Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,099 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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March 7, 2024 - 2:11pm

#421

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Spring 89

Though I did not relisten to a few shows previously heard, I did rehash several, and some shows multiple times. I started at 2/5 and went in order, finishing with the excellent 5/27 show.

Overall this is a very good, consistent period, though still not as fully gelled as the awesome summer and fall periods. I think this can be attributed to it being yet another transitional period. With the newer songs from the previous year still percolating , as well as several new tunes getting hashed out, (interesting during any era) combined with tech changes and evolving personal roles, it is an interesting period.
One that I hadn’t previously really looked at, and now glad I finally did!

I think generally, the earlier shows of the year are perhaps more consistent than is historically sometimes the case,( but historically similar) in perhaps being a teeny bit subdued, comparatively.
Their all good, enjoyable shows, didn’t hear a dude in the bunch, but hey, they can’t all be top shelf. So I found a nice progression through the spring that really started to gel and peak during the spring tour proper. I hopefully, Iprovide a nice jumping off point for anyone interested in what ever tour I’m stumbling through.

3/28/89: vguy suggested this on POTD awhile back and I liked it as much now as I did then. In fact, it’s in my top picks. A fine show but perhaps just a pace or two off the leaders?
So much of this can be subjective, and though I try to critically listen to all the shows, over time etc, it’s really hard to pick a “best” etc.
So I try to do the leg work for folks who may have a cursory interest about a tour, but not the time or sanity to waste going through the whole thing lol.
So hopefully, I provide a nice jumping off point for anyone interested in what ever tour I’m stumbling through.

I was at the Pittsburgh shows and we felt they continued the promising progression since the big 86 collapse, but though we liked the shows, I recall thinking good but…
years later, with the DL release, I was grateful to get an attended show, but still had some dissonance, perhaps another right city street, but wrong house?
This time around I was really scratching my pointy head at first, but long short, feel the first show kind lacks, except for the fun post drums sequence etc.
The next night however, I felt was a tad above the tour status quo and in the running for a top pick? (But still think perhaps they missed the mark slightly, maybe it was about the tapes? But again, this can all be so subjective).
More importantly, this show or perhaps end of first night can really be seen as point of demarcation from earlier, to the hieght of this period!

4/5&6/89: I think 4/5 is most definitely a tour tops and recommended.
4/6, Conekids first show I believe, is good, but another perhaps just below that top dog line? Another good tour status quo show on the sixth, but not quite the lightning of the fifth?

4/8/89: though we were at this one also, and really enjoyed it, my memory was of a good but ?…And I had a tape of the first and a couple songs from the second, but hadn’t heard the whole show until a few years ago. It perked my interest but I didn’t get back to it until now, and wow, really glad I did! Have a story for this one but I’ll do that later…yeah it’s in my top picks and maybe not THE show but there’s just something about this show, the vibe? The flow, The set list (mostly), and like the whole tour Brent is strong, and because if it’s uniqueness I think this might be my favorite Blow Away of the tour? Vocal harmonies too which were generally really strong over this period!
Well, you can check it out if you please.
I highly recommend a listen and it’s on my top list.

4/9/89: another great show. Fun stuff and more consistent tour status quo, but as throughout the tour you get the occasional vocal flub or miscue, especially with some of the new material. I found this show another, good, but just a step off the pace…

4/11, 12, 13/89: more overall more of the same, in a good way, though the second night seemed a bit of a creeper and the first night (a fine previous DV pick) seemed the strongest of the three, and yet another close but….

4/15/89: same here as several. Good but…not…quite…? I really liked this show and it’s on my second string list.

4/16&17/89 were good, but perhaps on the tour downside or just past the peak section of this period? Very subtle and the kind of thing I think you can only really get if you do whole tours.

IRVINE: more of the same but perhaps a bit looser and thus a bit less tight?
Again, subtle feels and paying attention to misses etc. Perhaps just a touch of California laid back no worries sun fun, as they do sound like their having fun, actually that’s a prevalent vibe through: they were having fun again, getting new momentum etc.
Perhaps a lab opportunity too as they continue to prominently roll out the new stuff for good or sometimes for ill, and definitely here for the Cali crowd.

