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.
Estimated-Eyes....
....hit the nail on the pervebial head. Yes. You have posted that before, and you are not wrong.
Drove past Kit Carson Park just now. Stage is up. And the weather is just exactly perfect. Looking good. Tie-dyes are starting to appear and the pretty ladies (that's for you Hendrixfreak) 😉
Gates open at 5. I imagine there is a tight noise ordinance and curfew time. The park is smack dab in the middle of residences. Visited the park several times as a kid. The fact they have concerts here now is cool af. Legal state to boot. Yee-haw.
billykidd
Yup, I've seen Robben Ford with a number of different bands, also at places like Yoshi's and the Concord Pavilion. Always great.
Only seen him that one time with the Charles Ford Band. Mark really could wail on that harp as you said, and his other brother Pat on drums seemed like the rock of the band. Have several of their albums, mostly live shows. They cooked, and Robben sure is a captivating guitarist. He played jazz with Miles Davis and on some of Joni Mitchell's old stuff, but I thought his heart was really mostly in the blues.
Nothing But Stars…
Nothing but nothing beats a great concert at an outdoor venue with decent sound on a warm summer evening! Sheer magic. And yes, the women…. VGuy, soak it all in.
Estimated Eyes - I too agree, and as my daughter in law works as a nurse, I would throw health care professionals in that same group you described. We certainly do have our priorities skewed. Good post!
Robben Ford ......
Robben Ford also played with George Harrison, Phil Lesh, and of course my favorite, the great Charlie Musslewhite .
Soap Box Derby
Once again HF: couldn’t have said it better, great post!
Im with PT and Estimated Eyes too. Teachers, Health Care etc, all the actual important jobs make relative shite!
Have Fun Vguy!
Glad to see Nappy up and around!
Yama Yama Pretty Mama...
I saw Robben a bunch in the early 70's, usually backing up Jimmy Witherspoon at the Ash Grove...earlier this week was the 53rd anniversary of seeing Blind Faith, Free & Delaney, Bonnie & Friends at The Forum which of course was a whole $5.50 a ticket...of course minimum wage then was $1.65 an hour...
1969
A new sourced sbd popped up this week over at lossless legs, from the Boston Tea Party...
Grateful Dead
Monday, December 29, 1969
The Boston Tea Party
Boston, MA
Source: Previously uncirculated SBD Vault Reel > Cassette > DAT source from Anon
Speed/pitch adjusted by Jason Chastain
Mastering by Jim Blackwood, Jamie Waddell, and Steve Gravel
Track, FLAC, and pack by Steve Gravel
Originally aired on Dead Legs - Program #20 (date 2022-03-13) - "
Originally shared in August 2022
16 Bit 44.1 kHz FLAC Level 8
Set 1
01 - Cold Rain and Snow (fades in)
02 - Mama Tried (cuts in)
03 - tuning
04 - Black Peter
05 - Easy Wind
06 - Me and My Uncle >
07 - China Cat Sunflower >
08 - I Know You Rider >
09 - High Time
10 - Hard to Handle
11 - Mason's Children
Set 2
12 - Cumberland Blues (cuts in)
13 - Casey Jones
14 - Good Lovin' >
15 - Drums >
16 - Jam >
17 - Good Lovin'
18 - Dancin' in the Streets
19 - Dire Wolf
20 - Saint Stephen >
21 - Not Fade Away
My Morning Jacket Vguy review....
....go see them if you can.
Very impressive 👏. The way they used their lights to take advantage of the surrounding trees was awesome.
Blind Faith!
Sshheeeeoooottt Nappy, who HAVE’NT you seen!
How was it?
Anniversary show 8/20/83. Frost Ampitheatre
39 years ago today, I was at the the Frost Ampitheatre along with other cool people who post here on the forum, for a great time with the Good Ole Grateful Dead. I guess they won't be releasing any shows from the Frost or Greek any time soon , since they released this box set from Madison Square Garden..
The Greatest Album of alltime
Workingman's Dead expanded version.
Getting Ready...
For the Lobo/Tedeshi Trucks video stream from The Greek on nugs...
I hear ya BillytheKid....
I look back at the west coast shows 35-40 years ago with fond memories and envy ... what a blast we had all those years ago. Regarding the music, I am SURE they could get a Greek Theater release out of those particular years!! We'll just have to wait a bit longer, I suppose. Meanwhile, we're coming up on the 40 year anniversary of the US Festival show!! "Breakfast in Bed with the Grateful Dead"! Now THAT was fun, if not just a little strange!
Topchincat/ U S Festival
Topchinacat, I didn't make it to see the Dead at the U.S. Festival. but I've listened to the tape and they play a great show. We went an saw the Dead on 8/28/82 at the Oregon County Fairgrounds, about 1 week before the U.S. Festival. When we were driving down to Ventura in July to see the Dead, Steve Wozniak drove by us, I'lll bet he was going down to start setting up the U.S. Festival.
