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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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  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    85

    Serendipitous. Most nights, my 12 year old wonders down to watch parts of a movie before he crashes.. tonight we were watching part II of back to the future. Just as I read the post below, they were setting the Delorian to 1985, Back to the Future.

    I love 85.. 82 and 85 are my early 80's go to for a host of reasons. I wrote a post years ago that showed the number of songs played each year and 85 was a big increase from prior years, a shocking increase. I need to dig up some data on this unless someone beats me to it.. but 85 was a burst of fresh, creative energy.

    More on this when I am not so sleepy and buzzed. (shame on me). 85 was a very good year, until Jerry got busted in November.. the precursor to 1986.. but I digress #GlassHalfFull

  • Gratefulhan
    Joined:
    85 recommendations

    Thanks for all of the 85 show recommendations! I always listen to the sage advice from everyone on here in the comments sections. I have heard that Hershey show once befire so I need to give that, and all of the others that were recommended, a good listen.

    My impression of 85 is that there may not be the long exploratory jams so to speak , but the energy is top notch. I know the energy might have been enhanced, but that was the way I guess. From the few shows I have heard from 85, that energy is contageous and it definitely gets me moving. Great stuff. I am looking forward to going down the 85 rabbit hole.

    Yup, I am definitely on board for an 85 box or a Greek box, or well both.

  • billy the kid
    Joined:
    Greek 6/85

    I went 6/14 and 6/15, they were both cool shows. I enjoyed 6/14 more, I went with a good looking babe from work and we drank a whole bunch of wine outside before the show. I would like to see them release a West Coast box set, best of the Frost , Greek , and Ventura. Hopefully they wouldn't leave out any cool shows.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Plangent Process, Cassette Masters and Sponge Worthy

    I get the feeling they might not be willing to go the extra mile on some of these cassette masters, like they are not sponge worthy or something.

    ..but I could be wrong.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    85 Greek continued

    6/15&16/85: finished it up 15th this AM. Have had this full show, but only second set of first night, and have never heard the 16th until today! Some what mixed bag like much of 85. “85 is like a box of chocolates, most good, some you get that one ingredient you don’t like, and a few are dosed”) 😎
    Though the first and last nights prolly look more sexy on paper: Keep on Growing, last Stagger Lee 82, last Comes a time 80, Set opening Dew, and the Cryptical etc., I think maybe the second night is the best played overall? And we get a FOTD, scorching Might as Well, and of course yet another sweet She Belongs to Me. I’d definitely say it’s between the first 2, as the last night seems less tight? JG definitely having some issues from like Cryptical on..
    Yes it’s cool as hell to hear it, (though I want to find a Aud version to hear the crowd go nuts, they sure did in Meriwether!) But Jer does not sound very confident so it’s not all it could be. After something going on? Brokedown ends it on a good note at least.
    Yeah, this 16th is a classic 85 roller coaster. Wharf Rat a good example: Jer’s stumbling, but Brents organ and some of Bob and Brents harmonies are amazing. Yeah, shits all over the place sometimes lol.
    Never made it to the Greek, but from all accounts and documentation I imagine it was top shelve, so seeing a weekend of these shows at that venue....I can barely imagine. Well it sure was fun. Haven’t really checked these out in a while (or at all), but my recollection is the heart of the summer tour is more so where the meat and potatoes are? Hope to confirm that as I’m going to try and do this tour starting next weekend. I mean what the hell, it’s the 35 anniversary of probably my favorite?, craziest (definitely), most fun (probably), tour!
    Tonight Vault View 3 I believe it is, from 6/16/90. Hit the last Shoreline 90 mañana, then need some 70s in between, perhaps revisit the 76 box fir a good deep brain scrub, then everybody into the pwuel, cause summer 85 is back and the time is right for dancin in the streets....unless perhaps your African American cause they’ll look ya up for that shit in some places! Harumph!