FROST: boy Frost shows sure seem to both inspire but with some of that laissez-faire Cali home vibe. And these are no different. They open with a good Jack and proceed with a fun set list, though Just a Little Light is still a work in progress. Solid second set which I had a tape of, with cool PITB and yet another cool drums into space, that was stepped up all tour and with the midi addition has become more “other” less trad drums, which I’ve always really dug!
But finally hearing 5/7 I’d have to say I liked that one more, though there were some obvious whoopsies lol. Bird Song was sweet and has been throughout the tour.
One of the spring highlights for me, but I’m sure not others lol is the midi space fest as they really go to town having a ball with the new toys! Really, the whole sequence from He’s Gone through Black Pete is some of the best stuff I heard so far this year!
Another good show, on my second string list just because of the slop factor, comparatively speaking…

Which brings us to show completely off my radar 5/27/89
This was perhaps the biggest surprise of this trip.
And unlike many of these larger multi group bene shows that sometimes get played safe etc, this one has great energy and illustrates how things have progressed nicely over the course of the year during this interesting transitional period, just before and leading up to what I and some consider one of the best stretches in their thirty year history: summer 89 through summer 90!

So, top picks in no real order (whichever I listened to last was best ala Jim ; )
4/8, 4/5, 4/3, 3/28 and 5/27, with second string 4/9, 4/11, 4/15 and 5/7…
That may be a lot, but that’s because if how overall comparative this stretch is, thus not only one or two that really jump out.
I think if you have any infinity for this era you’ll at least enjoy any of these picks, find them a good jumping off point, and hey, sometimes you might even get shown the light ; )

Well, it was fun, but glad it’s over as to really dig in you have to keep at it and by the end I was doing like a weeks of two a days, and 3 DHBs at the end. Actually, more DHBs as I’m rehashing some of my top picks in playoff round lol. Hey, sorry, getting hockey fever lol.
ONWARD!

Prolly cleanse this WE with more 74, then perhaps a week of 69, maybe a bunch of April 69, then a little more May 79 and/or pickup 84 again…
March 7, 2024 - 2:37am

#422

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

China-Rider

If I was to give someone a very brief indication of why I liked The Dead, to someone who had never heard them, I would chose a version of China-Rider. For me, one from between 1972-1974. As the first one I heard was on the old "Europe 72" album, that would be a likely contender.
March 6, 2024 - 7:18pm

#423

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Transitions

Like that exact moment they drifted from China Cat into I Know You Rider

Regardless of the year, words cannot describe.

(did the really make it through HeyNow?)
March 6, 2024 - 8:44am

#424

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Speaking of 89

Been marching through spring 89 (everything I’ve not heard up to 5/27/89)
Just a few shows left then I’ll report back…
March 5, 2024 - 4:18pm

#425

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

Speaking of 89

For those who torrent, summer 89 and fall 89 are at etree as single torrents.
Summer 91 was there too.
Was there last weekend and grabbed them in case they are upgraded from what I already have.
March 5, 2024 - 8:24am

#426

bluecrow

Joined:
September 21, 2015

Box o Rain

Encore got tucked after Set 1 to save space if you were burning to disc, like you would sometimes see in the cassette days. That can fool ya. DaP 49 did it for the 2nd Frost show. The most recent Miller transfer of the Healy/Pierson Ultramatrix has it in correct order. Haven't quite got there yet. Just hit drums and need to break for another task.
March 5, 2024 - 7:15am

#427

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

The Other One

Says thanks for the well wishes.
She’s fine, perhaps hurt her pride most, just a little sore is all.
Think Jim got beat up worse by the Hey Know Police! ; )
Sounds like the bastards turned it up to 11.

Box O Rain was the encore fyi…

I’ll try more later, when I’m done shoveling for the fourth time in 3 days…
March 5, 2024 - 6:58am

#428

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

4-8-89

(Miller SBD) 2nd set starts with Box of Rain?
Angry Brent gets a 9 min. Blow Away.
Solid show. I think I remember Bobby giving an interview saying 1989 was some of their best later stuff.
Cheers
March 4, 2024 - 5:40pm

#429

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

4/8/89

I'm getting to this now.. I love one of the comments on setlists dot net

I remember the rain, and the cops and far too much very strong acid.

That got my attention.

I am trying to participate more but even the simplist things wake up the heymeow police.

One of five attempts are seeming to get these days, with one arm in a sling, it's like they have special a filter to screw with the disabled. This filter censorship thing is BS

Add two more heynows to the list.. nothing seems to be getting through
March 4, 2024 - 5:07pm

#430

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

Dennis

Thanks.
I got Hey Now’d sending you a PM.

I can hold off for now and will try to acquire it in the future if it appears at etree.
I can get to the shn flac site on an iPad (didn’t log in), but on a computer it’s blocked because it’s not secure according to various browsers.

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'