• Post reply
    8,100 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
Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A
Reset
  • #871
    DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Shows/Relix

    Hey OB, not off to a good start here in MN, but actually not that surprised. Go Bills!

    There is an interesting article in Relix with Dave L. that was posted last week I believe. Check it out.
    Dave claims there is no list and they don't generally release shows or box sets based on anniversaries. This year's box was just a coincidence. So, what does that mean for 2024? Not sure. Would love to see that October 74 Winterland box released. Who wouldn't?
    I thought the 74 Winterland shows were recorded by Bill Wolf as part of the Movie production agreement with United Artists. I believe everything is there and based on the material from the 2005 soundtrack, and bonus material, it is fantastic.

    Madison Square Garden 87. Those are some good shows Jim. Might have to join you on 9/18 as I have that 30 Trips show handy.

  • #872
    1stshow70878
    Joined:
    5-3-72 Paris

    Huge and another damn near perfect show with 3 Other Ones! The crowd seems more engaged and yelling a bit more than some of the more polite audiences. And interestingly they didn't understand that the show wasn't over at set break. Read attendee Bob Welle's review in DeadbaseX and his cool viewpoint of having been cruising around EU and just luckily caught this one, wondering who are these new people on stage.
    After all these good ones in a row it's hard to see the almost Barton Hall fervor over this one though. I'm having a tough time doing a top 5 of the first 11 shows they are all so good but this one is certainly in there. Onward indeedy! Didn't expect anyone to join in my insanity to do them all so good on ya' Oro. Had to do it once in a lifetime, lol.
    Cheers

  • #873
    JimInMD
    Joined:
    Ha

    I was talking about a mini box of Feb '74 before they released 2/24 (and now 2/23), but I like the way you think.

    I always assumed, probably incorrectly, that there were problems with the recordings of much of the October 74 run. I know Owsley was very vocal that they had excessive bleeding from mic to mic, etc.

    As for something to listen to today.. not that I am strictly a Today in GD History person but 9/18/70, 9/18/74 and 9/18/87 were all excellent shows. 9/16/87 was surprisingly good for the period also.

    That's all I have for now.

  • #874
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Ok, back to Europe

    Hit 5/7, 5/10, and 5/11 this WE. Of course I’ve forgotten the finer points and things I wanted to say, but I’ve not wanted to be overly analytical, or get distracted with notes, and instead, just get right, relax, and try to enjoy them. (Which has not been hard ; )
    5/7 is just too much! It’s not always the most precise or perfect of the tour, but that’s because it’s a freight train on steroids!
    I’ve always preferred full steam ahead Dead even when that leads to more worts, not that this one has many, perhaps just a few more noticeable than some of the more reserved, precise (hey, they were trying to make an album) shows.
    Actually, I think the album factor is one reason this tour is so good. They’re in a place where they’re ontop of their game and can let it rip, but keeping it just enough under raps to keep the consistency high for recording purposes.
    Win win, but 5/7 seems more about the live gig, the large miserable crowd that seems to really appreciate the effort etc, more than playing it straight for the tape machine?
    Choo Choo, all aboard! what a beast! Garcia starts out in 5th gear and doesn’t let up for almost 4 hours!
    Dark Star AND an Other One! Full on grease fest with six beauties, including a nice LL that fits the format better than going on too long, and a nice unusual Segway into GDTRFB. Clearly they were enjoying themselves in spite of the conditions? They joke about blowing the big ones, but not this time bubba!
    I’ve had this one so have heard it several times, but it was a real treat to sit outside in a warm but not super hot day and just groove on this one!
    Yesterday I hit 5/10 for the first time and unfortunately didn’t get quite the best listen, at least to the later parts.
    But I did enjoy it, even if it was perhaps a little more laid back than 5/7 etc. Hey they all can’t be rocket ships lol.
    The word that kept coming to me was Smooth…this show seemed smooth. They’re gelling as a unit so well by now, and the consistency is so good. Sure there’s a miscue or clam every once in awhile, (I dare you to find a show that there isn’t ; ) but the overall tightness, energy, musicianship is truly better or on par with any tour they ever did!
    Of course there’s the sweet He’s Gone they finally got right, and why it’s the one! Another Sing me as they’ve worked that one in the repertoire nicely. And if I remember correctly, this had another of those unusual Other Ones, kinda jazzy perhaps and similar to 4/16? Unfortunately this one’s a blur for various reasons including hitting 5/11 afterwards. I’ll definitely want to rehit this, 5/3, and the Wembleys after the tour…but for now I want to go in order…
    Ok, 5/11, this one for whatever reason has always been perhaps my favorite?
    Not saying it’s the best show of the tour, just for whatever reasons perhaps my favorite?
    Certainly the set list is part of it: Nice Playing if not huge opener, plenty o grease, including a cool and final Caution, with final WHO Do You Love tease, Nice Truckin ender to mix it up, and a very cool, perhaps unusual Dark Star!
    Maybe it’s just because I think this might have been the first ala cart show I bought when I hand to the head realized what I was missing not having these Dark Stars? (Now realizing same about the cool spacey TOO’s)
    Other One can get real repetitive but these ones are often very diverse and different! The weirder the better I say!
    Whatever the reasons, this show, even after taking the tour plunge, still resonates very strong for me? Hey, I even think the cover art might be my fav? Ok, maybe I’ll hit it again streaming while working, before moving onto 5/13 and 5/16, both I’ve never heard yet, so hoping I’ll get to spend some extra time with em during the week…
    ONWARD! Ok, who stole my Heineken Dark?

