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    marye
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    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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  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    love your comment about liking licorice, Vguy

    :)))

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    comparing Keith & Donna's last and Brent's first....

    ....fun fact. They repeated eight songs.
    That being said, comparing the Passenger's alone is....interesting.

  • billy the kid
    Joined:
    Rock thing ,great write up

    Rock thing , that is a great write up on 2/17/79 you did. Big Railroad Blues hadn't been played since 1974.

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 Second Set

    PROUDFOOT, RE relieved to move on: Sounds about right.

    BILLY THE KID: Nice. I thought that Greatest Story does seemed special, too. It's got tight energy, but I also don't recall hearing a Greatest Story with that free-form a guitar solo from Jerry. I was definitely startin' to think I could go for a bit more fidelity on this show, too.

    THE GOOD OLE GRATEFUL DEAD: Yeah, man, from Playin' on, it's anybody's guess. The tape I Downloaded has that tracked as "Playin' >", "Drums >", "Space >", like you say. Playin' isn't really known for its drum solos, but I think I'd just keep all that as Playin' until they made a definitive move into The Wheel. I realize that no one else would ever do that. There's just Space all over the second set after Playin'. The Wheel disintegrates into Shakedown. That Shakedown back into Playin', though, eh? Definitely the stuff. You can hear Jer hinting at Playin' quite a while before they actually get there. Would not want to be responsible for seeding that. Where do I cut it?!?! :)

    Man, this second set jumps like a Willys in four wheel drive.

    Might as Well!!!: Went to a Dead show and a Jerry Band gig broke out! Yeah! Rocketing out the gate for the second set. Might as well. This show has a seriously stacked set list imo.

    Miracle: Damn. No chance to catch your breath tonight! Jerry’s soaring, then doing some crazy runs in the first solo. Pretty manic, really, just trying to make something happen. Nice ending jam too. A drummer seems to be losing his footing or a stick or something, but no one else… Whoa!!!

    Bertha!: I don’t think ANYBODY saw THAT coming, least of which the band. Whoever pulled the tempo back to something sensible is a hero, because that was about to set a record. Ohp, gonna get one of those big unison hits goin’? Not yet. Pickin’ up the pace again. Phil is not giving up on the big bang… unnnnn… not quite….hahaha. Phil’s still goin’ for it. The drummers are just hittin’ all ones like they're wired as hell. This whole second set is coming off with it’s teeth grinding. Crowd cheers an almost earthquake bass bomb, but Phill still can’t quite get everyone there. Test me! GONG. Got it. Memories starting to clear. Synchronization critical. Sounds like double kicks from the drums. What is this? The lets see how many notes we can play contest?

    Good Lovin’: Nice, seamless transition. Just, suddenly their playing Good Lovin’. Nice crescendos. Jerry’s boppin’ along for the solo. One of his more coherent solos so far. They seem to have a better handle on the dynamics now. This is a really, really nice performance of this tune. Bobby’s got just the right atmosphere here. He’s givin’ it everything, but not overblowing. This will be excellent if he keeps the rap under control. No danger of Bobby sellin’ the Brooklyn Bridge. Mickey goin’ crazy with some heavy percussion runs, but they are buried deep in the mix, might not even be goin’ through the main PA. Long cheers ensue. Well deserved. That was excellent. They are taking no prisoners tonight, but that really struck the perfect balance. Wouldn't normally gush over Good Lovin', but that was excellent. At this point, I think I’d almost be wishing for five minutes of tuning.

    Heart of Me. Ahh, nice farewell for Donna. Nice little breather for us, too. She sounds really good. Sounds like maybe Jerry missed a chord change and his fills are a little off key at one point early on. Nice little descending flutter from Jer that one of the drummers picks up on, adding some 16th high-hat cymbal to. Wow. Really nice. The ending was superb.

    Big Railroad Blues. Jerry came to rock tonight, that’s for sure. Goovin’ on the, which solo is this? They seem to have settled down a bit from the insanity that was the teeth numbing first half of the second set.

