Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,102 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 28, 2020 - 7:19pm

#6691

wilfredtjones

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Hershey

You know it's on Dave's radar as he has played some of it on 30 Days in past years. Good show and one of my first tapes. Keep the stories coming! :-)
June 28, 2020 - 5:16pm

#6692

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

6/28/85

So after basically staying up for 2 days at SPAC, we finally pack it up and hit the road the next day. I believe it was a rainy, gloomy day most of the day. But that didn’t stop our idiot patrol from basically racIng at high speed through the fine but conservative state of Pennsytuckey, where they were one of the last to let go of the 55 mph laws, and back then there usually wasn’t much tolerance. So 2 cars of totally raging nutknicks, with probably enough cargo to keep us detained for decades, thought it’d be a good idea to race at speeds up to 90!, Idiots!.....yes, one car had a radar detector, but in those days smart cops would wait for some nut traveling high speed and click it on when they had ya dead nuts.
Luckily, all was well and it was one more “miracle” as we earnestly pursued our quest for “too much of everything is just enough”, aaaa, never considered back then maybe Bob was being sarcastic? Lol
So we roll on into Chocolate town late and all beat up. I’m guessing we grabbed some kind of drive through, but not sure and as we were hardcore vegetarian then, perhaps we thought we’d grab something there? It’s all such a blur, I do recall the lot we were in had no or little Shakedown action going on. That still wasn’t in full flight anyway, and don’t recall much there, so maybe we drank our supper? I know I scored some Carlsberg Elephant beer, and believe I may have finished it, though that is a tall order even under good conditions so perhaps not. I’m sure I put in dent in it at least! So, that and the last of one z of veggies, though the tricky part was it was mostly just powder and scraps and so no normal produce to properly gage etc, which would turn out to be a tactical error...
So it’s late, we’re tired, but tweaked, perhaps no dinner, and of course it’s horrible out. Dark, rainy, and cold is usually not how you want to do your Dead. Eventually we get in perfect time, slip right in front of the SB and try to make the best of the situation. Well I had a shirt, a black baseball jacket, and the electric Buffalo Hyde, but even still it was damp and cold at first. Eventually, when things started to take hold and we started boogieing, we began to warm up a bit.
Meanwhile, the set list is awesome, but the conditions, which necessitated all the stage and PA speakers being covered in plastic (there was no stage lid) thereby severely effecting the audio. It’s was such a weird show that way, loved the little “stadium” and the nice audiophile stereo set up, with surrounds, great set list, mostly good playing, yes JGs vocals are a little ruff in the first set, but you have to cut some slack as it was terrible, I mean depending on the wind/rain they were getting rained on playing electrical instruments! Weird indeed, but like so many times in adverse conditions our heroes seemed to rise to the challenge. Thus the playing was perhaps more relaxed, steady and together and not forced like the previous night. Really, besides JGs vocal issues in the first, its a top notch show!
The second set really starts to take it higher with stellar versions of Music Never Stopped, Terrapin, Miracle and one of the best Dews I’ve ever seen! I think I saw about 14 or 15 Dews and when I think about Dews I’ve seen, this one is the one I always think of first! Rocking Stones/NFA with a spirited Day Job. I liked Day Job, but by now it was getting a tad old, and was a disappointment for this show considering how high it was at that point. A She Belongs or Baby Blue would of been a perfect Cherry on top, but perhaps that’s being greedy?
Now since the weather was such a factor, we must discuss that and how it influenced this show. The second set starts out with their “signing in the rain” as Bob says, and it’s a good’n! Next they slowly slid into an unusual sounding Tom Thumbs which I had never heard yet, and wasn’t even sure at first what it was, but hey, it was Phil so that’s all I needed to know! Good but perhaps truncated Estimated, followed by an awesome Terrapin. So as the set started to progress, so did the weather until (I think?) around Estimated it really started to clear up and they started pulling the plastic tarps down. It was almost like you could immediately hear it get better after each one was removed. Eventually by about Terrapin, they tarps we’re gone, the moon and stars were out, and Healy started increasing the volume and tweaking the mix. I remember we were goading him to turn it up, and man eventually he sure did!
As the night wore on it began to warm up a bit too. But as you’ve heard this scenario, or been there yourself, many times I didn’t feel quite high enough so what the hell, one more time with the powder veggie crumbles just before drums......hee-hee....you know, “I’m not feeling it?” and then...Dooah!
So the problem with those baseball jackets is they don’t really breath and the electric Buffalo Hyde was thick plastic. We didn’t have all the nice technical outer gear we have now, or at least WE didn’t. I could barely afford the free plastic one from the old mans work.
Well a perfect storm mounted; little or no food, Elephants, veggies etc, no sleep, excess everything and underlying exhaustion, with me starting to overheat due to the above and dancing with that plastic shell on. Things were going unbelievable well, and partly influenced by the very recent passing of my Grandfather, during Dew, things peaked musically, the sound, the night, the stars, emotionally etc etc until I had one of the most powerful musical/emotional/psychedelic peak experiences of my life. Perhaps my all time GD moment, it was that powerful. But what goes up must come down and just like that the radiator blew and that last handful of shroom dust fully kicked in and somewhere in Throwing Stones, right during ashes, ashes all fall down, well.....I say i didn’t really fall down, it was more like an immediate realization that if I don’t sit down rapidly, I’m going down! LOL, so one way or another, depending on who you believe, I end up down in the soft, cool mud until near the end of the song, but I swear just as I tried to get up I knew it wasn’t going to happen, so right on que again I go back down. My friends to this day always bring up my perfectly coreographed “Dance moves” above all else that happened on this tour..35 years later and it’s still “ashes, ashes, Pedro falls down” !
That would of all been well and good except things were very strange and weren’t wearing off, and I was barely functioning. I never would of found the car etc If not for my homies. Honestly all I remember is them pulling into a Wendy’s or something, but I just sat in the car with my face literally stuck to the window and crackled! Zzzzttttt. I really thought I had finally fried some essential circuits and thought this time I really did it. At some point I snapped out enough to find some kids in another car staring at me with a look of concern if not fear. Luckily, the boys finished up and came out and got us outta there. Somewhere near the state line we finally grabbed a motel as we all had had more than enough rain and adversity. Plus the next day was off and the drive short. I remember they propped me up in bed and I just sat and crackled and worried. Eventually I slept and though I felt better the next day, I didn’t feel normal and don’t recall much except when we got to Merriweather and found a good spot just over the creek, right next to the path, in some trees, on the way to the big parking lots to the right of the venue. But now it was nice and I was feeling more normal so not so freaked out. I also remember going to a nearby sorta plaza with an upscale liquor store where I scored my first sixer of EKU 28 ever which was awesome!
So now we’ve moved beyond the insanity of TOGA, the adversity and majesty of Hershey, and ready for perhaps the best overall show of the tour on 6/30/85....

