Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,084 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

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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February 22, 2023 - 7:47pm

#1281

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

5/19/74 > 2/22/69

>daverock>

The vocal dropouts are not evident in the audience tape, so that must have happened on the way to the board tape.

That said, the recording is slightly overpowered by Jerry and Bob's guitars from the taper's vantage point, but a little time with a simple Equalizer was enough to bring more Phil and better presence to the vocals. I do recall a few lyric flubs with the new material, but in the overall mix it didn't really jump out at me. Probably much more obvious in the official release/soundboard recording.

2/22/69>
Oh, my. I can see this is gonna send me on a primal quest. I have all these fall '69 and fall '68 shows that I've never listened to, but I don't have much from the spring of those years. I love this gentle psychedelia. It's really these delicate type of sounds that really trigger the senses. I'm only up to Dark Star at this point, but what a beautiful way to start a show.... oops, "The transitive diamonds?" Haha. I'd probably have trouble remembering my name if I were there, so whatever.

It's such a shame that we're restricted to streaming this show. Imho, if the official release isn't so significantly better sounding than one of these circulating boards that it isn't a no-brainer to buy it, then what's with the classism, eh? I know the boys need a retirement plan... but... --mini rant off--
February 22, 2023 - 10:30am

#1282

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

5/19/74

Rockthing - good notes on this show - cheers! I'm going through it very slowly, but it's the L.P. I am listening to. Although it has the famous vocal drop outs, the sound and balance of the instruments sounds fine throughout to me. I have just played the side with Loose Lucy and Money Money on. A short side. The lyrics are a bit naff on both of them - but I like the music, and they were both played so rarely that when they do crop up, it's a welcome surprise to me.
I presume the version you have listened to has the earlier vocal dropouts too.
February 22, 2023 - 3:51am

#1283

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

5/19/74 (Part II)

Wrote these notes on Monday morning while drinking my coffee and getting ready to do some work from home. After a while I was mostly distracted by the show.

I'll get to that Feb. 22 '69 show if I can, but I don't have that one handy. Hafta stream it.

The ETree identifier of this source is 115876, btw. I don't have the box set, so these are my first impressions.

It Must Have Been The Roses: Ok. /Now/ I'm awake. Possible tape change? There is suddenly a big improvement in sound quality for this hauntingly sensitive rendition. Jerry's voice is now clear above the guitars. Everything, save Phil, is suddenly much clearer and the sound field feels wider. Up to this point the tape had sounded like the tape the biker is listening to at the beginning of the Dead Movie. Nice harmony work during the refrain, blended well in the house mix.

Loose Lucy: Gettin' in the funk. Jerry's just perfectly behind the beat to make it nice and nasty. If the syncopation isn't just right, this tune can completely lose all form really quickly. Loose Lucy must be a pretty new song at this point. I have no idea when this tune debuted. They didn't do this in concert much, as far as I know. I was lucky enough to see'em do it once, but the performance I saw was almost unrecognizable. Something was wrong with the timing, so it sounded all backwards. I was embarrassed to not even recognize it until Jerry started singing. This is a nice treat.

I Know You Rider? Something seems to be wrong here. The info text says Money Money should be next followed by China/Rider, but we're just dropped into IKYR. Looks like some minor surgery might be needed on the meta data.

Money Money: Ok. Someone's just mislabelled these files. Man, this has always been one of my least favourite songs in the Dead's catalogue. I rarely skip songs on albums, but being the album closer on Mars Hotel makes it easy. I don't think I've ever heard a live version of it, so this is kind of a treat, in its own sort of way. Having not heard it in such a long time, I guess it's not such a bad song. The negativity of the lyric just sems to strike such a contrast to most of the other stuff in the repertoire. John Lennon, for example, has a lot of negativity in his lyrics, but when I listen to him, I expect that.

China Rider: Yeah. They're keepin' that funky groove going that was working so well during Loose Lucy. The transition jam seems to go almost immediately to an I Know You Rider feel. The guitar tone is very unusual here. It almost sounds like Bobby's Gibson 335 tone. He's playing lots of double-stops, where he plays two notes at a time even while soloing… wait… maybe that /was/ Bobby!? Some very cool interplay between Bobby and Phil before a guitar sound that is unmistakably Jerry joins in just ahead of the trademark unison bit before I Know You Rider. What is now clearly Jerry's tone keeps it going after the unison part, and now there's a Feelin' Groovy jam. I can almost see the smiling faces and twirling homemade sun dresses with flowers in the hair right now. Big, big ovation from the crowd as they settle into the Rider vamp before going into the first verse. They know what they've just heard. That was sweet, breezy, and smooth as can be. I'm guessing Jerry had some sort of equipment or other issue causing him to stop playing for a bit at the beginning of the transition. Oh, yeah, Jer, dig into that "On a north bound train" line. This and the out-of-place IKYR are going to get merged into one track when I get a chance.

