Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,077 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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February 11, 2021 - 3:47am

#4531

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Remaster Europe 1972?

If they do, I hope everyone who bought the original box gets a complimentary replacement.
February 10, 2021 - 8:16pm

#4532

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

72 Remaster

I've had Jeffrey locked in my basement for the last month and a half. If he's not finished by next week, I am doubling the Thorazine and LSD and quadrupling the caffeine IV drip.

Yes, I wish they were mixed better.. but I have to say I am glad they were given the full box treatment, including the shows and segments that had already been released.
February 10, 2021 - 12:53pm

#4533

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Crowd funding for a better mix....

....I got tree fiddy and a couple of edibles.
February 10, 2021 - 12:51pm

#4534

billy the kid

Joined:
December 3, 2019

2/9/73

Killer show, my brother was there, hopefully it will be an official release one day.
February 10, 2021 - 12:27pm

#4535

bolo24

Joined:
November 25, 2009

My pick for tomorrow

Y'all can join in if you want. As I'll have the entire chateau to myself tomorrow, I'm cueing up "Steppin' Out With The Grateful Dead" and playing it really loud. Need a dose of '72 goodness.

Yes, I know, it's a compilation and familiar to all. But that mix....man. Just imagine if the E72 trunk was mastered/mixed the same way. Have mercy!

Perhaps we can start a crowd-funding campaign to raise enough cheese to persuade Mr. Norman to do his thing. I got a dollar and a quarter to kick things off.
February 10, 2021 - 11:52am

#4536

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

2/9/73

Wow, finally getting to this today. Great sounding recording. Just starting, hopefully it stays at this level.

And 10/29/71, very busy.
February 10, 2021 - 7:38am

#4537

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

2-9-73

Recently got a new version, believe it is a Miller.
Definitely sounded way better than that first off-speed cassette copy I had.
February 10, 2021 - 7:29am

#4538

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

2/9/73

first heard it on a Southern California evening on tape back in...84? 85?

very pleasant, eye-opening experience
February 9, 2021 - 9:06pm

#4539

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

2/9/73 1st Impression +Belated 5/15/73 Upgrade Frag Notes

I can't keep up with you guys. lol.

Just by chance I listened to 2/9 last night, over two sittings. During the first sitting, ie the first half of the show, work was occupying my mind. The final sitting was with the lights out, just spacin' on the music, but also sort of halfway into dreamland, so no notes were taken. I think I'll listen again as soon as I get through this new (to me) Coltrane '65 date.

The balance on the 2/9 tape is much better than any master of 5/15 that I heard. The setlist is very similar. I have not compared, but all the songs you don't get to hear much after '73 are there for both shows, but there really isn't much evidence of teething problems in the new stuff. US Blues has very embryonic lyrics, which are cool, but nowhere near as iconic, or concise, as Hunter's later revision. The music is pretty much fully formed. Incredible, really. Someone had mentioned 2/18/71 a few pages back. That was another major breakout night, but again, they debuted a set of solid songs, right out of the gate.

Back to 2/9/73, they talk a bit too much about the new PA, but I suppose I'd be pretty over the moon about it, too. Of all the eras, this is when I'd really love to have some good audience pulls, especially once the full Wall of Sound comes into effect. Not sure the wall makes any difference to a board tape.

That cool and confident mellow '73 groove is there, but there seems to be a touch more bounce in the step here compared to 5/15. Again, this is on deck for a relisten.

I made all these notes for the 5/15 upgrade (second half of the second set). Even though that was, like two or three picks ago, I'm gonna put'em down anyway.

The Miller "fix" is a major improvement. Much more raw in many respects. Bobby's killin' it after the He's Gone vocal jam evolves into an instrumental. He's getting some very Jerry-esque tones, but he's significantly lower in the mix. Was he still using a Gibson SG at this time? If so, that would explain the similarities in tone. Jer had been using an SG for a while before switching to Alligator, iirc. Hard to keep track of Jerry's guitars in the early days. I forget when he got Wolf, too. If he didn't have it here, he'd have it fairly soon, again iirc.

No bomb after Truckin's "busted". Not enough Phil in the mix to really get the bass bomb effect when it finally comes. The is The Jerry Garcia Experience. The mix is ALL Jerry. Would really like to hear how this sounded to an audience, especially considering it was the experimental phase of the Wall of Sound.

Would also prefer to see the the "Phil and Drummers" track merged with either Truckin' or The Other One. It could really go either way, though, 'cause it's not unheard of to have a drum solo at the end of Truckin' and it was fairly common at one point to have a drum break between Cryptical and Other One. That's just me. I know most people, certainly the seeders, like more tracks rather than less. What's Joe Walsh say? "Can't complain, but sometimes I still do."

