Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,086 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

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June 11, 2020 - 7:15pm

#6861

Thats_Otis

Joined:
May 12, 2011

To Terrapin

I really enjoyed revisiting this release today. I remember having some mixed feelings about it when it came out, but today it sounded fresh! I've always loved that "Sugaree", and the whole 3rd disc is pure Spring of 77 butter.

Good pick!

Peace
June 11, 2020 - 9:44am

#6862

Gollum

Joined:
November 22, 2010

10/12/68

Thanks for all the great reviews of this show. I now know I will be stuck re-listening to this show for the next couple of weeks. That's the way this thread has worked for me. I can't always keep up with the daily schedule but I've gained a whole new appreciation for some shows, namely, the 2 DP #18 shows(2/3&5/78), DP#5 (12/26/79), the Cow12/31/76. It's just been taking me a couple of weeks to grok each pick. Thanks to everyone for contributing. This thread has been one of the few highlights of this lockdown!
June 11, 2020 - 7:24am

#6863

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

Thank You Mr. Garcia!

Yesterday's 10/12/68 pick definitely took me places.

Places I'd been before, and new places as well.

As said here by others, some really wonderful stuff going on throughout this magical show as the band jettisons into a new universe & explores the improvisational music cosmos.

By October '68 Dark Star has begun to grow larger wings, but it's still a baby bird that will take flight and leave the nest soon. Of note in this version is Bear's recording (I believe) and Mickey's playing of the "Scratcher". It sounds as though Mickey's walking around on stage while he plays, at least that's how it sounds with Headphones, the instrument is truly circling around your head in this recording. How bad ass is that? And this is a bootleg from over 50 years ago!

However, while Dark Star is just beginning to really gain strength in it's legs, St. Stephen is Standing Proud & Tall and has possibly reached it's greatest height, this is an almost absolutely perfect version of the song, and if you listen to some of the earlier versions from the summer of that year ('68 mystery reels come to mind, possibly from Carousel June '68), it's some amazing growth that this song has gone through in appx 4 months! The audience already loves this song as evident when you put on 9/2/68, within the first notes on that version the crowd starts getting so excited it throws the band off with surprise. St. Stephen, with it's William Tell Bridge, will continue to be this height for a little while longer, but will begin to diminish and shrink with age in the following year. I'm not sure it ever gets much higher than this version.

That brings us to The Eleven, I think Bolo says it best, this version can convert a non-believer. So imagine what it does to all of us already at the church. This is an absolute ripping version of the song and all the long months of rehearsal are truly evident when you listen to the effortlessness of which they throw this song down.

And to complete the suite they seg seamlessly into a sultry Death Don’t. Listen to Jerry sing during Death Don't, man could that guy sing a song with emotion. People would criticize that voice, but I always thought it was the most wonderful voice of all ;)

Oh... and there's a Set 2!!!

Which just absolutely shreds your face off, if it was still left, hanging there by a thread.

This is manic air guitar, give you the chills, tears in your eyes, shake your head in wonder stuff here people!! I want to hear it again, and again and again!

So like I said, it took me places, I dived deep into some '68 after this 10/12 relisten, I had to hear the next night 10/13/68 SBD (not as good, but see for yourself), 10/20/68 30 Trips release (check the difference between the Dark Star’s), and 9/2/68 (interesting recording, I need to check back on this, my mind was melted at this point and life distracted me).

What a Trip!

And like mentioned here, this was all during a time when Pigpen & Bobby were on thin ice and "fired" from the band.
Fascinating.

I believe a ’68 release or box set was mentioned, it’s hard to think that we’ll get one based on what exists (appx 37 shows / fragments) and quite a few have been released. Sadly most of Summer ’68 is a black hole, as well as the touring at the end of the year. There are definitely shows that were recorded that we don’t have, whether or not they still exist or not is a bigger question, I know Bear recorded more than we have especially in regard to the later part of the year, but for now the trail stops there and I’m afraid it is a bit cold…

That all being said, if there was a ’68 box style release I’d vote for The Quick And The Dead tour in January - Feb ’68. Always loved that stuff, it’d be repetitive and have some warts and all feel, but shit I love it.