Set II:
Promised Land: Yeah. Everybody's definitely up off their blankets now.

Bertha: Got a little "Yee Haw" from someone nearby for "All night pouring, but not a drop on me." It's quite amazing how inobtrusive the audience is, considering this was recorded with a handheld mic by someone just hanging out in crowd.

Greatest Story: Nice wah wah Jerry licks. Jerry's wah is so bubbly and has a rich swell, like the sound of a wave on the ocean. Using the rocking motion of the foot pedal definitely puts the player physically off balance, so I can understand why he seemed to abandon it later in favor of the Mutron "auto-wah" tone filter. Sounds so good here, though. Jerry's volume sounds cranked, though, totally drowning everything out. I ain't complaining. Oh, yeah. A little jam in GSET? They seem to have gone into something altogether different. I'm not sure if this is a set piece, but it feels unfamiliar to me. I know that I've heard occasional jams in Greatest Story, but they seem rare. This is definitely no longer the Greatest Story chord progression, but I don't know what it is, and then Wamp, Wamp-Wamp, right back into it. Now I'm gonna hafta start checking out Spring 1974 Greatest Stories. That was hot and adventurous, like maybe something went wrong and they fought through it… but maybe there was just a jam in this song back then.

Ship of Fools: Giving the manic dancers their first break of the second set. The taper is stopping the tape between songs, though, so who knows how long they spent tuning in between. Very nice harmony work from Bobby and Donna.

Weather Report: Seems a bit tentative in the earlier segments, but the Let It Grow jam is developing interestingly. The whole band just seems sort of in a gentle mood this night. Everything is soft and malleable, and most of all, creative, when they go off into improvised sections. The straight tunes are tight and, well, straightforward, but I'm hearing all sorts of novel ideas coming through during the instrumental segments. There seems to be a completely different confidence at work during this jazzy work out. You can hear Billy getting back to his swing roots and playing off Keith. This is fantastic. Such subtle interplay. Normally when I hear the full suite performed I wonder why they didn't continue to use the first parts, but in this case I didn't feel that way.

Peggy-O: Jerry's picking is quite aggressive, and his tone is very chimey, even behind his vocal. Relaxed tempo, even by Peggy-O standards. In this recording it sounds almost like Billy and Jerry doing a duet, but Keith adds some accents here and there.

??: What is this? A playful little jam and some quiet noodling where the audience's shouts and requests become more prominent. Bobby announces technical difficulties.

Truckin': Nice buildup, but not the major bomb drop I'm used to, and from there things start to get really weird. It's not spacy weird, just, "Whoa, what the heck is this?" weird. Some of the early 70s Truckin's could get totally abstract, so this is just the way they rolled back then. Great stuff. Gettin' that funky groove goin' from the first set again, even as the changes take on some jazzy influences. Bobby is very clear in the mix, and my oh, my it's gettin' Weir'ed. Jerry busts in with a burst of guitar feedback which seems to shock everyone for a moment, but they're still groovin'. This is the gold I look for in any show. It's funny because Mind Left Body actually sounds a lot like Loose Lucy. Billy and Phil getting' into a little funky-drummer exchange. Finally Phil breaks through in the mix with some space for him to hit that Bootsy one. In the info text "Jam" and "Mind Left Body Jam" had been listed separately, but they're actually all included in the Truckin' track, which is my preference. Cousinit made a real mess of this file set, but I can fix it. Rarely are there such glaring mistakes on the Archive, but this one has definitely been put together somewhat carelessly.

NFA: This interesting because I've been listening to a lot of Alligator era NFA's or Bean era NFA's, and that gives a nice context to compare to this Wolf tone… of course, there is a LOT of recording tech affecting the sound here, but even though there's a nice honk, everything seems so nice and round and gently muted. Hey. What's this breakdown in NFA. Pretty sure I've never heard that before… and GTRFB. THAT, was an interesting transition.

