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    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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  • #4741
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    love your comment about liking licorice, Vguy

    :)))

  • #4742
    Vguy72
    Joined:
    comparing Keith & Donna's last and Brent's first....

    ....fun fact. They repeated eight songs.
    That being said, comparing the Passenger's alone is....interesting.

  • #4743
    billy the kid
    Joined:
    Rock thing ,great write up

    Rock thing , that is a great write up on 2/17/79 you did. Big Railroad Blues hadn't been played since 1974.

  • #4744
    rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 Second Set

    PROUDFOOT, RE relieved to move on: Sounds about right.

    BILLY THE KID: Nice. I thought that Greatest Story does seemed special, too. It's got tight energy, but I also don't recall hearing a Greatest Story with that free-form a guitar solo from Jerry. I was definitely startin' to think I could go for a bit more fidelity on this show, too.

    THE GOOD OLE GRATEFUL DEAD: Yeah, man, from Playin' on, it's anybody's guess. The tape I Downloaded has that tracked as "Playin' >", "Drums >", "Space >", like you say. Playin' isn't really known for its drum solos, but I think I'd just keep all that as Playin' until they made a definitive move into The Wheel. I realize that no one else would ever do that. There's just Space all over the second set after Playin'. The Wheel disintegrates into Shakedown. That Shakedown back into Playin', though, eh? Definitely the stuff. You can hear Jer hinting at Playin' quite a while before they actually get there. Would not want to be responsible for seeding that. Where do I cut it?!?! :)

    Man, this second set jumps like a Willys in four wheel drive.

    Might as Well!!!: Went to a Dead show and a Jerry Band gig broke out! Yeah! Rocketing out the gate for the second set. Might as well. This show has a seriously stacked set list imo.

    Miracle: Damn. No chance to catch your breath tonight! Jerry’s soaring, then doing some crazy runs in the first solo. Pretty manic, really, just trying to make something happen. Nice ending jam too. A drummer seems to be losing his footing or a stick or something, but no one else… Whoa!!!

    Bertha!: I don’t think ANYBODY saw THAT coming, least of which the band. Whoever pulled the tempo back to something sensible is a hero, because that was about to set a record. Ohp, gonna get one of those big unison hits goin’? Not yet. Pickin’ up the pace again. Phil is not giving up on the big bang… unnnnn… not quite….hahaha. Phil’s still goin’ for it. The drummers are just hittin’ all ones like they're wired as hell. This whole second set is coming off with it’s teeth grinding. Crowd cheers an almost earthquake bass bomb, but Phill still can’t quite get everyone there. Test me! GONG. Got it. Memories starting to clear. Synchronization critical. Sounds like double kicks from the drums. What is this? The lets see how many notes we can play contest?

    Good Lovin’: Nice, seamless transition. Just, suddenly their playing Good Lovin’. Nice crescendos. Jerry’s boppin’ along for the solo. One of his more coherent solos so far. They seem to have a better handle on the dynamics now. This is a really, really nice performance of this tune. Bobby’s got just the right atmosphere here. He’s givin’ it everything, but not overblowing. This will be excellent if he keeps the rap under control. No danger of Bobby sellin’ the Brooklyn Bridge. Mickey goin’ crazy with some heavy percussion runs, but they are buried deep in the mix, might not even be goin’ through the main PA. Long cheers ensue. Well deserved. That was excellent. They are taking no prisoners tonight, but that really struck the perfect balance. Wouldn't normally gush over Good Lovin', but that was excellent. At this point, I think I’d almost be wishing for five minutes of tuning.

    Heart of Me. Ahh, nice farewell for Donna. Nice little breather for us, too. She sounds really good. Sounds like maybe Jerry missed a chord change and his fills are a little off key at one point early on. Nice little descending flutter from Jer that one of the drummers picks up on, adding some 16th high-hat cymbal to. Wow. Really nice. The ending was superb.

    Big Railroad Blues. Jerry came to rock tonight, that’s for sure. Goovin’ on the, which solo is this? They seem to have settled down a bit from the insanity that was the teeth numbing first half of the second set.

    Terrapin!: Sorta slips into the hall, almost without being noticed. Not the kind of thunderous greeting it would become accustomed to in later years. This performance seems almost quaint in its simplicity. One of the drummers continues to have happy foot. Cool guitar solo leads everyone out into open space as the various counterpoints begin to emerge, everyone expanding out into their own direction before drifting gently into a little space of equilibrium. Jer’s not quite ready for the big finale. He starts to play the melody that will bring everyone out of their trance, then decides to let the ride get a little more gentle as it drifts along. There it is. Not monumental, just recombining into a gentle reading of the last verse. Ahh.. Jer’s sweet old voice… Nice build up to counting stars, but Jerry’s vocal doesn’t quite soar. Finding the right mix of harmony without building up too dramatically and the finale has begun. This Terrapin seems, somehow, understated, but it’s difficult to say exactly what gives that impression. I mean, Mickey is off the hook as usual. Nice, Phil plays the signature melody line in a high register on the bass instead of Jerry, as Jerry continues to wiggle about with all sorts of lead lines. Mickey gets a bit too tricky for his own good, but that slightly clumsy moment doesn’t trip up anyone else.

