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    You can listen to Grateful Dead records over and over again and never understand the attraction they have for certain people until you attend one of their concerts. Sometime during the Dead's usual five-hour set, it will all click: Jerry Garcia's Indian bead string of notes on the guitar, the ozone ooze of the vocal harmonies, the shifting, shuffling rhythm of bassist Phil Lesh and drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and the distant echo of the oldest of American folk music. - Columbia Flier

    "Certain people" will know that we're coming in hot with one that's got all these things and more, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 41: BALTIMORE CIVIC CENTER, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 5/26/77. Yes, there's still plenty of spectacular May '77 to go around. Nearly chosen for Dave's Picks Vol. 1, 5/26/77 delivers three-fold. There's one count for the energy - all the precision of the Spring tour conjuring up the raw power of the Fall tour that was to come. There's another for the setlist which featured beloved songs from WORKINGMAN'S DEAD and soon-to-be favorites from the freshly recorded TERRAPIN STATION. And a third for its element of surprise (or shall we say surprises) from an astonishingly peak 15-minute "Sugaree" to new delights ("Sunrise," "Passenger," "Jack-A-Roe') to a rare first-set finale of "Bertha" to the second set's "Terrapin>Estimated>Eyes," traveling leaps and bounds towards the improvisational journey that is a nearly 17-minute "Not Fade Away." 

    Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 41: BALTIMORE CIVIC CENTER, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 5/26/77 was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

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  • Mr. Ones
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    Just what nobody wants(my 2 cents)

    I love the discussion of live shows vis a vis, shows we attended vs. shows we love to listen to. I will always enjoy having a cd of a show that I attended, regardless of which band we’re talking about. It’s just the ultimate souvenir.
    But when it comes to the Dead, my first show was 8/31/80, and while I would flip my lid if it was ever released, what I really want more than anything else, are shows from 1967-1974, with 67-70 being the real hot spot for me.
    I realize that there are most likely not too many shows of that era in a releasable form. Do I like shows from all years. Yes. To a point. If it is a superbly played show, I’ll give it many listens. If it’s not, it’s probably a 2 and done for me.
    While I’m perfectly ok with that, it’s human nature to want what I want(and right NOW).
    ANY show is desirable for me between 67-70, regardless of how sloppy or how much repeat of set lists, because they were absolutely PRIMAL at this time!!
    Of course, that just one idiots opinion. I gladly take whatever Dave gives me. I don’t feel the need to ‘threaten’ him by saying I’ll stop buying stuff. If I were to stop, there are certainly many punters ready to take my place. My music addiction does not seem about to subside anytime soon.
    As far as box sets go, I don’t see me buying anything from after ‘74. Again, that’s just me, I know I’m in the minority.
    I think I’ll let Dave worry about choices and sales figures, and I’ll just keep subscribing, and pick and choose which boxes to buy.

    Anyway you look at it, my opinion only applies to me, and I welcome opinions from any and all who contribute to this site.

    And keep the Last 5’s and other recommendations coming, because I sure as hell want to be on the receiving end of your much anticipated suggestions/favorites!!

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Daverock, thinking, thinking....

    So I saw the band 1972 to 1992, with a ton of shows in '73. I have found that magical '73 sound to be my favorite in many ways, probably because I tripped out back then as a very young man and the sounds made an indelible impression. Yet I'm a stone Pigpen fan and love the early band's energy. I bemoan the lost of ... "spirit" let's say in the later years that to me reflected Jer's decline due to H. That said, something some folks call "attendance bias" or something like that suggests that people do enjoy hearing the shows they attended. Therefore, if they released the two '92 shows I went to, I'd dig it. But I'd go apeshit for a release of my first show in Sept '72 because that would overlap with the band's best year(s).

    I'm babbling but I guess it must be difficult to intuit what the GD fans will purchase. Some suggested that younger fans (those under, say, age 55!) might have snapped up the Giants Stadium box (I skipped it, always looking for opportunities to stop spending on GD music, though not really succeeding). Are older heads (I'm 65) really a monolithic force jonesing for '60s shows? I do not pretend to know.