GTRFB: Nothing to worry about here. The old standby. Billy's hi-hat figure during the breakdown is, again, getting really funky with a swinging 16th note feel, or something. Very cool.

US Blues: Mars Hotel weighted setlist. What month did that come out? Good, tight version.

Johnny B. Goode: Full colosseum clap along for a high energy reading that does justice to the Check Berry original. Sometimes this can get a bit too languid. This one is rockin' hard.

On repeated listen, I've messed with the EQ some. First of all I bumped up the EQ preamp level, I dunno, about 10db, I guess. I then added a further 12db of 64Hz, and 125Hz on the 10 band EQ to bring Phil nicely into the mix, but also lowered almost everything else about 6db on frequencies that had been flat to make the bass frequency differential greater. The bass still isn't terribly defined, but it at least brings Phil into play. He was completely inaudible without EQ. Got just a touch more vocal by giving the 1KHz and 2KHz about 1db. The tape has a sort of nostalgic cheap car speaker sound, so I actually wanna preserve a bit of that… not that I could really get rid of it. There's quite a nice venue ambiance, especially when there is more space in the arrangements, like during the Mind Left Body Jam.

The vocal drop-outs others have mentioned were not audible to the audience.
February 22, 2023 - 3:28am

#1284

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

2/22/69

That is a great show. According to the cd notes it was recorded, along with shows in late January and the Feb-March shows, for possible inclusion on Live Dead. It probably won't happen - the song lists are obviously very similar, but it would make a great box set to release all the shows recorded.
The shows from 1967-1971 inclusive are the main ones for me in 30 Trips.
February 22, 2023 - 1:16am

#1285

Forensicdoceleven

Joined:
June 17, 2008

You can't blame gravity for falling in love…..

Mornin’, rockers!!!

Pick Of The Day: Dream Bowl February 22, 1969

Relatively speaking, the yang to the yin of February 21, 1969. True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist…..

I have the space, you have the time, let’s revisit. Officially released in October 2015 as part of Thirty Trips Around The Sun, one almost never hears about this show, possibly because it gets overshadowed by the blazing white hot glare of the Fillmore West Shows of February 27th to March 2nd. This is very much “of a kind” with those shows, featuring the typically sweet Mountains Of The Moon (always loved that song!), a long exploratory Dark Star, a fierce, crunchy Other One, a deathly Death Don’t, a fine Eleven, and a greasy Lovelight that clocks in at a mere 21+ minutes.

Great music, great sound quality, I suggest you find the time…..

The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once…..

Rock on,

Doc
There comes a time when the mind takes a higher plane of knowledge but can never prove how it got there…..
February 20, 2023 - 3:08pm

#1286

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Heads in Mississippi

That's good to read - they opened with Mississippi Half Step - Franklins Tower the first time I saw them 3/24/81. A great start to the show for sure.
February 20, 2023 - 1:11pm

#1287

PT Barnum

Joined:
December 2, 2009

5-19-74

In my experience, any show that starts off with Mississippi half-step uptown toodleloo is usually a great one and 5-19-74 is no exception. That pacific northwest box grows on ya, for sure.
February 20, 2023 - 12:53pm

#1288

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

5/19/74

I haven't played it this year yet, but it has become one of my most played shows from this year - mainly because I bought it on vinyl. But it is really good, too. To me, it's better than its song list suggests - the songs leading up to the Truckin' jam are well played and forward moving, and that final jam is superb. It has been castigated in some quarters for the vocal drop outs. A price worth paying, in my opinion. All three 1974 shows in the box it was culled from are top notch.
February 20, 2023 - 12:24pm

#1289

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Dave's 13 and 42

Hey Bluecrow, #13 is definitely in my top five. Love this show. Listen to it quite a bit. #42 hasn't resonated with me as much as #13, don't know why. How do you all feel?

I will throw out Dave's Picks #7, 4/24/78, for our old buddy That's Otis. I believe you are fan of this era. Hope all is well out there for you and the rest of the crew!
February 19, 2023 - 2:34am

#1290

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

5/19/74

I've got a beta-max transfer of 2/24/74... which stayed in heavy rotation for a long time when it first hit my library, but low and behold Portland 74 has collecting proverbial dust in the old hard disk, too. Time for something brand new (to me).

A Pat Lee master cassette passed down the generations.