    Playin’: Just where you’d expect “Drums” to begin, nice call. Not sure I really dig the four on the floor and the open and closed high hat feel for this tune. Don’t have any particular qualms with disco Dead, or the Disco Cowboy things they did, but it feels like it’s tying Playin’ down too much. And, as soon as I type that, the bottom drops out and they out into an open ended Playin’ jam with Jer out in the echoey distance working’ the envelope filter. Really nice atmosphere here. Jerry’s makin’ sure they don’t get back to the song any time soon. Little too much kick drum in the mix is sorta harshin’ my mellow, but always happy to see a thorough deconstruction of Playin’. …and it seems to be just petering out, but then someone adds some nice textures. Almost sounds like a Fender Rhodes, but I can still hear Keith plunking away, so maybe it was Bobby… Someone in the audience hoping they’ll play I Need A Miracle, forgetting that we already heard that, what seems like several lifetimes ago. Wow. Completely abstract, now. Oh, and there IS a “Drums” track, but this feels like Playin’ with a drum solo (ok, got it), but that Playin’ jam would have definitely qualified as “Space” in a latter day show, albeit out of conventional order. Still an array of all acoustic percussion. Do I smell a Not Fade Away out of the drum solo? I see that someone has tracked this as a transition into “Space”, but all I hear are drums, still. Not hearing any “Space” here. Oh, and just as I type that, Phil joins the jam with Jerry not too far behind.

    The Wheel: This setlist is a dream. Guess they didn’t have to save anything for the next night. This is a nice Wheel. They’ve really settled down into atmospheric mode after the totally outrageous start to the second set. Some cool tremolo picking from Jerry as the song breaks up.

    Shakedown: Starts off a little, not a little, really… er… shaky. Nice echo effect on Jer’s guitar. Drummers haul the tempo up from the crater left by Phil’s opening bass bomb. You really get the impression that they are not working with a set list tonight. Settling in a bit just before Jerry starts the first verse. Whoo! Oh, yeah. Dancin’ shoes on now. Such a contrast. First part of set two could barely stay on the rails, but now they’re so spaced out they forget to put their foot down on the accelerator. Not a complaint, at, all. I usually imagine Shakedown jams to be more rhythmic. There’s sill a hint of the groove in the background, but well, there it went. Phil just introduced a completely different groove. Getting loose like that let’s them slip into other things, which is, I think, what’s happening now…. or not… This must be the most abstract Shakedown jam I’ve ever heard. I mean, there are literally hundreds of tapes I’ve never heard, but still. Jerry really working out now. Super fast little tremolo picking like in the high registers. Drums have started driving again. Sounds like Jerry’s teasing a Playin’ Reprise. Did they even do that in the 70s? No doubt. Jerry is definitely hinting at the Playin’ lick. Either they’re taking the long way home or they’ve given up on it. Wow. Jer getting’ pretty avant garde now. Where. Is. This. Going?! Lovin’ it!

    Playin’ Reprise: Wow, Jer managed to get everyone on board for a Playin’ reprise after all that. And, damn, does it thunder onto the scene when it finally takes form. Still doin’ that insistent four on the floor thing that makes it feel kind of agro.

    Sugar Mag: Love how this comes up for air out of the disintegrating Playin’ reprise. This show has had something for everyone, from super high energy numbers to complete space outs. Even with the free form mood that took over in the second half of the set, this is nice and tight; moving right along. Everyone in. Bobby thanks Bill Graham.

    One More Saturday Night: Solidly above par. Wailing sayonara for Keith and Donna. I’m exhausted. What a show!

  • #4745
    Vguy72
    Joined:
    4.22.79 New Kid on the block....

    ....sounds like he fit right in and liked licorice.

  • #4746
    billy the kid
    Joined:
    2/17/79 4/22/79. Two great shows

    2/17/79 & 4/22/79 are two great shows that should be official releases. I went to 2/17/79, it was a benefit to stop environmental cancer called Rock for Life. The show started with the lights all on in the house as the Dead blasted out a killer version of Greatest Story. The version of Don't Ease Me In was great, they reworked it when Brent joined the band and it was never the same. I didn't make 4/22/79, it was my moms birthday, we were having a party. Charlie Daniels and Greg Kihn were both on the bill before the Dead. It's so nice to hear Brent's organ playing on Jack Straw for the the first time. The Dead seemed really pumped up and into it for the whole show. This show at Spartan Stadium wasn't to far away from where the Dead played their first show as the Grateful Dead, at the San Jose Acid Test on 12/4/65.

  • #4747
    rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 First Set

    Wow. I remember thinking this was a really upbeat show considering it was Keith and Donna's last, but they must have given them one hell of a going away party. It is all goin' off in, like, every direction. I was exhausted just listening to it. This show goes from absolutely manic teeth grinding rockers and old timey tunes that barely hold it together to some seriously out there space jams. You'd have to label this with, like, three "Space" tracks if you were inclined to breaking things down as much as possible.

