"Welcome to the 10th year of the Dave's Picks series! We're amazed and humbled that this community of Dave's Picks fans keeps growing, and we just wanted to let you know how much we sincerely appreciate your support of and interest in the series. We started in 2012 with 12,000 of each release, and now we've more doubled that, with 25,000 in 2021. Wow! We keep working as hard as we possibly can to bring you the best, most exciting Grateful Dead shows in the vault. Our 2020 releases included music from 1977, 1974, 1984, and the latest, biggest release yet in the series, the two complete Hartford shows from 1987. Looking ahead, we've selected two exceptional, A+ Dead shows for Vol. 37 (more on that in the video below) and 38, as well as the Bonus Disc that will come with Vol. 38. Big year ahead! As we head into the 10th year of the series, there's no end in sight. We love what we do, and have loads of plans and ideas for the next few years. Onward to more great music!"
David Lemieux
October 2020
Times may be trying but the music has never and will never stop! Keep the momentum going by doing the Dead all year long with a Dave's Picks 2021 subscription. We're taking the production run up one final time - to 25,000 - for each of the four Dave's Picks 2021 releases. We'll also be doing things a wee bit differently this year - subscribers will be the first to receive their Dave's Picks. A la carte sales will go up on street date (no more pre-orders) and if you don't subscribe - we highly encourage you to - you'll want to be ready and waiting because these releases sell out within hours. Hours - no hyperbole.
In addition to the four releases in 2021, totaling 12 CDs, you’ll also get the subscription exclusive bonus disc, which has proven to be one of the most highly sought-after collectables we release, and free domestic shipping. Subscriber bonus discs will not be released outside of this offer. Early bird subscribers can nab a sub at $99.98 (regular pricing will be $115.92).
William & Mary 4/15/78
Your rave about Morning Dew on this night has a backstory. I was a freshman at W&M, and, like many fellow travelers, looked forward to this show as a highlight of the spring. The weather was warming, the campus was heading into finals, and the Dead were coming. One odd coincidence, which I believe accounts in part for this being the Dead's last show at W&M, was that the show coincided with admitted students weekend, which meant that the College had planned, among other events, a free lunch behind the Campus cafeteria. The Deadheads were very impressed by the hospitality they were receiving, which definitely was not meant for them. I distinctly remember awed Heads lining up for free fried chicken among the scrubbed families.
The other thing that happened that weekend was that Little Feat had played the night before in DC, and four popular seniors had driven up for the show. On the way back, they lost control of the car, and all four died. The campus was traumatized. The fraternity to which they all belonged had planned a party weekend around the Dead show, which now had taken on a completely different cast. There would be no big party, but there still was a Dead show.
One of the fraternity brothers had written a note to the band about the four who had died and requested a Morning Dew in their honor. When does the Dead take requests, right? During the show, they note got the note to Phil, who read it on stage, and you know what happened then.
Dave picks 2021 Free Shipping
I went to order the Dave picks 2021 subscription which says it includes free shipping.
When I go to check out I’m being charged 11.99. Does anyone else have the same issue?
fourwindsblow (38 Bonus)
Dave says in the email that the "Playing in the Band" & "Bird Song" will be a part of the main release. So, that leaves more than 30 minutes of space on the bonus disc, which may then include the "Here Comes Sunshine" & "Let it Grow>Stella Blue" in addition to the second set jam. Nearly two hours of 9/7 is to be included for subscribers.
Free shipping
Maybe only included with Early Bird subscriptions, which ended a few weeks ago.
@skubrick2899
Okay! I didn't know that and you are probably right. I'm okay with that. Thanks!
Nice TLEO and J. Straw too.
Wcusmano Dave's 37
Thanks for sharing your story. Crazy stuff.
Hope this was one of many shows for you.
Unrelated, the Dave's subscriptions are advertised as Free Shipping. I feel sorry for anyone trying to get that straighted out.
fourwindsblow (38 Bonus)
Even better! Can't complain if we receive more tunes.
General Grievous, is that you?
"a nice addition to my collection"
and
"Can't complain if we receive more tunes."
someone probably will complain, anyway.
Free Shipping
The website front page ad for the 2021 subscription still says free domestic shipping so if you live in the US you shouldn’t have to pay shipping. However, the subscription period ends on 8th Jan 2021 so good luck getting a response on that time scale, particularly with the holiday season in the way. If you are outside the US then, like me, you pay shipping whenever you subscribe. Looking forward to all the picks and the first two look good to me.
Nearly failed the ROBOT test, it took a while to find the third set of stairs in the gloom.
In the spirit of complaining
Wouldn't they be better advised to put their energies into making sure everyone has received Dave's 36 before they start going on about how great Dave's 38 is going to be ?