    I suppose they can always analyze the sales for any given release, but who's to say what the demographics behind the sales #s really are? We're currently fixated on chronology and specific years for the band, which seems natural, but does that really influence sales? It has to, but how much of a factor is it? Versus, say, longtime buzz about a certain show and its circulation on tape, etc. (Example: Barton Hall '78, said to be "the greatest of all time" show doesn't really impress me... As in, I have NO IDEA what the hype is all about. It's a fun show, that's all -- for me.)

    The whole thing is a mystery to me. And for Dave, and Rhino, how much of their release decisions are based on data and how much on intuition and wishful thinking?

    I'm going to solve this conundrum by immediately retreating to my music room with a whiskey and spleef and play around on slide in standard tuning on my 1964 Gretsch as the day's last light slants across the room... Hey, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to kick stuff around and goof off on this forum. Thanks gang!

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Age related

    HF - your comment that older heads might prefer 67-69 shows and younger heads 80's and 90's shows got me thinking. I only saw The Dead in 1981 and 1990, but my taste in listening to live recordings has always been 1967-1974. With different years within that timespan being my favourite at different times. It was 67-69 that originally got me interested in them.
    Curiously perhaps, I don't really relate listening to their live recordings to my experience of actually seeing them. It doesn't feel nostalgic when I listen to them - a forever now band.

  • That Mike
    Joined:
    Bobby (Bobby?) Weir & Wolf Bros

    “Live In Colorado” just arrived!
    New persona, Bob!? Asking for a friend.

  • Jason Wilder
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    Prognosticating: Box + Last 2 Dave's

    Well, we know that #42 is 2/23/74. Making this another year where Dave has selected at least 1 show from both the late Keith & Donna era (with Mickey post-hiatus) and the early K&D era (post Pig pre-hiatus). The only exception was 2018 with no early K&D. 2 late K&Ds + Brent + Pig/TC. Also got PNW Box that year, so plenty of early K&D.

    On the chat Dave said a good year for variety. Pig, Brent, & Vince/Bruce are the other eras. Hope the Box + 2 DPs touch them all. Have not had a Pig Dave's since 2019. Have had 2 Brent's the last 2 years, the only times Dave has done that.

    Last 5 boxes: STL 71/72/73, June 76, Giants 87/89/91, PNW 73/74, May 77 GSTL. I think we are gonna get early (Carousel '68?) or late (Brent 80s or MSG fall 90).

  • Atron
    Joined:
    .

    .

  • hendrixfreak
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    OMG! I just had ANOTHER thought........

    Perhaps this is too obvious, but the Listen to the River box is just so good in concept, execution and content, that
    WHAT IF ... ole' Dave decided to couple up shows from
    - fall '67
    - spring '68
    - fall '68
    - spring '69

    To show the early band's evolution. Fall '67 to spring '69 is quite the arc in their ability to deliver, from surging beast to well-oiled psychedelic band. That approach could be done in 5-6 discs. I think the barrier to my own "ideas" relates to Dave's story on how "Listen" came together. He went to Rhino, if I recall correctly, with the "Listen" concept but only a 10 or 12-disc product and they responded, "could you do a 20-CD box?" I guess we'd have to review the history -- shorter boxes have been issued -- to see what the pattern is. Or maybe 20-disc boxes are Rhino-favored going forward? For my money, it'll be tough to surpass the "Listen" box because '71-'72-'73 is prime material for me. Okay, maybe older heads want primal 67-69, younger heads might favor 80s-90s? My thrashing about here confirms that I don't belong in merchandising. Just purchasing...........

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Primal box

    Said it before, I’ll say it again: only have fragments of primal, no problemo, center the box around some primo 69, say April 69 Avalon/Ark, and tack a few discs of 67-68 on it, voilà!
    Say frags of 67 on one or two discs depending on quantity/quality, three or four short 68 shows, and the majority of the Avalon and Ark shows…

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Norman et el

    I don’t really compare or pay that close attention, but it does seem overall like they’ve gotten better with time/experience. I try to judge each show singularly, on their own merits.
    Later, I might compare to other shows within that tour, but any other than that it seems futile to me.
    The only recent one I’ve thought was audibly subpar was the 73 from last year, and I think that was more to do with the recording. Most folks couldn’t even tell though, I think you need certain ears/equipment?

