Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! Gentle mistresses and most distinguished gentlemen, we have come upon the release of the DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 37, from the Fifteenth of April in the year Nineteen Seventy-Eight, at ye olde College Of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Cast your waistcoats and your bonnets aside, the Grateful Dead are on steady gallop from the opening high-kick of "Mississippi Half-Step" into a where are we going? where have we been? "Passenger," followed by full-on versions of "Friend Of The Devil," "El Paso," "Brown-Eyed Women," and a double-barreled "Let It Grow>Deal." Catch your breath and straighten out your tricorne because the 2nd set shows no bounds with delightful takes ("Bertha>Good Lovin'," "One More Saturday Night") and introspection ("Candyman," "Playing In The Band"). Then - great fifes and drums - it's 15 minutes of "Rhythm Devils," with band and crew gathered round to amplify the merriment before delivering a rare incantation of "Not Fade Away>Morning Dew" that sets the soul alight. Pure jollification!
The town crier's addendum:
Three bags full! Lest you feel 4/15/78 beginneth and endeth too quickly, we've selected highlights from Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, 4/18/78 to satisfy your fancy.
Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 37: WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA 4/15/78 was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman. It is guaranteed to sell out - often within hours.
*2 per order. Very limited quantity available.
re: '71 Dark Stars
KF, that is a worthy list. Immediately reminded me of the one I did a few years back for the DS's across the E'72 shows. Now I need to go bust out 10/24 and take it for a morning jaunt, following on your inspiration.
Happy Friday DeadFreaks
Sixtus
Fleetwood Mac middle period
You need the 8 Disc box that came out last year, "1969-1974; starts at Then Play On, up to the Heroes LP.
Each disc also includes singles that were not originally on the albums, including Danny Kirwan's Dragonfly, one of his best; remastering sounds great too.
Any ABB freaks in the house?
So I'm scrolling through a list of Duane-era tapes in circulation at this address:
https://allmanbrothersband.com/community/duane-allman/duane-era-abb-rec…
and there seem to be a few highly rated (performance & audio) tapes actually in circulation. I know from experience that there are a lot of sub-standard tapes in circulation; I have many of those.
My question is: are there any "serious," knowledgeable Duane heads on this forum? I.e., if you know you have certain sought-after Duane shows AND you know that your copies are in fact the best available.
If so, please PM me. If not, as you were!
Help, no sign of my order!
Since customer service is non-existent nowadays I have nowhere else to turn.
I have the yearly subscription, as I've done since day one and here we are, no shipping notice. I check my order status and it says shipped. Doesn't take 2+ weeks for a CD to get to Los Angeles.
The tracking number doesn't work.
Multiple emails to customer service go unanswered. Somebody, anybody, please help!
Calling customer service only brings up a message saying to email for help which is ignored. Total disaster.
Used to be you could call, get a human and have your issue taken care of quickly. Those days seem to be long gone.
Customer Service
I filed a claim with paypal. I’m done trying to deal with customer service that is completely nonexistent. This has to end
ABB
used to be a big fan back in the 70s (ABB focus, then the Clash in the early 80s, then the GD starting in 82)
lost interest when the Clash became my primary interest (except for an ABB show at the Gorge in 91)
especially when I read about dissing from various ABB members toward the GD...that made me lose interest even more
reGARDless...
I started re-listening to 2/11/70 yesterday in the car (on cassette, mind you). I haven't gotten to the part with the ABB members, but I know it's hot. Long ago...in an apartment not so far, far away...I was lysergic, and listened to that. Lotsa fun.
Oh, and don't forget 6/10/73, 7/28/73, and 7/16/72. ABB seasoning in parts of those shows which I love.
Doc and Mac and Chick and Rob
Happy belated Birthday, Doc, and my condolences to you and your wife.
Love to hear about Fleetwood Mac; as I mentioned about ten pages back, now that I subscribe to two streaming services, I've been going through every FM album from the beginning. Just finished Bare Trees as I caught up on this chat; if I ever knew that they did "Sentimental Lady," well . . . I forgot, so that was a fun re-surprise! I've had the Boston Box and Rumours forever, but know nothing of the 1970-1975 era.
Now We Sob, indeed. R.I.P. Chick. You are one cool cat.
Donation to Rob Eaton's Go Fund Me made. He's certainly given us a hand in many ways over the years; now it's our turn.
Love the literature conversation and jokes! I'm writing down many of each. The best book I've read lately is The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy.
