Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,084 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

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June 28, 2020 - 9:31pm

#6671

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Otis/Oroborous

Good to see you back in the loop. Hope all is well. New system is always exciting.
I am willing to give Dave's 31 another try. Haven't listened to it since last year.

Took out Good old Dave's 25, the BINGHAMTON NY 77 show. Some of these shows keep getting better with each listen.
Oroborous, you are a wild man. What a ride!

Be well folks. I have heard rumblings in other pages about big announcements coming. Don't know about that but we do know Dave's 35 will be announced in July. Maybe they will give Oroborous an 85 pick?
June 28, 2020 - 9:27pm

#6672

Vguy72

Joined:
June 29, 2007

6.28.85 Hershey Park....

....another one of my first tapes. Bird Song-> Comes A Time -> Deal. A rare Garcia trifecta to end the first. Music Never Stopped-> Tom Thumbs to open the second. How do you guys keep bringing up my first loves? And why does this band keep following me?
Here's kind of a story. I tripped balls listening to this tape in 1989. That's all I got.
June 28, 2020 - 7:19pm

#6673

wilfredtjones

Joined:
June 4, 2007

Hershey

You know it's on Dave's radar as he has played some of it on 30 Days in past years. Good show and one of my first tapes. Keep the stories coming! :-)
June 28, 2020 - 5:16pm

