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    A sealed, unlabeled box sat undisturbed for decades on a shelf in the Grateful Dead’s San Rafael tape vault on Front Street, its contents an enduring mystery, even to those few with access to the vault. All David Lemieux knew about that box when he became the Dead’s archivist was that it contained tapes belonging to Bear—Owsley Stanley, the Dead’s first soundman and architect of the Wall of Sound. Even in the Dead Heads’ Holy of Holies, the taped-up box was tantalizing. But this was Bear’s personal property, and so he didn’t touch the box out of an abiding respect for the elder luminary of sound. Bear’s archive of Sonic Journal recordings had been kept safe for him for years within the Grateful Dead’s vault—over 1,300 reels of tape stored in heavy-duty cartons like old banana boxes. At any time, David could have popped the tops and explored them to his archivist heart's content. But they were off-limits without the nod from Bear. - Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell, Owsley Stanley Foundation

     

    With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43. The two virtually complete performances from San Francisco 11/2/69, Live At Family Dog At The Great Highway, and from Dallas 12/26/69, McFarlin Auditorium, are complementary in their clarity and consistency thanks to Bear himself, and in their ability to foreshadow where the Dead were headed in the years to come. If the two killer 20-minute+ "Dark Stars" don't get ya, how about the Pigpen-centric sets featuring "Midnight Hour," "Next Time You See Me," "Big Boss Man," "Good Lovin'," and the once-lost-now-found complete rendition of "Dancing In The Streets," or the first full acoustic set ever performed? And we're certain you'll be fascinated to uncover the "Mystery Of Bear's Banana Boxes" as told by Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell in the liners.

     

    Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43 was recorded by Owlsey "Bear" Stanley and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

     

    *2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

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  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    MSG box

    Going through the box one more time; listening to 9/21/82, what really bugs me is that the Charlie Miller on the archive sounds better in general, more crisp; box version almost sounds like some noise reduction was applied. Anyone else??

  • dmcvt
    Joined:
    Eleven list, MSG UV art, Hornsby Intersections

    Always appreciate hints to favorites/bests lists, was on a Viola Lee Blues quest a while back mice elf. Knowing at least one or two of my Dead loving friends would pick up the MSG big box and facing serious media overload/storage conditions, went for the 3CD package, am happy to have just it. Did stream much of the other shows before decision. Also thought the advance promo artwork at announcement was weird, now seeing part of it on the 3CD, also get it. Would suggest if any of y'all have a black light, check it out, those are florescent inks. Full disclosure, I held on to almost all my lighting effects from back in the day, makes me laugh still, thinking of UV posters and painted basement or attic hang outs. Recently picked up yet unheard Bruce Hornsby's Intersections, very nice extended foray into nooks and crannies of his great talent.

  • JoeyMC
    Joined:
    The Eleven

    Thank you for your list.

  • daverock
    Joined:
    RIP Robert Gordon

    Amen, Cousins. "The Humbler" and "The Real Humbler", with Danny Gatton, are two are my favourite rock n' roll albums. Robert Gordon was also a pretty good writer on Southern rock n' roll/blues/soul. Three on my book shelf are "It Came From Memphis", "Respect Your Self-Stax Records and The Soul Explosion" and "I Can't be Satisfied-the Life and Times of Muddy Waters"
    Alvar - great post on "The Eleven"-cheers. I always think of "classic rock" as being a bit of a negative description though - an attempt to make rock music socially acceptable. It always seems to be attached to very successful bands at the very point that they have lost their edge. Music your dad would like. Or your kids, come to that. Not a description that fits Eleven era Dead exactly.

    Last 5 - none of which are socially acceptable. Hopefully
    Nasty Rockabilly Volume 1. Various
    Dust On The Nettles cd 3 Various
    Live at The Venue, London 4/19/80 The Cramps
    Chasin' The Bird cd 1 Charlie Parker
    Complete Motown Singles 1966 cd 2 Various ( damn. It's still really good though)

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: VGuy / Phil and Horns

    I'd bet a buffalo nickel they play Viola Lee Blues. That song lends itself well to a full brass sound.

    So Vegas odds we see a Viola over the weekend.

    For what it's worth, the horns player Phil had for the first three nights was fantastic. An Energizer Bunny if I've ever seen one. Karl Denson. Check this guy out, he's the real deal.. funk and jazz, a perfect fit.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Re: Alverhonso

    I finally got through the whole MSG box and gave a few shows a second listen. I enjoyed it and am glad I have it but it's just not the strongest box set they've ever put out. I think deadtony had one of the better one liners on the MSG thread, suffice for a review.. "Love me some dirty 80s." Pretty much sums it up.