Love to hear thoughts on what you all would see as potentially release worthy. This 10/12/68 show should be a definite consideration.. if they can make it sound even better I’ll be the first to drop down some cash to get it!

You’re still here?? Crazy kids..

After I came to earth from that I continued our little Cal Expo ’90 relisten and loved it too. I think 6/10/90 is my favorite show from the run, but you know Playing In The Band usually makes me say that. The Jack Straw is definitely worth listening too. And Phil saying he’s not gonna quit the band and it’s all a bullshit lie, with Jerry saying yeah, the rest of us are, well.. that’s priceless.

What’re we gonna listen to today?

Edit: 5/28/77 you say... looks promising and it's been awhile.
June 11, 2020 - 7:17am

#6864

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Today's Pick

What's on tap for today gents?

FourWinds, where are you?

I might check out 5/28/77, the last night of the Spring Tour. To Terrapin Release from 2007.
June 11, 2020 - 2:30am

#6865

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

1968 - you're fired!

This was the year that drew me in. Back in the 70s, I had heard a few albums by the Dead, but it was only after I heard Anthem that it all clicked into place. After getting into that one, all the others started to make sense.

Incidentally, it was in October, as I understand it, that Pigpen and Bob were...strange as it may now seem...sacked. And those Mickey and the Hartbeat shows were played between October and December, without either of them in attendance. I used to think that was why Pigpen didn't play on 10/12/68. But I could clearly be wrong - both he and Bob played a lot of shows with the Dead during the same period as the Mickey and the Hartbeat shows.
June 10, 2020 - 10:04pm

#6866

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Right on Bolo!

I have several buddies that still refer to it as pots and pans.
They clearly don't get it.

So much unbelievable music! Still can't explain it to even family members.

But every day, I still want to listen to the treasuries we have.

More to come.
June 10, 2020 - 5:17pm

#6867

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Relisten....

....been Relistening for a while. Cool app. The right side sidebar lets you pick the source. Less clunky than the archive for sure. Sacrilege? Maybe.
10.12.68? I was five months old. Bring it to my diapers!!
June 10, 2020 - 4:46pm

#6868

bolo24

Joined:
November 25, 2009

Here's the thing...

Today's pick was recorded over 50 years ago - half a century. In 5 decades, no other music created since then comes anywhere close to what I heard today. Normally, I'd probably add "IMHO" to the end of that last sentence. Not this time - it's an indisputable fact.

I had a non-head musician friend years ago question my over-the-top enthusiasm for the Dead, saying they were slow and sloppy, couldn't rock out, Garcia just "noodles" aimlessly, etc. In other words, the usual misinformed opinions we've all heard and read before.

I played "The Eleven" from this show for him on a really good sound system, sat back and watched his face morph from surprise to disbelief to joy and wonder. He was literally speechless for a good chunk of time before the expected "WOW" passed his lips. An instant convert! He still blames me for his "incurable disease" on a regular basis.

Gollum mentioned the drums. While one can intelligently debate the one- vs. two-drummer format from 1975 on, there is probably little dissension regarding the irreplaceable impact of Billy and Mickey abusing their instruments during the"primal" period. The whole band was a flat-out juggernaut during that time and the two drummers had a lot to do with that.

What a band. So grateful that we here all "get it."
June 10, 2020 - 3:09pm

#6869

Thats_Otis

Joined:
May 12, 2011

10/12/68

The "Jam" before Feedback is cool - starts off in "Other One" territory, then moves to something totally original, then gets very close to "Caution" - I bet they would have gone there if Pig hadn't been missing.

Feedback... and, goodnight!

Does anyone know if the "Morning Dew" that starts the set on this recording (at least the one that Bolo posted) is from this show? It doesn't seem to be on the setlist.

On to Cal Expo!

Peace

EDIT: It looks like "Dew" was the opener, but for some reason it was left off the set list.
June 10, 2020 - 3:03pm

#6870

Gollum

Joined:
November 22, 2010

10/12/68

Great show! I don't think I've listened to this in its entirety before. This is also my first time trying the Relisten app -(how nice!) I love the separation of the drummers in this music.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

Which JGB release are you speaking of bolo?....

....need specifics.

