• 8,062 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Pearson/RCMH

    Definitely want to learn more about their recording process for RCMH OB. I will also see what I can find online.

    I will check out 5/6/78 later today. The second option on Relisten appears to be the one to go with. Charlie Miller wasn't too keen on the first option.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    5/6/78

    Today

    Yesterday:
    DHB,
    3/29/68, fully dug. Great set list. The real one, not the one in Db 10 lol.
    9/16/87. Very nice surprise! Cool/Fun 1,2 opener! Jer sounds like he wants to keep going, but noooooo, we need more tortured cat sounds instead lol.
    Nice set lists, Jers feelin it. Don’t recall hearing the medley tunes before? Probably have and forgot?
    Never the less, fun and Brentski does a nice job.
    Great energy and you can almost hear Jerry smiling.
    Good call, nice variety…
    3/29/69: starts out ruff, Jer sounds terrible early, but as is usually the way, they settle into it.
    Usual suspects song wise, nothing spectacular one way or the other, just another Grateful Dead day at the psychedelic office, 69 style.

    Wanted to hit 5/13/78, another show between, looks like only second set board? So going with 5/6/78 which so far is a hot show, recording not a Betty, but not bad. Went with the costman…

    EDIT: good news bad news. I found my Modern Recording and Music Vol 6 #5 from February 1981.
    You can google the mag name and date and shows possibly some on black market, but not sure you can see past issues anywhere? Bad news as this is the one DV! All about the Frankenstein PA, recording set up etc, for Radio City 1980 shows! Not sure it will give you the answer you seek, but fascinating read, total geek stuff, not “so Jerry, what kind of toothpaste do you use” BS.
    I’ll try and read it and report back. If you really want I can try to scan it for you…

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    9/16/87

    I enjoyed this show. Recording is really good. You get good crowd noise, which I like. Nice Touch of Gray, Scarlet to start. Always enjoy a Dire Wolf, Brother Esau, really strong Let it Grow. Never been a huge fan of the Devil with a Blue Dress, Good Golly Miss Molly, luckily it didn't stay around too long. He's Gone delivers. Highlight of the second set for me was the Truckin, Wharf Rat. Good NFA with a GDTRFB reprise, really interesting. Definitely worth a listen and the 87 MSG run is a good run.

    Woke up to 9 more inches of snow here in MN on April Fool's Day.

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    I’ve heard Brent’s solo album

    Not very good.
    What a waste of good Fall ‘80 reels.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Jim and OB

    Jim, too funny! Yes, where is that Brent release. Just think if they recorded over the E72 reels? Where would we be.

    Interesting stuff OB, would love to learn more from that article. Maybe Cutler, Pearson, etc. made two track down mixes?

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    On it DV

    Nice start, then…oh Bob lol

    7/16/72: yep, ruff tape, good show. Glad I checked it.
    3/29/68: another beauty. Nice recording, always dig a Sitting on Top, Death Don’t, and the usual suspects!
    I bet there’s more of these old shows they could use. What gives Dave, WE WANT OUR PRIMAL BOX 66-70!

    Haven’t made it to 3/29/69 yet…

    HOWDY JIMBO, good to see ya!

    DBL EDIT: I think they have cassettes of some of those shows.
    Pearson et el were part of the ultrasound crew and involved in the early R&D years with John Meyer. They cobbled together a bunch of stuff over the years, including a hybrid super system for the fall 80 shows. I have an old article some where (I think from modern recording magazine back then?) (shit, I should dig that out ) discussing the crazy stuff they were doing. Most folks don’t understand: technologically, the wall was child’s play compared to the Meyers ultrasound systems of the eighties onward. They started developing stuff way back in the early/mid seventies and we’re working behind the scenes for many years. They often would test new things they were working on in conjunction with the existing stuff. Literal work in progress! No different then pre and early wall shows etc.
    They cobbled a set up together for certain test shows when able I,e., I believe 12/31/78 is an example.
    The fall 80 shows were another big test run.
    Anyway, it was many years of R&D before the fully formed Ultrasound sweetness most folks took for granted from like 1983 onward, but these guys pioneered so many changes and inventions over the course of decades that most folks don’t realize. Howard Danchik is another ultrasound unsung hero. Had the pleasure to talk to Howard and he was kind of enough to discuss some stuff at the one show I worked 7/1/92, while we were under the stage turning amps on.
    I’m sure these guys wore many hats during such an important gig!
    What a crew!

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    87

    Will try and fit that in today while I work.

    ha.. just noticing the good doctor was up and posting at 4:06 am yesterday steering us towards more primal dead. In this world of trouble, we need more primal dead and I thank him for that.

