Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,084 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

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

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January 21, 2021 - 6:21pm

#4741

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

love your comment about liking licorice, Vguy

:)))
January 21, 2021 - 2:24pm

#4742

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

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.
January 21, 2021 - 9:57am

#4743

billy the kid

Joined:
December 3, 2019

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.
January 21, 2021 - 9:29am

#4744

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

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!
January 21, 2021 - 9:05am

#4745

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

4.22.79 New Kid on the block....

....sounds like he fit right in and liked licorice.
January 21, 2021 - 8:36am

#4746

billy the kid

Joined:
December 3, 2019

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.
January 21, 2021 - 8:23am

#4747

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

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.
January 21, 2021 - 7:46am

#4748

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

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.
January 21, 2021 - 7:35am

#4749

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

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.
January 21, 2021 - 7:02am

#4750

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

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.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

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

Show of the Day

This is definitely the best thread going on the site. Good music and good vibes. Thanks for all the great stuff here, especially from The Good Ole Grateful Dead.

@ Slow Dog

Couldn't agree more, brother!

Firing up Curtis Hall now! I think I'll cheat and just start with Set II :)

Peace

I Third That

..adding in all other contributors here as well.

Strider, deadvikes, otis, oroborous, Cone Kid and I'm sure I forgot acouple......

"This is the quiet part folks"

Well it's the last stop on my December 73 virtual tour!! Hanging out at the Curtis Hixon with Good Ole and That's Otis!!! The tour was great only hiccup was Cincinnati!!! The shows in North Carolina and Atlanta were awesome. I always wonder what the 6 day break was for. Have a good weekend everyone.. Bob t

Shit

...and BobT for sure.. I'm losing my mind.

Simple, effective, real, and a good deal.

“This is the best that can be done as far as getting them willing to release this stuff. Listen, if this doesn’t work, I seriously wonder if anything will ever come out of their vaults.” - Dick Latvala 1993/4

December 19th -
Today is an historic date in the annals of GD history.
47 years ago the GD played their final show of the year and it smokes.
But possibly bigger than that, 27 years ago that same show was picked to be the first GD live recording released as part of the now legendary Dick's Picks series.

If you're a collector (which includes all of us here) then it's important to realize what a game changer this release was for all of us. Literally, it is the moment when all of our collections would level up. Over the next 27 years all GD collections would grow exponentially with live two-track releases from the band. Official Bootlegs! The legendary Vault, the untouchable Vault, would open up for us commoners. Back then it was a moment that most of us dreamed about, but few were sure it would ever really happen. It definitely wasn't guaranteed. And Dick's Picks Volume 1 started it all. Finally a fan was releasing Grateful Dead music with the band's blessing.
(Yes there was the From The Vault Series, but that's a different story all together for another time).

And Dick, well he was probably the only person who could've gotten this all started. Honestly I feel certain that without Dick's persistence, passion and enthusiasm, we wouldn't have what we have today. That's just how this world works. Sometimes it takes the only person who could possibly get something done, and puts them in exactly the right place to do just that. I like it when that happens.

I remember when this release came out. We were stoked. Of course eventually there was the complaining about it not being the complete show, but what none of us realized at the time (and some still don't realize) was how big of a coup this was. And that this was the jumping off point. We could not imagine in 1993 the plethora of Grateful Dead official releases we would eventually get. And for that, we have Dick to thank.

So, pick a release out of your collection today, and put it on. And raise a toast..
LATVALA!!

With that all being said, I know which show I'm gonna pick :)
Final night on tour, and it feels like it's gonna be a smoker! Last night's show was phenomenal!!
The WRS > Dark Star > Drums > Eyes > Wharf Rat > Sug is a thing of beauty. Listen to the jam in WRS it's an air guitar frenzy, especially where it's patched during the tape flip. During Dark Star it sounds like the band gets into an I Want To Tell You style jam that Bob, Phil, Keith & Jerry are all playing off of (I wonder if they listened to that earlier in the day) they run that theme for awhile in the jam. And Uncle John's Band encores, why did that stop?!?! What a show. Man you should've seen Bob T he was bug-eyed!! We all were, it was soooo amazing. Get that show and put it on right now and listen to what I'm talking about. It could easily have been the first release.

