Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

7,961 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

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

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March 7, 2024 - 5:09pm

#281

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

4-6-89

Yes, my first, and the best concert I had seen in my life up to that point. I was sold, where’s the bus, I’m getting on.

And the laid back atmosphere of Ann Arbor. The cops didn’t even come into the parking lot. I was amazed at what I saw going down on Shakedown Street.

So glad I went. My life changed for the better.
March 7, 2024 - 3:10pm

#282

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Speaking of Transitions

Maybe not 74 China Rider good, but the one from 4/8/89 ain’t no slouch 😀
March 7, 2024 - 2:11pm

#283

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Spring 89

Though I did not relisten to a few shows previously heard, I did rehash several, and some shows multiple times. I started at 2/5 and went in order, finishing with the excellent 5/27 show.

Overall this is a very good, consistent period, though still not as fully gelled as the awesome summer and fall periods. I think this can be attributed to it being yet another transitional period. With the newer songs from the previous year still percolating , as well as several new tunes getting hashed out, (interesting during any era) combined with tech changes and evolving personal roles, it is an interesting period.
One that I hadn’t previously really looked at, and now glad I finally did!

I think generally, the earlier shows of the year are perhaps more consistent than is historically sometimes the case,( but historically similar) in perhaps being a teeny bit subdued, comparatively.
Their all good, enjoyable shows, didn’t hear a dude in the bunch, but hey, they can’t all be top shelf. So I found a nice progression through the spring that really started to gel and peak during the spring tour proper. I hopefully, Iprovide a nice jumping off point for anyone interested in what ever tour I’m stumbling through.

3/28/89: vguy suggested this on POTD awhile back and I liked it as much now as I did then. In fact, it’s in my top picks. A fine show but perhaps just a pace or two off the leaders?
So much of this can be subjective, and though I try to critically listen to all the shows, over time etc, it’s really hard to pick a “best” etc.
So I try to do the leg work for folks who may have a cursory interest about a tour, but not the time or sanity to waste going through the whole thing lol.
So hopefully, I provide a nice jumping off point for anyone interested in what ever tour I’m stumbling through.

I was at the Pittsburgh shows and we felt they continued the promising progression since the big 86 collapse, but though we liked the shows, I recall thinking good but…
years later, with the DL release, I was grateful to get an attended show, but still had some dissonance, perhaps another right city street, but wrong house?
This time around I was really scratching my pointy head at first, but long short, feel the first show kind lacks, except for the fun post drums sequence etc.
The next night however, I felt was a tad above the tour status quo and in the running for a top pick? (But still think perhaps they missed the mark slightly, maybe it was about the tapes? But again, this can all be so subjective).
More importantly, this show or perhaps end of first night can really be seen as point of demarcation from earlier, to the hieght of this period!

4/5&6/89: I think 4/5 is most definitely a tour tops and recommended.
4/6, Conekids first show I believe, is good, but another perhaps just below that top dog line? Another good tour status quo show on the sixth, but not quite the lightning of the fifth?

4/8/89: though we were at this one also, and really enjoyed it, my memory was of a good but ?…And I had a tape of the first and a couple songs from the second, but hadn’t heard the whole show until a few years ago. It perked my interest but I didn’t get back to it until now, and wow, really glad I did! Have a story for this one but I’ll do that later…yeah it’s in my top picks and maybe not THE show but there’s just something about this show, the vibe? The flow, The set list (mostly), and like the whole tour Brent is strong, and because if it’s uniqueness I think this might be my favorite Blow Away of the tour? Vocal harmonies too which were generally really strong over this period!
Well, you can check it out if you please.
I highly recommend a listen and it’s on my top list.

4/9/89: another great show. Fun stuff and more consistent tour status quo, but as throughout the tour you get the occasional vocal flub or miscue, especially with some of the new material. I found this show another, good, but just a step off the pace…

4/11, 12, 13/89: more overall more of the same, in a good way, though the second night seemed a bit of a creeper and the first night (a fine previous DV pick) seemed the strongest of the three, and yet another close but….