EDIT: Otis, congrats on the stereo. All that matters is if your happy with it. After all the specs and hyperbole etc, no matter how big, small, expensive etc, in the end, that’s all that counts!
June 28, 2020 - 4:14pm

#6693

Thats_Otis

Joined:
May 12, 2011

@ Bob T and Pick for Monday

Nice rec for the TDIGDH 6/28/76 show! I'd never heard that one before, and it is pretty sweet. The "Happiness is Drumming" is certainly a highlight!

I have been out of the loop for a bit - trying to deal with some personal stuff on my end, and I just kind of lost track of things around these parts. I hope to be able to participate more going forward.

To that end, how about a pick for tomorrow, Monday 6/29? I am thinking Dave's 31 - 12/3/79 Uptown. I feel like this pick got a short shrift on the DaP page, but I remember being very happy with it, though I haven't given it a proper listen since it first came out. What do you all think?

One positive thing that I have accomplished since I've been away has been the set up of my first component stereo system. I don't know if it compares to all of your "big boy" systems, but it certainly feels BIG in my little row home! Looking forward to playing it LOUD tomorrow when the wife goes to work.

Peace
June 28, 2020 - 11:41am

#6694

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Voodoo senile, slight return. 6/27/85, and why 85 Dead is like

Bode Miller...

First, GOGD, I did not mean to single you out, over generalizations, which become stereotypes, which become truth etc, really bum me out. So it was more of a trigger to that, not you personally. I know you were just repeating this line.
Actually, as I’ve dug in deeper, there are probably a significant number of shows where he often doesn’t sound so good, but to over generalize that “his voice was shot”, as in never more, to me, imho, that completely devalues and discounts all the amazing, great sounding stuff he was still able to do. 87,88,89,90,91anyone? Micro view versus macro perhaps?

SECOND: I must humbly recant my tale of dancin in the rain. As we were diligently experiencing TOGA last night. Too things became apparent. First, perhaps JG was a tad “caffeinated” at the start of both sets. Listening close on a real system, (not the big boy, but the living room system which ain’t no slouch!), he seems a tad to fast and/or their not fully entrained. One could argue not fully so until Women Are?...so probably something to do with him totally skipping the Key Rain Storm, and Jailhouse versus, of Bertha, lol.
Thus, while I wasn’t deceitful, I was not accurate. Sure enough, when Holmes and Watson ripped a spleef and fired up Bertha from SPAC 6/24/84, and bingo, ding, ding, ding, ding! Right venue, wrong year! 😂 Ooops, my apologies to the dear reader...but hey, it’s a fun interesting new tid bit, and it did rain, I think, lol.
While doing this research I was listening just on the iPad and interestingly he doesn’t sound as bad? Also, I’ve been going with the HS matrixes, especially shows where I want to hear those crowd big moments. Generally they’ve been pretty good, but researching, I used a CM transfer and man, definitely a big difference. Perhaps number one being the speed/time of the Miller seemed better and more natural?
Subjective I know, just that it’s interesting how every variable can effect perceptions.
6/27/85: so this beast is still as much of a rocket sled ride as I’ve thought, but it’s perhaps a tad more unpolished then I would of said in the past. But that’s being picky, and you know I prefer danger dead to safe, so as at this moment, Hell in a bucket is scorching, I stick by this show for that, the cool set list, and the fact that eventually, say around Women Are on out, that part of the show stands with its lofty summer 85 neighbors. Probably have to give 6/24& perhaps 6/25? a slight advantage overall, but man I haven’t been to many shows that had the vibe, fun, and overall madness of this puppy.

So why is 85 Dead like Bode Miller? He often was criticized for his erratic style, or lack thereof, his nonconformity, often disregard for the rules, including parting then basically going 80 MPH down an insane pitch, that was usually hosed down to make it more icy, and thus faster! So just like this era of Dead, sometimes he’d DQ, sometimes he’d slack off, sometimes it was ugly, but when he brought it, that mofo brought it!! and when he was able to be one with the force, it was fucking breathtaking! Scary, but breathtaking. No matter what, if he was racing there was an energy, an excitement, that larger than life vibe......that, to me, is 85 Dead.
FINALLY: Ladies and Germs, May I present the Electric Buffalo Hyde! as christened by my degenerate cohort due to my resemblance of the great beast of the prairies back in the day, and this baby used to be so bright people would ask if there were batteries. But Alas, like youth itself it’s faded dramatically, and is old and bartered. It definitely gave it’s all to R&R. So many Dead shows, festivals, camping, parties, you name it! Also, it will be a part of an unfortunate situation at the next night, where I lost my shit in Hershey! So until then....
June 28, 2020 - 11:14am

#6695

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

only time played anniversary show 6/28/76 Chicago Auditorium

If you are too busy to listen to whole show, listen to Happiness is Drumming from set II, if you have never heard or listened to listen you will be pleasantly surprised!!! There is a Charlie Miller soundboard on Internet Archive!!!! bob t
June 27, 2020 - 4:07pm

#6696

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

Good Times Great Oldies

Sounds like the ole SPAC '85 show will get some play today.