The Other One jam is sublime! Deep into it Phil and Jerry's interaction is so conversational, without being simple mimicry. Much better bass guitar presence than earlier, but it may be that Phil is using the upper registers here, and those frequencies are more well represented on the tape. Holy shit. That was all BEFORE the first verse! Did they even do the second verse? It just all washed by in this warm breeze of intermingling ideas. I didn't take any more notes on the rest of the show. Was not present enough. Some really fantastic stuff was happening at the end of the second set, certainly worthy of the upgrade. I'd imagine this is the only mix that exists, and there ain't no more. Again, this is the era where I'd like to hear the audience perspective the most, but it's still early days for audience tapers, unfortunately.

Digging waaay back in the thread, Neil Cassady, that's a guy I'd go back in time to meet... hopefully when he was hangin' with Jerry!
What a madman! TBH, I probably wouldn't be able to deal with him, but I'd just like to experience what being around him was like.

Used to follow John Perry Barlow on Twitter. Didn't always agree with him, but he always had something thought-provoking to say. So interesting that he went from being a Wyoming rancher, crafting a cowboy image for Bobby, to philosophizing about the electronic frontier, and being a legit expert.

Speaking of cowboy images, I'm gonna hafta remember to imagine the boys in their Nudie suits when I relisten to 2/9, later. That's so funny. It's like the one time the Dead actually entertained the concept of showmanship as a group. lol.

I digress. Having the sense to take on genuine wordsmiths to define their lyrical imagery is yet another example artistic magick. So many fantastic musicians are so horrible as poets. :) Having both Barlow and Hunter, expressing very different views and styles, adds so much to the mix.
February 9, 2021 - 7:48pm

#4540

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Halfway Through

One quick comment about this show.. as I am not sure I will finish tonight. Many of these songs are 'new' so just rehearsal and practice. The tone isn't always dialed in, just a little unpredictable and wild which I just love. They sometimes lurch their way transitions, bridges and the more complex pieces but behind it all the timing is there. Jerry in particular has an impeccable sense of timing and the songs, even the ones performed for the first time are still the songs. They seem to be birthed almost fully formed.

That's it for me, great pick Bob (and all). I have great reverence for this show.

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.

Dick's 18

In process and it has been a while. Sound quality from my perspective is somewhat lacking. Love the Dupree's, It's all over now, good Passenger, Brown Eyed Women. Just finished Eyes, really good. Again, wish the sound quality was better.

Thanks Bolo and Mary!

Listened to DiP18 within the last week

Disc one is fun (it's a mix of several shows, me remembers...CR&S is always welcome)
Disc two is sublime. Eyes, Playin' > Wheel > Playin'. I do notice some sound quality issues at times, but they are not horrific and permanent. I remember the Playin' is good as always, and then gets reeeeeeally good
Disc three is phenomenal. As I listened recently, I remember smiling at the glory of the show. Scarlet > Fire, Truckin' > The Other One > Wharf > Around

the Madison show took place about 50 miles north of where l lived at the time. but since I was in 8th grade, I had no clue or awareness of that fact.

Uni-Dome 2/5/78

One of my favorites Scarlet>Fire's of all time.... Also love the Samson when after a prolong opening jam Weir does the woohoo type of shout out!! I've posted about the Scarlet>Fire before but there is a Jerry Keith chord interaction after the singing in Scarlet that for me is mind melting!!! Good first choice Bolo... One last ramble, for me this show 2/5/78 is in my mind is the last show of 77... The April tour after this has a different vibe..

Dicks 18....

....listened to the first disc last night. Cold Rain, All Over Now, Duprees and BE Woman all top shelf renditions. Man. Iowa got all the good shows. Will start up disc two a little later.
Thats the show with the extended Samson due to Bob's mic difficulties, correct?

Dick's 18

A few momentous stand outs for me: The Music Never Stopped; this version easily made it onto a "best of" compilation early on and has never been supplanted. Fight me. Also, the Estimated > Eyes of so so good. Beautiful elongated Eyes intro, then just mad jamming all the way through, nice upbeat Eyes tempo. Great exploratory Estimated as well. I love the drop into Eyes here; expertly pulled off. The Scarlet > Fire is very awesome too. Long, jammy. Nothing new here, just adding my love.

Nice idea.
Sixtus

Eyes just started....

🔥....🔥....🔥. Its a keeper.

Slipping this in....

https://www.justgivemepositivenews.com/
....because.

Dicks 18 -How long have we got?