    I already had the Bob Menke AKG source in my music library, so I was listening to that. Not checking the set list. Can’t remember what it was, other than Donna gets to sing a lot, iirc. Here and there saw the song title pop up. Sound is pretty thin. Really need to crank it.

    Greatest Story: Usually like this as an opener. Jer seems to have carte blanche once his solo starts. Always a good idea in my book. Really searching and experimental as the four on the floor drives away behind him. Isn't this tune usually a little more cut and dry?

    What’s Bobby saying’ about technical adjustments? Had to reach for the volume control, but still couldn’t make it out.

    Don’t Ease: Damn sure am glad I left the volume where it was after that announcement. Love this tune. Haha. Oh, yeah, this must be when Bobby was learning to play slide on the job.

    Mama Tried: Love this one too! Seems like there might actually be a bit too much energy, if there is such a thing. Seem to be just barely holding’ it together.

    Mexicali: Despite the fact that it’s Keith’s last show, he’s been really prominent in the mix so far. Departing gift? Emotive delivery from Bobby. Jerry’s chorus vocals are really standing out too, for better or worse. This is pre-MIDI, obviously, but damn, Jer’s guitar sounded just like a trumpet for a minute there. Read somewhere about Branford Marsalis commenting that Jerry didn’t need MIDI to make his guitar sound like another instrument. This may be the proof. Can’t believe I have so much to say about Mexicali Blues!

    Friend of the Devil: Chill slow tempo version. Some weird polyrhythmic syncopation goin’ on. Jer starts signing on the wrong beat, but has it together before the first verse is over. Keith gets several choruses for his somewhat aimless piano solo, before giving way to a spirited solo by Jer, who’s playing fast triplets and fluttery phrases over the slow tempo before bringing everyone in smoothly for the last verse and a strong final chorus.

    Passenger: Did they ever do this again? Kinda relies on Donna. I don’t keep a Deadbase handy, unfortunately. Someone seems to get a little lost going into the “Only Game in Town” part. Jer slide solo. Bobby’s guitar is pretty much inaudible. I think the sense of roughness I’m feeling is due to both lack of rhythm guitar and Jerry trying to double on slide and normal fretted runs. It’s a tough juggling act. Pretty wild ride, this one. Stretchin’ out the second solo. Thought they were gonna end it in a jam, but someone brings it back to sing one more chorus before the ending, but it appears the memo did not circulate widely. Donna seems to be the only one who managed to get back to the chorus on time, but everyone recovers beautifully to end. I read that Phil wrote this song because he wanted to hear some raunchy guitar playing from Jerry and Bob. Well, he got it that time.

    High Time: Wow. That's not something I normally expect to hear. Nice, delicate interplay from everybody. Pretty difficult song, actually. Not surprising it didn't see much action on stage.

    Looks like Rain: Never really warmed up to this tune. That said, sometimes it gets stuck on repeat in my head and no matter what I do, I cannot stop hearing it… What the hell’s with those loud snare hits? lol My guess is that prankster Mickey, but who knows? Still laughing. Sounds like someone wants to pick up the tempo a bit. This is actually a pretty sensitive rendering of this song.

    Jack a Roe: Electric! There’s something else ya don’t hear every day. Man, this show is absolutely stacked with tunes I totally love. Again, can’t hear Bobby’s guitar at all. Keith has been reigned into the mix better at this point. Phil’s givin’ it his all playing in and out of Jerry’s first solo. Ahh.. there’s Bob. Welcome to the show, dude. Sounds like only one drummer at this point, too. Pretty sparse, but then again, as much as I love this tune, there’s not a whole lot for everyone to do.

    Lazy Lightning/Supplication: Period piece. Dunno why Bobby gave up on so many of his old tunes in favor of blues numbers, and Dylan covers. Donna sounds strong here. I believe I read that she and Keith actually wanted out at this point, so perhaps that contributes to the sense of jubilance (not a word apparently) here and Keith’s relative engagement. Jerry really, really, flying again. Float in’ like a butterfly, stinging’ like a bee. Phil senses blood and a jamming frenzy ensues. I guess if Bobby never cued them to go back into the song everyone else’d just go on forever like that…hmmmm…. It is so manic at this point, I don’t see how you could even dance to it. Spinners’d be achieving physical lift off, I think, depending on the robustness of their skirts.

  • #4748
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    Tonight on "Wha'appen?":

    My theory is the agreement to part ways happened, everyone was relieved about it, so they made 2/17/79 special.

  • #4749
    The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    Grateful Dead Memories

    2/17 is good stuff.

    Based on what I was reading, Donna mentions her & Keith discussing leaving the band through out the last tour. So maybe it was agreed upon between 2/11 in St. Louis & 2/17 in Oakland. Just speculating.

