Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,084 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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June 11, 2020 - 7:24am

#6861

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

Thank You Mr. Garcia!

Yesterday's 10/12/68 pick definitely took me places.

Places I'd been before, and new places as well.

As said here by others, some really wonderful stuff going on throughout this magical show as the band jettisons into a new universe & explores the improvisational music cosmos.

By October '68 Dark Star has begun to grow larger wings, but it's still a baby bird that will take flight and leave the nest soon. Of note in this version is Bear's recording (I believe) and Mickey's playing of the "Scratcher". It sounds as though Mickey's walking around on stage while he plays, at least that's how it sounds with Headphones, the instrument is truly circling around your head in this recording. How bad ass is that? And this is a bootleg from over 50 years ago!

However, while Dark Star is just beginning to really gain strength in it's legs, St. Stephen is Standing Proud & Tall and has possibly reached it's greatest height, this is an almost absolutely perfect version of the song, and if you listen to some of the earlier versions from the summer of that year ('68 mystery reels come to mind, possibly from Carousel June '68), it's some amazing growth that this song has gone through in appx 4 months! The audience already loves this song as evident when you put on 9/2/68, within the first notes on that version the crowd starts getting so excited it throws the band off with surprise. St. Stephen, with it's William Tell Bridge, will continue to be this height for a little while longer, but will begin to diminish and shrink with age in the following year. I'm not sure it ever gets much higher than this version.

That brings us to The Eleven, I think Bolo says it best, this version can convert a non-believer. So imagine what it does to all of us already at the church. This is an absolute ripping version of the song and all the long months of rehearsal are truly evident when you listen to the effortlessness of which they throw this song down.

And to complete the suite they seg seamlessly into a sultry Death Don’t. Listen to Jerry sing during Death Don't, man could that guy sing a song with emotion. People would criticize that voice, but I always thought it was the most wonderful voice of all ;)

Oh... and there's a Set 2!!!

Which just absolutely shreds your face off, if it was still left, hanging there by a thread.

This is manic air guitar, give you the chills, tears in your eyes, shake your head in wonder stuff here people!! I want to hear it again, and again and again!

So like I said, it took me places, I dived deep into some '68 after this 10/12 relisten, I had to hear the next night 10/13/68 SBD (not as good, but see for yourself), 10/20/68 30 Trips release (check the difference between the Dark Star’s), and 9/2/68 (interesting recording, I need to check back on this, my mind was melted at this point and life distracted me).

What a Trip!

And like mentioned here, this was all during a time when Pigpen & Bobby were on thin ice and "fired" from the band.
Fascinating.

I believe a ’68 release or box set was mentioned, it’s hard to think that we’ll get one based on what exists (appx 37 shows / fragments) and quite a few have been released. Sadly most of Summer ’68 is a black hole, as well as the touring at the end of the year. There are definitely shows that were recorded that we don’t have, whether or not they still exist or not is a bigger question, I know Bear recorded more than we have especially in regard to the later part of the year, but for now the trail stops there and I’m afraid it is a bit cold…

That all being said, if there was a ’68 box style release I’d vote for The Quick And The Dead tour in January - Feb ’68. Always loved that stuff, it’d be repetitive and have some warts and all feel, but shit I love it.

Love to hear thoughts on what you all would see as potentially release worthy. This 10/12/68 show should be a definite consideration.. if they can make it sound even better I’ll be the first to drop down some cash to get it!

You’re still here?? Crazy kids..

After I came to earth from that I continued our little Cal Expo ’90 relisten and loved it too. I think 6/10/90 is my favorite show from the run, but you know Playing In The Band usually makes me say that. The Jack Straw is definitely worth listening too. And Phil saying he’s not gonna quit the band and it’s all a bullshit lie, with Jerry saying yeah, the rest of us are, well.. that’s priceless.

What’re we gonna listen to today?

Edit: 5/28/77 you say... looks promising and it's been awhile.
June 11, 2020 - 7:17am

#6862

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Today's Pick

What's on tap for today gents?

FourWinds, where are you?

I might check out 5/28/77, the last night of the Spring Tour. To Terrapin Release from 2007.
June 11, 2020 - 2:30am

#6863

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

1968 - you're fired!

This was the year that drew me in. Back in the 70s, I had heard a few albums by the Dead, but it was only after I heard Anthem that it all clicked into place. After getting into that one, all the others started to make sense.

