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.
Fillmore West Box Set
I truly believe, that this box set will be released again on cd as un numbered and not limited edition. The recording quality and the performances are so fantastic, that I believe the Dead would want these shows available to everyone.
Megaphonium fanfare
It seems a few people may have missed out on The Fillmore West 69 box - I'm among them. I didn't know about Deadnet when that came out, and didn't have a computer anyway. I'm buying the L.Ps as they come out, but I would buy the complete run on cd if it ever comes out again in a shot. That and the Europe 72 shows essential in any and all forms.
Keithfan - thinking about it, a lot of my favourite versions of songs are the first ones I heard, too. And coming from the (first) L.P. era, many of these are on the old officially released albums. For example - the second side of Anthem, all of Live Dead, about half Workingmans' Dead, most of American Beauty and the the 3rd L.P. in the original Europe 72 triple album box - and many of the other songs-maybe Cumberland.
Trying to understand the lyrics of 1970s prog albums....that way madness lies. My favourite is "Cirkus" by King Crimson. Have a look at that one online, if you dare, and try summarising it in as few words as possible.
Oh yeah!
My copy of this little beauty has just been delivered here in the Netherlands. It managed to avoid Dutch customs on it's journey, so no taxes or administrative charges. 👍🏻 This looks as good as others have reported and I shall get down to listening to it directly. #17761
FW box set
Yea, I missed out on that too. Sure hope this would be a re released. I would buy it up in a heartbeat.
Lyrics are most bands' weakness
Not commenting specifically on recent band mentions, but there are very few artists whose lyrics can equal the music or stand out "ahead" or "above" the music. Hunter and Dylan do it, for me. Robbie Robertson, with The Band (but never again, plus he had Levon singing his lyrics). Then there are the innumerable songwriters too numerous to mention. The flip side is the tremendous number of bands whose lyrics basically just suck. To avoid the eggs and tomatoes, I won't list any, but they constitute an appalling percentage of popular music, at least after about 1955. In the 1920s, '30s and '40s (and prior to recorded music) lyrics had to be clever or at least hip, coded, double-entendres, especially in the blues. Check out Lonnie Johnson's "Shorty's Mowin' Your Lawn," for instance. But '60s and '70s? Mostly crap, except for our favorites.
This my patented cannonball-in-the-pool splashing, then rapid retreat to lurking again.
Plus, Bonnie Raitt tonight at Red Rocks! 15th row. Oh yeah.
Garcia/ Bonnie Raiitt
I saw Bonnie Raitt open for Garcia ,( along with a lot of other great folks who post here on the forum), in 1987 at the Greek Theatre. It was a great show,, Bonnie came out and played a few songs with Garcia. Bonnie's dad was in the audience and stood up when Garcia introduced him. The day before we were up on the Eel River to see Garcia play the first Electric on the Eel, with his acoustic and electric bands, what a cool scene, definitely the coolest place I ever saw a Dead or Dead related show, up in the Redwoods in the Mountains. right on the Eel River. Big Fun!?
Hendrix Man and double-entendres, especially in the blues
I've been working on massive amounts of blues and I laugh when they talk about Pigpen getting bawdy.
How about...
I thought she was a fishermans daughter,,,, when I showed her the rod, she reeled!
Found another tune, "my honey hole".... some talk about their jellyroll, but I love my honey hole.
Say no more!
Yes to Mo' Big Fun...
We had a joint in Denver called the Rainbow Music Hall in the late '70s, every early '80s. It got dozed and I think a Walgreen's occupies that once-hallowed space now. Emblematic of our times? (Ponder-worthy. Like my local telescope shop that's now a pawn shop...)
The Rainbow held about 1,400 people and we saw Bonnie there probably about 1980, along with (different nights, of course), Jerry, Robert Hunter, Santana, Leo Kottke, the Dinosaurs, Roy Buchanan, Steve Morse & Dixie Dregs, boy, gotta dredge up more memories -- oh yeah, John Mayall, mmm zzz, synapses failure...