#6674

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

6/28/85

So after basically staying up for 2 days at SPAC, we finally pack it up and hit the road the next day. I believe it was a rainy, gloomy day most of the day. But that didn’t stop our idiot patrol from basically racIng at high speed through the fine but conservative state of Pennsytuckey, where they were one of the last to let go of the 55 mph laws, and back then there usually wasn’t much tolerance. So 2 cars of totally raging nutknicks, with probably enough cargo to keep us detained for decades, thought it’d be a good idea to race at speeds up to 90!, Idiots!.....yes, one car had a radar detector, but in those days smart cops would wait for some nut traveling high speed and click it on when they had ya dead nuts.
Luckily, all was well and it was one more “miracle” as we earnestly pursued our quest for “too much of everything is just enough”, aaaa, never considered back then maybe Bob was being sarcastic? Lol
So we roll on into Chocolate town late and all beat up. I’m guessing we grabbed some kind of drive through, but not sure and as we were hardcore vegetarian then, perhaps we thought we’d grab something there? It’s all such a blur, I do recall the lot we were in had no or little Shakedown action going on. That still wasn’t in full flight anyway, and don’t recall much there, so maybe we drank our supper? I know I scored some Carlsberg Elephant beer, and believe I may have finished it, though that is a tall order even under good conditions so perhaps not. I’m sure I put in dent in it at least! So, that and the last of one z of veggies, though the tricky part was it was mostly just powder and scraps and so no normal produce to properly gage etc, which would turn out to be a tactical error...
So it’s late, we’re tired, but tweaked, perhaps no dinner, and of course it’s horrible out. Dark, rainy, and cold is usually not how you want to do your Dead. Eventually we get in perfect time, slip right in front of the SB and try to make the best of the situation. Well I had a shirt, a black baseball jacket, and the electric Buffalo Hyde, but even still it was damp and cold at first. Eventually, when things started to take hold and we started boogieing, we began to warm up a bit.
Meanwhile, the set list is awesome, but the conditions, which necessitated all the stage and PA speakers being covered in plastic (there was no stage lid) thereby severely effecting the audio. It’s was such a weird show that way, loved the little “stadium” and the nice audiophile stereo set up, with surrounds, great set list, mostly good playing, yes JGs vocals are a little ruff in the first set, but you have to cut some slack as it was terrible, I mean depending on the wind/rain they were getting rained on playing electrical instruments! Weird indeed, but like so many times in adverse conditions our heroes seemed to rise to the challenge. Thus the playing was perhaps more relaxed, steady and together and not forced like the previous night. Really, besides JGs vocal issues in the first, its a top notch show!
The second set really starts to take it higher with stellar versions of Music Never Stopped, Terrapin, Miracle and one of the best Dews I’ve ever seen! I think I saw about 14 or 15 Dews and when I think about Dews I’ve seen, this one is the one I always think of first! Rocking Stones/NFA with a spirited Day Job. I liked Day Job, but by now it was getting a tad old, and was a disappointment for this show considering how high it was at that point. A She Belongs or Baby Blue would of been a perfect Cherry on top, but perhaps that’s being greedy?
Now since the weather was such a factor, we must discuss that and how it influenced this show. The second set starts out with their “signing in the rain” as Bob says, and it’s a good’n! Next they slowly slid into an unusual sounding Tom Thumbs which I had never heard yet, and wasn’t even sure at first what it was, but hey, it was Phil so that’s all I needed to know! Good but perhaps truncated Estimated, followed by an awesome Terrapin. So as the set started to progress, so did the weather until (I think?) around Estimated it really started to clear up and they started pulling the plastic tarps down. It was almost like you could immediately hear it get better after each one was removed. Eventually by about Terrapin, they tarps we’re gone, the moon and stars were out, and Healy started increasing the volume and tweaking the mix. I remember we were goading him to turn it up, and man eventually he sure did!
As the night wore on it began to warm up a bit too. But as you’ve heard this scenario, or been there yourself, many times I didn’t feel quite high enough so what the hell, one more time with the powder veggie crumbles just before drums......hee-hee....you know, “I’m not feeling it?” and then...Dooah!
So the problem with those baseball jackets is they don’t really breath and the electric Buffalo Hyde was thick plastic. We didn’t have all the nice technical outer gear we have now, or at least WE didn’t. I could barely afford the free plastic one from the old mans work.
Well a perfect storm mounted; little or no food, Elephants, veggies etc, no sleep, excess everything and underlying exhaustion, with me starting to overheat due to the above and dancing with that plastic shell on. Things were going unbelievable well, and partly influenced by the very recent passing of my Grandfather, during Dew, things peaked musically, the sound, the night, the stars, emotionally etc etc until I had one of the most powerful musical/emotional/psychedelic peak experiences of my life. Perhaps my all time GD moment, it was that powerful. But what goes up must come down and just like that the radiator blew and that last handful of shroom dust fully kicked in and somewhere in Throwing Stones, right during ashes, ashes all fall down, well.....I say i didn’t really fall down, it was more like an immediate realization that if I don’t sit down rapidly, I’m going down! LOL, so one way or another, depending on who you believe, I end up down in the soft, cool mud until near the end of the song, but I swear just as I tried to get up I knew it wasn’t going to happen, so right on que again I go back down. My friends to this day always bring up my perfectly coreographed “Dance moves” above all else that happened on this tour..35 years later and it’s still “ashes, ashes, Pedro falls down” !
That would of all been well and good except things were very strange and weren’t wearing off, and I was barely functioning. I never would of found the car etc If not for my homies. Honestly all I remember is them pulling into a Wendy’s or something, but I just sat in the car with my face literally stuck to the window and crackled! Zzzzttttt. I really thought I had finally fried some essential circuits and thought this time I really did it. At some point I snapped out enough to find some kids in another car staring at me with a look of concern if not fear. Luckily, the boys finished up and came out and got us outta there. Somewhere near the state line we finally grabbed a motel as we all had had more than enough rain and adversity. Plus the next day was off and the drive short. I remember they propped me up in bed and I just sat and crackled and worried. Eventually I slept and though I felt better the next day, I didn’t feel normal and don’t recall much except when we got to Merriweather and found a good spot just over the creek, right next to the path, in some trees, on the way to the big parking lots to the right of the venue. But now it was nice and I was feeling more normal so not so freaked out. I also remember going to a nearby sorta plaza with an upscale liquor store where I scored my first sixer of EKU 28 ever which was awesome!
So now we’ve moved beyond the insanity of TOGA, the adversity and majesty of Hershey, and ready for perhaps the best overall show of the tour on 6/30/85....

