Grateful Dead

Oh, my. My 1973 homework is cut out for me. A(nother) very weak period for me.

What can I listen to immediately?*

I can cue up 2/28, 3/24 (Oh yeah, that's a good one! Looks like I snagged a Betty reel before the dark times)... Heart marks from He's Gone all the way through Sing Me Back Home. Another in the first set for Playin', and 5 stars for the Loser that precedes it. Nothing else is marked, but a first set Stella Blue? Sure!

Getting into summer/fall, 7/28, 7/31, 8/1, 9/8, 9/17, or 12/4 and I actually have Dicks Picks Vol. 1, for a change. lol :-)
Some of those I really haven't listened to much. Roosevelt Stadium seems to have had some mojo, but I think I only listened to Jerry's birthday show for the first time last year, and then probably only once.

*Btw, my Internet was down for 24hrs yesterday. First there was electrical work being done on the building, so no power from 9 to 5! Then, they managed to screw up the phone lines and couldn't get it fixed until well after 9am this morning. So glad I don't depend on Spotify! lol... or streaming from the Archive ;-)

I had a taste of that mind bending Playin > Wharf Rat > Playin' from 6/8/74 last Sunday, which must be somewhere in the ballpark of the 73 scene we're about to get into. I can't even remember when that had been Pick of the Day.

Sorry, my listening notes are now way out of sequence as I'm trying to keep pace.

In the meantime I have been thoroughly obsessed with the 2/22/69 Dreambowl. That was a fantastic pic.
It's almost been on repeat. Someone needs to make a meme with the (apparently) famous guy on TV getting more and more blown away in each picture. Cool. early '69 show... An acoustic set! ...Mountains of the Moon, too... Mountains of the Moon sequeing into an interplanetary Darks Star... back to back with The Other One!!!!! Mind blown.

Whole show is excellent. Many many thanks for the "liberating" experience, too.

Also, RE QC at Deadville... I discovered last year that nugs net has 16b441 downloads of a ton of official albums, some not even available for download here. Shipping kills me, so even though I love physical media, I go for data. Anyway, even some of the downloads have had some dodgy editing or sonic anomalies. I gave nugs a FYI, but they said that's how the data comes and they aren't cleared to mess with it.

I had the 11/30/80 Fox Theater 2nd set in my music player while I was out yesterday. Lovely, lovely Ship of Fools. Brilliant Playin' into drums into, not quite space, it almost sounds pre-composed, but I kept hearing these Uncle John's Band hints, then it ended up being The Wheel and for a while I thought I was losing my mind, but then they finally get to UJB to close the show. Although I was listening while mainly focussed on work, there were a few points were I wondered if someone ought to make a loud noise because it seemed as if the band was about to doze off. Super mellow mood, which has its merits. Not knockin' a laid back show.

The real revalation, though, was the 2/19/71 recommendation, which I finally listened through last night.

2/18 will always be like a favorite sweater or comfort food. However, I can see why you might say the19th is stronger. The 18th is definitely a bit tentative by comparison, what with all of the new songs and Mickey leaving the band, it would be. Although the first part of the 19th didn't really jump out at me, possibly, psychologically, I could have been a bit standoff-ish knowing this show was challenging one of the most nostalgic tapes from my meagre old collection. However, right away it struck me how different the feeling of the new tunes were even though they had only debuted the night before.

By the time they hit China/Rider on the 19th, though, they seem full of confidence and it sounds like they have found their feet with the new/old lineup. This tune is grooving hard.

The main thing that struck me about this show was how much it is a Pigpen showcase. Pig is always on it, but the band is rockin' hard behind him on every number from the gritty It Hurts Me Too, to Good Lovin', and beyond. This may be the heaviest Easy Wind I've ever heard. It may be the somewhat gnarly sound quality of the Vadnais transferred audience reel that really adds a welcome taste of foreboding evil to all of Pigs tunes. Probably it's the comparatively sparse arrangements that allow the listener to take a quick breath and really find themselves inside the song. I don't know. Caveat: I did tweak the EQ a bit, but the jury is still out about whether my adjustments improved the sound or not. lol.