Wait, now I have a reputation?
Is someone suggesting that I actually enjoy interacting with the beautiful women who attend those giant music parties we call "concerts"? (For those of you who enjoy technical language, it's called "chasing tail.")
I'm shocked, I tell you. SHOCKED!
I don't know where anyone -- particularly someone who will not be named (Pssst! It's Vguy...) -- got that idea.
I don't believe that for one minute. Although it's true...
Well, that was cool...
Last night at The Greek in Berkeley David Hidalgo played Jerry's Alligator Strat AND wore a Black Tee to boot...Susan also played it during the TTB set...great sound on the stream...listened on my headphones as the Mrs. watched The Dodgers pummel the Marlins....
Oro re Blind Faith
I remember the show well...Winwood & Clapton tearing it up on guitar for "Had To Cry Today" and of course "In The Presence Of The Lord"...Winwood held his own just as he would do later in 2009 on their tour...also for the BF show in '69 I went with a bunch of folk who hadn't dosed yet...we chganged that and it was a very interesting ride home
Bad Reputation
Ha, every time I think of HF that JoannJett song starts playing in my head ; )
NAPPY: can’t imagine how cool that must of been, so, yeah, what HAVEN’T you seen lol
Dude....
....I'm a Marlins fan. Yeah, we got pummeled. Just landed in Vegas. Vacation is over after tomorrow. Bummer. All good things must pass I guess.
Pee. Ess. I just love beautiful people. I lean towards the beautiful women as well. Especially when they're dancing. Guilty as charged.
Colgate Stella Blue
It's been some time since I listened to this version. Guilty of overlooking the song in general. Is there a better one in the 70s? Did it even peak before the hiatus? This is embarrassing, but at this point I'd rather just ask for directions than try to figure out the best versions myself.
Stella Blue
Every time I listen to this song, I like it more.. and this has been true since the first time I listened to it.
There are songs that sounded great early but then stuttered, songs that took a long time to find their legs and song that somehow sounded great each and every year they were performed. Stella Blue is one of those songs.
There have been a few times when reflecting and I put something on, when I am in deep mood to begin with, and Stella Blue almost brought me to tears. It's one of the more powerful songs in their canon.
Edit: Bobby sings this song now.. but I think it's a song better suited for Oteil. So I googled it and there is a beautiful version of Oteil singing this.. just him and his bass guitar. I was right, this is better suited for Oteil.
Stella Blue
I was at both 10/21/78 & 7/13/76, both great shows, both great Stella Blues. I wish they would release 7/13/76. 10/21/78 is partially released, I wish they would release that whole Oct 78 run at Winterland.
Anniversary show 8/21/83. Frost Ampitheatre
39 years ago today,( along with a lot of other great people who post here on this forum) I was at the Frost Ampitheatre for another great show with the Good Ole Grateful Dead . The first 2 songs were Cassady & Dire Wolf, what a great show. I saw some great shows in 1983, Ventura, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Marin Civic Center. My favorite show of the year was 12/28/83 at the S.F Civic, still one of my favorite Dead shows, it also had a nice Stella Blue.
Stella Blue
Beautiful version of this at The Orpheum 7/18/76 too. Maybe my favourite 1976 show, as it goes.
BTK - I would also like to see that October 78 run come out as a box. It must have been great seeing the band so often. To me, for the most part, they have been a band I've listened to at home, on my tod.
Stella
Proudfoot, Daverock, Jim - thank you for the insight. Jim, it's partially why I posted - I was listening to Colgate and it just moved the heck out of me, and it was like I "got it" for the first time. There was a sound in there I've never heard a guitar make (I think it was Bobby). Well...always another door in the Dead world. Some days I long to to have have seen and followed them in the 60s and 70s, just to have experienced it all as it was happening. But there is also something to having gotten on the bus late and having this huge library of material to indulge in. I guess all one could do in those days was scrape up the cash to follow them.
I put them all in a folder and started thus morning with another run of Colgate, and am now on Road Trips '78 from the Winterland run. I cobbled together a SBD folder of this run a few years ago. The audio quality varies I recall. Would also like to have it released under the Full Norman moniker. The Orpheum might be my favorite '76 release after Cow Palace. That mix is something special, with Jerry and Keith coming in loud and clear, and Keith playing pretty much piano only, which is to my liking.
Billy...
8/28/82 is a great show ... I've had that tape for 40 years... wish I'd been there! I too was at the all the 83 NYE shows ... what a fun time! Also usually hit the Ventura shows too .... pretty nice venue, only an hour or so from LA. I'm no festival historian, but the US Festival was other-worldly ... so many acts, so many vendors, so many people. And since it was 2 days, many were there overnight (vendors & campers) so it was a wild scene at least until dawn!!