Incidentally, it was in October, as I understand it, that Pigpen and Bob were...strange as it may now seem...sacked. And those Mickey and the Hartbeat shows were played between October and December, without either of them in attendance. I used to think that was why Pigpen didn't play on 10/12/68. But I could clearly be wrong - both he and Bob played a lot of shows with the Dead during the same period as the Mickey and the Hartbeat shows.
June 10, 2020 - 10:04pm

#6864

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Right on Bolo!

I have several buddies that still refer to it as pots and pans.
They clearly don't get it.

So much unbelievable music! Still can't explain it to even family members.

But every day, I still want to listen to the treasuries we have.

More to come.
June 10, 2020 - 5:17pm

#6865

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Relisten....

....been Relistening for a while. Cool app. The right side sidebar lets you pick the source. Less clunky than the archive for sure. Sacrilege? Maybe.
10.12.68? I was five months old. Bring it to my diapers!!
June 10, 2020 - 4:46pm

#6866

bolo24

Joined:
November 25, 2009

Here's the thing...

Today's pick was recorded over 50 years ago - half a century. In 5 decades, no other music created since then comes anywhere close to what I heard today. Normally, I'd probably add "IMHO" to the end of that last sentence. Not this time - it's an indisputable fact.

I had a non-head musician friend years ago question my over-the-top enthusiasm for the Dead, saying they were slow and sloppy, couldn't rock out, Garcia just "noodles" aimlessly, etc. In other words, the usual misinformed opinions we've all heard and read before.

I played "The Eleven" from this show for him on a really good sound system, sat back and watched his face morph from surprise to disbelief to joy and wonder. He was literally speechless for a good chunk of time before the expected "WOW" passed his lips. An instant convert! He still blames me for his "incurable disease" on a regular basis.

Gollum mentioned the drums. While one can intelligently debate the one- vs. two-drummer format from 1975 on, there is probably little dissension regarding the irreplaceable impact of Billy and Mickey abusing their instruments during the"primal" period. The whole band was a flat-out juggernaut during that time and the two drummers had a lot to do with that.

What a band. So grateful that we here all "get it."
June 10, 2020 - 3:09pm

#6867

Thats_Otis

Joined:
May 12, 2011

10/12/68

The "Jam" before Feedback is cool - starts off in "Other One" territory, then moves to something totally original, then gets very close to "Caution" - I bet they would have gone there if Pig hadn't been missing.

Feedback... and, goodnight!

Does anyone know if the "Morning Dew" that starts the set on this recording (at least the one that Bolo posted) is from this show? It doesn't seem to be on the setlist.

On to Cal Expo!

Peace

EDIT: It looks like "Dew" was the opener, but for some reason it was left off the set list.
June 10, 2020 - 3:03pm

#6868

Gollum

Joined:
November 22, 2010

10/12/68

Great show! I don't think I've listened to this in its entirety before. This is also my first time trying the Relisten app -(how nice!) I love the separation of the drummers in this music.
June 10, 2020 - 2:25pm

#6869

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Did someone say 1968?

Hell yea. Light the fuse and run away.
June 10, 2020 - 1:52pm

#6870

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

The older I get the more I like New Potato Caboose

Phil's base jam is crushes it!!!! Onward to 6/10/76 for a little anniversary listen... bob t

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.

Re: CC

Fargin Ash holes.

It just so happens I am watching one of the better vigilante movies of all time. Coincidence?

I hate theft. I also hate littering. Oh, and I hate fargin ash holes. But enough about hate..

She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes.. The MaryE theme song. Happy MaryE Day. Apparently April is acid month too, so there's that.

Time for some summer sixty-nine....

8.21.69 Aqua Theatre. Seattle.
Is that a flute I hear in Minglewood and China Cat? Very interesting.
https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1969/08/21
SHOW NOTES
Casey Jones
Easy Wind
Morning Dew >
High Time
Mama Tried >
Me And My Uncle
New Minglewood Blues* >
China Cat Sunflower* >
Doin' That Rag
Big Boss Man
Sittin' On Top Of The World
Cryptical Envelopment >
Drums >
The Other One >
Dark Star >
Cosmic Charlie
* w/ Gary Larkey on flute....did some research.

8/21/69

Seattle . Checking it.

Almost a year since Bolo started this Pick of the day. I may have listened to more GD in that time frame than any time in my 67 years. Onward !

More!

Aho Strider

I think I mighta listened to more GD this year than ever before too.
And that's saying something.

Feels like a good thing :)

Fun to know that there's other cool peeps out there doing this too.

Enjoy rockin' the tunes with you all.

8/21/69 is fun > then I had to time travel back to February '66 for some Garage Dead.
Justa walking the Dog.

Happy Friday!