Anyway, just wanted to get out that note about how f'n heavy the Pig tunes are on 2/19. Really felt it.

Thanks again, everyone!

it had been a long time since I'd spun 2/22/69 from 30 trips. everything you'd expect from a show from that time. really enjoyed it and will revisit fairly soon as is my want with shows that tickle my fancy. thanks Doc! on a side note, the one technical difficulty with that listen is that there is something about those discs that my external disc drive (LG M-Disc) really didn't care for. at one point it flat out quit reading Disc 1, something I've never had happen, and while it didn't quit during Disc 2, at several points towards the end it made noises that I've never heard from it before that seemed like the electronic equivalent of an old man wheezing up a hill who was barely going to make it (or maybe not!) this isn't disc rot, its something in how the discs were manufactured i'm guessing. from time to time I've had various weird issues with playability of discs from the GD folks that I've never experienced with any other CDs I've bought. it's very odd. And on the QC issue, I recently pulled out a disc from the Giants box to play it for the first time and there was a big splotch of an opaque light gray liquid on the playing surface, sorta looked like white out except for the gray color. i have never seen anything like it CD-wise and i haven't the faintest idea what the hell it could be or how it could have gotten there. I have a CS request in with Dr. Rhino -we'll see what happens.

DV - 4/24/78 (DaP 7) was a show that had never really resonated with me - not when it was first issued, and not on subsequent revisits. And I've really gotten into the other released shows from that tour, Nashville and William and Mary. Well, finally got my head properly calibrated and my ears on straight and had an excellent listen. And then I spun it again. Full speed ahead Spring '78 Jerry and the Wolf with that excellent Betty sound. Thank you for suggesting that one.

Now on maybe my third run through past few days of 2/23/74 (DaP 42). It sounds freaking fantastic! All of it! Blowing my mind! Nothing left to do but smile smile smile!! (Yeah I'm really digging it.) Still haven't cued up the next night, cause I keep getting distracted by all the other good stuff. Maybe tomorrow.

Gonna have to visit those shows from late February, that one from Austin and Doc's most recent POTD from the Family Dog.

Take care folks. And great to hear from you Rocktihng!. Rock on!!

I’ve enjoyed them all so far DV, but maybe it’s me, some seem to sorta plod for a awhile before they pick up steam in the second set. Recordings were inconsistent too…but?…maybe it was me, as Jim just said so we’ll, sometimes set and setting can have as much influence as the music itself! I actually got to sit a relax and listen to most, a couple I had on while doing household stuff, but I don’t think thats it?
I’ve always been a huge fan of fall/winter 73, one of my personal top tours, and I purposefully haven’t dug into summer 73 too much as you’d think we’d get some of those sooner than later, but until I got the spring 73 Dave’s, I knew nothing about that tour. 21 With 21, I was a tad nonplused at first, probably just hung up on no Dark Star or other head noise nonsense, but it’s grown on me a lot since. That whole jam sequence is superb, and I’ll take a HCSS anytime!
16 is one of my favorite Dave’s, so much so I purchased a copy off the black market! 32s good, actually need to listen to that as I’m not as familiar as I should be. I haven’t gotten to Crotchfester or Bu faf a lo yet…
Every show has a nice big jam sequence, many killer 73 Eyes, a couple ridiculous PITB, some good HCSS, and the Dark Stars and accompanying jams etc, so worth it even just to check those out. Sorry to be so vague but it’s all kinda a blur. As I say, all very similar: relaxed with mostly good playing, until the big jam goes through the roof, rinse and repeat…lol.
So far, I think the February shows are a bit more to my liking?

Spring 78: of the dozen and a half or so on this tour, I think I’ve hit 10 so far. Some of the Beatty’s are spectacular and this tour took me by surprise. Getting the big blown away surprise of 4/15 (DaP 37) opened up that flood gate as the only official release I have is 37. I had no clue about this tour before, so yeah, big surprise!
Hoping Realgone spits out Dicks 18 and that I can get disc copies of the other 2 Dave’s as long/short I don’t do files…actually might try to get 15 off the black market as sometimes those aren’t too outrageously expensive. Didn’t get subs until 21, but since I have a few others, thinking someday I’ll try to get real copies of the few missing so I’ll have 13 onward, with hopefully copies of the rest. I have at least copies of all but 5.
I still think, partly due to the fine Beatty’s that there’s a potential for a spring 78 box, but maybe not enough interest for that?
Awright, gotta head to the mine, staycation is over for now : (

Hello, rockers!!!