4/15/89: same here as several. Good but…not…quite…? I really liked this show and it’s on my second string list.

4/16&17/89 were good, but perhaps on the tour downside or just past the peak section of this period? Very subtle and the kind of thing I think you can only really get if you do whole tours.

IRVINE: more of the same but perhaps a bit looser and thus a bit less tight?
Again, subtle feels and paying attention to misses etc. Perhaps just a touch of California laid back no worries sun fun, as they do sound like their having fun, actually that’s a prevalent vibe through: they were having fun again, getting new momentum etc.
Perhaps a lab opportunity too as they continue to prominently roll out the new stuff for good or sometimes for ill, and definitely here for the Cali crowd.

FROST: boy Frost shows sure seem to both inspire but with some of that laissez-faire Cali home vibe. And these are no different. They open with a good Jack and proceed with a fun set list, though Just a Little Light is still a work in progress. Solid second set which I had a tape of, with cool PITB and yet another cool drums into space, that was stepped up all tour and with the midi addition has become more “other” less trad drums, which I’ve always really dug!
But finally hearing 5/7 I’d have to say I liked that one more, though there were some obvious whoopsies lol. Bird Song was sweet and has been throughout the tour.
One of the spring highlights for me, but I’m sure not others lol is the midi space fest as they really go to town having a ball with the new toys! Really, the whole sequence from He’s Gone through Black Pete is some of the best stuff I heard so far this year!
Another good show, on my second string list just because of the slop factor, comparatively speaking…

Which brings us to show completely off my radar 5/27/89
This was perhaps the biggest surprise of this trip.
And unlike many of these larger multi group bene shows that sometimes get played safe etc, this one has great energy and illustrates how things have progressed nicely over the course of the year during this interesting transitional period, just before and leading up to what I and some consider one of the best stretches in their thirty year history: summer 89 through summer 90!

So, top picks in no real order (whichever I listened to last was best ala Jim ; )
4/8, 4/5, 4/3, 3/28 and 5/27, with second string 4/9, 4/11, 4/15 and 5/7…
That may be a lot, but that’s because if how overall comparative this stretch is, thus not only one or two that really jump out.
I think if you have any infinity for this era you’ll at least enjoy any of these picks, find them a good jumping off point, and hey, sometimes you might even get shown the light ; )

Well, it was fun, but glad it’s over as to really dig in you have to keep at it and by the end I was doing like a weeks of two a days, and 3 DHBs at the end. Actually, more DHBs as I’m rehashing some of my top picks in playoff round lol. Hey, sorry, getting hockey fever lol.
ONWARD!

Prolly cleanse this WE with more 74, then perhaps a week of 69, maybe a bunch of April 69, then a little more May 79 and/or pickup 84 again…
March 7, 2024 - 2:37am

#284

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

China-Rider

If I was to give someone a very brief indication of why I liked The Dead, to someone who had never heard them, I would chose a version of China-Rider. For me, one from between 1972-1974. As the first one I heard was on the old "Europe 72" album, that would be a likely contender.
March 6, 2024 - 7:18pm

#285

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Transitions

Like that exact moment they drifted from China Cat into I Know You Rider

Regardless of the year, words cannot describe.

(did the really make it through HeyNow?)
March 6, 2024 - 8:44am

#286

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Speaking of 89

Been marching through spring 89 (everything I’ve not heard up to 5/27/89)
Just a few shows left then I’ll report back…
March 5, 2024 - 4:18pm

#287

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

Speaking of 89

For those who torrent, summer 89 and fall 89 are at etree as single torrents.
Summer 91 was there too.
Was there last weekend and grabbed them in case they are upgraded from what I already have.
March 5, 2024 - 8:24am

#288

bluecrow

Joined:
September 21, 2015

Box o Rain

Encore got tucked after Set 1 to save space if you were burning to disc, like you would sometimes see in the cassette days. That can fool ya. DaP 49 did it for the 2nd Frost show. The most recent Miller transfer of the Healy/Pierson Ultramatrix has it in correct order. Haven't quite got there yet. Just hit drums and need to break for another task.
March 5, 2024 - 7:15am

#289

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

The Other One

Says thanks for the well wishes.
She’s fine, perhaps hurt her pride most, just a little sore is all.
Think Jim got beat up worse by the Hey Know Police! ; )
Sounds like the bastards turned it up to 11.