Here's to mo' Big Fun! And hats off to BTK for reiterating what it's all about, apart from a lifelong attempt at the golden rule, etc., etc.
I gave her a ring, Dennis
And she gave me the finger!
(I typically pop off when anyone says, "Say no more!")
How 'bout Lonnie Johnson's "Jelly Roll Baker":
Without jelly roll, I'd rather be dead
I put in my order fo' two weeks 'o head
Gotta have that jelly
My sweet jelly roll...
Lyrics
Good ones
"No one is united
And all things are untied"
A whole lot more
Blues with multiple references to jellyrolls (they aint talking your local bakery)
Now things are just said directly
Gems such as "wet ass pussy"
"My neck my back my pussy and my crack"
Then again rolling stones were pretty blunt
Captain Beefheart "I wanna lick you everywhere it's pink and everywhere you think"
At my age I sing the blues song "the lead's all gone" from my "pencil"
Whoa! Getting a little carried away there...
Today's drive:
12 26 69
8 5 and 6 74
"Marconi plays the mamba..."
Willie Dixon/ Bo Carter , great blues songs
Willie Dixon wroteI "I'm Ready", " I've got a axe handle pistol on a graveyard frame. That shoots tombstone bullets, wearing ball and chains. I'm drinking tnt, I'm smoking dynamite. I hope some screwball starts a fight. " It's on the Best of Muddy Waters followed by "Hoochie Choocie Man" also written by Willie Dixon "The Best of Muddy Waters* with greats like Little Walter and Otis
Spann backing Muddy Waters. " The Best of Muddy Waters" & " Working Mans Dead", the two greatest albums of alltime. Both get repeated plays on my bbq & beer drinking play list each weekend. Bo Carter wrote " Banana in Your Fruit Basket", great song check it out out..
Not a hint of a double entendre...
"Shave 'em dry" by Lucille Bogan in 1935, under the name Bessie Jackson. Google it for the lyrics unless you are of a sensitive nature or suffer from high blood pressure. Parental advisory. 😂
Hot Pearl Snatch
Some great sexy songs by Bessie Smith - "Empty Bed Blues" - I think that was the name of the one I liked most.
The Cramps were quite saucy - especially after the first few albums. The worst ones were the hard rock bands of the early 70's, what became known as "cock rock". "Hard Lovin' Man" by Deep Purple comes to mind - brilliant riff, but ludicrous lyrics.
I quite like some of the preposterous words to songs from about 1967-1975. They don't mean jack shit most of the time.. but they are quite entertaining. The dafter the better.
Mention of Bonnie Rait reminds me of that great duet she did with John Lee Hooker on "I'm In The Mood". There's sexy.
DaP 43
Sound is SO clear!
So many cool seldom heard songs.
First show: Death Don't the highlight for sure for me.
Second show: Wins hands down. Better DS to my ear.
Not a fair comparison though, because it's got an acoustic set.
New Speedway in there too.
And that Black Peter, whoa.
Speaking of Dark Stars, the DS from Keith's second show,
10-21-71 that was in last weeks Tapers, was better than these two.
(ducking to avoid thrown objects now)
Cheers
12/26/69 Dark Star
I can honestly say that as the last Dark Star I have listened to.. this one is the best.
then again, it was the last one I have listened to.. so this should surprise no one.
You're so right, these recordings are crisp, clean, balanced and clear. Works of art.
A Pin Drop
Dave mentions this too. The SMU audience was so polite.
That deafening silence really adds to the eeriness of that Black Peter.
Jerry really living the lyrics.
Cheers
Dark Stars today
4 8 72
12 26 69
Dee
Lih
Shuss
Now...what for the last 90 minutes of the drive...hmm...
What, Hot Tuna Again?
Yep, gonna see the boys tonight, for the umpteenth time. They're doing a one off from their tour with Little Feat, as they mosey down the west coast.
