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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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  • daverock
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    Dead in 69

    The first 4 months were incandescent - but from May onwards the shows seem a bit more variable to me. New material and a different approach creeping in - Rome wasn't built in a day. The extended Lovelights are a bit of a chore, too. Probably alright if you were there.

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    Don't peak in high school……

    Hey, rockers!!!

    Pick of the day: Moraga, California May 16 1969

    In August 1969 the Dead played for 300,000 at Woodstock. Three months prior to that they played a gym at Campolinda High School. I’m not sure that was such a good idea. It sounds like a night of bad acid and problematic acoustics.

    Well, we always did forgive the Dead their missteps. The recording itself isn’t half bad, but the music itself is challenging to listen to. Garcia sounds like he’s on another planet, and I don’t mean that in a good way. Doin’ That Rag is a mess. Pigpen tries to step up, but stumbles badly during this very early version of Hard To Handle. The drummers flail away beneath the chaos. Where’s Phil? Weir’s Me & My Uncle seems to work best, which says a lot and captures the weird essence of this very unusual show.

    We all know that the Dead played some sublime shows in 1969. This is the other side of that coin. Yes, I got it out of my hard drives, listened all the way through (hey, I should get some brownie points for that!), and then dutifully refiled it back into my hard drives. Even “bad” shows can be a valuable reference point for the good ones…………….

    At high school, some got the Grateful Dead. We got Aerosmith, who played our fieldhouse before they were famous. LOL that was the biggest thing to ever hit little Wayland, Massachusetts……..

    Doc
    What I remember most about high school are the memories I created with my friends…..

  • wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    birthdays

    It may not be my birthday today, but it's still a special day because it's both drummers' birthdays. :-)

    P.S. Got all the persistent bikes!

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    42

    Taking a side trip for Winterland '74. The box that could have been.

    I wonder, would this have been better as a box set or are we well served seeing these shows (mostly) released as Dave's Picks?

    After ripping, I rearranged the songs to the correct order and spliced together the 'best' sounding versions of the songs on 2/22, again putting in the correct order, etc. (major pain in the...). So in a sense, I have the box set we were all asking for 5 / 10 years ago (or more). Hat's of to mhammond, the first one I recall asking for this to be released as a box and the one who asked for a WOF Box Set. Coulda shoulda woulda..

    In any case, I'm doing down the rabbit hole.. holding my nose now and jumping right into the deep end. I'll at least high the highlights of the shows mentioned here too. Hope all is well with you guys (and gal?), have a great rest of the weekend.

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Oops

    My mistake. I must have seen that post in Dec. about 5-15-81 and misinterpreted your birthday comment.
    Either way we got 'er done, and Rutgers indeed packs a punch.
    Like your cat avatar WTJ. Two of my five have been black cats and they are not unlucky.
    Good Sunday on 'ya!

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    5/15/81

    Rollin!

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    5/15/81

    Hey,Happy Birthday WTJ.

    I will get the 81 show going.

  • wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    Hey Now 7878

    :-) 83 Greek slipped my mind. I have Space rolling right now. It's a long one with valued guests, too. Healy's B-day no less (and no soundboard available?)

    '93 Vegas slipped my mind, too. Any others?

    Anyway. Rutgers '81 packs a punch. Little surprised no Lazy Lightning for the light show. Eyes, Jerry grabs on to a riff and runs with it for almost half the song. Bob comes up with a part, too. :-)

    -edit- Wait a second,..............................if 5-15-83 Greek is HEALY'S B-day, so is 5-15-81...and it's his today, TOO! :-) DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....slaps head.

    Happy Birthday HEALY :-) :-) :-)

    -edit 2- Caps added. My birthday is in Dec. :-)

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    What He Said

    Insightful Oro! Thanks! That World to Give gave me chills remembering how heartfelt Jerry delivered it. Standing on the Moon makes me feel like that too. And don't get me started on Days Between, already welling up.

    Boston 5-7-77 makes you remember why these boxes are so vital. Every show a winner in Get Shown The Light.

    Onward to Rutgers. Which lead me to another 5-15 that I don't know, Greek '83. Quite the guest list with Airto & Flora. But what really hooked me was Billy Cobham sits in on the Drums segment? Wait, what?

    Cheers

  • Oroborous
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    Upon furthur review!

    Rocks 78 part 2: after first listens I thought the 30th was a dud, and the 31st was better, but not spring 78 better.
    But that didn’t seem quite right and it was nagging me. So I decided I needed to poke around more, including another go round.
    Second time, at home, under better conditions all around, things were like they often are: not as good or bad as you first thought, if that makes sense? Sure these can be a tad understated compared to say, the July shows, but they often have that more west coast energy, compared to some of the manic conjured energy, ahem, that could be evident in 78, though there certainly are peaks and flourishes. And yes there are moments of misfires/miscues, but that can be found in almost any show.
    Anyway, as I sat and was able to more enjoy and get inside the music and vibe today, and get more of what makes these shows. I’d call them good if sometimes inconsistent? I’m sure these were the had to be there type shows, ala Hartford 83, Hampton 87 and 89 etc. that perhaps don’t fully translate from recordings?
    The new songs are pretty tight for firsts, the board pulls we’re decent, the aud sections ok but sometimes suffered from crowd exuberance.
    The highlights for me were; the Ollin Ageed jam I’ll call it as it’s not the fully formed song and no vocals via Hamza etc.; and the biggie was World to Give! Man I love that song. It’s like Believe it or Not, such a shame it didn’t take. But at least we have three versions and this one’s not perfect but pretty decent for a first. JG gets into it, in fact there are many outwardly obvious instances during these shows where he gives it the extra power drive, both vocally and on guitar.
    Yeah these are kinda sneaky shows that can perhaps get glossed over and missed, definitely worth furthur review!
    Perhaps not spring 78 good, but that’s just a theory?
    Though I’ve been fortunate to catch many post GD shows at the rocks, I can only imagine how sweet it must have been, especially back then when shows many places didn’t always sell out, or often not until showtime. I’ve been to shows there that were not and again, can only imagine how chill it all must have been, especially before word got out and it became a thing. Used up much of my listening time lately, but the situation called for it, and the situation is the boss!
    Sometimes ya just gotta poke around…

    WTJ with the audible from deep in the heart of Bong recreation, 5/15/81 sounds bueno!
    Mañana amigos!

    EDIT: Dooaahh, ment to add but forgot: Bill had broken his hand before these shows so that certainly had to affect the feel and grove of these shows. It makes sense that the first night seemed ? at times as this would have been first gig trying to deal with that and how it would of effected all of the band.

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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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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 .