• 8,077 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.

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  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    10/25>26/89

    10/25, it was a Wednesday, a beautiful fall day in south Florida, we drove down from Orlando and arrived at the Arena about 5:00 in the afternoon. By this time, the weather had turned to partly cloudy to cloudy with a bit of a breeze, still a beautiful day in the mid eighties. As we navigated about and felt around to find out way inside, the security was tight, they were searching everyone and taking away any and all party favors that they found and just threw them into a large grey trash can, which was getting quite full by the time we got to the pat down area. We had brought some shrooms with us from out favorite field that we had picked the weekend before the show, which was rare as usually in Florida about this time the shrooms fields kinda dried up by end of September. It was a rainy season and we were still picking by mid October. The picking was sparse, but very potent yields as was usually the case from this particular field.
    Back at the pat down area, we saw as we approached that there was no way we were going to get the shrooms into the arena, so we consumed them right there in line, to the delight of some deadhead onlookers, who wished they had some, but alas, we only had just enough.
    Entering the arena, it was our first time visiting the house of the Miami Heat, and found it very well laid out, with short lines for the numerous concession stands and long lines for the less than enough restrooms. We get to our seats, which this night was just to the right of Jerry and up about 25 rows. A great seat for sure.
    Then the shrooms started to take hold, the sets starts with Hell in a Bucket, not one of my favorites but it gets us going into Sugaree, a good version from my notes altho by this time, the shrooms had me sitting way back in my seat. I don't recall much from the rest of the set, although I so remember a trippy Picasso moon right before an awesome Deal to close out the set.
    The lights come up for the set break and according to my notes from that day, I was off as it looks like a series of scratching's and doodles until the lights finally go out, a big smiley face on the note page. Then, the second set starts off with Playin in the band, which runs into Uncle John's band back into playing. Wow, then a beautiful reading of Standing on the Moon from Jerry and I could relate, looking down from our 25th or so row seat, we were literally above the band and looking down from space, awesome. Trucking takes us into drums>space, more doodles on the note pad then Gimme some loving which had us all up dancing. This slid into a beautiful Wharf Rat which is one on my favorites. No more notes on the pad as the end of the show was a dance fest, with sugar mag and US blues ending the show. Back thru the maze of faces and bodies to the car and off to our hotel room, where we partied until dawn. If it wasn't for the notes I took, I would not have remembered any of the nights festivities due to the shrooms.
    10/26, got a late start as laid in bed until the maid came and asked us if the room needed cleaning, we said "no" and decided to get up and head out for some breakfast, in the mid afternoon. Feeling a bit spacey from the night before and with no party favors to take us into the night we just hung out until about 6 pm a deadhead in a long trench coat approaches our little group and opens his coat to reveal t shirts and stickers and other paraphernalia, we weren't buying until I asked about doses and he said "Blue Unicorns" Score. Finally they open the doors and we get past pat down area with no problems and into the arena we sail again for the final night of the tour. It's Thursday and not as warm as the night before, a breeze blows from the ocean and it feels a bit like fall.
    We are all hoping for a blow out show due to it being the last show of the tour and we were not denied, a truly remarkable experience was about to unfold before our very eyes. Again, we had great seats, mid floor, about half way back.
    The night starts out with Foolish Heart, again, a favorite of mine and Jerry stretches' it out a bit at the end to everyone's delight, oh boy, Jerry's on. Notebook is blank so can't remember the next song but I do remember Stagger Lee with Jerry's voice starting to crumble, a couple Bobby cowboy songs and then Jerry again slurring his words thru Brown Eyed Women, a great version even with Jerry's voice starting to sound like as Blair Jackson put it "he had gargled with razor blades". Here's were it starts to get a bit dark, Victim or the Crime is next with Bobby singing like it's the end or the world, some real spacey sounds coming from Brent and Jerry into a mean Don't ease me in with Brent again taking it to the max as he slams the keyboards over and over again during the song. My notebook has Don't ease in big letters and it was a great version.
    The lights come up again blinding us all as the unicorns had started to take hold by this time and I just wanted the lights to go out, as they were very bright it seemed.
    We're off by now and the second set starts with a trippy Estimated Prophet into a Blow away that again has Brent taking it to the max, a great night for him. Then the first notes of Dark Star, the crown goes nuts, it was my first and only dark star and the notebook is now empty of any notes. It was dark, a very dark dark star, unbelievable sounds coming from everyone, Mickey and Billy banging on the stage to make a sound like stars exploding or comets coming apart at the seams, very cool, Mickey using the Beam throughout the entire suite, not as the main instrument, but as a side note, hitting and plucking and stroking the strings like some kind of devilish harp from beyond the grave. Truly amazing. The wheel comes out of space and it is the light at the end of the tunnel, a slow teasing by Jerry until it finally erupts into it's magnificent colorful spinning prism. Then another dark turn with All along the Watchtower, into a beautifully dark Stella. Jerry leaves nothing behind with this performance and I/we are spellbound. NFA finishes us off and tries to bring us all back from the dark reaches of space but it is a little late for that. Then the encore as they all stand on the end of the stage and sign us a beautiful we bid you goodnight.
    Again, wow, spent the rest of the night talking about the masterpiece of psychedelia we had just witnessed, wishing we had a tape of the evenings performance right then. The drive home the next day was surreal almost dream like as I could not get the previous evenings magic out of my head, where it stayed for several days, mind truly blown.
    Starting in 85, I had started to take notes of song selections and other occurrences and performance notes from the evenings festivities at Dead shows, so glad I took notes this weekend, or I would not remember as much as this, but I wrote it all down, not knowing that one day I would again read about a legendary night in Dead history.
    Happy Halloween everyone!!!