Always a fun revisit. Vguy & Keithfan that was you guys?! That's funny.

I guess I always thought this was an indoor show because of the balcony stuff and didn't know about the rain storm.

Tell us more.

And just for the record if I happen to say Jerry's voice is shot, what I mean to say is I love Jerry's voice, even though it's a little shot here. ;)

I agree, it always sounds great to me.

Enjoy party people!
June 27, 2020 - 11:21am

#6697

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Not a drop

We were out on the lawn so actually there were many drops, I mean it was already raining hard, and right when he sang that line, biblical!, but it just added to the madness and was one of my favorite concert/rain moments ever! I believe that’s right when folks crashed security on those balcony ramp ways and turned it into a free for all? Yeah, that was the shit, such energy all around, but that rain just took it to another level. Luckily I had my electric buffalo Hyde on! .....it was a psychedelic neon yellow long rain coat with
BS CORP
WORK SAFELY (from pops work) printed on back, and a Dancin skeleton sticker underneath that I added. Still have it! I should take a pic and post...fond it moving last year.
June 27, 2020 - 10:48am

#6698

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Summer 85, and why I’m not prepared for class

Deadheadbrewer: yeah, I’m with you, I can’t keep up with these rascals! Pant-pant 😉
Haven’t done Riverbend, Nassau or Dane. Prolly give Nassau a spin this WE. Dane I’ve tried to stay away from cause ya gotta believe their going to give us that one someday! Bastards better! and I’d prefer it on virginal ears!
hey, by the way, how you guys coming on that tunnel under the vault?
So I listen to Riverbend 6/24/85 sort regularly so no biggie there except in the sense of comparing shows. Except It’s cool to go in order to see the subtle changes and how things progress. Like 6/25/85, definitely have felt a ascending arc since the first night in Alpine. Funny thing is I don’t think I’ve heard the second set of this one before? Had a tape of the first all along, but I think it was a tad too crisp so didn’t get as much love as the shows around it. Plus I think maybe I harbored some subliminal resentment for the show because of our decision to skip it to go to Toga early like we did in 84, which was awesome. Obviously if it made us skip a show that close to home, but Doooaahhh. So not sure how it’s the shows fault. LOL, but I think somehow I’ve had some weird thing about this show that has kept me away? Sorry, ramblings of a deranged lunatic!
Anywho, finally gave this bad boy a spin yesterday, though had to do it in 2 sessions as life just keeps buttin’ in like a 3 year old when mom and dad are trying to get down! Man what a show. The only really noticeable hiccup I recall was JG at the start of Jimmy, and Bob missed a vocal, really a great set, better than I remember, though I always liked it, just the tape was lesser then the others...
Second set was hot too, though perhaps they lost just a little near the end? Or maybe that was me as it was late, and by that time on a Friday this ole cowboy is usually not feeling much pain! I recall a couple little blemishes, but so what, you name any show, anyone, and I can find stuff wrong. And sorry, but I’m kinda over hearing about how terrible JGs voice is. Yes, sometimes it’s ruff, but sometimes I think the gravelly age worn voice ADDs to the affect of the songs, which is perhaps what he did best. And frankly, I’ll take the gravel voice singing in tune over a lot of that 1970 stuff we’re between the guitars and the vocals something is ALWAYS out of tune. That’s torturous for a musician.
Now I’m not trying to diss anyone’s favorite Dead etc, just stating an opinion that people perhaps overdo it with the voice comments. My favorite is when people say “I can’t listen to anything after 77”....ok, we’ll that’s cool as it’s your choice and all, but I’d say really you just have made up your mind you don’t want to like anything after that, and you probably haven’t heard enough and with the right kind of ears. Seriously, I challenge anyone to pick a “perfect” “best of “ show and if I have time I will find the cracks!
But that’s missing the point which is ITS ALL GOOD! and every era has something positive that the others don’t have. It’s all ways been yin yang folks, there is no such thing as a perfect show, except in our minds eye, which is quite A ok.
Ok, rant over, I’m obviously biased about my beloved 85!
Which brings us back to TOOOOOOOGGGGAAAAA!! Yo Butch, back in your seat, there’s 50 thousand people waiting for you to get back in your seat! Madness, the whole scene there was just surreal fucking madness, but in a good way.
I’m actually going to try and call my old house/band mates at the time as we all went. 2 I think went to blossom, and Pittsburgh. That one too, like WTF basically could of stopped by on the ride home from Merriweather, idiots! Lol, actually, I’m not sure I could have done another show. I may have caused permanent damage at Hershey, and thank god for that day off that I can’t recall much about, and I did take it a tad easier after, but not much. We ate so many veggies on that run that nobody would believe it. But I know what I came with and what was left after so.....looking back, it’s all kinda scary, we’re lucky we never had any real casualties of any sort. Few close calls, but nothing major, phewwww.
So going to call the lads, and fire up Toga tonight as We have to do a Zoom wedding this afternoon. We were supposed to be out at the Promised land for said wedding and a actual vacation, first since Seattle in ?? 2012!
Think Homer Simpson “oohhhh, Ssstttooooopid Covid”
Speaking of living via the net, was that not a fine show on Shakedown last night! Didn’t have the fire like the night before, but a fine well played outing, thanks so much to Dave and Co. for giving us this nice diversion. It’s getting to b3 a regular weekly thing, and gasp, the Mrs has actually been joining me and digging it! .....as long as I give her a good foot massage (usually during drums). She really digs the trippy graphics and colors which is even funnier as she’s never partaken except booze back in da day, it’s like giving a kid castor oil just getting her to have a beer, lol. So yeah, this Friday thing has been like the “ONE” in our music! Right on! and please keep em coming!
Ok, gotta try and call the guys and reminisce before the wedding. Then.....drum rolls please..........TOOooooGa!
June 27, 2020 - 10:20am

#6699

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Not a drop on me...

but there are black clouds building on the horizon here. Looks like a thunderous day on the river is in store for me. Got my waterproof device loaded with 6/27/85, thanks to the gentle steering of the GOGD.
June 27, 2020 - 9:47am

#6700

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

TOGA!

