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October 18, 2022 - 8:17am

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December 10, 2022 - 9:42am

#481

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

We have a winner!!

And the trophy goes to Oroborous for "fungal foxtrot" -- my gawd man, you should be a writer. Oh wait...

Another story: Roy Buchanan. We first caught Roy at Carnegie Hall in spring '74 and probably caught him a dozen times across that year into fall, most often in small theaters and clubs. (See: Roy Buchanan at Town Hall 1974...) At many shows, we had purchased "seats" and we sat in them -- for about the first 15 minutes. Then a half-dozen of us would emerge from our sometimes scattered seat assignments and basically make our way to the lip of the stage. It's not a Dead show and most folks remained seated while we formed a small cluster in front of Roy. He would smile to himself. His drummer later told me that the band referred to us as "Buchanan's rabbits," because we were always "popping up" at the lip of the stage. To this day, I've got more hearing damage from Roy's Tele and Twin Reverb (maybe 75 shows, 1974-1986) than from a roughly equal number of key GD shows (1972-1992). (Key shows: RFK '72, Watkins Glen '73, Capitol Theater/Passaic '76, Englishtown '77, Red Rocks '78 and every single subsequent GD Rocks show.) Not braggin', just happy lookin' back.

One such event featured a double bill of Roy and Boz Scaggs w/Les Dudek on slide. We were in the first 10 rows and it was so loud, no need to get closer! After both bands played, Boz, Les and Roy jammed at supersonic volumes...

Not to mention the many times we spent the day on the east stairs at the Rocks, then dashed in to actually cop front row (one behind the actual front row, reserved for handicapped) and at one ABB show realized that we had WAY better seats than the fairly large contingent onstage in the wings.

Basically, my life has been one dash for the front or a judicious stance near the soundboard when I wasn't working, going to school, chasing tail or poking around the backcountry. I'm semi-retired from the big shows and, looking back, pretty effin' happy with the way I misspent my youth.
December 10, 2022 - 8:20am

#482

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Up Front when it was cool

The first six or seven years we’d go up front any chance we could if it was GA and we got there early enough.
Half the fun was hanging out with the heads all afternoon waiting for the chance for the mad dash to the front.
We’re talking small Auds we’re up front you were often less than 10’ away from them and the stages were often only 4 or 5’ high, very intimate! And the stage sound was amazing.

Speaking of the dash: At the 7/1/92 show that we worked production, we were on the stage when they opened the gates and it was wild watching the throng come swarming over the hill and down toward the stage at Buckeye as Healy blasted the Horse race Trumpet Fanfare lol. Like some kind of psychedelic scene from Braveheart!

It could be physically brutal and grueling though, especially if you weren’t in the very front row on the rail, where you could sorta lean and push back against the throng. Better ventilation too. Basically, it was on the wall or nothing, with the wall being only about 4’ high.
If you knew what you were doing, and the circumstances were right though, there was nothing like it, but nothing comes for free so it was often a long grueling day, but we were young, prepared and it didn’t really phase us, especially once we got electric!
So early on it was all about up front. Yes the vocals weren’t as prominent but you got the golden pure unfiltered sound of their amps/speakers, and in 83 when they started using the Meyers stuff full time they’d put small monitors on the stage in a half circle pointing out to help fill in the vocals better.

But besides the sound it was like going to school to be able to see how they played things and to check out all that marvelous gear out up close! “Oh, Finger Ease, that’s the stuff Bobs always spraying on his axe”, like going to school!

Perhaps the best part was the eye contact. If you were really paying attention you could see them communicating non verbally and they’d pick up on if you weren’t just some stoned civilian, but could tell if you were really catching all the little things they were doing. It was like you were in the band and if they picked up on you, they’d watch you and see if you caught little things they’d toss about. They seemed to really dig folks who could properly pay attention to all this, especially if they made a mistake!
I can still picture any of them throwing some musical little tid bit out there, and watch your reaction, and then smiling because they knew you caught it, PRICELESS!
It was big fun to joke around between songs with them too. We used to pick on Bob about songs and Phil especially always had a good time with that!
Sigh, those were the daze!
BUT!!! learning the fungal foxtrot in front of the SB was pretty damn sweet too lol.
And aw those awesome summer nights outside with a big ole moon during a hot Terrapin…
Sigh, yep, those were the daze my friends, we thought they’d never end…
December 10, 2022 - 7:22am

#483

hendrixfreak

Joined:
February 26, 2014

Getting close...

