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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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  • rockthing
    Joined:
    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.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    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.

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    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…..

  • daverock
    Joined:
    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.

  • PT Barnum
    Joined:
    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.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    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.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    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!

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    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.

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    Woodstock

    >DAVEROCK>

    "It's about 37 minutes long, but it seems more like an hour when you watch it."

    HAHAHA

    I'll be on the lookout for that CCR set. John Fogerty strikes me a somewhat difficult man. Brilliant songwriter and producer, though. Never get tired of Cosmo's Factory, in particular. Gotta get reacquainted with the first album. I recall it being more psychedelic.

    Got a trove of stuff to listen to after yesterday's catch up. Thanks!
    Not sure where I'll start, but probably with something that already has ID tags. lol.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Woodstock

    There was a good cd of CCR's set that came out a couple of years ago. Apart from Hendrix, possibly my favourite set of the whole festival. "Lovelight" was included on a dvd as an extra, on one of the celebratory reissues of the festival. I don't think I'm being controversial when I say that it wasn't there finest hour. It's about 37 minutes long, but it seems more like an hour when you watch it.
    The Dark Star, I've just remembered, was included in the 6 cd 40th anniversary release of Woodstock, too. That's okay. But it's not a show I would suggest as a contender for an official release.

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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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If my memory serves me well
Side 1 track two , It’s All Over Now Baby Blue.
I bought Vintage Dead and the second release Historic Dead ,both on Sunflower Records right when they were released. Forever and a day. Long time gone.
“It’s all over now baby blue”

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She Belongs To Me and Baby Blue were played for the first time according to DeadBase IX.
Don’t know if those are the first Dylan covers.
I need to check DeadBase50 to see if there are Dylan statistics.

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Jerry talks about being impressed when he saw Dylan on the Les Crane show when he debuted It's All Over Now, Baby Blue in February '65. Then hearing Bringing It All Back Home at Eric Thompson's place after they'd been eating morning glory seeds all night (Jerry on Jerry). And playing that song over and over and over.

I think Baby Blue and She Belongs To Me are my two favorite Dylan covers by Jerry.
Visions of Johanna too, oh and Positively 4th Street, shit I like em all.
Wish there was an early She Belongs To Me on tape.

Love that December '65 San Francisco press conference with Dylan. Ralph J. Gleason set it up, the early San Francisco scene is in the audience. Bill Graham asks a few questions, Jim Marshall is taking pictures, Allen Ginsberg & Michael McClure are in the audience.

I've always felt that Jerry was influenced by this interview. Bob's answers & his irreverence towards the press are fun to watch.

Bob holds up a poster for the Mime Troop benefit (Bill Graham slyly handed him) that would happen on 12/10/65 (with the Warlocks) towards the end. For some reason I like that.

Pretty historic stuff.

PS - Vintage & Historic Dead are good listening!

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Every Dylan cover by the Dead was solid. Think I was lucky to see at least 1 version of all except She Belongs To Me and Train to Cry. saw a bunch of shows in '87 but none of the Dylan/Dead shows.

Several that stand out in my show history.

1) Baby Blue - Alpine 6/21/85 - heavens opened up, dumping rain for this encore.
2) All Along The Watchtower - Alpine 6/26/87 - 2nd ever, total surprise & shock, hair on end, complete absolute craziness
3) Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues - Alpine 6/27/87 crowd chanting for Phil and he delivers!
4) Desolation Row - Pittsburgh 7/6/87 classic, again totally unexpected
5) Knocking on Heaven's Door - Pittsburgh 7/6/87 (w/ Nevilles and 1st without Dylan) incredibly beautiful, out of space
6) Mighty Quinn - Red Rocks 8/12/87 joyous with a near full moon rising over the great plain east of the Rockies
7) Ballad of a Thin Man - Hampton 3/27/88 - 1st of only 2, spooky and edge, Bob nails it
8) Visions of Johanna - Chicago 7/8/95 - probably the pinnacle of all these. again total surprise, straight to the heart, Jerry fully present in the last days. - some handheld video of the screen w/SBD https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbUQ2u5l4uekaFUGZPjCmvoyAbgmO7BnM.