Ran into a rainstorm, indeed!

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.

9/20/74 cont.

It seems like Bob's guitar drops out of the mix as the show goes on? Which is a fairly big problem. May be the case for next night also?

9/20/74 cont.

I can't get to it today BC. I quote have to unquote stick to official releases. The universe is currently pointing me towards 12/28/79 and I have it lined up. If anyone has anything else official I should call up, or another direction I can point I have a lot of time with the FLAC player today. Thanks.

Stay Grateful all and :-) :-) :-) today. :-)

Latest Two

Just background music, not a deep dive. Got distracted by chores.
12-28-79 A six night run in Oakland. How could one survive that much fun? Sugaree start is unusual.
9-20-74 Love the Mars Hotel era setlists.
Good picks! Cheers! Remembering family veterans this weekend.

I'm not a rafter but I got to do the Upper Salt in AZ when I worked for R.E.I.
Rode Maytag rapid like Slim Pickins rode The Bomb in Dr. Strangelove. Front of the raft waving the free hand like a bronc rider (still peaking about then) as the 15 foot wall of water with a curl coming back at us came up. Most of the class 3-4 was mellow that day as the river was high that spring. My only raft trip. Unforgettable.

Sunday Morning Whitewater Reminisce

Sorry, another diversion, but had to chime in: Been a while since my canoeing daze. Did a memorable Ponca to Pruitt run on the upper Buffalo River in Arkansas in February (BEFORE the river was declared a Nat'l Scenic River and became a Six Flags affiliate). It was a dazzling winter day following a couple of days of snow – ice stalactites chomping down from frosted limestone bluffs. My girlfriend and I were the second canoe to let a then unnamed rapids flip us – remember changing to "dry" while standing naked in the snow. In 22 years since I've been in west Texas, I've never made the Rio Grand's Santa Elena Canyon run, and now the river's dry as a bone. The times they are a changin'.

Shoot Chip

er, Tim. You guys will be just down the street. Wish the situation was different I’d come meet up, but the situation is the boss. TIP: the weathers been a little seasonal so I highly advise warm and waterproof gear! That amphitheater is a relatively unknown jewel, in some ways I like it better than the Rocks! Should be awesome time!
So glad yer still around and doing well! Don’t be a stranger!

5/26/72: did the first half at work, and that amazing second half while FACing. Proper!

WHITEWATER: unfortunately only three times. The Cheat in WV at peak, The Numbers and Browns Canyon on the Arkansas during extremely big water, and the Arkansas through Royal Gorge early season, but we ended up swimming after playing a gig and up partying all night.

5/25/95: rolling as we speak.

5/25/95

so good it left our Senator speechless

me? I'm "speechless" 'cause a musical eagle landed in my mailbox on Saturday and only discovered it just now!! holy guacamole!!

hope everyone had a solid good fun weekend all things considered.

Well...

A bit behind. I had my TB IPod out over the weekend and tried to hit 9/20/74, but did not have my reading glasses and selected the show in poor lighting. So I made it through To Lay Me Down before I noticed I was listening to 9/18 Dijon.

I'm gonna try this again today (after I finish TLMD, I just love that tune)

Onward..

Today's Pick

Looking at 7/2/87 from Rochester today. There is a Miller transfer from 2021 out there.
OB might be interested in this one.

9/20/74

Interested to know thoughts on this show. Jim being particularly predisposed to 1974 (aren't we all somewhat) I'll watch out for his comments more keenly. Alas, another 'officially released' day for me, so maybe I'll hit VFTV IV and something else jammy I think. Yesterday for me it was 11/10/67 and 10/12/84 twofer. The primal stuff really packs a wallop. Best wishes all for a Grateful Day! Jeff :-)

P.S. Traffic lights (to pole or not to pole) and Motorcycles?

Now where we’re we?

Speechless, not this frog mouth, more like a day late and a dollar short!
5/25/95 was enjoyable though. Not sure I have the same enthusiasm BC, sure ya had to be there, but if I had been, I would of been pleasantly surprised by the playing etc. Just goes to show there’s good GD to be found elsewhere.
Ok Stranger and Bertha. Not sure how I feel about Schoolgirl? Nice novelty, and they did ok with the different arrangement, but not sure if I like the arrangement, er, not sure how I feel about messing with ghosts of sweetness past? Made me fell kinda dirty lol, like we was cheating on Pig? Decent Cassidy to close.
Second set, Though it was good for the times and definitely not bad, I wasn’t able to quite get as much as you out of it, BUT, that Drumzpace was a real doozy! Overall solid show and I’m glad we checked out something completely different!

9/20/74: another of thus not as bad or as good as you may have heard shows. Overall I found it to be mostly status quo 74. Definitely noticed some occasions were someone was, a, ahem, getting a little ahead of the rest of the band, some rhythmic fluctuations etc, but nothing was as bad as one might be led to believe by some of the reviews or even comments from inside the organization over the years.
I don’t recall many stand out big highlights either, except some nice weirdness and jam outta Truckin’ Oh, and that Scarlet caught my attention too, sweet stand alone version! Another I’d not heard that I’m glad we did!