    I would consider getting the stand alone show (3/9/81) if the cost of the box and space issues are driving your decision. It's probably the strongest performance of the bunch and I think it sounds the best of what is in the box. Down and dirty Grateful Dead, Cliffs notes edition. You would be missing the pretty tripped out wild colored box art, but... that's all flare and flash, albiet trippy flare and flash.

    Just something to consider.

    Back to whatever it was you were doing or listening to, screwing up or making just exactly perfect.

  • alvarhanso
    Joined:
    Re: Elevens Journey and Umphrey's

    On UM, I've seen them about a dozen times over the last 20 years, mainly when they've been on a co-bill. They are incredibly proficient musicians, they kill killer covers, and take adventurous chances improvisationally. However, I don't really gel with them, never have. Too much prog in the jam for my tastes. Phish has prog out the wazoo, but they incoporate so much more groove.

    Which brings me back to that Eleven search. That song is more like classical rock, since it's years before people thought of labeling prog as such, and Phil was classically trained along with that avant garde training. There's the weird waltzing rhythm, the dynamic ebbs and flows, and Jerry ripping a composed piece with increasing ferocity, all while Phil goes from rapid-fire eighth notes to huge counterpoint chords, and Mickey has the time of his life. A request had been made for where that list stood, a nice weekend up to Quebec put off an answer til now, but it also gave me a chance to relisten to a couple, which changed things a bit:
    1 2/28/69 mainly ahead of the pack for the few minutes of Phil and Jerry bobbing and weaving around each other, for some of it by themselves very quietly, and this one is nearly flawless.
    2 1/2/70 DaP 30 this one surprised me, did not recall it being this good. Of course, this is an A++ Dark Star sequence at that show anyway, but this is a really hot Eleven.
    3 3/2/69 going into it, thought this would be easily the best based on previous listens where I was blown away, mainly by Phil's ability to improvise in 11 the way he does in this one that he doesn't do the rest of the Fillmore West run. Yet I still liked the FE one from 10 months later slightly better.
    4 3/1/69 being the third best version of the Eleven out of four in four nights isn't that bad. Still well executed and a rousing version. I've long felt this show's wad was shot with That's It For The Other One opening, but it's still great primal Dead.
    5 12/11/69 DaP Bonus Disc 2014 very nice, tight version that goes ridiculously into an early Cumberland Blues.
    6 11/8/69 DiP 16 this show was just ridiculous, especially that dream continuous second set.
    7 2/27/69 the Dark Star is on Live/Dead, but they skipped this Eleven because it's shaky from a few guys at a couple different spots. Phil is all over it, and the jam is great because Jerry gets over his initial stumbles and makes up for it with some fiery work. But since my goal was a really great version that is also nailed, I knocked it down a bit. Which leads to my last eighth note on The Eleven
    8 11/2/69 DaP 43 the big thing that throws me on this one is the drum break by Mickey and re-entry bomb by Phil being uncharacteristically off. Some others aren't so smooth either, this one maybe was the most awkward. It's a small thing, but this guy is definitely going to be more impressed by one where they nail that bomb like the Fillmore West Run where they played it each night, and had it DOWN. But I do love this last Dave's Picks Dark Star sequence. The Dark Star, St Stephen are A+, The Eleven an A-, but that oh so deft segue into Death Don't Have No Mercy, maybe the best one I've heard (happy for suggestions to knock it from that personal perch), is just fantastic.

    Sorry for the lengthy diversion. Dave's 44 looks promising. MSG not sounding so promising. If it's around in six months, I'll probably bite the bullet then. Dave's 2023 subs are right around the corner, that's the best hundred bucks I spend every year.

    ETA: I unfortunately had to limit my choices to what I had on USB drives in my car, just moved a couple weeks ago, and the computer is still in a box, so the Download Series and other versions from 1968-69 weren't readily available. Dick's Picks 26 has 2 versions! I will need to set up that very computer for the creation of the disc, so may give them a spin whenever I get around to that :)

  • Cousins Of The…
    Joined:
    RIP Robert Gordon

    Great rock and roll singer, always with a killer band(L!nk Wray, Chris Spedding, Danny Gatton)

    Had to add "!" in Mr. Wray's first name...Dead.net barked.