Box O Rain was the encore fyi…

I’ll try more later, when I’m done shoveling for the fourth time in 3 days…
March 5, 2024 - 6:58am

#290

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

4-8-89

(Miller SBD) 2nd set starts with Box of Rain?
Angry Brent gets a 9 min. Blow Away.
Solid show. I think I remember Bobby giving an interview saying 1989 was some of their best later stuff.
Cheers

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

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

GOGD/whistful

I hear ya, It was the same for me only in like 77/78. If they would of played locally I could of been on the Big bus a year earlier...such is life.
(Big bus being after seeing live, versus little bus being stuck listening in my teenage room wishing I could see them live!)
EDIT: Ha, think of poor Dave having to go all the way to Harshford with his Ma! Whatever it takes eh!

6/20/74 Cool show!

Awesome “sequence”, interesting Slipknot; JG and Kieth are super tight, but Phil and Bob sit out. Not exactly the kind of song you fake lol.
Sound was all over the place; sometimes great, sometimes things were over saturated...

Ok, who’s up for some extra credit?
How bout 7/7/81? Never have heard the first set, but the second set was a tape fav BITD.

7/7/81

weird

I had the first set on tape, but not the second

5/3/86 plays currently

"justajustajustajusta..."

Bears choice

That bears choice 'Hard to handle' NEVER gets old.

Wha'd Ya Know

Low and behold, my Dave's Picks 36 arrived. Long wait.. I had faith it would plop down on my front porch..,, eventually. Thanks to MaryE for the hand delivery.. I saw the EBike pull away.. pig tails flowing under the swirled, dayglow helmet. She turned to look.. and then was gone. Again, many thanks from all of us for all you do.

#1 of 22,000. My lowest number yet. Now I can finally read the liner notes. Wow.. apparently Dave was at this show, far out.

Congrats Jim

Great news Jim! Finally. Did they throw in some socks for the wait?

#1/22,000, Ha!

6/20/74, good show. Agree OB, the recording is a bit uneven, some parts great, others not as good. Overall B on the sound quality. Seemed kind of a short show for 74. Good pick PF.

Your 81 show for tomorrow OB?
Couldn't make it a two fer today. Hard to keep up with the overachievers.

Okay, so we have a month to go until #38.

No Socks..

Just a coupon for a cup of free hot chocolate.

Edit: I like the socks idea.. colorful, plaid, rainbow or paisley.. I'm all in. Especially the electric kind that blend well with my Birkenstocks.

3/31/80 the other Capitol

The first Feel Like A Stranger 41 years ago today. So let me throw 3/31/80 into the ring for today’s pick.
My one time to the Capitol Theater was 1972(?) to see NRPS. Dr John opened the show. Quite the rowdy audience, ha ha.

Jim & Number 36

Glad to hear.

I like to think that TPTB will always make it right, in time.

At least you got a GREAT number!

.... and free socks? Must be those Balboa socks they always advertise on TV. For every pair you buy, you claim every sock that those socks touch and all the socks that those socks touch.

36, Good Number

Actually, it was 10,393 of 22,000.. which is fine with me.

36 arrival

a good day

if you haven't heard it yet, Desolation Row > Birdsong is really good.

