Grateful Dead

'73 sounds good to me.

When I went to the Portland Memorial Coliseum in 2018ish, I soaked it in and looked around trying to imagine the GOGD playing in there that and the Bill Walton era Blazers. It's just your classic 1960-70 era coliseum, fold down wood row chairs, you can almost picture the banners hanging from the rafters. It's pretty much a preserved relic from that time.

I bet it was fun seeing the Dead there.

...."Paul McCartney"

Yes, I know those are not the words, but I always sort-of hear them that way. Do they make sense? No. Is "Promised Land" one of my favorite 1st set openers? Yep. Only better spot is as a first set closer, IMO.

Enjoy the show, folks! Thanks for following along with my pick!

Peace

That's Funny..

Reminds me my Mom used to think the Wings song Band On The Run was "Man On The Rug".

She'd get annoyed why are they singing about a man on a rug?

Good times, great oldies!

That song "Israelites" used to make me smile when it came on the pub jukebox-"oh, oh, me ears are alight"

One of my all-time favs!

Yeah, its great-I've just played it again.

I saw the Santana / Eric Clapton tour at the Portland Coliseum August 3, 1975. My one time there. Saw the Dead in July 1972 at the Paramount Theater in Portland.
This pick of the day concept has been a real up. Happy to participate when time allows.
One more recommendation , Dick Gregory at Kent State 1971. It’s an album I used to broadcast on my former radio show “Have a Nice Day Comedy Hour”. It’s on YouTube. Check it. And may calm heads prevail during this struggle.

Yes this is a nice pick for today. Anyway it is cool and rainy here, so a Portland show seems fitting. Isn't the Dark Star on this show the only existing Grateful Dead Dark Star quartet? (Keith lays out) I think Keith makes everything better, but I also love the novelty of this Star.

I've always thought the T-Bone steak line was funny. Why point out the detail that it is "a la carte"? When was the last time anyone had a T-bone on a flight?- those good old days.

Saw the Dead play a great show there on 8/15/81. Picked up a case of Bud tall s and spent the day partying down by the Willamette River with four bums we got to know, a fun time was had by all.

BILLY THE KID: Partying with Bums on the Willamette sounds like you got the true Portland Experience, Represent! Gonna make a mental note to check out 8/15/81 sometime soon.

GOLLUM: Interesting, I will listen for that. Typical Weather today in Portland, we’ve gone from pouring rain, to hail, and now it’s sunny and nice. They say if you don’t like the weather in Portland, just wait a minute, cause it’ll change.

STRIDER 88: ’72 Dead at the Paramount must’ve been Epic! Such an amazing Theater. It’s pristine now, but would’ve loved to see it full of Dead Heads in ’72.

I agree about this being a real up, total bright spot in the Darkness of our time.
I’ll check out that Dick Gregory album, he’s a brilliant & funny guy.

Alright time for China Cat > Rider from Portland ’73.. this show is about to go places.

BTW: If anybody knows anything about the Acid Test here in Portland, I'd love to hear about it. The date is still in question, it was possibly Christmas '66 or NYE day '66 but that's still TBD. Neil Cassady drove them over the Siskiyou pass in a Uhaul in a blizzard with no chains. That's balls.. that pass gets hairy.

It never occurred to me that Keith wasn't on this track. Obviously not paying attention. Weren't there any Stars in 1971 that featured just the quartet?

yeah, maybe in 71, after Mickey left, if Pig sat out? There's that Yale Bowl Road Trip one (7/31/71). Maybe Pig is playing percussion on that one, I'm not sure. That Yale Bowl Dark Star is another beauty...

Having a little trouble keeping up. Whose maniacal idea was this, anyway?

That 87 show was splendid. We had mucho fun going to shows that year, in large part because we were so delighted and relieved that ol' Jer didn't cash it in the year before.

Speaking of Garcia, here's a brief little attitude adjuster to better deal with these tense times:

https://youtu.be/AJLXj9kPDP0

....Looks Like Rain just started. I'm all in.

.. .that this ChinaRider is gonna blaze.