Of course loved the others too, Masterpiece, Memphis Blues, Maggie's Farm. Like a dream thinking about it.

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Nice list Blue Crow.
I saw a few of those with you :) (That Pittsburgh Show was a Hoot!)

My second show was 7/2/86. Dylan & Tom Petty opened, then Dylan came out and played Don't Think Twice It's Alright (along with Lil Red Rooster & Baby Blue) with the boys. Then later in the show Bobby busted out a Desolation Row while Jerry walked off the stage. I remember wondering what was going on (in many ways).

When I finally got home (big adventure in between there). I sat in front of my tape deck and through a lot of play, stop, rewind, wrote down all the lyrics to Desolation Row so I'd know em the next time.

Memories are fun.

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that Watchtower was really "something" ; )

listening to Visions from 7/8 - damn

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Bluecrow: Yeah.. that's right! Too Much, Too Much :)

I'll check out that Visions today, you all gots me wanting to hear some Dylan.

I've got some tune choices now, and need to visit the real world, but fun chatting!

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I had 2-21-95 on tape, and then saw the 7-8-95 one, which made the $35 ticket totally worth it.

I really like Queen Jane too.

Made it to the beer store but skipped the record store. Will wait for October RSD.

DeadVikes, I grabbed a 6 of Bell’s Octoberfest, it’s on ice now.

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ConeKid - i got the SLC 2/21 tapes after-the-fact in Summer '96. while my focus on shows in 30 trips box was on earlier years, the inclusion of 2/21 show was definite plus. Not only does it have Visions of Johanna, it has a gorgeous Foolish Heart. Jerry's solo work on that tune was simply beautiful in those late days - had seen a version in Seattle 5/25/95 that floored me (excellent '95 show, as were other 2 in that run.)

and, lest I forget , they opened with Salt Lake City!

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'95 bros!

Now I kinda wanna check out that Seattle run.
I just quickly looked at a review of 5/26 and there was some amusing Vince bashing.. Gotta love Dead Heads!

I'm still grooving on the dusty trail I stumbled onto that led me to break out 7/2/86 (yet again) and I've gotta say I really like this show. Got the Dylan & TP set too which has really grown on me.

Of course I'm biased from being there, but as (I believe) Otis would say "ragged but right" or is that VGuy?

My memory really does leave a bit to be desired. I guess I should walk more huh Strider?

Good Times You All.
Cheers To Bob!

9/26/80 on pause, Set 2 in the Cue after I get through this Dylan jones.

Good call Conekid, enjoy that Octoberfest! It is really good.
I picked up a case this week.
I wish the shelf life was more than 3 months.

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6-27-95 jam between Victim>Foolish was cool when there. It has good and bad ‘reviews’ on Archive. Still no SBD’s available of that run. Don’t know why the SBD’s are being held back, the shows are not really release worthy unless parts are going to be used for a compilation release.

95 shows still could have some moments where you could tell that the embers had not yet been extinguished, but that they just couldn’t quite be reignited and the flame maintained.

My 95 shows were
4-1,2
6-27,28
7-2 (Deer Creek Disaster)
7-8,9

The Pyramid was fun, got a Take Me To The River, and Jerry threw in an extra “but I try” in Crazy Fingers to let us know that he was trying. Also got my first Unbroken Chain which was awesome, got my second one 7-9.

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On my 2nd one already......
Prepping for grilling and listening to GOGD while hockey is on but muted.

Bluecrow, my first show was Dylan, the Dead and Tom Petty, June 26, 1986 at the old Metrodome. Not the best place to see a show, but the worm definitely turned for me a few days later in Alpine.

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the worm was known to turn at Alpine. wasn't able to see any '86 shows. friends came back from Hampton that spring all jazzed up. first Visions was there and I checked it out yesterday after the one from 7/8. looking at the set list and its crazy that it showed up in the 1st set! those summer shows with Dylan and Tom Petty struck me as a cool line up but don't really know much about them. To my regret never saw Tom perform.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.