    Last 5:

    Robert Gordon Are You Gonna' Be the One
    Weyes Blood Titanic Rising
    Beach Boys Live 1968 (8 soundboards in 1 box set)
    GD 3-10-81 (Bob MIA in the mix - almost sounds like JGB at times)
    Cactus Blossoms One Day

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Phil Lesh & Friends next weekend....

    ....will be joined by the horn section of the Trey Anastasio Band. Very cool.

  • PeteH
    Joined:
    Umphreys

    Hey Vguy this is a band you want to see. They rock! I've seen them about 30 times and am never disappointed. They are a true jam band with most songs in the 12 to 20 minute range. Their collaborative and improvisational skills are awesome. Very talented. I've seen many many shows/bands over the years and they rank right up there with the Dead in how much fun and enjoyment I've had at their shows.

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A sealed, unlabeled box sat undisturbed for decades on a shelf in the Grateful Dead’s San Rafael tape vault on Front Street, its contents an enduring mystery, even to those few with access to the vault. All David Lemieux knew about that box when he became the Dead’s archivist was that it contained tapes belonging to Bear—Owsley Stanley, the Dead’s first soundman and architect of the Wall of Sound. Even in the Dead Heads’ Holy of Holies, the taped-up box was tantalizing. But this was Bear’s personal property, and so he didn’t touch the box out of an abiding respect for the elder luminary of sound. Bear’s archive of Sonic Journal recordings had been kept safe for him for years within the Grateful Dead’s vault—over 1,300 reels of tape stored in heavy-duty cartons like old banana boxes. At any time, David could have popped the tops and explored them to his archivist heart's content. But they were off-limits without the nod from Bear. - Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell, Owsley Stanley Foundation

 

With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43. The two virtually complete performances from San Francisco 11/2/69, Live At Family Dog At The Great Highway, and from Dallas 12/26/69, McFarlin Auditorium, are complementary in their clarity and consistency thanks to Bear himself, and in their ability to foreshadow where the Dead were headed in the years to come. If the two killer 20-minute+ "Dark Stars" don't get ya, how about the Pigpen-centric sets featuring "Midnight Hour," "Next Time You See Me," "Big Boss Man," "Good Lovin'," and the once-lost-now-found complete rendition of "Dancing In The Streets," or the first full acoustic set ever performed? And we're certain you'll be fascinated to uncover the "Mystery Of Bear's Banana Boxes" as told by Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell in the liners.

 

Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43 was recorded by Owlsey "Bear" Stanley and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

 

*2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

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11 years 8 months

In reply to by Oroborous

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the elation for this and for hints at what else remains in the vault.

Just what the doc ordered!

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10 years 2 months
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fans got their wish.
2 Dark Stars and plenty-o-pig.
Sounds good to me!
Cheers

Edit: Non-subscribers (Daverock?) better jump on this fast. Certainly one that will sell out in a day.
1300 Owsley reels in the vault did it say? A HUGE virtually untapped source.

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14 years 1 month
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I like Owsley's technique. That'll do, Pig.

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3 years 1 month
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just what I wanted. 2 shows from1969,. Thanks Dave, keep them comming.

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10 years 1 month
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Dave - You had us at Pig. A real nice release, and Owsley sound, too! (Blushing)

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10 years 4 months
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It took 8 years, but I finally guessed the right shows. Nevermind that I included the Boston Tea Party trio.

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10 years 9 months
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I'll take this one, thank you very much!!

Oro, you either get primal or you get Pig. I'm very pleased with this one. Did not see that coming.

Woo-hoo!

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9 years 2 months

In reply to by That Mike

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Sweet release for DaP43!

"With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43."

just want to highlight ". . . some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including . . ."

pray tell what other mysteries are there in the banana boxes?? to be continued.

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13 years 5 months

In reply to by bluecrow

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I think Dave was worried about a riot.. we forced his hand on this one.

I'm looking much more forward to this than the box set. No offense meant.. but this looks sweet to me.

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4 years 1 month
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Beyond stoked about this DaP. There doesn't seem to be a track listing yet, but given the description (not one but TWO 20-minute-plus Dark Stars, AND plenty of Pig?) this promises to be epic. Audio quality is likely to be outstanding, given that it was recorded by Bear and evidently stored in a banana box for 50+ years.

Wonder what else is in those banana boxes? Guys, if you find any blue tablets, you should probably forward them to me for safe disposal.

The MSG box? Not sure I need 17 discs worth of '80s, so I'll probably just go for the breakout set from 3/9/81. I have to admit, this release makes me a little sad, because it makes me think that now it's going to be years, maybe longer, before they do the Berkeley Greek 1980s box some of us have been longing for. Can't see 'em doing two venue-centric '80s boxes in close succession.

