You pay the gov and move on.
Unfortunately the virus numbers are proportionately the same in Canada [ Population Canada: 37.59M (2019); Popolation U.S.A.: 327.2M (2018)], as they are south of the 49th, be it layoffs, confirmed cases, or deaths. Terrifying stuff.
But enough with Donnie Downer! S76 has arrived and 6/10/76 is set-up and ready to go. Good health to you and yours, and hunker down and stay safe.
Interesting
I also think Better Call Saul is pretty much the best thing going right now, but I'm surprised you guys find it better than Breaking Bad. There's something missing....hard to put a finger on it. Maybe it's moment like these :D
Breaking Bad was great!
And Saul Goodman was a great character in it so i'm glad this spin-off show is on TV.
Here is another show I really like and is well worth watching: Sneaky Pete.
Holy Shit
I saw the half mention to Better Call Saul earlier, to which I silently nodded in agreement.. but if we tangent to Breaking Bad.. the single best TV Drama perhaps ever produced... well...
No time to pontificate now.. and it will take me at least a couple minutes to make a GD connection, but come tomorrow I am all in.
Breaking Bad is the TV Series equivalent to Dark Star. Just saying.
Phish is having a listening party....
....for their new record tomorrow. On April 1st. Fuckin assholes.
Breaking Bad
I never stopped liking Walt. Everything he did was inexorably logical.
And to JiminMD, just wanted to say, hey, being the third is not a guarantee of wealth and prestige. At least not when coupled with a lack of ambition and a heightened aptitude for leisure anyway. The data I've collected on this is pretty conclusive.
III'rd
Charlie.. completely agree.
But the first name of Thurston pretty much guarantees billionaire status by the early 20's, and how many times have you strolled into a bar and said, Thurston, draw me a pint. (note, might come with the unintended side effect of un-pardonable financial crimes and incurable std's, but hey.. who's counting).
I have made peace with my parents for not birthing me into a life of carefree aristocracy. It took years of therapy and hundreds of listens to Black Peter, but I am ok now.
Shipping to Europe - tracking update
According to UPS tracking, my package departed the international carrier facility in the United States yesterday morning. I assume (I hope) that this means that it is currently winging its way across the pond. At least it is moving rather than gathering dust on a shelf.
Shipping to Europe
SIMOROB,
like I posted earlier. My copy has arrived Germany last Saturday, March 28, and left US on March, 23.
Status saying it is at the local carrier, wich should be the regular Postal Service. No movement since.
I wait in patience and looking forward for the box to arrive.
Best Wishes!
When do you get back to back Promised Lands 4/1/80
If you have never listened check out Capitol Theatre show.. Bob on keyboards, Brent and Jerry on drums, Bill on bass, Mickey on rhythm guitar and vocals, Phil on lead guitar and vocals...
Recent viewing and listening
On tv we have been working our way through streaming ‘Buffy the vampire slayer’. We’re into season six. On the actual tv channels we watched the repeat of Howard Goodall’s ‘Sgt Pepper’s Musical Revolution’ and a more recent documentary where the Eel Pie Island Music scene in the late fifties and early sixties was explored, mainly looking at the trad jazz and British blues scenes. Both of these documentaries were on the BBC.
I thought ‘Breaking Bad’ was a great series but I still prefer ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘The Wire’
For movies we’ve being going for escapism, last 5 were
John Wick 1 - 3.
The Fifth Element
My Neighbour Totoro.
The last 5 cds I returned to my intention yesterday to listen to mainly guitar based music.
02/28/86 - Jerry Garcia & John Kahn. The concert sound like the people on stage were enjoying themselves and Jerry was in good voice.
Red Cross - John Fahey
Have Moicy - Michael Hurley etc. Not purely guitar but such an uplifting album
Snake’s Pass and other human conditions - MV & EE. Although it isn’t on this album I recommend their version of ‘For the turnstiles’.
Kensington Blues - Jack Rose. A great guitarist who, unfortunately, died more than 10 years ago aged only 38.