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DV: That Dylan & TP set from 6/26/86 is really good, have you checked it out? There's a good SBD, listened to it pretty recent and really dug it. Must've been an interesting experience seeing the GD open a show and play one long set?
Curious what you thought about it.
And yeah that worm must've turned, you went to all the Alpine Shows after that huh?
Far Out.

BlueCrow: Nice call on the 7/8/95 Visions of Johanna, man Jerry could convey emotion through music.
You & Conekid got stories from that show?

Speaking of Visions of Johanna that studio version on the All Good Things Outtakes.. that's worth seeking out / relistening.
Gonnna give 3/19/86 Visions a spin today.

Still working on 9/26/80 got distracted, great Acoustic set & fun Set 1.

Be Well All

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GOGD, I have never heard that SBD, I will for sure check it out.
I was 15 when I went to this show and was really green. I got into the Dead the year before when my older sister left for college and left behind two cassettes, Shakedown Street and a tape labeled 12/30/83. Needless to say I was blown away and was hooked.
The acoustics of the dome were not great and I remember the sound not being the best. I think at the time, we knew that Jerry was not doing the best and the end could come at anytime. We were just psyched to get a change to see the band. Looking back I think the play was a little sloppy, but we didn't know that at the time. I remember Dylan not sounding that great, but at the time I really didn't listen to much Dylan. That changed as I got older. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers seemed to deliver that night.

Two days later we headed down to Apline and that was a completely different experience. Alpine in 86 was so different from 87 or 88, or the last run in 89.

First of all, there were not nearly as many people at these shows in 1986. You could move around in the lawn without a problem. The music was great and the sound quality out there was really good.

It was really hippie central and we were so young and clueless. It was like nothing I had ever seen and I loved it. Two week later Jerry was in a comma.
We thought that was it. Can you imagine if the Dead ended in 1986? Hard to imagine...
Then he recovered and 87 was wild. Couldn't believe how many more people went to the shows at Alpine. Of course In The Dark.

Yes, I went to all the shows, I think, the Dead performed in MN and WI from 86-89. Unbelievable times and memories. Could never figure out why they never came back to MN and WI??

Who knows GOGD, maybe we crossed paths at Alpine??

Be well all.

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https://archive.org/details/gd1995-05-24.partial.sbd.larson.35181.sbeok…

GOGD - first 5 songs on this link, Iko through Estimated, are pre Drumz 1st night. The Trucking>Terrapin are from Cal Expo May 1991 (by coincidence my only Cal Expo run - excellent also, and there's a Spanish Jam tease in there.)

Show was GA and I was on the rail DFC. Sound was awesome. Band was happy, Jerry was happy, he had a bounce in his step - really! Chicago '95 was like a whole different scene.

I Want To Tell was a crazy amazing surprise cover.

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“To Lay Me Down”, reflective song, conjures autumn. Powerful lyrics. The tone of Jerry’s acoustic guitar is so sweet. Interesting that 1970 and 1980 were the banner years for acoustic Dead. About the only years. Of course I was lucky to see several 1970 Dead shows with acoustic sets. I missed 1980 altogether. The few December 1981 Dead shows I saw with acoustic sets backing Joan Baez may or may not count. Last night while listening to the Warfield set I thought about where I was 40 years ago caretaking a ranch just south of Glacier National Park, living in an old homesteaders cabin. Living the dream. “All lost in dreaming”. “Cowboys Dream”. By Lon Megargee 1936.
Question? Where have many of the participants on these boards gone? Most notably the women. AnnaRx, Gypsy Cowgirl, Dina W, even would be great to hear from MaryE again. Would love to see a book from Betty Cantor. I love the book from Rosie McGee. Would love to see a book from Carolyn Adams aka MG.
I also feel a strong desire to pay more attention to Pick of the Week and the Tapers Section. Also Grateful Dead Hour from David Gans is a treasure trove of archives and knowledge.
And a message to any hotshot publishers out there, Ken Babbs is a living national treasure. Out of respect for this “Intrepid Traveler “ who was there, would Penguin or Viking or even City Lights publish the mans book. First hand history, not second or third accounts.
Meanwhile, in the high country, “last leaves are falling”.