Stuck in the 70’s.
Words can’t express just how bored I am with Grateful Dead shows from the 70’s, and really the Grateful Dead in general. I don’t understand how Dave Lemieux can champion the Grateful Dead’s long career when it suits his marketing platform, but then ignore one-third of the band’s career when it comes to picking shows for the Dave’s Picks series. If Dave Lemieux really can’t find a decent show from ‘88-‘95 then maybe it’s time to find another archivist.
88-95
some 89ers; some 90's; 91, too.
I think 93-95 will be left up to archive listening.
but 89, 90, 91 does have some good stuff.
I bet there would be howlings of discontent, though, if anything after 89 got Dave'd.
just keep putting it out, Dave 'n pals.
did you dig April 84 and March 87, PFox?
As long as I'm alright?
Proudfoot - I would have thought it was of fundamental importance that people receive the cds they order.
Daverock: I agree 100% with you
no mocking intended
Make sure everyone has their 36, before trumpeting about 37 or 38. _yes._
DaP 35 & 36
They were ok. I would have dropped the Day Job on #35, and replaced it with the 4/19/84 encore It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue. I don’t think anyone would have complained.
For me it’s always been about diversity. I want a greater representation of songs, and a greater representation of sounds. I primarily listen to my music on shuffle, whether it be at the gym, in the car, in the shower, or as I fall asleep. The Grateful Dead have dominated my collection like an invasive species. I just have so many of their albums now. I was really hoping Dave’s Picks would end in 2020, because I knew I’d keep buying the subscription just to complete the set. I ‘m still holding out hope Dave releases some shows from ‘88-‘95 before the series eventually ends.
Please
I'm all for more '80s dead... but do think it's sort of ridiculous to say that releases are stuck in the '70s. (Not that there'd be anything wrong with that!) Just consider the last 10, Vols. 27-36: Counting 31 (12/3/79) as an '80s show, which I think is fair, you've got 4/10 from the '80s. This of course led to some criticism from the other end of the spectrum. In addition to those, there was the 2019 box set, including five shows from '87, '89, and '91.
Mr. Crabs knows what's up....
....regarding 80's / 90's Dead. There was that Giants box. And the RKF 7.12-13.89 appetizer offering.
A 90's release would be welcome. I agree.
Love me some SpongeBob. Watched it with my son when he didn't get the adult jokes. How he's 18 and its a whole new show.
PFox
I think he writes this crap just to get a rise from people. Invasive species, no diversity.. really? A great band with an impressive archival release history. No other band even comes close. Bored with the Dead, perhaps, accurate in his comments, hardly.
What 92 through 95 shows would it take to make you happy?? What shows.. name ten. Then let's see what ten shows others come up with here and lets take a cross section on how many coincide with the ten mentioned. If there is a huge overlap, I would call that a giant marketing failure. But I am a data guy and I think PFox is just stirring the pot to get a rise. 88 through 90 is already well represented and 91's time will come.
Call me crazy and I am not an era guy. Love good 80's and 90's shows. Loved RFK, spring 90 and most recently the Giant Box. Loved em.
5.31.92 would make me happy....
....twas a good offering. And the Silver Bowl was hopping.
Tortilla fights.
Steve. Miller. Tripping with my sister.
Vegas 92 was a great little run
So was Vegas '91. Santana then Sting. I think the good shows from 92 through 95 will come out. But then there's 12/18/73 and a host of others that compete against the few new releases we get each year. 6/9/73, 6/30/85, 12/5/71, most of the fall 72, 10/12/68? I don't think Lemieux will be looking for work at Amazon anytime soon. Keep in mind the economics of production. Restoration, remastering, printing, warehousing, distribution, artwork etc... wishing a show to be released and making it happen are two entirely different beasts.
I'm not against late era shows. Boxzilla did an excellent job of highlighting how good some of the late era shows were and how good the soundboards sound. Boston had some great later era shows too, among other venues. All good things in all good time.
Anyway, onward. every now and again a negative post conflicts with otherwise productive comments and I stop and say to myself wtf would it take to make some people happy, especially someone that appears tired of the GD to begin with and seemingly only contributes here to complain about release picks. We are in the middle of a decent run of released music with good depth and diversity. Enjoy it.
What. would make me happy
Jim, I agree with 10/12/68, I would love to see them clean that up and put it out, that show burns! What else, 10/31/69, 9/20/70, 6/17/75, 7/13/76, 2/17/79, 4/22/79 and on and on. The Complete October 1974 Winterland run, audio & video, I do believe that will happen one day. There are some great 1980s Frost Greek, and Ventura shows that would make for nice releases, there hasn't been one release from any of those venues. I sure had a blast at those early 80s shows. 8/16/91 from Shorline has Dark Star into Promised land in the 1st set, that burns, that would make a cool release. I think that covers all eras.