Colin Gould /2/28/86 / Garcia, Khan
Colin, I went to that Garcia, Khan show,it was excellant! After the show, we drove across the Richmond San Rafeal Bridge over to Berkeley and got some great bbq at Everett & Jones at 2 am. What a great night!
Better Call Saul ≥ Breaking Bad
For me the slow burn of the SAUL series gives it an ever-so-slight edge over BB, which at times was a tad too frenetic. I also think the prequel is the better written of the two. But to fully appreciate all the nuances of Jimmy McGill's rise (fall?) I would argue you need to know the earlier series. I don't think watching SAUL would be as satisfying without knowing what happened to him, Mike, Gus, Tio, et al. later. In the end both shows are "must-sees".
June 1976 Box - I get it?
I have almost completed my expanded June 1976 box (includes RT 4.5, DaP 28, and Download Series 4). I totally get 1976 now. More laid back, more mellow. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."
Yep, I'm on the 1976 bus!
Difficult to Go a Day
Without something from '71 - '74. KeithFan's pick for the morning was / is Dick's Picks Volume 11: Dark Star (check); Promised Land / Bird Song (check); China Cat Sun Rider (check - out of tune notes from Bobby and all). Bonus Bliss: Attics, Brokedown Palace, Uncle John's Band (IMHO one of the top 5 from '72).
Better Call Saul is a slow burn. . ..
. . . And having watched Breaking Bad first helps BCS "Click!" I have read that there is a big screen Breaking Bad movie and the next season of Better Call Saul will not be released until after that Breaking Bad movie is released.
I am also a Wire and Sopranos fan.
TDIGDH
I find it tough to pass up any of the Spring 90 shows. Today's from the Omni, here presented in sweet Charlie Miller glory (for those, like myself, that don't have the box sets), is certainly a good one! China>Rider and Dear. Mr Fantasy from Without a Net come from this show... Also, To Lay Me Down after Victim - crazy pairing, but it works!
https://archive.org/details/gd1990-04-01.135535.sbd-pc.miller.flac16/gd…
Peace
difficult to go a day but with a bag of Blues...
it seems like in the movie with bill Murray just another day like the one before...
I am surprised nobody mention my favourite one "True detectives" .
Today searching in the bag of blues with:
Peter Green -Hot food powder
Best of Johnny Winter
Sessions for Robert J Eric Clapton
Michael Bloomfield If you love these blues play'em as you please
john Mayall jazz blues fusion
this morning I check the Dark star from wembley (E72) highly recommanded.
my box is flying over the pound & I am still optimistic for the end of the week.
Take care and stay safe.
sitting on the bus
Hi stiilwaters
you stand in the bus, but to sit you do need Dpicks33, or DPicks20;
DPicks is a gem from early 73.Friendly.
Roy Buchanan
LEDED, thanks for indirectly turning me on to Roy. Just downloaded his 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection and it's blowing me back.
Saul vs Walt
For me, I choose Saul over BBad because I was about to give up on BBad when the episode Better Call Saul happened. Bob Odenkirk burst onto the show and added a comedic element that was absent and made the show far too dark. And I like dark shows. Walt and Jesse both annoy me, Walt because he always chooses the wrong choice, Jesse because his character is annoying for 5 seasons. But Saul and Mike and Gus Fring really shook the whole show up for me. And Better Call Saul has been extremely surprising as it goes along, this season, his ride with Nacho to see Lalo turned the entire premise upside down, because events brought Saul down, not his inner character.
The Wire, I think, is the greatest show ever made. I loved season 2, season 5 was my least favorite. I felt that went a little far, especially McNulty. Somehow Better Call Saul and The Wire have combined for 0 Emmys. Some of the greatest acting and writing on the small screen. Also, the black comedy of The Wire is just gold. Like the scene where Jimmy and Bunk survey a murder scene, and the only word they say throughout the scene is variations of "Fuck". Nice to see love for The Wire here, and really anywhere.
Last 5 watched: Trotsky a Netflix docuseries in Russian that was very enlightening and now I wanna read a bio of him to get an idea of how true it was. Amazing life.
