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.
Season of the Heart
That Season of the Heart early in the SF set is a sweet country tune. I've never heard them do it before.
43 lost in transit help
hi all, UPS has declared #43 officially lost in transit and i've had no response from customer service or escalations since reaching out last week. is there still a forum resident who can help with this type of issue???
Vguy, check your pm
I got your back on DP 43, if you get in a jam.
Re: Oro - Billy Situation
Probably just a function of Bill having more rigid family commitments and the perils of flying the day after Christmas.
It made for some interesting stage banter and a wicked cool acoustic set. Thanks Billy!! What a gift all these years later.
Billy the kidd / lucky Luciano
I always wondered growing up, what would it be like, if billy the kidd met lucky Luciano in a gun fight. Even if they both had the same .40 cal. Revolvers. I used to believe lucky would win, because of the famous picture of lucky with that smirk on his face. I would have payed anything to see that shootout.
I NEED A MIRACLE !
Hope everyone is enjoying their Dave`s Picks Vol. 43...Looks like I`m left out on this one...I ordered it the day it was released, still NADA...I can`t even track the order...It say`s INCORRECT TRACKING !...I`m Guilty of being on NDN Time Myself, But this is RIDICULOUS !...I suppose us Indigenous people here in the Southwest are on the Bottom of the ``TOTEM POLE`` as some of you say...Who Knows ...Maybe It`ll get here on Columbus Day...ANYWAY...ENJOY the Music people...TOM TOM
Tom Tom
Hang in there, good man.
I bet you have it by Friday. And it will sound extra sweet.
A new coworker of mine just moved to Seattle from AZ; she says she is Navajo.
I apologize if it is rude to ask but genuine curiosity....which nation are you a member of?
Soon, TomTom....43 will arrive soon.
Livvy
I was unexpectedly saddened to hear of Olivia Newton John dying yesterday. One of the first singles I ever got was "Banks of the Ohio", in 1971. What I now know as a murder ballad, but at 14 it just seemed a great story set to music. She always looked so clean and fresh-you would be afraid to touch her unless you made a smudge.
Tom Tom - you are not alone. No sign of Dave's 43 in England, yet either. No worries - it will come. If a few more weeks pass and it doesn't, then I have every confidence that if I contact Marye everything will be copacetic.
DP 4 & 8
Saw your feedback on these two Daverock. Love them both as well....I can just imagine picking up those CDs when the archive program was young and the "legendary" shows were hitting the record stores for the first time. When I started my Dead collection, the Dick's Picks series was finished. They were the only two-tracks for sale in stores. DP 16, DP 18, and DP 20 slipped into my collection early, and I recognized the sound quality was not as good as the "non-Dick's Picks", so I stayed away from them for the most part, until I bought up all of the multitracks. But eventually my ears became used to things and I had some sound system improvements that helped.
Estimated-Eyes - also a big fan of The Eleven. Two From the Vault was one of my early acquisitions, and the song reminded me a lot of the progressive rock sound I'm into. I've listened to just about every version I can get my hands on, and 11/2 is the closest I've heard (the vocals are especially good). The night before Two From the Vault is popular, but not quite in the same league to my ears. One thing 2FTV has going for it is the 14 minute song length. Awesome stuff, both of them. One of my favorite prehiatus two-drummer tunes.
Olivia Newton John RIP. Beautiful voice. So clean and clear. Will never forget the early Physical song and video. Seemed to be on MTV and the radio all the time.
knock at the door at Mar-a-Lago
who is it?
It's me, Don, open up man I got the stuff
more knocks
who is it?
It's me Don man, open up I got the stuff
Who?
It's, Don, man. Open up, I think the feds saw me take those boxes
more knocks
Who is it?
It's, Don, man. Will you open up, I got those boxes of secret documents with me
Who?
Don man, open up
Don?
Yeah man, Don, come on open up I think the feds saw me with those boxes
Don's not here.
No man, I'm Don, man
real loud knocks on door
Hey, come on man
Who is it?
It's Don man, Will you open up? I got the boxes with me
Who?
Don man, open up
Don?
Yeah, Don
Don's not here
What the hell? no man, I'm Don will you open up
real sharp and loud banging on the door
Come on, will you open up, I got the boxes and I think the feds saw me
Who is it?