😁

I might suggest Portland '74 to give some contrast. The Wall.

If it's a go, key in on the China Rider. A great compare/contrast to yesterday's pick. Oh what a difference a year makes..

Had a good time listening to 6/24/73 yesterday, such a good show. I am a sucker for A Box of Rain. Dark Star Eyes!

My baby gives me the finance blues. Jim, let's do it, 5/19/74.

Be well folks.

Was there. Pigpen did play his Hammond B3. But it was Hard to Handle that had the 98% of the audience who been sitting get up and dance . Kind of like wallflowers at a high school dance who were finally recognized. And moved their bodies. The organ must be low in the mix. Gonna have to listen to that one again.

cassette... I even remember buying some colorful construction paper tape labels, I can't remember what show but i know it is blue because i still have it!!! Never bought any more, became a purist how i labeled all my tapes... what a moron i was.... bob t

I was (well tried to be) the same.. but penmanship was never my strong point.

Still, for the really great tapes I was able to get my grubby paws on, I made a strong attempt to make clean and cool labels. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse that computers do most of the writing for us now. I don't think they teach cursive anymore.. times have changed.

Wow, to have been at that Yale Bowl 71 show! That Road Trips release has always been a favorite. That show was a coveted rarity back in my tape trading days in the early 80's. I had read in an old "Mikel" flyer that it had one of the very best Dark Stars, but nobody ever had it except as a low quality audience tape. So I was thrilled with its official release. Isn't this the ideal 71-72 transition show? The wild and wooly "Bobby Mcgee" is one of my favorites. Due for a re-listen! (I listened to the Star this morning through headphones, but couldn't hear Pig's organ, but I think he is playing some kind of shaker)

Thanks for the JGB clip bolo. I first heard "The Maker" by the JGB and just loved the song. I've looked for other versions but so far none can top Jerry's for me. A bunch of JGB songs are like that: Senor, Stop that Train, Dixie, Tangled Up, etc. Lots of great versions by great artists, but Jerry owns those songs in my book.

Queueing up Portland 74-

There’s a font for that.

9/18/87: ✔️ Nice little show. Start off like a rocket sled fortunately attached to the rails or it might of jumped the tracks. Bobs all fired up. JG balances it out with a nice Sugaree, sweet Candyman, and big Bird song...Groovy Shakedown etc.
Nice/fun La Bamba surprise complete with Spanish lyrics! Good 87 show, but best of the year???

6/24/73:✔️ I don’t know what the hell it is but I’ve still not been able to really get with the PNW box. I’m sure it’s because I’ve always been trying to force it into my soul instead of letting it simmer and marinate naturally. When the box first was released things were so nuts I’m surprised I had a chance to even just rip it and background play it. Since then I’ve tried a couple times to catch up with it but things always seem to get distracting and busy and long/short.. I’ve still really haven’t had a chance to get tight with this box, sigh.
Yesterday continued the trend, as I had it on but got distracted finally coming up with some bookshelf plans for my office/stereo room. The music helped the muse and I think I have a first draft witch is often the hard part, but alas this PNW beauty was dust in my mental wind. Definitely need to hit that DS up at least, and really need to try and do a show a day real sit down of the whole box soon!...but In the mean time I’ll gladly visit 5/19/74 later today!

FUTURE PICKS: the following are going to be 30 anniversary show this next week or two, and their also part of my first trip to the promised land. Finally, after being on the bus for like 13 years and over 80 shows at that point, we finally made it to the famed promised land and it definitely was real AND spectacular!
So I’m personally going that direction for these, but thought perhaps all y’all might be in for the ride of some/all these 6 shows as Pic-o-the-day possibilities? Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard any besides the vault/cd release from 6/16/90, so I’m not really sure I can suggest anything specifically. I member they were all good shows, but only the released one comes to mind because I remember the unusual set list. I do remember thinking that these west coast shows had an energy or vibe that went inward versus powerful east coast shows were the energy flowed outward...sorry, hard to explain the thirty year old clouded ramblings of a blissful tripster, but some things fortunately do stick in what’s left of the ole memory bank. Like the vibe was comparatively quiet, subtle, mellow, relaxed in a way that was very inwardly loud and powerful? Yeah, remember it really hit me that energy vortex thingy...
So here’s the shows, if anyone is more knowledgeable about specifics or has a suggestion I’m all ears. I’m going to try and tag them all, but just thought these might be perfect for our club here as their good shows but seem to be fairly under the radar...
CAL EXPO
- 6/8/90
- 6/9/90
- 6/10/90
SHORELINE
- 6/15/90
- 6/16/90
- 6/17/90
Ok, thanks, let me know your mind!