    EDIT: always glad to have brother Otis along for the ride! The more the merrier eh!

  • The Good Ole G…
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    RE: Greek Box

    OTIS - Glad you're peaking at the Greek with us.

    So upon revisiting these old favorites from Berkeley June '85 I've decided the following:
    Are they the hottest thing ever? No.
    Does Jerry's voice sound pretty shot? Yes.
    Is it the bands 20th Anniversary and despite adversity and multiple challenges do the band rise to meet the occasion? Yes.
    Do they break out Cryptical Envelopment after 13 years of not playing it on the last night of the run? Yes, yes they do.
    Are these 3 shows enjoyable? Definitely.

    Finishing up Night 2 now.. wasn't able to get to it on it's anniversary. And really all 3 nights are cool.

    I'd be slightly disappointed if they chose to release one of these and not the other 2.

    That being said, I'm pretty sure the tapes we have are from the Cassette Master which, as far as we know, is what's in the Vault.

    So the big question, as I see it, would be how much would the plangent process increase the quality?
    And I'd be happy to find out the answer to that question.

    I'm not holding my breath. So in the meantime, I say, dust off or grab these 3 SBDs from your nearest Charlie Miller source and open up a copy of the Taper's Compendium V2 and enjoy a little bootleg box set glory!

    Ain't no time to wait...

  • Thats_Otis
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    Greek Box

    I know that it has been mentioned numerous times in the past, but it is WAY past due for TPTB to collect these Greek shows, shine em' up, and give us a Greek Box, a la The Giants Box. Looking at their history, they could go in a number of ways. I would like to see maybe 2 boxes, Greek 1: 1981-1985, and Greek 2: 1986-1989. Choose the BEST overall show from each year, 4 shows per box.

    Or, make it a bigger box with all 8? I don't know, but I do know that I want it. Or hell, it looks like they played the Greek 27 times...

    This 85 show is slaying me right now, and I'm only 4 songs into the 1st set! I'm glad Brent eventually got invited to the party 1/2 through "Walkin's Blues" :) Another hot pick!

    Peace

    EDIT: I suppose Box 1 would be 5 shows, not 4... maybe add a fifth show from 86-89 to even it out :)

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Summer 85

    Gratefulhan: what GOGD said! And don’t forget 7/13/85, at least the first set. The band, the hills around them, everything’s on FIRE! If nothing else, be sure to check out 6/27,28,30, but the whole tour is good. Summer 85 is like this nice little oasis between the eras you mention. I’m extremely biased because it was probably my most fun year, but I love the music too, worts and all. There’s something dangerous and exciting. They often really go for it and at times your sure their going to jump the track, but they usually pull it off. I guess it’s they A++ for effort versus safe but perfect execution?

    Ok, have to finish 6/15/85, then the mighty 6/16/85, and later, I’m going fire up the 6/16/90 DVD tonight on the big screen.

  • The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    1985

    GRATEFULHAN - There's definitely some good stuff in the early 80s.

    And FWIW, Summer '85 is a blast.

    The 6/24/85 Riverbend release has always been a favorite, but don't stop there.
    6/25 Blossom, 6/27 SPAC, 6/28 Hershey Park, 6/30 & 7/1 Merriweather. A highly recommended tour and a really fun run of tapes.

    And speaking of, today is the anniversary of 6/16/85 and the brief return of Cryptical Envelopment.

    Highly recommended because it's fun!

    DEADVIKES - Calling an '80s release for the next DaP?
    You heard it here first folks!

    OROBOROUS - Dude, dug 6/15/90. Especially that interesting jam after He's Gone into Drums. Fast paced Scarlet > Fire and the opening HSF were tops. Good times!!

    Alright, started up the 6/16/85 show and Bob's talkin' Walkin' Blues and it sounds fresh.. because it is in '85.