GD at the Aqua Theater

The Green Lake Aqua Theater (or what's left of it) is about a mile away from my place.

I was way too young, and too far away, to have attended. Believe me, seeing the GD there in 1969 (or any year) would have been mindblowing.

One time I did go sit there and listen to that show on my walkman (cassette).

:)))

August 21, 1969

Love the early versions of Casey Jones and Easy Wind. China Cat with a flute player? Algo falta.
4/4/71 tomorrow, from the comfort of my easy chair.
I can enjoy the music and remember the sardine effect. Maybe Manhattan Center was like running the gauntlet

Easy Rider / Easy Wind / easy chair .

Today's Pick

Looking at 3/26/87, first leg of Dave's Picks #36, in honer of Jim finally getting his copy.

Early Bird got the worm

Ok DV, I was gonna request 6/22/92, my hundredth show, but ya beat me to it lol.
Perhaps we do that 87, and go 90s for extra credit since I’m guessing many will want to do 50th 4/4/71 mañana?

Today
- 3/26/87
- 6/22/92

Tomorrow
4/4/71

Anyone? Sound like a plan?

Early bird gets the worm

Second mouse gets the cheese.

Sounds Good

All that sounds good to me guys..

5 21 82

Greekwood

What
A
Great
Show

Later today will be 3 26 87 for JiminMD's celebration

Did you tip the tortoise?

Today's Pick

Sounds good to me guys. I will check out the 92 show later. I finished set 1. So good. I just love desolation row. Bird Song! Come on. To me the 3/26 show is better than 3/27. Maybe the sound, maybe the performance. 100th show OB! Sweet. I will check it out. That is a lot of mileage. Shit, we all miss those days.

8/20/69 - Aqua Theatre

Very cool pick. First show after Woodstock(?) Very early Working Mans and Bob Cowboy songs - all of that surprised me. Up front - Casey Jones, Easy Wind, Morning Dew (Mickey on the shimmering gong?!), and High Time!!!! Casey Jones, Easy Wind, High Time are super early sweet versions. I think Pig is hoopin' and hollerin' at times!!

Flute - you guys (VGuy, Strider) are too polite: "very interesting," "algo falta." The flute playing is brutal. Barely made it through New Minglewood and I bailed from China Cat one minute in.

Ca. early '90s lived about 2 miles from Green Lake (Greenwood). Can't imagine dead playing Aqua Theatre. GD show was last rock concert at the venue. Couldn't find any Dead photos, but photos of the Zeppelin playing months earlier are crazy cool and show the interesting stage setting. Per concert poster New Riders opened.

Dead seem aware of a curfew in the precise and very fine show closer sequence of Cryptical > Other One> Cryptical > Dark Star > Cosmic Charlie. Love the last second "post-production" trippy tape speed up in final seconds of Cosmic Charlie.

Senator Oro - 6/16/74 Playing - very glad you dialed that one in. back in the vehicle cassette days that song/tape always got me where I needed to be. Trucking > Nobodys jam > Wharf Rat, Going down The Road to finish Set III (which I picked up a little later) is a fantastic ride.

one of these days maybe 7/18/72??!!

Onward!

Now that's a lot of cow bell

Hey everyone, happy Easter to those that celebrate. So i was making a 400 mile round trip drive last night and 9 o'clock est show on Sirius was 10/1/77 from Portland. I have neglected for some reason... But the transition from Eyes>Dancing..... wow forgot how much cow bell!! Enjoy the day everyone. Bob

Easter Everywhere

:)))

6 21 86

I have on cassette
Sounds really good

Lots of positive energy

4/4/71

It’s an amazing show. I read my deadbase 50 about Manhattan Center. Many counterfeit tickets were were in the mix. (All three nights) plus a roof entry door was breached and several dozen people got in from (on high) the second night.
I feel bad for anyone who took acid in advance before seeing how packed it was. I seem to remember my friend Theresa being squeezed and lifted off the floor and slowly being moved. I kind of remember the band members looking concerned but calm. I went the 4th and 5th. Looking at my old notes I must have spent the first set of the 4th on the floor near the stage . The balcony was the only place with any kind of room to dance so I spent the second set up there. I believe it was similar the 5th, packed on the floor, the front lobby was packed like a wild party. But again the cavernous balcony had elbow room. After the intensity of being near the stage , packed against 8 strangers and my head melting the balcony seemed like flying into clear skies after heavy turbulence in a thunderstorm. I really enjoyed listening to 4/4/71 today. Morning Dew is stellar , Easy Wind is killer(tempo!) Truckin’ is unique,(pigpen organ!)Good Lovin had me up and dancing. The drum solo is extremely hot. Jazz influence. Also notice in photographs from Manhattan Center Jerry playing the “peanut” guitar made by luthier Rick Turner who worked for Alembic for a few years. Very historic Grateful Dead concerts.
Happy birthday Muddy Waters. Happy Easter.

