• 8,084 replies
    marye
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    Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

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  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    More on GD/Amps/US Navy

    I was close... if you google it you will get an answer pretty quick. Here is a quick quote from my first google land.

    Rosie McGee was cracking up at her desk when Dennis "Wiz" Leonard walked in from lunch.

    "What's the story?" Wiz asked McGee, then a receptionist and bookkeeper at Alembic, a California-based custom electric guitar, bass, and pre-amp company where Wiz worked as an audio engineer.

    "Well, the Department of Defense just called me," she told him. "They were asking if we could defer the purchase of our next four 3500s, so they could get four."

    Those amps were in high demand at Alembic. The 3500s, in particular, would be used in the Wall of Sound's vocal array tweeters, drum tweeters, and for Jerry Garcia's guitars. But was it just Alembic buying them up? A rumor was going around—a "urban myth," Wiz told me—that the US military was using Mac 3500s for sonar, specifically to listen for Soviet submarines.

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    Passing the Test

    Isn't the goal here to be lighthearted? I try my best to not let the craziness of the world/media not get to me here? Isn't the goal here to be a kind prankster? They ask, "Are you kind?" Most of the flamers I look like as children, either actual age or not. Many are so deep in social media and issues that result thereof, they cannot see what it is doing to them. They are being handled, manipulated, and unwittingly abused by the profiteers. I try to stay away.

    Jim, had no idea of the McIntosh amp issues. Thanks for that piece of info. As much as I love the music, it is just how they were. So real and fun which someone wrote, "creating their own iconography." The richness of their traditions and internal musical dialog that we love is an unending source of comfort as they lived it everyday for 30 years. I wish I had a shot at hearing even 50% of their music, but as I have written before, my OCD makes me wear out a great jam over and over instead of looking for the next one. Need to work on that for sure.

    So Jim and Oro and many others, thanks for passing the test.

    G

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    GFar

    You are kind soul.. I appreciate all you provide here. Same goes to Oro. I think it would take a face to face to catch me up on all the technology (old or new) that the two of you bring for me to truly understand. As for old.. and I am sure you both know.. in either late 73 or early 74 (I think 73).. the GD got into a scuffle with DOD over equipment they were ordering that was desperately needed for national security. Apparently, the Macintosh amps they were buying in unprecedented numbers were needed both in general and more specifically by special, top secret subs that needed the clean sound and amplification to either detect enemy interference or better hear and make stealth the noise they were making. So they called the GD and tried to work out a way to either stall, postpone or barter a purchasing arrangement that would not jeopardize national security.

    I think this is well known, and I apologize in advance for going on memory and surely confusing some of the information listed above as fact. ..but what is written is pretty close, if someone can clarify and correct it would not offend me in the least.

    Hope I didn't write anything that was incorrect or in any way interpreted as insulting or offensive.

    As for chainsaws and sawzaws to clear way for our living room WOS.. what could possibly be more fun.

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    Sawzaw

    Ah the sounds of my earliest fun dentist. "You dont need no gas!"

    All my stereo stuff is old, always fussy. Running all old Yamaha into JBL (plus svs). Trying to get stuff cleaned and parts replaced. When it is on, it is quite the stereo indeed. I have an old yamaha eq that I hooked up when Dave's first show was released. Goes into Pre amp, then to a yamaha mx-830. The MX-830 is powering 4 jbl g300's and 2 jbl LX 600's. Running 6 speakers means the amp is running at 550 watts at 2 ohms. It cooks. The speakers all have same tweeters and mid ranges. The 300s run 8" woofers and the 600s have 10 inch woofers. It is old but as you say "in budget." Smile.

    edit:
    Then the svs has a 550 watt continous, 850 watt peak sledge. The svs I picked up a few years back for $399. I had to have a sub with an internal crossover. So out of preamp to svs (rca cables), then back into the preamp, then to amp. Having old yamaha means older connection points. Modern amps control the crossover themself and pump sub out already crossed over. I happen to run my internal sub amp at a cutoff of 82 hz. George Lucas uses 80 hz crossover in his THX sound systems. So I am slightly above that. I did some sampling of the room using the preamp features.

    G

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Do you have any '74 Dijon?

    Neanderthal's use chain saws.. a sophisticated audiophile attacks their living rooms delicately with a sawzaw.

    I'm totally jealous.. I am blasting with my 20 year old Denon, similar age speakers with no intents on upgrading anytime soon. Budgets be budgets..