Later releases
Summer '88 single
Spring '89 Greensboro make a nice 4 cd pick.
'89 Summer and Fall, Winter boxes.
July '90 box or singles.
Fall 90 singles.
'91 singles. 3/17 June, Fall
12/92
Fall '93
10/94
One more '95 June Albany
I want a whole lotta 60s GD
I want a whole lotta 60s GD to be Boxes!
Plangent that schit!
Whole Lotta 60s
That would be a real ray of sunshine. Especially in a box. Maybe slip an extra one out as Dave's 39, or whatever, too
General
I was shocked, (again), by the asking price of stuff. I see the complete fillmore west set going for 900 bucks, what were they new?
Anyway, I think I know the answer, but did Rhino ever release the 3rd night of that fillmore run? (3/1/69) (vinyl)
Something brought it to mind, it's seems like it's been a while since 2/28 came out.
Any opinions or knowledge of possible release?
If they release it I might even get a turntable!
9-7-73 and 9-8-73
These are right in my wheelhouse.
Hopefully on the seaside chat, or backyard chat he discusses the thought process for partially releasing 9-7. As a huge fan of this era I would love all the full shows and i feel like releasing 80 minutes of 9-7 precludes a full release down the line. Was this choice made because a reel is missing from 9-7? Seems complete on the archive version i'm jamming right now. But i'll pop back in and comment if it goes to audience for a spell.
Alternatively, was it a performance reason? Was some portion not up to snuff?
Just throwing this out there for discussion. I always viewed the bonus disc as a way to get out some really hot stuff where they couldn't release the full show for whatever reason. If that's the case for 9-7, what's the thinking?
Dennis Fillmore West Box
Dennis, the Fillmore box originally sold for $79.99 in 2005. What a bargain.
Dennis-3/1/69
No, that one hasn't come out on vinyl...yet (he says, hopefully). I was expectingit to be released this year after 2/27 and 2/28 came out in the previous two years. I compensated by forking out for Dicks Picks 26 on vinyl-4/26 and 4/27/69. Mine is number 1184 of 1500. It cost a bomb-but its worth every penny.
Although I stand by Elvis Presley making some best records in recorded time...he also made some of the worst. "Blue Hawaii" playing at the moment. Sheesh.
Blue Hawaii
I have that in a original day 45, Blue Hawaii on one side, Wooden Heart on the other!
3/1/69 vinyl
If there's a queue for this release, you and I are at the front, Daverock. Just hoping it's not handled the way 2/28/69 and 5/9/77 have been. The 2/28 release was put out in some record stores in July/August 2019, others had them on order and were selling them online before they had them, then dead.net announced they would be selling the leftovers in September. The 5/9/77 release, which was pushed back due to COVID was still handled terribly because there is no actual list price available, and record stores have gotten dozens of copies to sell on ebay at an average of $165, but no record stores I called in the Boston area had it, but one shop on ebay had sold 40 copies when I bought mine from them, which with tax and shipping ended being just over $150. 5/8/77 was $99.98 here, so it sucks paying these prices, but I don't want to pay $200+ because dead.net never puts it on sale here and it ends up being gone.
I lucked out on getting that DiP 26 vinyl from Real Gone when they had it on their site. I haven't opened it yet, it's too pretty all sealed up.
Also, if anyone needs 2/28/69 on vinyl target.com has them for 80 bucks. They had very reasonable deals on recent Allman Brothers vinyl releases: Fillmore East Feb 1970 Owsley release, 1/31/71 Fillmore West.
90s
If I were to pick a first for this series from the last 5 years I would either hit Dec 90, Spring 91 or Fall 91. I could probably find 10 to 20 candidates from the 90s.
88 would love to see Laguna Seca released. 89 ton of great spring shows. 85 has many classic tape collector favorites.
How about a Frost box? Seems every show played at that venue had something special and unique in the setlists and performances. Hidden gems.
Laguna Seca '88
Playing In The Band - Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA, 7/29/88
This was released on disc 4 of So Many Roads box and it's sick check it out!
Blue Hawaii on vinyl
Dennis-that sounds quite nice. Might be worth a bob or two, too. I just have the album on a cd compilation. Not the most played album in my collection I have to say.
meanwhile in 1970...
9/17/70
a very pleasant surprise song in there
"Frost"ing on the psychedelic cake
yeah...Frost...
82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89. release 82 and 85 and 89, please.
Jerry has that story about eating some electric frosting off a cake....
"Frost" yes!
Frost Box! Frost Box! Frost Box! Yes!
There were some great shows there.