The first thing I noticed is that it features two nights, but unless I am looking in the wrong place, there is no indication which nights which songs are from. I could have checked in Deadbase...but that's upstairs and as I was settled down to listen I didn't bother. It looks like one first and two second sets.

I have just played the first cd so far. Coming from Europe 72, this sounds a lot simpler rhythmically. During Spring 72, you can focus on Bill, Phil, Bob, or Keith - as well as Jerry obviously-and they are all playing with energy and imagination. Here, the focus is more just on Jerry. I like his fiery guitar sound on here, but I am not as keen on Bob's sound. Donna, on the other hand, sounds nice on Looks Like Rain. I prefer this version of Good Lovin to the ones played in 72. It sounds almost calypso-a real celebratory sound.
The cd picks up pace nicely on the last three songs, with great guitar solos from Jerry. It seems a bit more like standard "rock" in a way, compared to the swing they had with one drummer and a fully functioning Keith. I enjoyed listening to it, but I will probably leave the first of the set 2s for tomorrow.

Dick's 18

Not much left to say LLR crackled like a thundercloud!

Spring Tour '78....

....Jerry fresh off his laryngitis. The crackling in his voice during Wharf Rat proves it. His voice was never the same, but still rocks my soul.
Trey Pistachio dropped another song. "Are You There Colleen?". With a message of getting off drugs. Methinks Colleen was his dealer back in the day. Might be wrong. Never right.
I had a dealer back in the day. Name was Chill. Called him from payphones. That was a long time ago though. Thank God.

1978 Dick's Picks 18

At the start of 1978 I'd sort of lost interest in the Dead, having last seen them in 74. 78 was my fifth year in college (yeah I know) and I was way more into jazz than rock in large part due to an awesome jazz club on campus, the Backdoor. The place just had a constant stream of major talent coming through. McCoy Tyner, Charlie Mingus, Elvin Jones, Roland Kirk etc. So in early January I see the Dead are gonna be at Golden Hall so my girlfriend and I say "What the hell?" and I get tickets for 1/07. Now in 78 the Dead were not that big of a draw and I wasn't expecting much, sort of a nostalgia trip. Wrong. They were great, just awesome. So after the show we immediately get tickets for 1/08. These were the Bobby songs only nights but that didn't matter a bit. My girlfriend (now my wife) cried during Looks Like Rain. We were back on the bus until 85 when the arrival of our first kid changed everything. Footnote to that is our last show was a week before his birth and she was major prego and treated like royalty by all you wonderful heads. So I love DP 18 and I especially like the Eugene show release. Stay home.

Want to try Dave's Picks 11... 11/17/72 for tomorrow??

Has any recommended a show for tomorrow? Just throwing it out there... or just say "Don't be programming it baby let's just get it on!" bob t

Dave's 11

In on that one Bob T. What a show.

DaP 11

Nice! I'm overdue for a listen.

RE: DP18, agree with Jim - Brown-Eyed Women is PERFECT! For that matter, so is TMNS - powerful! And then there's disc 3. If I had to rescue only one single disc from my burning house, this one would be in the running. That Scarlet/Fire is a half-hour blissfest, Truckin' is solid, TOO is insanely good. Masterful music!

On to Wichita!

That Dicks 18 TOO....

....has metal influences. Garcia tapping into his inner Iommi. My ear told me so.
Wichita this soon into the game? Bold move Cotton. Let's see how it pans out.

Vguy

Love the Dodge Ball reference!!

I forgot there is a good hour of OK City 11/15/72

On the Wichita show.......

Social Listening

It seems like trying Europe 72 date by date has the momentum.

Daverock - DP18 show/song breakdown

funny how they didn't list out what shows the songs are from. even funnier, the songs in Disc 1 are actually from 3 shows - Its All Over Now and Duprees are from 2/4/78 Milwaukee! The Wikipedia entry for DP 18 lays it out if you're interested. Deadbase IX also lists a soundcheck of Ripple x3 in Milwaukee - what the heck is that??!!

As others have noted, among many highlights a great Music Never Stopped and Eyes of the World from 2/3 - love the super long intro to Eyes, it reminds me of a post-hiatus favorite, 6/8/77. They Love Each Other is fantastic. The 2nd set from 2/5 is just wild. Such a raw sound to the Wolf! Would love to see released the Uptown shows that immediately proceed this. Worth noting how rare The Wheel was at this time - 2/3 was first time played since mid fall '77, another year until played again on 2/17/79 (Keith & Donna's last show), and then another year and a half before it finally re-entered regular rotation.

