• 8,064 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    love your comment about liking licorice, Vguy

    :)))

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

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

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

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

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 Second Set

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • rockthing
    Joined:
    2/17/79 First Set

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    Grateful Dead Memories

    2/17 is good stuff.

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

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

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

    I gotta do it.

    Keep on Rocking, Rockers.

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

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Tapes / Spartan Stadium and Maples Pavilion

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

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

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

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
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.
user picture

Member for

13 years 2 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

Doing back to back listens also. Really fun, I had never done this before with these shows. Completely agree with OroB

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I’ve never listened to all six nights of February 1971 Capitol Theater in a row either. I remember 2/20/71 as being very high energy, or was it just my state of mind at that time. Also interesting to note that the dates and days of the week correspond now as they did fifty years ago. I sure listened to 2/19/71 a second go round in the past 36 hours. My feeling at that show fifty years ago was disappointment that Mickey Hart was not there. It’s been looking back and realizing that I was lucky to have seen the original five members live. Same five and a major shift in style from their last time as a five piece band.

user picture

Member for

4 years 9 months
Permalink

https://kpfa.org/event/dead-to-the-world-marathon/ Today from 9a.m. pst. to 1am pst. KPFA FM listener sponsored radio, holds it annual. Grateful Dead Marathon. David Gans plays unheard tapes from the vault all day, live in studio perfrmances , and guest speakers. 94.1 fm. or listen online, All the information in the link above.

user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

I ended up listening to this show most of the day... Especially Disc 2!!!! Bring on the April71 box.......Have a good weekend all.... Onward to 2/20/71 Bob t

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by bob t

Permalink

Curious what source y’all going with?
I see four on Relisten, they all sound in the same ballpark..

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

OB - 116617

I haven't compared, but ol CM is the modern day Trade Mark of Quality IMO.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

What’s up with those 7” Beatty reels?

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

Speculating:
To my ears the 2006 Betty's circulating sound like some Dolby application happened (says Dolby A)
the 2011 CM doesn't mention any Dolby info.
Possibly same original source just different transfers.
Charlie would know for sure ;)

EDIT: Could be a personal pref thing, comparably they both sound good. I'm not sure I have the pro jargon for what I'm hearing. But I guess I would say, Miller has more high end / dynamics. But curious how would you describe it?

EDIT2: Now I'm worm holing, but almost sounds like the 2006 is close to clipping as well and potentially a pitch correction needed. Now I'm really curious to hear what you hear ;)

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

Both seem ok? I listened to parts of Loser from all four, think the fourth is better than the first, and the third is better still, but the levels are low so I’m going with the Miller. It seems to breath a bit more in the High end like you said, more clear/transparent, the ole difference between a clean window and a dirty window...I.e., you can hear the crowd trying to clap along at the start of Loser better...though the Miller does have some artifacts, but as you say it hsas the Mark just as plain as day, so will hedge our proverbial bets on that horse!
Sounds like somebodies still hungover LOL

Much like George Foreman.. all my kids (and turtles) are named Charlie Miller.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

It was as high energy as I remember being there. I do remember during the end of the New Riders set while they were playing Honky Tonk Woman the crowd was going wild, Bob Weir, Pigpen and Veronica Barnard ( Pigs girlfriend) stood backstage on the right side checking out scene. Bobby was shaking his head in the affirmative. The balcony used to shake during the more rocking songs. 2/21/71 tonight.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