    Think sonics the last couple years have been great except the above mentioned, and perhaps a smidge too much ambient mic on the 87? (But I really prefer a good matrix! SBs don’t sound natural to me)
    Still blown away how well the 78 (37?) sounds. 41 too.
    Really, all formats have marked improvement, If you compare apples to apples: meaning i.e., say 40 to other summer 90 DATs, and say, 41 to other May 77 Beatty reels etc, and Philly 83 to other cassettes, there seems to be an audible improvement over early releases of similar formats.
    My only complaint Is that sometimes Dave picks a good city and street, but goes to the wrong house…

  • Slow Dog Noodle
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    Last 5

    Phish 12-5-91 (phew - almost through all the 1991 shows!)
    Phish 12-4-91
    Phish 11-30-91

    Dub Apocalypse 5-6-18
    Grateful Dead - Dave's Picks 41

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You can listen to Grateful Dead records over and over again and never understand the attraction they have for certain people until you attend one of their concerts. Sometime during the Dead's usual five-hour set, it will all click: Jerry Garcia's Indian bead string of notes on the guitar, the ozone ooze of the vocal harmonies, the shifting, shuffling rhythm of bassist Phil Lesh and drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and the distant echo of the oldest of American folk music. - Columbia Flier

"Certain people" will know that we're coming in hot with one that's got all these things and more, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 41: BALTIMORE CIVIC CENTER, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 5/26/77. Yes, there's still plenty of spectacular May '77 to go around. Nearly chosen for Dave's Picks Vol. 1, 5/26/77 delivers three-fold. There's one count for the energy - all the precision of the Spring tour conjuring up the raw power of the Fall tour that was to come. There's another for the setlist which featured beloved songs from WORKINGMAN'S DEAD and soon-to-be favorites from the freshly recorded TERRAPIN STATION. And a third for its element of surprise (or shall we say surprises) from an astonishingly peak 15-minute "Sugaree" to new delights ("Sunrise," "Passenger," "Jack-A-Roe') to a rare first-set finale of "Bertha" to the second set's "Terrapin>Estimated>Eyes," traveling leaps and bounds towards the improvisational journey that is a nearly 17-minute "Not Fade Away." 

Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 41: BALTIMORE CIVIC CENTER, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 5/26/77 was recorded by Betty Cantor-Jackson and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

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In reply to by Vguy72

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My prior post was about DP41. And my follow-up comment you saw was because I keep holding out hope that Dave or someone else at the company will read one of my product comments... but when comments about the product get buried in an avalanche of unrelated discussion, it seems even more unlikely that anyone at Dead-dot-net would ever hear product feedback.

Not saying you guys aren't entertaining... I enjoyed your responses and certainly don't want to rain on any parades... just that I would ALSO like a way to get product feedback back to the folks I send lots of my money to.

Annnnd... I just found the customer service email... so I guess I'll give that a shot for customer feedback and come back here after I've had a chance to think carefully about my position on pork chops.
✌️

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It is widely assumed that the powers that be do see what gets posted on here, but there is no definite proof of this as far as I know. Certainly they never communicate with us via these boards. As for customer service, I think that is outsourced. Contact with customer service is via a contact form that can be found under "help/customer service" at the very bottom of the page. You can also find "feedback" at the bottom of the page. By clicking on that you can send feedback about anything you choose. Maybe that is what you were looking for. Certainly it has to be worth a try.

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This is as good as the Dead ever played. 1977 may be their zenith as live performers... by 1978 I hear a certain element of fatigue and overindulgence creeping in. From somewhere between late 1971 to 1973 and 1977, it was the best it would ever be. Disc 3 here is so good, I've earmarked it for newbies and people who dismiss the band as sloppy.

Been listening to a ton of Little Feat lately. Awesome, underrated band especially when Lowell George was still with them.

Happy weekend everyone!

\m/

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4 years 4 months

In reply to by LedDed

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Monitors at least. Dave might read this stuff. But in the long run, I don't any of the ptb have any fux to give about our salad de wourde.

Outside I hear a massive cacophony of crows (this is a fact)

Crows told me. About 80 of them flew overhead when I was out with the dog: "Time to pop the shrinkwrap on 41, bitch!"