But as Dick would go on to say: "The only reason 12/19/73 was the choice, was because of the Here Comes Sunshine. Jesus, what a monster!”

Alright, it's time to "Remember Your Hippie Training folks, Be Cool!" - Jerry 12/19/73
I want to thank all of you that participate on this forum and contribute your opinions and thoughts and ears to this wonderful music. It's been a real joy to pick shows with friends and give them a spin and talk about them. In this time when we can't be together, this is the next best thing. And it wouldn't happen without you.

High fives all around, thanks for touring through the vault, buying the ticket and taking the ride!

Good Stuff.
LATVALA!

EDIT - I second Bob T, this has been a great tour. In regard to the 6 day lay off, supposedly the Band went back home to SF and chilled, then headed to Florida to play two shows and finish the year. Only the GOGD '73 would do that!

EDIT2 - Dick Latvala quotes from Amazing interview from Dupree's Diamond News Volume 27. Get it, read it, love it. Wonderful stuff! Also big props to John Dwork & crew for all they've done for Heads everywhere. Love you all.

LATVALA!!!!

Thanks Dick for kicking open the Vault doors.

That HCSS is a monster. Good call Dick.

I’m not calling for a reissue of the DP series, but I am calling for a Box containing 12-18,19,-73 in all their Plangentized/Normanized glory.

12/73

here here..

Dicks Volume One....

....I remember when it came out. I prayed that it would be a sign of things to come. Now, I'm running out of shelf space. Prayers do work!
Best Here Comes Sunshine? Hard to argue.
Good test for disc rot. I haven't spun this in quite some time. Let's do this!
My step-daughter, her daughter and her daughter are visiting for the weekend. My step-daughter loves the Dead with zero influence from me. She agrees on this HCS.

@VGUY72

Beware the insect fear jam.
It might freak the uninitiated out ;)

The HCS def rules it.

6-30-74

Playing now, my first listen ever, as far are I know.
Pretty cool Playing>UJB>Playing to close set 1.
I even listened to all of Phil and Ned.
Now sliding into Eyes.

Listening to Miller.96275.

I’ll get to the DP1 anniversary tonight once the beer starts pouring.

Advent of CDs, One From the Vault, DiP1

After CDs appeared, there was a lot of talk of releasing shows from the vault due to the longer time format (72+ minutes). It took a few years but they finally pulled it off. Too bad the first CD medium wasn't BluRay like.. they hold 50 gigs = 70 CDs = 32 shows, I think the length of CDs was originally formulated to fit Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Can you imagine a world where they formulated CDs to hold the Bickershaw Festival 5/7/72?

Dicks Picks Volume One. Disc Two....

He's Gone->
Truckin'->
Nobody's Fault But Mine->
Jamming->
The Other One->
More Jamming->
Stella Blue->
Around Squared.
.
I know you all know the set list. I just like to -> songs.

Dick's Picks 1

Thank you GOGD for calling attention to this pivotal moment in Dead recorded-and-released history for us obsessives. Disc 1 spinning right now. Ordered from the original Almanac announcement.

i want to give a shout out to a key player in those early days in getting that ball rolling. Peter McQuaid was the head of Grateful Dead Merchandising at the time and he was instrumental in getting Dick Latvala's dream made reality. Read this Cloudsurfing "outake" for that history: http://cloudsurfing.gdhour.com/archives/9064. Deepest thanks, Peter.

TIAADWD “outtake”

That's rich! I enjoyed that, thanks BlueCrow.

I wonder how many more outtakes are out there... hmmm.

It just so happens I'm reading TIAADWD currently.
Amazing book! Highly recommended.
Super well done, and love this format. Great work Gans & Blair!
Add Gans, Blair & Kidd to the Peter McQuaid props list for being extra instrumental in getting these releases going.
And extra to Kidd for recording this puppy.

Great Stuff. Thanks for sharing BC, and check out that DDN article with Dick if you haven't already.

Still got that Almanac notification?

still have that Almanac?

given that i don't throw much of anything like that away, answer is probably yes, somewhere in the "vault"

Almanac 1993-94

There's probably some good reading in them there old almanacs.

I'd like to see the Dick's Picks Volume 1 ad.

Nothing turning up on the quick interweb search.