  • #875
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    More shows

    That’s all I ment.
    Everyone’s made good points, and there’s no easy answer.
    I was going for a conversation starter more than just to editorialize.
    Like most things, no easy answers.
    It’s just now that I’m all addicted to this collecting nonsense, I need as many RJ shows as they’ll give us, and I’m afraid things are going to start slowing down, and eventually it won’t be worth it to them, and so many great shows will never get fixed up and released. And don’t you worry 1stshow ole buddy, there’s still plenty of RJ shows in the vault.
    As a rabid nut trying to tag as many of em as I can before I croak, I’m here to tell ya there’s plenty of gold left in them there hills! Yes many are cassette, but the gang has been getting better and better every year at fixing em up!
    And, there’s still lots of DATs and still a decent amount of killer multitracks, all just rotting in the vault!

    I totally get what yer saying, but think of it this way: suppose the summer 78 box was never released and only a couple others from that year. If they came out and said “this is your one chance to get the 20 best of 78”, including those shows in the July box, would you not find some way to get it? For sure, not everyone is going to want all of em, but I think you’d be able to scrape up at least 10k folks who would want at least one or 2?
    Really they should be digitizing them all, or at least the top 20 or 30 from each year that haven’t been released, and have a system where they announce a certain number, or block at a time, and do pre orders, to have inventory control.
    Some shows might sell big, some not so much. Perhaps have a rule that shows that don’t meet a certain threshold won’t get released?
    I guess the solution would involve somehow having a cost effective way to prep them, but pre order so you don’t always have to have such big sales numbers for every show? Perhaps DL like you say, but that hasn’t worked so well, so far anyway…
    Again, no easy answers, and I totally understand other pov. I just would hate to see so much good music not get the treatment it deserves. And yeah, the archive is awesome, but there’s nothing like getting a great show that’s been fully fixed/Normaned!

    Hey DV, where ya been hiding? Good to see ya, and sorry, I won’t mention you know who. It has got to be really tough being a fan. It’d be one thing if they just stunk, but they have potential, if only they could stop beating themselves.
    A well, it’s early still…

  • #876
    DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Releases

    Would love to see more shows released. My preference is still CDs.
    It would be interesting to know what the terms of the contract are with Rhino? Are they able to release as much as they want or are there limits?
    Do they even have the ability to release more per year then they currently are? Is Jeffrey Norman able to mix and master much more than he is now. He might need help. Maybe you could assist OB?

