Dave’s Picks Volume 37: College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA 4/15/78

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January 29, 2021 - 9:35am

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clayv

Joined:
March 14, 2018

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.

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March 10, 2021 - 10:08am

#631

Crow Told Me

Joined:
October 15, 2020

SUBMIT SUMBITCH SUBMIT

The "Who are you?" banner is totally annoying. I always dislike it when I'm already subscribed to a newsletter, and then EVERY FREEKIN TIME I go to the website I get reminded to sign up for the newsletter. Shouldn't there be some way to avoid that? Like maybe there's one of those cookie thingies they can plant in your browser that says "hey, this dude is already subscribed?"

But I also hate how it keeps telling me to "submit". SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT. I suppose I should be happy it doesn't say "OBEY!"
March 10, 2021 - 9:19am

#632

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

the who are you banner gets on my nerves, too

better that, though, than singing the shipping blues

whoooooo are you
who who who who

Pete Townsend is from the Who
He played with the GD on 3/28/81
so there you have it

the box will be March 81 Europe
March 10, 2021 - 8:26am

#633

That Mike

Joined:
November 1, 2014

LOL

Thanks Bolo for a great laugh!! My dog - again - thinks I’m nuts.

VGuy - I was in a used CD shop a few years ago, and the owner was playing YLT’s “I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass” while we browsed, and I bought it on the spot, and been a fan ever since. Have fun going through their collection, a lot of gems in there.

Finally, shipping blues. Not exclusive to this site. I preordered a number items from a WEA artist recently, and they are seemingly plagued by “warehouse switch” - that must be a default answer - to this, that, and everything else. Like this site, they maybe answer one out of five inquiries, no matter how earnest and polite. It is just the new reality. All the more reason to support local independent shops that may end up weathering this forever Covid lockdown/startup nightmare.

Smile!
March 10, 2021 - 8:25am

#634

lebowski99

Joined:
April 15, 2014

Yo La Tengo

Is awesome, Vguy. Like a newer Velvet Underground, with better melodies...
March 10, 2021 - 8:09am

#635

bolo24

Joined:
November 25, 2009

By the way...

Is anyone else a bit put-off by the "Who Are You? Where Are You? How Are You?" banner that pops up every time you check in here?

Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with them trying to expand their fan/customer base. That's what keeps the momentum going, which in turn encourages them to keep pumping out great music releases and other stuff for us to consume.

My problem is, on most days, I don't know who I am. I don't know where I am. I don't know how I am. I don't even know WHY I am.

And another thing: who are the Grateful Dead, and why do they keep following me?
March 10, 2021 - 7:48am

#636

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

I have a new favorite thing....

....and this is it.
https://youtu.be/gYF4wbyrNyY
Where has this band been all my life! Simply amazing. I could watch Georgia drum all day long. And Ira attacks his guitar ala Dean Ween. Love the sun setting in the background. Been going through the entire YLT back catalogue currently. TURN THAT FEEDBACK UP TO 11!!
March 10, 2021 - 5:08am

#637

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Rhythm

The Dead could seem a bit clod hopping rhythmically to me after Mickey rejoined. It feels unkind to say so - but he almost seemed to provide them with a handicap from 1976 onwards. He added greatly to drums and space, though, and that continued to develop and get more interesting right up to the end.
March 10, 2021 - 3:49am

#638

fourwindsblow

Joined:
October 13, 2008

D,net Shipping

I had a package sent from Cali. USPS Medial Mail took 5 days to get here. So it must be UPS Mail Innovations that is the problem?
March 9, 2021 - 10:40pm

#639

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

I Don't Know Man..

I liked Mickey but I hear what others are saying.

From 68 to 71 I think he was instrumental (pun intended). From 71 through 74 (clearly my sweet spot [well 68-74]) he was MIA and the GD to my ears was at their apex in their Jazz Psychedelic period. From 75 on, the world had changed, psychedelics were used less and they were working towards a harder, tighter sound with sprinkles of Reggae, Punk and Disco (oh my). I liked seeing Mickey grow with the band in this period, bringing in the Beast and the Beam, helping to expand Drums and Space.