Pick Of The Day: Family Dog At The Great Highway, February 28, 1970

As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task……

In November, we were teased with the Little Sadie and Black Peter, so we know that an excellent recording is in the vault. As far as early 1970 goes, the “big guns” of the Fillmores get most of the love, respect, and recognition, but this Family Dog run has some doggone good music!

Call it a Lovelight sandwich, a grateful buffet with something for almost everybody. Electric/acoustic, grease, jams, old and new, all laid out as if on a platter. Dig in and enjoy!!!

Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music…..

Rock on!

Doc
Most men are within a finger's breadth of being mad…..

mmmm..... I might have to compare and contrast. It went down in my ever changing mind that Normal was, well it has that Scarlet Fire & Terrapin into drumz.. but Nashville had a crisper sound and better separation between the instruments, plus a really good Peggy-O and Estimated Eyes. Both shows have a good Lovin', but full disclosure the Bobby GL's never did it for me, too formulaic and his rants did not come across as genuine as Pigs. So a little hotter v better sound. But don't consider this an analysis, my listens tend to be more influenced by focus and frankly my mood and receptiveness.

I did both all 73 shows consecutively years ago and '78 through May.. but I am always doing stuff so I don't have the rabbit ears of OB and Rock Thing; their attention to detail is most appreciated and enjoyable to take in. Plus.. I'd gladly pay the price of an IMax theatre experience to listen to a show in casa Oroborous just to take in his personal, home edition Wall of Sound. I forked out big bucks 20 years ago for my system but it pales in comparison.

As for March '73, I walked away big on Philly and Baltimore but Boston Garden did not register and in hindsight it's hot, hot, hot. When I weigh on a show, it's an opinion at a point of time that can be bribed by party favors and mood for the day. A mortal flaw.. first world problems.

So I am to revisit 4/78. I think I need to work a little less and live a little more. I pulled down the new 2/17/73, that's on my list. I'd like to take in some Fall and Winter '73. A compare and contrast of the last two shows of the year perhaps.. Did Dick pick the right show for DiP1? Inquiring ears want to know.

I'd like to contribute more.. but it's been a challenging year full of distractions. Summer is coming, so there's that.

You don't have #7 OB? We need to change that, I think you would really like this show.

I will definitely go back and listen to #37 again. I know I had it up within the last couple of months.

I did listen to #15 from Nashville over the weekend and I don't think Bob was happy with the first set, "That's it, we quit" Good show and the sound quality is as good as #7. Nice Estimated Eyes and Wharf Rat.

Do you have any recommendations from your recent tour of March 73?

I mean, this is a hot period. What a tour this is. More from this tour would be welcomed.

Slow day on the site.

Continuing on with 73:
3/16/73
3/19/73
3/21/73
3/22/73
2/22/69
Plus miscellaneous spins of DaP 45
Now playing 3/27/83, followed by 2/23/70.
Don’t have Dave’s 7, one of 5 I don’t have copies of…
Hmmm, that’s a bold statement DV as DaP 37 blew me away.
Perhaps because I was not expecting it to be and sound as good as it was?
Every show I’ve heard so far from this tour is good, highly recommend 4/11 and 4/16 too!

Agree, like DaP 13 better than DaP 42.

Haven't listened to this show in a couple of years and wow, I think I like it even more now. A+ on sound quality and both sets deliver high energy Dead. Love the NFA, Black Peter, Around and Around and close it out with Werewolves of London. I went back and read the liner notes again and low and behold, they were written by Blair Jackson. Since I have 78 on my brain, I think I will check out Dave's 15 from 4/22 in Nashville. Of the three released from this time period 4/24 seems to be the top dog in my book. The William and Mary show is good, not great. On to Nashville.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

You cats are already on to 1973. I'm still savoring the gentle respite in the oasis of Austin.