I had forgotten this was the show with the vocal dropouts. Two long shows back to back too.. sorry for that.

I mentioned it merely to compare the China Riders. This one is one of my more liked and a freshie today reminded me why. Also.. the temps and weather here were spectacular.. so we hopped in the truck and went trucking on down to the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, a remote stretch in (in my opinion) the most spectacular part of West Virginia. The high was 71 degrees, not high humidity, but not low either. Narly a cloud in the sky.. so we hiked up the beautiful canyon of Red Creek several miles.. found a remote spot on the river to ourselves, pretty far off trail.. not another sole to be seen and set up comfy day camp. Spectacular swimming in the middle of Class V rapids, but at very low water.. so fun and not dangerous. Beautiful waterfalls abound.. and we jammed out to the better part of this show, finishing it on the drive home.

Highlights to me were #1 the weather, #2 mother nature, #3 The Grateful Dead. The China Rider and WRS were apex, but a second set Peggy-O on the hike back.. that mellow swank (and some dank) is, to me at least, very special.

Good day. Forgot my swimming shorts.. At what age are you too old to skinny dip anyway?

Edit: #1, Mother Nature, 2 the weather, 3 GD. What was I thinking?

Looks awesome on the google. Sounds like a great day. Adding to the bucket list-

I have listened to about half of it, but, as today is the day I unveil Dave's Picks 34, I may not get round to the rest of it today. Lightweight that I am!

The first half dozen or so songs are really well played and shouted. The vocal drop outs cause quite an interesting effect, as it encourages me to listen to the instrumental interplay more. You couldn't really recommend it as a first buy to someone, but for us who have so much, these drop outs may not really matter.

For me also, the highlights on the first half are China-Rider and Weather Report Suite. Superb playing by Bob during the transition between China and Rider. His playing at this time was much more than what I usually imagine by the description "rhythm guitar". Great the way they move off center during the jam on WRS. The playing is so subtle, the way they play off each other-every member of the band synched in and adding to the whole. So...thoughtful sounding. No resorting to gimmicks, special effects or time honoured crowd pleasing licks. Its great! Lovely clear sound, too.

6/8/77 came in on the Dave's Picks 34 page. Hard to argue with that.

Morning!

Let's see what this week brings.
OB - I'd be down to take the anniversary Cal Expo & or Shoreline Trip June 1990. 6/8 is looking good!
JIMINMD - 6/8/77 you say.. that could be a possible too.

LMK what you all choose to do.
I'm definitely liking the look 6/8/90:
Jerry songs in Set 1 - Cold Rain, Jack-A-Roe, High Time, Bird Song...
Set 2 opener - UJB > China > Rider .
I think I know what I'm doing here..

Had some nice listening over the weekend. PNW shows were fun, neither have PITB so I tend to skip them, but am glad to have given them a relisten.

That Dark Star > Eyes > China Doll from '73 is far out.
GOLLUM wonder why Keith didn't play on Dark Star, he starts in at about 4 minutes till the end, but now I'm curious. And you all make me wanna listen to the Yale Bowl '71. Wow STRIDER 88 you saw that too! Keep em coming.