    In regards to Tracking, since Rockthing brought that up....
    I'm feeling it as Playing In The Band > Drums > Space > Wheel > Shakedown Street > Playing In The Band Jam > Reprise.
    The Jam after Shakedown seems to turn into a PITB jam at around 12:30.
    I like to give PITB as much labeling as possible, so that I'll pick that show out and listen to it again.
    PITB rules.
    (All of the above is killer! Listen to Jerry's voice in Terrapin & The Wheel segue is sweet, but that jam from Shakedown into Playing Jam is the stuff.)

    Alright, I feel I'd not be performing my obligation to the nation if I didn't mention the 4/17/79 Rehearsal tape as a potential listen before you blast off into 4/22/79.

    I gotta do it.

    Keep on Rocking, Rockers.

    PS - 2/9/73 was one of my first 3 bootleg tapes, it still gets me every time, so I'm with ya on that Jim.
    Mickey was right they were into Time Travel.

  • #4750
    JimInMD
    Joined:
    Tapes / Spartan Stadium and Maples Pavilion

    I remember dropping off a 10 pack of TDKs with an acquaintance. I got 4/22/79 Spartan Stadium, 2/9/73 Maples Pavilion and 06/29/76 Auditorium Theater - Chicago in the same box. They contained their share of new songs (with Spartan Stadium, not so much songs but a new keyboard player).

    I ended up getting a few more boxes from the same friend before geography and time brought that to an end. I have a crystalline memory of these first listens, like opening up another world of shows, songs and peeks into parts of eras I had no prior exposure into. Like Christmas morning..

    In my mind all the shows from that glorious 10 pack take up the same real estate in my frontal lobe. Funny how memories work, especially grateful dead memories.

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Submitted by marye on
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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.

92 you say Vguy. Definitely getting out of my comfort zone. I will check it out.

Thanks

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 09:16

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I hear an audience tape of the acoustic set surfaced a few weeks ago. Of course the last set has been a masterpiece of the recording universe for years.
9/19/70 was my fourth Grateful Dead concert. If no one has made a suggestion for tomorrow I highly recommend September 19, 1970 for listening pleasure and more.
I believe that most heads/longhairs were in a state of shock learning about the death of Jimi Hendrix. The Dead must have felt the need to raise the roof, to go where no man has gone before. And being in the forth row center that night it felt like being on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Bob Weir looked like Captain Kirk and of course Mickey Hart looked like Spock. There were more orange barrels floating around there that night than the I-40 interchange in Duke City.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 10:16

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Man 4th Row during one of the most epic Dark Star Jams ever!

That sounds fun. Can you see it when you close your eyes?

I think that would be imprinted on my brain. Talk about flashbacks ;)

The Darkness Darkness > China Cat Jam gets me every time. That's the stuff!

I'm hip to take that trip.

Like you mentioned the Audience of the Acoustic set reappeared in circulation in July this year, it's rough.. but it's all there is. A little bit more like archival research than listening pleasure, but hey we're all heads!

I did notice they mentioned the following:
B&W video footage was shot by the Fillmore East crew but it has yet to re-surface.

I'd love to see that!! FE crew where are you?!?!
Show us the Video, just like the old days, the Sunshine Makers ride again!

Woke Up to the Sound of Thunder today.
Sounds like we'll be able to do the same tomorrow ;)

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Submitted by bob t on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 13:33

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No anniversary shows... jumping ahead 2 years to Dijon France 9/18/74.... released on 30 Trips... strongest of the 3 shows in France. The first set always reminds me of 10/19/74 Winterland first set. Good weekend everyone. Bob t

Started it early, while driving into work this morning.
Bird Song was mighty fine.
No driving this weekend except for a grocery store run tomorrow.
Monday morning’s commute should then start close to Set 2.

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Submitted by DeadVikes on Fri, 09/18/2020 - 17:30

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I am digging this show Vguy! Sound quality is really good. We get a Wang Dang Doodle and a Maggie's Farm, Cumberland is great. I like the Way to Go Home. Truckin. Fun show. Thanks for turning us on to this one. And you were there!

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Submitted by bob t on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 06:57

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Good chilly morning from Rhode Island... As i make my way through the 12 show September tour, it is sort of the best of both worlds as far as sound quality. 4 of the 12 have been officially released. (9/17/72, 9/21/72, 9/24/72, 9/27/72)... and then there is today's anniversary show, 9/19/72... Only one copy on Internet Archive... and it is an audience... In one of comment sections Dave says that the board is in the vault, but is missing one reel, so there is 5 of the 6 in there... So Icecrmcnkd I'm looking forward to catching up with you on Monday with 9/21/72.. If you have a board from this show, you are my hero!!!! Be good.. Bob t

Done already... not that long of a show by 72 standards....

Nice Bob T!

Yet another reason I like hanging out with you all here.

Bob T talking about 9/19/72 made me notice I didn't have that there show. Looked at my Dead Base and it's listed as Aud Only / SBD exists. Must've been from back in the days when I only grabbed SBDs so this lil gem got overlooked (probably didn't help it's chances that there's no PITB;)

I'll have to give it a full listen, but so far it's average Audience quality for '72 (rough in general).
Bob T I wanted to be a hero, but ended up a zero, but thanks for bringing this to my attention.