    As to the myriad of sound engineers working with the 1980 multi-tracks.. yes, I was aware but am still not sure what all that means. It looks like Betty and Dan worked the mix and the rest were involved in the recording. Certainly they had a sound truck out back for the whole run. My guess is all that work went into making those multi-tracks that were carefully erased to make room for the new Brent album that should be coming out any day now, I've been waiting a long for this.. it's going to be great.

    I suspect there is more than what Lemieux will tip his hat towards, but it is probably true that complete shows from this run might be just beyond our grasp unless recorded on cassettes. Just a guess though, we can always hold hope.

    How does that song go..... in this world of trouble, we've got love one another. Keep up the hope fellow heads.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    9/16/87

    Okay, looks like we need a pick. How does 9/16/87 from the Madison Square Garden sound ? The 18th was the 30 Trips show.

    Unrelated, I was watching Dead Ahead a few nights ago and kept it on and watched the credits. First, they filmed both 10/30 and 10/31 nights. Would love to see the two full shows.

    Second, as I was watching the credits, it listed recorded by Bob Matthews, John Cutler, Wizard and Don Pearson. Those are some very interesting names for the time period as I did not know Cutler or Pearson had any affiliation with the band in 1980. I also didn't know Wizard or Bob Matthews were still working with the band on recordings at this point. Seemed to indicate this was a professional recording with a professional crew?

    Anyway, I know Dave bursted my bubble a couple of years ago, stated there will never be a multi track release of the Warfield/RCMH. However, I wonder if there are recordings somewhere from Pearson, Wizard? Wouldn't that be something?

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    A gift in season is a double favor to the needy…..

    Wake up rockers!!!!

    Picks Of The Day:
    Carousel Ballroom March 29 1968
    Ice Palace, Las Vegas March 29 1969

    So soon, another Daily Double? Thanks Doc, I’ll take Primal Dead for $1000……

    When you go into the realm of a double role, you have to take it to another level to make it believable. With these two shows, the Dead clearly take it to that other level…..

    March 29, 1968: There’s a nice Miller remaster out there, is it a soundboard, or stage mics? Either way, quite listenable. Kick it off with some major grease. Death Don’t second song in. Stand-alone Dark Star. Greasy gooey jammy grand finale. Can we hope that there’s a “new and improved “ copy in those banana boxes?

    March 29, 1969: The band scorches Sin City with a wonderful psychedelic masterpiece. Grease and big jamming, what could go wrong?!! We had tapes of part of this way back in the day, and it was cherished. Now, worthy of official release, is it in those banana boxes too? Only time can tell…………..

    I have doubted myself on several Daily Double answers……

    Rock on!!

    Doc
    I have so many personalities, I live more than a double life………….

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    7/15/89 Deer Creek

    The first set started out good, but yes, there appears to be weirdness going on with the recording. Peggy O and Queen Janes were good and I thought the Bird Song was great.
    What happened in the second set? That Crazy Fingers seemed to be a struggle and don't know what happened to Jerry or the recording? But, there was a something going on.
    They sure bounced back at Alpine a couple days later.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
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.

....for one one the best shows I've heard them play. 9.7 goonie birds out of 10 and Don't Ease Me In hasn't even ended yet. Pure gold. Off today and the wife went to work. This one begs to be turned to eleven.
"Relax people. We have you all night long."

excellent anniversary pick! acoustic 1970 is such a special sound. so intimate, at times almost like you're seated cross legged in front of them in a small room with your close friends. once again, it's been awhile since I've listened to this set, more recently those in that awesome Road Trips 5/15/70 release. we really need another of these acoustic / electric shows from 1970 released. too bad that most of the fall run appears to not have been taped.

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

....Jerry making that pedal steel sing. Outstanding!
If Henry doesn't get your foot tapping, better check yourself for a pulse.

....gotta take a break. Shower up. Because I know that the upcoming St. Stephen->The Other One->Cosmic Charlie is going to blow my mind and will have me picking my face up off the floor. Again.

....hitting that record button at the start of St. Stephen. Wonder why? "Guys! Wait a minute! I was hanging with the crowd! You usually take a longer break! Dammit! (Pushes the button). Ahhhh. All is good."
I got all clean, just to get dirty again. Let's gooooo!
The 6.9.76 RT release also has a cut start to St. Stephen. Hmmmm.....