EDIT: Otis, congrats on the stereo. All that matters is if your happy with it. After all the specs and hyperbole etc, no matter how big, small, expensive etc, in the end, that’s all that counts!
June 28, 2020 - 4:14pm

#6675

Thats_Otis

Joined:
May 12, 2011

@ Bob T and Pick for Monday

Nice rec for the TDIGDH 6/28/76 show! I'd never heard that one before, and it is pretty sweet. The "Happiness is Drumming" is certainly a highlight!

I have been out of the loop for a bit - trying to deal with some personal stuff on my end, and I just kind of lost track of things around these parts. I hope to be able to participate more going forward.

To that end, how about a pick for tomorrow, Monday 6/29? I am thinking Dave's 31 - 12/3/79 Uptown. I feel like this pick got a short shrift on the DaP page, but I remember being very happy with it, though I haven't given it a proper listen since it first came out. What do you all think?

One positive thing that I have accomplished since I've been away has been the set up of my first component stereo system. I don't know if it compares to all of your "big boy" systems, but it certainly feels BIG in my little row home! Looking forward to playing it LOUD tomorrow when the wife goes to work.

Peace
June 28, 2020 - 11:41am

#6676

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Voodoo senile, slight return. 6/27/85, and why 85 Dead is like

Bode Miller...

First, GOGD, I did not mean to single you out, over generalizations, which become stereotypes, which become truth etc, really bum me out. So it was more of a trigger to that, not you personally. I know you were just repeating this line.
Actually, as I’ve dug in deeper, there are probably a significant number of shows where he often doesn’t sound so good, but to over generalize that “his voice was shot”, as in never more, to me, imho, that completely devalues and discounts all the amazing, great sounding stuff he was still able to do. 87,88,89,90,91anyone? Micro view versus macro perhaps?

SECOND: I must humbly recant my tale of dancin in the rain. As we were diligently experiencing TOGA last night. Too things became apparent. First, perhaps JG was a tad “caffeinated” at the start of both sets. Listening close on a real system, (not the big boy, but the living room system which ain’t no slouch!), he seems a tad to fast and/or their not fully entrained. One could argue not fully so until Women Are?...so probably something to do with him totally skipping the Key Rain Storm, and Jailhouse versus, of Bertha, lol.
Thus, while I wasn’t deceitful, I was not accurate. Sure enough, when Holmes and Watson ripped a spleef and fired up Bertha from SPAC 6/24/84, and bingo, ding, ding, ding, ding! Right venue, wrong year! 😂 Ooops, my apologies to the dear reader...but hey, it’s a fun interesting new tid bit, and it did rain, I think, lol.
While doing this research I was listening just on the iPad and interestingly he doesn’t sound as bad? Also, I’ve been going with the HS matrixes, especially shows where I want to hear those crowd big moments. Generally they’ve been pretty good, but researching, I used a CM transfer and man, definitely a big difference. Perhaps number one being the speed/time of the Miller seemed better and more natural?
Subjective I know, just that it’s interesting how every variable can effect perceptions.
6/27/85: so this beast is still as much of a rocket sled ride as I’ve thought, but it’s perhaps a tad more unpolished then I would of said in the past. But that’s being picky, and you know I prefer danger dead to safe, so as at this moment, Hell in a bucket is scorching, I stick by this show for that, the cool set list, and the fact that eventually, say around Women Are on out, that part of the show stands with its lofty summer 85 neighbors. Probably have to give 6/24& perhaps 6/25? a slight advantage overall, but man I haven’t been to many shows that had the vibe, fun, and overall madness of this puppy.