Finished #43 over the weekend. I usually do my first listening with headphones, bur this time I went with the Vincent HDCD hybrid CD player tied to a dedicated NAD 150wpc amp into some very nice 3way Revel inwalls in the formal living room.
I gotta say Jerry and Bob felt like they were in the room with me during the acoustic numbers, and Pigpen was ownin' it on harmonica!
Well, Well, Well….
Patience has paid off, 13,478 has arrived!! I’ve only had time to give it a quick run through, but I do have some thoughts/reactions:
China/Rider is superb
High Time->Lovelight is just beatific!!
Disc 1-Seasons, M.Hour, Good Lovin’ & Dancing are all candy
And of course, the Dark Star suite on disc 2 gives goose bumps.
But…I really need to spin 2-3 more times.
Lastly, I’ve read complaints about the structure of the 3 discs, I think Dave did a brilliant job.
Just under the max 4 hrs. of music, and this was I’m sure, the only way to do it. It’s quite easy to listen to the shows in order, with little effort. When I hear complaints about the shows not being in order, it makes me think that we have lost appreciation for what we keep receiving. C’mon man!! For anyone who used to make mix tapes back in the ‘80’s-‘90’s,
This is a fantastic solution to the jigsaw puzzle.
I for one am thankful & Grateful for gifts such as this.
I’d love to say more, but I’ve got some listening to do!!
Music is the Best!!
Thanks Dave!!!!!!
Fist bump to Mr. Ones!!....
🤜🤛 Hopefully Tom_Tom is next.
Banter in between Black Peter and Uncle John's Band.
Bobby. "No shit Batman" lol.
I'm a Batman nerd. I chuckled.
Music is the best. Without it, I would be a very melancholy Vguy.
You have handsome cats Mr. Ones.
Divided Sky and the wind blows high is the plate. That band from Vermont that will be celebrating 40 years next year. Hoping they play The Sphere here then. Its got a PH in the name. All OG except Page who joined in '85. Story goes he saw them play and told Mike "Im going to join your band" even though Trey was adamant that Phish would be a two guitar band with no keys. I remember seeing them play Divided Sky at the Gorge Amphitheater in '98 with my girlfriend now wife as the sun was setting. And they are killing it since Covid.
What did I win?
I walk out my front door
750 pm
Across the street at the zoo a band called Mt Joy is playing Fire on the Mountain
Yaaaahoooooo!!!
The post- Christmas Dallas Dark Star is starting....
....time to strap in. Ho, Ho, Ho.
Today I learned Proudfoot lives across the street from a zoo. Nice.
I live across the street from a new housing development. Tore down a golf course to make room. Hope Vegas has enough water in a few years to sustain.
The western slope of the Rockies needs snowpack and rain. Bad.
It's been monsoon season here. Humid and massive storm cells. Which is good, cause we haven't seen monsoons in like four years. La Nino.
Those of us in the rest of the country...
keep seeing pix of lake mead disappearing. Yikes.
I follow Utah and Colorado weather....
....very closely.
The Great Salt Lake isn't doing very well either.
"On a quiet street......
where the old ghosts meet, I see her walking now".
Well Well Well Mr. Ones
Congratulations on your new arrival. Reading your comment about tape mixes in the 80s and 90s really brings home one of the positive aspects of technology. I used to make tons of mixes on my trusty high bias Maxell XLII-S cassettes. I would make LP mixes as well as record music off the radio. CDs were a great advancement. Then CD burners...and next came mp3s. Napster. Now it all just fits on my phone and sounds near-perfect.
I'm also with you on the thankful sentiment that we even have all of this Dead music at our fingertips. A lot of people have mentioned it, so I'm just one more person to marvel that they recorded all of these f***ing shows. I mean....wow wow wow wow wow. It simply wasn't done in those days. For the Dead to be the band that took this route is all the more incredible, given the varied set lists, nuances and improv in their playing, not to mention the changes in their sound that was always going on. The gig we're enjoying with these releases wouldn't work with the typical 70s band. I'm a big Who fan, but I wouldn't be interested in more than a few shows from each tour. We're just plain blessed.