Death don't have no mercy, but there's always time for lunch.
Thanks for reminding me of LL. I need to see if I can get reinstated over there.

Grateful Dead Live at The Auditorium, Austin, Tejas on 1970-02-23
Harpur College was another of my heavy, heavy rotation tapes back in the day, along with the 2/18/71 Capitol Theater show I've already mentioned numerous times. Both were massive inspirations. For what seems in hindsight like a fairly significant period of time, if it wasn't one of those, it was Reckoning.

I Know You Rider: Lovin' the energy and grit of this Rider. It's almost angst.

High Time: This is a song! It's a pretty weird song, too, and after attempting it several times, myself, I must say it isn't surprising it wasn't played often. Damn, it's hard to sing. I submitted a completely deconstructed version of this for the February Dead Covers Project a few years back. I made a point of not revisiting to the original before recording, just going off memory and some notes left in an old binder of songs. I'm sure the ever-growing defenders of canon were thinking, "You ain't doin' it right if you ain't readin' it off a teleprompter." It was an "interpretation". Lol.

Dire Wolf: What a lyric. An electric version, no less. Pretty mellow electric set, almost acoustic.

Yellow Dog Joke… ah… well way to go for completely screwing up the joke, Bobby… actually, I'm not sure I've ever heard him make it all the way to the punch line. We should all heed Jerry's advice and "Don't encourage him." Everything was so light and positive in these days. Phil could be a bit surly, as we've already heard in this tape.

Monkey and the Engineer: This was a standard in my old folk-rock duo. My partner played it and I just followed along. I'd have to start from scratch to figure out how to play it again. Such good stories in these tunes.

Little Sadie: Nice. This wasn't on the Harpur College tape or Reckoning. Another dark story. I don't see how they could possibly be breaking strings playing such gentle music.

Me and My Uncle: I don't recall hearing an acoustic version. It's a great song and works in any format. At this point everyone hadn't already heard it a million times. Imagine that!

Black Peter: One of my favourite tunes ever. Doesn't get much darker than a song from the point of view of a death bed. Started doing this one myself occasionally a few years ago, but I always need a cheat sheet for the bridge. Nothing repeats. There are some interesting mnemonic connections between the chords and the words that help. Just have to sit down and do my homework. Ahh… yeah, Pig sittin' in nicely on the organ. This song needs a really delicate hand, but the organ adds a nice little gospel flavour. If only Pig coulda added just a touch more flair to his playing to fill in some lines before Jerry takes his solo. Pig's got the tone.

Seasons of the Heart: Never heard this before. Great pick! Thanks.

Uncle Johns: Have heard this one a few times. 😉

Not Fade Away: I'm gonna call the union! The Galactic Rock'n'Roll Union! That needs to be a band name, or a song, or something! Crazy to think this tune was in their set their entire career. Some good ol' primal energy here. Jerry's "wild" tone. He must've had the amplifier turned WAY up, cause it sounds like he's not in the mix at all. His guitar is just being picked up by a vocal mic, or something. Basically, no drums, either. I can't keep track of which guitars he was playing in the early years. He seemed to play whatever was available after giving up the Starfire. Sounds kind of like a Stratocaster, The Graham Nash Strat, perhaps? Alligator did not come on the scene until later, if I recall correctly. This tone has even more of a stereotypical Stratocaster sound than Alligator, which retained very little Fender electronics by the time it gets heard on Europe '72. Anyone? Oh, cool call and response with Pig. TC has already left at this point? I need to get my timelines straight. Bobby diggin' in with some soulfully aggressive singing, rather than simply aggressive.

Mason's Children: I can't recall ever hearing this, either. The name comes up often, but it's not on anything I've listened to regularly. Again, thanks for this pick! As you say, not exactly high-energy stuff, but some very rare pieces here. Always appreciate the chance to learn something new about this fascinating family.

Rockers!

Lunch time. Death takes a breather. We're in the land of the living, gotta eat lunch.

The "new, fixed" 2/17/73 was up at Lossless Legs first thing this morning. So, it sometimes pays dividends to get up early............

So, one can get it there, or I can supply it to anybody who needs/wants..............

The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own......

Rock on,

Doc
It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure......