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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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  • #281
    PT Barnum
    Joined:
    Doc

    I was concerned, glad to hear you are well. Southwest of you I'm concerned, I still have friends in central florida, my mother lives down there (93 yrs old) but also dodged the main bullet, waiting for others to contact me. Mini vay kay play dead

  • #282
    dmcvt
    Joined:
    thanks, Doc

    Good to hear you and yours safe and sound. Thoughts go out to FL friends (so far, all good) and all who were so near the path. Almost at 1972 here, streaming the early December 1971 run at mini-MSG Felt Forum. A gloriously bright sunny Vermont day, fall foliage coming on, first frost tonight. Will pull the last peppers, tomatoes and basil out now.

  • #283
    1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Oro Approved

    Love it! The Ess Amt-4 is a two-way with the slightly smaller Heil Air Motion Transformer and a 10" woofer rated 20W to 250W. They are 4 ohm, 45hz-24Khz, with the x-over at 1000hz, and called the sleeper in their killer line up from BITD. The best thing they have going is that Amt which delivers clear beautiful highs and solid mids in all directions from an open top design. Easy placement that way too. Look up their big boys, ESS Amt-1s and their Towers (I forget the number), well respected and still fetch four figure prices as parts units which tells you a lot. The Amt itself is indestructible and lifetime warranted. Mine had a solid pure pulp cone on that 10" which I have had to replace with a set of Misco, made in Minneapolis, Oaktron 10" from their Heritage line made to replace the similar stuff in all the brands from BITD. Same pure pulp cone and big voice coils and magnets but in a stamped steel frame just like the originals. Spec at 16-4000hz and 92 db efficiency.
    Got the ESSs cheap when almost new in 1977 from a college roomy who couldn't manage to get them back home to Cincy without a car. But then when the cat put a hole in one of the woofers in the 90s I replaced the originals with what I thought would be an upgrade but I screwed up. Bought subs that were 8-ohms by Pyramid, Super Pro Super Blue, made by Eminence in US ( Kentucky?) famous for their instrument speakers for bass and guitar. Great deal from a car audio shop going out of business and they took my torn ones in trade as well. As you know, that 8-ohm mistake changed the x-over to 2000hz and I traded off some midrange for killer, punchy bottom end which I thought at the time was good. Found out about five years ago that I screwed up and got the Miscos for about what I sold the now valuable subs for. Fit like a glove which no one who tried that swap with the only available 10" direct from ESS could do as all they sold was the big boy 10" from other higher models with a cast aluminum frame that required sawing into your cabinets just to make it fit. Found that out on Audio Karma luckily from others trying to do the same replacement on their various ESS. A couple of those guys used Dayton woofers to good effect but I went with Misco as their specs were a perfect match to original, hence original sound. Was not going to try to mess with upgrading as I might have had to upgrade the x-over too and taking a saw to the cabinets was out of the question. SO, long story longer, I got my midrange back and Phil bombs sound better than ever! Not bad for a novice hack job since I have zero skills with electricity or carpentry. Not even interested in a sub really. Pretty small living room and I want to keep peace in the neighborhood. Anytime you upgrade there is a leap of faith that the money you're spending will get the result you're after so I got lucky in all this I'd say. Some with a little more dinero are switching stuff all the time but you don't know unless you go. I certainly was OK with all my 70s stuff but you get used to your sound and don't realize how much better it can be until you go there. Thanks Oro.
    Cheers

  • #284
    daverock
    Joined:
    Doc

    I wish your last statement was true - but I suspect that the selfish behaviour of the powerful will have long lasting negative consequences for years to come.

  • #285
    Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    Most anyplace one lives is essentially dangerous......

    For all those who asked, or were concerned...............