Permalink

Another fine show but it didn’t quite...? It seemed just a pinch....less? Words aren’t working, it’s a feeling...maybe I was influenced by Bobs opening Hangover comments, cause that’s how it felt (projecting my own experiences); they killed it the night before, now settled in after two big shows, breaking out 7 new tunes, whilst dealing with inter organizational turmoil, it’s Friday night, their in NY, after the big show they relax a tad and blow off steam, perhaps a lot of steam, only to find themselves right back up there before ya know it in a mere few hours and well, time to go to work boys!
It’s subtle, but they seem to have to ease into it slightly, versus turbo charged on all cylinders out the gate?
They start out ok, but the first part of the first set their not quite there yet, good, but not great; a little slop, more tuning issues I.e., Bob in Loser...Bertha and Playin perhaps sound more like new songs then the first two versions. Hard to Handle, similarly to 2/18 is again good, but not quite the preacher come to meetin’ fire and brimstone compared to say some 70 versions?
But by Bird Song they seem to be settling in, like after that first drink/joint and a few tunes under the belt, and away we go. Big Boss then into a nice Cryptical suite, if not the big launchpad it would become, a good rendition of the times I.e., Skull Fuck etc, and they seem to have shook off the cob webs. Another good rookie outing of the Rat, followed by a nice Maggy closer. In some ways I like these Sugar Mags not being the full drawn out beast it could become. They have that more country flavor and like many of these songs, that sorta short and sweet vibe. Like Doc says of these early Bird Songs.
I guess I’d call the second set “status quo”, not in a bad way, just typical songs, played according to the times.
Perhaps some of my feelings about this are situational? Though i might of been influenced by the drop in audio quality from those first two official releases with all that voodoo, I did listen to most of this on the big system versus the first 2 we’re mostly on the lesser living room zone.
Not sure why it’s nagging me to come up with “words” but I can’t, just a feeling. A good show, but I’d take the bling and set list of the first night, and 2/19 overall, so far...
This is where doing the whole run comes in. If I hadn’t moved in order, I might have felt different about this one, so I’m sure much of my “feeling” was influenced by the previous two...
2/21/71: back to the multitrack full treatment goodness!
Onward!

user picture

Member for

4 years 1 month

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

2 20 is ok, not stratospheric

2 23 71 is stratospheric

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by proudfoot

Permalink

2/21
Overall, Relaxed, but in a good way..

The question with these 71 shows for some of us less initiated is; why? Why no more jams, short country or country like songs, etc....why did they stop doing what the proverbial “I” liked (think early 69).
Why, because it’s actually what they need and wanted to do! Lesson here perhaps is to not compare too much between different “dead’s”, but consider what dead THEY were at or after, at that time? The tunes, the length, the tone and style, the AUTHENTICITY they seemed to continually be after with most different styles, sometimes completely so.
So the trap is to not compare styles, or apples to oranges, but rather concentrating on how well they assimulated and perfected the style du jour! Of course it all ended up gumbo style, flavoring the whole.
What ever their current focus, identity or style, without being over the top, they would throw themselves totally into, while always maintaining just a bit of the “old” former styles, until it was time to go furthur, and try something else. That trying to avoid the whole closed in thing JG speaks of...think how much they, especially JG, would delve/deep dive into some of these styles;
Blues
Psychedelic
Folk, Americana
Jazz, free form, just to name a few...and now shoot em up, straight ahead Bakersfield country bar rock. Yee haw pass me a longneck and let’s get rocking!

Cold Rain &Snow opener, followed by a Bobby McGee; tight, but JG hits a few clams, though he has nice feel.
Loser: well played, already not like a new song, except JG solo, still searching for the sound there...
Easy Wind: prime grease, and though he flubs, he actually recovers nicely and improvs outta it. Nice solid, relaxed jam, no ones in a hurry, JGs on now, nothing stratospheric, just G.O. 71 GD!
Playing in the Band: progressing, Phil better every version? See now why they didn’t use any of these shows for Skull Fuck; probably wanted some of the new material on the live album but most of these just weren’t there yet compared to the versions they did use from April...
Luckily we get the multi-track snapshots of this historic little run anyways...Sure we’ll get more... : )
Bertha: progressing nicely. more of the nice relaxed energy versus forced. ....and then....damn tuning.
Eventually, the advent of tuners was a blessed event for them as well as us!
But in the mean time, ahem.
Nice if perhaps apprehensive electric version of Ripple with nice harmonies, including Phil, whom I haven’t noticed so much this run? You can feel the confidence build with the music and with the energy of the crowd.
Lied Cheated: : after perhaps stepping outta their comfort zone a tad, it’s back with some solid straight up, bacon, no chaser! Again that relaxed, confident, comfortable, we own this shit and thus are in no hurry vibe.
Same with another nice countrified Sugar Mag.
Greatest Story: still not fully entraining on this one. Not bad for a new tune though, but another example of the infancy of some of these tunes..
Interestingly, it seems like Garcia’s songs are a bit tighter and more formulated with the band then Bobs new songs...
Nice one 2 punch with rocking JBG to close the set. Rocking, but still that nice in control, what I’ve been calling relaxed vibe, not the frantic, slightly unsteadiness sometimes found