    There are some shows they already mixed and mastered that could be released on CD. For example, the two shows from the first Road Trips that they released as digital downloads, 11/5 and 11/6 1979. Also, the shows from the download series.
    Would also be interested in more video. Why not release the shows from the MUATM. They did this with the 91 show in the Giants stadium box, but would love to see the others released at some point. The 91 Chicago show was really good.

    Okay, seems others are talking about 1988 for #48. We will see next month.

  • #877
    1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Box discussion

    I'm a dinosaur as Oro describes it and know zero about streaming and how younger folks get their music, movies, and TV but I'm guessing the Dinos are the ones buying hard copy CDs. My question is, if the '80s and '90s scene was populated by more younger concertgoers in huge stadiums in numbers way beyond the earlier shows shouldn't there be a demand for those shows in a format they like? I'd bet lots of folks will buy a show they attended. Mickey's model may fit that some day. That said, I'm ignoring the fact that some earlier shows had attendance in the 100,000+ range (Englishtown?) but there were just a few of those. I know Dave said that the last increase to 25,000 copies per release would be the last increase and maybe that's the limit for profitability for hard copy. I'm guessing the download option would be more profitable regardless of sales numbers (if they could ever get the damn things to work!) as all you need is a bank of servers and a few tech savvy people to run it. Large box offerings could be done as a pick and choose your favorite with quantity discounts for more shows. I know I won't be buying twenty shows from individual years I don't like as much and there is likely some truth in the theory that a good portion of "the good stuff" has already been released. Seems like, as with many things, tech is going to have to save us in this dilemma. Affordability is key either way. I can't afford $500 boxes even if I like the offering. It's as simple as that. So Mickey, let's get digitizing! Us Dinos will just have to figure out how to download and stream.
    Cheers
    Oh, and the price of the downloads needs to come down. Currently makes no sense if the price is almost the same just without the shipping. No incentive to be green.

  • #878
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Y’all are missing the point…

    I’m not talking about preferences, if I was, I’d be down with Conekids idea.
    I’m talking about the reality of only a somewhat limited number of boxes getting released.
    Their not going to do this forever!!!
    For example, say they only releases 8 or 10 more years at one box a year.
    With 3 show mini boxes that’s only 30 more shows. Plus say 40 more Dave’s. (4x10).
    There’s still way more than 70 great shows in that vault…
    My plan,
    25 for primal 67-70
    15 for 71
    20 for 72
    20 for 73 (at least!
    ? 74 might just be mostly scraps
    20? for 76? Maybe
    77 is already over represented so he can spit the last few out on DaP
    20 for 78
    20 for 79 and 80
    20 for 81 & 82
    20 for 83 & 84
    20 for 85 & 86
    20 for 87 & 88
    20 for 89 including fall tour (alpine should be a stand alone
    90 not sure you’d need to do 20 as it’s already fairly represented?
    20 for 91 & 92
    20 for 93-95
    These plus DaP and special separates and one might say we’ve received most of the best!
    Take pre orders plus run an extra 10% so your not stuck with inventory but have a few for Johnny come latelies…
    You could still make them “limited”…
    Release 2 a year, everybody wins cept maybe the finicky heads who probably won’t buy much more anyway…

    Voila, all hardcore heads gets represented,

    And remember when Mickey made his bold pronouncement about making all shows available (about the same time he said Phil must have got the liver of a jerk) .
    But I’m sure things won’t change, sales eventually will make cost prohibitive and the vault will go to waste, but hey at least we will have most of 77…and four versions of October 74…
    Think about the cruel reality of only 3 to 5 shows a year for only 8 more years….the horror!
    Tic toc…

  • #879
    daverock
    Joined:
    Winterland 74 box

    Yes, next year hopefully - vinyl too. Bit of leisure wear to listen to it in. Nice.

    Mini boxes score where you might not want 17 shows or whatever. I wouldn't mind a few shows from Europe 1990, having attended the London ones - but I'm not sure I would want the whole lot !

  • #880
    icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Winterland Oct 74 Box, and we need more releases Dave/Rhino

    Hopefully it’s moving into production soon so that we get it for the 50th anniversary next year.
    With all the video included.