Stella ...
Hear me now, believe me later:
3/21/94 has a really great performance of Stella Blue
Out of the River All Ugly and Green
Very cool that David Hidalgo and Susan Tedeschi both played Jerry’s Alligator Saturday in Berkeley. The Lobos even broke out “West LA Fadeway” and “Not Fade Away”. Another epic show. Going to see TTB again in Sacramento tomorrow. A very very very slight possibility we might hustle up to Bend (love that town anyway) but more likely Sac is the last tour stop for us. Till next year.
In other old news, DaP 43 is the proverbial bee's knees. Can’t add much to what’s already been said. First disc scared me a little, because the guitars are waaaay out of tune for the first couple songs, surprised there hasn’t been more chatter on that. But things get a lot better from there. Nice Good Lovin: Phil was just so energetic and creative during this period. And of course the acoustic is wonderful to have. And as everyone has said, the 11/2/69 Dark Star sequence is what’s generally known as The Really Good Shit. As good as that Dark Star is, I think the 12/26 is even better.
Has Dave been on a roll, or what? I almost got off the subscription bus after last year, which included two ‘80s shows that didn’t float my boat. But man, everything from #40 on has been outstanding.
Last five:
Neil Young: Noise & Flowers (don’t sleep on this one!)
JGB: Run for the Roses
TTB: The Fall
Roy Hargrove: The Vibe
Kamasi Washington: Heaven & Earth
Done Deal
Wadeocu - in the spirit of THE Bruce Dickinson, that 3/21/94 Stella had some serious cowbell. Great collage of Jerry /Dead pics on the YouTube presentation of it. Jerry's voice sounds great, I wasn't expecting that.
I see what you guys mean about the Road Trips '78 version. Heck of a time for an AUD patch. That tops the dreaded guitar dropout in the opening Cumberland Blues from 3/28/73, right as Jerry is sinking his teeth into one of the hottest solos I've heard on that song.
Cumberland Alert!!....
.....seriously though. Revisiting Daves #43. No Cumberland, but I'll let it slide. Awesome stuff. Def top 3 Daves.
I love how they brought Cumberland back in '89-'90 as a pre-drumz second set offering. Also awesome.
And Susan & David taking Alligator for a stroll. Awesomeness × infinity.
Youtoob Los Lobos Berkeley. You will not be sorry.
P.S. my aunt in Taos has a tabby cat named Stella. The more you know.
Shes a good mouser.
Same aunt won a blue ribbon at the Taos County Fair for her sugar cookies. She gave me some along with two jars of jam. I told her, "Bobbie, I don't think that will pass the airport check".
Shes like, "Well if you don't try, you'll never know".
Unfortunately, I was right, but they let the cookies through. Yum.
Keithfan
Your post tickled a synapse of my first show in Des Moines (6/16/1974) when Keith was on the grand piano for 3 sets that fabled afternoon with the wall of sound! So thanks for that...
The significance of what it was like when we joined with the Dead at those shows, their pouring out this unfathomable energy in that specific moment and we in the audience rising in response with our collective surge pushing energy back to the Dead, which then propelled them into greater heights of aural adventure. You know how the Grateful Dead would get that 'dragon' off the ground, and into flight, which levitated us all in their tow/draft. We were part of that remarkable brew of music + visuals + adventure + magic = alchemy.
Then as we could watch/listen, with our mouths agape, as each member of the band would tease, improvise, call and response, cascading leads ('catch me if you can'), shimmering rhythm guitar, bass runs and 'bombs' that changed the atmospheric pressure!), intricate keyboard interplay, and that primal percussion them mutating into evermore complex and compelling syncopation, urging and propelling the band further... and the bard's lyrics, that poetry, those revelations, ....that song.... and we would roar and exhort the Dead and pour that fervor into our tribal stomp and collective howl.
And then suddenly the moment slows and extends and everything becomes quite still and his voice implores "nothing you can hold... for very long... stella blue" and we all stumble out into that crystalline cool evening. Our faces alternating from sad eyes, to wide grins, then our heads shaking, alternating between satiation or longing for even more.
Or perhaps disbelief? Did they do it again?
Or were they really here at all?
Everybody's dancing......
Keithfan, I appreciate the memory evoked.
I don't post a lot, but lurk about.
Zen saying "Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."
No, nothing of the sort
I'm an avid reader and observer, but enjoy telling a story or two.
The Grateful Dead have been an essential (and welcome) part of my journey, so many of my stories are about the band, those shows attended, the inspired trips, along with related adventures.
Zen saying “The Truth is realized in an instant; the Act is practiced step by step.”
Jerry's Alligator?