  • MarinSmith
    Joined:
    Thanks !

    Thanks to all you Deadheads posting here. I've learned a lot about the band and their music from you. There is always something new to learn or a new show to check out. I've been collecting their music for many years now and just love this band and their variety. There are a lot of good folks posting on here. It's generally a positive place to hang out and needed in these days.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    RE: Brrrrrrrrr....

    .....i hear ya. Saturdays high here in Vegas was 88 degrees. Todays high? 58. 30 degree swing in 2 days.
    Checked out Miami 10.25.89 yesterday. Never heard it before and it was pretty spectacular. 10.26.89 today.
    I need some gloves!!

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Bbrrrrrrrrrr

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uO5HJxHTm5M

    Well, not quite forty below, but went from like 65 on Saturday to 6 last night and a foot of heavy snow, ugh...it’s too early for this! Luckily, I don’t need to go any where so I’m going for the hatrick today!
    -10/22/89
    - 10/23/89
    - 10/26/89 hopefully...
    Wish me luck, onward!
    Stay warm! and safe!

  • The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    It Was A Very Good Year (Remaster 1989)

    When I was Nineteen
    It was a very good year...

    I couldn't resist, but I'll be Frank & spare ya any further reference to ole Blue Eyes. (I'll be Frank, get it?!? hahaha)
    I've always enjoyed hearing what was happening in 1989 and dig it.

    Nice recap OB, fun times!
    I especially liked the line - "the dream is weakening".
    LOL at that as I peaked at the post drums set list and saw the death of a dream there.

    Good Stuff!

    And I second VGuy that 10/25/89 show is killer, it's the Light before the Dark. Kinda cool that they were using that PITB > UJB > PITB as a vehicle during the Dark Star breakouts. And I mentioned this before but the Set List Heads must've been holding their breath after that sequence on 10/25.

    5/26/72 deserves big praise and accolades. Top 10 show?
    I'd go into it, but it's Monday and too much to do. The only Set 1 NFA > GDTRFB > NFA, and hearing the crowd get it started is a real treat. And... Is this the first PITB that goes outside of the 7/4 realm, based on what I was reading in the Taper's Compendium they're saying yes. That's Huge! This is quintessential Europe 72 literally.

    And, '78 has been on my radar since the DaP V37 announcement.
    Yesterday stumbled into 1/11/78, what a ripper.
    Check out the Let It Grow on that puppy. Holy Shit!

    Alright, time to get moving.

    Catch ya later.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    1989....

    .....saw them 13 times that year.
    It was a good year.
    On board for Miami tomorrow.
    The 10.25.89 show.
    Hell In A Bucket->
    Sugaree
    Little Light
    FOTD
    Memphis Blues
    Cold Rain and Snow->
    Picasso Moon
    Deal
    .
    PITB ->
    UJB ->
    PITB->
    Standing On The Moon->
    Truckin' ->
    Drumz->
    Gimme' Some Loving->
    Wharf Rat ->
    Sugar Mags
    .
    US Blues
    Underrated
    Better fire this up now. Its 8 o'clock currently. I've got time.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Miami

    Game on...

    If we could go back in time.. I would love it if they cleaned up the vocals on Dark Star for this one. Minor gripe, because its quite good.. anyway, game on.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Fall 89

    I need to check these shows out Oroborous, I always love a good Shakedown. Sounds like a blast!