So apart from Watkins Glen we had partaken of the GD/ABB gathering at RFK earlier that summer, the first day. The GD went on first, I think because Jer had an Old & In the Way show in Boston that night -- that's what we heard. (He 'coptered from DC to Boston with Peter Rowan, according to hearsay.

So a good friend who had not eaten the blotter said, "Let's go up front." Plenty of room to manuever that day. We got real close -- definitely whites of their eyes -- and several things unfolded, no longer sure the sequence. First, some Deadheads being assholes, a few miscreants were tossing fireworks around. Some genius lobs an M-80 onto the stage and it lands at Jer's feet. He used to do a little shuffle when he was jamming and, without skipping a beat, he kicks the M-80 (prior to explosion) back into the crowd with one smooth movement. When they started He's Gone, the crowd moans and boos -- the feral animals on acid syndrome. But Garcia carries it off and I think they closed the set with China-Rider. (Just looked at the Setlist Program, and that's backwards -- set closer with China-Rider, 2nd set opener He's Gone.) During China Cat I get acid-confusion. Bobby is playing a Gibson SG (I believe) and Phil is playing a big brown hollow body, but in my youth and ignorance I always associated the solid body with bass and the hollow body with a Gibson guitar -- so I'm like, wait, which one's Bobby and which one's Phil?? (I knew from photos who was who, but go figure in that "special moment"...) I said nothing, but I think my buddy realized he was leading a potential casualty around and we retreated. Also, when you're 15, although tall, you are rail thin and still getting initiated, so we did not make a habit of pressing forward. It was a foray only.

In 1976, during their theater tour, I had something like 7th row center, 3,000 people, I could the band quite well right in front of me and discovered for the first time the buzz of the amps in the back line. I was much closer in May '73 for Old & In the Way: 3rd row, audience left, right by Jer and his banjo.

If that's not a great way to grow up, I don't know what is.
December 10, 2022 - 7:19am

#484

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

About 20 rows up at red rocks

Is just exactly perfect. My first show 7th row middle was too close for the best sound. Got there early as HF suggested and had our pick. But it was so loud I had to sit some just to give my ears some relief. Next two times there we figured out, as Vguy notes, the balance and full bass effect was better about 20th row middle. A few rows in front the tapers section and soundboard (duh, that's why they put it there). For Brent's RR debut in '79 we got back closer to 12th row as we wanted to see the new guy and the sound was pretty darn good and it seemed the crew had figured out the Red Rocks by that third visit and how to bounce Phil off them. All my other shows were pitifully far back or to the side with McNichols '79 the worst sound of all, upper deck right side and an echo chamber. The Denver Coliseum, where I saw a few other bands, had terrible acoustics. College halls that were designed for good acoustics like C.U. Boulder's were ideal. Pin drop perfect for the Chick Corea/Gary Burton show. You could visually see the notes, no wait, maybe that was the shrooms.
Cheers
December 10, 2022 - 7:17am

#485

dmcvt

Joined:
April 4, 2013

close up Newcastle May 1970

Probably late to the party on this, just discovered on utube , lengthy (almost two hours) coverage of the Dead's May 1970 trip to England, rough cuts, casual interviews, a few tedious moments, loaded with inside looks and about 35 minutes of concert footage from 5/24: "Grateful Dead England 1970 (The Lost Film)"
December 10, 2022 - 4:22am

#486

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Seeing the whites of their eyes

As I remember it, it was quite easy to walk up quite close to the front of the stage when the Dead played at the Rainbow, London, in October 1981. It was standing room only down there.
I was even closer the first night on the October 1990 run at Wembley. Brilliant! Seeing people you have read about and listened to so much, for so long, at such close quarters. Prior to this night it was hard to believe that they actually existed. Nobody I knew had ever seen them, or even heard of them. Like living in a world of your own. Which, given the alternative, might not be a bad thing.
The last night I was up the balcony to the right, and that wasn't as good. I'll never know what was me - I was high as a kite - and what was really happening. The people around me appeared to be dancing and cheering before the band came on. It was like they could hear something I couldn't. When the band did come on, the only instrument I could clearly hear was Bruce's piano. I went bombing downstairs to try and get in to the stalls, but was easily ejected and went back to my seat. The balance improved during the show - but it was an odd sound. And as I have said before, drums and space was incredible.
December 9, 2022 - 8:59pm

#487

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Being really close at the Dead....

....only twice. Vegas '91 and Portland '95. Sound sucks up there anyways.
December 9, 2022 - 7:19pm

#488

Angry Jack Straw

Joined:
October 2, 2012

Getting up front

Was fairly easy early on. Then it became a headache.

Back in 93 or 94 we decided to go to the Spring shows on Long Island. You were still able to call in for tickets back then and somehow I got right through. To the customer service rep - I need tickets for Thursday and Friday, but purchase Friday first because that will sell out quickly. Of course when she reads the first order back it is for Thursday. Annoyed, but I got 6th row. By the time she put in the Friday order, we got the farthest section back in the upper deck. That was the last time we got up real close. Of course as any seasoned head would do, we brought our Thursday stubs to the Friday show. The usher gladly showed us to our seats right up front soon after the lights went down.
December 9, 2022 - 2:14pm

#489

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Up Front

Pretty much gave that up around 85-86. Combo of no more GA, getting a little older, and most of all…discovered the Lysergic shuffle which requires proper floor space lol
December 9, 2022 - 2:06pm

#490

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

Phish fans....

....yup. They have changed a lot since I first saw them in 1994. People up front on the floor tend to get very territorial. Throw down huge tarps and will say they are "holding spots for their friends" and will get hostile sometimes. A lot of times I never see their so-called friends ever show up. Sad really. I don't go up front anymore.

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Dead Store Products

Damn! Third in!

Always nice to skate on a fresh sheet of ice!

Fourth

for 44... now where's that announcement for the '60s Bay Area Box?

TBH, I was a little underwhelmed with the previous pick - outside of the Dark Stars and the acoustic stuff, I don't know that it will get much play around these parts. I know it is sacrilege, but late 69/early 70 isn't really my cup of coffee - I often find it too muddy. Also, there have already been 4 other releases from this period... but, for those who love it, rock on!

Summer of 90 is much more up my Brent-loving alley. Granted, we did just get the Deer Creek release from this period, but I am excited for this show with West L.A., Cumberland, Crazy Fingers, and a Playin>UJB>Playin sammie in the showcase spot. AND, we do get that missing 69 Cold Rain and Snow from Vol. 43 - (I hope they tuned their guitars... :)

Peace

This is a great show ....

the following night is pretty great too!

'69 Cold Rain filler

Excited for the pick, but these random fillers from different eras are absurd. Looks like there's room on disc 3 for the Help>Slip>Franklins from the next day. That would have been more appropriate.

Hello there....

....Obi-Wan Kenobi.

From ‘69 to ‘90

Listener whiplash :-). Looking forward to this Oregon ‘90 after the 69 shows.

Seaside chat is located at the Size Chart banner..ok I can dig that.

OTIS..looks like you won’t escape the ‘69 as Dave is tucking in Cold rain and snow from DAP 43 at the end.

69 filler

Maybe they think those that enjoyed Dave's 43 will be tempted to buy this for the filler - to complete the show it was dropped from on that set. But it's a big ask if you ain't so keen on 1990.

Trying to order the glass....

....need to log in again and says invalid login/password. Arrrrrgh.
Edit. Nevermind. Joeymc on the MSG page says you need to create a separate account. So stupid.
Be our guest, be our guest. Put our service to the test.

Great year of Dave's Picks

I'm looking forward to this pick. I've never heard the show but have heard tell of the recording and the show itself over the years. I always focused on spring 1990 and am just hearing these summer shows. This looks great.

Awesome year on Dave's Picks in my book.

I have really enjoyed 43 with the two 69 shows and Bear recordings. Killer in my book. Acoustic set too.

Spring 77 and Winterland 74 on top of that.

The sound quality on this year's picks has been awesome in my opinion. They all have really sweet sound. Great shows as well.

Thanks Dave!!

Seaside hint?

If I heard him right Dave inferred that next year's box will not be an anniversary oriented one. Anniversary stuff separate. He may clarify that with the next chat. Vguy, others have said you have to have separate log in credentials now for store? They need to fix that if it's so. Forgot that Lowell George had produced Shakedown. No wonder I like it so much. 6-23-90 is a DAT master. I guess that's good. On the 3-9-81 did anyone else hear the speed was a tiny bit fast early in the show? I know Plangent and Jeffrey Norman take care of that but Jerry and Bob sounded a little chipmunky for the first two songs. Seems to correct later in the set. Maybe they were just younger sounding that day, or I'm still tripping. Hard to tell but I was sure that was a tic-tac and not a microdot.
Cheers

44

A good choice indeed. However I thought DL2 would visit the 80's, I guess the 5 from MSG would've been a bit of 80's overkill.

Huh??

Is this part II of Lumpy Gravy??

Psychedelic Non-Sequiturs

I agree, Alan T: It's just weird to drop into a "Cold Rain"from '69 in the midst of 1990 show, I guess a lot of folks are into completeness for the sake of completeness, but I would vote for adding bonus tracks from the same tour (or at least the same era, with the same personnel) when there's a little extra room on the seedy.

But that's a minor gripe about a release I'm very much looking forward to. Have to give props to Dave for DaP 40, which really opened my ears to how good the first half of '90 was. I've got a 45 minute drive ahead of me this afternoon, and I'm looking forward to streaming the listening party.

Last five:
John Coltrane: Blue Train
GOGD: DaP 40
Ray Charles: The Genius Of
Aretha: I've Never Loved a Man ...
ABB: Hittin' the Note

Summer '90

....this is right in my wheelhouse and just under a month from my first show (Buffalo, July 16th).

I know I've listened to this one in the past but am still looking forward to a pristine official copy in my grubby hands.
I'll take a 15 minute Eyes 2nd set opener any day.

Hope All are Faring Well
Sixtus

Almost attended this one....

....but if memory serves me correctly, I got the flu or something.
My crew took my ticket and left me behind :(

store

things are weirder than normally over there. That glass is cool. cost seem up since last I checked a few items, just a buck or two but still.

Seaside Chat

Is the seaside chat not on the website? Got by email but can’t find it

Seaside Chat

I can’t find seaside chat even though I clicked through from email?

Robert Gordon

Possibly bit out of step ( something I'm not normally known for), but apparently Robert Gordon died earlier today. For those who don't know, Hhe pre-dated The Stray Cats in plugging into the rockabilly source back in 1977 - and the two live albums he cut with Danny Gatton "The Humbler" and "The Real Humbler" are two of the best rock n' roll albums - from any era - that I have ever heard.

DaP 44 - Eugene 1990

My favorite show of the year, with the Sunday show a close second. Check out the jam in 'Cassidy', and really a hundred other things. Every song is excellent, many are superb. Been wanting this show for years, having to make do with various cassettes and CD-Rs. Here it is, can't wait, perfect show!

Billj

Right below the CD pic. Pale lettering between Product details and Track list.
Combined it with listening parties.
Cheers and enjoy

Seaside chat

The Chat and listener party are Located on the Size Chart button…must be a prankster thing

Sweet

This may be my favorite Dave's Pick yet. Awesome show. Epic. A prime example of a top tier show as good as any from any era. Everybodies engaged playing at the absolute top of their game. Even if you tend to avoid the Brent era you should do yourself a favor and give this one a chance. You'll thank me later.

I feel kinda dumb here, but…

I feel kinda dumb here, but I don't think I understand the artwork on the cover...

Cover artwork meaning....

....everyone's dancing in a ring around the sun??
My take anyway.

Right, isn't it a kind of…

Right, isn't it a kind of out of place? I don't normally nit pick cover art, but I thought like I was missing something.

Glass ordered.

Please Dave, no more glasses!

Bring back the axe?

Primus?

Anyone else get the 3rd man record vault of the primus 7 inch cuts?

Anyone have a digital copy of them?

It's a pretty box. Nice artwork, nice colored vinyl.

Hey Proudfoot....

....I see Grateful Shred is playing Seattle on Oct 22nd and 23rd. Heard good things about them.
Dennis. Primus sucks.

Dave

Looking forward to this one. Will Dave receive a recording credit for use of his recording? I am starting to see a trend, the last release of the year for the last three years have been shows Dave attended. Interesting to learn as well that he has no list when he lays out his releases. I did see the Seaside chat on the tube, but I don't see it on this website. Where is it?

Where

Did Dave get that ultra cool low key hoodie?

Spill Dave L! Where’d you get the hoodie?

I agree - that’s a very wearable hoodie, Dave L. Unlike most of the other “apparel” for sale on the site, which looks like Lululemon dosed, that hoodie looks pretty fine!
I did find my black “Dave’s Picks” waffle shirt the other day, great for these cooler days, but a hoodie would be sweet.
Spill Dave!

Cover Art

The sun is in the middle because this was shortly after the summer solstice.

That's not the Sun. . .

Hey Joey & Vguy, Maybe that's an ET embryo that the UFO on Dave's 23 (also in Eugene) left behind that has now germinated and is calling the tune.

Seaside and hoodie

As I told Billj yesterday the chat has been grouped with the other things in a line of faint print under the CD pic. It does not have its own box, have to click on it. Not looking at it now but between the Product details and the Track list.
Is the hoodie out of his Dave's Picks line? Couldn't make out the logo.
Cheers and good luck navigating the store.

Primus sucks!?!!?!

But man, Jerry was a Race Car Driver.

(there's an image, huh :-) )

That Mike & That Hoodie

Not wearable in my book. A hoodie MUST have a zip front for heat/cooling adjustments!

It appeared to have a dead emblem on it. But hell, you're Dave! Could be a one off someone made for him.

Listening party on 44 sounded like a very nice recording.

It'll bring a smile to this face.

Primus sucks....

....is a running gag among the fans. Even the band agrees!!

Dennis - That Hoodie Indeed!

Dennis - It could be a one-off hoodie, possible. I’m with you for having a zipper usually, but I’d make an exception for this. Maybe the store can actually make some swag folks will actually wear. Remember those “Astrology” (!!) shirts??? I want friends to take the Dead serious as the great musicians they were/are, not some Age of Aquarius InaGoddaVida collective, but then they produce these shirts!!??

The manager at the art supply store I used to go for supplies was a nice young guy, had all the obligatory hipster tattoos and the super sized earring inset that looked like a small dinner plate. Anyway, we’d invariably chat music, and he was absolutely a Tiger Beat fanboy for Primus. He’d rave about them, and I’d generally just kind of go quiet, not wanting to tell him Primus blows. I think he eventually got the hint, because one time I was in there, he gave me the usual “Why Primus is better than the Beatles or Stones”, then after a long pause where I changed the subject, said “But I get not every one likes them”.
I just smiled, as some things are better not said.

As an aside, this #44 looks like a winner. I’ve always loved “Crazy Fingers”, a somewhat rare treat, so I’m betting this one is a good one.

apparel

I'm amazed at all the different types of tee shirts and merchandise you can buy on here.
I notice you can get something described as a "Grateful Dead Puff Recycled Tee Shirt". You'd have to have been a tough cookie to wear something described like that where I grew up.

Dave rock Apparel 2

I hear you on what you wear ( then). When in high school ( I’m not telling 😄) we used to beat up kids who wore yellow shirts. Now? I’m old most guys here are in their 20’s to 40’s. My job requires a uniform but every couple of months I have to let my freak flag fly Dashikis tie die etc. Trip is the youngsters all say the same thing “ I wish I could get away with that. Did I mention I’m a union man ( helps when management asks me when they changed the uniform “ oh you didn’t get the memo ? Wavy Gravy is our new ceo😄

Help

What have they done now? I’m signed in ( I’m making this post get gawd’s sake) but every time I try to buy the glass I go to some new page that tells me I don’t exist what have they done now

Snafu - Help On the Way

Snafu - VGuy mentioned he had a problem the other day, too. Here is what he wrote, and it seemed to work:
“Trying To Order The Glass....
....need to log in again and says invalid login/password. Arrrrrgh.
Edit. Nevermind. Joeymc on the MSG page says you need to create a separate account. So stupid.
Be our guest, be our guest. Put our service to the test.”
Good luck.

Where's Walton?

Bill Walton, noted Deadhead and NBA hall of famer, was seated right behind the plate during game one of the Phillies-Padres series, wearing full Padres gear. He's from La Jolla, ya know.

Also, they played Saint of Circumstance AND Fire on the Mountain between innings.

Just felt that like shouldn't go unnoticed. As you were.

PS: Man, that West LA from the listening party is sleee-zee. Almost demonic. You can almost smell the crack smoke in the hallway.

I actually signed in as a guest....

....and didn't create a new account for the glass. Hence, my Beauty and the Beast reference.

A VGuy Signal

VGuy - I was considering sending up a quasi Bat Signal in the form of your avatar to alert you Snafu - nay, all of Gotham City - needed your help in dealing with the Dead Merchandiser!!!

product sku

081227881580

Product Magento URL

https://store.dead.net/en/grateful-dead-1/daves-picks-vol.-44-autzen-stadium-eugene-or-62390/081227881580.html