Undone an amazing animated series on Amazon featuring Bob Odenkirk as a time traveling dead father who may or may not be a figment of his schizophrenic daughter's imagination. Very trippy, and makes you think.
Jacob from the TNT Bible Stories DVD collection, they came on 25 years ago, starring big actors, this one was okay. Matthew Modine as Jacob, Sean Bean as My Brother Esau.
Abraham also from that series, starring Richard Harris and Barbara Hershey, Richard Harris overacts a bit, but he always did a little bit. Ben Kingsley as Moses is on the horizon once the wife and I watch Joseph which features Kingsley as Pharoah.
Kidding first season, Jim Carr's Showtime show where he plays a Mr Rogers type of character with pent up rage issues and is unraveling following the death of one of his twin sons. Catherine Keener, Frank Langella, and Judy Greer co-star. This was really funny and very different.
The Closing of Winterland 12/31/78 (The Blues Brothers)
Very interesting, had no idea this footage existed...below is the full set of "The Blues Brothers" opening this epic NYE celebration. Every once in a while you can even the "Steal your face logo" hidden behind the band.
I believe the tour was quite short, basically going right from SNL Skit, to a nine-night run at Universal Amphitheater, CA opening for Steve Martin (remember the Let's Get Small album?) then back to SNL later in the year for another skit, then off to the Closing of Winterland show!! Akroyd and Belushi must have had a ton of confidence in their new band to step up to open for the Dead, and The New Riders.....
--"With the help of pianist-arranger Paul Shaffer, Belushi and Aykroyd started assembling a collection of studio talents to form their own band. These included SNL band members saxophonist "Blue" Lou Marini and trombonist-saxophonist Tom Malone, who had previously played in Blood, Sweat & Tears. At Shaffer's suggestion guitarist Steve Cropper and bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, the powerhouse combo from Booker T and the M.G.'s and subsequently almost every hit out of Memphis' Stax Records during the 1960s, were signed as well. Belushi wanted a powerful trumpet player and a hot blues guitarist, so Juilliard-trained trumpeter Alan Rubin was brought in, as was guitarist Matt "Guitar" Murphy, who had performed with many blues legends."
There is some really good shit here....Matt "Guitar" Murphy just killing it....and don't forget, "They're on a mission from God"...........Enjoy
ALVARHANSO
If you want to get a great telling of the Russian Revolution check out Trotsky's: History of the Russian Revolution.
It's a tome, but gives an insider's view (obviously) about what went down, written by the man himself. It doesn't get into a lot (if any?) of his personal history; an autobiography about being murdered with an ice axe in Mexico City would be a tough feat to pull off. But if you're into the politics and the feeling of being in Russia around 1917 you cant beat it.
Breaking Bad
My wife and I were constantly told to watch it, so we finally started it a few years ago, but were surprised to see that there are 62 episodes. We thought, "Sounds like a great concept for fifteen hours of t.v.," but we couldn't imagine being interested past that. We were enthralled by it for . . . about fifteen episodes or so, and then the initial plot is kind of played out. We watched a few more, but [spoiler alert!!] once Walt's cancer was gone and he had $1M, we weren't sure why we would keep watching.
Should we be going back and trying to get through the forty episodes we didn't watch?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer--so good. After that try Veronica Mars and Firefly, if you haven't already seen those.
Breaking Bad
The story is at it's core a tale of Walt's evolution. The cancer and need to make money to leave for his family was not the plot, but a triggering event to allow the plot to proceed, i.e to start Walt on his evolution from downtrodden schmuck to a man recognized far and wide for his genius as a chemist and awe inspiring power.