I think the drummers got off the beat on BEW on this release, and were unable to find their way back; I thought my CD player was skipping! A number of the songs from 4/15 get a little bit off-kilter to my ears.
Be Kind. Rewind.
Customer Service
I hear ya, I've still not received my tracking number, emailed customer service 2/4 got a lame reply once its shipped you will get a tracking number, replied back on 2/6 asking why delay, and shipping date, got nothing back. called 800-546-3670 left v/m and now emailing the address on the recording deadpriorityservice@wmgcustomerservice.com (odd address, what ever) if someone don't reply or call me by EOB today, i'll contest the 100.00 yearly subscription cost and be done with dead.net. i've ordered many items from different site in last year nothing compares to this piss poor service ! When you can go on EBAY and see over 20 copies of DP37 listed for sale, something is wrong somewhere ! PISSED OFF CUSTOMER !
Dicks Picks #8 and #23
Hey, for those of you that have missed these in the past, Dick's #8 and #23 are now being offered again by real gone music. These are both top tier shows.
And ADEDHED68, check your PM.
Cassettes in the car??
Wow, Proudfoot, you are driving a museum piece. When I began the cassette era, I was SO careful with every tape, but that was way before I had a vehicle. Didn't have wheels until I was 29. By the end of the cassette era, they were getting tossed around like potato chips.
I don't go in for the "camps" of the band followers, though Butch Trucks had made some stupid remarks about the GD's drummers -- that's easy to do in interviews, but the two bands themselves were pretty amiable amongst themselves (til Jer's remark that Gregg was a "narc") so it goes both ways.
Back to the music... My three favorite rock bands of all time are The Band, The ABB and The GD, not in any order. And, unlike so many other great bands that I revere, I got to see/hear a shit ton of these three bands at their peak, though not, sadly, Duane-era ABB.
Rock on!
cassettes
my main ride is a 2005 prius...still going strong. has a functioning CD player and cassette player. Jealous? :)))
Also, we have a something-something Toyota Tacoma (wife bought it in auction...why? dunno. but I drive it occasionally). it has a CD player and cassette player, too, but apparently the CD player doesn't work. Never bothered to find out. but the cassette player works fine.
if anyone has an extra million $$$ to donate to my GoFundMe account for a new car, please let me know.
Not Chick too?
Remembering him at his best. RTF at Ebbett's Field (small bar venue) in downtown Denver early 1976 I think. Fusion was the new thing. Four of the hottest musicians of their day. Talk about speed; Lenny White, Al Di Meola, Stanley Clark all daring to keep up with Chick's amazing improvisation. I went out after that and bought everything I could find from all of them at The Finest Records store in Ft. Collins. Cheap cutouts direct from L.A. and new inventory every week. Got my collection up to 400 LPs at one point. The roommate had 700+ as he had a better paying job! Two turntables always spinning at our house parties. Still have about 15 LPs with RTF or solo projects. R.I.P. Chick.
Nitecat and other F/Mac posters: Danny nails that ethereal sound on Woman of 1000 Years, Dust, and many others. His writing is multi- faceted and really what holds together all those early albums. I feel smarter after listening to his poetic lyrics. Just got an LP copy of Future Games broken out of the multi-LP release from a few years ago, as mine was getting worn out, which started the retro review recently. Great 140g vinyl with flawless sound. Cheers!
Brown Eyed Rhythm
Thin, thanks for confirming the strange beat on BEW. It is jarring and not exactly pleasant to listen to. Thought it was just me. A small complaint in an otherwise great first set. Haven't got to the 2nd and 3rd discs yet, but so far so good.
I had no idea...
That cassette decks were installed in 2005..... shows ya what I know. And after three Subaru Outbacks, which I abused the hell out of, both on-road and in the slickrock jungles of Utah -- the "best" one (i.e., longest lived) had over 300,000 miles on it -- I finally got a real vehicle: a Toyota Tacoma. Two-seater cab with suicide doors to trundle seats, 6-foot bed, with camper shell. High clearance, low 4. So I can go virtually anywhere there's a two-track. I spend a couple months each year (8-9 days at a time) in the backcountry of NE Utah, NW Colorado and if I sleep diagonally, I can get my 6' 1" frame comfortable when the weather hits the fan. It's got a CD deck and I make copies of my collection of the rocking-est music for the long highway hauls. Toss in a relatively inexpensive Martin guitar and a few stashes and I'm good to go.