And just btw: don't get Covid, if you can help it. Went on a business trip (got to go to NOLA, at least), came home and got sick. Despite being vaxed and boosted, it was sucky week. Not the end of the world, but pretty sucky. I mention this in the hope that it'll encourage others to be vaxed and be careful: that fucking virus is still out there. Be well.

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12 years 11 months
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Its so good to be wrong!!!!!! I thought for sure Dave would venture into the 80's the 60's are not the 80's. By the way I'm digging the gray hoodie, very understated.

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4 years 8 months
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I had jumped off of the subscription bandwagon almost as soon as I got on, after the disappointing DaP31. This year I reluctantly hopped on again because I liked the Baltimore show and absolutely salivated over the Winterland ‘74 with bonus disk. I was resigned to getting a throwaway ‘80s show this time around. Nope. I am virtually in tears as I type this, and best of all I have no worries of this one selling out because it’s already been ordered. It’s a beautiful day.

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17 years 6 months
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I haven't browsed Deadbase yet to see if these shows are listed or the setlists, which I imagine are similar to others from the era. I also wonder if having been stored in sealed boxes all these years if they are uncirculated? That's always a nice surprise.

I'm a lifetime subscriber since the beginning. Glad to see Dave mixing it up.

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13 years 5 months

In reply to by SPACEBROTHER

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The sound on the archive is good.. assuming Latvala took a little peeksy into the banana boxes and shared. I'd still like to take partial credit for guessing Dave's 43 would be sourced using returned reels from the late 60's. I think I posted something to that effect a week or two ago.

Very glad to see these shows come to light. They seem to be very special, at least to these ears.

Enjoy people.. This one goes out to Hendrix Freak.. if there's a more enthusiastic 60's and fall 1972 person out there.. I'd like to buy her/him a drink and shake their hand.

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Jim!!

That would be me. Strong coffee will do, looking forward to the handshake...........

Did anybody think my obsession was limited to 1971?!! OMFW!!!

The dice of Zeus always fall luckily.

Rock on,

Doc
Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust......

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11/2 does not circulate, no set list
12/26 Circulates, Zephyr opened-acoustic set without Bill

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In reply to by wissinomingdeadhead

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not in Deadbase but SBD source of 11/2/69 is on relisten

not that i've heard it. includes a "classic suite" DS > SS > 11 > DDHNM

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In reply to by wissinomingdeadhead

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Strong Coffee I've got! Doc you are equally enthusiastic of the old stuff. Check your PM.

As for 11/2, it looks like a copy of this was seeded to the Archive back in 2004 and a more complete version appeared in 2009.. so someone had them. I'm going to head to the attic right now and see what's in all the banana boxes stashed in the corner.

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Who is the 4 fingered gal on the cover? Interesting that they did not go for a female skeleton.

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10 years 8 months
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This is great news Dave,its going to be well worth the wait, none of us are getting any younger,I'm looking forward to having this in my grubby little mitts in August.

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10 years 10 months
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I'm a big fan of DaP 6 12/20/69 and 2/2/70 with 12/21/69 bonus disc with its two Dark Stars, DaP 30 1/2-3/70 with its great setlists capped off by that massive Dark Star> St Stephen> The Eleven> Lovelight, and DaP 10 12/12/69 and bonus from 12/11/69 scratches a similar itch, but I gravitate to the bonus disc for the whole Dark Star> St Stephen> The Eleven> Cumberland Blues, That's It For The Other One> Cosmic Charlie, because that's just fantastic. And now we add these two shows to that collection. Nonplussed on the box, but I reckon I'll likely get it sometime prior to release. The setlists are quite good, and only one Little Red Rooster.

Just listened to the Little Sadie and High Time in the Listening Party on my tablet speakers, and quite liked it. Jerry is in fine fettle.

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7 years 4 months
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Sounds like an oxymoron to me, but who cares!! It’s primal 1969, JUST before 1970, which we ALL(well, almost all) have been clamoring for!! I simply CANNOT WAIT to unwrap this and push play!!

Thanks Dave, Music is the Best!!

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I will take a GD sbd from the '60s ANY day of the week, and the Dallas show has long been one of my favorites. I'm VERY glad that it's being released and that 11-2 show is no slouch although I've never heard it complete and never in this kind of sound quality either. I'm very happy these shows were chosen, can't wait to get my hands (and ears) on them. Thanks once again to Dave, Dick, Bear and the whole GD family.