    The Gillespie household is doing fine. So far, we've only lost power for about 45 minutes, but it's back on now. We've only caught the "tropical storm" part of Ian, but I have heard that potentially, this may be the deadliest hurricane to ever hit Florida. We now live in Green Cove Springs, about 30 miles southeast of Jax, safely away from the beach, the St John's River, and Black Creek. We're in a newish house, on high ground, have lots of food and water, and have an excellent generator. The St Augustine area is getting badly flooded........

    The strongest hurricane to ever hit Florida was the Labor Day hurricane of 1935, sustained winds of 180+ mph when it hit. There is a lovely--and moving----monument in the Keys to the hundreds who lost their lives in that storm. I've visited that site many many times while I lived down there. The deadliest? Probably the same hurricane, the exact toll is unknown, but probably in the hundreds.......

    For Matthew, we evacuated. For Irma, we hunkered down and rode out the storm. For a hurricane, either get out early, or be prepared to ride it out. I reassured my wife, "No matter what comes, we'll ride it out together".

    Out of an abundance of caution, my office is closed today and tomorrow, and I don't work this weekend. A "mini-vacation" of sorts. Now that the power is back, I'm actually busy spreading 1972 Lyceum shows around. Some things never change, hurricane be damned!!

    Here we dodged a bullet, yet I pray for those in harm's way on the Gulf coast...............

    Stay safe, and rock on,

    Doc
    What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal......

  • #286
    Oroborous
    Joined:
    Well said 1stshow

    Don’t think I’ve heard of the ESS Amt 4s, looked them up, interesting, do you use a sub with them?
    And you refreshed my memory about adcom so I looked into that brand a little too.
    Interesting video comparing Adcom and NAD to contemporary Schiit audio.

    Almost bought a Schiit Yggdrasil DAC before I got my Meitner. For like 22-23 hundred bucks they sound as good as many DACs costing many thousands more! Schiit makes simple but value friendly great sounding products, or at least the ones I’ve heard.
    But yeah, NAD and Adcom, same idea, BITD budget friendly but great sounding gear. Sounds like a sweet little system!

    Hybrid stuff. I’ve heard some sweet sounding hybrid stuff at audio shows.
    Of course Jer Bear had a hybrid system utilizing a Fender Twin Tube amp for his pre and a SS MC2300 power amp and we all know how great that sounded and perhaps why he never changed his backend!
    I would say if your going to try hybrid go tube pre and SS power…
    My best recollection was with my buddy who started YFS and built my custom Ref 3 server: had an amazing sounding system one year at RMAF using YFS server, Meitner DAC, Custom made fully analog pre (tube?) biamped with one of the best sounding MC 275 tube amps on the highs, and a 200 per McIntosh solid state amp on the lows (don’t recall the model), powering some Von Schweikert audio stand speakers. I thought the sound and imaging of this system, even in the shitty little hotel room sounded as good or better than much bigger and expensive systems there that year.
    Just can’t describe what a big clean sound this relatively small system produced! Of course for the price of the system it should! Lol.

    I think it’s like everything else: trial and error and if it’s done right it can be a plus!
    I’ve never had tube stereo gear, but I’ve heard some great stuff, but that particular MC 275 that my buddies dad (some kind of engineer/scientist) restored and modified, is perhaps the best tube amp I’ve ever had the pleasure to hear. His dad is the one who built the custom line stage too. Ya know, let’s design and build a one of a kind killer audiophile unit just for something to do lol. They build their own bike frames too!
    So to me it’s like all this stuff, tube versus SS, analog versus digital etc, there’s not just one thing that’s best or better, if it’s done right, and you get the right synergy for your room etc, I’ve heard systems of all kinds that were amazing!

    Just a thought, yeah tube amps can be great for instruments for musical creation when you want that slightly overdriven sound (think Dead 72 before using Mac amps on the instruments), but for sound reproduction they can get tubby or muddy with perhaps too much distortion. Some people like that as it can give a richer, or warmer sound, I’m with you 1stshow, I prefer a more neutral sound, though some think that’s too dry etc?

    In the end, it just comes down to what’s best for you!