So why is 85 Dead like Bode Miller? He often was criticized for his erratic style, or lack thereof, his nonconformity, often disregard for the rules, including parting then basically going 80 MPH down an insane pitch, that was usually hosed down to make it more icy, and thus faster! So just like this era of Dead, sometimes he’d DQ, sometimes he’d slack off, sometimes it was ugly, but when he brought it, that mofo brought it!! and when he was able to be one with the force, it was fucking breathtaking! Scary, but breathtaking. No matter what, if he was racing there was an energy, an excitement, that larger than life vibe......that, to me, is 85 Dead.
FINALLY: Ladies and Germs, May I present the Electric Buffalo Hyde! as christened by my degenerate cohort due to my resemblance of the great beast of the prairies back in the day, and this baby used to be so bright people would ask if there were batteries. But Alas, like youth itself it’s faded dramatically, and is old and bartered. It definitely gave it’s all to R&R. So many Dead shows, festivals, camping, parties, you name it! Also, it will be a part of an unfortunate situation at the next night, where I lost my shit in Hershey! So until then....
June 28, 2020 - 11:14am

#6677

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

only time played anniversary show 6/28/76 Chicago Auditorium

If you are too busy to listen to whole show, listen to Happiness is Drumming from set II, if you have never heard or listened to listen you will be pleasantly surprised!!! There is a Charlie Miller soundboard on Internet Archive!!!! bob t
June 27, 2020 - 4:07pm

#6678

The Good Ole G…

Joined:
December 29, 2015

Good Times Great Oldies

Sounds like the ole SPAC '85 show will get some play today.

Always a fun revisit. Vguy & Keithfan that was you guys?! That's funny.

I guess I always thought this was an indoor show because of the balcony stuff and didn't know about the rain storm.

Tell us more.

And just for the record if I happen to say Jerry's voice is shot, what I mean to say is I love Jerry's voice, even though it's a little shot here. ;)

I agree, it always sounds great to me.

Enjoy party people!
June 27, 2020 - 11:21am

#6679

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Not a drop

We were out on the lawn so actually there were many drops, I mean it was already raining hard, and right when he sang that line, biblical!, but it just added to the madness and was one of my favorite concert/rain moments ever! I believe that’s right when folks crashed security on those balcony ramp ways and turned it into a free for all? Yeah, that was the shit, such energy all around, but that rain just took it to another level. Luckily I had my electric buffalo Hyde on! .....it was a psychedelic neon yellow long rain coat with
BS CORP
WORK SAFELY (from pops work) printed on back, and a Dancin skeleton sticker underneath that I added. Still have it! I should take a pic and post...fond it moving last year.
June 27, 2020 - 10:48am

#6680

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Summer 85, and why I’m not prepared for class