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    Yeah

    Can you imagine writing the real equipment book? With the constant upgrading of the system, that book would be multiple enormous volumes. Hope the Meyers have logged a lot of their research.

    No 18's here. Of course not needed.

    Back last year, Oro, you asked if I was running multiple subs. I am not. I have a 12" SVS Systems sub with built in Sledge D amp. It is like the rabbit, it is a thumper. Goes down to 13 or 15hz, so below the 20hz of human hearing. That is, if all memories about frequency response are still good. Starting to get the old enough to question my own thoughts at times.

    I am still hoping for the day when we can listen to WoS through a system that takes us to the "Fare the Well" P.A.. Would have to be software based, but I look at it like 4K upcoding an HDTV signal.

    Wow, FTW PA is now 7 years ago. Bet the Meyers' have gone way beyond that. I almost applied for a job at Meyer 7 years ago. Was in my career field. POTHead.

    That 2015 system had multiple flying 18's. It also had a load balancing system. This was done by having 2 systems, intake and outake. That is, they had 100 microphones throughout the stadium to push into the analytics software. Of course, the output systems was not connected except thru analytics, to the input system to avoid feedback. Brilliant. The analytic input system could then be used to balance the PA by section of the of the stadium.

    Sorry for interruption but I wanted find the article on pro sound web about 2015 FTW PA.

    I did actually find it, but not by searching pro sound web, but by searching internet at large and it found it on the pro sound web site, even though pro sound web could not find it in its own search.

    Let me know, maybe I can send lynk thru PM here, not sure if they cut that off.

    Any way need to do a little work after lunch. I mean a little work.

    G

  • Oroborous
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    Ha

    That’s what chain saws are for!

    Gary, I think besides trying to keep up with Garcia, Phil was using that big system on stage to help fill in those near field areas (up front etc) we were discussing, the areas that didn’t get proper coverage from the PA?
    What some refer to as the Phil Zone, though to me that’s was where both his stage sound and the PA sound merged and acoustically coupled.
    But yeah, My spine tingles and can still feel rather than hear those sub frequencies in my DNA. (By sub I mean below the threshold of hearing, not a subwoofer). Those Meyers 18”s in the PA were ridiculous in the right spot, in the right venue etc.
    Plus, it’s the Grateful Fucking Dead so why not go big!

    PS, that Grateful Dead gear book is great, though a little dialed down.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    I want what Phil's having...

    Home version. 18"'s and 4"'s. If I move some things around, they should fit.

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    Oro

    thanks for the write-up, input. Need a little time to read again and ponder. Think again we are speaking the same language but as 90% of communication is non verbal, some times the written language let's us down.

    It seems I have the dead's equipment book, need to track that down. Not necessarily for this discussion but just to find it again...

    Should have figured Phil would use Meyer systems. Using 18's onstage, wow!

    Hope all well your way!

    G

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Phil’s Rig

    As of late 82 or early 83 Phil was using 4 Meyers cabinets: (4 -18”, 4 -15”), 2 per cabinet powered by custom PIE amps, until they started not using speakers on stage in 92. (Which I didn’t like).

    Not sure I get all what your saying? I agree that Soundboards do not sound natural for many reasons.
    Perhaps your referring to the phenomena of Microphones not having frequency response to accurately record bass waves combing sub sonic frequencies at those kind of SPL levels?
    Mic location can also make a big difference and was partly why Dan started the tapers section. Unless you have the right knowledge and equipment chances are a recording made too close will mot sound good.
    Plus you have the physics: the lower the frequency, the longer the sound wave. If your too close you’ll not hear the fully formed bass note etc.
    In fact if your too close much of the PA sound will blow right by you. You’ll also not properly experience stereo imaging. That’s why usually, the sound board or just before it was THE place to be. It was a trade off going up front: yeah you were up close and could see and hear their stage sound, but the PA mix was so above and beyond you that you missed a lot of info. Eventually they added little Meyers boxes, usually sitting on the front of the stage to add some vocals etc for those up close.
    Nothing comes for free! Personally, like Bear, I didn’t like the stereo set up because of this. Unless you were in the right spot, you missed a lot of info, especially if you were sitting on the side!
    This was the main reason Reserved seating sucked: nobody could sit where they wanted so if you were a sound nut like us, you often had to endure less than perfect sound/mixes.

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Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.
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I would choose 6/2/95 Shoreline, I was there in the 2nd row and I had a blast!

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Thank goodness.