A couple technical notes - based on Dick's Caveat Emptor, 2/3 appears to have been recorded at a slower tape speed (7.5 ips vs. 15), and so the sound quality is a bit rougher. Also, IIRC, there is an unpatched gap (sad face) in the jam between verses 2 and 3 in Eyes of the World. There's a very nice audience of 2/3 on the Archive if anyone wants to hear that.

Now on to Wichita!!

DP18

After listening to almost 4 hours of insanely wonderful music, the overriding conclusion is that, in my opinion, NO ONE can play guitar like Garcia did. At times subtle and nuanced, at other times raging, but always just exactly perfect within the context of the song they were playing. Remarkable, really. Feeling blessed to have experienced GD/JGB live so many times.

Garcia may not be the "best" guitarist (highly subjective, as most of those inane "best of" polls demonstrate), but he is the only guitarist I can listen to every day. That includes Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Gilmore and whoever else you want to throw in there.

It's grate to be a Deadhead!!

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3p838b

MHammond12

Recommend multi-tasking and do both!

Bolo

You're a harsh taskmaster! Listening to Grateful Dead concerts will continue until morale improves.

Song breakdown

Bluecrow - thanks for the tip. There were a couple of compilations that came out in the 1990s that featured songs from multiple shows, but didn't indicate in the sleeve notes which song came from which show. Ladies and Gentlemen from April 1971 and Dozin' at the Knick from Spring 1990 were two others.

Bolo/Jerry

Agree 100% with your comments on Jerry, what a genius! The whole band was.

Just finishing up Dave's 11 now. Comments to follow.

Dave’s 11

Dooo, just listened to that last week, for first time, so maybe we’ll sneak another round in after this 71 grease fest we’ve got going on today .....fall 72 is def fo shizzle....

EDIt: MHAMMOND12...whoa. I’m not sure what’s more impressive, seeing the laryngitis shows or all that top shelf jazz in a club setting???

Throw my hat

Dicks picks vol 21 , not the main show the extras , Iko iko > morning dew > sugar magnolia . Absolutely sublime , and without doubt one of the best dew’s 😸

Re: Oroborous

I shouldn't really call the Backdoor a club. It was an empty room on the ground floor of the Student Union and Performing Arts building on campus that the A.S. booking people converted into a small concert venue. Just a stage and corked walls. No seats. No refreshments. Bring your own. The talent that appeared there was unbelievable looking back. Freddie King. John Lee Hooker. Two memories...sitting under McCoy Tyner and watching his right sock working its way down past his ankle has he stomped his foot keeping constant time...Roland Kirk playing the flute with his nose, playing three saxophones at once, playing the piano with his elbows and head, and careening around the room playing saxophone being led by his handler (Rahsaan was blind you know) who had an air raid siren he would blow off in your face if you didn't get out of the way fast enough. And none of this seemed like a gimmick. Bright moments indeed.

Still at work, so no chance to listen to Wichita....

....but i get off in 30 minutes. But then again, that Phish show is on. Decisions, decisions.

Dave's 11 Wichita 11/17/72

This show and bonus tracks from Oklahoma City is definitely top stuff. Sound quality is A+. A great Bear recording! Man, he did great work.
The whole show flows nicely, although not a long second set. Love the Sugaree, Bird Song is awesome, Jack Straw, Box of Rain! Come on. Casey Jones to close the first set and than open with Cumberland. Great Truckin Other One, very unique Other One. Always loved Brokedown Palace and this one they play flawlessly.

I will throw out 12/28/79 Road Trips 3.1??

Let me know Gents.

12/28/79

I like the post-space UJB and Bertha on that one a lot mainly for Brent's harmonies. Overall a classic pick with a lot to like. I might give DP5 (12/26/79) the edge however. That pick is hefty.

Always a fan of....

....a mid-set Don't Ease. Hard to find. Found one!!

Brown-Eyed Woman....

....is pretty much the perfect song. 🍻

I Am An A+ Student

Listened to both Dave Picks 11, 11/17/72, and Europe 72, 04/07/72, as assigned by Bolo. Dave's Picks 11 is one of my favorite releases. Great recording by Owsley improved by the treatment of Mr. Norman. Has an incredible Bird Song. Just a wonderful release.

Europe 72, 04/07/72 Wembley just blows it away. Leaves a smoking crater where Wichita used to be. Europe 72 can not be bettered.

Oooooh. I remember this Cumberland!....

....it's toasty.

11/17

This one has a nice slow relaxed build up with some ripping Jerry. TOO than blows the roof off! The only TOO>Brokedown Palace. End of set 2 all great. A perfect prelude to the next to nights.

ps. 4/7 Rips the paint off the walls from the first note. No contest.