DP 5 12/26/79✔️ Ahh, finally got back to this one. Been meaning to play this one. It was played all the time back in the day since there weren’t many official releases yet, or at least I didn’t have many. When DaP 31 came out I dove into as much fall 79 as I had, but somehow didn’t get to this one. So now, finally we get back to this gem. Typical for 79 but great first set, with an UJB to open the second sliding nicely into a hot Estimated. But the highlight to me is the 2 jams. The first is more traditional with them skirting around the edges of a Caution jam, with wiffs of DS and Eyes, but then Phil clearly try’s to start He’s Gone, but Jerry’s not ready until a few minutes later Phil starts again and this time they go with it, SWEET! Then after a nice He’s Gone, TOO, and drums, they slide into almost space like segment that gets delightfully weird. One of my favorite things from this tour is all the far out jams and weirdness that regularly popped up in the second sets. The rest is standard fare except a nice but perhaps a tad allegro Brokedown. Of course the big surprise is the Shakedown UJB reprise for the encore. It’s not surprising ole Dick put his name on this one, what a great 79 show!
4/29/72: ✔️so then I did this one to somewhat follow the European trail. I even had Sierra Nevada 2019 Ocktoberfest, Sierra Nevada Skiesta “Bavarian Style” and my last bottle of EKU 28. All leftovers I’ve been saving for too long for a tasting that’s not going to happen anytime soon. So not proper authentic German beer, but in the spirit of the event celebrating the fine show and DS from the sister city of my hometown, Hamburg.
10/26/89: after this one came up the other day I figured I’d give it a spin. Since it was getting late and the buzz was making me sleepy, I FF here and there and by the end of DS was falling asleep in the big boy chair, so decided, hang it up and see what tomorrow brings....was totally enjoying the show, but not sure I’d rank it above 10/9 or 10/16? I’ll have to slip back to this one after 5/2/70....

....is strong with this Spanish lady with a rose. Total cacophony, into a lulling bliss, then back into masterful ladder climbing. Its an auditory roller coaster. Pretty much perfection. Makes me feel high, without being high.
The 12:20 mark....for fucks sake. Rainbow colors blended.

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

In reply to by Vguy72

Permalink

my favorite year is '72, like the deep space mind melt of the Berkley show. but a fire-breathing cryptical - other one - cryptical is another beast altogether, and i love them too! phil thunder intro right now! holy shit!

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

....its a full fledged Pigpen grease party. Incredible.
Life pro tip. If you have a grease fire, water or fire extinguishers don't suppress it. Gotta cut off the oxygen.
The 5:35 mark of Good Lovin'. Kicking into the extra gear. Reminds me of wild horses. Can only tame them so far until they race off.

....also marked.
Ducked out of the CD into the archive for the Cold Rain & Snow that was cut from the release. Earning my badge.

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Vguy72

Permalink

“The goal is to find shows that can stand up under repeated listenings and still give you the goods.” - Dick Latvala

Harpur College – anyone with any common sense knows Harpur College is a show that should have come out centuries ago. It was ten years of trying to get that one up the flagpole. Healy would say, ‘That Latvala, he can’t tell the difference between stereo and mono!’ And that’s why he would reject Harpur College, cause the electric sets are in mono. So fucking what? Does anyone say that ain’t a great example of a show? I’ll tell you, it wasn’t like I snapped my fingers to have it occur, it was like embarrassing myself forever to get it out.”

Thanks Dick,
I hope you know how right you were.. LATVALA!

Anybody want Electric Wine? = Dick's Picks Volume 8

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

Here’s the first paragraph of the DaP34 announcement:

"To my ears, the best Dead shows are those that not only fit the criteria that make them amongst the best of a year, but that are also completely unique for their era—shows that fit perfectly into their year of performance, but also fall somewhat outside of the norm for that year. Harpur College, Veneta, Cornell, Cape Cod, and Augusta are all shows that are objectively excellent, and if they are not the best from their respective years of performance, they are certainly unique. Miami 6/23/74 falls into that category: not only one of the very best shows from this outstanding year, but also one of the most interesting and unique. It’s certainly worthy of many, many deep listens." - David Lemieux

Sounds like you’re all having a good time with Harpur.