I won't paraphrase his entire book but Billy said it best. He brought him into the mix in 68 right when they were experiencing rapid growth.. he was principal in the Aoxomoxia Live Dead period, he left on 2/19/71 under a cloud of smoke.. his dad splitting with 150k of the bands cash in March the previous year (a lot of money back then) and perhaps fog from personal and other issues. I think Jerry was instrumental in asking him to come back. He helped infuse a world music perspective within the band. ..and he was a master at working the Beam and other sounds from the 80's and beyond.

Still, my sweet spot was when he was mostly absent.

I guess we don't have a say. I am still relistening to the Capitol '71 run, and it is amazing. I keep thinking how did they keep going with Mickey there for the first show and gone for the rest, especially since they brought in a professional recording crew and the expense to record on glorious multi-track. How did they sound so good, yet there is a missing link and a hollow, lonesome sound to the run. Character. I guess they had to persevere, and so they did.

It's too complex for me to reconcile. At least they recorded most of it all for us to listen all and decide what we like best or not and why. It's all good to me, find your place in what music they left us and there is no right or wrong.

It is what it is.

As for the squabble between Bill and Keith, I don't think we will ever know what really happened. I'd have to think it was inevitable.

Back to the music.. as you were.
March 9, 2021 - 1:46pm

#640

Mr. Ones

Joined:
July 25, 2017

"More or less present"/Fills

DAVEROCK, I had to laugh at that phrase!! I was present, but not accounted for(or accountable, for that matter) in the '80's-'90's. I was both there and not there. I have some HUGE memory holes to fill, ESPECIALLY from the '80's. Let's just say I was a "willing' participant. In ANYTHING!!
As for Mickey's fills, they have always gotten on my nerves, even more so because he has a "standard" type of tom fill that he uses, and I tire of it easily, whether in time, or out of time. I love, love, love '71-'74 Dead with one drummer. As Phil(I think) said, Billy played like a "young God' during that time.

Music is the best!!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

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.

Slow starts

I only saw them 5 times...but what struck me was how muted the start of those concerts were, compared to some of the Spinal Tap style entrances some bands made. The Dead seemed more jazz like in their approach - shuffle on, ease into a tune..no crescendos or flashing lights. With some bands, the build up was so dizzying that you would have thought the Second Coming was at hand.

deadegad, you will not be disappointed...

However, note that the Atlanta '70 show on Stages has been superceded by "Freedom: Atlanta Pop Festival," which is more complete in better sound. Once you devour the Band of Gypsys nearly complete four-show set, try delving into the Dagger Records official bootlegs from the Jimi camp. There's quite a few excellent shows in pretty damn decent sound. Two I'd recommend: Live in Ottawa, 19 March '68/second show, and The Baggies Rehearsal Sessions, Nov-Dec '69 as the Gypsys warmed up for the Fillmore shows.

To daverock's point, when the GD opened a show, in my view, they focused on the energy not the volume and certainly not any theatrics. To your point, they always knew they were in for a long evening -- 3 hours of music, maybe 4-5 hours of "involvement," so I'd think pacing would be key.

Muted starts

Yes, it wasn't a criticism. If anything, it seemed indicative of the bands ability to communicate and develop a show, rather than bludgeon you into defeat with volume and lights. They played to an audience, rather than at them.

Customer service SUCKS

I live 30 minutes drive from where they ship Dave’s from in Carlsbad, CA. I have a subscription. A confirmation. But no shipping notice, no customer service rep to speak to, unanswered emails from Rhino....I’m tired of this SHIT. FIX IT

Deadhed76

I hear you. The only thing that seems to work for me is to PM Marye and also send an email to Drrhino@wmgcustomerservice.com
Marye is great. She’s very kind and helpful

Stranger opener

Even better when it’s Stranger>Franklin’s.

Never witnessed one, but did just listen to the one from 7-10-89 GS Box.

Blazing opening

Roger Waters The Wall tour 2010-12.
It’s pretty cool.

Agree with Daverock that most bands need to grab the audience’s attention right away because the people are there for the show just as much (or more) as the music.
But for bands that play the same setlist every night, and tour once a year in support of a new album, that’s what they need to do to keep selling albums and tix every time they pass through town.

The Dead had a grate light show, but most people were there for the music (some were just there for the party).