What the hell is it.... come on open the door, it's Don
Who?
Don, D-O-N will you open up the God damn door?
Don?
yeah Don
Don?
Right man Don, now will you open the door?
Don's not here
Cheech and Chong
Light at the end of the tunnel?....
....shipping update. "Arrived at post office".
The day that left a hole in the universe
Well, our universe at least.
Thanks Jerry!
And thanks to everyone who had the foresight to record as much as possible.
Dave’s 43, Where Are You?
Come on Mr/Ms Postman! Bring forth the goods!
Happy thoughts on Jerome Garcia today. Thanks for everything, Jerry.
Shout out to Jack DeJohnette at 80 years old. For those that collect jazz, this man is a rock star.
TRCKING # INCORRECT....
YUP !...That what it say`s when I enter my Tracking #....And the ``Shipping`` cost is NOT Cheap...Maybe a Refund is due ????
Now it says....
....out for delivery. Possibly receiving on 8.9. That would be something. Stay tuned!!
RIP Olivia Newton-John. Leather pants at the end of Grease. Yessir!!
TRIBE...
PROUDFOOT
Thanks for the Support....I tried getting a hold of DEAD.NET But it seems like I just get ``Auto-Response`` emails ...(So much for ``Support``), There is NO Phone # to contact anyone...So once an order is placed, You`re on your own...
My Mother was Apache from Southern Arizona. Say Yá'át'ééh to your Navajo Friend , (Apaches and Navajo`s are Related)...There are quite a few ``Deadheads`` on the Rez. here in the S.W. ...I`ve seen them here in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada...( R U Native) ?...AGAIN Thanks and Be Safe Bro,...AHO !....TOMTOM
PF - New Converter Laws
Finally passed some laws in CO and Denver separately that track all cat. converter sales. Denver's has photo ID requirements and one day reporting, CO is similar with 5 day reporting. Proudfoot isn't alone as the Prius is the biggest return for your theft at upwards of $1500 for the set. Other cars from $250 - $500. For 2 minutes work.
Article gave these stats too:
Thefts (reported) by year in Denver - 2019=14, 2020=262, 2021=2679.
Freaking dirtbags.
Hang in there Tom Tom, & Where’s Nappy?
Since it doesn’t seem like others in your area (like Vguy in Nevada) have received theirs yet, hopefully yours is just running slow. Sure the service may not always be stellar, but I think 99% of the time they eventually make it right, unfortunately you just have to be patient.
Best thing you can do is pm marye with you order # and information.
Wondering if Nappy or Strider got theirs yet? Hell I’m wondering where Nappy is?
Nappy, Hope your just busy, know you said you were going to be working a lot this summer, but we haven’t heard from you since before Red Rocks?
Two From The Vaults
Keithfan- yes, that was another early favourite of mine among archival releases. New Potato Caboose is one of the highlights on this - incredible bass. This was supposed to be coming out on vinyl again, but It's not shown up yet. Another one for the album box when it does.
RIP Lamont Dozier
Great songwriter, wrote so many Motown classics.
Now that's 3 gone within the last few days: Lamont Dozier, Olivia Newton-John and the great Judith Durham.
DP 43
I love this release!! The only time I have heard Seasons is with the NRPS Owsley Sonic Journal 5-disc release, which is the best.
This release (#43) ranks among my top 5 favorites. My #1 Dave's Pick is still #10 at the Thelma Theater, followed closely by Dick's Picks at Harpur College, and then Road Trips Big Rock PowWow and the St.Valentine's show. All of my releases are original, not Real Gone Music. BTW, what the Hell is Real Gone Music?.........do they just buy the tapes and release stuff?
I also just received the Lyceum show 4-CD release. Disc 3&4 is da bomb. I always love me some Sing Me Back Home......and an incredible TOO.
Time to light the bowl.
MARYE...
I suppose you are the Person to get in touch with concerning my CD not arriving..Anyway you can Help?...I ordered Dave's Picks waaaaaay Back on 7-13-22...10:04 am...ORDER # 137400000458713...Anyway you can Help ? The People at DEAD.NET do not respond to my emails , There is NO Phone # to talk to someone AND I don`t know who to turn to at this Point...PLEASE let me know WHEN and IF I will be receiving my CD.