China > Rider '74 was the highlight on that for me, and hearing Money Money... it's not good, but makes me smile. Also forgot about the Vocal drop outs and had to check some reviews to make sure my gear was working :)

1987-09-18 - Love that show, I wouldn't say it's the best from '87, but it sure is fun. As far as '87 goes the 7th member is present at most of those shows, roaring and excited and having a great time. For a little while there it sure looked like it might be coming to an end. But Jerry came back and was healthy and energized, the band was having fun, the shows were fun, everybody was thrilled and that energy passed back and forth throughout the year. It was so exciting that we all still got to do this thing we loved to do.. at least one more time. OTIS, definitely check out East Coast Spring Tour Hampton & Hartford shows.

Have a Grate Day Everyone!

I just did so Friday evening! We grabbed another Bohmenian family and went for a midnight moonlight canoe ride, thanks to the warm calm air and the clear skies, which allowed us to paddle a large local lake under the Strawberry moon. At the end, the other father, his 9-ish daughter, my 11-year old son, and I all stripped down and took the plunge. Beautiful!

So I guess 50 is not too old! The other father is 48. My wife and her friend went skinny dipping one night last summer; they were both 47 at the time.

Friday I sang, "Night swimming . . . deserves a quiet night . . . ", but I also love Kate and Anna McGarrigle's version of Loudon Wainwright's "Swimming Song"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ZrBxJHxo0
That entire first McGarrigle album is just a treat.

Cal Expo it is, I didn't see that further down the thread. Lazy me didn't read far enough down as it was late when all this ended last night. Cal- 90 were great shows..

Just finished home schooling my 11 year old today. He seems to think no school means you don't have to do shit, which didn't sit well with me.. but we as of now, I am done teaching at home. Hopefully some of that extra time will make its way back to me.

Don't let me interrupt the flow of things here.. You guys (and gals) are doing great.

2 great shows! Hard to decide which I like better? Both! Lol. Maybe 5/19/74 better than 6/24/73. 73 has that unusual DS...perhaps Keef needed to hit the Lou? Feel like the tune suffered a bit without him, but hey a DS is a DS!
Really enjoyed most of the 74 second set, especially the Trucking>>Jam>>NFA>> GDTRFB etc. the jams were awesome with even a touch of mind left body in there? A nice hot, quick NFA and that interesting little weirdness transitioning into GDTRFB...perhaps my favorite part....many solid tunes all the way around here.
Only nit pick is the vocal mix was ruff sometimes (not the drop outs, those don’t bother me so much). Perhaps the combination of 2 track instead of multitrack, wall of sound mics etc. Perhaps because I’ve been listening to a lot of multitrack shows so was more sensitive to the idiosyncrasies than usual?
Didn’t get as much of a full listen to 73, so hard to properly compare.Basically, Just really need to do a full immersion of this whole box. Hopefully if I can knock a few more projects out I can just read and do music for a while, but that’s a lot of ifs....
Ok, on to June 90. I need to celebrate as it’s a big anniversary for me. Hope some of you can come along. It’s a lot I know, so no worries if you can’t or don’t want to go there...if not, we’ll see ya on the flip side!
Ok, 30 years ago today...what a day, perfect weather, I love Cal expo, some slag it, but I loved the layout. General admission always best so folks can go where they want instead of where they don’t want but someone makes them etc. nice shape for sound with wooden gentle sloping bleachers, nice real grass field, and SURPRISE, Fucking Anchor on tap, no schwill at these shows! Bring along hot new 20 year old girlfriend, throw in some x....such a night! Thanks Bill Graham for such a cool scene. Hallelujah, the promised land at last!
Ok, now have to pick a version...anyone suggest a good matrix?

EDIT: looks like we’ll try the Pearson/Healy/Miller matrix....

I really like the idea of listening to a whole run of shows! I know the 6/8/77 show is good, but like Oroborous said, I like that these shows are a little more "under the radar."

Here is a good FOB Ladner Matrix of 6/8/90: https://archive.org/details/gd90-06-08.sbd-matrix.ladner.6935.sbeok.shn… - It starts a little quietly, but things get worked out about 1/4 way into CR&S

And for tomorrow, here is a Miller/Ladner Matrix: https://archive.org/details/gd90-06-09.sbd-matrix.miller-ladner.6936.sb…

I loved the Portland back-to-backs this weekend. Perhaps another way we could do picks - same venue/town, different eras? Anyway, hope all are doing well!