Deadheadbrewer: yeah, I’m with you, I can’t keep up with these rascals! Pant-pant 😉
Haven’t done Riverbend, Nassau or Dane. Prolly give Nassau a spin this WE. Dane I’ve tried to stay away from cause ya gotta believe their going to give us that one someday! Bastards better! and I’d prefer it on virginal ears!
hey, by the way, how you guys coming on that tunnel under the vault?
So I listen to Riverbend 6/24/85 sort regularly so no biggie there except in the sense of comparing shows. Except It’s cool to go in order to see the subtle changes and how things progress. Like 6/25/85, definitely have felt a ascending arc since the first night in Alpine. Funny thing is I don’t think I’ve heard the second set of this one before? Had a tape of the first all along, but I think it was a tad too crisp so didn’t get as much love as the shows around it. Plus I think maybe I harbored some subliminal resentment for the show because of our decision to skip it to go to Toga early like we did in 84, which was awesome. Obviously if it made us skip a show that close to home, but Doooaahhh. So not sure how it’s the shows fault. LOL, but I think somehow I’ve had some weird thing about this show that has kept me away? Sorry, ramblings of a deranged lunatic!
Anywho, finally gave this bad boy a spin yesterday, though had to do it in 2 sessions as life just keeps buttin’ in like a 3 year old when mom and dad are trying to get down! Man what a show. The only really noticeable hiccup I recall was JG at the start of Jimmy, and Bob missed a vocal, really a great set, better than I remember, though I always liked it, just the tape was lesser then the others...
Second set was hot too, though perhaps they lost just a little near the end? Or maybe that was me as it was late, and by that time on a Friday this ole cowboy is usually not feeling much pain! I recall a couple little blemishes, but so what, you name any show, anyone, and I can find stuff wrong. And sorry, but I’m kinda over hearing about how terrible JGs voice is. Yes, sometimes it’s ruff, but sometimes I think the gravelly age worn voice ADDs to the affect of the songs, which is perhaps what he did best. And frankly, I’ll take the gravel voice singing in tune over a lot of that 1970 stuff we’re between the guitars and the vocals something is ALWAYS out of tune. That’s torturous for a musician.
Now I’m not trying to diss anyone’s favorite Dead etc, just stating an opinion that people perhaps overdo it with the voice comments. My favorite is when people say “I can’t listen to anything after 77”....ok, we’ll that’s cool as it’s your choice and all, but I’d say really you just have made up your mind you don’t want to like anything after that, and you probably haven’t heard enough and with the right kind of ears. Seriously, I challenge anyone to pick a “perfect” “best of “ show and if I have time I will find the cracks!
But that’s missing the point which is ITS ALL GOOD! and every era has something positive that the others don’t have. It’s all ways been yin yang folks, there is no such thing as a perfect show, except in our minds eye, which is quite A ok.
Ok, rant over, I’m obviously biased about my beloved 85!
Which brings us back to TOOOOOOOGGGGAAAAA!! Yo Butch, back in your seat, there’s 50 thousand people waiting for you to get back in your seat! Madness, the whole scene there was just surreal fucking madness, but in a good way.
I’m actually going to try and call my old house/band mates at the time as we all went. 2 I think went to blossom, and Pittsburgh. That one too, like WTF basically could of stopped by on the ride home from Merriweather, idiots! Lol, actually, I’m not sure I could have done another show. I may have caused permanent damage at Hershey, and thank god for that day off that I can’t recall much about, and I did take it a tad easier after, but not much. We ate so many veggies on that run that nobody would believe it. But I know what I came with and what was left after so.....looking back, it’s all kinda scary, we’re lucky we never had any real casualties of any sort. Few close calls, but nothing major, phewwww.
So going to call the lads, and fire up Toga tonight as We have to do a Zoom wedding this afternoon. We were supposed to be out at the Promised land for said wedding and a actual vacation, first since Seattle in ?? 2012!
Think Homer Simpson “oohhhh, Ssstttooooopid Covid”
Speaking of living via the net, was that not a fine show on Shakedown last night! Didn’t have the fire like the night before, but a fine well played outing, thanks so much to Dave and Co. for giving us this nice diversion. It’s getting to b3 a regular weekly thing, and gasp, the Mrs has actually been joining me and digging it! .....as long as I give her a good foot massage (usually during drums). She really digs the trippy graphics and colors which is even funnier as she’s never partaken except booze back in da day, it’s like giving a kid castor oil just getting her to have a beer, lol. So yeah, this Friday thing has been like the “ONE” in our music! Right on! and please keep em coming!
Ok, gotta try and call the guys and reminisce before the wedding. Then.....drum rolls please..........TOOooooGa!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

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Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

Music is the strongest form of magic.....

Hey rockers!!!

Pick Of The Day: Boston Music Hall, December 1, 1973

Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon……..

You never forget the discovery years. First kisses. The first time you try certain foods. The first Grateful Dead concert……….

There we were, rookies as green as the grass, in the splendor of the Boston Music Hall, in the absolute last row of the balcony, twisted by happy mushrooms. Tiny ants were playing musical instruments way down on that stage, making impressions that would last a lifetime……

LOL it was actually my first “half show”. I can laugh about it now, back in the day it was psychedelic tragicomedy. When the first set ended and the house lights came on, we couldn’t hear what was said on stage, we were so baked we thought the show was over so we left. Plus, we didn’t drive, and had to catch the trolley back to Newton. Ah, the folly of youth!!