Or were they playing one of the newly released Fender Custom Shop models?
Just saw it in email from Garcia Newsletter. Honoring Jerry's 80th.
Said to have all the mods Alembic put in Jerry's.
They had it in hand when doing the research and found it was a 1955,
not 1957 as previously thought.
Didn't know Graham Nash had given it to Jerry originally.
Wonder how much they are? Jerry's is obviously priceless!
Cheers
Edit: $20K built to order, limited to 100 units. Parish helped them.
2 Oro's??
I knew we had 2, with the letter U being the difference. But one joined June 4th, 2013-the other June 19th, 2013. Huh.
What are the odds??
Could it be the same guy, just punking us?? Nahhhh, I doubt it.
I can't get enough of Dave's 43 at the moment, but I am personally looking forward to Vol. 7 of the Miles Davis Bootleg Series-Due Sept. 16th. Outtakes from his last 2 albums for Columbia, and a contemporaneous Live show, much for me to get excited about. Before we know it, we'll be talking about Early Bird orders for the 2023 Subscription.
Life is good, Music is the Best!!
Hey Oroboros
Good to see you’re still around.
For those who don’t remember him, he has a good story about a ceramic dragon he made.
TTB's I Am The Moon....
....Episode IV: Farewell is premiering now on you toob. Get some!
A candidate for what to play for someone...
who needs a good intro to the GD:
Easy Wind 12/31/70
3 days until TTB
This better be good, gentlemen...
said in good humor
12/31/70 Easy Wind
Great version of Easy Wind, my brother and I were watching the TV broadcast of the Dead's New Years Eve show live, on channel 9 at my parents house on 12/31/70,, as we all celebrated New Years Eve. It would be nice if a video of this show could be released.
Greetings my Bizarro Jerry Other One
(He’s the good one, Lol)
Glad your lurking!
How were the Vail shows?
Alligator
Los Lobos and Tedeschi Trucks were playing Jerry's original Alligator, not one of the new Fender replicas. There is a great video on Los Lobos Facebook page of them backstage with the fellow who purchased it at auction. The owner tells them the story of the auction. All of Los Lobos interact with the guitar (some play it briefly) and then Derek Trucks walks in and sits down with it to play. The owner tells them this guitar should be played and anytime you are in the Bay Area, let me know and I am there with the guitar. Next shot is Hidalgo walking to the stage with it. Great stuff and so happy to see that instrument played again!
Anniversary Show, 8/24/68 Shrine Exposition Hall
54 years ago today, I was not at the Shrine Exposition Hall, but I sure wish I had been. This is such a killer release, one can only hope that they release 8/23/68.
Stella Blue
late to this convo - gorgeous and soulful versions from all eras
as to lesser known, one favorite is from Park City 8/20/87. Fine fine fine show from that inter-mountain tour.
great to see you hear again Oroboros . thanks so much for the stories.
as to Alligator, my firmly held belief is that not only is Jerry happy to see Alligator played, Alligator is also happy to be played. That TTB and Lobos show sounds like a fantastic and excellent dream.
Inquiring minds want to know:
Alligator guitar
Which one is that? I suppose I could look it up
Oh, that one! Cool.
Also, just gotta say:
No band will ever replace the GD as my all time #1 band
2nd or 3rd to me is Led Zeppelin. I have been on a LZ binge recently and wow. I REALLY like and get off on their stuff.
Enjoying disc 2 of the dvd set released from 2003. Nice n loud.
GD #1
LZ #2
Motorhead #3
My thoughts.
No one will ever top the Grateful Dead....
....as my favorite band either.
#2 Phish
#3 Pink Floyd
#4 The Beatles
From #5 on, it changes weekly.
This week, it's Larkin Poe. It was My Morning Jacket the week before, then it was Tedeschi Trucks Band. Week before that it was Ween. Week before that it was The Flaming Lips. Week before that it was Iron Maiden. Week before that it was Los Lobos.
I imagine TTB will get back to that #5 at some point. Good to hear from you Oroboros. Not to be confused with the other awesome Oroborous. You two should do a meet up lol.
Music is the best and heals the soul.
Last Five. Larkin Poe. With Dave's 43 Dallas as the 3rd listen.
Shipping notice for my I Am The Moon set and poster received!
Went and saw the DragonBall movie last night. Good stuff. Any anime fans out there in dead.net land?
Also, they are re-releasing Jaws in the theaters labor day weekend. In IMAX!
Edit. Went and got my eye prescription checked the other day. No-line bi focals here I come! It was eventual I guess.
looking at a news article on Seattle Times about...
student loan forgiveness
One of the featured students is wearing a Steal Your Face shirt with blue and yellow colors and what looks like a narwhal in the inner circle
As Spock would say, "fascinating."