    I’ll take mini-Boxes.
    3-show mini-Boxes, released once every other month, and not during a month where a DaP is released. Thus, the DaP’s and mini-Boxes would give us a release 10 months out of the year. The other 2 months would be RSD and Black Friday RSD.
    Sounds like a grate plan to me.

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
Submitted by marye on
Forums
Currently Listening To...
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.

....end second set Morning Dew followed by a Sugar Mags? Hmmm. Punchy.
They tried to top that Mind Left Body, and actually did it!!
Three song encore. Because why the fuck not?
Stay safe my friends. Wash hands.

. this is a Primo Setlist for my liking, it’s mind blowing to say the least how the Dead played from the start of the performance and then bring everything together starting during the second set and the entire Third Disk!!! “H0LY Toledo” !my brothers & sister’s! This Is the “good Old Grateful Dead” at one of their best musical eras in the bands entire career, IMO at least.
Interesting’Dark Star’ for sure, I dig it!
Love the Morning Dew absolutely Bella!
Rock on everyone, have a grateful day! 🙏❤️💀🌹

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 08:23

Permalink

It's been fun to visit Oklahoma City '73 again.

Got Distracted during Set 2 yesterday (damn real world stuff!) so I had to revisit the Dark Star this AM.

Mind Leaving Body right now

It's a great way to start the day.

Oh, the places we can go.. next up Cape Cod '79

Have a Grate day everyone!

Jerry quoting a little bit of Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring at 9:18 in Morning Dew.

Huge Morning Dew after Major Dark Star.. that’s some good Sunday Morning Music.

And then as mentioned here… Triple Encore of Eyes > Stella, Johnny B. Goode.

Yeah that’s some majorly good Dead.

Great Pick.

Alright, time to time travel some more.

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 11:06

Permalink

I also went with the Oklahoma Dark Star onwards for this Sunday Morning. Yes, this is perfect morning music. Great catch on the Bach! I would never have noticed that. I'm beginning to understand why this show is so revered. I just needed some good focused listening...

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 12:04

Permalink

I wish I could take the credit and that my ear was that sharp to pick that out on the fly.

But the credit goes to Tom Ferraro and his review in the Taper's Compendium Volume 1 (which is great by the way).

He mentions it and then I had fun listening for it and lo.. Jesu was there.

Great way to start the day for sure.

Nice pick today GOLLUM!

Set 1 was a nice follow up to my Sunday Morning voyage through October '73 and I've made it to Franklin's Tower which is a massive 17 minutes long... I'm excited to hear where it goes.

So far so good.

PS - You should check out the next night SBD if you find yourself with time to spare... The Set 2 China > Rider & PITB are EPIC. I plan on listening to Set 1 of that show later and might just listen to the aforementioned songs again. That Franklin is over 21 minutes long for a total of over 35 minutes of Franklin's Tower in 24 hours.. who can pass that up?
(Another nod to the Taper's Compendium, this time Volume 2 for pointing out that tidbit as well).

Have Fun & Good Listening!

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 20:06

Permalink

Thanks for the tip on the Cape Cod 10/28 show GOGD. I listened to the tunes you mentioned and loved them. That show certainly seems at least as good as the 10/27 show. But anyways 10/27 seems mighty fine! I liked the Stagger Lee, Sailor-Saint, and OtherOne-NFA the most. I need to listen to the Dancing- Franklin's jam a few more times. That Dancing jam is queer bird, and I'm not sure what to make of it. So, Brent's getting some weird sounds from his keys the first 9 minutes, and then there's like a loud velcro rip sound, and his keys are back to normal?! I need to listen to it a few more times- it's a queer bird and I need some more time to digest it.

I'm into a 1979 rediscovery phase, ever since the 12/26/79 discussion here a few weeks ago. I always loved the "Friend" and UJB from that show but never got beyond that. Now, I'm finally seeing the greatness of the whole show. It's my favorite Brent show now, by a long shot. (thanks to this forum!) Now I'm giving the 2 fall/winter 79 Road trips some much needed and overdue love.

Have a great Memorial Day, all.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

Submitted by JimInMD on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 21:15

Permalink

I was gone all day.. did I miss a Gollum pick?