Tomorrow 4/5/71

April 1971 stands with the best month of any in Grateful Dead history.

Pick of the week month year

GREEK BOX

cmon DL and pals

GREEK BOX

Listen to the audience's ENTHUSIASM during the 86 run

:))))))))))))))))

Manhattan Center '71

April '71 def sounds like fun ;)

Strider, way cool memories. Dug reading that. Do you remember talking to Theresa about her experience?

I'd agree with April '71 being a top month.
There's so many top months in years, what a band.

Keep the stories coming my friend.
And 4/5 is getting a spin today on it's anniversary.

I keep hearing about Acid Month.
What's that all about?
Am I supposed to be taking Acid this month?
I mean bicycle day, I get that... but the whole month?

Acid Month

I read that in reference to April 71 in Relix a long time ago.

paraphrase: "Acid Month, when the GD played New York City eight times (Manhattan Center and Fillmore East)"

In honor of Acid Month....

....I petition that we call the POTDWD the Daily Dose instead for April. All in favor say aye.

Say Aaaaaaaa...

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1516712109157-6a67f5d73fa1?ixlib=rb-1…

Aye

I bet there was a lot of Acid in NY in April in '71 with the GD in town at the beginning and the end.
So yeah... that makes sense.

LMK if any of you all know the Relix that might be in.

Get your Daily Dose!

I sold off my Relixes long ago

sorry, man

Aye

4/5/71 down the hatch. Forgot this was the Marmaduke yodel version of Bobby McGee :)

Sweet stuff.

Acid month April 1971

I'm guessing this is more of a reference to the fact that there may have been a lot of acid about, being taken by people, than to the actual music being played. Which sounds more rootsy than psychedelic to me.

What i want to know....

....where does the time go. Happy one year anniversary of this board. What a crazy 12 months.

One Year!

Yes, great times all.

Should we do Dick's 18 to celebrate one year?

In honor of Bolo's first pick.

I was going to go with this....

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1986/05/11
....because the setlist looks interesting. Frost 5.11.86, but I'm game for anything.

SET 1
Gimme Some Lovin' >
Dancin' In The Street
Never Trust A Woman
Iko Iko
My Brother Esau
It Must Have Been The Roses
Cassidy >
Might As Well
SET 2
Samson & Delilah >
Crazy Fingers >
He's Gone >
Smokestack Lightning >
Drums >
Space >
The Other One >
Comes A Time >
Around & Around >
Not Fade Away
ENCORE
I Need A Miracle >
U.S. Blues

I'm game

86 has some good energy

calling it up right now

:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

if 86 doesn't float yer boat

you should check out 12/11/79

GD79 is always good to me

What A Long, Strange Trip

It's Been!

What a crazy year. Totally psychedelic and trippy.

Happy One Year Anniversary to the POTD crew, players, contributors and followers.

Good tunes all year long.

Sounds like I'm hearing calls for 5/11/86 & DiP V18

Wonder what this year is going to be like?

the past year

working from home

really enjoying being in the place that takes much of my earnings (mortgage...) You just know that some poor schmuck in history has been named Mort Gage.

lots of GD listening while working

extremely grateful (pun intended) that I haven't lost family members to Covidshite

forward, brothers and occasional sister. forward.

Whaaaa?

Hi, Mort Gage here...why you talkin bout me?

I’m actually about to fire up 4/6/71. I’ve been trying to limp along through as much of 71 and more specifically now, April. But I accidentally swallowed some kind of little piece of paper that fell outta an old record album? Aaaannnndddddd eeeeeeevvvvvvveeeeeerrrrrrr ssssssssiiiiiinnnnnnncccccccccceeeeeeee tttthhhhhhhiiiinnnggggssssss hhhaaaaaaaaavvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee bbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnn wwwweeeeeeiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrddddddddd???????????????????