Last thing - agree with your take on Dave Lemieux's decision to throw song order out the window and just give us the goods. I think we're quite fortunate to have an actual Deadhead like him making the picks. He knows his shit - I always find, if the question is something like "why Felt Forum on 12/6 & 12/7 and not 12/5 with the Dark Star and Muddy Water" that the 12/5 show is going to hit us when we least expect it. Heck, maybe 12/5/71 will be DaP 44....or the incentive for 2023's Dave's Picks subscription. Just imagine if some corporate Warner dude was spinning the wheel of fortune to determine what gets released- yikes.
Forensic Doc turned me on to these Berkeley shows fro 8/14 & 8/15, 1971. Some outstanding stuff here with pretty decent sound. Between these and the 8/6-8/7 shows, there is some great raucous Les Paul sound coming from Jerry. Jimmy, if you made it this far, there are a couple of sizzling Cumberland Blues solos on the 8/14 show).
Daverock, you're not kidding on the King Crimson! I bought In the Court of the Crimson King about 20 years ago and listened to it once. I could probably get into those guys if I gave them a fair chance.
8389 in the house
Dave's 43 delivered this morning, with no extra money asked for. It looks amazing - couple of songs I haven't heard before and I can't remember ever hearing a Dark Star that goes into New Speedway Boogie before. Unfortunately, I was half way through the second side of the new vinyl 5/26/72 when it arrived, so I may wait until I have finished that before I dive into 69. It's a hard life!
I agree too that we are blessed with all these archival releases. I can remember reading Blair Jackson's book "The Music Never Stopped" about 1983. At the end he lists and briefly reviews his favourite tapes. The best part of the book - but how to get hold of them? I never dreamed I would get to hear them all - or most of them, in such great sound quality.
@proudfoot
DVDSKY- Divided Sky - a delightful Phish song. The opener at my second Phish show on 8/13/96 at Deer Creek.
DP 43
Last night I was watching Andy Griffith. It must have been from the first season because he sounds 100% country. Andy rips into a killer version of "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad" while on his front porch playing his 6-string. Played two verses, one which I had never heard before. Aunt Bee was nowhere to be seen. She may have been in the house twisting one up. I wonder if the Dead ever covered any other Andy songs or did a show near Mayberry or Mt. Pilot.
Tighten up / hypnotize jam in dark star
Was listening to the dark star from the first show last night. Way toward the end, like maybe 25 minutes into the 30 minute song, they suddenly burst into the tighten up or "hypnotize" jam that they would later do much more completely on October 31, 1971, from dicks picks 2. I was totally not expecting that, and it was a wonderful little Easter egg to stumble upon.
And I am loving this release with the two dark stars. I appreciate that they are the more melodic kind, not the dark murky abyss that some of them become.
Ha.. RastaZiggy - Aunt Bee
Isn't there a hybrid strain named after her? OG Kush?
As we all know, Aunt Bee was known for her purist approach to growing Cannabis in the North Carolina foothills. She had a few acres of weed and a still out back. The Original Gangster of pot growers.. Pouring my first sip of moonshine of the day on the curb in honor of Andy and Aunt B. I wonder how they kept it a secret from Opie (or did they)?
(whistling the theme song as I write this - whew whew wha whe, wha whe wha whe, wha whe wha whe wha whe whe whe)
Edit: If you google Andy Griffith Going Down the Road Feeling Bad youtube has part of this.. it opens with Otis drinking some of aunt bee's cannabis infused moonshine. Classic.. all in black and white, I am not sure they ever did this one in color.. I forget.
AG theme song (fishing hole)
Ha, immediately makes me think of that awesome Henry Kaiser song off of the great Those Who Know History are doomed to repeat it album which now that I think of it, needs a spin this WE!
Cool Dead related stuff on there for those not familiar.
Thanks for getting the andy griffith theme song
stuck in my head JiminMD
The past half hour...whistle whistle
X)))
Another Black and White Classic...
