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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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  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    The scene

    Did seem to flatten out a little after the initial hoopla etc.
    I mean it was already growing steadily, but 87 it was really noticeable.
    After, when the initial trend slowed and they had to clamp down on merch and camping to attempt to keep the locals who weren’t there for the music away, it did seem to subside a bit. Plus, If you knew where to go some places weren’t as bad, by the standards of the times anyway.
    Hell watched the same thing happen with D&C.
    First year of Boulder, Folsom field (+50K) was half full. By 2019 it was damn near full, and I think 2020 would have been packed if not cancelled. Much of the same vibe too: folks who were interested, but not necessarily in the know and still many there just for the party.
    People like to dump on the Touchers, and some where clueless, but to me it seemed more just the huge number of people that showed up without tix, or locals just there to party that fucked it up. Unfortunately, that aspect of the scene seemed to get worse…it just got too big for us to self regulate, and the poor band of course didn’t want anything to do with telling folks what do, about anything lol, but they tried, fairly and tactfully in true GD fashion.
    Yeah, massive stadiums and ball parks etc, quite a difference from the old beat up 8-10K seat War Memorials up and down I-90 we started going to in the 70s, hell some places wouldn’t sell out, or not until showtime.
    My first show was at a small theatre (3K), my last, Soldier field, what 60-70k?

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    7/2/87

    Glad you guys enjoyed this one. A walk down memory lane for OB, or maybe a partial walk. Yes, the talking during the show was a tad bit annoying Bluecrow, but agree the music was great. What a first set.
    The scene definitely changed when Jerry came back post coma, but we still had a blast, it was just way more people. Would love to say more about the my time at Alpine 86-89, but I will save that for when the big box comes out. Shoot, most of you all on this tread were there as well most of those years. So, I am up for more 87 Bluecrow.

    And when do you all think we will hear about the 2022 CD box set?
    I am thinking late July.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Thanks, nice pick!

    Forgot how good this show was.
    Hit that 11/10/67 too. Proof that there is good primal dead in the vault!
    So hopefully someday we’ll get a primal box?

  • bluecrow
    Joined:
    7/2/87

    '87 was my most "abundant" year for shows, lots of sweet memories, and 7/2 was really fun to listen to and right in that sweet memory space. Great Pick DV. Second stop after Alpine and kick off for the East Coast leg. 12 song first set - that's a lot and they're having fun. A Dire Wolf!! Esau, Push, Tons of Steel are all songs firmly associated with that year in my brain and all just fine with me. The Brown Eyed Women is really late in the set to my mind (I love that song), and a Cassidy > Deal to finish!! Very nice '87 China > Rider to open Set II. He's Gone is always special. Going Down the Road is an unusual treat \ coming out of space and wow its into Watchtower (3rd ever). I well remember the electricity of the opening riff at Alpine - Holy Mother of Goodness. And then Stella Blue. A beautiful version. For a long time I've been really dug Stella from that era (another great version is Park City 8/20 later that summer). And Black Muddy River for the encore, another song that I really like and that is firmly in that '87 place. For me it was '88 where the scene felt way too crowded at Alpine (and at Buckeye). My only complaint about the tape here is that there were some dudes who would not STFU in the right channel of the audience feed for the matrix. In real life I would have lost those guys quick.

    Not that we need to follow a '87 with an '87 but I just noticed that there is a new (to me at least) Ultramatrix of 7/6/87 Pittsburgh, show where the Nevilles dropped in. Last I checked there were only audience tapes in circulation. I definitely need to check this out. That was a fun freaking show (Caution - Driver Listening to Hot Shakedown).

    Oro - nice that you lent your ear to 5/25/95. Of course on some level you had to be there and I was on a John Deere time machine with the headphones traveling back to that. The Jerry I saw and heard during those shows was nothing like the one I saw less than 2 months later at Soldiers Field. he was happy, very present. And yep, that Drum > Space was a freaking doozy. And into the final Wheel (a very special place in my heart and life for The Wheel). I would love a SBD upgrade for 5/25. Just listen to the suggested the "extra credit" which was the SBD from first half SET II first night 5/24 which was first broadcast on the Grateful Dead Hour but is available on relisten. Zero in on Want To Tell > Estimated. Very fine and beautiful sounding.

    And that Avs - Oilers game sounds like it was a shootout at the OK Corral. Wowza.

    Enjoy the day folks.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Now where we’re we?