It's a little hissy, and I'm not getting much Phil at the start, but Jerry and Bob's gutiars are crystal clear. Jerry's voice coming in a close second in the mix with some occasional Keith flourishes wafting to the fore. Billy's cymbals sound crisp, if somewhat thin. Getting a nice Jamaican dub sound when he switches to the highhat. Kick is in there, clear, but with with a soft tone, and none of the hyper-compressed abrasive contemporary festival sound. Donna's harmonies are on, and blended well with Jerry and Bob for the Across the Rio Grande-oh finale of Halfstep. Jerry plays an aggressive outro solo.

Mexicali: The mix and tape quality remain consistent. It's mostly a guitar oriented sound, but Bobby's voice is clear, if slightly too far back. Even in '74 they could do this one in their sleep. Have you ever heard a real train wreck during Mexicali? I can't recall one. A fan let's out a hoarse, "Whao!" apparently feeling the southwest polka vibes.

Big Railroad Blues. Love me some BRB. There are short pauses in the tape where Pat Lee is clearly well aware of the need to conserve footage. Could do with A LOT more Phil in the mix. Might fiddle with the EQ in a bit.

Black Throated Wind: Awkward song that I sometimes really like, and other times can do without.

Scarlet: Crowd gives Donna a big cheer as the song reaches it's finale. Of course they egged Bobby on with some of his crazy antics, too, but it's nice to hear that early 70s audiences appreciated her contributions.

Beat It On Down The Line: Always love this one. Nice double vocal from Bobby and Donna. Some unfortunate microphone feedback during Jerry's solo. Phil's backing vocals are there. The bass frequencies either never made it onto the cassette, or have evaporated through the generations of open reels and cassettes.

Tennessee Jed: Nice bounce to this laid-back rendition. Another one of my favorite tunes, as I've mentioned before. Another nice, appreciative response from the audience who are almost completely unnoticeable for the majority of the time.

Bobby McGee. I picture the audience mostly having a lie-down on the lawn during this first set. Just a nice day in the park with some live music in the background.

Ok, well, that's as far as I'll get in this sitting, but really looking forward to that big Truckin' jam at the end of the show. Now spoilers! 😉 Just kidding.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

JimInMD

Check your PM, please

6/9/90

LTGTR and an excellent Stranger to start off nice. A sweet little Peggy O, perhaps slow, or is it that laid back hometown California mellow? Either is good. Shootem up polka time, followed by an always welcome Loser, status quo masterpiece, my 2nd Loose Lucy after Hamilton, which seemed looser than the first, but more fun this time around as I was with real life 20 yr old Loose Lucy!. Decent Cassidy with a Dough Knees to bring her home. Another neat, together, but unremarkable set. Status quo for this year. Seemed perhaps a little less enthusiasm then yesterday, but picks up as it continues.
Nice Victim to shake things up a bit and get er going, but the TOG is perhaps a tad behind the curve for this show? 2nd set LL Rain that Bob gets things stepped up a bit and sets the tone for nice terrapin, but unfortunately there’ll be no extra credit jam/weirdness tonight on the way to drums. Awesome long weird space which segway's nicely into Mr Fantasy/Hey Jude. Watchtower kicks it up before the nice bring down to Stella Blue. Lovelight and Black Muddy to send us home, which in this case was stealth, late night, poolside surrounded by palm trees at the hotel. Man to this “southern Canadian” palm trees was a pretty big deal! So far I think I like 6/8 overall but they both where like Otis and GOGD mentioned: decent, tight, status quo 90 shows with a definetly laid back home town vibe. (Meant in a good way). Spoke with my cousin who was there about his recollections and he agreed about the whole Cali vibe thing and to us north East nuts it was pretty cool.
Ok, manana we’ll finish Cal Ex up and I’ll share a humorous take from that night after at the hotel. I believe statue of limitations is over for hotel damage? Lol. Maybe I can find a photo of our motley crew having breakfast on the haight a day or two later?

Strider

Pretty cool Strider you were at the 6/9/77 show. How about you Bolo?

Where you guys in the Grateful Dead Movie?
Don't tell me you were the guy in the overalls eating chicklets.

They Promised They Would Play Tonight

You Just Wait...

The chiclet guy rules.

So does 6/9/77
Hot show for sure... Just a Dream.
Set 1 is solid '77 Dead until TMNS then it starts to turn the corner into Extraordinary.
Set 2 is wow just wow.
That Slipknot! it's gonna get some extra rotation tonight.
The Terrapin Station tunes are given some really good readings.
Estimated goes way out there, sounds like they'd been playing it forever, or at least every show all tour.
And then they slide a Terrapin in after St. Stephen for an extra Dose of fun before bringing it home with Sugar Mags.
They didn't have to do that, they could've just played Sugar Mags, but they really bring it to Winterland.
Great version of US Blues and OMSN too.