So I turned back the odometer a year and a few days from 11/22/72 and currently on RT Vol.3, No. 2. Austin 11/15/71 Disc 1. Been awhile since I've walked this neighborhood. At first I think Phil's bass is in fact a bit low in mix and distorted for that era but right now in Casey Jones and everyone's happy here.

7/19/74. 3/26/72. How about both?

On the road yesterday and was listening to DaP 8 - 11/30/80 Fox Theatre Atlanta. Wow that is a sweet show and release. Wish they'd revisit the matrix concept for some of that early '80s material.

All 3 shows in Seattle '95 were really good and lots o' fun. Same for the 2 in '94. Out there in the Northwest I feel like we were a bit removed from some of the decline. To this day I have the what ifs over fact they sound checked Tough Mama prior to 5/24 and Whisky in the Jar(!!) prior to that or another show in same run (don't see that one uploaded on relisten.) But yeah they played excellent Want to Tell > Estimated that 1st night (I was on the rail) and D/S>Wheel night 2 was flat out amazeballs.

Onward!

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In reply to by bluecrow

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Went with 4-2, old CD-R and it sounds nice. Love the sound of lightning bolt.
A good Drums/Space for those who enjoy those.
I went to both nights, it was a good time in the Pyramid.

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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thanks DV - really enjoyed getting reacquainted with this RT. Disc 2 in particular had been lost in the ether. Jam out of Not Fade Away has that raw Caution energy that showed up next year in Europe.

bonus disc from 11/14 Ft.Worth later this morning. that's been like forever.

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You lucky dog, those Memphis Pyramid shows were off the hook. I listen to them from time to time, best of that spring run IMO.

Right on Bluecrow.

I have had to go back and pick up some of the RT Trips that I missed in the past and this one definitely shined for me.

So much great music out there, keep it coming.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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BlueCrow 5/26/95 is a really sweet show. Dug that, wouldn't mind giving the rest of that run a listen, but sounds like the Sunday show was the highest.
Now ConeKidd talking 4/2/95.
I'm stuck in the mid 90s :)

Actually was able to check out a majority of 7/19/74. Wow!
Don't think I noticed the patch in Let It Grow @ 10:15-11:17 sounded like it needs a lil pitch correction?
But.. what a show.
Thanks for suggesting it DV.

Gonna try and head over to Texas '71 today and see what I been missing.
And then I believe 3/26/72 was a mention as well.

We'll see where the day takes me. But dug the '74 trip.
Of note: Taper's Compendium lists shows to get from '74 as 2/24, 3/23, 6/16, 6/18, 6/23, 6/26, 6/28, 7/19, 9/10, 9/11, 9/20, 10/16, 10/18, 10/19 and between, Dick's, Dave's, Road Trips & GD Movie Sndtrck each of these shows has seen some type of release with the exception of 9/20.
Might have to dust that one off soon.

Good stuff!

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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Just some parts of it.

I followed 4-2 with 4-1, which has a Take Me To The River (Pyramid Arena sits on the bank of the Mississippi).
Those were the only shows I saw in spring 95 and they were pretty good.
Give them a play if you have never heard them.

And if you have never heard 3-23-95 give it a play. Has Ole Brucy sitting in and is mighty fine.

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I just finished listening to the complete 1972 Academy of Music seven shows. (Was at 3) . Had never even heard most of the tapes. I own the Dicks Picks 30 CD plus the Dave’s Picks 14. Do not have the Rockin the Rhein bonus disk with Dark Star. It was quite a journey of seven shows seven days in a row. 3/22/72 has Caution and 3/23/72 has a 23 minute Dark Star.
Also listened to 50th Anniversary of 3/14/71 today. Short but sweet. Organ strong in the mix. Also hollow sound of the Camp Randall Field House. Different sound from Capitol Theater to Fillmore West to Wisconsin, same five musicians. Also progression with new songs and five piece.
So far have listened to all the 1971 GD available on relisten on the 50ths . Real phun.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Haven't listened to this in at least a couple of years. #830, one of the first with a lower number, not that it matters.
Thanks for checking it out all.

I love the picture of the boys and the Wall on the back of the liner notes, so cool!
Just can't imagine what it would have been like to see them with the Wall of Sound. And some of you lucky people did and are still here to talk about it.

This show is solid, not the best 74 show released to date, but good. I really like the He's Gone into US Blues, WRS, Spanish Jam into Eyes and a good finish. I can not hear that patch in Let is Grow, GOGD, but my ears sometimes don't pick those up.

Dave's #38, coming up around the corner.

Everybody hang loose.

Pretty cool Strider, March 72, that must have been fun.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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The Other One

Smokes!