Though I shed most of my cassettes, I still have a handful of GD tapes and there's a dual cassette deck in my living room stereo setup.
Last time I had a cassette deck in one of the Subarus, it was parked in my driveway one winter night and some thieves actually crowbarred the deck out of the dashboard -- for what? A $5 rock or something? Problem was, I took the insurance check and spent it on my mortgage. Then got an el-cheapo repair job that left a conspicuous crater in the center of the dash. You shoulda heard me doing the two-step as I attempted to explain away this anomaly to women I was pursuing. "Oh it's nothing darling, just a gaping hole in the dashboard -- doesn't your vehicle have one? Hey, look at the squirrel....." Today (or, er, pre-covid) it's a different story. I show up to pick up my date in a pickup truck with a camper shell with tinted windows.... but at least I get the old beer cans out and vaccuum it before playing my version of a poor man's Casanova.
(Apropos of nothing) Isn't rock 'n roll effin' great??
Europe '72
My sisters and brothers:
Today I depart for Europe '72. My plan is to listen to each show in succession. I look forward to lot of cool jamming, a well played (if somewhat repetitive at times) first set, and the last of Pig Pen. I'll see you all once again when I back to
The Promised Land
PS. Any particular show or songs/jams I should watch for?
Young Shakespeare
Neil Young is releasing a 1971 concert recorded in the UK. Interestingly, I’ve just ordered the CD and DVD versions from the Neil Young Archives and they (Warner Brothers) have set up a delivery system in the UK which means I won’t see any extra charges and delivery should be fast ( You can live in hope!). Would that dead.net could do something so sensible.
EDIT I didn’t read the email properly (shame on me). The show was from the Stratford Theater CT! I should have noticed the unusual (to me) spelling of theatre. Apologies.
A Deadhead Leaves A Bar
DaP 37 has landed here, so I’m anxious to check out the Dew which everyone has spoken of, and the drummer miscues, which with these two pros, was very rare. One of the best rhythm sections ever next to the Stones.
Colin Gould - I received the notice from the Neil Young Archives, have ordered the newest new album & DVD. I’m saving my pennies, because Young is releasing a lot this year, and I’m all in.
Next on deck here is #38. I hope everyone waiting on this release, DaP 36 (Thin, and others), the merchandise, I hope whoever runs this gets their ship in order, and gets it done.
Two quick ones, and I wish all a great day:
Two conspiracy theorists walk into a bar.
You can’t tell me that was just a coincidence, man.
An Irishman walked out of a bar.
I sound like a know it all...
but
the thing about drummers on Brown Eyed Women
they did the same thing on 4/11/78
trying some new kind of arrangement
obviously it didn't take
but the BEW on Davz37 is not drummer derpings
it is intentional
re: BEWomen
That is an interesting piece of the puzzle, about them doing the off-sync drumming on Brown Eyed Women on 4/11. When I listen to it I get tossed off the beat myself and musically confused as my brain isn't sure how to process the off-beat. It is noticeable and disorienting! I'm glad it was only temporary, cause that is one tasty and bouncy little jam when its 'on', yet it's certainly an interesting nugget of a try that I suppose goes further to add to the historical lore of the song.
Rock on,
Sixtus
DaP 40!
It sounds like it could be a special gem ahead for us this October 2021 - when DaP40 is announced. I can "almost predict" a 4 disc single show ahead and I would like to think so. It also could be 2 shows on 2 discs each similar to DaP36. Or it could be 4 short shows from the early era. Or another diamond show on 3 discs.
Any ideas or suggestions?
Stillwaters in Europe
Here's a thought. Back in 2011, two friends and I began listening to the 22 shows, about one per month. It took us two and a half years to get through it. I liked that approach, as each show really stood out on its own merits.
That said, Pigpen does some great Mr. Charlies, Two Souls In Communion and Good Love. I think his last Lovelight as well.
As all the hipsters on this forum said, seek your own path, there's just so much there. Dark Stars. Ramblin' Roses. Where to begin?
Give each show a little space, like letting a fine bottle of wine breathe a bit before you hit the next one.
Might have to pull a show down from my shelf -- that tour is possibly, probably, my favorite GD tour and period of all of them. Except the next DP from '73, which I attended. You KNOW I'm stoked for that release.
Always... the next release.
Cousins re:Fleetwood Mac Middle Period
You are correct about the FM 69-74 box. The studio stuff is very good but the best disc in the box is Live from the Record Plant Dec 15 1974. A live radio broadcast from the "real" Fleetwood Mac, as apparently there was another group touring as Fleetwood Mac due to some record company issues. The show rocks.