    Terrapin!: Sorta slips into the hall, almost without being noticed. Not the kind of thunderous greeting it would become accustomed to in later years. This performance seems almost quaint in its simplicity. One of the drummers continues to have happy foot. Cool guitar solo leads everyone out into open space as the various counterpoints begin to emerge, everyone expanding out into their own direction before drifting gently into a little space of equilibrium. Jer’s not quite ready for the big finale. He starts to play the melody that will bring everyone out of their trance, then decides to let the ride get a little more gentle as it drifts along. There it is. Not monumental, just recombining into a gentle reading of the last verse. Ahh.. Jer’s sweet old voice… Nice build up to counting stars, but Jerry’s vocal doesn’t quite soar. Finding the right mix of harmony without building up too dramatically and the finale has begun. This Terrapin seems, somehow, understated, but it’s difficult to say exactly what gives that impression. I mean, Mickey is off the hook as usual. Nice, Phil plays the signature melody line in a high register on the bass instead of Jerry, as Jerry continues to wiggle about with all sorts of lead lines. Mickey gets a bit too tricky for his own good, but that slightly clumsy moment doesn’t trip up anyone else.

    Playin’: Just where you’d expect “Drums” to begin, nice call. Not sure I really dig the four on the floor and the open and closed high hat feel for this tune. Don’t have any particular qualms with disco Dead, or the Disco Cowboy things they did, but it feels like it’s tying Playin’ down too much. And, as soon as I type that, the bottom drops out and they out into an open ended Playin’ jam with Jer out in the echoey distance working’ the envelope filter. Really nice atmosphere here. Jerry’s makin’ sure they don’t get back to the song any time soon. Little too much kick drum in the mix is sorta harshin’ my mellow, but always happy to see a thorough deconstruction of Playin’. …and it seems to be just petering out, but then someone adds some nice textures. Almost sounds like a Fender Rhodes, but I can still hear Keith plunking away, so maybe it was Bobby… Someone in the audience hoping they’ll play I Need A Miracle, forgetting that we already heard that, what seems like several lifetimes ago. Wow. Completely abstract, now. Oh, and there IS a “Drums” track, but this feels like Playin’ with a drum solo (ok, got it), but that Playin’ jam would have definitely qualified as “Space” in a latter day show, albeit out of conventional order. Still an array of all acoustic percussion. Do I smell a Not Fade Away out of the drum solo? I see that someone has tracked this as a transition into “Space”, but all I hear are drums, still. Not hearing any “Space” here. Oh, and just as I type that, Phil joins the jam with Jerry not too far behind.

    The Wheel: This setlist is a dream. Guess they didn’t have to save anything for the next night. This is a nice Wheel. They’ve really settled down into atmospheric mode after the totally outrageous start to the second set. Some cool tremolo picking from Jerry as the song breaks up.

    Shakedown: Starts off a little, not a little, really… er… shaky. Nice echo effect on Jer’s guitar. Drummers haul the tempo up from the crater left by Phil’s opening bass bomb. You really get the impression that they are not working with a set list tonight. Settling in a bit just before Jerry starts the first verse. Whoo! Oh, yeah. Dancin’ shoes on now. Such a contrast. First part of set two could barely stay on the rails, but now they’re so spaced out they forget to put their foot down on the accelerator. Not a complaint, at, all. I usually imagine Shakedown jams to be more rhythmic. There’s sill a hint of the groove in the background, but well, there it went. Phil just introduced a completely different groove. Getting loose like that let’s them slip into other things, which is, I think, what’s happening now…. or not… This must be the most abstract Shakedown jam I’ve ever heard. I mean, there are literally hundreds of tapes I’ve never heard, but still. Jerry really working out now. Super fast little tremolo picking like in the high registers. Drums have started driving again. Sounds like Jerry’s teasing a Playin’ Reprise. Did they even do that in the 70s? No doubt. Jerry is definitely hinting at the Playin’ lick. Either they’re taking the long way home or they’ve given up on it. Wow. Jer getting’ pretty avant garde now. Where. Is. This. Going?! Lovin’ it!

    Playin’ Reprise: Wow, Jer managed to get everyone on board for a Playin’ reprise after all that. And, damn, does it thunder onto the scene when it finally takes form. Still doin’ that insistent four on the floor thing that makes it feel kind of agro.

    Sugar Mag: Love how this comes up for air out of the disintegrating Playin’ reprise. This show has had something for everyone, from super high energy numbers to complete space outs. Even with the free form mood that took over in the second half of the set, this is nice and tight; moving right along. Everyone in. Bobby thanks Bill Graham.

    One More Saturday Night: Solidly above par. Wailing sayonara for Keith and Donna. I’m exhausted. What a show!

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    4.22.79 New Kid on the block....

    ....sounds like he fit right in and liked licorice.