Cosmic Charlie. / 3/1/69. Fillmore West

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XgEXFivR9bY. One of my favorite shows of alltime, what an absolute rocker!!

Theatre

There was an element of theatre with a lot of bands in the 70s. With some bands there still is-the opening of a Stones show-the last one I saw was about 2007 - there was still a sense of drama when they came on. The Dead seemed more like a jazz band in comparison with something like that. More like the Miles Davis Quintet of the 60s than the Rolling Stones.

to your point, icecrmcnkd

Certainly nothing wrong with attending a show for the party or socializing -- how many times have I gone to a show because pals urged me to go because "it'll be a good time." The crowd is (or was) almost always an exciting part of the whole endeavor. (Over time, that's changed for me as people act selfishly or talk constantly or jostle, whatever, plus the prices...)

On the other hand, when the early post-GD incarnation bands led by Bobby and Phil came to Red Rocks, some of us were raving about the vault releases coming out and nearly everyone we spoke to had no clue about them and weren't even interested to hear about them. Presumably they were there for the live music and the party, but not particularly interested in the music releases by the original band. No judgment here, obviously, as I have done both -- depending on the band -- but certainly a curious distinction, given that here, we all wait at the mouth of the cave, ready to devour whatever mastodon bones Dave throws to us.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

I recently ordered a few items from another artist’s site, and as the items come due for delivery, I came across this in the fine print:
“ PLEASE NOTE that we are currently moving warehouses and with the current COVID-19 lockdown there may be delays in processing and shipping all orders. Thank you for your patience and understanding during these trying times.”
We have all been here before.

Best “theatrical” band opening I ever saw for an artist was a Peter Gabriel show. The lights in the arena go down, expecting the band to hit the stage, but instead very bright beacons lit up around the arena, as each band member entered at a different entrance, walking towards the stage, each holding one of these bright lights skyward. We sat right beside one of the entrances, and it startled my friend so much, his pipe and “tobacco” went flying a few rows forward, scared the wits out of him. I never laughed so hard!

New Bear Sonic Journal?

Recommended for the OSF - Bear's Sonic Journals: That Which Colors the Mind AAK with Indranil Bhattacharya and Zakir Hussain Live at the Family Dog at the Great Highway San Francisco, California, May 29, 1970 2-CD set

I see this set on the website, but don't seem able to buy. Too new? Anyone else see this? Anyone have opinions? Anyone order yet?

New Bear Sonic Journal

Dennis, the Ali Akbar Khan release that you refer to is up for order on the Owsley Stanley Foundation website.

https://owsleystanleyfoundation.org/bears-sonic-journals/ali-akbar-khan…

There is a big red "Order now" button.

Coincidence? Dennis--

I was sitting here looking up an album by Zakir Hussain (Making Music) on my new streaming service (Qobuz), then read Zakir's name in your post!

I don't know about all my openers, but as I've mentioned here, my first show (6/24/91) opened with HSF, and the second set opened with China-->Rider. That was the best of the 23 shows I caught, and it, along with the show before it and the two following it, could make a sweet box.

Speaking of boxes, isn't it time for Dave to announce the 14-CD box of everything usable from 1968?

Simon Bar Sinister & Owsley Newest

Thanks guy,,,, I was using the large red button, "buy now",,,,, didn't scroll down to see the "Order Now" button!

It's ordered,,,, now sure if it's coming out in the future,,, or available now,,,,,, but it is ordered!

Re: Box Set

"....here, we all wait at the mouth of the cave, ready to devour whatever mastodon bones Dave throws to us." Ha..

mmm Mastodon Bones, meaning it must be very old which could only mean a 14 CD Box Set of everything releasable from 1968 + a two disc bonus show from the fall of 67. Glad you two figured it out, makes perfect sense.. With Bolo's whereabouts currently unknown.. it's good to a few step forward and fill in the gaps.

Speaking of ‘68

Over on the Tapers section this week, it has 8.21.68 which was the music included with the ORIGINS deluxe edition on vinyl, for those of you who haven’t heard it.

Dead & Co Downloads

To those looking for a D&C show to start your listening, this is the best show in their catalog (I think):
https://livedead.co/live-music/0,19321/Dead-and-Company-mp3-flac-downlo…
This band is good, definitely the best post Jerry lineup. Mayer did say they plan to tour again post covid.

