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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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  • #601
    frosted
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    I remember one Dead dream

    Sometime in the last 5 years or so I had this one.

    Was out at some County Fair looking place, like in a midwestern farm town somewhere out in the countryside with a makeshift stage also that had side walls and a top canopy set up, but just large enough for the band. Was just a concert, not amusement rides and such, so the focus was on that, not that it was part of a larger event or Fair. I was reasonably close to the stage, in a crowd of maybe only a few thousand.

    Was like a 1970 or so version of the Dead. Dream was in black and white. They were rocking and cooking and it all seemed so surreal because I was aware that they were no more with Jerry gone in reality, but still it was all jamming and stuff I never heard much in the late 70s when I saw my first shows, and there they were, seeming real as could be.

    One of those you remember when you wake up (because many dreams I never do recall), and it sticks with you. Was almost like I was cheating time somehow and shouldn't have been there and it shouldn't have been happening, but it was a chance to see the early days like I never got in real life. I couldn't name the tunes they played after the dream, but it definitely had that late 60s / early 70s sound.

    Dreams can truly be strange. Then just now as I was filling out the CAPTCHA, it gave me a bunch of tractors to select that were all shown out in midwestern farm looking countryside...heh heh.

  • #602
    Oroboros
    Joined:
    And those majestic Red Rocks

    were energized by the Dead to 'shake their bone's' the massive rocks started pulsating, heaving, and swaying to the 'band beyond description' during those shows and all that followed.

    And we danced........

    African saying "you see the hut, yet you ask where shall I go for shelter?"

  • #603
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    Quiter in August

    Thank you that confirmation. I had thought about that. I thought it might have been just the way things were recorded.

  • #604
    hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    I Had A Dream Last Night, What a Lovely Dream It Was

    A few years back. I'm driving a convertible and in the bench-style back seat are Jimi, Jerry and Roy Buchanan. Just yucking it up on a drive in the country.

    When I awoke the most unsettling thing was that it seemed perfectly 'normal' at the time. Taking a Sunday drive with three dead guys who had some notoriety.

  • #605
    Oroboros
    Joined:
    Yes tasty shows but those August, 1978 nights were quieter

    than the prior July 78 shows.

    I believe the Dead got a reprimand from the town of Morrison for the volume on the previous shows. So they did turn it down quite a bit as they showcased the new Shakedown Street selections along with the rest of the other Dead tunes during this concert.

    That said I was impressed with their quieter take and use of dynamics with this show as they prepared for their Egypt shows.

    Those shows were a long-standing dream of Garcia and the Grateful Dead to play a concert in front of the Sphinx and pyramids.

    Several songs were released both on DVD included with a CD audio selection from those Egypt show(s).

    Samuel Clements " It ain't what I don't know that gets me into trouble, it's what I know for sure, that ain't so."

  • #606
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    8 31 78

    I got that on cassette early on. I have always loved it.

    Mississippi 1/2 Step > El Paso :))))))))))))))))

    And you were at both. The envy is all mine.

    "Show envy"

  • #607
    1stshow70878
    Joined:
    PF

    and 8-31-78.
    Lots of new tunes off Shakedown St.
    My 3rd & 4th shows.
    No walls but the Rocks were moving.
    Cheers

  • #608
    Vguy72
    Joined:
    Englishtown features my all-time favorite Peggy-O....

    ....smooth like butter.
    Edit. Pure Jerry CD's fetch quite a bit. I missed them.

  • #609
    Crow Told Me
    Joined:
    I Had a Dream, People Won't You Listen Now

    Crazy dream. I was hitching in West Marin and who should pick me up but Jerry Garcia. He was driving mid-60s Ford Falcon (same car a friend of mine used to drive in high school). He was mid-'70s Jerry, black hair and beard, no gray. I was of course super stoked to be picked up by Jerry, but soon my elation turned to terror as I realized he was a really horrible driver. We were on a winding road up over the ocean and he kept almost falling of the side of the cliff. He was scaring the shit outta me. Unintentionally, keep apologizing. Anyway, then I woke up. No big deal, I know, but since we're talking Dead dreams ... there's one.

    Glad people reminded me this was the anniversary of Englishtown. Good excuse to spin that one. What a great show.

    Agreed with the comments about '78. Not as together as '77, but often wilder, louder, more rawk, ya know? I need to explore more '78 shows.

  • #610
    Vguy72
    Joined:
    Dead Dreams....

    ....I've had a few. One was of them playing a concert on an aircraft carrier. That was cool. Had another one where I was running a marathon and Phil, Billy and John Lennon ran past me.
    Also. Not really a dream, but I was woken up suddenly at 3:10 AM on 8.9.95 with a feeling of dread. Went back to sleep and thought nothing of it. Later that day, I heard the terrible news of Jerry's passing. I reached out to by touring buddies (obviously) and told them about my sudden out-of-the-blue wakeup that morning. They all said they woke up at about the same time as well. Things that make you go "hmmmm".

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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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Submitted by dmcvt on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:44

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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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Submitted by 1stshow70878 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:44

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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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Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:55

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I like Owsley's technique. That'll do, Pig.

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:18

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just what I wanted. 2 shows from1969,. Thanks Dave, keep them comming.

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Submitted by That Mike on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:20

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

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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:49

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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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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:50

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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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Submitted by bluecrow on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:51

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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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Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:09

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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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Submitted by Crow Told Me on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:11

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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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Submitted by wissinomingdeadhead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:15

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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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Submitted by WokeUpDead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:19

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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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Submitted by SPACEBROTHER on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:31

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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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Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:43

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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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Submitted by Forensicdoceleven on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:52

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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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Submitted by wissinomingdeadhead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:00

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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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Submitted by bluecrow on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:08

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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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Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:12

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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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Submitted by diw on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:41

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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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Submitted by Sydney Prentice on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 13:03

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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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Submitted by alvarhanso on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:34

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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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Submitted by Mr. Ones on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:35

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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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Submitted by cheyler196 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:48

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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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Submitted by TJPD2 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 15:14

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Its about time, one worth opening.

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Submitted by dmcvt on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 15:40

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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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Submitted by Obeah on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 16:06

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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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Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:07

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totally awesome

Daves in a (banana) box

loooooove it

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Submitted by bolo24 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:56

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

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Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:58

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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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Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 18:03

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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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Submitted by alvarhanso on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 19:56

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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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Submitted by sladeums on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 23:18

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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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Submitted by direwulf on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 02:48

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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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Submitted by onthebussince77 on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 02:53

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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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Submitted by Lovemygirl on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 03:53

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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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