  • Gratefulhan
    Joined:
    Recent listens

    As I have been acquiring releases in bunches, two of my recent additions are DP 32 (8/7/82) and DP 21 (11/1/85). I haven't been able to give them a proper listen until recently ( a rare benefit of the the COVID-19 lock down). I have to say I liked them both on the first go around. I knew DP 32 was wrought with sound/mixing issues but overall it was a good show. As for 11/1/85, I dug it and I am finding that I am really liking the 85 shows. In comparison to my usual listening of 69-77 or 89-91 eras, they are good shows, different, but still good. I need to check out the Riverbend 6/24/85 show from 30 Trips. I have heard good reviews on that and it also has a Cryptical.

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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.

If we are going to do 11/8/69, I am going to have to carve out the requisite amount of time like we did Saturday.. no distractions, no cell phones, no texts, no questions, no one tapping me on my shoulder.. and not the dreaded words, "one more thing" .. and of course get in the proper frame of mind beforehand.

Honestly.. these two shows, add in 2/14/68, 2/13&14/70, sprinkle in FW 69 for good measure and I have taken a liking to 1/2/70 + Bonus disc and an honorable mention for what I think of when I want to get in the transportation business.

Boy does listening to these shows take a lot out of you.. perhaps that's why they wrote AB & WMD.. to slow things down just before we careened off that cliff and into mental oblivion.

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GMLSG sounds as smooth as butter,,,

re, Well... I just hit play but, I paused it. Jim, when is a good time for you I'll wait??

The planets seem perfectly aligned this Thursday. That seems enough time to plan.

That will give us some time to switch things up too.. play around the calendar, pick shows from different periods too.

Does that give us enough time to plan?

That's a pretty nifty number ya got there!

I am all for Dick's 16, but if we need to pause on it to soak up Jai-Alai, I get that too. Let's keep this thing going! I am all for GD from any era!

Today was a good day for 74 Dead around here. Shortly after my early morning Dave's 34 was delivered (at 6:30 am!) I got another package from Real Gone containing Dick's 31, which I looked into after all of the discussion around these parts.

I hope I don't over do the 74 stuff - wait, I don't think that will ever happen.

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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....and the sound is already impeccable. And to quote Bobby "Its the real thing".
Just like Billy Sunday in a shotgun ragtime band. This pick came at the right time.

We can pause while the WOS gently peels the plaster from our ceilings.

Whatever works.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Okay on the pause for the Picks. I will keep my own going tomorrow as my #34 is still in CA.. Okay, no whining here, that gets old.

Oh yah I might have chased a couple women around..., the waiting is the hardest part.

Week eight of this crap, be well people.

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No problem all good. Those who have received the 34 happy listening!

"New ones coming as the old ones go"

Alright, sounds like the Pick of The Day is in hold pattern as we wait for & listen to the Pick of The Dave.

#34 to be exact - 6/23/74 & 6/22/74 Bonus Disc

Roger that.

I'll proceed accordingly...

Sherman set the Wayback machine to June 1974, we're going to listen to the Wall of Sound.

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I love the overlap of old ( psychedelic ) & new ( country/workingmans ) . It’s the palindrome 69 major phase shifting. The sound of small venues compared to larger halls or outdoor concerts all have different ambience . Same goes for instruments ( Jerry’s guitars) . Gibson SG in 1969-70. A whole slew of different axes in 1971. Wall of Sound 1974, with Doug Irwin Wolf Guitar.
Suggesting different eras of GD has been educational, even heard / seen fresh, and in 2020. Who would have known fifty years ago.

RE: STRIDER 88

Interesting observation and I believe you've tapped into something.

Hypothesis:
Does inspiration then lead to a love of learning?

I would venture to guess.. Yes!

Prediction:
Being inspired by Grateful Dead music, if I listen to the Grateful Dead from many eras over and over and over, through the course of many days and years, I'll want to learn more and will be loving it!