:)))

Recall that Norman responded once to admit that he did in fact jack up the bass on 8-25-72.

And several years ago Marye relayed us a message indicating that (at the time) Rhino/WMG weren’t really interested in processing the video Vault for commercial release.

It was during one of those times that we were discussing the release of video, much like a week or two ago, and as we frequently do, to keep getting the message out that we want more video.
We got a taste with the Giants Box, and some teasers for Shakedown Stream.

I think that streaming or download is the way to go for the 90’s shows that are a recording of the video feed during the show (which includes the computer generated graphics mixed in).
For physical product we still need complete, or as close as possible, audio/video Boxes of:
Winterland October 74
Fall 80
Alpine 89
Tinley Park 90
And everything with Pigpen

I have that Family Dog DVD, it’s grate. If video of the whole shows exists get it out there.
And everything from Europe like Rockpalast and 72.

LedDed,
I like the Little Feat show from Rockpalast.

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Sounds great so far. Tonight I will listen to 2nd set. As far as the HOF, what a joke. Ted nugent said recently, "MC5 is nominated, but triumph is not?" Very true. Triumph was a great band. Rik emmet played a flying V guitar for christ sakes.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by carlo13

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Saw them at Klienhans Music hall, where the philharmonic plays (very small) on 7/7/79.
(Dead played there with the philharmonic On 3/17/70. I saw my first Bobbie show there on election night 1980)

Since Triumph were perhaps more used to playing hockey rinks etc, they had pyrotechnics which they blew off opening song, and thus instantly completely filled the tiny smoke free venue with a cloud of smoke so thick we were having a hard time breathing up in the balcony LOL. Almost had to stop the show right there!
It was like something out of Spinal Tap: clueless rock band almost stops show first song at historic Music hall
God I love Rock and Roll!

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10 years 3 months

In reply to by carlo13

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Now there's a rock n' roll hall of fame type of guy ! I'd never heard of Triumph up until 2 minutes ago. And in 2 minutes time I will have forgotten about them again. Unless of course there is a heated debate on here about their pros and cons.

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In reply to by daverock

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....now there's a band I haven't heard of for a long, long time. Thanks for that. Checking out Allied Forces now.
Got the house to myself for the first time in a long time. I heard my amp goes to 11.
Music is the best. Currently partial to some 79-84 new wave/hair metal/punk, so Triumph fits the bill. Remember Fastway?
Let's get heated. The Early '80's is in my wheelhouse. I'll take stuff I'm knowledgeable about for $500 Alex.
Edit. I miss record stores.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by Oroborous

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....don't mind if I do!
Anyone here remember Saxon? They used to toss their guitars to each other onstage. And Biff Byford has a voice for the ages.
Oh. And so did Jerry.
Apologies to J3FF btw. I didn't scroll back far enough. My bad.

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In reply to by nappyrags

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I saw Fela Kuti twice, once at the Berkeley Community Theater in '86, once at the Warfield in 90. Not rock, but very exciting polyrythmic music with nice melodies on guitar. He was quite a character, a real showman in an eccentric way. While the music was happening around him, he would stalk the stage, singing and talking about social issues. I taped both shows, and my friend has been bugging me to digitize them so he can hear them.

I listened to the third CD last night again, and it's a winner! Nice smooth transitions between songs, great guitar work, especially in eyes and the very sweet, if a little short, encore of Uncle John's. I started playing it at 10;30 pm, and my housemate, who was about to go to bed, stayed up for the entire set, entranced.

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Allied forces is your classic american 70s/80s keg party music. Rock on V. Fastway-say what you will- has a video with hot chicks on an assembly line of beauty. Oh to be in my twenties again.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by carlo13

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....I think Whitesnake has a patent on that. Rock on indeed.
Triumph has some damn good riffs.
Can I change my username to Flying V?
BRB.

....that no one had mentioned the gatefold on the Baltimore release.
Awesome pic. 👌
I'm going into the third disc. Will comment live.
"But he cannot be bought or sold."
"Inspiration. Move me brightly."

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In reply to by Vguy72

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...."two, four, six. Don't worry about me no."