7/2/87: ok DV, rolling. New pull sounds good! FYI, there’s also full show on the tube of you.
Don’t recall much: really really crowded, hell that whole tour seemed overcrowded, except for Canadaland (killer S/F).
It was first time at an old ball park in the middle of a neighborhood (old school), so quite the scene. For the most part the locals were into it selling beers and partying on their front porches.
It was one of those extremely muggy mostly cloudy Great Lake summer daze.
You could feel the lectricity in the air, er, maybe that was sumpthin we snorted ; )
Think we were left side of SB? So sorta left if that video? Big blur…
Outta the 14 shows I saw on the spring and summer tours, this one might be the best?
The energy was big at this show (listen during Bertha!) huge, cranked crowd with beer trucks on the base lines for good or for ill? Alpine, here, and worst of all Foxboro, things were just getting too big and crazy, so didn’t hit any of the fall shows. Didn’t dig the venues they picked and thought that would just compound the crazy madness that happened that year when they hit the big time lol.
Do remember the Step Back and “Who do you thinks playing bass” banter.
This one really gets mixed up for me with the next year? Cept the Green Onions of course!
Think I’ll have to check out some of these on blewtube this summer, thirty five years ago…where does the time go?

Still haven’t had time for RT 1.3, and those shows WTJ mentioned are temping too!
Might be able to sneak 11/10/67 in later?

7/2/87

'87 was my most "abundant" year for shows, lots of sweet memories, and 7/2 was really fun to listen to and right in that sweet memory space. Great Pick DV. Second stop after Alpine and kick off for the East Coast leg. 12 song first set - that's a lot and they're having fun. A Dire Wolf!! Esau, Push, Tons of Steel are all songs firmly associated with that year in my brain and all just fine with me. The Brown Eyed Women is really late in the set to my mind (I love that song), and a Cassidy > Deal to finish!! Very nice '87 China > Rider to open Set II. He's Gone is always special. Going Down the Road is an unusual treat \ coming out of space and wow its into Watchtower (3rd ever). I well remember the electricity of the opening riff at Alpine - Holy Mother of Goodness. And then Stella Blue. A beautiful version. For a long time I've been really dug Stella from that era (another great version is Park City 8/20 later that summer). And Black Muddy River for the encore, another song that I really like and that is firmly in that '87 place. For me it was '88 where the scene felt way too crowded at Alpine (and at Buckeye). My only complaint about the tape here is that there were some dudes who would not STFU in the right channel of the audience feed for the matrix. In real life I would have lost those guys quick.

Not that we need to follow a '87 with an '87 but I just noticed that there is a new (to me at least) Ultramatrix of 7/6/87 Pittsburgh, show where the Nevilles dropped in. Last I checked there were only audience tapes in circulation. I definitely need to check this out. That was a fun freaking show (Caution - Driver Listening to Hot Shakedown).

Oro - nice that you lent your ear to 5/25/95. Of course on some level you had to be there and I was on a John Deere time machine with the headphones traveling back to that. The Jerry I saw and heard during those shows was nothing like the one I saw less than 2 months later at Soldiers Field. he was happy, very present. And yep, that Drum > Space was a freaking doozy. And into the final Wheel (a very special place in my heart and life for The Wheel). I would love a SBD upgrade for 5/25. Just listen to the suggested the "extra credit" which was the SBD from first half SET II first night 5/24 which was first broadcast on the Grateful Dead Hour but is available on relisten. Zero in on Want To Tell > Estimated. Very fine and beautiful sounding.

And that Avs - Oilers game sounds like it was a shootout at the OK Corral. Wowza.

Enjoy the day folks.

Thanks, nice pick!

Forgot how good this show was.
Hit that 11/10/67 too. Proof that there is good primal dead in the vault!
So hopefully someday we’ll get a primal box?

7/2/87

Glad you guys enjoyed this one. A walk down memory lane for OB, or maybe a partial walk. Yes, the talking during the show was a tad bit annoying Bluecrow, but agree the music was great. What a first set.
The scene definitely changed when Jerry came back post coma, but we still had a blast, it was just way more people. Would love to say more about the my time at Alpine 86-89, but I will save that for when the big box comes out. Shoot, most of you all on this tread were there as well most of those years. So, I am up for more 87 Bluecrow.

And when do you all think we will hear about the 2022 CD box set?
I am thinking late July.

The scene

Did seem to flatten out a little after the initial hoopla etc.
I mean it was already growing steadily, but 87 it was really noticeable.
After, when the initial trend slowed and they had to clamp down on merch and camping to attempt to keep the locals who weren’t there for the music away, it did seem to subside a bit. Plus, If you knew where to go some places weren’t as bad, by the standards of the times anyway.
Hell watched the same thing happen with D&C.
First year of Boulder, Folsom field (+50K) was half full. By 2019 it was damn near full, and I think 2020 would have been packed if not cancelled. Much of the same vibe too: folks who were interested, but not necessarily in the know and still many there just for the party.
People like to dump on the Touchers, and some where clueless, but to me it seemed more just the huge number of people that showed up without tix, or locals just there to party that fucked it up. Unfortunately, that aspect of the scene seemed to get worse…it just got too big for us to self regulate, and the poor band of course didn’t want anything to do with telling folks what do, about anything lol, but they tried, fairly and tactfully in true GD fashion.
Yeah, massive stadiums and ball parks etc, quite a difference from the old beat up 8-10K seat War Memorials up and down I-90 we started going to in the 70s, hell some places wouldn’t sell out, or not until showtime.
My first show was at a small theatre (3K), my last, Soldier field, what 60-70k?

Test

reCRAPTCHA is preventing me from posting a typed message. I copied it, logged out, logged in, pasted, but still got denied.

The bot censors claim that I tried to embed a lynq

I did succeed at that a few days ago.
Maybe I’m being punished for past transgressions.