Hot Damn.. nice pick.
You can hear the fun.
That was fun.
And you all were there!

OB: You summed up 6/9/90 real nice.
And I nod in agreement with what you been laying down.
Looking forward to the party story and 6/10 show tomorrow.

Birthday Show for me :)

Thank You All And Good Night!

Winterland

I was referring to the several times seeing the Dead at Winterland but no not 6/9/77. First time seeing the Dead at that venue was February 1974 the night before the Dave’s Picks release show. Then four out of the five nights from October 1974. Missed the first night as I was hitchhiking down from Eugene. I’m in the Grateful Dead movie dancing in the crowd during Playing-Reprise. Then I was at 12/29/77 and 12/30/77 that was released as one of Dicks Picks.
My first time to Winterland was May 1973 to see Hot Tuna. Muddy Waters opened. Also saw Dave Mason there in 74.
Needed to set the record straight.

Winterland

My first show there was 11/10/73, missed very few after that. I listed the ones I went to on my page here, only because one of my buddies kept track of such things.

I have no way of remembering every show at other venues - way too many and my feeble brain doesn't retain details like that. And, yes, like many of you, I was very fortunate to be roaming this planet during that magical time.

PMs Checked

Wow.. don't check your PMs for a day, get one from Bolo with an urgent sequence of instructions and the DJIA drops 300 points.

Tomorrow's Pick

Might be time for another Bolo pick?

Something primal, perhaps?

https://archive.org/details/gd1968-10-12.139745.sbd.miller.Glassberg.fl…

Go ahead - turn it up and scare the neighbors!!

10/12/68. What a show!

This show is a winner from start to finish, it burns! It has my all-time favorite version of St. Stephen on it. I guess the story goes, that Hendrix was standing on the side of the stage but the Dead didn't let him up to play. The Dead had invited him out to practice with them and he never showed up. Pig Pen apparently didn't play, because his girlfriend was sick. This show was originally broadcast on Bay Area radio station KPFA, a fantastic listener sponsored radio station that you can get online, they play all kinds of great music. Phil Lesh used to work as an engineer at KPFA back in the early 1960s on a show called the Midnight Special , folk music show, and he brought Jerry Garcia on there to play some shows on the radio. Anyway,. 10/12/68 has always been of my favorite shows, hopefully Dave & Co. willl release it one day, put together a box set, two shows from 68, 69 and 70.

10/12/68

10/12/68 it is Bolo!

Please Let Go of Your Bodies Everybody!

Everybody Has to Dance or Else.

10/12/68 at the Avalon Ballroom.

Anybody got any Avalon stories out there?

This is one of my all time favorites for sure :)
Love '68
Here we go.
Have a safe trip everybody!

Primal then Prime-Time

Sweet pick! I think I actually prefer 68 to 69 (please, no rotten tomatoes!) 10/12/68 is a perfect start to this blazing hot day... and I agree - it's time for Dave to release a 68 show - this one is certainly a contender!

Afterwards, I think I will finish out the Cal Expo 90 run with the 6/10 show. I've really been enjoying those this week.

Hope everyone is safe, happy, and staying cool!

Peace

St. Stephen

St Stephen is just crackling with energy, as is the whole show!

The older I get the more I like New Potato Caboose

Phil's base jam is crushes it!!!! Onward to 6/10/76 for a little anniversary listen... bob t

Did someone say 1968?

Hell yea. Light the fuse and run away.

10/12/68

Great show! I don't think I've listened to this in its entirety before. This is also my first time trying the Relisten app -(how nice!) I love the separation of the drummers in this music.

10/12/68

The "Jam" before Feedback is cool - starts off in "Other One" territory, then moves to something totally original, then gets very close to "Caution" - I bet they would have gone there if Pig hadn't been missing.

Feedback... and, goodnight!

Does anyone know if the "Morning Dew" that starts the set on this recording (at least the one that Bolo posted) is from this show? It doesn't seem to be on the setlist.

On to Cal Expo!

Peace

EDIT: It looks like "Dew" was the opener, but for some reason it was left off the set list.

Here's the thing...