Peace

EDIT: Oh, and a Miller/Ladner Matrix for 6/10 while I'm at it :) https://archive.org/details/gd90-06-10.sbd-matrix.miller-ladner.6937.sb…

... and that's just the way I like it!

Alright here we go.. 30 years ago today the Grateful Dead rock OROBOROUS at the Cal Expo.

Looking forward to giving these new Pearson, Healy, Miller UltraMix's a spin.

And away we go.. Enjoy!

Another barn burner of a show. The vocal drop outs are a bummer. I remember the first time I listened to this show I thought, man, they should disclose this. Oh well, 16 song first set with the China- Rider closer is still really good. Second set rocks. Love the Wharf Rat Big River Peggy O, Truckin! And that Jam out if Truckin is pretty sweet.

Be well out there folks.

I don't have the June 90 shows, so I will see you all down the road when we get back to other releases.

All the shows are there in case you didn't know.... Bob t

You can get apps for the Archive or I’ve been using relisten which is sourced from Archive...
It’s so easy even I could figure it out! 😀

Here's a link to the Don Pearson & Dan Healy Master Cassette UltraMatrix that just recently started to circulate thanks to Charlie Miller -
https://archive.org/details/gd1990-06-08.149619.ultramatrix.sbd.pearson…

Heading into Bird Song now.

Bob t, what is this internet you speak of?

Thanks for the links and I do need to check out relisten, I have heard this mentioned before.

Didn't Phil hate the archive?

30 years ago, but just one magical weekend...well the good news was I really enjoyed this show despite more pesky interruptions. The bad news is I still don’t remember much, anything? about this show. In fact, I’ve felt like what I thought was the first show with the sunny good time vibe I carry and see in my minds eye is prolly from tomorrow night as LTGTR is part of that wonderful vision. Do any of you have any of those what I call Kodak moments when you have certain snapshots of time that are crystal clear even if just for that moment? I have a couple of those from 6/9 but not 6/8 and I’m not sure about 6/10 yet...
But I used to think these 2 runs would make a nice little box, except I don’t think they were lugging the multi track around anymore? Point being not a debate about that but that my MEMORY was that these shows were pretty good and perhaps release worthy...meaning their was good chance they were worth some love. Well one show doesn’t make the run, but so far so good I’d say?
Finally hearing does corroborate my recollections of the groovy, mellow California vibe. Being at a Cali show was so amazingly cool, I can’t really describe it, just that there was definitely a noticeable difference that made such an indelible impression it still shines through the recesses of the cobwebs of my battered memory.
But today, years later it was nice to hear some more early 90 magic. Nice, even, well played first set. Same with second, nothing stands out as “stop the press” and it’s easy to consider it just another typical set list, but like most shows this year there was a level of professionalism and confidence that lifts most 90 shows to the upper echelon of consistently good Dead.
Probably the highlight for me today was the jam out of Foolish heart into drumz. I know some of you good folks don’t dig the midi weirdness, and I think eventually, sometimes, they may have over done it, but isn’t that what the dead always did? Push the limits, to go where no ones gone before etc! Anyway, I dug this transition, and yet another groovy gooey 90s weirdness, which now that I’m typing it makes me consider that much of the 90 pre/drum/space segments could be highlights in them selves I.e. the 3/24 MLB jam being perhaps top dog?
I think that’s what makes 90 so special: they were tight, confident, on top of their game, and thus willing to go outside a little, but still keep it tight...a nice balancing act they didn’t often perfect.
Well thanks to those on board for this, and to those who aren’t for being cool and patient! Ok, look forward to tomorrow as I recall a little more and have a good story that happened one of the nights after the show with the “20 yr old”...that is if your up for it?