But first... 9/19/70 aw yes!
I started a little yesterday, went ahead and gave the Jack Toner Audience recording of the Acoustic Set a spin before crashing, it's as remembered, a rough recording but the TLMD makes it worth it, anybody know who's playing the Piano? It's an amazing version of that song, hampered by the rough recording, but it's all we got so put your archivist hat on and give it a spin. Bonus, it's the complete set with a reel flip in NSB and stops between songs.

I believe I asked Strider about the piano player, but maybe a revisit will trigger your memory.

Today started with the last two songs of Acoustic Set and the beginning of the Electric Set from legendary taper Marty Weinberg's recording. Strider you ever meet him?

I've been reading a lot about the Fillmore East, it's cool to think about how people would actually be sitting in their assigned seats. You can hear a FE usher during Morning Dew hassling people about their tickets :)

Morning Dew opener for the set, must've been a clue on where they might go that night. It's a powerful rendition and the Weinberg Audience is much more listenable.
Fun banter before Schoolgirl (They haven't done this in years!)
CR&S, Easy Wind & Early Sugar Mags is fun too.

Alright, getting ready now for the circulating SBD portion, legendary amongst the faithful.
Gotta love this band.
Even though I've heard this show a bunch, I still get excited to take the trip!

Have a Grate Day you all.

PS - DV agreed on 5/30/92 fun show for sure, I dig that Spanish Jam. If memory serves the next night is the smoker from the run, and the first night is good too, nice PITB. First Vegas shows? How was that scene VGUY? Had to be a trip.

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Submitted by bob t on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 09:33

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Starting 9/19/70..... 9/19/72 is a rough audience, you made the proper call!!! Bob t

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 09:40

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You are correct sir!

I see now how I missed this one ;)

ROUGH!

BTK - Definitely the usual suspects, I do see where some people are saying it's Garcia playing Piano.

Strider listen to it and see if it triggers any memories. 4th row center, do you remember seeing Garcia playing Piano?

Love this stuff. Crazy how quite they could bring it down too during Dark Star, in NY of all places.
I should say on the SBD at least, I'll have to listen to that part on the audience tape and see if it is quite.
Great St. Stephen too, and again the Darkness > China Cat Jam is the stuff.

NFA
Awww yeah :)

EDIT: FWIW Eyewitness review on archive.org states the following in regards to 9/20/70 - I just want to try and clear something up - we watched in awe as jerry played the piano on To Lay Me Down. This was my last of many FE and Port Chester shows and most had big acoustic sets - but never had we ever seen JG tickle the ivorys. You do not forget that!

50 years later and we're still talking and wondering about it, that's Good Stuff!

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Submitted by billy the kid on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 12:57

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Garcia did play some piano on American Beauty. Garcia said in an interview, how the Dead recreated some of the tunes on American Beauty onstage at the Fillmore East exactly how they played them in the studio. I believe it was in that Rolling Stone book, that he mentioned that. I posted a few weeks ago, I wondered if it was Garcia playing piano on 9/20/70 on Broke down Palace, he said he always worked out new tunes on the piano.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 13:33

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BTK - Yeah, I read something similar, probably same article.

Something about Box of Rain being performed just like it was on the album in regards to instrumentation.

I can't remember where I read that, or the details of what was said.

But it would appear that these are the shows where that happened if it indeed did happen, which it sounds like it did. Love all these versions of the AB material Truckin', Box, TLMD, Brokedown, Ripple good good stuff.

Said it before, but man I wish these SBDs would turn up / existed!

A good bug to have.

Bummer that our man Owsley got thrown in jail and that the band wasn't recording more from July until December.

Probably so many legendary performances that happened that we'll never know about.

I like to think about them...

1970 The Lost Shows

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 16:10

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The 17th a group of us went to the Fillmore. Jimi, Theresa, Dan (tipi Dan) who also went to Veneta in 72. Dave, Janet and myself.
I had bought tickets in advance. It was an amazing night to say the least.
The 17th was such a “high time” that a couple days later I rallied a couple other friends Kirk B. and Dicky Z. to join me and take the train to the city and try and buy tickets at the door. Sold out, so after a mad scene on the “Sidewalks of New York” I was able to buy two tickets on the street from Ricky, for face value, $5:50. Kirk was able to buy a John Mayall ticket for a future date and quickly pass it off as a Dead ticket and get in.
My mind was very altered before I even went inside. I remembered as I entered a deadhead saying “ let’s go melt in our seats”. Boy howdy, to say the least. And the fourth row center seats were spectacular. Crowd response was intense. St. Stephen seemed to make everyone go bananas. I don’t remember a piano but it was fifty years ago. Going to listen to the recording a little later. Sync it up to to the time frame? Pigpen was fucking awesome, lively, top of his game. I also remember the guy and the gal being introduced to each other by Pig. Where are they now. I would hope they at least got each other’s phone numbers. 1970 was in many ways my favorite year seeing the Grateful Dead and my favorite year to listen to all these light years later into the future.
The concert ended way late. So the three of us Connecticats made our way to Grand Central Station about 3am. We tried laying down on the wooden benches in Grand Central (sleep was out of the question) only to be rousted by a NYPD cop slamming his biilyclub on the bench a couple feet away“No sleeping in here!!”. Finally caught the first train out to Connect. That same morning wound up going fishing for bluefish with my father and my high school friend Tyler.
When the dust settled I was so enamored with the Grateful Dead that I started seeing them whenever I could manage it. My next Dead shows I made my way to the long night of Halloween at Stony Brook and all four nights at the Capitol Theater in November. Looking back to those times as a youth are true golden memories from the Golden Road somewhere in the Golden Eternity.