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 21:35

Permalink

Yep, you missed the great Cape Cod Clambake. I figured you was probably out white-water rafting though the Blue Ridge mountains again....

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 22:05

Permalink

That's a great Minglewood! I don't know of a better "Stagger Lee" I forgot how much I liked that song...

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by Vguy72 on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 22:36

Permalink

....then they are smack in the middle of a Shakedown Street. Swear to God. They are playing it. Masterful stuff.
At 11:12 they resume the Dancin' theme. That's a Shakedown Jam. At least that's how I heard it, and I trust my ears.

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 23:21

Permalink

Yeah, that's a beauty. Love the thundering Lesh-heavy Other One

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Sun, 05/24/2020 - 23:58

Permalink

Great set- exhausting, especially when loud and through headphones. Phil really laying it on thick-mmm...bedtime

GOLLUM: So much good stuff in Fall / Winter ’79 for sure!
It has it’s own unique sound like so many periods of the Dead.
Definitely enjoyed the Clam Bake… CAUTION JAM > THE OTHER ONE! I listened to that like 3 times yesterday, that’s some killer jams.

Speaking of 12/26/79 - I didn’t realize there was a soundcheck of Black Throated Wind in circulation, just stumbled on to that this morning. Gonna listen to BTW from '79 right now. Far out!

Might need to revisit 12/3/79 DaP V31?

BOB T: You’re thinking 6/14/76 today? There is a nice PITB on there…

What’ll it be today.. ’76, ’79, ’88.. so many choices!

...1979 is one of my favorite dead Era’s ! Love Cape Cod 79’ and December 79’ is primo dead for my likings! Brent brought backsome ‘gusto’ to the dead’s music and performances, it’s almost like the dead had come back half circle in their approach to playing their old & new selection of songs and it worked wonders as we can hear in the 1979 releases & recordings, the latest being ‘Dave’s Picks #31 as mentioned earlier! A primo release in the series that I can enjoy over & over again. I swear it will “still your face right off your head!” Is it better than ,Dicks Picks #5,?! I think not but it’s grande in its own way! More 1979 please !
Have a grateful day everyone! 🙏❤️💀🌹

LMG has '79 fever too!

While we're waiting for a consensus in regards to today's pick

'79 talk has me taking a look at the ole collection and I like the looks of the following:

11/6/79 - Philly Spectrum - Road Trips Download - (Started listening to this.. it's good:)
12/3/79 - DaP V31 - I need to relisten as I recall only listening once and moved on.

Also mentioned by BOB T -
6/14/76 - Box Set

And - Thanks for the Dylan tip VGUY. Listened to Postcards of the Hanging last night, never really paid attention to it.. Baby Blue from 12/3/81 is killer!

Probably should listen to some honest Bob.. but I got Dead fever.

What you all listening to today?

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 11:02

Permalink

6/14/76 would work perfect for me. I just listened to 6/10 and 6/11 last week, so it's due up for me anyways. It would be a nice mellow way to end the Memorial Day weekend.

Dave's 31 (12/3/79). GOGD, I also listened to this just once and moved on. I was frustrated by the mix. Bobby's guitar is just too low for me, especially on Scarlet-Fire. That's a big pet peeve of mine. Maybe I should give it another chance -perhaps the ears adjust(?). Maybe I just need to lighten up a bit and go with the flow?! But, aren't we lucky we have the 12/26 and 12/28/79 shows as excellent Betty boards! The Healy Road 79 Road trips also sound great!

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by Oroborous on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 11:34

Permalink

Perhaps my favorite 79...another of my actually good sounding go to tapes back in the day. Used to like to play Bass along w it’s it for practice.

