• 8,077 replies
    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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  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    Proceed Plan Dakota…………………

    Hey hey hey rockers!!

    Pick Of The Day: Winterland March 24 1971 (Benefit for the Sufi Choir Of San Francisco)

    Code Seminole, check 3 check 3 check 1, Red Dog over……………

    The yang to the yin of March 3. The band may have started the month off low, but they ended high. Yes they may have forgotten an organ, but this fine and underrated show is much crunchier and more expansive than what came three weeks previously.

    The Skull Album Johnny B Goode, so early in the first set. Top notch grease, especially the crispy Hard To Handle. A big jam sequence in the first set highlighted by an excellent Other One. How and why did they end the set with such a hard rockin’ Beat It On Down The line? Solid NFA suite to close set two, followed by a nice Uncle John’s Band encore.

    I know not everybody digs 1971 shows, but this one is worth a listen, and would make a nice official release some day……..

    Is it weird in here, or is it just me?

    Rock on!

    Doc
    Where's your will to be weird?

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: Overwhelming Task

    Perhaps the hardest part was convincing Phil some of this stuff is too good to fret over sound imperfections.

    I have to imagine giving Latvala reign of the vault was akin to giving a kid the key to the candy store. We have Dick to thank for most of what's out there that was not officially released (more important 30 years ago than today), but sometimes I wonder what things would be like if he wasn't as generous a head as he was. We would be enslaved, waiting for the next release. ...but imagine the elation of the great surprises that await....

    Anyway.. super busy which puts me in lurking mode, I check in when I can. Sorry for that. My extra credit has been a bit of Dec 73. Such a long, long time to be gone and a short time to be there.

    Big rain event here now.. a hard rain's gonna fall.

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Set The Wayback Machine Sherman

    To 1985 - Dick Latvala starts work as the GD archivist.
    It must have been an overwhelming task.
    The new music format called compact disc is here.
    He has his list started, likely from memory and his own tape collection.
    What would we tell him is THE most important, or best, way to start the releases?
    Assume it's all there in the vault and good enough to release, just to make it easier.
    I'm ready back then as my wife just bought us our first CD player. Quite expensive and so are the CDs. $17.99 for a single when LPs are still under $10.00. I'm still a GD novitiate and have no clue having only attended seven shows ('78-'80).
    Cheers
    Oh, and is there a list (Dave L.?) of Dick's potentials that have not been released? Or is that now part of the Dave's list that Oro cites from time to time?
    (Oro - I vote for the live GO since it's the one I know)

    Edit: Only three of those If I Had The World To Give. First is the Aug. 30-31,1978 that I keep asking for. I'll check that out Oro. Was the Standing On The Moon of it's era.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Oooppss

    Sorry 1st show, forgot twice, ha! Thank you, Yes very nice DP 20 review and I concur: all is very good, but perhaps the first shows playing trumps the second shows sexy set list? And is that not one of the best (for last) Charlie’s?
    Great song, but being difficult sometimes it could be a bit Sloopy, but this one shines.
    So awesome we have all these gems to contemplate, hopefully, for years to come!
    Onward

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    11/20/78

    Hey OB, I don't think we ever hit this one. I will check it out tomorrow. Thanks.

    Nice review on Dicks 20 Firstshow. I liked both shows quit a bit, but yes, that second set of Capital Centre is hot!

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    11/20/78

    Not sure if we did this one, if so, I forgot to mark it down. (and please excuse).
    Perhaps I tried/started at work but wasn’t able?
    Anywho, looks interesting and I think I might have heard locals at the time who went speak highly off it?
    Unfortunately I was still too young, at least according to those who supplied food and shelter ahem—to be going “all the way” to Cleveland lol.

    EDIT: POTD MUST LISTEN!
    If nothing else, you MUST hear this IIHTWTG!
    Really, the whole second set as it’s very unusual, but the Playing sandwich is like a whole separate show, and the meat (Shakedown>World to Give) is simply delicious and should be enjoyed!
    World to Give, another of those weird awesome but much too brief Jer tunes, and this one is phuching awesome!