Jeffrey Norman works for the GD and also the OSF, which has been digitizing Bear's 1300 reels. OSF is about two-thirds done with digitizing so possibly ~400 reels to go. Probably that's what Norman was doing.

Meanwhile, only weeks to go until two unique '69 shows are in our hands.

I'll have to quiet down for a while about NINETY SIXTY-EIGHT, just because Dave gave us a nice dose of late '69.

Heh heh heh... we don't need any contests here, this whole crowd is foaming at the mouth for this release. Jim, you sure know how to get folks riled up. (What the hell are "banana boxes"?)

In fact, the good doctor and I had often discussed how early, short shows shouldn't stop Dave from putting two together to meet the DaP three-disc rule. Here we are.

A good shout out to all who made the past couple months on this forum worthwhile with good discussions of literatue and music. I only have about 7-8 books to read and tall stack of CDs to listen to, as a result.

And thanks to Dave L. for an inspired choice. (I'm getting the 3-9-81 show and leaving the box alone, but sure wish I can get my hands on 3-10-81 at some point...)

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7 years 7 months
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Its about time, one worth opening.

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11 years 8 months

In reply to by TJPD2

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ask any supermarket for them, very sturdy, heavy duty cardboard, great for storage. Not entirely closed, usually an opening at top and bottom. Check recent shipments for tarantula hitchhikers. Shucks, no release listening party for the 60s bunch at Jim's bear battered beer caches?

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7 years 10 months
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Oh myyyyy! I don't post very often here, but I've been watching the discussion/speculation on DP 43 for months. I figured DP43 would be 1980s for sure (hello, box set) and in that regards I was hoping for a 1985 release. I didn't dare hope for '68-'69. I'm glad to be wrong!

I've never heard either of these shows - super excited for this release. I keep various Fall '69 rips in my car - 10/25, Dick's Picks 16, the DaP 6 Bonus Disc - so it's going to be nice to change things up. This time I even went and bought an extra copy so that I can wow somebody who will only realize what they've missed out on when they are sitting in my passenger seat. That's ~$40 well-spent. @Dave thanks buddy, this kinda drop is what keeps me subscribing year after year.

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In reply to by Obeah

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totally awesome

Daves in a (banana) box

loooooove it

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15 years
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Didn't know about the Dallas show. Double 1969 goodness - how sweet it is!

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14 years 1 month
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What I have:
Cold Rain
Midnight Hour
Seasons (this song is unknown to me, a first)
Mama Tried
Next Time You See Me
Good Lovin'
Big Boss Man
Casey Jones
Dancin'
Dark Star>St. Stephen>The Eleven>Death Don't

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14 years 1 month
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I have this one archived in my cassette collection. Saw many shows at this venue. Great acoustics.

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10 years 10 months
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Just looked up the setlists for these and saw Dave for once way undersold the length of the two Dark Stars, one 30, the other 24! Nice. But how about I've Been All Around This World? Always loved it from hearing the Garcia Grisman version, so stoked to see it's on here wih Little Sadie. Such a treat to hear Jerry sing these in such a strong voice. Now to avoid listening to the whole shows for three more weeks...

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12 years 1 month
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I know it makes me not a ‘head’
But no

Pig’s “white boy blues” makes wants me want to barf every time.
Hahaha i hear him open his mouth and it’s like I want to jump off a cliff

I hear somebody brag about a “half hour Lovelight” ?
Thanks, I know exactly what show to skip. 

Seriously no

ughhhh

We can all jam and no despite I hate it I’m not selling to at cost hahahah

There are people out there.

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17 years 1 month
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...deadhead but certainly a fool of high caliber. I agree with the Lovelights...sometimes, but damn take that tone and put it in the garbage where it belongs. The provenance alone of these tapes is enough to get my brain drooling and my ears lubed up.

Looks like they've reconnected the modem at the asylum. Nurse Ratchet must be on her first vacation in a few decades. 😬

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13 years 1 month
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For those of you wondering why artist Matt J. Adams included her, have a look at the cover of "Live/Dead".

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8 years 7 months
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…Oh Boy! 2 (two) “Primo” Primal Dead performances in one release (Pick)
“There’s Nothen left to do but Smile Smile Smile!” I’m as happy as a Pig in Mud! Lol ! 🤠
Have a grateful day my brothers and sisters.
there’s not a better feeling than having grateful fans dig’n The continuing Amazing Artworks involved year after year! Love it!
Take care folks , have a grateful day!
🙏❤️💀🌹

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