EDIT: China Riders for you Jim. Maybe not a 74 but I wouldn’t toss er outta bed for eatin crackers 😉

Can I just say how happy is Brent when Jerry starts to play the opening chords of Blow Away after Let it Grow, which 99 percent of the time would have closed the set or a obligatory Don't Ease me IN!!!! take a look makes me kind of sad..... bob t

Bob t - Brent brought so much energy to the music. I myself was watching the one from two Fridays back 7/16/90 Buffalo. Brent really came thru with the assist on Gimmie some lovin - good to see Phil having fun. But the second set closer was jaw dropping- I really am grateful for the video - so incredible to be able to see the 6 headed monster move as “one”

A Help>Slipknot>Franklin's for the ages and that is saying a lot from the first six months of 77.....bob t... Sorry Dick L. I think it is better than the one from Norman..... Swing, Buffalo and this one are right up there for me.... Love the Phil Bombs in the Franklin's toward the end.... be safe everyone... bob t

30 years ago Today living the sunshine daydream California style....today, cold, rainy, with a little snow leftover from last night....
California dreamin fo sure...so come on and let the good times roll!

EDIT: hey it’s cool if no one wants this one, I won’t be offended or whatever, it’s just I have to do this...

Oroborous - I also really enjoyed the "Foolish Heart" jam into Drums. The midi is certainly not my favorite, but it doesn't bother me as much as I know it bothers other fans. It's one thing when a ripping Jerry solo that you are expecting as part of a much-loved song is replaced by him playing "trumpet", but during a jam like this, the midi doesn't bug me - I actually think that it is pretty cool, if used sparingly.

The First set was quite well-played, with a nice "High Time" and "Bird Song" closer. The first half of the 2nd set is strong, and the post-drums/space IS predictable, but I do love "Wheel" and Jerry gets in a decent reading of "Black Peter."

Overall, I think this is a nice, solid show, if not a jaw-dropper. Looking forward to digging into 6/9 today, and yes, Oroborous, I'm certainly down for reading any stories before, during, or after the show :)

Peace

Bob t. I am in for this one. The best Franklins? Not sure, but one of my favorites.

I started my day with 12/9/81, Dave's #20. It has been a long time. Man, did these guys go through a lot of changes. Just finishing up the first set.

Seen. Can’t believe I must have been one of the last people to buy the Winterland 1977 box from this site a few years back. I notice packages these days from the official source originate from Carlsbad, Ca. My first surfboard, a Hansen 50-50 was made in Carlsbad in1968. Time to head to Winterland and have Willie check my ticket. Some of you remember Willie of security from those days. He’s in the Grateful Dead Movie. He was a very well loved man amongst men. Years ago my late brother Rick worked with Eddie Washington on a documentary for PBS about the Cotton Club in Harlem. Eddie was one of the main movers and shakers for the Grateful Dead Movie.

“Have your tickets out where we can see them”.
Peace Out , not piece out.

Eddie Washington! So cool to put the face with the name.

One of my favorite parts of that movie! When that sister head is saying his line back to him. Always makes me smile.

Jerry nailed it with that movie if you ask me. Which no one really did, but I said it anyhow.

Thanks for sharing STRIDER 88, I've wanted to know his name for many years now.

BTW You All - Watch that movie with the Editors commentary, it's fascinating how much BTS info you can get.

Digging Cal Expo '90. I don't know this '90 stuff as well as other years as I was out of country that year. Collected most of it in a fever dream, so it's fun to relisten, feels like the first time in many cases.

6/8/90 was a tight show, the band is playing well and confident and it definitely sounds like they're on home turf, no rush and ready to deliver.

Just made it to Terrapin on 6/9/90, it's been a good ride so far.

Will try and put on 6/9/77 today as well and take the anniversary trip.
Got through most of 6/8/77 yesterday as well, but was distracted and will have to give it proper attention another time.

Are we spoiled or what?
I used to dream of having this much Dead at my fingertips and even my dreams weren't as cool as what we got now.

Hot Damn!

Be Well Everyone and Have a Good Trip today.

A very cool dude indeed. His smiling face and genteel nature always set the tone for what would invariably be a night of wonder inside that creaky old place. Definitely the right man for the job.