Grateful Dead

I made two years at Alpine, I think 87 and 88. Second row center for one show, thanks to GDTS!!

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.

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.

Last few days got to thinking about that bonus segment on DiP 36 and that it was due for a deep listen. Funny how that happens.

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

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?

Stepping it up, what's the average flight speed of a swallow. Brought to you by the creators of "I Say, My Dog Has No Nose!"

What is the capital of Abyssinia?

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)

....unless you bring me some.....shrubbery!!
8.25.72 will start soon. Although GarciaLive 13 arrived today. Bonus!
edit. Found this!!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/georgehoward/2020/04/25/the-grateful-dead-…

8-27-72 BluRay

Sounds like a good way to follow listening to 8-25-72.

Ni. Ni!

Watching Mayer play Wolf on Nugs.. for Ni (I mean Free)

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?

....you pick it. I assure you the disappointment will be nonexistent.
8.25.72 commencing.

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

....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!

....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.

....that the band was a beat ahead for a long moment. Slow down and check your head. There ya go.
Time to break the set. BRB.

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.

....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

....really hit its stride after the first two minutes. Show offs.
And now it's all blue light cheap hotels and crying like the wind. Lonely streets.

.....says I get no satisfaction that's why I sing the blues.
One More Saturday Night 🌙

....8.2 goonie birds out of 9. Only because of the Sugar Magnolia encore.
Stay safe people

Down every lonely street that has ever been.....

It seems like all this life was just a dream!

Wow!

Always liked Stella Blue.

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

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

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.

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…

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

Set 2 sounds real good!

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

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:)

This is a very special show, Billy's playing is as smooth as silk and fast as lightning.

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!

"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.

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

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!

....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.

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.

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

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!!

...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

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.

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

....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.

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!

Whoa Trippy!!

Eyes of the World 👀

So glad you made it!