I have some more yard work to do, but then it’s Harpur, beer, grilling. Looks like I got a good evening coming.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

My 2nd Dead concert was 5/15/70 early show. That was also first time seeing NRPS. Then Workngmans Dead released late May. May 3rd was free Jefferson Airplane concert at Central Park bandshell. Super intense , only one of two times seeing JA. Kent State happened in early May .Saw CSNY at the the Fillmore East at the end of May 1970. Neil Young had already written Ohio. What a month , fifty years ago!
Now to the electric sets.

user picture

Member for

13 years 9 months
Permalink

Great Other One descriptions Vguy & thanks for those Latvala & Lawson-Garcia quotes Good Ole.
I listened to Good Lovin' and Man's World on my Saturday outdoor stroll to the Grocer. Even the Man's World shines on this show. Every note was golden that night. It was great to escape my quarantine and be outside in the sun with bugs and dogs and the Grateful Dead. This show has always felt very Springlike anyways.

user picture

Member for

10 years
Permalink

I first got this show-5/2/70-about 1987 on a very rough sounding tape. I only had a primitive ghetto blaster to play it on, but I loved it and played it to death.
So on to Dicks Picks, which sadly missed the New Riders set-which was on the tape I had, and seemed to be an essential part of the whole show. Its my favourite in the series. Then I got the vinyl last year, which has no New Riders but includes a somewhat ropey Cold Rain and Snow. But it is an incredible show in any format. The acoustic set is beautifully recorded-they could be here in my living room.

I always think of the electric set as being the last hurrah for primal Dead. The versions of Other One, Dancing in the Street, Good Lovin' and Viola Lee Blues are incendiary. It seems to me as though they take a bit of a breather with the shorter songs in the set, before diving off the high board again with these all powerful jams. I can't think of another Dead show that is like this, either. Unique and brilliant.

.....Billy The Kid said earlier "if there was one show I could time machine back to, it would be this one." I paraphrased, but you get the gist. Top 10.
Good luck to tomorrow's pick.

user picture

Member for

14 years 9 months
Permalink

Listened to the whole night together for the first time. Even though I've listened to DP8 tons of times, I really absorbed it + NRPS this time around. I may have to wander up into the mountains for a week or so to process what I just heard.

I know we're a biased lot here on this site, but, really, who else is in the conversation for Musician of the 20th Century besides Garcia? Mastery of varied instruments and genres, improvisational skills, longevity, number of people played in front of....you get the picture. Yet try to find him listed on those inane "best of" polls that pop up from time to time. Sheesh.

Maybe our deadhead brains are just wired differently than the rest of humanity. If that's indeed the case...thank you, God!!

....either you get IT or you don't. Screw the "lists". I'm hard wired. Jerome John Garcia is/was the most pleasing guitar player, at least to my ears.
Miss you.

user picture

Member for

13 years 9 months
Permalink

Right on bolo. No other musician comes close to Garcia in my world. We are lucky....

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

In reply to by Gollum

Permalink

That’s why people say that they didn’t find the Dead, the Dead found them.

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

Permalink

What a great pick, Strider. You people hear these guitars?

Haven't listened to this one a while, so great, the acoustic set! I know you Rider is so smooth and relaxed.

I have no clue when my Dave's 34 is coming. Tracking still just says lable created, not yet shipped. I guess it is my turn to experience the shipping blues.

Be well folks!

I, too, listened to the whole thing in one sitting. I managed to carve out just enough time and mother nature took care of the rest.. a relatively easy close by river was running just right, temps in the mid sixties (hey, that rolls right off your tongue).. I combined the listen with an outdoor adventure, social distance style.

Dropped off my bike at the bottom and proceeded to the top with my boat. A 12 mile wilderness canyon, a ten mile bike ride to the truck allowed me to be completely alone for the entire day with it. Most excellent. There and back again.. four and a half hours of mind blown fun, nobody could call me, text me, email me, tap me on the shoulder, ask me a question.. no one could disrupt a single note. Heaven. Plus I completely burned off the cabin fever that's been building up these last couple months. Man, if I ever get the chance to do what I did today again, it will be a life well lived. Holy shit what a piece of music. A psychedelic masterpiece, the entire thing. Oh, and to drive the point home, I did reach deep into my bag of tricks to make sure my mind was properly malleable for the journey.

No point for me to get into a song by song study, everyone else did a great job covering the details.

Great choice, great day. It really was not that different than what I described this morning.. not that different at all.

Edit: Out of shape and sore I am.. What a drag it is getting old...

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Vguy72

Permalink

I love Paris in the springtime

Good times were had at Harpur College for sure!

Did anybody else get something cool in the mail yesterday?

user picture

Member for

13 years 4 months
Permalink

5/2/70 might have left a smoking crater of our minds...

5/3/72, Paris - that should set it right.

GOGD - Still no mail here in B'more :(

Happy Sunday, friends.

Peace

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Thats_Otis

Permalink

The music comes on and keeps coming!