Just tried 2 more times

Can’t get that message past the deadnetkgb.
Giving up.

rejection

conekid - I had that happen once with a lengthy post. Best I could figure was use of the word "yah**s" which was close to something you might find in a certain lynq. Took that out no luck and no matter how I reconfigured and rewrote the post it would not let me pass. I too gave up. Somewhat maddening. Though the problem being solved is real, whatever detection system they're using seemed like a blunt instrument.

7/6/87

sounds like its a go then DV with 7/6 and Nevilles and a "newly" circulating Miller transferred ultramatrix? for years I figured a sbd of this show would never see the light of day. surprise surprise surprise.

9/20/74 and Denied

I finally finished 9/20/74 and for extra credit fit in 9/21/74 for context. I like 9/20, it's very Jerry and Keith centric, the solo's are bright and inventive and there's some high moments. In Let it Grow, for example, Jerry and Keith are both going at it during the climax, both firing on all cylinders and having an active conversation bordering on argumentative dialogue. You can hear Bobby play at points, certainly in the beginning of WRS, but I agree.. he is almost lost in the mix which is unfortunate. There is also some interference on their turn on a dime well oiled machine.. some are turning on a dime, others on a penny and others yet on a quarter. I think in Skully's book he mentions there were opiates involved at this stage of the tour, but I certainly wasn't there and I doubt if anyone else is talking about that. That's my take.. another good show but there was some interference, haze and a lost bobby that make their mark. Both the 20th and 21's were most enjoyable to me. The start of Morning Dew on the 21's is so subdued.. it's like, oh.. did we start, yea.. well, let's not fire into this too quickly, we don't want to wake up the baby.

As for reCrapatcha.. I think they have some sort of history tracking in your posts, something that once a no/no character is placed in a post, they will never let you send it no matter how well you clean it up.

Frustrating, there's some bad code in there that they don't feel any need to clean up.

I'm out and about today so unless a show is already loaded in Podzilla (which 7/2 and 7/6/87 were not) I am not sure I will be able to partake. Perhaps I can catch the highlights tonight.

Onward..

7/6/87

Iron City Phillies start looking good. Sounding great so far Bluecrow. Nice call on this.

7/6/87…….

Has become one of my favorite shows. Such a great energy from start to finish. One of the best Shakedowns IMHO

7/6/87

Good show!
Wasn’t sure I was in the mood for Neville’s/guests, but yeah, great energy, good for the work at hand aka banging my head against the wall today!

Shakedown goat, easy now!

Curious if anyone has heard the Roanoke shows? Can’t recall why I didn’t go, but BOO469, and Burnout etc went and said the scene and the shows were awesome? Never checked them out as I was afraid they’d be real good and I’d be bummed I didn’t go lol.

Hitting 4/5/82 for extra credit, hey, my head ps not gonna bang itself!

Roanoke

On the road around midnight after escaping Pittsburgh, stopped in a rest area and was chatting with some heads who asked me if I was headed to Roanoke. Nope. Major mistake. Word later was both shows were excellent. When I first landed in this hot stinking desert got to know a sweet gal from Virginia who saw both. She was downsizing her collection and gave me some tapes from Roanoke and 88 Spaceship Hampton among others. Been ages since I've listened to Roanoke but I was pondering those yesterday at the same time I saw the upgrade for Pittsburgh.

back to Pittsboig

glad folks enjoyed this. the ultramatrix is pretty darn good, a very welcome upgrade, and this was one fun show. Desolation Row is a definite first set highlight for me. Over 50 shows I rarely drew the Shakedown card, only 5 times (first at UIC 4/10 that year). All the others were show openers - this is the only one that is burned in my brain. Phil's base line at times is crazy (listening on the Sennheisers this time around I was like wowza Phil) and the whole thing had this ever building electric tension that Jerry's scat singing brought to this sweet let er rip peak. Whew. Jerry is tearing it up on Samson. Having the Nevilles show up was like a dream, even more so as they dropped into the Banana Boat from Iko. Great Drums > Space into a Knocking on Heaven's Door that was sublime and beautiful. Still remember the lights as band and guests drifted back onto the stage - blues and greens. Seemed like Dylan himself might be out there before they started singing. This is the first Knocking by the Dead without Dylan and maybe the only time it wasn't an encore. Again, whew. A special night.

I've mentioned this story before during an earlier POTD listen - I left Chicago at something like 5 am to drive to this show. Got a speeding ticket coming into Ohio from Indiana when the speed limit dropped from 60 to 55 I think ( not on the Interstate and i was going like 62) and if the Statie had known I was heading to a show I'm sure my car would have been disassembled. A long day's drive. Found the stadium by following cars with heads in them. As I wandered the lot prior to showtime I saw this bumper sticker -

Caution - Driver Listening To Hot Shakedown.

Ironically it was after that speeding ticket that I decided it was best to remove all Dead bumper stickers from my ride as they occasionally attracted unwanted attention.

I definitely want to check out Roanoke at some point - the second set list from night 2 really got my attention BITD. Simply loaded. I mean - Space > Crazy Fingers > Trucking > Comes A Time ??!! Are you kidding me?? As before not saying it has to be now . . . .

Happy Friday everyone. Onward!!

Hola!

Yasss, did enjoy that Shakedown, and the Banana Boat song was a fun highlight for me, fit nicely into the flow.
Did not know that about Knockin, just figured it was because of the Neville’s as they seemed to always do that one when the Neville’s were visiting.
Have noticed Phil playing extra melodic during these 87 shows we’ve hit. Sounds like we need to hit Roanoke, perhaps next week we do a twofer?
Since no pick today, and it’s Friday, and almost summer depending on where you hale from, how bout a summer show from 6/25/92? Cool guests and summer tour fun, perfect to get the WE going and thoughts of summer!
Been meaning to hit this one for some time but waiting for right vibe.