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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 19:43

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I can't remember if I posted this or mentioned it to someone in an email, but yeah, the Dark Star from September 19th 1970 is something else. There's like a complete silence in the middle where somebody's unplugging and plugging back in probably a broken string or something and replacement guitar... and then it really heats up.

I was checking out the bonus tracks on Dick's Picks 36 from September 3rd, 1972. The Other One => Wharf Rat is so perfect. The Other One is a jam fest that never loses me (in some versions the meltdown and cacophony gets a little too much). Bobby sounds great - some of his best contributions to '72 improv jamming is right here. Somehow I don't think I've ever listened to the whole thing before in one session, undisturbed. And then right into a Wharf Rat where the tone of Jerry's Strat and Bobby's Gibson ES blend for some guitar weaving that I think even Richards would appreciate.

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 19:49

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My avatar is from the Fillmore East, Joshua Light Show. I believe my first bootleg from this four night run at the FE were a couple Maxell 90 minute tapes of September 20, 1970 from my old friend Jay Kerley. A several day rainy taping session in December 1981 in Glen Ellen, Califas. (Valley of the Moon) Great feedback from 9/20/70.
Listening to 9/19/70 now. Been a long time since hearing it. Dark Star from that night still gives me goosebumps. Interplay between Jerry and Bob are like waves of northern lights washing over time and space.

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Submitted by Gollum on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 20:24

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Thanks for sharing the memories Strider. I love reading about these shows, here and at the archive. I can't help but wonder how the orange barrels mixed with the acoustic sets, but it sounds like everything went down just fine! I've loved the Dark Star for years but that's about it. I'm finding the audience tapes a painful listen tonight. Maybe I'll give them another shot tomorrow.

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Sat, 09/19/2020 - 20:33

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Jambase lists Jerry Garcia on piano on To Lay Me Down for 9/19/70. Just read that after listening to Dark Star through Lovelight tonight.
Wow Jerry really tickled those ivories , even with a missing middle finger.
A friend recently asked if I knew what the Mr Spock hand salute was , I said of course “live long and prosper” or the opposite of giving the finger.
Peace out, not piece out.

....logic. That is the Vulcan 🖖 mantra.
We need more Spocks in this world.
Unfortunately, that isn't the case.

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Submitted by Strider 808808 on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 07:52

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Complete show exists. I believe. Jim must be river running. I’m ridge running.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 08:13

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That’s rich.

These are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise. Weir looking like Kirk and orange barrels.. man.

Thank You Ricky!

Great show.

Pigpen at the top of his game.

And yeah I think that’s ole Jer playing Piano on TLMD. It’s such distinctive playing I always think, who’s playing that? Just like his guitar playing, the guy knows how to capture the feeling.

Far Out!

I dug that, thanks for the sweet flashes from the show.
And for all that endured some rough audio archival digs, salute!

Whenever I dig into 1970 it takes me awhile to come back, what a trip.

Hard to beat that.

Can’t Come Down, It’s Plain To See, Can’t Come Down, Been Set Free…

9/20/70 you say.. don't mind if I do!

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Submitted by billy the kid on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 08:55

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Always been my favorite, killer acoustic set, Grisman and Nelson sitting in, beautiful Broke down Palace with Garcia on piano, maybe. A burning electric set, with an anthem like Attics. Thank God somebody recorded this, One of my top three Dead shows, 9/20/70, 5/2/70, & 5/15/70. If I had to pick just 3 shows to own, it would be those 3. Dave, lets have it, please.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 09:08

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The 9/20/70 acoustic set quality is best from the run that we have.

Listening to TLMD I hear:
Piano - Jerry?
Guitar - Bob
Bass - Phil
Drums - Mickey or Bill
Organ - Pigpen (I think)
Pedal Steel? - ?

Bob does a great job, and I love Pig's tasty fills. Can't tell if that's a pedal steel, but I think I hear that, it doesn't sound like Jerry playing it.

You'll notice when they switch to Truckin' Jerry's back on guitar and I believe Pigpen is playing the Piano. Note the "Garlands of Neon" verse.