It's gonna get stranger

Far out... dug dusting off 6/20/74.
Ship of Fools sounding so good, man I dig Jerry's voice in '74.
And that Truckin' > Eyes > Slipknot! > China Doll. That's the stuff.
A bit under the radar, especially with all it's towering neighbors.
Speaking of... popped on 6/22/74 Bonus after and that kinda further proves why this 6/20 show might go unnoticed.
Damn!

Alright, you know it's gonna get Stranger huh Strider?

I'm hip for the trip to 3/31/80.

Hot Dog Jim them's some Hot shows in Hartford, love that '87 vibe.

OB I wish I could help with the cartoon.. but you got me.
Not familiar with it, but if you find it, I wanna see it and hear all the deets.

That's all I got.
So let's get on with the show!

I check my memory, I check it quick, oh yes I will

6/16/74: out-of-this-world wood
6/18: solid wood
6/20: nice wood
6/22: good wood
6/23: major wood
6/26: awesome wood
6/28: magnificent wood
6/30: beautiful wood

Couldn't see the forest for the trees

That's a lot of wood.

Wood

Remember kids wood and catheters don't mix!

how bout.....

Woke up with some morning wood today.
Went to pee but the wood would not go away.
Went in the yard and water the plants this way.
When the water past, the wood it went away.

I know, sad humor,,,, if it were good, I'd be selling ice cream!

It’s better than wood...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2C7mNr5WMjA

Woody Harrelson....

....love that guy.

Great Recording

by Rob Eaton on this 3/31/80.

Sounds like this run was fun.

6/16/74 Playin'

one of the all-time greats

3.31.80 Capitol....

....first Stranger!!

Ha

Love the wood analogies. Doing some home carpentry, so timely humor.

I gotta bump up 6/18 a notch though. One of the all time great Eyes of the World>China Doll and the WRS/TOO/It's a sin something..

3/31/80

Decent show, good aud...another off the beaten path notch off the list.

Yeah both

So both of them there shows sound killer today.

Nice suggestions PF & Jim.
I'm in June '74 with the Wall of Sound and it's sunny outside.

And anytime you want to suggest a top 5 PITB, I'll take the bait.

Amazing how much presence Phil had in '74.

Edit: 6/16 & 6/18/74 that is.
(Oil that is! Black Gold, Texas T)

Stranger

One of the great late era songs. I don't think I am alone in saying this tune made sense or had a calming effect on that point in the show where the ceilings and walls become liquid and there is at least a little concern that they might turn to goo and begin dripping down the sides of the coliseum/shed/theatre/area/stadium or wherever the hell you were when the shit really started to hit the fan.

And I love that song for that effect. It's going to be alright, now let's get on with the show.

One more wood

Minglewood

Re: Dr. Proudfoot

Goodness.. as funny as I thought my last comment was, it will surely screw up my future run for Senate. In summary, Dr. Proudfoot, deadnet's most beloved scholar.

My edited post pontificated and expanded the meaning of the word Minglewood. Let's just let that post die a graceful death.

Night all.. this is a family channel after all???

Or is it?

Favorite Minglewods

4/29/71, 5/15/70, 12/30/79, I like a lot of the 1977 versions also.

I'm "goin' down" (wink wink nudge nudge)

to mingle my wood with....uh....

Family shmamily

We are all just twisted old men here

of our own device

I'm "goin' down" (wink wink nudge nudge)

to mingle my wood with....uh....

Family shmamily

We are all just twisted old men here

of our own device

You could almost think

that you're postin' double

Stranger

I always like Stranger for an opener.

Just for the line... you know it's gonna get stranger...

I always label this in my mind as an "Electric" song. Versus China Doll I classify as a "music box" song.