Bigfoot is often confused with Sasquatch....
....Yeti doesn't complain.
Hold your horses
Stillwaters - I like to listen to the New York shows from March 1972 before embarking on Europe 72. To be found dotted about on Dick's, Dave's and a bonus disc.
Dap 40
Hey Tony Balonavich here!
I think another 4 disc this soon is unlikely .
It's way past time for another '69 Dap. The last one was 10 from December '69. I think Dave will go spring '69 for a 3 disc of Avalon Ballroom from 4.5 and 4.6 both first sets on disc 1 and each second set on disc 2 and 3.
Check this out
And now for something partly (not completely) different:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAY_hpVvjQqAEY3FT0TwhcjKEpX3u1Atu
I came across this guy - Jamel who does song reactions. Of course he does The Grateful Dead which this video is a reaction to Althea from 3/15/90. He reviews songs from many other bands too.
I love his take on things especially the Dead songs. Jamel is very positive and very funny too. He is just an all around good guy sending out good vibes. I recommend that if any of you haven't seen him go check him out. If you like him, subscribe to his channel.
PS If you take a dive and explore his stuff, try to find his review of Tom Jones. I can't recall the song but between Tom Jones dancing and Jamel's reaction I was on the ground laughing hysterically when I first saw it.
Finally got a chance to…
Finally got a chance to listen to 37 all the way through! Some great material there but overall it’s not my favorite show. Highlights for me were definitely the Mississippi Half Step opener, Deal, and of course Morning Dew. I admit I wasn’t a fan of this version of Friend of the Devil and overall I’m not the biggest fan of the Donna era, so that accounts for a lot of my reactions (what was that random blood curdling scream on Around and Around?!). A fun show but probably won’t get a lot of replays for me.
* RE/ 2021 Boxset(s)
I’ve heard some talk about the Grateful Dead’s next Boxset & It’s that been in the works for quit sometime now, it was delayed twice already in the past, a put on hold status, shelved for particular “reasons & “rhymes”...
It’s going be an exciting year my friend, and I mean X citing full force aHead!
Hope all is well with everyone! Peace be with you all my brother and sisters! 🙏❤️💀🌹
Rock on with the good Ol Grateful Dead!
re;Gratefulhan....
....Jamel not Jamal has been posted here before.
And yes, I'm a subscriber. Watching his '89 Foxboro He's Gone reaction now.
This world needs more Jamel's.
Hes a huge Rush fan too. Nothing wrong with that.
Last years RSD
5/9/77 sounds beautiful on vinyl. Great essay by Mick Meriwether in the booklet, too. He references everything from Native American culture to the problems of dealing with modern technology - in "Bertha." I've had the show in one format or another for over twenty years, but this essay shines a new light on it. Great song selection and inter weaving.
DP 37
Dave’s Picks 37 finally made it to Scotland and managed to avoid customs charges - two in a row with no charges after first three last year got charged. Didn’t have high expectations for the show but I have really enjoyed playing it. Great opener and fantastic Morning Dew while Donna is not too shrill most of the time. Enjoyed the bonus tracks also. Roll on May for the next adventure and I’m hoping for a 68 boxset.
@Vguy72 'Jamel'
Hey there what's up vguy72.
Can you see if Jamel would do a video on the US Blues from Duke '78?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eViobWoVLJo
Thanks! fwb
ps. He needs a bobble-head of himself with the headphones. haha
pss. Dave I think the '69 Dark Star was a bit too much for him.
Future Dave’s?
Usually I wait to post this updated list of Dave’s, but since y’all guessing already, how bout some gas for the fire?
And yassss, fourwindsblow, it has been a looonngg time for 69!
BOXES: ya gotta think that chances are higher than not that they’ll go with more ABCD returns cause, ya know...
So that being said, and since Dave’s been rooting around where he’s has, I’d think there could be be a spring 78, or “spring” 71, perhaps more summer 76, though probably too soon?,
And as HF will tell ya “what about fall 72?,” and it is puzzling that he’s not gone anywhere near primal stuff since Fillmore (except the few 50th bonus tidbits)?
I would hope that he stays away from 77 for a bit cause I know I’m not the only one feels that’s a tad over saturated comparatively. Think he’ll take a step back from 73/74, but ya never know, there is still a bunch of killer 73 not out. But since PNW is still not sold out?....