Today's pick was recorded over 50 years ago - half a century. In 5 decades, no other music created since then comes anywhere close to what I heard today. Normally, I'd probably add "IMHO" to the end of that last sentence. Not this time - it's an indisputable fact.

I had a non-head musician friend years ago question my over-the-top enthusiasm for the Dead, saying they were slow and sloppy, couldn't rock out, Garcia just "noodles" aimlessly, etc. In other words, the usual misinformed opinions we've all heard and read before.

I played "The Eleven" from this show for him on a really good sound system, sat back and watched his face morph from surprise to disbelief to joy and wonder. He was literally speechless for a good chunk of time before the expected "WOW" passed his lips. An instant convert! He still blames me for his "incurable disease" on a regular basis.

Gollum mentioned the drums. While one can intelligently debate the one- vs. two-drummer format from 1975 on, there is probably little dissension regarding the irreplaceable impact of Billy and Mickey abusing their instruments during the"primal" period. The whole band was a flat-out juggernaut during that time and the two drummers had a lot to do with that.

What a band. So grateful that we here all "get it."

Relisten....

....been Relistening for a while. Cool app. The right side sidebar lets you pick the source. Less clunky than the archive for sure. Sacrilege? Maybe.
10.12.68? I was five months old. Bring it to my diapers!!

Right on Bolo!

I have several buddies that still refer to it as pots and pans.
They clearly don't get it.

So much unbelievable music! Still can't explain it to even family members.

But every day, I still want to listen to the treasuries we have.

More to come.

1968 - you're fired!

This was the year that drew me in. Back in the 70s, I had heard a few albums by the Dead, but it was only after I heard Anthem that it all clicked into place. After getting into that one, all the others started to make sense.

Incidentally, it was in October, as I understand it, that Pigpen and Bob were...strange as it may now seem...sacked. And those Mickey and the Hartbeat shows were played between October and December, without either of them in attendance. I used to think that was why Pigpen didn't play on 10/12/68. But I could clearly be wrong - both he and Bob played a lot of shows with the Dead during the same period as the Mickey and the Hartbeat shows.

Today's Pick

What's on tap for today gents?

FourWinds, where are you?

I might check out 5/28/77, the last night of the Spring Tour. To Terrapin Release from 2007.

Thank You Mr. Garcia!

Yesterday's 10/12/68 pick definitely took me places.

Places I'd been before, and new places as well.

As said here by others, some really wonderful stuff going on throughout this magical show as the band jettisons into a new universe & explores the improvisational music cosmos.

By October '68 Dark Star has begun to grow larger wings, but it's still a baby bird that will take flight and leave the nest soon. Of note in this version is Bear's recording (I believe) and Mickey's playing of the "Scratcher". It sounds as though Mickey's walking around on stage while he plays, at least that's how it sounds with Headphones, the instrument is truly circling around your head in this recording. How bad ass is that? And this is a bootleg from over 50 years ago!

However, while Dark Star is just beginning to really gain strength in it's legs, St. Stephen is Standing Proud & Tall and has possibly reached it's greatest height, this is an almost absolutely perfect version of the song, and if you listen to some of the earlier versions from the summer of that year ('68 mystery reels come to mind, possibly from Carousel June '68), it's some amazing growth that this song has gone through in appx 4 months! The audience already loves this song as evident when you put on 9/2/68, within the first notes on that version the crowd starts getting so excited it throws the band off with surprise. St. Stephen, with it's William Tell Bridge, will continue to be this height for a little while longer, but will begin to diminish and shrink with age in the following year. I'm not sure it ever gets much higher than this version.

That brings us to The Eleven, I think Bolo says it best, this version can convert a non-believer. So imagine what it does to all of us already at the church. This is an absolute ripping version of the song and all the long months of rehearsal are truly evident when you listen to the effortlessness of which they throw this song down.

And to complete the suite they seg seamlessly into a sultry Death Don’t. Listen to Jerry sing during Death Don't, man could that guy sing a song with emotion. People would criticize that voice, but I always thought it was the most wonderful voice of all ;)

Oh... and there's a Set 2!!!

Which just absolutely shreds your face off, if it was still left, hanging there by a thread.

This is manic air guitar, give you the chills, tears in your eyes, shake your head in wonder stuff here people!! I want to hear it again, and again and again!

So like I said, it took me places, I dived deep into some '68 after this 10/12 relisten, I had to hear the next night 10/13/68 SBD (not as good, but see for yourself), 10/20/68 30 Trips release (check the difference between the Dark Star’s), and 9/2/68 (interesting recording, I need to check back on this, my mind was melted at this point and life distracted me).