China Cat/Rider: Phun Phil messing with the intro! before they slid into by now an old regular, Really feeling like this version of the band is better served by one drummer. Just as I believe the psychedelic stuff was better with 2 drummers. Nice solid, familiar versions of these including nice Phil harmonies.
Bird Song: smooth and getting smoother by the version.Blows me away that this is only the fourth version!
And it’s got a Cumberland, a second set Cumberland!, though that wasn’t really a thing back then, but boy it’s just right for typing! More settled in/relaxed vibe.PROPER!
King Bee: please pass the napkins cuss there’s a grease hog buzzin’ around my brain! And just like that they tap back into the blues band of yore. And the folk band with, BIODTL by request? is another by now fun, old chestnut. It’s like they’ve done the heavy lifting by this point on a “Sunday” and are just having fun cruising now on some familiar, so easier terrain toward their day off?
RAT; well, maybe not just yet..though by this point it doesn’t sound new. Besides Bob being a little outta tune, it’s pretty damn tight! Another that blows me away knowing this is only the fourth version. Diggin the stand alone versions too.
Trucking: amusingly starts a little slow but they quickly bring up to the M.O. that is this evenings nice relaxed, smooth vibe. A band comfortable with who they are and where there going.
Cool to think several of these Working Mans/AB tunes aren’t really all that old on this night, but already sound like tight old classics.
HA! New York’s got the ways and means, but just won’t let you be, makes me think of ole Strider able to have the means to just hop on the subway, and no big deal head down to the Capitol, but almost gets jumped in the alley!
More of the nice “status quo” of many of the above, on Casey J., and of course got ta keep on moving on up and pushing’ on. Pig Fest!
Like y’all have had your drinks, appts.,soups and salads, but now it’s time for the main corse..the greasy BBQ simmered to fine perfection by this point in time! (I can see BTK drooling out there ; ) ready for some Cherry pie now!
And then, like a 80s brokedown to close a run on a Sunday, a nice UJB, unfortunately marred by the damn tuning issues. It must of been really frustrating to be so hampered, but such was life back then. Guess that’s downside of not hiding behind a wall of distortion like many other guitarist of the time.
When I first heard this show when released last year, I hadn’t heard any of these shows except the 19th. But now that we’re going in order, it fits in just right in the overall flow. Nice Sunday, relaxed, confident, feeling of achievement? Like we did what we had to do, now we get a day off, then 1,2, end of the run and onward.
I’d have a tough time picking wether I liked this one better than the 18th, but I liked it more than the 20, but not as much as the 19th? So far...
Like the band, I’m ready for a day off. Might not listen to any dead at all tomorrow to keep my reference inside this run, but allow a cleanse elsewhere...
But really looking forward to the last 2 on Tuesday and Wednesday as I’ve never heard either.
Until then amigos!

Interesting that in that book of interviews with Jerry by Charles Reich, "A Signpost To New Space", Jerry indicates that he doesn't recognise psychedelic music as being a category in it own right. He quotes Phil, on page 83, as saying " Acid rock is music you listen to when you are high on acid". In which case, 1971 would be just as psychedelic as 1969 if you had taken some before listening.
Personally, not having tripped for decades, I would say that certain records - like "Anthem of the Sun" reactivate sensations for me, while others - like "Skull and Roses", don't. In terms of years, 1968 does it and 1971 doesn't. Still good, though.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

Past two days smorgasbord, 2/20/71. Thoroughly enjoyed on its Saturday 50th anniversary of being there. So I added 2/20/95 Salt Lake City, from my last Grateful Dead shows. Yesterday listened to 2/21/71 50th anniversary of being there and followed up with my very last Grateful Dead concert,2/21/95.
Real interesting contrast and pleasantly surprised how good that Salt Lake City run was. Easy Wind from 2/21/71 sounded like somewhere halfway in the middle from bebop and shy of hip hop with Pigpen witty word play.

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

Another great show and I agree OB, it does sound a little more laid back than at least 2/18/71. Wish they didn't drop Easy Wind, always loved it.

How does 6/9/76 Boston Music Hall sound? The last road trips release 4.5.

I just read an interesting write up from Blair Jackson regarding the Road Trips series and why it started. I am guessing many of you know this already, but he stated they started the compilation concept due to very poor sales of the last couple of Dick's Picks and the Dead shows being available on the archive.
They were trying to keep the price low, with two CDs and a bonus disc. They were surprised how much the fans hated this concept and eventually they moved back to full shows.
There is some great music in almost all of these releases and I know I am still busy trying to get my hands on these and all the bonus CDs.