Dug it / Dig it

Happy Birthday Phil!

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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5 smoking craters :)

that whole 11/14 bonus disc is excellent. weekend listen totally reset my appreciation for RT 3.2.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Two Fer it is Jim.
Download Series 6 and Dick's 13. 68 and 81. Thanks guys and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

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Time to get green eh? Cough, cough....

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Alright OB... I might have to get my green on for St. Pat's.

Part 1 of Two-fer done.

Cool stuff!

Think it'd be cool if we got a seaside chat tomorrow?

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In reply to by bluecrow

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Crazy Night!

3/31/86 is groovy.

Dug the Caution Jam on DiP V13, bet that Severson version is fun too!
I should prob check that out.

GOGD - I went with the Severson because it was taped from the penalty box, but went back to sample some of the others and think Wise source is better.

PF - rarely wander into '86 but yeah 3/31 looks fun and if you say so :)

(crowd chanting) - Seaside chat!! Seaside chat!!

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In reply to by bluecrow

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Thanks for the Jim Wise recommendation, I'll try and give that a spin.
3/31/86 is a great/fun show, had that tape BITD, that Hand Jive is my favorite and the jam after GDTRFB is epic.
Def worth a visit and good call PF, I enjoyed that!
And I don't know guys, I might like 5/8/81 better.
Slid on that PITB and it rips from there, great Stella Blue too.
Might have to go through that whole show. May '81 & March '86
Good times & good picks today, good day of the green :)

Seaside Chat! Seaside Chat!

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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3/17/68 delivered. Short but packed with lysergic energy. Got the first set of 5/6 under my belt. Time to turn the lights down and get down to it.

Seriously.. I had forgotten how off the hook 3/17/68 was. We need more 1968.. if Lemieux keeps stonewalling us I am storming the vault. Who's with me?

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Kudos to you Jim for the great pick for today, Dick's Picks #13. And of course your recall of the Irishman at the start of He's Gone. Pretty powerful. They didn't do many dedications throughout their career.
And this release always delivers. And the hidden Scarlet Fire is not too shabby either. Okay, as an American Irishman, better crack my first beer and I loved the Irish jokes on the other thread.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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....give me a trebuchet and a lighter and let me do what I do.
I didn't listen to the GD today.
edit.....but I still have time.

Now we're talking. To ensure the right message on cable news, we will need a few thousand volunteers too.. equipped with pitchforks, torches and "Free The Reels" t-shirts and baseball caps.

Who thinks we'll get a Seaside Chat today?!?!

If not today, than maybe next week.

5/6/81 is far out.
It's eluded me on many listens.
Don't get me wrong, love May '81.
And I always liked the jam, but was scratching my head a bit on why this got the nod for release.
I'd listen and shrug, and go and read the Taper's Compendium and reviews and everybody loves it, so I'd think that it was just me being a weirdo.

However, when I went back and listened to the Jim Wise audience recording yesterday, I was totally getting it.
Now, it coulda been the headspace of later in the day vs first thing in the day.
But, this is kind of a first for me, which is why I'm writing about it, cause you know, you listen to a band for 35 years and you still have firsts... that's exciting!

I've read many reviews of people saying they dug the audience recording more because something was missing for them from the SBD.
Being a SBD snob, I kinda dismissed this as nonsense.
But this show might just change my mind.
That all being said, listening to the SBD with a new appreciation and still love that jam after He's Gone.
Good pick!

PS - If you missed 3/31/86 yesterday... Do it!

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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Hey, have you ever listened to the official release?

I don't think we will hear anything on the box for a while. Maybe not until May. Hope I am wrong.

Looking back a couple of years for 2019, the Giants Stadium Box was announced on August 1, 2019 and the PNW Box was slated to be announced on August 1, 2018, but it somehow leaked before the announcement.

Do you think we will get a Meet Up At The Movies this year?

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DeadVikes - Mos Def!
That's kinda what I was talking about, I'd listen to the official release and be like.. ok.
But I think I'm feeling the magic even more after visiting that Jim Wise audience.

Just rambling, but I liked this show before, but I think I like it more now.

And in regards to the Seaside Chat, DL posted a picture of an Eagle that he spotted the other day while he was "recording a seaside chat" so I'm thinking we might hear something soon... guess we'll see.

I'm anxious for more GD release news.

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I saw Weir dedicate He's Gone to Len Bias at the Greek in 1986 and I saw Kreutzman dedicate it to Paul Butterfield at Laguna Seca n 1987. Kreutzman had been playing some gigs with Butterfield.