So going there first, then I’ll probably lean towards that 5/11/86. Kinda into or wanna get into some 86 this year.
My way of dealing with Anniversary stuff is I go by 5 year groups. So this year having a 1 for 2021, my anniversary years end in a 1 or 6, so this years anniversaries are 66, 71, 76, 81, 86, and 91. Since that’s a lot of years, I’ve been concentrating on 71 since I’m not too familiar, yet. 81 cause it seems we’ve all been digging 81...and 86, the forgotten year; mostly cause I can’t remember the shows I was at, but also because I sorta wrote it off and forgot that there are lots of good shows that year.
Next criteria is shows I was at and/or official releases, then...........Wild West baby, like perhaps 5/11?
Oh, I am itching to hear DP 18, especially after how much I dug DaP 37, (biggest pleasant surprise in years!),
yet another tour I need to “discover”, but unfortunately Realgone hasn’t re-dropped it yet, and thanks but no thanks about files,( long convoluted nonsense on my part that you don’t wanna hear) but hey, it’s not like I don’t have enough other stuff in the mean time lol.
So far enjoyed, but not high on the Minglewood scale for the first couple nights of Acid month, really looking forward to 4/6 today. Hope to have better listening session than the last couple....
So heeeeyyyyyy Oooooo! Hay! (SNAP)

Mort Gage

yes.. he's trouble, but his French Cousin, Forte Closeur takes the cake.

Enjoying the hell out of the Manhattan Center. Just finished 4/5.. I am sure I will start 4/6 but likely won't finish it until tomorrow. It takes half my time just to keep those two prementioned characters from showing up uninvited, which can crush the nicest of buzzes.

have some refreshment with Oroborous, and then...

listen to 4/26/69

as long as he didn't French his cousin

sorry...just too easy

"frenched his fry" - Frank Zappa

4-7-91

for tomorrow? 30 years ago tomorrow was the first show of a three night run in Orlando. Great shows

4/6/71

It's got a cumberland.

can't believe it's been a year

Since pick of the day began... "It's both our drummers birthdays" 4/11/88 Detroit.... Bob t

Manhattan Center 4/6/71

So awesome. I don’t believe I’ve listened to all three Manhattan Center shows in a row before. And on the 50th anniversaries. They sounded so tight.
420 on the west coast.

'91 Orlando....

....is on the docket.

April 6, 2020

I had to go back to the first page of this thread and check it out. Great stuff. I have loved the focused listens. It takes a lot of commitment to get through some of these shows. So much to learn and so many great shows. A few clunkers along the way, but not many.
Thanks to the great people on this site that have shared so much fantastic music with me. You know who you are and my collection is getting ridiculous, but I still want more. And I have tried to pay it forward with other members here as well.

Now, if we could just get that 1980 box announcement and we get a 1973 show soon!

A Year Already? Wow.

All the years combine
They melt into a .... box set?

April Announcement?

In my best Mr. Burns
Excellent.

Sad Day for Dead Enthusiasts

If you're a Dead Enthusiast, and I'm pretty sure there's several hereabouts, this new should bring a bit of sadness. Rick Harris -- the guy who ran the Thoughts on the Dead blog thing, an irreverent look at an irreverent band, and general thoughts, often mocking, on music, life, and the world, plus poetry, short stories, rants and other curios -- has passed on, at the young age of 46. Spare a thought for a guy who loved the Dead in his own way, and take some time to stroll through his garden of irreverence.

https://www.thoughtsonthedead.com/by-the-waterside-i-will-lay-my-head/

Choo-choo...

Chugging along...
4/6/71✔️Definitely liked this the best of the three. Though the song list/set lists did contribute to my overall enjoyment, it was as much about the vibe or feel of this show? The playing of the music. I hate to use relaxed because that sounds like too mellow? It sounded like not as much coke and/or booze going on...now I’m not suggesting that that was actually the case, just that that’s what it sounded like...steady, firm, solid, but not manic, yet still able to rock it in overdrive when appropriate I.e., JBG, Casey J, Truckin!
All three shows were good, but imho I thought this one was the standout. Perhaps not full Minglewood but close enough for hourse shoes and hand grenades!

5/11/86✔️Enjoyed this show also, another interesting song/set list, with mostly good performance. Perhaps suffered from the west coast mellow thing? Or was it the tape? Good show, just felt a little...?
Lol, I guess you could say the same thing about this show “sounded like no coke and/or booze” lol.
Hey, I’m just trying to find the right words to convey a feeling so don’t murder me ; )
Anywho, time today for another double header!
4/7/71 up first then ????
91 Orlando???

46....yikes

RIP, brother

Blast the 4/6/71 Truckin' today for Rick Harris!

I am in the midst of 3/30/73

then later will do more of 5/13/73

5/13/73: it will be a glorious day when the ultra-crisp soundboard of that show emerges

MAY 73: A BOX FOR THE AGES!!! C'MON DAVE!!!!!!!