  • #287
    Crow Told Me
    Joined:
    There and Back Again

    For a few years, I was deeply into audio: or as deeply as my meager budget would allow, anyway. It started when I realized I needed a tube amplifier. This was because I realized that I would never in a million years use a transistor amp for my guitar, so why would I use one for my home listening?

    But of course tube amps and preamps are pretty pricey, so I had to go the DIY route: I built a preamp from a kit (Bottlehead) and bought an old ST-70 power amp, and I spent a lot of time tweaking them with various upgrades. They sounded pretty good, eventually. And I needed some efficient speakers, so I paired them with some Klipsch Heresys that I got off craigslist (for $100!).

    What happened next is so typical of me it's embarrassing: the ST-70 worked great for about 10 years and then just cut out one day. By this time, I had forgotten all the various rewirings and component upgrades etc I had done, and lost all my paperwork. So I had no idea how to troubleshoot it! Couldn't even find my volt meter! I decided to just sell the ST-70 for a couple hundred, get myself a used Sansui Au-417 (since they're reputed to have a tube-like sound, also a great phono stage), put all new caps in there, and call it day. So after all that I'm back to transistors. Sounds pretty good, though.

    Somewhat bemused to read the travails of my fellow heads who ordered the MSG set via Rhino and are now working through the delays and shipping mishaps. I didn't get the box set (early '80s are just not my era) but I went for the 3 CD breakout. Ordered it from Bezos and received on the day it was released. What a concept! I'm glad to have it, it's a good performance, but disappointed in the mix. It's all Jerry and Brent, Bob's guitar is completely (and I mean completely) inaudible, Phil and the drummers much too low. But you can hear Jerry great, and it's a high energy show so probably most people will really dig it. Still, I hope the rest of the box is better, for everybody's sake.

    Five for the universe:

    John Coltrane: Coltrane
    GOGD: Dick's Picks 36 (yow!!!)
    Joe Henderson: Mode for Joe
    Zappa: Hot Rats
    Sturgill Simpson: Cuttin Grass

  • #288
    1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Bang For The Buck

    I went to separates during covid after doing some research and hearing from a collector of Heil Amt speakers that I wasn't hearing all my ESS Amt-4 floor standing speakers could do. Got an Adcom dual mono amp with 100W and 180 damping factor and was blown away like the Maxell guy. Got the other Adcom separates one at a time and noticed improvement each time. The pre-amp was better than using my old integrated amp as a pre and the digital tuner was way better than the old one. All are late 80s MOSFET stuff and fully restored they are still way cheaper than either vintage premier like Oro's McIntosh or 10x cheaper than modern audiophile. Just got to find a reliable restorer. They were the bargain audiophile brand BITD and made in USA. Very neutral coloring which some don't like but it's better to hear it exactly as it was made and play with the tone controls if you want different. Diminishing returns to go higher but I would have if the money was there. All in I spent maybe $700 and it sounds good to me. The bonus was I got a bedroom system from the old stuff, just have to add some speakers.

    Ten days to get my 3 CD MSG from CA to CO doesn't sound very innovative. Mail Innovations, aka the Louis Dejoy enrichment scheme, adds almost 500 more miles to the route that would have gotten to me two to three days earlier had UPS shortcut Mail Innovations and delivered it straight from the handoff point only 60 miles away. Bad for the customer and bad for the planet. Should be here tomorrow. Oh well, as Neil says, "don't let it bring you down, it's only castles burning".
    Cheers

    Edit: I find it interesting that folks are going back to valves, or tubes, especially in the pre-amp. I was advised to go with a hybrid solid state/tube pre-amp but stick with a solid state amp to get the benefit of the "warm" tube sound without the big bucks of the tube amp. But the hybrids were beyond my budget even used/restored as they are a newer thing. Wish my family had kept my Dad's old home built Heathkit tube amp. Would love to have heard that again.