Next time you're dusting in there, look around for it ;)

oh, its a true vault, and its a mess

on my long list GOGD

btw - 6/6/92 Set II, is on youtube in proshot on voodoonola channel. somewhere in my "vault" is a VHS i have of this show. received ca. 1997 in this tiny back water desert town, told at the time not to copy for anybody!! because it wasn't supposed to circulate. Friend of a friend had gotten it from DL after a tour of the vault. I held my part of the bargain - never did copy it.

Thanks for Sharing Bluecrow

Thanks for sharing that link Bluecrow, that is great stuff.

None of the stuff past OFTV and TFTV was release quality. Look at where we are now? Unreal and all gravy in my opinion.

Keep it rolling!

that first Dick's Picks

back in those days my primary connection to the larger GD world, outside of actually seeing a show or drinking a few beers on a Sunday night (GD night) at the Blue Moon Tavern, was the Grateful Dead Hour. looking through the GDHour logs, Show 267 (11/1/93 - https://www.gdhour.com/logs.php?year=1993) is centered on DiP 1 and includes a Gans interview with Mr. Latvala about the selection process. I can't find a working link to the actual show audio but here is a link to a transcript of that interview: https://www.gdhour.com/transcripts/latvala.931005.html. a good read. I was a regular listener but can't be sure i heard this episode when it originally broadcast.

The late '73 period for me,

I'm discovering more and more, had some just magnificent shows.
- Dick Latvala 10/5/93

Well, I couldn't agree more Dick.

What a great tour the Dead played 11/30 - 12/19/73. It's worth hearing all of it!
I sure had a good trip on the virtual road with Bob T, that was some good times.

Thanks BlueCrow for the DL GDHour Transcript. It's more complete than what was aired originally. (I believe the complete interview as well as others were aired as 3 part tribute to Dick shortly after he passed on GD Hour No. 571-573) You can Listen here:
https://www.dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-571
https://www.dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-572
https://www.dead.net/features/gd-radio-hour/grateful-dead-hour-no-573
Thanks Gans & Dead.net!

Like you, at the time of the first Dick's Picks release my main source of quality tapes was the GDHour.
I'd actually gotten out of collecting at the time of this release but this brought me back in for awhile.

Dick, was a hardcore tape collector.
Here's some excerpts from the transcript that I really think tell the story:
By late '67, I was a Grateful Dead fan, or freak. There was no question.

I didn't realize that live tapes existed until around 1974.
So late '74 I discovered that actual tapes existed, I wanted tapes of every show, so that's what I pursued.

That's all I did from '74 through the present time, really, is collect and listen to Grateful Dead tapes.
- Dick Latvala 10/5/93

I love that.

Also Dick says the following about the Series -
This is really an experiment, this first one, to see how it does, because no one has a clue as to how much interest there is out there to get at this material. This is only mail order, you see. It's not going to be in record stores. So this will be like a little private club, so to speak, you know, that is willing to go that extra mile for the really good stuff.
- Dick Latvala 10/5/93

I guess we're in the club?!?!

Alright, 12/19/73 was a great pick Dick and it worked. Thanks man for all you did for us.
LATVALA!!!!

Well, I guess I'll try and not pick any 1972 & 1973 for awhile ;)
Thanks to all that journeyed through so many shows from those eras.

Now, I kinda want to spin the old 10/12/68 and figure out why that hasn't been released yet.

Or if there's a show you all are itching to hear let's hear about it.

BlueCrow - Blue Moon Tavern, have we talked about this? I used to go to the Portland Blue Moon all the time in the late '90s.

Latvala

Thanks GOGD for the links to the Latvala interviews!

Blue Moon was the one in Seattle.

Going the extra mile for the really good stuff

What a grate club to be a part of!

Playing 12-19-73 right now.
Sound quality was amazing compared to the tapes I had in the early 90’s.
But now as I listen to this show the sound quality is nothing like the PNW Box.
So, I reiterate my desire to have 12-18,19-73, along with other shows from the tour, Plangentized and Normanized and included in a Nov/Dec 73 Box.

1993 Interview Dick L.

Cool stuff guys, thanks for posting DL.

I wonder what Dick would have thought of the E72 Box Set??

This has all come a long way.