Bolo JGB

This one?

https://jerrygarcia.com/album/jerry-garcia-band/

Yeah

That one

OoOoOoOh....

....that is a good one. Been a while since I've played it. Hopping on that bus tomorrow.

JGB

I’m on it, that will go good with morning coffee tomorrow.

9/25/76 & 9/28/76 = Happy 4/20

Man I dug those two shows!

I agree with OTIS, It's not so much Highlights as it is the Whole Trip .

For both nights.

I think I enjoyed 9/28/76 even more... coulda been the time of day it played as it is 4/20 after all.

Two comments:
Missing Bertha from 9/28/76 would make killer filler somewhere.. (hint, hint Lemieux)
The 9/28/76 Set 2 "Jam" tracks ("Jam", "Orange Wango Tango Jam") seem more like continuations on the PITB theme, anybody else hearing that?

If listed as such it makes that set look even greater on paper:
PITB > Wheel > Samson > PITB > Comes A Time > Drums > Eyes > PITB > Dancin' > PITB. Johnny B. Goode

GREAT Set either way you slice it, but.. that's what I was hearing and I love it when they weave in and out of a theme throughout a set like that. GREAT PICK!

I thought I had that JGB for a second, dug through the garage, but it's the Almost Acoustic from '88.

I found a few tracks on YouTube, so I'll kinda follow along and will look for the feedback.

I plan on doing an anniversary trip through 4/21/84, and maybe 4/20 & 4/19 too. Goin' back to Philly!

Happy 4/20

No Spotify GOGD?....

....best $9.99/month I can think of spending money on. That and weed.

Ha..

I've been really, ridiculously busy.. but I did finish Dicks Picks 18. Am I late to the party?

I will add.. I liked the Scarlet Fire so much, but it just didn't scratch the itch well enough. Perhaps it was the recording, perhaps, well.. it was missing some relevancy so I did a side-by-side comparison to the one from Dave's Picks 8, 11/30/80 Fox Theatre, Hot Lanta. Man.. that totally hit the spot. and the recording, to my ears at least, sparkled, which is amazing because half of it came from an audience master (thanks Dr. Bob!! bow of the head, tip of the glass.. much appreciatto).

So what's next? I guess I will have to read the last 18 pages since this one was mentioned.

Hoping to have some more free time soon.. perhaps I won't get so far behind.

Drinking an excellent bottle of red, and getting ready to put on some tunes? JGB? The best palate cleanser. Good golly miss molly.. I think I missed a lot here.

Re: 9/25/76 & 9/28/76 = Happy 4/20

Man.. great to see these shows get some love. Perhaps it was because it was back in the Dicks Picks days, when any release was a treasure trove of new and undiscovered magic.. I believe this release predates soundboard copies on Archive.org.. all this was new, but to the meat.. you have to add Jerry's guitar work during supplication as a high point. Crank it to 11, he shreds it and for the mellow vibe of 76, it's worth a listen.

9/25/76

Fall 76! I remember the first time I heard the Cosmic Charlie out of Dancing and thought wow, 76 is really good. Still true today. Love the Sugaree, just a solid show throughout. The whole show is really smoking, solid finish.

Great choice WilfredTJones.

Stay well folks!

1976 is Mrs. Vguys favorite year....

....she would never admit it, but I know better. 🤫
She likes them mellow, like a pinot noir.

9/25/76

I haven't played it this week, but I just thought I'd chip in to say its my favourite 1976 show, and has been since whenever it came out.

One of my favorite Tangled up in Blue's

I bought the cassette back when it came out... Why oh why!!

Tangled Up In Blue

Morning!

Waiting for A Miracle seems like such a relevant tune today.

Man, I know I’ve got this JGB CD somewhere.. or had it, but if I had it I woulda kept it. So.. hmm.

Feel ya BOBT them Dylan tunes are what I wanted to hear most. Found around 6 of these songs on YouTube but not that one.

VGUY yeah, you’re right I should prob get Spotify.. can I handle/afford 1 more sub in my life… I gotta think about that, meaning procrastinate longer until the next time:)

Anyhow, what I’m hearing is sounding GREAT, and real nice playing by Jerry.. Dear Prudence solo is sounding real good, sick drum fills too. I had this back in the day…

I’m gonna trip on over to the April 1984 Philly run per OTIS mention.