Let's see who can get this.
First aired in 1964, again aptly in black and white. The theme song is:
duh duh duh da - snap snap
duh duh duh da - snap snap
duh duh duh da, duh duh duh da, duh duh duh da - snap snap
Just to keep in interesting.. the Dead covered this theme song three times. (this is beginning to sound like a Bolo post). Once in Oregon. My final clue.
disc 1
Lovin these shows, but did anyone else have issues playing disc 1? My CD player can't seem to read it, but my computer DVD drive can. Probably my cheap Sony CD player but discs 2 & 3 play fine. It came with a couple scratches on disc but I don't think that's the issue.
Jim/ The Adams Family
Jim, it's the Adams Family, great show, used to watch it every Friday Night'. Time to get ready for today's bbq.
Winner - Six Degrees of Separation
Right on BTK.. Doing a little BBQ here today myself.
Like the Kevin Bacon game.. but I'd venture to say we can tie almost any topic to the GD in like four degrees of separation. They were just so much more varied, interesting and relevant than Kevin Bacon. Sorry Kev.. still love ya man, but I love Jerry and the boys more.
Everyone Knows the Whistle
Didn't know for years, but there are words to the Andy Grif theme,,,, "the fishing hole"
Well now, take down your fishing pole
And meet me at the fishing hole
We may not get a bite all day
But don't you rush away
What a great place to rest your bones
And mighty fine for skipping stones
You'll feel fresh as a lemonade a-setting in the shade
Whether it's hot, whether it's cool
Oh what a spot for whistling like a fool
What a fine day to take a stroll and wind up at the fishing hole
I can't think of a better way to pass the time of day
We'll have no need to call the roll
When we get to the fishing hole
They'll be you, me, and old dog, trey to do the time away
If we don't hook a perch or bass
We'll cool our toes in dewy grass
Or else pull up a weed to chaw
And maybe sit and jaw
Hanging around, taking our ease
Watching that hound a scratching at his fleas
I'm gonna take down my fishing pole
And meet you at the fishing hole
I can't think of a better way
To pass the time of day
THIN: 11/2 Dark Star
"Hypnotize", yes I thought the same thing. I let it pass by 'cause the indica was kicking in. These old ears detected several other song references in this Dark Star. Next listen, I'm taking notes.
The Death Don't was stellar, and I bring that up because Hot Tuna played it, and played it well, last night. So a double dose of an old time fave just this week.
Jorma was in fine form, and I had a brief moment with Jack by the bus. I was nervous, and I called him "Mr. Casady".
#3103 in Northern Germany
Got my copy last monday, no additional taxes and charges. There was a fat sticker on the back side of the package
for about 10,65 EUR on taxes and postage fee but the postman didn't realized that. Good for me.
Sound on these Cds is fine but I'm not a fan from putting fillers on the Cds. Reminds me to the good old taper times
when you put the encore after the first set cause the second set fits on C-90 Tape.
Last Five:
GD- DP43
Neil Young - Toast
Neil Young - Noise & Flowers
Neal Casal - Fade Away Diamond Time
CRB - Burg Herzberg Festival 2019
One from the vault
anyone getting notices on "the vault series" from Experience Vinyl.
It's been put off since April(?),,,, said summer 2022 for a while,,,, just checked says 8/13 now.
anybody, anywhere, any words?
Vetsaid 2022 sells out in half an hour
Hey now everyone, hope you all are enjoying that great release DsP 43. Everything said her so far has been right on, awesome versions of classic Dead tunes.
On another note, Joe Walsh Vetsaid 2022 sells out in half an hour. Who's been watching Joe on Colbert this week? Did a fine Life's Been Good Wednesday and has had on display a different guitar every night. Did anyone recognize the axe he played last night?
Last 5
White Light/White Heat - Velvet Underground
David Bowie - Scary Monsters
James Gang - Rides Again
Barnstorm
Eagles - The Long Run