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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No stories to tell, I didn’t even remember the set list except that I got a Visions. Looked up the set list, and it looks decent on paper.....
I have the recording, which I haven’t listened to in quite a while, probably because the overall show was weak.

On 7-9 my friend and I had the feeling that it was going to be the last show until 96, when a hopefully recovered and rejuvenated Jerry would return. But then fall tour mail order was announced, and it didn’t look like Jerry was going to get to take a break and rest for a while.....

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In reply to by bluecrow

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Good stuff You All!
Dig the stories.

1986 - Shows you what a state we're in that '86 seems like the good ole days. But man, they do!
We are on the same trajectory on our Dead show paths DV, I saw my first show 4 days after you saw yours at the ripe old age of 16. Good times ensued and a lifetime of adventure began.

Not sure where I found that Dylan & TP set, but lmk if you have trouble locating it. It's worth a listen or two. I've been enjoying it since I found it earlier this month. Tom Petty definitely brings it and Dylan seems interested. The back up singers are wonderful too. I posted about this randomly on 9/3 after I got it. But based on what I was hearing the GD kinda got upstaged that day.

FWIW the sound at Akron Rubber Bowl a few days later sucked as well, and you can hear it on the audience tapes, the vocals get muddy in the mix due to too much reverb or something. But I enjoy those opening sets with Dylan & TP, man he was good in concert. I love his take on So You Want To Be A Rock N' Roll Star.

And boy do I remember the feeling of thinking Jerry's not doing well so I gotta go see these guys and then a few days after my second show he was in that coma and nearly died. We were all so lucky and excited when he pulled through and got to continue some more good times!

Speaking of Death. I'm sure it's been discussed, but the odd coincidence that Jerry broke out Visions of Johanna in '86 shortly before he went into a coma and nearly died, and then didn't play it again with the band until '95 shortly before he died seems striking. Weird GD stuff going on there. Insert Twilight Zone theme by GD circa 1985.

So all this talk of '86 & '95 got me listening to 3/19/86 today. Now I know '86 has a bad reputation. And rightly so in some cases, but listen to this show. The China Cat > Rider absolutely smokes and you can hear that Hampton roar and energy. If it doesn't give you a smile, well I can't help you. Set 1 SBD is out there, and this Set 2 Audience is a nice recording:
https://archive.org/details/gd1986-03-19.senn.441.me80.buyers.118517.fl…

And for '95, Bluecrow & ConeKid I checked out 7/8/95 Space > TOO > Visions > OMSN and US Blues yesterday while riding to the library. Dug it, the Space starts out really cool with some far out panning. And the reading of Visions is... well I'm not sure I have the words, but heartfelt, aching, bittersweet and wonderful would all apply.

Seattle '95 - I've got that run, have you listened to the Soundcheck dated 5/24/95? Jerry "...it sounds nice up here in Seattle" :)
Somebody was talking about this yesterday, but based on the Tapes we have, the Vault closed down quite a bit with Healy's departure. So a lot of the '95 SBDs never saw the light of day. I have my suspicions, most of them never will.
Happy to be wrong. But... not a lot of progress on that front in the last 25 years.
I'll try and get that SBD portion in and 5/26 is grabbing my eye. Personally I like '94-'95 just because I've only heard most of it once and a lot of that was in a fever dream of collecting it.

So much great music to hear, one life time.

We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it

Thanks for sharing You All!
Keeping me entertained and I appreciate it.