What a Trip!

And like mentioned here, this was all during a time when Pigpen & Bobby were on thin ice and "fired" from the band.
Fascinating.

I believe a ’68 release or box set was mentioned, it’s hard to think that we’ll get one based on what exists (appx 37 shows / fragments) and quite a few have been released. Sadly most of Summer ’68 is a black hole, as well as the touring at the end of the year. There are definitely shows that were recorded that we don’t have, whether or not they still exist or not is a bigger question, I know Bear recorded more than we have especially in regard to the later part of the year, but for now the trail stops there and I’m afraid it is a bit cold…

That all being said, if there was a ’68 box style release I’d vote for The Quick And The Dead tour in January - Feb ’68. Always loved that stuff, it’d be repetitive and have some warts and all feel, but shit I love it.

Love to hear thoughts on what you all would see as potentially release worthy. This 10/12/68 show should be a definite consideration.. if they can make it sound even better I’ll be the first to drop down some cash to get it!

You’re still here?? Crazy kids..

After I came to earth from that I continued our little Cal Expo ’90 relisten and loved it too. I think 6/10/90 is my favorite show from the run, but you know Playing In The Band usually makes me say that. The Jack Straw is definitely worth listening too. And Phil saying he’s not gonna quit the band and it’s all a bullshit lie, with Jerry saying yeah, the rest of us are, well.. that’s priceless.

What’re we gonna listen to today?

Edit: 5/28/77 you say... looks promising and it's been awhile.

10/12/68

Thanks for all the great reviews of this show. I now know I will be stuck re-listening to this show for the next couple of weeks. That's the way this thread has worked for me. I can't always keep up with the daily schedule but I've gained a whole new appreciation for some shows, namely, the 2 DP #18 shows(2/3&5/78), DP#5 (12/26/79), the Cow12/31/76. It's just been taking me a couple of weeks to grok each pick. Thanks to everyone for contributing. This thread has been one of the few highlights of this lockdown!

To Terrapin

I really enjoyed revisiting this release today. I remember having some mixed feelings about it when it came out, but today it sounded fresh! I've always loved that "Sugaree", and the whole 3rd disc is pure Spring of 77 butter.

Good pick!

Peace

5/28/77 To Terrapin

I love this show. The sound quality to my ears is one of the best 77 releases to date. Jerry just seems to really be on fire the entire show. Kills it on Bertha, Sugaree is so good. New Minglewood Blues is a top 5 for me and the Brown Eyed Women is another high energy version. The Playing in the Band into Terrapin is hot. And the finish, NFA through US Blues is stellar.

I don't think this release gets a lot of talk, but it should.

And I think it is still available on this site for under $30!

Format

How about leaving a random day, perhaps Sunday, as a day to revisit that show you missed but wanted to hit and talk about or any of the other show you were behind on? A day of peace and re-visitation/re-visualation.. A chance for the slackers to peek in on a show from a few days ago they squeezed in a day or three late.

Is something like that reasonable?

A day in support of the under achievers.

I remember when E72 came out.. I think in the fall, but I more or less started on 4/7 and struggled to keep up with the anniversary dates. Hearing the post from deadheadbrewer finally pulled me out of the closet. I can do a show every two to three days unless I have time carved out, without distractions, cell phones and it helps if I am able to indulge in a bit off external stimuli, especially the kind that warps space and time. Just saying...

In other words, I missed To Terrapin and am beating myself up about it. Heaven help the fool.

Catch Up Day

Seems like a good idea Jim. The only way I am able to do this is I am still working at home.

And I don't think we can all make every show, although, I have tried. Some days I have to finish in the morning the next day.

However, the leader of this pack, Bolo, and the rest of the crew would have to give it the Thumbs Up.

And I am interested in your take on To Terrapin....

Still wonder what was going on back in 2007 to 2009 that they released some unreal stand alone shows.

Would love to see some more pop up again.

2007 - 2009 Stand Alone Releases

Ha.. my guess, they needed money.

I doubt if any of this needs to be that formal. Consensus is probably enough. A day of rest and reflection. Seems norml enough to me.

I missed 5/15/70 which was a biggie for me, and we never got around to 11/8/69 yet. I will be doing extra stimulus for both of those.. :D

Caution

I'm the last person you should seek out for advice, permission, orders or any type of instruction.