Ali Akbar Khan

I recommend the Ali Akbar Khan album. I bought it in December and it was delivered just in time for Christmas. I have to admit I didn’t order directly since doing that with largely unlimited releases just adds to the price with the various charges that are added when they are imported into the UK.

Ali Akbar Khan

I second Colin's opinion on this release. It is a fantastic late night, lights off, headphones album, or, if you happen to have some of what David Crosby called "pullover pot". It was available late last year. You can buy from OSF, or from Amazon. It's well worth the price. Zakir Hussain was just a pup when this was recorded. Beautiful stuff indeed.

Music is the BEST!!

Breathe. Breathe in the air....

.....Happy 48th Anniversary to Dark Side Of The Moon.

If I had a bone to pick.....

It'd be RSD with 8-21-68, no need to empty the vault of all '68 ... just yet.

As for Dead & Co. being "the best" post-Jer group? Bosh! You must not have caught the Phil Lesh Quintet. That little band was a dynamic monster and easily the top post-Jer band.

Okay, boys, gauntlet thrown!

Just keepin' it alive til that fall '72 box announcement...

Hey JimMD, is there an incantation that'll lure Bolo out to offer one of his knicker-twisting clues?

JRAD

While Joe Russo's Almost dead does not qualify for the "post-Jerry" category they are fantastic so JRAD together with DSO; et, al, and the Bob and Phil incarnations, our collective GDead itch gets scratched very, very well. JRAD are great!

Re: Bolo

I hear if you say his name three times he magically appears. That is unless he's in a precariously tensioned contraption in a medieval dungeon somewhere, which is always a possibility.

Agree with HF, Deadegad (and others). As much as I like D&C, some of Phil's bands were incredible and JRad shreds it. Nothing's gonna bring Jerry back and I love some of the interpretations of GD music out there, both with and without the original band members.

HF, bone to pick?

Is it a mastodon bone?

Anyway, I’ll take a licorice flavored mastodon bone.

It’s the small victories....

Like when you cheat at reCRAPTCHA and win....

Bolo
Bolo
Bolo

Weird

I was trekking in the Pyrenees on the trail of some Portugese cartel bad hombres when all of a sudden I found myself at the corner of Post and Steiner in San Francisco.

What the heck just happened?

It can’t be this easy

C’mon man. Winterland was at the corner of Post & Steiner. So, a Winterland box, but from what year??

So..

It's the Winterland Box, the Other Ones (all unreleased Winterland shows).

Ok. Makes perfect sense to me.

Walkin' in a Winterland wonderland

If that is the case...

Sweet

Or maybe

Bolo will now walk to any number of SF venues where the GD played

Or...

Box Set

I still think MHammond's Wall of Sound Box was one of the best concept ideas.. the box would look like the Wall of Sound and contain all remaining Wall of Sound shows. As a nice bonus they could include a fathead Wall Of Sound graphic to stick on your wall behind the big screen and surround sound. The bonus discs would be all 1974 non Wall of Sound shows (the ones before the Cow Palace show).

Who are these marketing clowns at Rhino.. they should just hire us.

HAPPY 77TH BIRTHDAY Mr. Roger Daltrey

77 years young to one of the best pipes in the biz.....and to add to it the celebration THE WHO SELLOUT for you "WHOHEADS"

SUPER DELUXE EDITION OF THE CLASSIC GROUNDBREAKING ALBUM
112 TRACKS ACROSS FIVE CDS & TWO 7” VINYL SINGLES
FEATURING 46 UNRELEASED TRACKS INCLUDING 14 UNHEARD PETE TOWNSHEND DEMOS
80-PAGE HARD BACK BOOK WITH NEW LINER NOTES BY PETE TOWNSHEND AS WELL AS RARE POSTERS, INSERTS & MEMORABILIA
RELEASED 23 APRIL ON UMC/POLYDOR

And for some added fun The Dead and Pete Townshend in 1981
https://youtu.be/-Oym_LQCsPc

Another month...