I did get a China/Rider (one of my favorite Dead tunes) and Let It Grow, some Weiry Americana cowboy tunes, and I enjoyed the Tennessee Jed and Casey Jones---they both had a “sing-along” quality that was very appealing to me. But we did miss the big, cool second set jam sequence as well as the closing NFA suite. Sigh…….

Charlie Miller did do a very nice remaster of this one, certainly worth a listen!!

Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven…..

Rock on,

Doc
Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die…..

more ketch-up

thanks nitecat for the Portland show story. everything coated in fine volcanic ash - what could be the problem? Listened to Set I but while at task and really need to give the whole show a deep listen.

12/3/79 would like a word with you Jim . . . .

having said that, not clear how 12/1/79 hasn't been released. absolute gem. FWIW the Althea was featured Day 12 of recent 30 days. not sure if I've ever heard 11/30.

still haven't gotten to the 12/4/73 bonus disc.

The new Miller remaster of 11/26/72 has been "uploaded" to Archive, though something's amiss. FLAC files for the whole show are there, but only 14 of the VBRs and as a consequence only about 1/2 the show presents in the streaming playlist at the top. Its sorta odd what's missing, e.g. there's a China Cat but no Rider. Plus for 2 days there's been a message of the "item" being updated/modified. Hopefully Matt Vernon recognizes the problem and corrects it.

Anyhow, that 11/26 Dark Star is gorgeous. As always, thanks Doc for bringing that to our attention.

12/3/79

I'm not sure I have hit that.

This is what happens when we get ahead of Oroboros. Things works much better when he hits the whole tour and tells us which shows are ripe for the picking.

I take it I missed a good one? We should hit it then if we haven't already.

12/3/79 aka DaP 31

Uptown Theater, Chicago, my second show. I was super psyched when they released it, but there were a lot of folks who were like "What about (insert another Fall '79 show)??!!" And yeah there are a whole lot of great shows to close out Brent's first year with the band, just ask DV. 12/1 is a stand alone simply for that crazy ass jam Set II.

As for 12/3, it's a regular in my rotation. Among other things, the Jack a Roe has a gorgeous Garcia solo, and it is by far my favorite electric version by outside of the first May '77 beauties. And Phil has a 2 note repeating riff as Playing winds down that to my ear is referencing Love Supreme.

So yeah just standing up for a home town show that I also actually was at. just being bluecrow.

12/3/79

Hmmm, isn’t that Dave’s 31? Now, I do appreciate all the releases, but that one hasn’t resonated so well?
Maybe some day the lightning will hit, but I think it’s just once again ole Dave going to the right city and street but wrong house. There are several really good shows from that tour, ESPECIALLY those Stanley shows!
It’s go time here so still little to no tunes, though I might get one in today 🤞
Luckily I’ve heard most of the cool sheeoot y’all been picking, so maybe I’ll just randomly hit 5/29/80 to try and finish that tour off soon, and since I’ve been enjoying those shows?

Hopefully when the chaos, insanity, and madness subsides (ridiculous deadline: furniture arriving in 2 weeks but still sanding, painting, trim, floors, you name it, oh, and sparky says there not going to be done until February lol) so yeah, why not, let’s move a bunch of furniture in! So hopefully by the time this is over, I’ll be over my burnout, fresh outta the mental institution, but still having a terrible urge to throw things…but ready to show binge again!
ONWARD!

EDIT: Howdy BC, feel I should clarify so as not to offend. I think 12/3 is a good show, but as you say, there’s perhaps some “better” ones is all…

a Jimi Hendrix thing

Don't know if it's true, but my buddy sent me this today. Thought some might like it.