    Speechless, not this frog mouth, more like a day late and a dollar short!
    5/25/95 was enjoyable though. Not sure I have the same enthusiasm BC, sure ya had to be there, but if I had been, I would of been pleasantly surprised by the playing etc. Just goes to show there’s good GD to be found elsewhere.
    Ok Stranger and Bertha. Not sure how I feel about Schoolgirl? Nice novelty, and they did ok with the different arrangement, but not sure if I like the arrangement, er, not sure how I feel about messing with ghosts of sweetness past? Made me fell kinda dirty lol, like we was cheating on Pig? Decent Cassidy to close.
    Second set, Though it was good for the times and definitely not bad, I wasn’t able to quite get as much as you out of it, BUT, that Drumzpace was a real doozy! Overall solid show and I’m glad we checked out something completely different!

    9/20/74: another of thus not as bad or as good as you may have heard shows. Overall I found it to be mostly status quo 74. Definitely noticed some occasions were someone was, a, ahem, getting a little ahead of the rest of the band, some rhythmic fluctuations etc, but nothing was as bad as one might be led to believe by some of the reviews or even comments from inside the organization over the years.
    I don’t recall many stand out big highlights either, except some nice weirdness and jam outta Truckin’ Oh, and that Scarlet caught my attention too, sweet stand alone version! Another I’d not heard that I’m glad we did!

    7/2/87: ok DV, rolling. New pull sounds good! FYI, there’s also full show on the tube of you.
    Don’t recall much: really really crowded, hell that whole tour seemed overcrowded, except for Canadaland (killer S/F).
    It was first time at an old ball park in the middle of a neighborhood (old school), so quite the scene. For the most part the locals were into it selling beers and partying on their front porches.
    It was one of those extremely muggy mostly cloudy Great Lake summer daze.
    You could feel the lectricity in the air, er, maybe that was sumpthin we snorted ; )
    Think we were left side of SB? So sorta left if that video? Big blur…
    Outta the 14 shows I saw on the spring and summer tours, this one might be the best?
    The energy was big at this show (listen during Bertha!) huge, cranked crowd with beer trucks on the base lines for good or for ill? Alpine, here, and worst of all Foxboro, things were just getting too big and crazy, so didn’t hit any of the fall shows. Didn’t dig the venues they picked and thought that would just compound the crazy madness that happened that year when they hit the big time lol.
    Do remember the Step Back and “Who do you thinks playing bass” banter.
    This one really gets mixed up for me with the next year? Cept the Green Onions of course!
    Think I’ll have to check out some of these on blewtube this summer, thirty five years ago…where does the time go?

    Still haven’t had time for RT 1.3, and those shows WTJ mentioned are temping too!
    Might be able to sneak 11/10/67 in later?

  • wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    9/20/74

    Interested to know thoughts on this show. Jim being particularly predisposed to 1974 (aren't we all somewhat) I'll watch out for his comments more keenly. Alas, another 'officially released' day for me, so maybe I'll hit VFTV IV and something else jammy I think. Yesterday for me it was 11/10/67 and 10/12/84 twofer. The primal stuff really packs a wallop. Best wishes all for a Grateful Day! Jeff :-)

    P.S. Traffic lights (to pole or not to pole) and Motorcycles?

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Today's Pick

    Looking at 7/2/87 from Rochester today. There is a Miller transfer from 2021 out there.
    OB might be interested in this one.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Well...

    A bit behind. I had my TB IPod out over the weekend and tried to hit 9/20/74, but did not have my reading glasses and selected the show in poor lighting. So I made it through To Lay Me Down before I noticed I was listening to 9/18 Dijon.

    I'm gonna try this again today (after I finish TLMD, I just love that tune)

    Onward..

  • bluecrow
    Joined:
    5/25/95

    so good it left our Senator speechless

    me? I'm "speechless" 'cause a musical eagle landed in my mailbox on Saturday and only discovered it just now!! holy guacamole!!

    hope everyone had a solid good fun weekend all things considered.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Shoot Chip

    er, Tim. You guys will be just down the street. Wish the situation was different I’d come meet up, but the situation is the boss. TIP: the weathers been a little seasonal so I highly advise warm and waterproof gear! That amphitheater is a relatively unknown jewel, in some ways I like it better than the Rocks! Should be awesome time!
    So glad yer still around and doing well! Don’t be a stranger!

    5/26/72: did the first half at work, and that amazing second half while FACing. Proper!

    WHITEWATER: unfortunately only three times. The Cheat in WV at peak, The Numbers and Browns Canyon on the Arkansas during extremely big water, and the Arkansas through Royal Gorge early season, but we ended up swimming after playing a gig and up partying all night.

    5/25/95: rolling as we speak.

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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 .