    Which reminds me we should probably check out 10/26/89 tomorrow? The Multi Track 89 30 Trips show from Miami.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Fall 89

    Right on Oroborous. Good vibes, great read.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    10/20/89

    So by now everyone’s fully settled into the Rectum run, and speculation and expectations are running high. So far only the Death Don’t, as far as the Big ticket tour items, so what would it be tonight, and would we go home slightly disappointed with Hampton as the “ones” and missed opportunity in Philly?
    Certainly not out the gate. Nice 1-2 Touch O-GSET, with the usual era M.O.: loose but spirited. Then a nice Candyman, the second of only two on the tour. Another of those loose canon Weir rockers, Picasso Moon, which still seams a work in progress, but rocking. A decent Little Light, probably my favorite Bret tune, perhaps a bit smoother than some of the previous? A spirited Jed, Memphis, Stagger Lee, and set closing Promised Land....or wait??, WTF? Que other big top tour item from this show, the first ever of only 2 California EarthQuakes!
    Though unfortunately I don’t have many specific memories from these shows, I do have a Kodak moment in my thick skull of this. So JG doesn’t stop, the crowd goes from end of set roar to you could hear a pin drop as I don’t think anyone knew this old tune. So everyone was tuned into try and hear what it was etc. By the time it builds up to that first chorus, the place goes GD nutz! Since those horrible quakes had just happened out there, everyone was well aware of the dire situation, and in true, magnificent GD style, they fucking killed it! What a tribute, made me proud to be a Californian and I’ve only been there visiting like a month total over the years. I’m literally getting choked up remembering this top shelf, all time personnel GD moment, a small elite, but powerful league to be sure.
    So now the energy in the building is bursting. Will we get the DS, the Attics, a Dew, at least a Bid Thee Goodnight to close the run?
    The second of only two Hey Pocky Ways to start the second, into the only Scarlet Fire of the tour, and a good showing. followed by a Truckin’ that morphs into a wild Other One Jam, 89 weirdness style, which devolves even more into the primordial ooze of drums/space midi electronic psychedelic joy, eventually morphing into I will Take You Home, which would normally be a good change up and it’s usual spot, but with each passing song the dream is weakening...
    And though we get solid Other One>Rat>Maggy, with a usually appropriate run closing Brokedown, second of only two on the tour, I have to admit, there was a small let down. LOL, makes me think of DHBrewers awesome DaP 36 post! Ah gee shucks, lol. We’re so spoiled! ; )
    Never the less, a great time was had by all, and a super run of shows that I was so fortunate to be at. So yeah I’m biased, but I think these three should land somewhere, someday officially. And though I’ve dreamed of a fall 89 comprehensive tour box, probably something smaller, say 5-7 shows depending on how you slice it would be more appropriate? In that case, which of these shows would get the ax? Tough call, some help reduce repetitiveness over several shows, some have tour rarities, some historical moments. I’d think at least 2 should be included, with the third day being a future Dave’s? Perhaps just a Spectrum 3 show box? Meh, think it needs a bit more bling?
    So so far my ruff draft fantasy box list would something look like this:

    - 9/29/89 for obvious reasons, but depending on space?
    (* 10/8&9/89: already out. 2 from Hampton)
    -10-14-89 my choice of the 4 not released yet. Would be 2 from Jersey
    - 10/15/89 Jersey runner up
    (*10/16/89 already out)
    - 10/18,19,20/89: I can’t pick? Say 2 for the box, one for Dave’s?
    So say four or five so far with 2 Charlottes and a Miami to go. If both Charlottes and the Miami are worthy, that puts us at
    1- 9/29
    2- 1 Jersey
    3/4- 2 Philly
    5/6- 2 Charlotte?
    7- 10/25 Miami ?
    Including previously released material, this would give us 2 from each venue, with the single 9/29 show as a bonus disc for a total of 7 shows? Maybe too early to decide yet...so,

    Ok, on to Charlotte. Besides an unusually positioned H/S/F on 10/22, and 2 more biggins on 10/23, I’m stoked because I’ve never heard these before! So, when the Gods allow.....Onward!

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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.

....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! 🙏❤️💀🌹

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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.

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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...

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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!

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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.

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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

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

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

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....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.

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

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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?

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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!

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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!

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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.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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

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In reply to by Oroborous

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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.

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

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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

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No one chose anything so want to go with this one? Not trying to be the "decider of the day" bob t

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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

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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!

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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!

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In reply to by Oroborous

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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!

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.

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

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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?