Do you recall the recent failed overthrow of the Venezuelan government? I planned that.

At 7:05 p.m. on June 12, 1980

a plume of ash billowed 2.5 miles above the Mt. Saint Helens volcano in Washington.

At 9:09 p.m. a much stronger explosion sent an ash column about 10 miles skyward.

This event caused the Portland Oregon area, previously spared by wind direction, to be thinly coated with ash.

Dead Heads who were attending the Grateful Dead's concert at Portland Memorial Coliseum still question whether the band had helped cause this while playing Fire On The Mountain that night.

Should we listen and see today?

There's a new Charlie Miller Upgrade on archive..

1980

Let's do it GOGD.

I am going to have to figure out how to use that relisten app.

I don't know Bolo, I would listen to your advice.

Jim, money money money, money money! Mama, don't take me back to rob that bank again.

6/12/1980

Okay, relisten app installed on my Sonos app. Wow, that is cool. Alabama Getaway opener sounds good.

Technical question for you all. It says it is a FLAC file. Does it really play as a FLAC file or is it MP3?

I'm always amazed

how many listen, that much. I could never keep up with the pace!! I stab at single picks with morning coffee if someone really mentions something of interest. Listening to Alabama from 80, right now. Good Bama, short only 5-ish.

But once again, main reason here, musical conversation. I will check out the "new" Charlie copy, mine is ok.

Oh, if you hate plinky keys, stay away, Brent rips ups the plinks near the end :-)

Althea Told Me..

Nice!

Definitely check out the Phase corrected SBD posted on 6/3/20 -
https://archive.org/details/gd1980-06-12.150005.sbd.phasefix.miller.fla…

Noticeable upgrade in quality for sure.
Hadn't had a chance to listen to this fix yet and it's sounding good.
Nice work as always Charlie!

Haven't checked out relisten, but I'd guess that it's playing an Mp3 file.
However, that is completely a guess.

It's Miller Time to start a Friday.
With Shakedown Stream to follow this evening with Bruce.

Not too shabby.

Happy Friday everyone!

RE: DENNIS

Plinky Keys... Hahaha!

LOL that's funny.

If you hate Plinky Keys, you're gonna have a tough time with '79-'81 ish...

Wait, when did Plinky Keys disappear?

As far as I can tell they were always a little "Plinky" throughout Brent, super Plinky in the beginning, but even '84 and on.

I will say this, Brent sounded like Brent which I believe as a musician seems to be what they're going for.. a Unique sound.

EDIT: But yeah, this one is SUPER Plinky ;)

1980, Baby!

Oh, hell yes!

I love 80, plinky keys and all! I suppose I understand why some fans don't like it, but I also feel like they are missing the forest for the trees. There are so many GREAT shows during the early part of Brent's tenure, especially 79-80. Oh well... I suppose they don't feel like they are missing anything.

I have a Google Class Meeting with my students (one of the last before summer) at 1:00 EST, so I will have to do my listening afterwards, but that just means that I can set up outside, grab some cold drinks, and really enjoy this one.

Miller Time on a Friday? I LOVE it!

I am all for a "catch-up day," but can I suggest it be a day other than Sunday? I feel like that and Saturday are more likely to be a time where we will have a better chance to all listen more-or-less together. Also, I've always believed in the mantra, "Never Miss a Sunday Show."

Question going forward - I know that when this started, the idea was to stick to official releases. Now that it has been going on, are folks ok with suggesting non-official releases? I know this has happened a few times (like today,) and I am fine with sticking mostly to the officials, but it is nice to get out there in the wilds sometimes to see what we can bring back. Plus, with the wealth of knowledge among you fine folk, I am sure that you all can show me some killer shows that I have never heard. Just a thought.

Happy Friday, DeadLand!

Peace

EDIT: I checked out "Alabama>Promised Land", and yes, this Miller transfer sounds sweet!

good old and 6/12

I've always loved brent, the plinks always fit AND a B3 monster (imo).

I went back to archive for 6/12. Downloaded CM copy, I have an audience. I think this is a instance where the audience is better.

https://archive.org/details/gd1980-06-12.fob.menke.motb-0108.104967.fla…

Forget that. I just went back with the link you provided for the shiftless one. Yes much better, than the first sound board. But I guess the fob.menke one was good enough for Charlie to get a patch from.

Thanks for the heads up on archive update.

Man oh Man

This band is HOT!

Great pick! Thanks for the suggestion!!!

Peace