At the start of the story we see Walt treated as a schmuck by his brother in law at his 50th birthday party, with Hank mocking his perception of the weight of the gun and giving a sense of his perception of Walt as somehow lesser than. We see his wife Skylar feeling like she is giving Walt a great birthday gift as she absent-mindedly gives him a handjob as she tracks her ebay auction. We learn that Walt's chemistry genius was instrumental in the formation of an immensely profitable company, but that Walt does not seem to get credit or reward for this, having left the company early after it's founding due to personal issues with the other founding members. In short, Walt appears to be a schmuck and treated as such by those around him. As the story progresses we see Walt make innumerable moral choices as the story progresses - killing in self defense, killing in defense of Jesse, not intervening to save Jane...the list goes on and each decision has moral consequences. In his actions to provide financial security for his family, Walt discovers his true self and begins to be true to himself, often without regard for the consequences to others.
We see this evolution start early on when Walt deals with Tuco. We see it when Walt begins to take pride in his product instead of just seeing it as a means to an end. We see it when Walt spots the tweakers buying everything for a cook at a single store - inside the store Walt offers tips about spreading out the purchases and then we see him reach a realization of some sort and he confronts the tweakers in the parking lot and threatens them and informs them that they are on his territory. We see Walt gain the recognition as a genius chemist that he always felt was his due, but which had previously eluded him. We see that this credit is so important to Walt that when Hank believes that Gale was Heisenberg Walt can not help but suggest to Hank that Gale was a mere lab tech, not the chemist responsible for the production of the blue meth, even though it puts Walt at greater risk of discovery. We see Walt become Walt. We see it when he tells Skylar "I am the one who knocks." He knows he has done evil things as evidenced when he tells Jesse "All the people we've killed - Gale and the rest? If you believe there's a hell- I don't know if you're into that, but we're - we're already pretty much going there, right? But I'm not going to lie down until I get there", but he is clear that he will continue to be true to himself. Ultimately Walt returns to New Mexico and rescues Jesse due to his anger that someone else is manufacturing his product.
This whole show is a brilliant morality tale with the evolution of Walt serving as the vehicle, each step of the story placing Walt in a position where he is forced to make ever more significant moral choices. And each step of the way Walt becomes more Walt. His evolution is the story.
Re:
What Charlie said. Amazing recap, good job.
I was working late one night channel surfing just to have some ambient noise and I happened to dial into the beginning of the very first episode. That's all it took, I was hooked and watched it whenever I could until it ended. I recently got (almost) caught up on Better Call Saul and am just starting the new season, I enjoy it too.. not quite as dark and more whimsical. Educational too, for example, never make a bet or initiate a financial commitment to someone you have never met while getting drunk at bar. Just sayin'
I somewhat recently discovered Silicon Valley, which recently ended.. but that's quite funny and makes for good binge watching. If you like dark humor, Barry is good.. if you don't mind mocking mega rich televangelists, the Righteous Gemstones is out there and really funny. I recently got into Narcos Mexico on Netflix. If you were around that year Mexican weed suddenly got really, really good.. it does a great job of telling explaining how that came to be and who was responsible. I am just getting to the El Chapo part in season 2. Tunnels.. crafty smuggler.. they just found a big one and $30M in drugs yesterday, bet chapo is rolling over in his 8X10 prison cell thinking about it.
That's all I got. Oh.. and man, that June 76 box is a great way to soften the stay at home blues.
Better Call Saul
Also a fantastic show, also a story of Jimmy's evolution into Saul, step by step choice by choice. I would argue that as Saul has progressed Jimmy has become more true to his own inner self, but I am a season behind - I watch things on disc. And yes, Jim, that is a great scene with Ken getting duped in the bar by "Viktor" and "Giselle". Did you remember that Ken was in Breaking Bad? He was the obnoxious dude on his bluetooth in line in front of Walt at the bank, and later when Walt encountered him at the gas station, I think driving a BMW with a "KENWINS" license plate, Walt makes a few adjustments and sets his car on fire. Also, that bar scene turned me on to The Supreme Beings of Leisure, their tune Golddigger was playing in the background in the bar at some point as a I recall. Catchy tune and once I saw the band name I was intrigued. Who wouldn't like being a Supreme Being of Leisure, right? Different but sort of smooth and cool stuff. But I digress...
LedDed's guitarist list
Unless I missed it, I'm surprised you didn't mention Lobi?