RECAP:
- Vault 1 8/13/75 ✔️ Haven’t heard this gem in forever. Forgot just how awesome and tight this show is. Choreographed sure, but so what, it flows so nicely, and hey, no me & my uncle, lol. There’s a reason this was chosen for the first Vault pick!
- 7/1/78: NOT
- 5/21/74: ✔️ Still haven’t caught up on this box either, yeeshk....
- 5/23/72:✔️ Finally got a copy of most of this. Cool DS of course, but overall they seem a tad off this night, compared to the rest of the tour. Need to hear again as I was ripping stuff while listening...
- 10/19/73; ✔️ I’ve gone on and on about this one so I’ll just say one word today....MAJESTIC....the whole dam show just builds slowly, majestically, to a powerful whole. Majestic jams, majestic DS. Prolly my favorite Dicks
- 10/27/79:✔️ yet another of the 30 trips shows that I’m not yet really familiar with. Still have so much of that beast I either haven’t heard yet, or have only listened in the background. So it was nice to sit a bit with this one from that great funky ass 79 fall tour. Nice relaxed but tight first set. Good second that’s already been covered well here...still think 11/6 is my fav from this tour? I dig 11/9 too, but I’m extremely biased on that one...
So maybe I’ll try to sneak both 11/6/79 and 76 in today? Hup, hup, better get going!

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Mon, 05/25/2020 - 20:29

Permalink

I never feel like skipping any songs on these June 76 shows. Each one is a smooth seamless trip. Nice soothing Playin' jam. Heading into the 13 min slipknot.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by Oroborous on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 07:14

Permalink

Spring 90....shoot chip, you don’t even need to ask!

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

Submitted by DeadVikes on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 17:50

Permalink

Throughly enjoyed this one again today. Such a laid back Eyes and Dark Star. Brandford really kills it on Lovelight. Knocking on Heavens Door is sweet. I think I saw them close with this one twice........Man, do I want to see some live music.

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 19:00

Permalink

another one I've neglected. it's going down smooth.

user picture

Member for

8 years 7 months

Submitted by Lovemygirl on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 04:00

Permalink

I concure! ...Another ‘primo’ performance from the entire band! ;)

user picture

Member for

17 years

Submitted by bob t on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 06:15

Permalink

Back in I think 1987. It was my 3rd tape with Help>Slipknot on it but my first one with no Franklin's Tower.... I was very confused... Before I had Deadbase... bob t

user picture

Member for

14 years

Submitted by Gollum on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 08:57

Permalink

A quality pick!

This whole "pick of the day" thing is making me realize I have big problems with my collection. So, I looked for the Cow 76 release this morning. I found the case and booklet on the shelf in pristine quality but all 3 CD's are missing - ooftah! I then checked the most likely locations: 3 CD travel cases crammed with Dead CD's. No luck! So the discs must be misplaced among my extensive piles of CD's. A major project to locate them now. At least I have disc 1 downloaded with the great PITB jam.

Another example: I wanted to suggest 6/14/91(View from Vault2) last week as a pick of the day. This might be my favorite show from 91 but I think it is overlooked since it was chosen as a video. I have the last 2 discs downloaded but am missing the first one. I can't find the case or disc 1 CD. So I couldn't suggest it as a pick. Also, it is no longer available as a download. (the Philly 79 show picked last week is also not available as a download)

I think I just assumed the big standalone releases would always be available, either as downloads or in the used CD bin. Not so, I'm afraid! None of these 3 shows are available through nugs, iTunes, or deadnet. Used CD stores are a thing of the past.

Mind you, I am not groveling for copies. There is a fair chance I can still locate my missing shows. I guess there will never be a better time to reorganize than during this lockdown. Till then, there is the archive.

But I digress, on to 12/31/76!

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by Oroborous on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 11:53