Stay well out there.

user picture

Member for

16 years 10 months
Permalink

Deadvikes if you don't have the 12/6/73 Cleveland Bonus disc, try to hunt that down. It was from the Denver shows.... Good call for 6/9/76!!! Bob t

Hey Bob t. I do have a digital copy of this bonus disc from a kind soul on this site. The physical copy remains elusive. The release with the bonus disc sells for $300 -400 on the secondary market, way too much for this kid. Love the digital copy and that 46 minute Dark Star is wild.

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

Started out the day with a lil 2/23/93.. pretty neat.
Ornette Coleman guesting.
I didn't do the whole show, kicked it off with Lazy River Road.
Sounds like Bolo and his Krewe were there :)

Gonna dust off 2/23/71 after this dip into '93 winds down.

Ahhh... what a trip!

user picture

Member for

9 years

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

Strider - soft spot in my heart for the last show of the run on 2/21. i was working in Ootah (pronounciation courtesy of a Zuni colleague) when Jerry died, and when i landed there "for good" next summer i was gifted with a sweet audience of Set II. I love that version of Foolish Heart - a favorite - Jerry's solo is sublime, same glorious energy that i experienced during Foolish Heart in Seattle May '95. and the return of Visions must of been "mind blown" for some (the one on 7/8/95 had me in tears.) Looks to have been a great first set- how can you lose with that Salt Lake City opener?! Broken Arrow and So Many Roads. This show was an excellent choice for the 30 trips box.

looking forward to 2/23/71 later today - that will be a first time listen.

stay safe everyone and enjoy the music. onward!

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

Late to the dance and in a hurry....so just went with the CM, which sounded pretty good except for a couple, brief, hiccups...
2/23/71: bit of a creeper...starts a little mellow, PITB sounding a bit more cohesive everyday except for the flub, Big Boss things start gelling more, China-Rider usual fare except JG vocal mistake, Decent McGee, Hot Bertha, Nice Grease, Sorta raunchy Dew, then Mags and KCJ to end the first. Pretty much status quo second set for this run in both selection and performance; mostly good, occasional clam, occasional tuning issues (during the songs, not the before song tuning, though that was a bit much on this recording...like edit!)
Short but sweet Good Lovin’, their still struggling a bit with GSET...but really that’s the only new song that seems that way. PITBs not quite as tight as others, but it’s getting there and it’s been neat hearing Phil figure out his line as the shows progress. ) The rest are hard to believe how together/good they are considering how new they are!
The uuuush NFA-GDTR-NFA and a big Raunchy Rocking JBG to close it. Love dat shit!
I guess I’d rank this one fourth so far, but that’s hard to do as their all close overall, so comes down to preference I guess? This one crept up slower and occasionally stumbled, but built up to typical 71 style end.
Ok, uno mass, mañana!

.....halfway through the first set currently. Got stuck listening to a band called Yo La Tengo. Any of you peeps ever hear of them?

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Vguy72

Permalink

I think Jesse Jarnow wrote a book about them, so whadya think?

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

.....I think they're pretty fuckin' awesome.
Hey, it can't be GOGD 24/7.

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

....but I got the joke. Good one lol.
I'm out. See ya manana.

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months
Permalink

I never listened to all nights in a row before.
Something about February Grateful Dead blocks of shows. Tradition from past eras. Capitol Theater last go round today. So far it feels like the first three nights were the highest energy. Interesting the original five members played 50 concerts in 1971.

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

Permalink

"the part of the human mind that is capable of transcending animal instincts"

Something I was just thinking of..

Throughout this pandemic I've been talking (more like interacting, in some cases talking), reading, finding and listening to some profoundly intelligent Dead Heads.
I mean really each one of you is fascinating and has something really interesting to say.
It's been striking and I got to thinking, it can't just be a coincidence that so many Dead Heads are really really smart and think more deeply and well... differently, shall we say.
And then it occurred to me...

It's because heads have all raised their level of consciousness.
To go furthur.

Far Out.

user picture

Member for

4 years 1 month

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

I gave it a good try recently.

Today I am on a forced break from the GD. I have stacked up:

Sky Cries Mary "This Timeless Turning": excellent psychedelia from the early 90s.
Phish "A Live One": a long, long time since I listened to Phish
Pink Floyd "Ummagumma": a psychedelic classic...two discs of mind melt (lime and limpid green, a second scene...)
Velvet Underground (the one with "Candy Says")
Allman Brothers Band Atlanta International Pop Festival (July 1970)

Can I make it through these without listening to disc three of 6/24/83? Hmm...

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by proudfoot

Permalink

Bob mentions the Bomb Scare Threat that night before Cumberland on 2/24/71.

I know Strider and I talked about this a few times.