It's in the music

It's in the water

More Dead

May 5, 1970 - Colonial News SUNY Binghampton by Richard Walinsky

OTIS: It's coming!
I'ma holding off and waiting for you all, for now... :)

Sunday listening = Olympia Theatre 5/3/72.. don't mind if I do!

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Looks like everyone had a great show yesterday. I am on Dire Wolf right now sounds nice!

5/372 sounds like another fine pick. Thanks!

ps. I am wondering if anyone has any interest in doing a Sunday Night At The Movies with VFTV 4 7/26/87 Anaheim.

user picture

Member for

13 years 2 months

In reply to by Thats_Otis

Permalink

I'm in a bit of a mind fog myself.. not from alcohol. ..and my body hurts.

Right there with you Otis/4Winds. I will get up some energy to make a good day of it soon. I am thinking 5/3/72 sans the stem I chewed on yesterday.

Yesterday was a glorious day in Western MD. I owe it all you guys pumping up the good vibes.. and Bolo for keeping it all unreal.

Thanks all.

P.S. View IV is a monster.. The Jack Straw opener is epic and it just grows from there.

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

Extra props for being one with nature yesterday JIMINMD!

This here 5/3/72 Tennessee Jed is the first one I ever heard...

No can do VFTV 4 tonight.. But that sounds fun!

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Also The Playin'> D/S> Uncle Johns is mighty fine too. Miracle> Bertha> Sugar Mag, But the 7/26 has some unique Jerry just saying.

If this is not doable can I have tomorrows pick? Thanks!

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by fourwindsblow

Permalink

....but the arrival date got bumped to Monday instead of Wednesday, so there's that!
5.3.72 on deck. A 3h 40min monster! Going to have break this one up.

VGUY72 - 40 plus minutes of that close to 4 hours is a big bad Other One Monster that weaves in and out of Set 2.. and it's sounding pretty hot too.

And Monday is better than Wednesday fo sure!

FOURWINDSBLOW - The 5/2/70 Monster Other One suite is some of the greatest Dead ever IMO (and many others from the sounds of things).. and it never gets old, every time it's sick!

What's everyone thinking in regards to listening to Dave's Picks Vol 34?
They seem to be trickling in at diff times all over the country as we speak.

Just curious.. that Monster keeps looking at me...

Yes, for sure!

Love the Taper's Compendiums, out-of-date but still great!

Along with the liner notes article reprint it really paints a cool scene.

Damn, I'd love to hear the beginning of that St. Stephen, just hearing the crowd response to those opening notes..

alas, it's all a dream we dreamed, One afternoon long ago

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

This is a show i really like that I had not listened to in a while.

It's a really great show, the best!

11/8/1969 Dick's Picks, Volume Sixteen

Heard it was one of Dick's all time Favorites, posthumously released as a tribute to him.

I'm on a Latvala trip, Dick sure knew how to Pick!

Latvala!

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Dick was the best!

I thought I'd make up for the '87 suggestion.

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by fourwindsblow

Permalink

FWB: Dude ‘87 pick is still in the mix!

Love ‘87 & haven’t heard that in awhile..

But.. it’s no 11/8/69
JIMINMD that was all FWB’s pick, I just picked up on it ;)

But yeah that’ll put you right back on the bus!!

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

....is indeed a good show. Comes highly recommended by yours truly! 👍🌹💀
Then again, I was at 7.26.87. First world problems!
Back to Paris. Love the fade out from Sugar Mags into NFA. Good stuff right there.

user picture

Member for

15 years 11 months
Permalink

Jerry was the father I never had and I like to see him when I saw him. Sometimes.

Never could compete with 11/8/69 I know.

ps, Just so ya know I'm a sixties head (Freak!).

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by fourwindsblow

Permalink

Dick Latvala's response to Jim Wise after receiving the "fixed" version of 11/8/69 master.

Initially planned to be released in honor of it's 30th Anniversary.

The amount of work put in to this recording in order for us to hear it at it's best possible sound quality, is impressive to say the least.

Another fine moment in Grateful Dead history, both the show and the story of how we are now able to listen to it.

Big Thanks to Jim Wise & Dick Latvala!!

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I’m up for that

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

Permalink

RE: STRIDER 88

Would love to hear your 2nd Dead concert 5/15/70 early show story some time..

That had to be amazing.

Jesse Jarnow speculated in a blog post that this show was "possibly" the night that Jerry was tripping so hard that he began to think that assassins / mobsters were after him, and that the only way he'd survive is if he played for his life.

Of course there's no way to know for sure, but..

It sure sounds like he's playing for his life.