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In reply to by The Good Ole G…

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Interesting. Could be the Seaside Chat for #38.

But, hey, bring on the Box. I am ready for sure.

I might have to check out the audience version of 5/6/81, if you think it sounds even better.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Yo DVikes, so not sure it's better... (still a SBD snob)
But definitely give the Jim Wise recording of that show a preview.
I didn't listen to the whole thing, but it just has a different life to it.
I've heard people mention that about Audience recordings before, and this is one of those shows that it's really cool to hear the "live" aspects of.
Gives it new life ;)
Plus Jim got a sweet pull that night.
Nassau must've been a hot time that year fo sure!

And Yeah, peeps were telling me it's too early for a Dave's Picks Announcement... so maybe we'll get some Box news :)

Strider - I need to dust off that 3/18/71 at some point

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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give up the box
oh, we need the box
we gotta have that box

my money is WAITING, ptb

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Whooo - I love that Tivoli show! Good choice!

I think I might check out 3/19/86 for a bit too. The SQ of the copies I've found are not great (the AUDs are ok, the SBD of Set 1 sounds really muffled to these ears...). However, strong 2nd set, and the first Visions of Johanna (a very sweet one too...)

Also, let's not forget about Winterland 77! An embarrassment of riches!

Have a good one, friends!

Peace

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Playing ketchup...
3/18/71 as we speak,
then circle back for a better taste of 5/6/81 disc 3, then, at some point I’ll hit 4/14/72.
That 81 has really grown on me over the years. Hope real gone puts that out again as I only have a copy and
A) really dig this show, and B) I’m down to missing hard copies of around 8 DiPs, so hope they keep rereleasing em so I can Phil that hole...forgot about the hot S/F! Where’s that from again?
Could use a big 72 DS, but I MUST get outside today!
I’ve been starting to walk outside when I can (the treadmills not the same...) and it’s probably hitting 60 up here and I’ve been slacking, so.....so the 72 might have to be “on deck” until appropriate time is available.
Yeeshk, also have a whole list of groovy 90s ideas from y’all, oh, and that 3/31/86 too, Doooaahh!
If I’m up for it, maybe I’ll see if there’s more spring 86 shows on YouTube as I enjoyed 3/19 last Friday night.
I’ve also got a few shows I marked that I thought looked like possible off the grid shows for a day when we don’t have anything lined up...

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In reply to by billy the kid

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Len Bias.. a fine Terrapin, and a tragedy.

Gotta admit the incident gave me a different outlook on that drug. Weird memories, that hit close to home.

I'm in. What's not to like about this show. 4/17 is awesome too.

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Just watched that 3/19/86 on YouTube last week, the video is decent considering, but the Audio was pretty good (at least using Auro 3D?)

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Lotsa Caution this week.
Diggin' it.

4/14/72 you say? Ok.

Another good spring '86 is Set 2 from 3/28/86 for those '86ers out there.

Good times and great oldies!

Happy Friday Freaks :)

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TGIF

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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A favorite Pig tune. Under the right conditions it simply blows me away, and how about the Phil factor!.. I haven't gotten there yet for 4.14.... tomorrow.

The Caution from 3/17/68 was spectacular. (well, the China Cat>Eleven>Caution to be exact). Shit that hole mini show left a smoking crater.

When I first listened to the E72 box it was the Dark Star Caution sequences that had my tongue unrolling out of my mouth onto the gravel below my feet. Wowwow stuff.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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back ca. '82 got a very hissy nth generation board of Rotterdam from Dark Star through Uncle Johns. The oddest tape, the VU meter was maxed out on one channel, the needle barely moved on the other, yet through the hiss it was still "balanced." Originally it was tough to get past the oddities of the tape to the music itself. One long hot summer night about 2 am I threw it in a half-assed cassette player, put on a cheap pair of headphones, and turned out the lights. hiss? what hiss? total time machine. came out on the other side just completely and utterly gobsmacked. among other "things" that blew my mind was that Caution and Phil with the pile driver bass. OMFG. totally rewrote what little I thought I "knew" about E72. at the time maybe only other circulating Europe show I had was the Radio Luxemburg broadcast.

side note - Phil quotes Bird Song in the drifting aftermath of the Dark Star meltdown. Bird Song was MIA Fall 71 through Europe.

edit - some neurons appear to have been crossed regarding 3/18 and I can't sort it out without a deep dive in my vault which isn't happening anytime soon.

Onward (into the ether)!