  • billy the kid
    Joined:
    2/17/79 4/22/79. Two great shows

    2/17/79 & 4/22/79 are two great shows that should be official releases. I went to 2/17/79, it was a benefit to stop environmental cancer called Rock for Life. The show started with the lights all on in the house as the Dead blasted out a killer version of Greatest Story. The version of Don't Ease Me In was great, they reworked it when Brent joined the band and it was never the same. I didn't make 4/22/79, it was my moms birthday, we were having a party. Charlie Daniels and Greg Kihn were both on the bill before the Dead. It's so nice to hear Brent's organ playing on Jack Straw for the the first time. The Dead seemed really pumped up and into it for the whole show. This show at Spartan Stadium wasn't to far away from where the Dead played their first show as the Grateful Dead, at the San Jose Acid Test on 12/4/65.

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 First Set

    Wow. I remember thinking this was a really upbeat show considering it was Keith and Donna's last, but they must have given them one hell of a going away party. It is all goin' off in, like, every direction. I was exhausted just listening to it. This show goes from absolutely manic teeth grinding rockers and old timey tunes that barely hold it together to some seriously out there space jams. You'd have to label this with, like, three "Space" tracks if you were inclined to breaking things down as much as possible.

    I already had the Bob Menke AKG source in my music library, so I was listening to that. Not checking the set list. Can’t remember what it was, other than Donna gets to sing a lot, iirc. Here and there saw the song title pop up. Sound is pretty thin. Really need to crank it.

    Greatest Story: Usually like this as an opener. Jer seems to have carte blanche once his solo starts. Always a good idea in my book. Really searching and experimental as the four on the floor drives away behind him. Isn't this tune usually a little more cut and dry?

    What’s Bobby saying’ about technical adjustments? Had to reach for the volume control, but still couldn’t make it out.

    Don’t Ease: Damn sure am glad I left the volume where it was after that announcement. Love this tune. Haha. Oh, yeah, this must be when Bobby was learning to play slide on the job.

    Mama Tried: Love this one too! Seems like there might actually be a bit too much energy, if there is such a thing. Seem to be just barely holding’ it together.

    Mexicali: Despite the fact that it’s Keith’s last show, he’s been really prominent in the mix so far. Departing gift? Emotive delivery from Bobby. Jerry’s chorus vocals are really standing out too, for better or worse. This is pre-MIDI, obviously, but damn, Jer’s guitar sounded just like a trumpet for a minute there. Read somewhere about Branford Marsalis commenting that Jerry didn’t need MIDI to make his guitar sound like another instrument. This may be the proof. Can’t believe I have so much to say about Mexicali Blues!

    Friend of the Devil: Chill slow tempo version. Some weird polyrhythmic syncopation goin’ on. Jer starts signing on the wrong beat, but has it together before the first verse is over. Keith gets several choruses for his somewhat aimless piano solo, before giving way to a spirited solo by Jer, who’s playing fast triplets and fluttery phrases over the slow tempo before bringing everyone in smoothly for the last verse and a strong final chorus.

    Passenger: Did they ever do this again? Kinda relies on Donna. I don’t keep a Deadbase handy, unfortunately. Someone seems to get a little lost going into the “Only Game in Town” part. Jer slide solo. Bobby’s guitar is pretty much inaudible. I think the sense of roughness I’m feeling is due to both lack of rhythm guitar and Jerry trying to double on slide and normal fretted runs. It’s a tough juggling act. Pretty wild ride, this one. Stretchin’ out the second solo. Thought they were gonna end it in a jam, but someone brings it back to sing one more chorus before the ending, but it appears the memo did not circulate widely. Donna seems to be the only one who managed to get back to the chorus on time, but everyone recovers beautifully to end. I read that Phil wrote this song because he wanted to hear some raunchy guitar playing from Jerry and Bob. Well, he got it that time.

    High Time: Wow. That's not something I normally expect to hear. Nice, delicate interplay from everybody. Pretty difficult song, actually. Not surprising it didn't see much action on stage.

    Looks like Rain: Never really warmed up to this tune. That said, sometimes it gets stuck on repeat in my head and no matter what I do, I cannot stop hearing it… What the hell’s with those loud snare hits? lol My guess is that prankster Mickey, but who knows? Still laughing. Sounds like someone wants to pick up the tempo a bit. This is actually a pretty sensitive rendering of this song.

    Jack a Roe: Electric! There’s something else ya don’t hear every day. Man, this show is absolutely stacked with tunes I totally love. Again, can’t hear Bobby’s guitar at all. Keith has been reigned into the mix better at this point. Phil’s givin’ it his all playing in and out of Jerry’s first solo. Ahh.. there’s Bob. Welcome to the show, dude. Sounds like only one drummer at this point, too. Pretty sparse, but then again, as much as I love this tune, there’s not a whole lot for everyone to do.