Doubt we’ll see another 80s box for a while since he’s gone there a few times semi-recently, which bums me out since it’s no secret I’m jonesing for a fall 89, and “the complete Alpine 89 with video”. Although there is that tweet relating to fall 80 type box...
I guess some kind of 90s is possible, but think it’s too soon after Giants, though it did sell well.
In other words, who the fug knows LOL, but hey, it’s fun to try and guess eh?
Here’s a Breakdown of Dave’s Picks
(First Column) = Year:
(2nd =)Total Releases from this year/
(3rd = )How Many Releases since last pick from this year../
(4th =)Release # of last pick from this year
80: 1 / 30 / #8
69: 2 / 28 / #10
81: 1 / 18 / #20
72: 3 / 14 / #24
71: 3 / 12 / #26
83: 1 / 11 / #27
76: 3 / 10 / #28
70: 2 / 8 / #30
79: 1 / 7 / #31
77: 5 / 5/ #33
74: 5 / 4 / #34
84: 1 / 3 / #35
87: 1/ 2 / #36
78: 4/ 1/ #37
73: 5/ - / #38
No Picks from:
66-68, 75
82, 85, 86,
88-95
America let me down today....
....sensing a theme.
Playing The Doors currently. Peace. Frog. Wishful. Sinful.
Re; Carlos13. No. But in Yellow Submarine, Ringo had a hole in his pocket.
BEW
Haven’t been back to check for sure yet, but I think their doing it on purpose. If you really listen to what Bobs trying to do with his right hand, that different staccato rhythm, it sounds like the drummers are trying to copy that but their not quite entrained? I forget the other one, but overall there’s not that much other obvious stuff here, hell I heard way more FUs on that 2/9/73 show. GD Warts, come with the territory folks!
Oh, and the so called “flub” as JG starts to sing Half Step is more likely Healy not turning his mic up in time as I don’t think they had the trigger gates yet; those black rectangle pads on top of the Persian rugs right where they stand when they sing. It’s a switch/gate that activates the mic when you stand on it thus eliminating such errors. Before that the house mixer would have to “ride the mix”. and mute the mics during longer periods between vocals to eliminate unwanted bleed/noise from the super loud instruments.... Or possibly Beatty didn’t have him up yet on on the tape mix?
On Passenger I’m pretty sure JG and others? are going into the Bridge after the instrumental, but Donna goes elsewhere. Luckily, tragedy is narrowly averted though!
Stillwaters
Some of my E72 favs. Ran out of time after 5/10, so skipped a few shows:
Dark Stars excluded for the most part. They're too much of a "hear for yourself" experience.
4/7
* Greatest Story Ever Told (I love Donna's "cool clear water well you can't always tell" vocal. She really hits it.
* The Other One, Pt 2 => Wharf Rat
4/8
* Bertha
* Caution
4/11
* China / Rider
* Truckin' / The Other One
* Brokedown Palace
4/14
* Transition from Dark Star => Sugar Magnolia
*Banter after Cumberland Blues
4/16 (Donna Absent)
* Black-Throated Wind
* Playing in the Band
* Not Fade Away, Pt 2
4/17
* Cold Rain & Snow
* China / Rider
4/21 (Beat Club Studio)
* The Other One
4/24
* He's Gone
* Dark Star, Part 2 => Wharf Rat => Sugar Magnolia ***** (BOAT)
* Good Lovin' Parts 1 & 2 (jam excluded); Part 2 especially the beginning with Pigpen's foreshadowing remarks.
4/26
* Bertha
* Good Lovin' (I chose this for the main song parts, before and after the jam; there is an incredibly smooth groove to the main guitar hook during the verses that is super jazzy - they hit it in a manner that resonates like a harmonic in my ears).
* Truckin'
* The Other One
*Lovelight=> (+ transition into GDTRFB)
4/29
* Sugaree - Bobby is really playing some great fills here and Pigpen's organ great when he engages.
* Loser
Chinatown Shuffle - Keith actually has something that resembles a piano solo. Very cool.
5/3
* Me and My Uncle (approximately every 15th performance someone hollers "whoooo!!" after the hi-low Jack lyric; this is one of them)
* China Cat Sunflower - original E72 version. Jerry solo perfection. Not crazy about the attached Rider on this one, due to the vocal overdubs they recorded right onto the master.