Have Fun today and Be Well!

The I Shall Be Released on this release....

....literally just released me.

Jerry Garcia Band (Album)

Like others have mentioned.. the Dylan stuff shines for me, add in Dear Prudence, which blew me away the first time I listened to this version.. But my favorite cut of the album is Lucky Old Sun. and talk about a karma lift.. My Sisters and Brothers.

That Jerry Live Album

...definitely changed me. It came out at a time when I was also getting fully into the GD; these versions became staples against which all other versions were judged (I know we ALL do this from time to time...).

The Simple Twist of Fate is a definite favorite here as far as the covers. But my favorite of them all is I Shall Be Released. (right on VGuy)
Jerry's vocals are so heartfelt; sounding nearly broken at times, offset by his absolutely WAILING solos, especially that final one....total chills up the spine every time. When shit like that happens, you know it touches a deep part of your innards.

A++ for this release

Sixtus

P.S. Bolo Contest chin scratching commencing

Jerry Garcia Band

Yeah, definitely a game changer! I too was just really getting into the Dead, and when I got that CD (a year or two after it was released,) it cemented for me that Jerry was going to become my all-time favorite guitar player. In addition, as a big Dylan fan, it has so many great takes of his tunes, and it was Jerry's voice - fragile, sensitive, warm, - that totally sold me (still does.) The big highlight for me (though I LOVE every track) has always been "Senor." Makes me stand up and take notice, every time. Jerry's delivery and playing on that one... holy guacamole!

Oh, and "My Sisters and My Brothers." That song became a mantra for me in high school, and I think I am a better man for it now.

Great pick Bolo!

Peace

JGB

Good pick Bolo.
On Lucky Old Sun now, all songs so far have been hitting the spot. Love the tone of Jerry’s guitar.

Don’t want to do any overkill today, but later this week I’m also going to spin the other compilation releases How Sweet It Is.... and Shining Star.

DaP34

On sale now.

Nice bonus disc!

Before you get on board Sir your name we'd like to know

Dusted off some classic releases a few weeks ago

~ Box of Rain ~ Fallout from the PhilZone+ Jerry Garcia Band double disc with John Kahn cover artwork.

Cool graphics and pics on the CDs and booklet

Hundred Year Hall + Don't Let Go

Dicks Picks 4 , 11 , 13 , 18 have been in my car for months.

China -> Rider -> China Doll from 12.29.77 is real nice

catchin' up

Playing at home when i can - we've had sweet spring weather and been spending time in the garden and reveling in the real world outdoors. Bolo - great to hear things turned corner for better with friends and loved ones - scary times.

In the end caught some of these picks, missed a couple others, I'll get to 'em eventually, plus a few non-pick-of the-day musical detours. One detour that's been on repeated repeat is the '91 JGB show from Electric on the Eel. Love it love it love it! Been meaning to bring it up, its a big beautiful dose of carefree big smile summer fun. Cool to have Bolo rec the '91 JGB live release (Deal now.) This release got a lot of mileage back in the day, but its been long while. One song that stood out back then was Senor - totally unfamiliar to me as a Dylan or JGB song, super eerie and powerful. General later JGB thought - Melvin Seals organ playing is a freaking force of nature.

Finished Landover 9/25/76 this morning - awesome show, years since i last listened. That second set is out of this world! And somehow I'd totally lost track of how great 12/2/73 was - oh my goodness. That '83 Santa Fe show is like a train about to jump the tracks. On a non-pick-of-the-day closing note - had a delightful late evening with those 2 October '80 Warfield acoustic sets released last year.

Opening notes of Senor . . . .

Re: JGB Compilations

For what it's worth, of the three JGB compilations, most of the time I prefer this one. Perhaps at least partially due to nostalgia..

We more or less got Without a Net and then a year later Jerry Garcia Band (Live) within a year.. and before that there was a dearth of officially released live material going back a number of years. ..and if you were seeing shows, one couldn't help but notice how much better and more consistent the live performances were. It was a good time for all things Grateful Dead.