    Lazy Lightning/Supplication: Period piece. Dunno why Bobby gave up on so many of his old tunes in favor of blues numbers, and Dylan covers. Donna sounds strong here. I believe I read that she and Keith actually wanted out at this point, so perhaps that contributes to the sense of jubilance (not a word apparently) here and Keith’s relative engagement. Jerry really, really, flying again. Float in’ like a butterfly, stinging’ like a bee. Phil senses blood and a jamming frenzy ensues. I guess if Bobby never cued them to go back into the song everyone else’d just go on forever like that…hmmmm…. It is so manic at this point, I don’t see how you could even dance to it. Spinners’d be achieving physical lift off, I think, depending on the robustness of their skirts.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Tonight on "Wha'appen?":

    My theory is the agreement to part ways happened, everyone was relieved about it, so they made 2/17/79 special.

  • The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    Grateful Dead Memories

    2/17 is good stuff.

    Based on what I was reading, Donna mentions her & Keith discussing leaving the band through out the last tour. So maybe it was agreed upon between 2/11 in St. Louis & 2/17 in Oakland. Just speculating.

    In regards to Tracking, since Rockthing brought that up....
    I'm feeling it as Playing In The Band > Drums > Space > Wheel > Shakedown Street > Playing In The Band Jam > Reprise.
    The Jam after Shakedown seems to turn into a PITB jam at around 12:30.
    I like to give PITB as much labeling as possible, so that I'll pick that show out and listen to it again.
    PITB rules.
    (All of the above is killer! Listen to Jerry's voice in Terrapin & The Wheel segue is sweet, but that jam from Shakedown into Playing Jam is the stuff.)

    Alright, I feel I'd not be performing my obligation to the nation if I didn't mention the 4/17/79 Rehearsal tape as a potential listen before you blast off into 4/22/79.

    I gotta do it.

    Keep on Rocking, Rockers.

    PS - 2/9/73 was one of my first 3 bootleg tapes, it still gets me every time, so I'm with ya on that Jim.
    Mickey was right they were into Time Travel.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Tapes / Spartan Stadium and Maples Pavilion

    I remember dropping off a 10 pack of TDKs with an acquaintance. I got 4/22/79 Spartan Stadium, 2/9/73 Maples Pavilion and 06/29/76 Auditorium Theater - Chicago in the same box. They contained their share of new songs (with Spartan Stadium, not so much songs but a new keyboard player).

    I ended up getting a few more boxes from the same friend before geography and time brought that to an end. I have a crystalline memory of these first listens, like opening up another world of shows, songs and peeks into parts of eras I had no prior exposure into. Like Christmas morning..

    In my mind all the shows from that glorious 10 pack take up the same real estate in my frontal lobe. Funny how memories work, especially grateful dead memories.

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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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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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Beautiful sunshine morning, fresh brewed coffee, and DaP 24, with its extra dose of Phil. Love this show, one of my favorite releases in the Dave's series. Can't wait for other shows in the run to be released.

So many excellent picks suggested in this thread. Thank you! A lot of them outside my general rotation, maybe years since last solid listen, and its been super fun to rediscover, or in some cases, finally really actually "get it". I'm sort of freestyling through, hopping and skipping - if not able to listen right away, then mental note to follow up. Listened to Disc 3 on DaP 3 yesterday, with that first Keith Dark Star and man was that a sweet journey to lose oneself in. That whole release shines. DaP 8 '80 Fox is def in the queue, maybe later today.

As some fellow travelers have noted, that first night at Alpine '87 was something else. I wasn't sure what the freaking heck was happening when suddenly all sorts of crazy jungle sounds were pouring out of the speakers during that jam out of Eyes. And yea, that Watchtower, completely and totally unexpected for most of us, was one of the more hair raising musical moments I ever experienced. Wowza. As to Alpine '88, for me it comes down to that final night, with that first Believe it or Not and the aura-shooting-out-of-the-top-of-your-head Morning Dew (10th row (?) in front of Jerry for that wonderful spiritual spirit-filled night.) Yes, it was on GD Hour that Healy's back and forth panning of the board tapes from that show was discussed. I know he did it for the first night of the run also. Doesn't bother me much but ultimately you have to wonder what the heck he thought he was doing. My word-on-the-street understanding was that the ultramatrix boards Healy made at Alpine in '87 were unlistenable. Love to to find out otherwise. His boards during the spring tour seem to have been hit and miss.