Posted on Facebook today, a letter from Hendrix to his father:

"Dear Dad,
I still have my guitar and amp and as long as I have that, no fool can keep me from living.
There's a few record companies I visited that I probably can record for. I think I'll start working toward that line because actually when you're playing behind other people you're still not making a big name for yourself as you would if you were working for yourself.
But I went on the road with other people to get exposed to the public and see how business is taken care of. And mainly just to see what's what, and after I put a record out, there'll be a few people who know me already and who can help with the sale of the record.
Nowadays people don't want you to sing good. They want you to sing sloppy and have a good beat to your songs. That's what angle I'm going to shoot for. That's where the money is.
So just in case about three or four months from now you might hear a record by me which sounds terrible, don't feel ashamed, just wait until the money rolls in because every day people are singing worse and worse on purpose and the public buys more and more records.
I just wanted to let you know I'm still here, trying to make it. Although I don't eat every day, everything's going all right for me. It could be worse than this, but I'm going to keep hustling and scuffling until I get things to happening like they're supposed to for me.
Tell everyone I said hello. Leon, Grandma, Ben, Ernie, Frank, Mary, Barbara and so forth. Please write soon. It's pretty lonely out here by myself. Best luck and happiness in the future.
Love, your son, Jimmy"

1/13/78 Santa Barbara

Sirius played 1/13/78 last night, I was there. It was fun listening to it and shaking up the memories. Good show.

Here's a description of the venue:

The historic Arlington Theatre, built in the mission revival style and beautifully restored, seats over 2,000. Its atmospheric interior contains faux-Spanish villas and a ceiling filled with twinkling stars.

This was a benefit for the Pacific Alliance, called "Stop Nuclear Power" .

Funny thing, they announced at the end that the Bakersfield show the next night wasn't selling well, so on our way out, we could get a free ticket to that show. They were handing out little raffle tickets. We decided to take them up on that and went to Bakersfield too!

DV #44

Over on Steve Hoffman there are folks that just had their copies of DaP 44 show up on the East Coast. Clearly some copies took a Side Trip.

Need to add some mid-Jan '78 shows to the to do list.

Well...

I'll be, 12/3 is DaP 31. Sloppy research, I didn't make the connection. Honestly, I haven't listened to that in quite some time. ..so long in fact, I forgot about it.

The things that stand out are often the oddities………

Hey rockers!!!!

Pick Of The Day: Boston Music Hall December 2, 1971

Dedicated to Ken Kirk and Joe Lydon, my best touring buddies from back in the day. I’m not sure if they ever visit this site, but they’re always here in spirit…….

Old tunes and new, throw in some cowboy tunes, grease, and jamming, and there you go!! A very fine and underrated show, all very nicely broadcast by hometown hippie station WBCN.

Here’s a little quiz for you: who can name the three very unusual things about this show? PM me with your answers! The prize? Some generous, early Christmas good cheer in your stocking,,,,,,,,

I've always had an eye for the oddities in life………….

Rock on!!!

Doc
I feel comfortable in the presence of oddity, probably because I'm a little bit odd……

11/30/79

Stanley Theatre. Finished this one up. Really good recording and a great show. Alabama Getaway, Peggy O, FOTD, always like these early versions of Easy to Love You. They give you a long Dancing and close the first set with a rocking Deal.
A big Scarlet Fire to start the second set into Passenger. The Terrapin Station is a bit wobbly, Jerry seemed to slow this down during this time period. Good Playing, Lost Sailor SOC out of Space. Good finish with Wharf Rat Good Lovin, Don't Ease Me In.

Thanks Jim. Good pick. On to 12/1/79 and then all these other picks.

Hey Bluecrow, I am sure you have fond memories of your second show. I just wish Dave would put out more 79.

Flat Stanley and more 1980

Yep DV, those Stanley shows are top shelf fo sho!
Many good shows from that tour, but from what I’ve heard I’m biased toward 11/6/79, though I’ve never gone aces back to back between 11/6 and 12/1, both are Bobbie dazzlers!
Perhaps BC could provide insight into the other Chicago shows?