OHIO STATE PATROL: gulp, yeah, too many close calls over the years. Unfortunately many of the touring years was when the limit was 55 (god how lame that was) and those bastards would pull you over for like one over the limit, and yeah, they loved the “full cavity search”. Funny, once you were in Indiana you good fly, but not Ohio. Things are a little different now, but I still don’t like cruising Ohio, no offense to our fine Ohio bros and sisters.
Funny, did the same thing with my stickers after a narrowly averted tragedy in Maryland. It was after JGB 89 at Merriweather. Long story short, total BS profiling as we weren’t doing anything illegal!
Luckily, the douggie houser punk ass prick who pulled us over didn’t know who he was dealing with. In my prime channeling Neal years road warrior, and luckily, a reasonable veteran cop came along and eventually shut down juinor.

After that, I only had one of those earth stickers with no writing etc, so you really had to be in the know.
My car after that I only had a Cats Under the Stars sticker, again no writing and not too obvious.
Nowadays, no identifiable markings as cops are out of control (probable cause, WTF is that?), and besides, I drive too damn fast. Hey, it’s one of the good things about living out west!
Love the folks who blatantly drive around with 420 this and weed leafs that etc, wonder how often they get jerked around?
Imagine if the cops actually went after REAL bad guys instead of most of the non critical chicken shit BS that they waste most of their time focusing on? Ahem but I digress.
K, happy Friday amigos!
ONWARD!

6/25/92

sure thing on 6/25. '92 was a gap year - my only tickets were for the big deal anniversary in Veneta which got canceled just prior. very much a disappointment though no doubt Jerry really needed the recupe time.

Went back to DeadBase to be sure my memory was good. First Knocking was encore with Dylan on 7/4. Then 7/6 out of Space. After that Heaven's Door was always an encore, except for 7/24 with Dylan when it was last song of Set II. Last time played 7/23/94.

A good friend totally rebuilt a 21 window bus back around '90. Found it abandoned in the woods of NC with a tree growing through the roof (I think). His work was impeccable. A thing of beauty inside and out. It was all lit up so to speak - no doubt it was a Dead Head vehicle. Drove it cross country to Eugene in '93. Never got stopped once, on that drive or any other time. I marveled at that. It was like it had a cloaking device when it came to John Law.

Pittsburgh

I haven't gotten to this show yet, but I was there. I have a little catchup to do..

I listened to the Oade bros audience way back but more or less pushed it out of memory because the audience tapes were a little too punchy and noisy. (I know, I know.. booo hooo soundboard snob, sorry for that)

stained glass Grateful Dead

Back in the 80's I used to have one dead sticker on my car, a stained glass looking sticker that just said Grateful Dead, from this one sticker I learned to never put Grateful Dead stickers on your car, you are asking to be pulled over, searched and taunted by the cowards who call themselves cops. I don't know any cops, but I did meet a few and they were all assholes.

SG Sticker

That was one of the ones I had on when they went fishing on us: long and skinny, believe it had rose vines intertwined with letters? It’s not like I had the full billboard going on either, just a few. Dancin bears on the back probably what did it.

6/25/92: decent show, but was a little disappointed. Everything was good, just felt a tad reserved, especially considering at a big stadium with special guests. Thought I heard it was, which leads to expectations, which leads to disappointment lol.
Also, Had to switch to an aud GASP! (just kidding) because the headphone mix they were using for SB wasn’t balanced enough and way too dry. This show felt much like the ones we saw that tour, though I think pits boig on the 22hd was good. Another decent but not mind blowing show.

newly uploaded SBDs

I don't typically keep track of this sort of thing but there seems to be veritable shit ton of newly uploaded (relatively speaking) Miller mastered and transfered SBDs. many many Pearson / Healy Ultramatrixes, and I noticed at least one in '94.

Always have to give a shout out to 6/4/77 The Forum today

With 2/27/77 Robertson Gym last reel coming back, does this make this the only 77 show with no Soundboards in circulation??.... Listening to set II right now... good set list.... Have a good weekend everyone. bob t

Tears are the summer showers to the soul…….

Hey, rockers!!!

Pick of the day: Fillmore West June 5 1969

As far as official releases go, the Summer of 1969 is certainly underrepresented. One wonders why? Although there’s not a lot of classics---if any---from this period, and while the playing can sometimes be uneven, the shows are almost always at least interesting, many with unusual song sequences, big jams, nice versions of the “recent” Aoxomoxoa material, and early versions of Workingman’s material (although many hadn’t quite found their true footing yet, the kinks needed to be worked out lol).

It seems that this show never gets talked about, but it’s solid. Powerful Dew to open, Weir channels his inner cowboy early on, the band pays their respects to Mark Spoelstra with a long, soulful Friend Of Mine, greasy Hard To Handle, stand alone Charlie, nice CE/TOO/CE to close out a gooey, rockin’, psychedelic first set.

Our heroes kick off the second set with a solid China Cat transitioning nicely into Sitting On Top Of The World, leading into the classic Live/Dead big jam sequence. And big it is!

Miller’s remaster is very nice, perhaps some day this worthy concert will be Normanized and unleashed on the world!

The June 69 Fillmore West run was quirky is as quirky does, check it out!!

Doc
Oh, the summer night, Has a smile of light, And she sits on a sapphire throne……

Today's Pick, 77, Etc

There are definitely quite a few new upgrades and new SBDs showing up in the last couple of years and I hope they keep coming. The Pearson Healy combos are usually really good sounding shows. Do you think most of these are coming from Healy?
Hey Bob t, yes, the 6/4/77 show from the Forum, not sure if a SBD of that show will ever show up, but it would be a great surprise.
Okay, 6/5/69, I will try and get this one in soon.

6/5/69

Rolling!

EDIT: nice little show. Can’t add much to Docs synopsis. Thanks for another old school nugget!

Bob T with 6/4/77: Rollin’ for extra credit!

Anybody up for hitting Roanoke 87 tomorrow for a two fer Tuesday?

Roanoke two-fer

Sure thing, though I may well need Wednesday to complete that.