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Well today has me listening to the Dick's Picks release from 9/27/72 Stanley theatre. Couple of observations from last few shows. I saw some favorite Dylan song posts from yesterday. It's All Over Now, Baby Blue , was played only 2 times in 72 once In Waterbury and the 9/26/72 Stanley show after not being played since 70, and then disappears again until "See you next month at the Cow Palace I hope" 1974 and then really goes away until 1981!!! I love these 3 versions.. Can only wonder why they weren't part of the rotation.. Also enjoy the Tomorrow is Forever's that pop up in the fall of 72!!! Everyone knows about the awesome Dark Stars, Playings, Other Ones, Bird Songs... etc..

One interesting point, on 9/26/72 there is a first set He's Gone, where Bob starts out totally playing Bird Song while everyone is playing He's Gone.... Not a tease either in the beginning... 3 more shows after today, and I will be done with September 72 tour, (counting 10/2/72 Springfield)... bob t

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Saw the Dead on 4/22/86, they opened with Box of Rain, 2nd song was Visions of Johanna. I went up to my seat , it was in the last row, there was a lady with a handful of tickets, she gave me one and I ended up in tow #3. 12/15/86 was a killer show, Garcia's first show back, it was my birthday. The Dead opened up with Toush of Grey and when Garcia sang I will survive, that place felt like it was gonna blow, very emotional moment, Its a great show start to finish.

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In reply to by billy the kid

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GOGD - if you haven't checked out that link its sourced from KPFA Dead marathon so its a sweet-as-can-be sounding SBD - the only board source for any of that show maybe.

The soundchecks from Seattle are crazy - along with Tough Mama, I seem to think Whisky in the Jar also!! I never got to see them perform Rain, which they also checked. Missed the 1st night in Eugene '94 where they opened Set II with Rain as it freaking poured down - probably THE night from that years run even with the monster Set II show 3..

If you want some excellent 1994 (no jokes please) try both of the Seattle shows 6/13 & 6/14. 6/13 Set II opens with a huge Scarlet >Fire and closes with a phenomenal Morning Dew. I remember thinking second night during That Would Be Something that Hunter had written a song that Jerry could remember no matter what was going on. And no, I didn't know at the time it was a McCartney song, and yes, I loved it - "That would be something, really would be something, to meet you in the pouring rain, meet you in the pouring rain." A gorgeous clear night I think but the lyrics so very Seattle.

BobT - thanks for pinging us from the myth times - I'll get back to my regularly scheduled 1972 programming after this latter era Dead detour. For goodness sake they got to release Stanley Theatre 9/28 one of these freaking days. And oh yeah 9/28/72 should be Pick Of The Day tomorrow. So be it by the power invested in me. He's Gone > Other One > Bobby McGee > Other One > Wharf Rat is one of the great mind blown journeys of that year. And funny thing, I remember listening to my Set II SBD cassette of that very show as I drove up and parked up on a hill in some quiet backwaters neighborhood for one of those Seattle shows either '94 or '95. Really.

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Was also there those three nights. First night was truly electric/spiritual.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Gonna meet up with Bob T at the Stanley Theatre show today!
Hope he's been writing down all the set lists ;)
Virtual Tour rules

Truckin' opener in 1972.. it's gonna be a fun day.

Had a good time checkin' out the mentions yesterday. Seattle '95 was sounding good. The Estimated from 5/24 is way cool, and was enjoying 5/26 made it to Drums before crashing. But I was digging it. Also had to play the mentioned 12/15/86 Touch of Grey, definitely worth seeking out the Audience version. Strider & BTK in attendance. I bet that room was electric! I remember hearing about that show through the grape vine before we made it to Hampton in '87. Same thing happening there, but East Coast style, a HUGE response to Jerry surviving. It was and is some of my favorite moments ever spent on this here planet.

Good times!

Alright, Have A Great Day Everyone.

And Bob T, what color shirt you wearing so we can pick you out in the crowd?