Jumping shows

I’ve heard 12-19 so many times that I’m moving to something I’ve never heard before.
11-1-73 set2.sbd.goodbear.80714

Yesterday I processed a bunch more torrent files and got 29 GB of ALAC playlists loaded on my music player.
Included in the batch was

11-1-73 .80714
11-20-73 .76616
11-23-73 .112801
11-25-73 .113007

So I’ll get a mini tour of late 73.
Also processed shows from 67,68,70,71,88,89,90,95.
Some good variety.
I’ve got 2 weeks off work and am going to do a lot of jobs around the house. The music player is loaded with tunes and ready to go.

@ICECRMCNKD

Dude 12/19/73 was so Yesterday!

That PITB from Feyline Field is mighty fine.

Sounds like a nice plan my man.

BTW 10/12/68 is still super sick, in case anyone was worried it'd changed!

I’m a little slow GOGD

But now I have a lot of unheard shows on my music player.
It’s going to be a good 2 weeks.
I use winter as a time to work on my music collection since I’m stuck inside and it gets dark by 5 pm.

No work tomorrow, think I’ll start off with something barrel aged.
I’ve got ribs slow cooking in the oven.

Crap

Can't believe I snoozed on 12/18.

@JIMINMD

Do it today man. It's worthy.

Ha..

Not gonna happen today, I can barely move and it's late.

I am digging the hell out of select cuts from the PNW box. I did the unthinkable.. and cut up full shows to the best parts. So much fun.. It seems likely to go down as my snow set. We haven't seen winters here since.. well a decade, and we finally have some decent snow. Love Winter fun.

By Wednesday I will be partially human again. I will shoot for that.

Rainbow Theatre '81

Anybody wanna check out 10/2/81 today?
New miller S2 SBD showed up and SIRMick remaster of S1 as well.

Killer '81 show.

Ultimately this is a rhetorical question, I should say.. I'm listening to 10/2/81 upgrade and it sounds awesome and you all should too, cuz it's killer and has a smoking Set List and a Playin' > Shakedown > Bertha > Playin'
But you know... it goes both ways.

And it sounds like you made the right choice Jim, enjoy the snow!
12/18 will be there for you when you're ready.

10/2/81

Looks interesting GOGD. I will check it out. Thanks for the pick.

10-2-81

excellent, that entire 81 European run is fantastic, there are some great shows in this October run and if you haven't heard them, check them out, those London shows are just so groovy. Daverock, didn't you make a couple of these shows? Got any memories to share?
Peace all you groovy cats and chicks on this thread, a tip O the hat and a toast to each and every one of you, tis the season for Peace, Love, Dead. Stay home and check out this 81 overseas tour, you will have a great time.

10.2.81....

....had me at Cumberland.

'81 Europe Stories

I second Unkle Sam's request for Europe '81 stories.

Bob Minkin has some good ones in his book, especially about the Oops shows in Amsterdam.

But would love to hear more from anybody here that attended.

Yeah UNK, I dig this tour and this upgrade is sounding good. I believe the last "tape" I had of this show had intentional cuts for personalization and that was the only thing in circulation, so def stoked to move away from those.

The return to Playing In The Band is worth admission alone.

Blair writes up some good reviews on this tour and the tapes, which are notoriously not perfect here -
https://www.dead.net/features/blair-jackson/blair-s-golden-road-blog-fo…

I still remember having a audio VHS of 10/3/81 and spending hours trying to transfer it to tape, but was having all kinds of tracking issues with my VHS player and getting pissed, shortly after that the guys I was trading with switched to Dat and CD and that was a whole 'nother ball game, I think I quit collecting for awhile after that. It was so much work back then and honestly shit just wasn't ready.

Glad to be back in the game in the digital age!

Good Stuff.

PS - VGUY I was gonna say there's a Cumberland!
BTW listen to that GSET on 12/18/73 bro, thought of you. Phil is dropping some huge bombs at the end it's sick!!

Rainbow Theatre '81

I guess I was due for the full meal deal, gonna have to listen to the whole run from London.

Great shows here and Jerry's voice and playing are sounding sweet in 1981.

If you dug 10/2 than 10/3/81 is well worth a listen!

Set 1 is pretty typical with an upbeat Jed and nice Bird Song plus a China > Rider to close the set.