Thanks everybody for all the fun and musical goodness served up here. An oasis of good vibes during a dark and difficult time. Stay safe and healthy everyone.

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It is very weird how the Healy ultramatrix recordings or what is in the vault from '87 mostly spring tour don't sound that good and the Don Person ultramatrix recordings sound great. C.M. says the recordings were made on the same kind of cassette deck but his sound better.

Fun post & nice to Meet Ya!

I agree about the Thread, it's been a real nice Alternate reality.

DaP 24 & DaP 3 have been great listens for sure. There's magic in them there tapes.

And thanks for the Alpine stories.. it's fun to hear other travelers feedback on that first night in '87, it wasn't just a dream! Good times.

Thanks for the input on the tapes, I figured if they haven't come out yet, they probably aren't listenable. I know experimentation was a thing, but I wish it wouldn't have been '87 that all that UltraMatrix experimentation was happening. Those were magic shows and to have clean boards of some of those... alas.

Yeah Morning Dew '88 and then we got that BlackBird encore that was nice, real nice. A lot of new songs during those 4 shows.

Good Stuff!

JIMINMD - Alpine memories made you flash! write it down..

9/3/72 Folsom Field is getting a dust off over here and SBD has got issues, but is also pretty cool so far:) PITB coming up after some Godchaux introductions.. gonna listen

Thanks all.. and what else are you gonna listen to this weekend?

For sure the Don Pearson Upgrades are the best sounding yet. There were some good Joani Walker cassette masters too.

I'd love to know more about both those players. Sounded like Joani met Healy and was running the Cassette taping for awhile there, and Don Pearson was part of the crew.

So yeah, who's got the scoop on all that?

Jesse Jarnow are you writing a book on Taper's? That would be cool.. especially if it was like Heads!

Fun to think about. BTW 9/3/72 PITB is DOPE! (sounds a little rough, but not as bad as some of the UltraMatrix we be talking about)

EDIT: Oh and with the Spring Matrix, Healy was going way heavy with the ambient mic making them sound like Audience recordings, I believe is the big diff.

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Right? That's been happening a lot lately.. Dead magic ;)

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Skipped the 80 show for now to do 4/24/72 yesterday. But need to check that out ASAP. Oh, of course had mind properly blown by 4/24/72....listened to most of disc three three times!

9/10/91: not sure if I got a round to this one before, but it’s going in regular rotation now! Listened to second set twice! Jinxees Shaggy that was awesome! Great choice!

Doing 8/25/72 now. Haven’t heard this one much either? Mostly when it came out. So much dead, so little time etc. need to spend more time with this one...

DaP 3: yeah that DS sequence is a real Bobbie Dazzler!

4WINDS/87 UM: interesting!...haven’t dived deep, but had similar thoughts on the Pearson recordings...that’s the dream catcher I was referencing days back: could there be useable Pearson tapes or some possible combo that might provide something? useable..

Don Pearson: .FYI for whomever ever asked. Don was with Ultra Sound, the Dead’s PA company supplied/supported by Meyers Sound etc. Don, and Howard and a few others were like regular crew guys with the Dead but working for the PA company or something along those lines. Don had Black hair and a mustache (I think?, so long ago..,) and could be seen hanging at the board working in conjunction with Healy...

SHOWS ATTENDED: yeah, setting that up was fun, but beyond convoluted...luckily I did that years ago at a job that I couldn’t get started on...so at least I got paid to do it, lol.

6/30/86: great first show! Always have felt this was a top tier attended show. Think I ate a whole garden of veggies that tour, and that night, phheewwww, remember the barge and river boats that came at exactly the right moments, like it was orchestrated, during Big River, then Ship of Fools, whhhoooaaa, still freaks me out! One of the few times I got good seats from GDTS, I think only indoor Amp tix? Just to the right of right isle, about 15 rows back, sweet!

ALPINE: there 86, 87, and 2 outta 3 in 89. Don’t remember anything about 86 except camping in that sweet lot next lot over in the shade next to the trees, and that we got way the fug out at those shows...like I say that whole tour, hell that whole year is a real blur. 87 it was too hot, crowded, and all that MTV/TOG phenomenon was in full swing so good shows but didn’t dig the scene like 86. 89 is a whole legend unto itself...

Yeah, 8/25/72....need to get better acquainted with this one..”oooo, water bong so smoooooth!” name that quote?