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I'll have a white tshirt on with my favorite iron on from the back of comic books!!! See you inside!! I'll be next to the guy that you can hear in all the June 76 shows!!! Bob t

Wow, 6/30/95, 7/8&9/95, Alpine 86, 7/2/86, Hampton 86, Hampton 87, and 7/4/86 (think I’m in that video)...
You guys been busy, my minds eye try’s to go where your leading but I’m slow and can’t keep up lol.
I’ve been like a mental ping pong ball jumpin around in my head lol.
Unfortunately most of those shows are mostly a blur! But except the “last” shows and 7/2/86, feel like most were good!
Though sounds like I need to revisit 7/8&9/95?

STRIDER: add to that fine book list the GOAT, Candace Brightman!

DEADVIKES: great origins story! I too was barely 16 the first time, though I had been thoroughly indoctrinated by hardcore older DH’s for a good year before I was finally able to see/feel “it” live, in all its glory. I’d also seen several other concerts too, but like tripping or gettin some, there is no apt description to begin to accurately convey that first live Dead experience! Truly a band beyond description. You are so right about 86 Alpine though. Won’t say night and day, but the differences between 86 and 87 were very noticeable. Was 87 the year they expanded and steepened the lawn?
Anyway, seeing those 2 for your 2nd and third show was fortunate. Remember hearing a tape of the Metrodome and it sounded just as bad as the Carrier dome. Ironically, the SBs are actually good from those shows, but the live sound was horrible. Unfortunately that whole 86 summer tour, hell ALL of 86 was a insane shroom fog, but I remember really digging it there and the shows. My memory is that Riverbend blew me away, one of those you had to be there. I think the only time we ever got good seats from GDTS? Definitely the only time we got inside seats for an Amp show.

Though I felt like at the time they had crested another little wave after 85 and recall moments of head scratching, I was at the age where I was as all in as I could reasonably be, so had 14 shows in by the time JG fell ill. Often wonder how the year would have played out otherwise, but of course time off was what was needed. Often think they should have taken another hiatus in there somewhere (92?) It seemed to work wonders in 75.

EDIT: DV, what’s up with the Vikes! The little I’ve seen I feel like their way better than their record but they seem to keep finding a way to lose GO Vikes!

Hey Oroborous, the Vikes, yes, new year same old story. 0-3 is not the way to start the year. We will see. I know one thing for sure, they won't win the Superbowl this year.

I don't remember the lawn expansion, sorry. Only made it into the pavilion seats one year. Too bad it was Steely Dan in 1996 (and it was a great show) and not the Dead.

Always loved driving to Lake Geneva during the day.. We needed that especially in 88 with the drought that summer.

Yes, not sure why they played in the Domes. They were never good for concerts.

My first concert by the way was Billy Joel, the Glass Houses Tour in I think 81 or 82 at the St. Paul Civic Center. My Dad took me and a buddy. That was wild and I remember my Dad telling us some guys were smoking pot in the audience.

What was your first concert?

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Kiss with the Rockets opening. A little over a year before the Dead? (What a difference at that age a year makes!!)
Barely 15, GA, we children were surrounded by BIG, dudes and we got crushed near the front so I think moved back a bit? In our and our parents naïveté we had paper shopping bag with snacks....obviously that didn’t last long on the GA floor with that mob! Hilarious.
Not sure of order, but also Big Summerfest: Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Bob Welch, and Pablo Cruise at first stadium show, Jethro Tull with Uriah Heap opening, Supertramp (I think it was that year?) Eagles, and maybe that year Clapton with Muddy Waters opening! ???.....
So those and a steady stream of tall tales and tapes for over a year and I was over ready to finally catch the Dead, which was so completely awesome and different that, well here we are 40+ years later still talking about them!
Thanks for sharing, I love the stories! My favorite part of this.

EDIT: Lake G was sweet!

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Pretty sweet line up of pre Dead shows Oroborous. Kiss, The Eagles, Tull, Clapton. Love the bag of goodies. Great stuff.

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But totally forgot about 9/28/75....... One of my favorites from 30 Trips...... Wore out this tape back in the day!!! Happy 45 th birthday to the kid that was born there that day!!!! bob t

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Bobby T - That 9/28/75 Lindley Meadows show from is one of my favorites as well. Jerry had the fuzz turned up nice and loud - sounded great on Help / Slipknot!