Thank You .TOM-TOM
Says "package delivered"....
....will confirm in approximately three hours.
Edit. Package confirmed and #11668 is in one hand and Hendrixfreak's bomber in the other. Now to see what all the hubbub is about.
This one is for you Jerry. Such a long long time to be gone, but a short time to be there.
Random notes
Vguy, it's been about 3 hours. Hope you got your package delivered! It's time you heard it with your own two ears.
Keith, I'm a huge Eleven fan too, one of my very favorites. Can't say that I've dissected them all, but I pretty much like every one I've heard and 1969 seems to be a standout year. When it plays, I tap out 1-2-3, 4-5-6, 7-8-9, 10-11 to myself, along with the beat on the main riff. Something hypnotic about it, and I love the improvisation variations. The lyrics are psychobabble, but that doesn't really matter to me. The 43 version is one of the clearest vocals on it that I've heard too.
Estimated Eyes, nice post a few pages back. Enjoyed your review.
27 years ago today I was on a road trip with my girlfriend (now wife) to the Mono Rock/Kings Canyon area of the southern Sierra. We were in a grungy motel room with hideous decor in Visalia California this night in our budget days when an item came on the TV that Jerry Garcia was gone. My wife was trying to tell me something at that moment, but I shushed her right then and there so I could hear the fateful story of Jerry's passing. We were a pretty new couple at the time, and she's never let me forget the way I boldly told her to clam it for a minute so I could hear the news. But you know, some things are important.
Cheers, Jerome, and thanks for showing us the light.
Frosted....
....it's spinning now. Arrived on The Day. I still don't believe in coincidences, however....
Stay cool my man. 27 years. Nice. My wife and I are on #24 upcoming.
Awesome sunset approaching here as well. Kids in the street playing.
Hey Tom_Tom....
....it will arrive. It maybe lost for a few days but definitely not stolen.
The thieves are busy with catalytic converters and the residents at mar-a-lago.
My political post for the week. Trying to be nice and somewhat neutral.
Lol. My capcha today was traffic lights. Slave to them.
Still waiting……still waiting
This is by no means the longest I have waited to receive my Dave’s. I think the reason why the waiting is so hard, is because it’s such a GEM!!
Tom Tom, most of us ordered this last year. Also, Deadnet has the tracking, so when it gets down to it, they’ll be able to see where it went. I know mine will arrive, and yours will too. That kettle you’re watching is not gonna boil until you stop watching it!!
Best to all, sometimes the waiting IS the hardest part.
To be continued……
Great release
This could be one of the all-time great Dave's Picks. The music, the sound quality (and the accompanying liner notes) make for a great package.
Tom Tom
I put your order info in the User Concerns posts (under Community, Administration tabs) for Marye to see, but you may want to PM her in the Message tab after you sign in. Likely it is as others have said, they are getting these out slow and you did ala carte which go out last. It is a little weird that Gerd in Germany has his already and others in the states don't yet. Keep the faith.
Cheers
The Eleven
Hey Frosted, I don't get the lyrics either, but as long time Yes fan, I've become accustomed to abstract lyrics. That being said, I will occasionally Google song meanings if something catches my fancy.
Daverock, also my favorite New Potato Caboose (Two From The Vault). Also the first one I ever heard. I don't have too many favorites for songs (maybe a half dozen or so), but it seems the ones I do are almost always the first version I heard if the song. Franklin's Tower will always be that blazing 11 minute one from Go To Nassau. Estimated Prophet, The Wheel, and post-hiatus The Other One are from DP 18. Lovelight from 5/24/72, released as a Rockin' The Rhein bonus track. Stagger Lee & Miracle from Closing of Winterland. That may be all of them.
Revisiting DaP 42. Is it just me or is this Eyes Of The World really one of the upper echelon performances?
1stshow70878
THANK YOU VERY MUCH ..I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS...
No one at DEAD.NET WANTS TO HELP...NO COMMUNICATION !,,I emailed them numerous times,,,NO RESPONSE AT ALL!...How do I PM this Marye ?...I`m not that Familiar with doing that...
Again , THANK YOU ...HAVE A BLESSED DAY.