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Shoot chip, gonna have to do that disc 3 (at least) again later! That was like Dark Star sheet der mon!
But first: A little Frampton Comes Alive, assorted Clapton, and some Stones (needed to change it up so Lovey won’t knife me in my sleep)

Such a laid back show, and that stellar start with Cold Rain and Snow. Nice He's gone, Black Peter is really good. FOTD, boy did they change this up when they returned in 1976, I sometimes forget how different the early versions were. Bird is hot, Playing. Solid Truckin and great finish. Sound quality in this release is A+. Another release courtesy of ABCD LLC. Thanks gents.

What is on tap for tomorrow?

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....this He's Gone is something else. And that Cold Rain opener was 🔥. I agree with the Minnesotian.

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....Black Peter Jack Straw.
Jerrys tone is dialed the fuck in. Keith is all over it on FOTD. You know, these guys are pretty good!

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....and then; whoosh. The exits are here 👈, and here👉. In case you get scared. - GD flight attendant Donna Jean Godchaux. Pilot Jerry takes control at the 8:30 mark and assures the safety of his passengers. Co-pilot Phil bouncing bass bomb radar pings ahead. Hopefully we have enough parachutes. Dodging storm clouds. If the thunder don't getcha....
The sky clears at thirteen minutes. Haven't seen the sun in awhile.

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Not really going on a limb here, but in honor of #34 coming soon, let's give 7/31/74 a run. Dave's Picks #2. I hear the bonus disc is also super good. I still have never heard it.

What do you think Vguy?

Would be interested in hearing all of your opinions on this release.

Be well.

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....lets check out that limb. Been a while.
Newsflash! No. Its not covid related. Phil solo at the 13:30 mark of Truckin'. All good. Aaaand he spills his bottom end splurge into a Spanish Lady. Way to go Philster!! 👏👏 Stud

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That Stella out of that E.T. space was nice!

On to summer 74. Scarlet's killing it out of the gate!

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Almost a bookend indoor version of Veneta. Bird Song is as beautiful as it gets. 1972 versions are my favorite anyway. Interesting that Folsom Field was the following Dead concert after Oregon.

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This ain't Kentucky Man... It's Berkeley!

Stellar Show, Top Tier in my opinion, especially after a focused re listen yesterday. (Two maybe Three-ish)

Not sure there’s much to add about the music based on what’s been said here already.

So I’ll just lay out some of the facts:
Last Show of a 4 Show run at the Berkeley Community Theater
First Hometown Shows since Europe ’72
Bear Recorded it (freshly released from prison)
Looks like it didn’t circulate in it’s entirety before it’s release in October 2017
(Incomplete in Dead Base through DB 50 Updates, Taper’s Compendium list only through El Paso)
Nice Bill Graham Introduction
1 of 7 Cold Rain & Snow openers in 1972
1 of 5 Black Peter in 1972
Bird Song candidate for best of ’72
PITB earns it’s place with the other greats of ’72
Truckin’ > The Other One is Epic!

Set 1
Closes with Bird Song (11:30), PITB (16:48) & Bertha (6:40) - Only Time Played in this Order (Credit: FOURWINDSBLOW)
35 minutes of completely wonderful music.
Those 3 songs alone are worth admission (and in that order, wow!).

Set 2
Opens with Truckin’ (16:02) > TOO (28:03)
44 minutes of completely wonderful music.
Upper echelon Truckin’ > TOO! The Jam from Truckin’ into TOO is worth serious exploration and Phil’s contributions up to the Spanish Lady, I could listen to that a lot and will.

There’s a few stumbles in Bertha made up for with some sick Jerry shredding @ end (as mentioned by all)
Stella is different…
This show is GREAT!

Under the radar likely due to two factors:
1. Lives in the Shadow of Veneta Oregon 8/27/72
2. Full Show didn’t circulate until 2017

I absolutely love this show, and will be listening to it much more often.

Really really really enjoyed this pick!!

Thanks for making me re listen, it’s my favorite pick here as of today:)

7/31/74 you say? Onward…

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Just starting to listen... and can you believe it, it is raining in Rhode Island!!! There also is another Dillon Stadium show from 7/16/72 that features some of the Allman Brothers.. and there is only one version on Internet Archive, I always forget about it when we are talking Watkins Glen or 6/9/73... enjoy your day everyone and be safe.. bob t

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Set 2 sounds real good!

ps. Bird, Playin, Bertha. Only time these song were played in that order.