Test Prediction:
Continue listening to lots and lots of Grateful Dead from many different eras and discuss with friends.. ad infinitum

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Perfect timing. I got an amp and speakers on the way. Had to take advantage of the 30% offer. I got the speak's for half price and ac line filter for free. I'll be putting off listening to 34 till I get set up.

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In reply to by fourwindsblow

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Carson, CA 5.5.90. 30th anniversary.My final Brent shows.
https://archive.org/details/gd1990-05-05.141262.sbd.miller.flac2496/05S…
Rumors were rampant these shows that Timothy Leary was backstage dosing everyone. The band does sound "fat and juicy", so I can see where it could be true. Phil was turned WAY up.
I remember hanging out with some hare krishnas after the show eating free rice.

Strider...I think Jerry started playing a strat at some gigs in 1969, and on through 1970, as well as the mighty SG. This always seemed to me to be a signifier of the bands gradual shift to a more country based sound. As you indicate, they could still turn on the psychedelic power in 1969 and 1970 - but the times they were a changing .

Whew.. saved from an 11/8/69 induced nervous breakdown.

Edit: Saved for now. It's always the bats that start these things. Well, a melty PITB, then the bats. Look out for Dark Star>The Other One>Dark Star's too. A sure sign that society is in collapse.

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Bats have got themselves a bad reputation lately. Hunter knew it long ago.

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DaveRock , I can only go on photographs before 1970. I believe you’re correct, Jerry would use a strat for some late 69-70 songs. Of the ten times I saw them in 1970 I only remember the Gibson SG. 1971 was all over the map. Starting with seeing the SG my last time same night as Mickeys last show 2/18/71. The next few nights was the peanut Alembic experimental . By April Jerry was playing a Les Paul and then the peanut some nights. First time I saw Jerry play a Fender Stratocaster was at the Felt Forum 12/4/71. Then 2-3 strats through 72/ 73. The Wolf was a real game changer.
This is a fresh way of listening the good ole Grateful Dead.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Strider...I am only going off photographs of course-I have nothing like the first hand experiences you are talking about. It must have been amazing to see them in 1970-1971-truly a mythical time. The photos I remember of him with a strat in 1969-70 are mainly in the Taping Compendium. Jerry is holding a sunburst strat in the picture accompanying the Feb 70 shows.
Its always interested me which guitars he played at shows-and Bob too, to a lesser extent. I watched the Festival Express dvd a few weeks ago, and Jerry is jamming with...a band who's name escapes me...but he is playing a tele. I don't think he played one of those very often.

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In reply to by daverock

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Good call Daverock, I need to watch that this weekend

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Thanks for joining in on this one Vguy and Jim. Loved the cover last night Vguy. Recording is Multi Track excellence as all these shows are. Have not listened to this show in maybe three years. Of the three Omni shows, I usually pull 4/3/1990, maybe because of that glorious Shakedown opener.
Anyway, Vguy, agree with you on this show. Great first set, with a great Althea, to Lay me Down, Music Never Stopped. Even the Victim is good. China Rider, what did that guy say last night about Ship of Fools??
Great Truckin, Stella, Sugar Magnolia and one of favorite encores, It's All Over Now Baby Blue. Great show.

Check it out if you have not listened in a while.

Be well all!

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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....Victim -> Lay Me Down -> MNS is solid. Raucous Sugar Mags. And who doesn't like a Baby Blue? I know this guy does!

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*

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I'm half way through 4/1/90. Althea was playing on our boombox at a motel room at an airport at the giants show in '89 with my friends. Like anyone would care.

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He called us fools talking about potholders and other normal things. Strange.

I didn't make it through the whole show.. but made it beyond the Victim/Lay Me Down. Let it be known I LOVE To Lay Me Down, but the Victim was so much better ( a song I don't normally adhere to).

Anyway.. just had to comment. Not coherent enough to add much more than that.

Who's fucking idea was it to watch Festival Express anyway.. a great yet terrible idea all at the same time. Thank god nobody drives cars anymore. My liver and my lungs both suddenly hurt both at once.