  • #289
    dmcvt
    Joined:
    AJS audio, 1968 NW, Doc11

    Thanks Oro, a wealth of helpful information. AJS, there with you, floor standing wise, found a pair of 1986 Klipsch Cornwall IIs, 3 foot tall, 2 foot wide, 16" deep. Horn loaded tweeters and mid range, 15" woofers. They sound incredible for 35 year olds. Was driving them with an Onkyo receiver, one of the high end spec models for a long time and was happy. Eventually hooked up a power amp/pre amp combo and was surprised how much improvement... like Oro said. The power supply on the amp is huge, output rated at 150 watts per channel so a very efficient speaker like Klipsch has no stress, there is so much headroom. The damping factor as well important, a measure of how effectively (tightly) the amp controls bass response. When damping factor number is large, bass is well defined with detail and timbre, not boomy muddy. Whatever sub anyone might be using, not much useful response below 18-20Hz, as it's exponentially demanding to get lower, subsonic. The octobass and piano lowest notes are A0, about 27hz, Pipe organ low note is C0, 16 Hz. Except there's this thing called a rotary woofer that can go down to single Hz numbers at hideous expense, IMAX theater only? I would love to see and buy a 1968 NW tour box. Meanwhile, hoping Forensic Doc will let us know how it goes, we know he's in the Jacksonville area.

  • #290
    daverock
    Joined:
    Magic Carpet Ride

    Mr Ones - great band, Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets. I saw them just before covid, and was supposed to be going again in 2020-but... That dvd/blu ray disc of them live is worth getting, too.

    Irrespective of the extent to which climate change is affecting the hurricanes in America, there can be little doubt that the countries who are suffering most are the poorest ones. And the ones who are contributing to it most are the richest.

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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 Vguy72 on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:45

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....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.

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Submitted by frosted on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 13:56

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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.

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Submitted by That Mike on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 14:05

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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!

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 14:54

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Robben Ford also played with George Harrison, Phil Lesh, and of course my favorite, the great Charlie Musslewhite .

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Submitted by Oroborous on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 17:42

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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!

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Submitted by nappyrags on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 21:46

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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...

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

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Submitted by Vguy72 on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 23:41

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....go see them if you can.
Very impressive 👏. The way they used their lights to take advantage of the surrounding trees was awesome.

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Sat, 08/20/2022 - 15:12

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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..

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!

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 07:21

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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.

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Submitted by hendrixfreak on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 07:32

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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...

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Submitted by nappyrags on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 08:47

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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....

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

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Submitted by Oroborous on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 11:11

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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

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Submitted by Vguy72 on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 11:15

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....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.

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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 16:27

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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.

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Submitted by JimInMD on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 18:23

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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.

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 21:31

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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.

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Sun, 08/21/2022 - 21:49

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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.

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Submitted by daverock on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 04:05

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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.

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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 04:41

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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.

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!!

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Submitted by wadeocu on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 10:10

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Hear me now, believe me later:

3/21/94 has a really great performance of Stella Blue

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Submitted by Crow Told Me on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 10:23

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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

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Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 10:48

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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.

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Submitted by Vguy72 on Mon, 08/22/2022 - 21:48

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.....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.

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Submitted by Oroboros on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 07:23

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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."

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Submitted by Oroboros on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 07:25

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to your regularly scheduled programming

Tim

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Submitted by Angry Jack Straw on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 07:53

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Are you a writer either by trade or hobby? Study literature and/or composition at some point?

You do good with words.

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Submitted by Oroboros on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 08:29

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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.”

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Submitted by 1stshow70878 on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 11:10

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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.

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Submitted by Mr. Ones on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 13:28

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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!!

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.

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Submitted by billy the kiddd on Tue, 08/23/2022 - 21:05

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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.

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Submitted by PT Barnum on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 05:30

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hey mate, good to see you back. Long time, no see, short time for you and me.

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Submitted by estimated-eyes on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 08:13

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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!

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.

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Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 08/24/2022 - 16:33

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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.

....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.

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