Sounds like they had to clear out the Capitol Theatre and when they let everybody back in they had even more heads in there than before.

....moving onto the final night of the run.
Psst.....don't tell anyone, but it's got a Cumberland.
Hey!! No spoilers GOGD.
Anyone notice that the final three shows were all 2 hrs and 51 minutes long?

VGUY: but after all the smoke/tuning breaks their down to an hour and a half, ; )

DANE COUNTY: so PF, I take it you like that 6/24/83? Just curious cause I’m not familiar with the less familiar of the Dane County shows. If their good, DANE COUNTY could be a nice little box like Giants, only more years.
* NOTE 2/3/78 already released as DP 18 so that one is out of the mix.
That leaves:
- 2/15/73: Dark Star, HCSS etc
- 10/25/73: DS>>Mind Left Body>>DS, HCSS, WRS etc
- 2/4/79: Shakedown, Heat of Me, LL/Sup, ?
- 12/3/81: S/F, Deep Elem, Baby Blue etc,
- 6/24/83: Shakedown, Far From Me, Candyman, H/S/F, Dew etc

Most folks know about the 2 killer 73s, but I’m not familiar with the 79 show, and that one might not be in the vault?
But we know the 81 show smokes as we covered that here last fall I believe It was? So that leaves the 83 show of which I know nas-sing? So depending on quality and/or tapes, might be a cool little box there! If there are a couple cassette shows in there surly the mighty 73s would make up for it...
Ok Dave, I’ll await payment for my work here, LOL

user picture

Member for

17 years 3 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

2/24/71: can’t explain it but liked this one a tad more then some of the others? Perhaps the “variety” and or song positioning? Also has its own vibe...
I mean it DOES have a Cumberland! 3rd of 4. 3rd of 3 Hard to Handles which was smoooothhh! 2nd of only 2 King Bees, and 2nd of only 8 for the year! Only Minglewood, and 1 of only 2 for the year! And 2nd of only 2 Lovelights.
Another Good Lovin’ to pad the pig menu, recommends extra napkins, cause this shows a bit of a grease fest!
They come outta the gate strong but together and showing nice restraint, no hang over here (hey, tapes rolling gotta try and get em down tight).
More of the new stuff, including interesting Bertha with slight differences with the intro, Phil playing some swirling 60s psychedelic pop licks for a couple seconds. Playing was sounding probably best yet until the miss...and another sorta short Godd Lovin’...well shorter if you remove the drum solo anyway...another all around good first set. Hell this whole run is basically made up of all around good first sets no matter which set it actually is.
Though this second set is different, which besides the performance, has more song variety, which is nice at this point since these shows are pretty repetitive (probably in part because of the tape rolling. You can tell by now what songs their looking to get on the album). Sweet King Bee, rare, fun, sixties style Minglewood, GSET is probably the best of the run and is definitely progressing. Big, (not huuuge ; ) Lovelight closer, along with nice versions of the usual suspects make this a fun one, that to me stands just a hair above some of the rest.
And hey, nothing like a bomb scare to add some excitement. Though nowadays it would be reprehensible to do such a think just to get in, back then you could say it’s kinda funny in that some of us idiots will do almost anything to get in a show!

I’m still high on 2/19, with the Smokestack being the highlight of the whole run for me, I think I’d take 2/21 next and/or 2/18 with that sexy set list, but after that it’s really hard to pick? Perhaps this one by a nose hair?
But no matter what your pleasure tends, it was great to do this run and finally get familiar. It’s always cool to do em in order with no other distractions. Really can hear the subtle, or sometimes not so subtle changes as the shows progress.
Personally the biggest treat was the 3 sick sounding multi-track shows, but some of the archive stuff was pretty damn good too! And of course there’s complete Beatty’s in the vault.
I can see why they didn’t end up using any of this on skullfuck, and now, I don’t think it would of been box material; meaning comparatively to stuff that we will probably get at some point from a little down the road. I’m listening to Ladies and Gentlemen fir the first time in forever, and it’s easily apparent how much more on this material they are after some shows under their belt. Since I’m a tenderfoot in this woods, I’ll leave the speculation of what that future release might look like to those more knowledgeable. I’m sure we’ll see at least some of these Port Chester shows as Dave’s or something as they are ABCD Beatty’s etc...so I think Dave & company took a good route with this run.
Now I’m curious about more of the spring stuff, but not soon lol. I Enjoyed this but need to totally go another direction to avoid burnout etc. Thinking I might hit up the last 3 of four Dave’s as I’ve not spent enough time with any of them...unless...
one of you bastards makes me an offer I can’t refuse here lol!