....GDTRFB with a palate cleanser.
Someone earlier said UJB was cut short. I agree.
Awesome Not Fade. Four 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟's out of four or so.

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From not having listened to May '77 in quite a while, I was yet again blown away at how clean the music is. It's like they are saying 'Hey doubters! We too can play like this. When we want'. Jerry in particular. Just firing away with precision first set. And check out how solid those lines are in Terrapin. That bold lead allows the rest of the band to just naturally fall off to decorate the wake behind what he's pulling forward front and center. Those perfectly placed and timed sustains. Love 'em. And the last minute or so of GDTRFB is quite the surprise!

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The sopranos had a quote about Maryland. Tony Sopranos father-in-law said "In the army, russ had a case of the crabs so bad that they called him the governor of maryland.".

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In reply to by proudfoot

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....takes off sometimes 🚀.
Edit. Just finished watching Disney's Encanto at my son's behest.
7.7/10. Good songs 🎵.

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In reply to by Vguy72

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Just me and my headphones....A CM Board...Second Set Only...whew....

Grateful Dead
War Memorial Auditorium
Buffalo, NY
September 26, 1981

--Set 2--
Playing in the Band ->
Bertha ->
Estimated Prophet ->
Goin' Down the Road (Feeling Bad) ->
Drums ->
Space ->
Not Fade Away ->
Morning Dew ->
Playing in the Band ->
One More Saturday Night
--Encore--
Johnny B. Goode

Beauty eh!
Was fortunate to be at that one.
It shows up a lot via Dave and Sirius etc, and ranks high in surveys…

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4 years 4 months

In reply to by Oroborous

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Ja, gerne

I had it on cassette for a long time

A little speedy and almost no Phil

Soundboard out there?

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In reply to by proudfoot

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I checked my copy, meh. Checked archive,,, the copy with 22,335 downloads had the best sound,,,, maybe not for the whole show. Miller seem to have a good sound second set.

later

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In reply to by Dennis

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Nice work Dennis.

The sign says long-haired hippie people need not apply.
But short-haired upstanding citizens? Welcome aboard.

I’m pulling a Vguy and have sports on (Olympics) with sound muted, and GOGD playing.
Just finished 1-3-70%, now on 6-15-76.

Got 5-26-77 processed and on my music player. Played it today and it sounded spectacular. Lots of Phil coming out of the subwoofer. Precision jamming. Yes, the NFA is mighty fine, as commented on by others previously.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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....aww shucks and thingies.
I bought an acoustic Yamaha today btw. An entry level one. Also had an electric Ibanez Roadstar II handed down to me by my late father in law restrung. Found his old Peavey amp in the spare room closet to boot. Time to stop thinking about it and actually do it.
Winter Olympics are fun and treasures can be found in random closets.
I used to carve on a snowboard....but not like these pros. It's cool when they land a 720 to the beat of whatever im currently playing on my stare-ee-o. Which happens to be a phish Tweezer.
Step into the freezer.
Edit. 1620 degree jumps. Poetry in motion.

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I had a chance to listen to the whole release in one day yesterday. When the filler came up I was into it. I kind of liked the way the NFA chant faded in giving a nod to the jam highlight of the release - NFA! I like filler. Liked it on my tapes and like it on my discs. Otherwise you can get to ripping and burning to scratch yer itch. And on the subject of NFA - wow - this could be an all time NFA>GDTRFB! Dig Phil channeling Caution upon the return to NFA at about the 15 minute mark! So on the subject of filler I like to quote Uncle Bobo himself: "mua, mua, mua"!!!

My guesses would be:

April '78
April '69
Oct. '89
Summer '85

But, you know what they say: Good things come to those who....Pester, Pester, Pester! :-)

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In reply to by wilfredtjones

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Dear Dave L: A September 1979 3 show run in N.Y.C. @ MSG would be a great mini-boxset. These were Brent's first N.Y.C. shows and at MSG to boot. They were very solid shows: The GD Came, Saw, Conquered!!! As another poster noted Steve Parish' Harley was parked on stage and someone gunned the engine multiple times during the show and it was noticed by the audience and would be audible. Cool. Period.

Pester, pester, pester because this squeaky wheel will get that oil!

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