Fun stuff and yeah BTK I'd love it if these SBDs existed. I'd spend a whole day talking to Dave Lemieux about these tapes and what he knows about them. But from what I can gather, there's no Master Reels in the Vault from 7/16 - 12/12/70. It's probably been discussed ad infinitum but somehow.. it's still interesting :)

EDIT: Yeah, that might be Jerry playing the keys in Brokedown as well. Can't tell if there's 2 guitars or not on that, my ear or the recording or both, but I think that is Jer. Great Acoustic set for sure. Personal favorite is the 9/17/70 with the first Box.. man I wish there was a SBD of that.

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Submitted by JimInMD on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 09:51

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I was river running and doing some exterior work on my house before winter shuts in.. until Friday that is.. I got speared by a 6'2" guy in a 12 foot kayak, so I am on the injured reserve for a bit. Right in the rib cage.. Don't make me laugh...

: )
9/xx/70 it is. I am a bit behind, but it looks like I have ample opportunity to catch up.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 10:59

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I've heard it said that this 9/20/70 version is the one to beat.

I'll say this.. Bob's solo shreds. That dude could play. (Still can)

Jerry just lays back and lets him go and then answers with some classic Garcia.

Good Stuff.

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Submitted by bluecrow on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 14:55

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so this is completely new to me and I am blown away. everything about this set is astonishing, beautiful, gorgeous, otherworldly, a gift.

i had no idea that several (4?) acoustic 1970 To Lay Me Downs were out there. heck, Jerry didn't record that first solo album until July 1971. it doesn't show up in concert again until Nov. 1973! so very cool to have Jerry on piano, and his singing is so nuanced and emotive. a stunningly beautiful version.

it makes sense (to me at least) that Jerry might also play piano on Brokedown given its one of the 2 other songs Hunter composed with To Lay Me Down on that beautiful English afternoon. until checking the liner notes today i hadn't really taken in that Jerry played piano on almost all(?) of American Beauty.

Jim - glad you're tough and came out of that with only a bruised rib cage. jeez.

on that note, keep your head on a swivel, be well everyone, and happy fall equinox!

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Submitted by bob t on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 15:38

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For another anniversary show, Palais Des Sports 9/20/74 is a strong Europe 74 show... good 34 minute Truckin>Eyes of the World in set II... Show opener Cumberland.... Black Throated Wind, Row Jimmy, Scarlet, FOTD and a first set WRS>Stella... and I will see you tomorrow 9/21/72 Spectrum in all your Dick's Picks glory......bob t

My first listen ever as far as I know, and I like it.
Went with version 140664.Miller and Co.

Some of the new material seems a little shaky at times, but a grate listen.
NFA just started....

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Submitted by Vguy72 on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 17:04

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....i have never heard this show.
That changes today.
Going with this recording.
https://archive.org/details/gd1970-09-20.140664.sbd.boswell.smith.mille…
Buds+ engage!!
I'm at FOTD. Garcia is just showing off at this point. Grate version!
3rd Big RxR Blues. Nice. 4th To Lay Me Down. Even nicer.
Ha! I picked the same source as conekid. This is the way.
The boyz shined in 1970.
I would post a joke, but Jim has brused ribs, so i will refrain.

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Submitted by Gratefulhan on Sun, 09/20/2020 - 19:33

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I just did a quick preview of this show. I am going to give it a proper listen tomorrow. I think this will get me through work as it looks to be a long day.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 06:44

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Cool that some of you are discovering this run for the first time.

It’s a legendary run of shows. The band was playing their new album’s material live for the Fillmore East. They'd just finished recording American Beauty and the band wanted to play the tunes with the same instrumentation as they'd recorded them.

For me, this is the run I really wish were in the Vault.
Apparently what SBDs we do have are from the Famously Fabulous FE crew and from what I understand the Master Reels have long been missing. So when you put together the partial fragments of SBDs and Audience Recordings you get a pretty good picture of what went down.
And what went down was epic. Ask Strider!

Anyhow, here’s a list of the SBD stuff that’s out there. If you dug 9/20 and haven’t heard this other stuff, seek it out. The 9/17 acoustic set is prob my all time favorite acoustic set, and it’s a good audience recording, wait for it… for that time.

9/17 - Audience Only - Fantastic Acoustic Set (First / Only Box of Rain before ’73) Amazing Dark Star (Do It!)
9/18 - Partial SBD (Best Sounding of 4? / Rare Operator)
9/19 - Partial SBD (Great! Dark Star Suite)
9/20 - SBD (Far Out Show, SBD is the worst of the 3 we have, but it’s pretty complete, Tape Shedding on last reel, but worth it cause the Caution is out of this world)

50 years ago today, people were wandering the streets of New York thinking OMG did I just see that? I was soooo high. That couldn’t of possibly happened. Who are those guys?!?!

Alright, glad you all turned on to this far out Fillmore East trip this weekend.
It’s good to know about these shows, they were magic.

I had listened to some of this run before, but not the whole run sequentially before. It was fun and I learned a lot along the way. Here's to learning, those that help you out along the way and the never ending quest for knowledge (especially when it comes to the GOGD).

Special shout-out to Strider and GOGD.