I lived in the county south of Dane (Rock County....ROCK!!!) until 1980 when my family moved to LA CA.

was too young to see GD while they were so close...

anyway, 6/24/83 was a first listen. so no strong opinions. I broke down and listened to disc three today, but it did nothing for me, even with MDew

I heard 12/3/81 (my 18th birthday...but I was in LA CA) last week
10/25/73...gotta hear that again
2/15/73 yummy

so on and so on

2/24/71 is one that never did anything for me. it just feels so...reserved...to me. give me 2 23 or 2 19 or 2 18, please

Aye an a bit o' mackerel, back-a-racken
Fear 'nd a revit
Din bat-a 'hed 'nd a thoit'
Well i slap'd thea in a flem 'nd din an'a sade
'Nd a creed, creed, creed
'Da fear of fallin' dinga'
Dingan nerver bought 'da raise
And den cread marie'a!
Took equi-epk
Lamoret 'nd a buot
And I roon-doon-doon 'da maken' stye
'N taklin' the fairy hord dat was fallen round de feet
"Never!" de cried "Never shall ye get me alayv
Ya rotten hound of de hondny free
Well I snakd for a blame 'nd a clamore cut and a crust
'Nd i fell dingd befoor 'em ring'st fet
(Sigh)
A roar-e creed!
Frae the bottom of es heart that I would nay
Fall but es deed,
Dead as a can by a feat
Deah...
And the wind cried Mary.

OB:
I think you should listen to the China > Rider, PITB > Drums > Dark Star (with cool themes, you name 'em) > Morning Dew > PITB Reprise, Deal, Promised Land, Brokedown, OMSN, Casey Jones from 10/18/72 before you do that.

Possibly better than anything Dave's released yet?
(Gotcha... I couldn't resist, but now you wanna listen, besides all that's totally subjective and I guess it doesn't really matter.. anyway)

It just kicked my ass!

Yet again.

user picture

Member for

4 years 1 month

In reply to by The Good Ole G…

Permalink

trying...trying...Velvet Underground is trying, too

10/18/72 yes
10/28/72 is highly recommended. Cleveland of all places.

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by proudfoot

Permalink

....you might enjoy this band I discovered recently. Yo La Tengo. Might have mentioned them here before (scratches head).
Anywho, they're worth checking out. They have Velvet eyes.

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months
Permalink

Nice Proudfoot! Always time to "groove with a Pict!" 🤪 Had a roommate once who'd lapse into loud and fluent Gaelic at the least provocation (such as Several Species). Onward.

GOGD: that’s a bold statement my friend! So yeah, ya got me, ya Bastid! A little too close, a little too soon...but I will check that and the 28th soon. Thanks for the tips guys.

VGUY: berry interesting...only gave it a quick glance. Think the ole lady might like it so I’ll break it out at some point with her. Have you heard enough to recommend a specific album or?

PROUDFOOT: “young man, you will stop this nonsense, and get your work done, or no more Grateful Dead and you can deal with your father when he gets home” ; )

Going Dap 33 as we speak with 35 on deck. Hopefully 36 mañana!....with some of the 72 snuck in there...

user picture

Member for

17 years 2 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

....Electr-O-Pura and I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One are top shelf in my opinion.

Some other albums by YLT you might like:
1. Painful - 1993
2. And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out - 2000
3. I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass - 2006
4. Popular Songs - 2009
5. Fade - 2013
6. Stuff Like That There - 2015

Have you read about the band name origin?

user picture

Member for

8 years 8 months

In reply to by DaveStrang

Permalink

Some nice anniversary shows out there today.

Started out the day with the PITB > Terrapin from 2/26/90 which was sounding good, think I need to go back and take in the whole show.
But I jumped over to DiP V28 as I couldn't resist another killer PITB this time '73 style.
And that's where the lil Louie Louie tease before GSET comes in.
(another pal mentioned this this AM, so when it came on, with the memory slipage it's like hearing new things each time!)
Then there's this show that's pretty off the radar 2/26/77.. ;)

And let's not forget the Uptown Theatre in '81 and forgive me I have forgotten what happened at Oakland Coliseum in '94 & '95.

So yeah, there's a full day or so of music there for people to swim through if they so chose to do so.
And I say Phil... My Dog Has No Nose.
Well how does he smell?!?
Blooming Awful.

Happy Friday!