Thin, my friend, you are not alone. It has now been just over four months since I received my shipping notice for DP 36 at the end of October, with a tracking number that shows that it never actually shipped. So now I'm still waiting for my unnumbered "make up" copy. This is unacceptable...and how many others must be in the same boat! At the very least dead.net should be offering us some kind of extra to compensate for the appalling level of service, lack of communication/transparency, and the LONG wait. This experience has left such a bad taste in my mouth that after subscribing to all previous years of Dave's, and all the Road Trips, and only missing a couple of Dick's volumes, I reluctantly decided not to subscribe this year. Enough is enough.

Are Fatheads still a thing?....

....I'll take one of every Grateful Dead keyboardist and rotate them as my current listening revolves.
Used to have some of every Spinal Tap drummer, but they mysteriously combusted.
I blame gardening.
Edit. Bolo gave a clue and it included a mountain range. I was focused on Andorra.

*RE/ Hey What the heck just happeBolo, maybe it was a flashback

Maybe it was a flashback Bolo ? Lol or even a
Flash forward! Lol nothen left to do but Smile Smile smile! 🙏❤️💀🌹

Shrewnews - sorry

Sorry Shrew. This too shall pass. Someday we'll get our unnumbered DaP36's and we can move on.

Who Sell Out

Kevin Brandon-thanks for the heads up. This was always my favourite Who album. After Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, of course.

The lunatics are in my hall...

The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more

And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forebodings too

I'll see you on the "Dark Side of the Moon!"

"Winterland" could mean the box is from a colder region that has mountains...Alaska?

Be careful the hills have eyes!

Box Set

While my preference would be a 1972 box with a dozen shows featuring Dark Stars Bird Songs, the Winterland idea could produce some gems:

1969 - October (2 shows)
1970 - NYE
1971 - March (2 shows) , May (2 shows, one is partially released on LP) & NYE
1972 - October (1 show), (December 4 shows, including the behemoth from NYE)
1974 (2 shows in Feb, and not sure what to do with the October leftovers from the movie soundtrack - maybe bonus tracks)
1977 (3 in March, 3 in December)
1978 (leftovers of the 5 show From Winterland with Love run).

Lots to choose from.

Winterland Oct. '74

Would love if it were Winterland Oct. '74 with video.

I listened to the soundtrack release yesterday and it didn't sound as good as you would hope coming from multi-track and all. This really needs the killer mixing by Jeffrey Norman.

"(TRI Studios) is a state of the art, world-class audio, video, streaming venue, and recording facility."

We may just be getting a few boxes like the Giants box in the future!

I turn my back for one minute, and.....

An incantation is created, offered, and POOF! The genie comes out of the freakin' bottle, murmuring ... clues?

It's a trick! as Jer was wont to say, when a stage announcement came that told "Smedley" (not his real name) to meet his friend at the concession stand for his "medicine."

I suspect a diversionary tactic: a) it cannot be that easy, b) Bolo's not going to steal DL's thunder, and c) it cannot be that easy.

Though I note that 12-10-72, 12-11-72 and 12-31-72, all played at Winterland, have yet to be released.

Dang it, Bolo, ya did a cannonball into the pool. It may not be "meaningful," but the fools at poolside simply cannot afford to ignore the splashing.

2021 Boxes

Looks like it's a small spring Winterland, '77 box, and then a box in the fall of 1980.

The hints are pointing to two boxes.

April box sets

April 77 (Palladium), April 78 (4-12, 4-14, 4-16, 4-19 and 4-21) or April 69 (Hark! The Ark.)

P.S. Crosswalks

Re: Cannonball

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIE1BpW2zyw

It's a relentless conspiracy, HF. Each morning we all get (well, everyone but you) hundreds of PM's from the good and evil folks here with fake and creative ideas to duke you into box set fever. It's been going on for years. You'd think it would have gotten old, yet we are endlessly amused. Some of these ideas are pure gold, priceless.

My favorite is the Ark Box. The Ark shows, like Cornell, never happened.. they were spliced together at TRI from other shows, many of which have been released by now and inauspiciously uploaded to Archive.org. Yes.. TRI meaning Bob Weir is in on the scheme. Bob, Phil, Mickey, Bill, even the dead keyboardists are in on it thanks to modern technology and the Ouija board. They all think it's hilarious.

Just kidding.. but I do enjoy a good box set fever and multi-track delirium. Especially on an uneventful Tuesday morning. Ark ark.