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Submitted by billy the kid on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 07:31

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GOGD, great summary for the 9/70 shows. Somebody does have a complete tape of 9/20/70, so I'm sure with all the technology available these days and great sound guys like Jeffery Norman to make it just exactly perfect, we will see a fantastic release of this show. Thank goodness that some of the acoustic shows were recorded and saved. 1969, 1970 and 1972, before Pig Pen left the group, we're the Dead at their peak, but I dig it all!

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Submitted by JimInMD on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 12:00

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Alright all.. who's got the next week of back to back shows containing some of the best music ever performed that we can listen to, thumb through, over-analyze and toss around personal stories we remember from being there 50+ years ago?

Preferably from 1970, preferably with missing master reels that somehow wound up in that pile of Ampex tapes that have been holding up the turntable in someone's basement since early 1971.

Anybody?
Bueller?

Someone.. things were just getting interesting.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 13:41

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Jim's got the bug!

5/1/70 tapes have a pretty interesting story behind them. I believe some of the reels for this show were found under the stage at Meramec / Kirkwood College gig at 5/14/70. Disappeared, reappeared. Anyhow must of the show circulates in SBD now. Some of it is in the Vault, maybe all now. I don't think we've gone there yet.

And there's always the 6/24/70 Ken & Judy Lee audience tapes from the Capitol Theatre. Some good story time stuff there too. However, some may be tired of 1970 audience recordings after the weekend :)

5/1 sounds fun.

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Submitted by JimInMD on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 18:06

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One of the first shows I pulled down from the Archive when I first discovered it...

Classic, and an interesting school with a great ceramics program. I'll tag this tomorrow, today is already mostly behind me.

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Submitted by The Good Ole G… on Mon, 09/21/2020 - 18:35

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Yeah, it's a good one. Not quite the same as what happened the next night. But good.

I think Jerry mutters something about college kids. I gave it a spin today, but was distracted and half paying attention.

I need to check out 12/12/70 again, I know there's a nasty reel flip in The Other One, but I can't remember much else about that show. I've been working my way through the SBDs that exist after 7/16. Not much there..

Be Well!

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Submitted by JimInMD on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 06:51

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I think he said, "Get Off My Lawn, Hippies"

Checking this out now.. I recall vividly where I was and when I listened to this last. I had just discovered Archive.org and I was hankering for something akin to Harpur College, 1970 acoustic/electric GD. My last house was had a deck literally cantilevered over the river and I had some friends over after boating and put this on. Probably 20 years ago this summer.

Yes, probably not the best of 1970, 1/2, 2/13&14, 5/15, 4/15 and 9/xx are better, but it's the full deal and the tapes are pretty much complete. A snapshot in history.

Do we even know who recorded this?

Anyway.. historical stuff. Has anyone ever seen the 5/3/68 Columbia University stuff on YouTube? It's hodgepodged together and the video seems to not match the audio in large sections but it makes you wonder what's really available and if something better can be done now???

Memories, light the corners of my mind...

Good stuff!

The 5/3/68 footage is great, the best footage of the band from '68 (brains not working, but I can't think of any other '68 film footage currently, if there is it'll come to me.. Oh Yeah 3/3/68 Haight Street, but the 5/3 stuff is pro style). Unfortunately, no audio exists from the 5/3 show.

I guess the best thing that can be done is guess what song they're playing. The Other One sync is pretty dope and I believe that's what they're playing, but correct me if I'm wrong. I think I've also seen it synced with New Potato.

The footage that exists, I believe was shot for a film titled "Columbia Revolt". This is all off the top of my head, so I could be missing bits and pieces, but yeah.

I'm gonna check out 12/12/70 today if anybody else wants to give it a spin.

Got the 1970 bug.

Came close to going to school there, some kind of electronics program? Even went on some school bus RT to check it out.....details are very fuzzy.....such a long time to be gone, but a short time to be there lol.

Been checking a couple of these out. Not a normal go to year for me, but I’m trying to broaden my horizons, lol.
And like I always say, it’s all good and there’s always something there! Just gotta poke around!
Thanks to GOGD etc for all the groovy info and saving us dilettantes time by steering us in the right directions...wait???, which side is up again???
Thanks to Strider for more tales from the Dark Star!

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Submitted by bob t on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 15:12

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Well I can say I haven't listened to this show since 1990 or so... I only have an audience copy. Looking forward to listening. First Half Step since 10/20/74, they didn't play it in June.... Also excited to hear the Dancing encore as well as Crazy Fingers and High Time... The Orpheum shows have such a different vibe to them then the June tour that wrapped up less than 2 weeks before it... bob t

Sounds good to me Bob t. Yes, the Orpheum run has a different feel to it and you would think we will get more releases from this run. We do have Dave's 18 from 7/17, which is a great release.

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Submitted by billy the kid on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 18:37

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I was there, we were sitting in row c, center, but there wasn't a bad seat in the house. The Orpheum theatre only held 1,800 people, so it's a small place. I think if I could go back and see one Dead show that I had attended it would probably be this one. It was cool and definitely should be a released.