Oroborous - KISS was also my first show, 1979 Dynasty Tour, 7 yrs old. Missed them 2 years earlier in their prime. Oh well - I didn't realize it at the time.

Bluecrow - I'm checking out a few tunes from A Stay at The Stanley 9/28/72. Good call. I noticed Jerry go off on the St. Stephen theme for quite a bit during Greatest Story Ever Told. I'm now melting into 9/28's highly renowned Other One....

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In reply to by KeithFan2112

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Top of their game Dead.

Reading reviews I see a lot of referring to 9/27 & 9/28 in best of terms.
Also as favorites of Dick, so there's that.
Latvala!
I need to listen to 9/27 again, surprisingly it has not been a POD yet and It's been awhile since I've sat down with it.
But 9/28 holy moly, that's some good stuff.
No need for me to do some kind of blow by blow, it's all there, you heard it. Awesome!
We were talking about why it hasn't been released. And I can only assume it's due to the missing bits. Missing opener, vocals in Loser, end of IKYR, and supposedly there's a cut in The Other One? I didn't hear it, I guess Charlie Miller was saying the same thing, if you heard it, point it out.

September '72 epic stuff huh Bob T?
BTW we saw you boogying but couldn't get down there, too high!
What a place the Stanley Theater, "a plushy vaudeville palace with an enormous curved balcony", heading into disrepair. Just the kind of place for the Dead.

Great reviews of these shows in the liner notes of DiP V11 and the Taper's Compendium as well as Archive.org.

Best of '72? Best Ever? What do you all think?
(Edit: Note - the above are comments I read in regard to these two shows, I'm not feeling it, but am curious of your alls input, if "your alls" is a word, which it's not..)
Veneta is hard to unseat. But I'm always happy to look for a contender.
(Another Edit: So come one come all, who's got a show that unseats Veneta?!?!)

Well that was fun! I could spend a day or two or three on that show. And now I kind of want to put on 9/27/72 and of course 9/28/75's name is getting tossed around like a rag doll.
What's a Deadicated fan supposed to do?!?

I guess I'll get back Truckin' on...

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I think the Europe 72 material is the Dead at their peak. 1969 & 1970 still another peak.

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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Yep, great show and we hit this one not too long ago. Always worth another listen. It is in the normal rotation at my house. I just listened to it again last week. Fun show.

Keep them coming!

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This show is an old friend. It was one of my first high quality soundboard tapes. Yesterday I listened to the Moore audience of the PITB. It's a fun listen if you haven't heard it. Some notes:
* I like the audience noise on this one. They have a serious case of the clappity-claps during the singing, but blessedly quiet down for the jam.
* Donna's wail is a lot more lovable on the audience tapes, as others have mentioned. Heck, half of the audience joins in the wail!
*Sounds like fireworks just as the jam begins. The crowd loves it but the band doesn't miss a beat. How times have changed. I suppose nowadays fireworks might end a concert.
*There's some random talking during the quiet middle section, but it sounds kinda cool, in a way. Someone tries to catch the attention of "Chino".
*You can hear the audience really light up as the band goes in for the final kill of the jam!

Audience tapes can be a little rough, but they can be a lot of fun, too.

Several DHBrewer hat tricks under his belt.

..but Mrs. DHBrewer called. Apparently, in an effort to keep up the pace, something happened to DHBrewer. He sort of snapped at 4:15 this morning. Late in the day he become catatonic with excessive drooling and twitching. He keeps muttering over and over again, Franklin's Tower, Franklin's tower, too many shows (twitch twitch, drool drool).

Thoughts and prayers to the brewer family.. might I recommend some 1980 acoustic to help bring him down. Whatever you do keep him away from The Eleven and Viola Lee Blues for at least a couple of weeks.

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So good. Im listening now. That He's Gone in the 4th slot is so nice.