Tom Tom
If you are already signed in go to the upper right corner where your avatar (yours is a great one with the full headdress) and drop it down and pick message. From there make a message to: Marye. She will respond in that message section which you see when you sign in. Took me a couple years to find that stuff.
Cheers
Dave's #43. ala carte
I went ala carte this year, and I got #43 two weeks ago, the same day my brother got his and he's a subsciber. I live in the Bay Area.
JGB 8-10-91 vinyl
Now Garcia Family Provisions is tempting me to buy more vinyl…..
Elec at the Eel
Back in stock at JGB, Electric @ the Eel Vinyl, 3 times as much on eBay.
Not the biggest '69 fan myself (GD that is), but I will NEVER argue with a release that has a Dark Star, let alone two!
Got a text from my 20 year old nephew, just discovering the GD for himself in college, this music transcends time and people will still be listening in 50 years, we are the luckiest music fans of all time....
8-10-91 Eel email
I got the email earlier today, checked out the webpage, didn’t pull the trigger, now appears to be sold out.
That’s OK, I have the CD’s. Vinyl takes up so much space that I can’t buy everything I see, especially if I already have it on CD.
8/10/91
Thank god. I probably would have bought it, putting the savings in the college fund as I write this.
Since this thread is centered around Dave's Picks 43, and just completing my second listen. I'm leveraging my previous opinion.
This might just be the most compelling of the Dave's Picks Series to date and currently my favorite of the series. Two complete shows, remarkable recordings especially compared with other shows of the same era, fantastic performances and two really historic shows to boot. I really think it outshines #5, Pauley Pavilion 11/17/73 and that says a lot. Oh, and there's the setlist, lots of pigpen, two monumental Dark Stars and the first acoustic set they ever performed.
Bear's Choice Vol. 2
Better than Pauley?....
....that's my favorite Dave's as well. Can't make a judgement call yet regarding #43, but that Family Dog Dark Star is outstanding! And the acoustic set is 🤌. If the Dallas one is just as good, or better, this may climb the ladder to definite top 3.
Yes
To me, better than Pauley.
To anyone who disagrees, fake news (kidding).
After two listens that's my opinion.
For what it's worth, I think Dicks 4 and 8 are better than Pauley too. But we like what we like, my opinion should not get in the way of anyone's enjoyment of show, song or moment. What is it they say about opinions? Or as hunter said, believe it if you need it.
Edit: For what it's worth, 30 was also super special. On par or just under pauley. And don't get me started about 1974, wait.. what was it I listened to last?
The Best ......of the best
Dave's #43, Box set, Fillmore West, or Europe 72, Road Trips. 5/15/70 or 2/14/68, Dicks Picks, 5/2/70, 2/13 & 14/70, 10/31/71, 1968 Lake Tahoe shows, lots of great Dicks Picks. I was listening to 12/26/69 the day after Christmas last year, and I was thinking what a cool show this is. Let's hope they keep going into those banana boxes.
Best release ever.......
Fillmore West box set, If I was forced to pick just one.
But Billy....
....I don't possess that box. I was late to that train. Didn't get the Europe '72 steamer at the time due to financial concerns. Remedied since then.
But I have so many awesome sounding GD shows, I don't lose sleep over it. Mrs. Vguy still thinks 30 Trips Around The Sun cost $500. Shhhhh.....
Jim. I had to go look at what #30 was.
Yeah. That's a keeper. #19 is choice as well. Time fuckin flies.
H2H 12/26
Goodness the H2H is smokin' warts and all. In fact, I think it's Pigpen's early cut-in on the 2nd verse that pushes the energy, as he recovers by letting out a patented "Yowl!" His voice is really in top form.
Billy the Kid, I like your allegiance to '69-'70. I love all of that stuff and hope I never have to choose between it and '71-'72 or '73-'74.
Icecrmcnkd - that's a great example. Another is Close to the Edge. I couldn't even make out what the lyrics were (for years), just to realize they didn't make sense anyway. Opening lines:
"A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace,
And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace..." Whaaaa? I got into 70s rock in the 80s, at which point most of the albums had generic LP sleeves and no longer had the gatefold covers. Lot of lyrics were lost in the shuffle, and (gasp) there was no internet to consult.