    Overall, the show is sorta all over the place. Especially the recording.
    1/2 Step>Franks opener is always nice, but this is average and suffers from weird technical anomalies. Next few perhaps underwhelming? It’s all good, just doesn’t seem to have the usual 78 spark. PEGGY O is always welcome but prefer Goldilocks version: not too slow, or not too fast. This one perhaps a tad too slow? Decent Lightning/Supplication to round out the first. NOTE: Bob is present throughout and seems fine thus far.
    Why dat? Weeeeeeeelllll, depending on who you ask this was either the worst show or one of the best lol.
    Also much todo about Bob being sick, with some accounts claiming: he missed the set opening jams (he did); to he missed jam, came out to begin playing and left again until end of show…
    Well, inspector Clue so says you can hear him throughout the whole show on tape, except the aforementioned Jam>Drums>Jam.
    The jam sounds more like waiting around then the spectacular inprov mind melt that some describe? Though I bet it was interesting there in real time. Bob is back for the era typical slow Jack a Roe, but then things seem to really step up.
    PITB seems more energetic and though not a pre hiatus beast, nice just the same, then…., then they slide into an awesome Shakedown to take it higher, but then! Jer bear breaks out the gold, it’s gold i tell ya! and JG wants to give it to you! The last of three World to Gives is just plain sweeeeetttt!
    By the time they segway back into the PITB reprise you can feel the relief? definitely positive vibes, like phew, we made it!
    The band, the crowd, even the sometimes inconsistent recording is on when it matters. Though the recording does slip into an extended section of aud, it almost helps this vibe! Plus, sometimes it’s nice to feel that in the midst happy communal energy often missing in boards. So big A&A to end it and the crowd loves it. No encore guessing due to time?
    So I wouldn’t call it top shelf, but cool, unique interesting show, which don’t know bout you, but that’s why I come here to explore. Definitely not the worst show, in fact, as often the case, the adversity helps step things up and makes the show. When the going gets weird…indeed.

    Ha, told myself only one show today but I’m already into the next night in good ole Crotchfester. 11/21/78
    Sounds like typical crazy Rochester scene, kinda like the Spectrum lol. But they sure sound more like usual fall 78 so far (Big River…) recording too, not a Beatty, but so far so good.
    If only I’d been just a wee bit older, this might of been my first?
    That’s ok, I’ll take the first I did get lol.

    Ok, onward, must be fired up after sleeping with the Elk! Literally, several slept within feet of us just outside our bedroom window last night! Cool sheet Mon!

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    DiP 20

    Had lots of time yesterday afternoon and this morning with steady drizzle coming down here. Gloomy the last month or more and no big accumulations but over our average moisture already for this time of year. San Juan basin snow pack at 150% of normal. Best in the state?
    The Cap. Center, Landover beats War Mem. Syracuse hands down in my book. Expected more out of 9-28-76 with that set list and continuous 2nd set. Just didn't have the energy that 9-25-76 has. I noticed that in 2001 only two years into Dave L. taking over from Dick there were no liner notes yet from Dave. But that letter from a Deadhead from 1976 was prescient. The idea came from Relix where he read the Dead were "toying with the idea" of the eventual Dick's/Dave's series' which didn't come about until 1993(?). Man, can you imagine how many more we would have had? (edit: wouldn't have worked until CDs came out around 1984, wouldn't have put them on tapes and vinyl would have been economically unviable?) Anywho the start of 9-25 is so up-tempo with Keith well up in the mix and twinkling marvelously. The Travis Bean has such a vocal quality to it on this Cassidy. Not so great on Loser where it didn't have that chippy sound that song is known for. Keith and Jerry so pretty on Peggy-O. Nice long set lists still then. Nice stretched versions of Let It Grow and Sugaree for a solid set closer. 2nd set is just exactly perfect and whoever coined the disco dead slur just isn't reading it right. It's more like Dancin' Dead with Jerry dancing up and down the frets on Dancin' like a wild man. I mean they're a dance band, right? I know I would have been boogying to that! Audience has minds blown when Cosmic Charlie appears and there is so much newly reworked material in this era. Stand alone Scarlet is TIGHT! The drummers seem to be driving the bus by then coming on strong. And where Fire would usually come in it could have gone anywhere. That's the game isn't it? Guessing where they're going in real time? Do they even know? The St. Stephen samwich has Jerry saying "Yes it does" to one man gathers what another man spills. Smooth vocal harmonies and a Phil moment stomping with the drummers coming back into the St. Steve reprise. And a tight Sugar Mag finish. This has the '77 deliberateness but great energy too. So imagine my surprise when I found 9-28-76 a little slower and predictably mellow. Not that there's anything wrong with a great show with those characteristics but I was ready for a mind blower after reading the set list. The true tango was a real surprise though and overall a fantastic two show release. A fair number of repeats only three days apart but it didn't influence my opinion like the tempo comparison did. Glad we are still getting those two show releases every once in a while. Thanks Dave L.! And thanks to the POTD posse for suggesting these. Onward and upward. Got the jones for JGB - Don't Let Go from 5-21-76 now.
    Cheers
    It's not on us, Dennis will buy anything. Bless his heart!