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“Sessions! Jan 13-14, 1971 SBD

https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR2k_L7I1Ogi2Q2E7TdX1hcc86oXVsygmV…

* PERRO is:
David Crosby
Graham Nash
Jerry Garcia
Phil Lesh
Mickey Hart
Billy Kreutzmann
Paul Kantner
Grace Slick
Jorma Kaukonen
Jack Casady
David Freiberg
and others...
***
David Crosby – guitar, vocals
Graham Nash – guitar, vocals
Paul Kantner – guitar, banjo, vocals
Grace Slick – piano, vocals
Jorma Kaukonen – lead guitar
Jack Casady – bass
Jerry Garcia – guitar, vocals
Phil Lesh – bass
Bill Kreutzmann – drums
Mickey Hart – percussion
David Freiberg – viola, vocals
Stephen Barncard - producer, engineer, archivist
***
The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra is a nickname given to artists who recorded together in the early 1970s.They were predominantly members of Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.Their first album together was ‘Blows Against the Empire’ , when they were known as Jefferson Starship.
Anyone a fan? Any Thoughts or interest in this part of musical history.?
Have a grateful day everyone!
🙏❤️💀🌹

I’m going after the 73 fall tour BobT style (September shows with horns). I’ve only heard 9/11 and Buffalo way back when I had that tape before it was stolen. Won’t be able to do any DHBrewer hat tricks ala BobT, but I’m going to go in order and finally try and listen to them all. Loved 9/11, not so much 9/12. Of course recording probably didn’t help.
Going for 9/15 Providence today.with how much I love fall/winter 73 I can’t believe I’ve never checked these out before. Not suggesting a pick, just trying to Phil some dead air.....

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In reply to by Oroborous

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9/11 was by far my favorite of the tour. Let us know what you think, OB.

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It is coming up on the 50th anniversary of the release of Blows Against the Empire. By far the best release of any albums released by that loose knit band of that name. The second album “Sunfighter” and the third release “Baron Von Tollbooth and the Crome Nun” are the only Jefferson Starship albums with members of the Dead. All three are classics. I was lucky to see the Jefferson Airplane live twice, both times in 1970. And Hot Tuna is timeless, perhaps the last true remaining torch bearers (mostly intact) of of the psychedelic sound from the old days. Sorry Dead and Co. Your music is fantastic, what I like to believe is a 21st century interpretation of the old songs or psychedelia brought into the next millennium, just not the same. John Mayer is a very competent guitar player. Has feeling and depth, but nowhere near to the degree of Jerry Garcia. Best thing about Dead and Company is the testament to the life of the very songs. Like the work of jazz greats, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and those old timers, younger musicians can still play some of those amazing compositions and still improvise and give it some new interpretation. I know I’m repeating myself from earlier posts of recent years.
But bringing all back home the first three Jefferson Starship records are amazing, antiquated but worth listening to.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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After seeing DL comments from 2012 on this historic run that GOGD posted not too long ago stated all these tapes were erased and therefore not in the vault, I was curious then how they were able to put out the Dead Set reissue in 2006 with a disc 2 with bonus material?

Looking at the liner notes for the bonus material is showing songs from 10/4, 10/7,10/10, 10/13 and 10/26.

So, how were they able to put out the bonus disc if all the tapes were erased??

And don't forget the reissue of Dead Ahead which included bonus material as well.

Just a big tease?

Maybe there are a few shows in the Vault?

Stay well out there folks.

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Strider, I'm with you on both Hot Tuna and Dead&Co. I finally saw Tuna (electric) for the first time last Feb. and I loved it and couldn't wait to see them again. Definitely not a nostalgia trip. Alas, then covid....

Dead&Co is not my thing, but I love the lesser known tribute bands, like the kind that fill the stage of the Ventura Skull and Roses festival. They really are not cover bands, just younger musicians that love the Dead songbook and ethos.

I need to revisit those 3 early PERRO/Starship albums. I usually just hit the Jerry tunes.