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Spent a good portion of yesterday afternoon on the front porch, drinking Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, doing some light reading, and soaking up my newly acquired DiP28. I made it all the way through the Nebraska show, and just that alone assured me that my money had been well spent. The "NFA>GDTRFB>NFA" to end it all is killer! GOGD, you were right about having some good listening ahead of me. I think I will try to sneak in the Salt Lake show today, but no porch sitting, as it's raining here in Baltimore... (isn't that a song from the 90s?)

Yesterday's BCT show was absolutely eye-opening. Again, I have no idea why it didn't click for me when it came out, or why I have neglected it for so long, but that is another top-tier pick for sure!

Just fired up DaP 2 (7/31/74) for today's listen. Another great pick, and another standout in the series. The bonus disc is my favorite of the series, and serves as a delicious and heady dessert to the Dillion show main course.

I hope everyone is safe and happy!

Peace

EDIT: Man, this "Me and My Uncle" is SWINGING, BABY!

Happy Indeed!

Haven't even looked outside yet.. but there is a light source out there:)

To distracted listening, reading and talking GD!

Yesterdays trip through 8/25/72 came in waves...
First Listen, Break and Exploration of 9/3/72 - Recommend checking out DiP V36 bonus material at least.. SICK!!!
Back to 8/25/72 this time outside in a sun break around 4:20.. new colors, shapes, textures appeared.
It began to stand out in totally different ways.. as it does!
Another listen to selected parts later in the evening as I dug into Taper's Compendium, Dead Base, interweb to find out more. Loved it all a new / old Favorite! Great Choice!

OTIS - Stoked for you man, them's some good tunes!

7/31/74 - China Cat > Sunflower sounds so good right now, Wall of Sound, Jerry riffing with Phil on lead up to IKYR, that jam they used to do right there, big smiles, heady stuff..

Another Fun Day in Dead Land!

PS - VGUY - I dug that article:)

Speaking of Billy
He's killing it all over the place on this WOS show.. his playing started to really grab my attention during S2 Big River, but then Eyes!! He's a monster, best year for Billy's playing? '72, '73 or '74.. dude is such a sick drummer.

And the separation between the instruments in this recording.. The crew and the band.. the things they did.

Wow!

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"Row Jimmy" gets too much flak, IMO. I for one am always happy to see it on a set list, and this version is quite lovely. As was the "Roses", as is this whole dang first set.

Peace

Set One, down the hatch! Two more (and a bonus) to go!

Jerry liked it too, so do I.

All this talk about '73 makes me think of the first two shows.. 2/9 Maples Pavilion and 2/15 Dane County Coliseum.

I am quite sure we will another dose of '73 this year in one way shape or form. If not, 2021 will be 73 heavy.

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Opening with "El Paso"... that's an interesting choice. I love this song, but I wonder if it ever opened a set before or again.

Set II - LOVED the "Big River" (Billy DOES kill it on the skins!) The "Eyes" was nice and juicy, and I loved the "China Doll" "Around and Around" "Ship of Fools" run. I'm noticing how many really strong ballads are in this show... Still have a "To Lay Me Down" to come too!

I know that I've said it recently, but I really like this new thread! It is fun to know that folks are listening to the same stuff - even if it might be at different times. Also, the overall attitude around these parts has been overwhelmingly positive, which I really appreciate.

Set III awaits as I prepare Sunday dinner (Beef Bourguignon - one of my personal faves!)

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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I am! I am! I am! I am!

Seems so fitting.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to that show.

Billy was an all-star throughout.. and his drums were big in the mix, which personally, is not a bad thing at all.

The Ballad's really shine:
IMHBTR, Row Jimmy, China Doll, Ship, TLMD.
Jerry's voice is so sweet.

If you get TLMD that's pretty much a good show IMO, but if you get TLMD and everything else in this show? Wow!

Too many highlights to list Three Sets worth!
But here's a few I remember:
Big River
Eyes
Loved WRS
Real nice Mind Left Body Jam
US Blues ('74 best year for that song?) - seems fitting
Uncle John's Band
All the Ballads

That was fun!

Gonna go read the reviews on Veneta '72 in the Taper's Compendium and listen to Dave's Picks 2012 Bonus Disc.
(Despite being out of date, the Taper's Compendium is still really cool and informative)

It's sunny out here, hope it's nice where you are, be well and enjoy the Dead!

OTIS - Rockin' Thread & Row Jimmy fo Sure!
JIMINMD - 2/9/73 Row Jimmy is my favorite all time version, first one I ever heard, and still my fave.

Keep on Rockin' You All!