Lobi Traore of Mali, the "Jimi Hendrix of Africa"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9qLNv25cQ8
Stay safe everybody!
SHEIK YERBONES
A worthy project, both of them, though at $100 each, it seems a little out of reach for the physical products.
A seat on the 76 bus
Actually you can pick up a reprint of Dick's Picks 33 all in for 62 bucks: https://shop.realgonemusic.com/collections/cd/products/grateful-dead-di…
June '76 quarantine music
Was able to get hooked up. Thanks! Appreciate the kind vibes here.
Getting ready to watch "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". A decent documentary if you haven't seen it.
M*A*S*H*
I'm not into drug themed TV shows because it's bad enough seeing it on the news. I love mash though. I'm sure I'm not alone. I love the pompous Charles emerson Winchester talk about Napoleon brandy and how it lures the senses with the enticing aromas wafting into the waiting nostrils into a seductive xanadu. Classic.
Jerry Garcia on Freddie King
“When I started playing electric guitar the second time, with the Warlocks it was a Freddie King album that I got almost all my ideas off of, his phrasing really. That first one “Here’s Freddie King”, later came out as “ Freddie King Plays Surfin’ Music” or something like that, it has San-ho-zay and Sensation and all those instrumentals”.
Got to see Freddie King open up for Curtis Mayfield at Celebrity Theater in Phoenix back in April 1973. That was one powerful concert that night.
I’m off the grid , no cell phone signal, the way I like it. I have the complete works of Jack Kerouac. Have read half of them in the past. Will restart with “The Town and the City”, then “Visions of Gerard” and on up through the Duloz Legend.
Be safe friends, neighbors, relatives and all sentient beings. “One way or another, this darkness has got to give.”
Strider / Feddie King
Strider, you were so lucky to have seen Freddie King play, what a great musician he was. I never got to see him play . I saw B.B and Albert King play many times, but never Freddie. To see him play with Curtis Mayfield, my goodness , what a show!
Coming soon to Netflix....
https://liveforlivemusic.com/news/jerry-garcia-missing-finger-netflix-d…
....and I've never seen Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul. Looks like I need to get on that.
T.V.
Fair enough, Charlie--the missus and I will try to watch ALL the Breaking Bad. THEN we'll try Better Call Saul.
Looking at the DVD shelf, I thought of some more of our favorites (besides Buffy, V-Mars, and Firefly). The newer Battlestar Galactica, M*A*S*H, the first five years of the Simpsons, the first seasons of Mr. Robot and Westworld, the first three years of X-Files, Northern Exposure, Dr. Who, and the Diane years of Cheers. There were some great years of West Wing and E.R., too.
The newer Marvel shows have all been decent to excellent, and the first two seasons of the new Sabrina were very fun.
Viktor and Giselle
That is what makes Better Call Saul so cool. All the subtle tie-ins to Breaking Bad.
Ken was indeed the obnoxious BMW driver.
The tequila they were drinking was the same brand that Gus gave to Don Eladio.
Brilliant stuff.
Social Distancing Sucks
Hey Strider, sounds like the good life. Desolation Angels is the sleeper, just bear through the first ~80 pages.
Jack S - the DiP 33 shows top some in this box set, that was a GRATE release.
Speaking of which, if you are on the fence, buy this one. The playin' and recording are equally crispy! Best show = 6/11, Jerry kills it all show, from Might as Well to the end. The highlight of the whole box is Stephen > NFA > Stella Blue from 6/15, whoa baby.
Stay home and listen.
More TV
No pressure DeadheadBrewer, we all have our different tastes. Definitely with you on Firefly, that was a cool series. Also have to agree with folks high praise for The Wire and the Sopranos as well as the first season of True Detective. That first season of True Detective was dark, in a big way, but the performances turned in by Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughy were amazing. The first season of Fargo was also top shelf TV. For me, all of these are the high end of what can be achieved in a TV series. And for something totally different, Downton Abbey was somehow compelling in a low key way.
Edit: It was only recently that I realized that Steve Earle played Waylon (Bubbles' sponsor) on The Wire.