Enjoyed 6/5/69. Thanks Doc! low-fi listen on the laptop speakers but still feel the power. someday with the Senns.

Oro - I agree that 6/25/92 band and guests not quite in sync / hitting on all cylinders. Schoolgirl seems like the principals are trying to figure out what the others are going to do and it never takes off. A little bit better on Watchtower and Lovelight. I really was digging the sound of Cotton's harp and given the special opportunity of a legend of his stature on stage the featured songs needed a whole bunch more of his harp playing IMHO. Miller didn't really seem to cut loose either, unfortunate also. Overall I think Jerry was sounding a bit fatigued. But I have no doubt that the Gloria encore would have blown my hair back. Enjoyed hearing So Many Roads though they stumbled into it out the Wheel. So Many Roads is such a beautiful tune. I only heard it live once - that last night at Soldier Field in '95 (16 rows out pretty much DFC) and it was so very powerful.

And as a side note re Schoolgirl - I have no idea what Bobby was thinking with that new arrangement he sang in Seattle in '95. I was puzzled then and puzzled on recent relistens, It simply doesn't work.

edit - and damn Eric Nesterenko died today. Legend. Played over 1000 games with the Blackhawks.

7/8/87

Are you thinking 7/8/87 OB? I am in.

Thanks. Keep the train rolling. We need some action on this site.

Roanoke

DV - I think both nights 7/7 and 7/8 for "two-fer extra credit" but only the second night available as a SBD, and interestingly its not listed as an Ultramatrix.

Good question as to who is source for all the new Ultramatrixes.

7/7 & 7/8

I can fit these in today, it's raining which puts me indoors.

I've been in the mood for an oldie, pre-released show that I have not hit for a very long time. When the battle is fought and the victory is won for 87, any interest in livening up the middle of the week with 2/23 and 2/24/68 at Kings Beach Bowl, Lake Tahoe?

I'm in the middle of a big outdoor project and I don't always have my devices loaded with everything from the archive. I guess I should start using relisten on my phone.. but I purposely separate myself from my phone or it's quite possible (probable) I wouldn't get stuff done. People have a way of finding me when what I want most is to remain lost.

7/7/87 & 7/8/87

Wow, just finished the seventh. My buddies weren’t kidding. Bet the laid back fun scene and not the big stadium/Dylan/press BS gave them a chance to relax, let loose and enjoy.
To me, you could sometimes tell right from the get go, and this one gave me that impression.
Great Aud that enhanced the vibe. Playing, set list, and vibe all wonderful.
Yep, can’t believe I didn’t go with those guys! Besides the great shows, I hear the pool party was worth it itself! Not sure why not, but in hindsight, I think I would have dug Pittsburgh and Roanoke better than Alpine?
Ce la vie!
Ok, onto 7/8 though I’m not sure I’ll get it all in today.

Dicks 68: not sure I’ll do those at work (streaming only : ( , but thier due so at some point this week I’ll fire that up!

Hello

Hello good question brother from androtekno.my.id

7/8/87

Good to see Dri back online.

Gave the 7/8 SBD a shot. I will have to check out an audience as I was not feeling the SBD. Will have to go back and check out the 7th. Both shows need some upgrades. Hopefully there are some out there, love the energy.

7/7/87

What Oro said. On from the get-go - Finiculi-Finicula into a ripping Mississippi Half Step. '87 Jerry (which I really dig) at his finest. And whole band is there with him.

Went with the Dave Cohen source on the headphones. Really nice sounding pull.

I was reading in the comments on the Archive that these shows were added on to the tour - no mail order.

Can't find where it was mentioned.....

..... but the Little Feat Waiting for Columbus box set is finally up for ordering.

Just ordered mine.

Moving right along

How’s bouta 4/7/78 from that great Spring tour. Something with a 7 in front for some variety.
More on those wonderful Roanoke 87 shows later…(if you like 87 and haven’t heard them, YOU MUST)

4/7/78

Yes, sounds good to me OB. I have never heard this one. Will get it going tomorrow.
Thanks.
Yes, 87 is hot.

Everything’s moving here but much too slow

I think y’all did 3/19/77 awhile back and I missed it?
So going to forge on with that.
Hopefully I’ll get time for the discussion part of these last few shows…
ONWARD!

Re: Sporatorium

Nice show, great recording. This is one Pretty Petty-O, I would surely Marry-O. Tight, powerful and fun. If I had a complaint, it would be that they did not seem to leave the solar system in the second set. The Terrapin>PITB>..., ...>PITB tango was fun but walls remained rigid and nothing melted, exploded, imploded and nobody was walking bow legged due to an alien abduction. First world problems, I realize. 78 has a lot of those, and post drums seemed to be shorter overall.

Still, excellent show, most enjoyable and a great pick.

I might relisten to the PITB and see if perhaps I missed something.. I was sanding and finishing some cabinets outside and that part of the show transpired just about the time the 14 year old ignored the no ball in the house rule. Predictably an errant lacrosse ball went through the front door window. If I hadn't done (almost) the exact same thing myself when I was his age, I'm guessing I would have been pretty pissed off.

4/7/78

Hey enjoyed this show. Great recording. Longer first set for this time period. Yes Jim, Jerry hits it nicely in Peggy O. Great Minglewood, TMNS.
Enjoyed the second set, the finish with NFA, BP, Playing reprise. JBG.
Good pick OB.

Thinking of going back to the PNW box today with 6/24/73 Portland. Let me know.

ha! we got somebody's attention!

June 22 GD Bulletin just hit my inbox and at the end there is this:

"1969? 1992? 1987? In Pick of the Day, With Discussion, the spotlight seems to be turning to Roanoke, 7/8/87, so come on down and join in."

To which I would add, if you're just tuning in - Welcome!! And don't overlook the first night at Roanoke, 7/7/87, cause it smokes!!

Onward!!