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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....high of 90 today. Where are you at GOGD? Location?
7.31.74 later. Still have GarciaLive 13 to play. But, I need to disinfect and don my PPE. Gotta make a grocery store run. Current listening? Something Else by The Kinks. Spotify/Galaxy Phone/Pocket/Buds+.
RIP last roll of Cottenell. Onto Scott's. A distant second.

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Bonus disc, Bonus disc, Bonus disc.

ps. Let me tell ya about the time we went to Kentucky in '93.

We left N. E. Pa. about 10 o'clock the night before four of us in a 1969 Buick Electra with a broken bench seat and a hole in the gas tank. Having to stop every hundred miles to get gas cause we could only fill to half and only me and the guy whose car we took had a license to drive. So half way through Ohio he ask me if I could drive I said sure so I got in the car now he was a bit taller than me so the broken bench seat was no problem for him. I on the other hand had to lift up to see over the door panel so we went on our way before too long everybody was asleep I just kept driving every time a car came passed they had to think there is nobody in this car until I lifted up and looked at them over the door panel that really must have been something to see. So we get to Freedom Hall finally and wouldn't you know it they book a "Wing Ding" convention on the same days as the shows. Honda Gold Wings as far as the eye could see it was funny and the guy who owned the Buick Electra was a real Harley guy he was loosing it all day having to look at all these Honda's. Show was okay couldn't get a room for a 50 mile radius so we slept at a rest area got up the next day and those guy's drop me and another guy off at the hall for night two they headed home. After the second night we hitch it to a camp ground and then to Deer Creek the next day.

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Finally have a real solid chunk of "free" time.. what are we on, DaP 2? I'm half tempted to go back in time and pick one of the shows I missed.. DaP 2 will do. ahh.. 1974 the comfort food all things music, dovetails right into the Zen of bicycle maintenance and that's my afternoon in a nutshell.

...add to that some nice fresh roasted organic Ethiopian Sidama Shantawene Village coffee, full city ++, just exactly perfect.

VGUY - TIGHT Avatar today, just noticed... Jerry!

Portland, OREGON in the house!

Personally, I kinda like Scotts... less shed.

But yeah, going to the Grocery Store straight sucks these days (didn't like it before, like it way less now).

Put on that PPE, don't touch your face, be quick and Good Luck man!
Wash your hands when you're done.. cause you got some listening to do!!

Be Safe bro

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Epic!! Got to read that Tale from Summer ‘93 while listening to this sweet sweet Sugaree..

Do road stories ever get old?

I wonder if Jer knew how right he was when he said going on the road with the GD was the last chance for grand adventure in this new lame America.

Oops that’s kinda depressing... WRS to the rescue!!

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...is the exact reason the Goddamn Grateful Dead are the best band to grace our lives. They're not only just the best at what they do, they're the ONLY ones that do what they do.

1974 : Of all the years combined, this one may be my favorite. Summer in particular was pure FIRE!

What's on-tap for Monday, folks?

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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I had to look up that beef dish.
Looks pretty good in the pictures online.

Guess I’m lazy, I’m just doing a sirloin tip in a Dutch oven at 300 for a couple of hours.

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13 years 6 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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It is an involved dish, but nothing too technical. In fact, after getting and prepping the ingredients, most of it is just letting it cook for a few hours, which gives a lot of time for "other" activities. That being said, it is not a weeknight/busy kinda meal. Also, avoid those recipes that call for too much - it's basically a beef stew with a lot of wine :)

That being said, your dinner sounds great too!

Now, on to that bonus disc. I see another "Truckin'" and Spanish Jam in my future, but this time, with a "He's Gone" and an "Other One" thrown in the mix. Oh, and that "Sugaree".... :)

Today has been a grand Sunday, thanks to you all!

Peace

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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....kinda tough to do when the Dead keep stealing it. Ha!
Home safe. One thing about everyone wearing masks. Forces one to focus on people's eyes. Indeed, the eyes of the world.

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8 years 10 months

In reply to by Thats_Otis

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Otis - Hold on to your hat!!!

There’s whole new worlds and galaxies of goodness contained within that disc.

I just got rocked.

Dare I say it’s better.. oh but terms such as better are useless when describing the Dead. It’s yet another cosmic voyage into the places the music takes us!

Been reading too much Dwork.. he’s a really good writer!

And your all’s cooking is making me realize I need some new recipes. Maybe that’s another thread we need to start ;)

Oh man, I’m excited to hear what you think.. I’m speechless.

So good!

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In reply to by Vguy72

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Whoa Trippy!!

Eyes of the World 👀

So glad you made it!