Quick opinion

So I just found this thread and am listening to the '91 JGB show. I'll write a full opinion review when I'm done with the album, but dang I had to say that was a GRATE jam in "The Way you do the things you do"!

Tangled Up in Bloohoohoo! Tangled Up in Blue!

JGB 91, coming to a rocking close. What a fine release!

Have I missed Bolo's clue? Was it his post "Yeah - That one"? If so, that's a tough clue (or is it?) :)

So, what's on tap for tomorrow, folks? I've really been enjoying the picks so far!

Also, Good Ole Grateful... did you make it to Philly 84 yesterday? I really loved that 4/20 show - amazing Let it Grow, great Scarlet>Fire, overall fun two sets and I thought a really great sounding AUD. Also, that may be the best Esau I've heard - at least I can't recall a better one :)

Peace

EDIT: I now see that I posted my question about Bolo's clue at 11:48 PST, not 12 noon. My ability to do simple math seems to be slipping...

Ok....

....now this is getting fun. Nice to meet you gratefulgal7277.

VGUY72 and everyone

Nice to meet everyone! Y'all rock and this platform is amazing!

Hokay

Time for America’s favorite game show, “Name That Grateful Dead Concert!”

Please read carefully: Following this post, a clue will appear that can be EASILY deciphered to reveal a particular Grateful Dead concert. To win the contest and receive some groovy and valuable Grateful Dead items (TBD), simply send me a PM with your guess of the date and venue of the concert. Also, you must include how you determined your guess, i.e., show your work! No work shown = no entry!

Do not post your guess on this forum as it won’t count. Earliest PM with the correct answer wins. And only one entry per screen name, so take your time to make sure your guess has merit as multiple guesses will be ignored. Screen names must pre-date the time stamp of this post.

Have fun with this, celebrate Dave’s 34 release, have a beer (or whatever), blow off some steam, turn off the TV, get some fresh air. Call your parent(s) and tell them you love them (if applicable).

Clue to follow.

Fixable

Foot

Answer....

....oops. hope no one saw that. Lol

nice recovery

ha - there and gone in a flash!

Clue?

So the Clue is = "Foot"?
Or = "Fixable Foot"?

Not sure clarification will help me here, but.. figured it was worth a shot.

Jerry '91 and Sept. '76

Haven't listened to that Jerry release in a long time. Have it since it came out played it many times. We need more Jerry releases.

9/25: Started nice the rest of set 1 was okay. Set 2 Dancin' picks it up nice! Scarlet. Stephen> NFA> Drums>Jam> Stephen>Sugar Mag great!!

9/28: Have this one marked as an all-timer. Big River was nice Cassidy too this whole first set was excellent. Set 2 Playin' sandwich Awesome!!

Can hear '77 a comin'.

The Grateful Dead

The Other One ->
Stella Blue ->
Sugar Magnolia

Just ordered June 1976 box set

Dave's Picks 34 with bonus disc and the box set should arrive about the same day.

Dave LSD you got one more job this year. fire up a 1984 show for release and include 7.13.84 second set with encore

Fixable Foot?

The answer must be My Pal Foot Foot.

https://youtu.be/XR9d4ESlpHY

Fixable Foot

Well.. here goes nothing.

Next Pick

What's on tap for tomorrow?

Anybody get it right Bolo?

Fixable Foot

I got nothing.

Fixable Foot

I thought I had it... and got my reply

"missed it by that much"

Himey, kill the light.

Next Pick

Got nothin' on Fixable Foot

As for Tomorrow..
4/22/66 Trips Festival (I gotta trip through that:)
4/22/77 is looking like it should be listened too.. not official release though
4/22/78 DaP V15 is official though
4/22/79 Brent's First show might need some honoring

Just a few anniversary date themed thoughts in that regard.

Super curious about the fixable foot...

OTIS - I finished up 4/20/84 & 4/21/84.. they both had their '84 charm.. I'd say for me the highlight was that Slipknot! on 4/21/84... that's definitely worth a listen, dug the PITB too and Stranger from 4/20. Thanks for the reminder!

Gonna try and get 4/21/69 in today... but it might not happen, Hard To Handle with Jerry on Slide.. so far it's weird:)

Fixable Foot.. that just.. I got nothin'