Okay Bolo

Okay Bolo, what are your thoughts?
Next show for today?

I suggested 12/28/79. RT3.1

RT 3.1

I’m down, right after my John Prine compilation

Wonderful idea here.

I relocated last week and since that time I have been unpacking as much as I can and maintaining my workload from home. So I have been out of commission here for a while. I came across this pick of the day and I am all for it.

Just to throw a show out there ( not for today) but how about 9/8/73? I have never heard it but Dick Latvala spoke highly of it. It might be nice to give it a listen.

Meanwhile it looks RT 3.1 will it be for today. Maybe I will add 4/8/72 as well.

RT 3.1

Nice - been a while since that one hit my headphones.

MHammond gets a gold star. But what did you listen to AFTER lunch?

12/28/79

I was at this show, it was a blast! Sugaree, High Time, The Music Never Stopped, this show was great from start to finish. This show sounds so much better then Dave's Picks 31 from just a .sound point of view. Yeah, this show was a hell of a lot of fun!

12/28/79

Sugaree lovely, the rest of the set is okay Music rocks! Set 2 Alabama grooving, GSET explosive!, Terrapin super sweet jam, PITB end jam is sick!, UJB outta drums/space yes!, short Miracle, Bertha>Good Love, CJ , OMSN rockin!

Wait for me!!!!!....

....on it. (I'm the tour buddy still in the car doing bong rips as y'all are heading to the gate.)

My time to SHINE!...

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1983/09/10
Santa Fe Downs. Give me this. But for Friday. I'm working tomorrow, but off Friday.
I've stood at Santa Fe Downs and looked east. The view is spectacular.
Whats all the hubbub, bub?
It's got a Music opener and a Cold Rain encore. Warts and all.
Things are strange outside. Bird Songs all day.
edit. Found something!!
https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/grateful-dead-jerry-garcia-favourite-song/
Spoiler alert. Row Jimmy. Also a favorite of Bill The Drummer. It was playing as I read it (12.28.79. Disc one. Track four).
I still don't believe in coincidences.

RT3.1 and DaP11

DaP11: Last half of disc two - the whole He’s Gone thru BDP is incredible

Just starting RT3.1 now , if the first song is any indication of this night, I’m in for something special!

How’s about Dicks 22?

Hendrix Freak threw this one out a couple days ago but yall were onto something else.....it got me thinking about some primal dead, and haven’t had a good 68 fix for a bit....So Wadaya say Laddys?

MHammond: RT 3.1, nice pick. Started to go through the 79 stuff when DaP 31 came out but didn’t make it, rember liking this one more than 31, and yesterday confirmed that. Really need to get to DP 5 from 12/26, it’s been so long for that one. Maybe this weekend I’ll roll that?

VGUY: I’m down with some Santa Fe tomorrow. Heard about this one for years but don’t think I’ve ever checked it out. Plus 83 would be a nice change up here....

RT3.1

12/28/79! Is this the best RT release? Maybe, certainly the best 79 release from the Vault so far. Betty did another excellent job here.
I like this release more and more every time I listen to it. Sound quality is A+.Sugaree opener! Different feel to this show without Keith and Donna, but I dig it. Brent's keyboards really shine. Really good flowing Terrapin, Playing, UJB. The show closers are fun and groovy. Makes me want to get up and dance.
And then there is the bonus disc, from 12/30/79. 10 additional songs of bliss. Scarlet Fire, Let it Grow, Truckin! Sweet.

Would love to see more 79 and of course 80. The early Brent years! I know the Chicago release didn't match this release but 79 has a lot to offer.
Yesterday I also listened to 9/1/79. Not an official release, but again great 79 sound.
If you have not heard it, check it out.

Looking forward to our next pick. Let us know!

Re: Oroborous

I can't take credit for that pick. I'm trying the Europe 72 night by night thing and I'm already behind.

Dicks 22 is today, correct?....

.....hoping 9.10.83 gets listened to tomorrow.

12-28-79

Playing now.
Is that today’s pick?

First got this on cassette in mid-90’s and loved it right away. Then got a CD-R copy. Was really happy to get it as a commercially released CD.

This show needs a Plangentized/Normanized remaster 180g vinyl record store day release.

Edit:
Looks like I’m a day behind. No worries, I’ll catch up.

Pick of the Day

Good to have you kid.

Bolo, what are your thoughts on the last pick. Sounds like the crowd is feeling Dick's 22 for today/ tonight. I will have to sit this one out as I don't have this one. Looking forward to tomorrow's choice.
Be well folks!
Snowed here in MN today☹️