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    10/17/83

    Hit 3/20/70 for a lil snack, now I need to hear some 80s to regain my energy as I’m pooped after digging first round of Sierra cement. Plenty of moisture today brother vguy and you other desert rats.

    3/20/70 was ok. Not much of a HTH jam. Weird, no weir acoustic numbers? Cool acoustic set though, lil Jer fest going on with an always welcome Katie Mae! Electric set alright, but not mind blowing. Pig has some extra spunk in LL: “ put your hand in her pocket, take out her Id and make sure she’s 18” etc.
    Viola always cool, but so so version? Not the best 70 we’ve heard, but not bad for a 53 year old boot.

    10/17/83: another coulda, woulda, shoulda.
    Always wondered what this one was about?
    EDIT: yep, wish things woulda worked out and I made it to this one, sigh.
    So what do you do after 2 Stephen comebacks and a Revolution.
    Just the usual GOGD! Nice Sugaree to open a solid first set. Status quo fall 83 second but with the return of Lay Me Down, and the second Revolution for an encore. Really enjoyed this show, mostly good recording though I think levels during peaks might occasionally have been a tad hot. Perhaps not the tape level, but some instruments being fed to the tape? Fall 83, another sorta under the radar excellent tour. Guess that’s why there’s been four shows officially released from it so far. Check it out!

    Buckeye 88: I’ve had a tape that I combined the first set with the 3 new songs. I think I did that because I didn’t think (at the time) the second was worth another tape? I’ll have to hear the whole show again…

    Yeah Dennis! I NEED to know! tap, tap, tap (sound of foot tapping) lol
    Look forward to more GO reviews. Need to acquire some more new music, but only so many spots on the team, so might wait and see. Mostly wondering if I should get the studio or live album?

    Ok, this Sugaree from 10/17 is jumping. Get coffeed up, cop some 83 energy…then probably time to shovel again ; )

  • bluecrow
    Joined:
    GO

    had a long post last night that got shut down because of perceived lynx (there weren't any - booo). below is abbreviated

    1st Show - I have the GO studio on vinyl, bought it as a cut out ca. 45 years ago probably same time as Heavy Traffic and undoubtedly because Winwood was on it. I had been confused by your references to a 2 lp release until ConeKid solved the mystery. Turntable is mothballed so streamed it (2x/3x) through the Sennheisers after my post last week (and again last night). first listen in a few years. Really enjoyed it, particularly the spacier passages. Then streamed previous album by Yamashta (no Winwood), Raindog, and dug that also. Where my head was at. I'll get to the live album soon.

    Want to highlight again an obscure Wayne Shorter album, Moto Grosso Feio, 2 tracks in particular, title track and Iska. very cool and out there. Turned onto that by aquarium drunkard. Cool discussion there, as always.

    Also Dave might be listening in (surprise). After my recent comments re summer '88 and fact that most of Buckeye wasn't circulating in soundboard (just a chunk of Set 1 i think), he has Set II predrumz on Tapers Section this week. Has Set I from next show Pittsburgh on Jam of the Week. Listened to the Buckeye segment last night. Victim (3rd time)>Blow Away (2nd time)>Foolish Heart (3rd time)>Terrapin>Drumz. Of much greater interest to me now (I was sorta/kinda fried from Alpine). Def would like to hear rest of the show. What Dave served up is a straight board, not an ultramatrix. Also none of the panning back and forth across stage that is so prominent on the board portion of the Alpine '88 run ultramatrixes. Buckeye was 1st show for several younger folk that I knew at the time. They had a gas.

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    GO Dennis!

    I hope you read my review(s) beforehand.
    Where is BC? I'm not taking the heat alone here.
    The pressure! Give us a review when you get them Dennis.
    Inquiring minds, like Oro, want to know.
    Cheers

    Firing up DiP 20 Syracuse 9-28-76 now. Only got through Landover 9-25 yesterday. Holding the review until I've got both done. But dang, forgot that disc 4 is one > solid > jam > ? Orange Tango indeed!

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

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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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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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8 years 9 months

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!

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7 years 11 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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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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In reply to by DeadVikes

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

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8 years 9 months

In reply to by Oroborous

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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?