Minglewood

So many great minglewoods. 5/28/77 comes to mind as well as 10/3/87. But there are so many more. Always a rocker. And the version from Ladies and Gentlemen from April 71 lights it up.
Didn't this appear on Shakedown Street. All new minglewood blues.

right there

with Dr. ProudFoot - 6/16 Playing is one of the greatest. love it love it love it. another favorite from that year is the first October night at Winterland, 10/16.

yes like a moth to the psychedelic flame of '74. that Omni show on 6/20 was new to me too, despite looking at the set list for years in my raggedy ass deadbase. listened yesterday and thought whole show was excellent. yep a little short for the year, some tape wobble and speed issues maybe set II. no matter. Trucking and Eyes were the bomb. Something about the Slipknot jam reminded me of a Celtic fiddle tune, which was not something I've ever associated Slipknot before. The China Doll was gorgeous. hopefully any tape issues can be ironed out for a release.

onward

Minglewoods

4/29/71
5/15/70
my first show, first tune: Minglewood.

Just for the sake of arguement

Today marks anniversary of my first show. 4-1-80 - Capitol Theater - Passaic, NJ.

RAH!

Didn't know shit! It was all a blur. It was loud.

Knowing now what I know, I was very lucky to be at that venue, we had great seats on the floor in a small theater.

"A" is for...

Alaska
Alpine
Ark
Avalon

Dennis

Pretty sweet way to start in April of 1980.

41 years ago!

Now if they would just give us a nice 1980 box!

Happy Anniversary Dennis!

That’s one hell of a start!
That should of been our pick...

STRANGER: always loved a good Stranger opener, especially if plugged in ; )
Like a second set song to open.

Jim/Senate

So do you think your taking my seat or VGUYS?
I relish the battle ahead, and a new breed of politics. Let’s start with that time you skipped a show to study for a test
Rrrrraaaaabnnnnnnnntttttt, (buzzer sound like when your wrong on a game show! ; )

Family Shmamly

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Here’s some family entertainment for the kids
https://archive.org/details/gd85-04-07.sbd.sacks.3346.sbeok.shnf/gd85-0…

Dr PF?...

Nah, I picture him more like some weird lab rat assistant in a white coat who likes to test the potions, later, after hours, after everyone else has gone home ; )

6/16/74

Isn’t that my good twin Oroboros first show? Where is that ole rascally rascal? We haven’t heard from him in a couple years! If your out there, hope your doing well amigo!
Perhaps Dr Proudfoot can conjure up some potion and summon him?

Wish Realgone would re-drop this one, one of the few I don’t have. But I do have the Bonus disk thanks to an unbelievably kind person here!! Thanks again Bra! Still can’t believe how generous that was!

BOLO and the four As

Hhhmmmmm??? That would make a sweet box!
3 shows from each historic run....
Or is it another clue?
Or is it a fools errand?
Hmmmmmm???

"A"

Alfred College
Alligator Alley Gymnasium
Aladdin Theater
Academy of Music
Alfond Arena
Alleghany State College

I think Bolo has officially announced the Alphabet Box Series and the end date for vault material releases.

Each year for the 20 (no venues starting with X, Q, Z,...) or so years we will get a box of all releasable shows based on the first letter of the venue, after the alphabet is completely exhausted.. all the worthy shows will have been released, Dave will retire and that's it. This is great news, the "A" box released on October 31st is going to be spectacular.

The down side.. I am going to be old as dust by the time RFK '73 gets released. An alternate box concept is the Everything Box where every show in the vault would be remastered and released as a giant treasure chest. (#StormTheVault #FeeTheReels)

Edit: The final box would be a three show box for Zoo Amphitheatre, 1981, 1982 and 1985.

As for my run for Senate.. My only shot is a devastating scandal followed by resignation.. so long as you two stay away from under age girls while crossing state lines, your seats are safe.

give it a listen sometime.

Gong Bong, anyone?

some people...

Last summer, my son's Prius had its catalytic converter stolen.

three nights ago... my Prius' CC got stolen.

BASTARDS.

If I could get hold of 'em, I'd force feed the thieves brown acid and lock 'em in a room with a non-stop strobe light and nothing but Bobby Goldsboro's greatest hits on repeat.

Luckily, insurance covers all but $100 of the replacement.