* Tennessee Jed - also from the original E72, but if the supplemented vocals, it's not glaring at me. But I think it was chosen for the incredible instrumental arrangement that supports Jerry's guitar solo, then back into the chorus; they build up to a perfect crescendo here.
5/4
* Brown-Eyed Women
* Big Railroad Blues
* The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion) - 7
5/7
* Beat It On Down the Road
* Lovelight =>
* GDTRFB (I mentioned the transition into this one only one 4/26, but this is one great version beginning to end.
5/10
* Playing in the Band (clocks in at 12 and a half min once the before/after banter is taken into account, where most previous versions were in the 9 -10 zone; so extra jam time, and one of the best jams of the tour IMHO)
* Wharf Rat (awesome beginning with nice loud Wharf chords from Jerry and drum rolls from Billy).
5/16
*Promised Land
5/18
* Jack Straw
* Sugar Magnolia (they really hit a groove; 2nd best on the tour IMHO despite Bobby's vocal miss). Just listen to Billy's drum fill at the "Billy's drum fill part" - very unique and one of the best.
5/23
* Promised Land (I think only Veneta is better)
* Hey Bo Diddly
5/24
* Cold Rain and Snow
*LOVELIGHT - Pigpen's last and best in my opinion. By 1972 they had this streamlined down to about 12 to 15 minutes, and they jam like the Allmans. Unlike the other two Europe 72 performances, this one contains that classic quiet doot-doot-doo arrangement from Jerry, Bobby and Phil; it kicks in around 10:05 and goes on for a minute with Pigpen improvising the lyrics as he goes along. And then they pop back into "Without a warning" one last time.
5/25
*Brokedown Palace
* The UJB medley
* Ramble On Rose (dig the extended intro)
5/26
*Mr Charlie
*Playing in the Band
* He's Gone (the only time I've heard Bobby throwsome tremolo on, making it spacey and ethereal.
* The Stranger (Two Souls in Communion). PigPen at his soulful best, really throughout most of the May versions.
* There may be a good Morning Dew on this one.
A nice chardonnay and W&M's Playin' pair well....
....don't look at me. I ran out of beer.
Keithfan down here spouting truth.
At the 2:19 mark of NFA, they shift gears. Check it out. Wonderful stuff. 🍻
Dave’s Picks #37
So glad I subscribed!
I had a feeling Dave would put out a great year of shows. I know #37 is already sold out after just a week but I must honor the release and the show itself.
The band as a unit sounds fresh and energetic, yet more importantly these two shows (Williamsburg & Pittsburgh) are Donna Jean gems!
At this point during her career arc she is so solid on backing vocals and leading lyrics (Sunrise) you would swear she’s serenading angels! Listen to “Deal” and you can hear DJG at the coda of the song almost touch the sky with her vocal high notes as she would under the stars at Giza, Egypt later on that year. (Deal was the Giza first set finale)
I have a bunch of Dick’s picks and other Dead from iTunes, some are whole shows, many more just cherry picked songs. I must say, this is one of the best full shows I own, as well as the Pittsburgh filler picks. That said every song on the album here is also a great single version of itself!
Thanks Dave!
Marching to the beat of a different drummer
Bill the Drummer talks about integrating Mickey back in not being as easy as one might think. A lot of the material was written with one drummer who has his own idiosyncratic loping rhythms. In Spring '77 they try Bertha with a tinge of reggae in New Haven, not so much Boston, but then again at Buffalo, and Sugar Magnolia in May '77 sounds like a battle for the beat. And it's funny everybody has pointed out BEW, I found that Mickey syncopates the beat the same way in Bertha and Good Lovin' (which is as far as I made it). But when I got to BEW, having seen several posts here already, I was ready to pay attention, and I caught it quickly, but it seemed very intentional, like Mickey's trying to emphasize a straight rhythm. Doesn't work for BEW, but works well with Bertha and Good Lovin', mainly because Phil is reacting to it and playing to Mickey's accents as well as Bill's normal dancing rhythm. Given this is the start of the Rhythm Devils jams with the whole band partaking, they were getting more attuned to percussion and shifting rhythms, so I think they were maybe more open to rhythmic experimentation, after all they liked nothing more than finding ways to make songs interesting to themselves after dozens of performances. May get some extended uniterrupted listening in Monday for the rest of it...
Got to pick a pocket or two
Carlo - I may be wrong, but I think it was a line sung by Fagin, in "Oliver", the 1960s musical based on "Oliver Twist".
Stillwaters-way to go!!