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Man, it was HOT down there!

Anyway, just catching up. I did dabble with disc 2 of Dick's 16 the other night... that is some mind-altering stuff. It looks like yesterday was 4/1/90 - just started "Touch" now.

Today is Three from the Vault? Sounds good to me :)

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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Sounds grate, and it’s not even Plangentized.

Smokestack Lightning! Grease it up.

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I’m there. And was there.

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I loved that Omni show! I didn't get either of the Spring 90 boxes, so this show was new to me (at least for a good, quality sit-down and listen.) I LOVED it! The band is so hot, Brent in particular was on fire, the Bobby tunes rocked, and there were so many high-quality Jerry ballads. I mean, a show that has a "Candyman" "To Lay Me Down" "Ship of Fools" "Stella Blue" AND "Baby Blue" - c'mon... all played very well too!

Just started on 2/19/71 - the first Billy-solo show. Was this chosen to celebrate Billy's b-day? Good choice! I haven't listened to this one in a while!

Peace

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I remember from 2/19/71 was, “where’s Mickey?”. Was disappointed at the beginning of the show. The level of musicianship had greatly evolved since 1967 or last time as five piece. They blew the roof off the Capitol Theater that night. Jerry played his Alembec experimental “peanut” guitar for the first time on 2/19 and continued to play it the next several nights.I went Thursday through Sunday nights. I vaguely remember Weir commenting on Sunday as it being slow. As I remember it was sold out all nights. Unlike November 1970 shows in Port Chester when I could buy tickets night of the shows at the box office. Fillmore East was harder to get Dead tickets and February 71 shows sold out in hours . I bought tickets by getting in line at 5 am on a December (1970) Saturday morning. “What’s become of the baby that cold December morn”. Blair Jackson was in that same ticket line. 70/71 was quite the phase shift. Keep em guessing.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Strider...do you remember much about the ESP experiments at these shows?

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In reply to by daverock

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Nice pick Conekid!.
Always thought it was odd this came out in 2007 and with no real explanation why it took so long to get it out.

Great recording with A+ sound quality. Really good Truckin, Dark Hollow, China Rider. Really liked the Greatest Story, early Bird Song. Did somebody say, Easy Wind? This was great and I wish this got more play as well as New Speedway Boogie.
Great finish!

Strider, you were there, really cool.

Good to see you here Oroborous, I thought a Spring 1990 pick might peek your interest.

Otis, as a huge Brent fan, you should consider the Spring 1990 box sets. Highly recommend.

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I think this is the thread where Jim mention Victim -> Lay Me Down (1990-04-01). I'm a huge fan of Victim, this is a great one. I think this is the depths that, Just a Little LIght, Blow Away, Foolish Heart (if Jerry could remember words when he came out of jam :-) ) could have reached. Picasso Moon probably didn't have much too go! :-) But I really like a good Corinna.

Great Victim though, thanks for pointing it out.

Is there a better "Just a Little Light", than Dozin' at the Knick? Come on? Is there? Just took it off , best.

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Only that it was a random image , not all the time. I do remember Bob and Betty being set up on a side balcony booth. Saturday night was the major rave up night. NRPS finishing their set w Honkey Tonk Woman and the crowd going bonkers, balcony shaking. Weir, Pigpen and Pigs girl friend Veronica watched the end of the NRPS set from back stage right, Bobby shaking his head as if to say”tonight’s the night”. Highlights from 2/19 for me are Smokestack Lightning. Jerry’s use of the Alembec experimental peanut guitar looked amazing after he used his Gibson SG the night before. The peanut guitar was very small in its size but belted out a sweet big sound that was especially evident during Johnny B Goode, that had most of the audience up dancing. A few people at my high school would go one night only , but I was completely consumed.
Too bad there are not many (any)more 1970 tapes. Anything from either 1970 or 1971 is no less than spectacular .