But... You GOTTA hear this Stranger! It's pretty special. The other thing I really love about this show is the intro into NFA from Space. Listen to Brent at about 0:54 seconds into NFA, It sounds like a John Carpenter movie soundtrack. Made me sit up and listen for real. I wish it would've gone on longer but those 10 seconds alone are Definitely worth the trip.

So having enjoyed both of those shows, I know what I need to do.
I have to hear the next two.
I can't remember much about 10/4 and the 10/6 High Time slays me, and so it's time folks.
I mean how many Blues For Allah Jams can you put into your near future?

Again it's a rhetorical question. The answer not many at all.

PS - I can't really hear a Blues For Allah Jam in 3/31/84?

Fall '81, The Forgotten Tour

I really missed Blair's Golden Road blog when they first pulled the plug.

Seeing this show pop up reminded me of the Forgotten Tour recap. For those that might not have read this all those years ago.. it's worth a read. Blair can write and he knows the music.

https://www.dead.net/features/blair-jackson/blair-s-golden-road-blog-fo…

1981 Europe

Thanks for posting the link Jim. And I have to agree, the sound quality is not that great, but the music is good. Looks like I will have to check out the October 15 and 16 shows at some point.

The only thing I like as much as listening to the Dead is reading about the Dead and Blair is one of the best.

Peace out.

Dick’s Picks 1 /Dave’s Picks 1

I listened to the first Dave’s Picks the other day and then read y’all’s recommendation for Dicks Picks 1 . I checked both of them out. First time in years.
Last night listened to 12/21/69 Fillmore Auditorium. Great Christmas vibe.
Dicks picks 1 from Dec. 73 is super interesting. Here Comes Sunshine opener is tight. I saw the Dead a few times when Jerry played the Wolf. Also the Nash Strat in 73, at least once my first time seeing Merl Saunders and Jerry.
I’m gonna check 12/23/70 Winterland tomorrow on relisten.
Jupiter/ Saturn conjunction was spectacular last night! Happy Winter Solstice .

Happy Winter Solstice!

I'm hip for 12/23/70 tomorrow.

Sounds like 12/21/69 might have to get dusted off too.

Not that kind of dusted!!!
But some extra curriculars might be in order for both.
Maybe I'll see Saturn & Jupiter line up again.
Not that kind of line up!!!

If you liked 10/2 & 10/3/81 than 10/4/81 is well worth a listen too!
Jerry shreds at the end of Jack Straw. Fun Set 1, Dig the Set 2 CR&S opener, and Fire is on Fire. Along with Lost > Saint, another sweet Spanish Jam. And dug the Don't Ease.
The Dead does London.
They're on all 4 nights for sure.
If there were multi-tracks we'd probably have a box set already and all this would be old news, which it is! ;)
Ah, it's a High Time.

Jorma Kaukonen

80th birthday December 23, 2020 , tomorrow. What great guitar player.

Cone Kid threw this gem out on the Hartford board....

....a surprisingly strong '95 show. I was totally caught off guard.
https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1995/03/23
The return of Bruuuuuuuce.
-
Half Step
Wang Dang Doodle
Cold Rain & Snow
El Paso
Loser
Easy Answers
So Many Roads
Unbroken Chain
-
Scarlet Begonias ->
Fire On The Mountain
Corrina ->
Maltida ->
Drumz ->
Space ->
Days Between ->
Good Lovin'
-
The Weight
-> -> -> ->

Jorma, Jerry & the return of Bruce

Hellzapoppin'!

Now we're talking.

In honor of Jorma, I'll have to give this 5/21/68 a full listen (BTK posted this earlier and I was unawares) -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYI9D8PC5jQa

And I like Bruce and a good reason to dig into '95.

Now that's a big fat list of stuff to listen to tomorrow!

5.21.68....

....was the day I was born. Twas a wonderful day. That is AMAZING! All these years, I thought Jerry didn't play a show on the day of my birth. It's not listed in DeadBase. Nice to be wrong.

@VGUY72

Happy Birthday Show!

Check your Messages.

Just a thought to end the year

Any interest in ending the year with like 5 or so favorite New Years Eve shows? We can vote the next few days or throw out shows, and start on the 27th??? I heard Boston Tea Party show on today in GD history today and it started me thinking. Let me know of thoughts, Bob t