Permalink

like so many of the “big” shows perhaps their legendary status can sometimes out weigh their overall performance?
Don’t get me wrong, I love any Spring 90 show, and 3/29/90 is a real Bobbie Dazzler, but after many years I’m wondering if it’s the best ALL AROUND show of the tour? Personally, I think I like 3/24 better, but I’m extremely biased. There was a reason though why they released the 24 and 3/15 as early single show releases...
So 29 has a great 1-2 punch with Jack/Bertha, but 24 has LTGTR, Help>Slip>Franks that are first rate.
I’ll take Loser and Desolation from the 24, but the 29 does have that Bird Song. For a first set closer I’ll take a ONSN over Promised land.
The second set is a little trickier; yes it’s all great, but I think the overall cohesion and playing is better on the 24. Eyes somedays, listening seems to kinda drone on with everyone sorta just playing along with one guy noodling at a time. I’ve often felt this way when they’ve had special guests...nothing against the guests etc, just I think it was harder for civilians to play with the Dead than many realize, so the uniqueness and hype are greater then the performances. Like Estimated even has a rare hiccup for this tour. Of course I’ve never met a DS I didn’t like, and being the only one of the tour it is a big deal, but part 2 is perhaps quick and out, along with the wheel, into yet another Throwing Stones though it is a beast, and a Lovelight instead of yet another NFA.. Nice Knocking to bring it back down after all that energy and send em home peaceful.
Again, great show, but I argue the overall flow of 24 is smoother, tighter, deeper, especially pre drums, with a better Wheel, scorching Watchtower, awesome Stella, and yes, yet another NFA, but a good one that works for this show. A Dew would of been the topper, but you knew that was going to get saved...Finally, I’ll take a Bid You Good Night over almost anything cept perhaps Attics, (never had the pleasure of a Ripple)....
Sorry, just bored and rambling while 12/31/76 Eyes is blazing in the background. Which is yet another of those long lost Chestnuts from my early days that I don’t listen to as much as I should, the ole “aw yeah, I’m gonna save that one for X (fill in the blank), but that day never comes, lol. So much Dead...but yeah, another of the true great all time classics. And a top New Yeats show comparatively! Great vibe too, not quite 76 but not full on 77, that whole transitional thing Daverock et el are always pointing out.
Makes me laugh thinking about how many dumb ass reporters trying to phone it in with usual misinformed dribble: “nostalgic 60s leftovers that basically haven’t changed but continue to hang on the the past, yaddy, yaddy, yadda”
Aaaaaa, how bout you get the shit outta your ears and actually listen? The change might of been subtle and over time, but it was always there! Man, I never believed in dosing anyone but sometimes it crosses your mind...bloody punters!

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 14:09

Permalink

I think I'm feelin' you on this OROBOROUS.

The revisit the other day of Dozin' had me super jazzed on Spring '90, but yesterday I found myself drifting in an out.. and my attention was wandering. I thought maybe I was just over doing it, crushing Dead all day after day.. but after reading your comments I think you might be on to something. IMO 3/24 is the stronger show and 3/29 is good and all but might get a lot of attention based on the novelty of the guest appearance & Dark Star being played vs the performance. Not saying overrated.. but I think I like 3/24 better overall, it's probably the song selection but also the energy in the playing on 3/24/90, made it really stand up and shout for me the other day. Ask me next time and I might pull a Latvala and say 10/26/89 is the best Dark Star of all time!

The 9/10/91 Branford... that show rocks!

Admittedly I'm just spoiled at this point with so much good quality Dead that I can be all Judgy McJudgerson, but yeah that's what we be doing during this here quarantine.

As for 12/31/76.. Love love love this Playing In The Band, and am excited to pop this puppy on and get all critical and shit!

GOLLUM: You're stressing me out.. get that stuff organized ;) Just Kidding!.. kinda

Be Well All and Enjoy those Jams!

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

Submitted by DeadVikes on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 15:12

Permalink

You crack me up Oroborous! And I know your affinity for Throwing Stones NFA. Yes, the closing sets in those days, well shit, sure glad they were there. And the 3/29/90 Lovelight was really good with Brandford.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by Oroborous on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 17:40

Permalink

...I was just trying to defrost this place. Conversation versus consensus etc 😉

user picture

Member for

8 years 11 months

Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Wed, 05/27/2020 - 18:30

Permalink

Haha OB

Good move.

How’d the Dead manage to make such perfect music for outside listening from big giant halls?

This Cow Palace show seems made for nice weather outside, currently 70 and sunny here (sorry VGUY). And it’s a perfect fit.

I was tripping on this in April on a similar day listening to 2/9/73 Roscoe Maples Pavilion, growing up I always thought that show was Outdoors cause that music is made to hear in nature’s splendor.

You all ever flashed on that?