I did get 5/29/80 in yesterday. Surprisingly good for tour opener. Another solid no frills show from a tour of the same ilk. Might get lucky and hit the next night in Milwaukee, which being Friday makes sense as it’s cerveza night ; )

Sorry, skipping the repeats for now since I don’t have much “show” time so trying to move forward, never straight!
Or, onward through the fog (and snow, again : (

DHB Hatrick

Got in all three today. Whew.. exhausting. All three were a treat.

Listening with headphones first skiing then using power tools for the two Stanley shows, got a decent listen to 12.2.71 with a few less distractions. Really enjoyable show. Actually, all three were really enjoyable.

I'm not nearly as committed as OB and not nearly as disciplined as GOGD but every now and again I can keep up.

I hope you all are doing well.. it's when the days get short that life gets weird.. and when the going gets weird, ....

set the wayback machine dial for 12/4/73!!

Finally got around to that Winterland '73 box bonus disc from "Cin City" 12/4/73. Holy mother of god. That second set, all 55 minutes of it. Starts off with Eyes > serious weirdness. Phil is in a mood. Freaking awesome.

Maybe not a DHB hat trick, but it's a Bobby Hull slap shot from the blue line ringing off the inside iron of your mind.

…the weird turn pro!

He shots he scooooorrrreeessss! And the crowd goes wild! Good job Mr Jimmy, glad someone has picked up the slack around here. I got denied with 5/30/80, oh well, maybe Monday back down in the mine…
BC, great sales job on 12/4/73. Guess I’ll have to hit that lol. I mean we cant listen to Xmass music aaallll the time can we?
Stay warm, be safe,
ONWARD

more on 12/4/73

all I listened to was that bonus disc - whole show is up on relisten/archive (reminder - this is an odd show with super late start, 4 "song" Set II etc.) I listened to the disc at the tail end of a long "day" with lots of driving and by that point it was back country 2 lane hwy in the inky black, round about midnight, and that is a setting conducive to deep listening for me and has been for many years. I will go back to the whole disc (whole show?) perhaps later today.

its the Eyes > serious weirdness > remainder of Set II that floored me. simply awesome sequence. like i said, Phil is in a mood, he drops a couple of rattling-the-bones-of-the earth notes at the end of the last Eyes chorus, an odd spot, that fully got my attention and were a harbinger of what was in store. not for casual listening, though maybe a trained professional could get away with simultaneously operating power tools.

12/4/73 No Power Tools Used

Just a soft chair and some strong weed!
Magnifco! Good call BC!
Hadn’t heard this one (the bonus disc) in a while.
One good disc is bout all I can do currently, and this one hit the spot!

Detour

Took a detour today as I have been having some issues with my Sonos music library. Listened to Rocking the Cradle and the bonus disc. For some reason, in the past I didn't think the bonus disc was too hot. I was wrong about that. It is really good. Great estimated Eyes, Terrapin. Not perfect, but very enjoyable.

And how about that Shakedown, Stella Blue! I think Bluecrow is a fan of this release.

I need to catch up tomorrow.

Oh and OB, those Vikings continue to win ugly.

A soft chair . . .

and strong weed - that's the ticket for sure with a big fish like that one : )

DV - a detour through Egypt '78 sounds pretty darn good as detours go. It was about this time last year that I revisited that release for the first time in a long long while. The revisit largely had to do with my fascination the early Shakedowns with Keith and Donna, and boy, is that a cool Shakedown (2nd time played!) After seeing your post, decided to spin Disc 2 this morning.

12/1/79

Another barn burner as you guys mentioned. Good recording. Long Sugarees always make me smile.. Yes, that second set China Rider, they give you this fun ride with He's Gone, Gloria Jam, CC Rider, Jam into drums and a solid finish. What a show. Thanks Jim.

So we haven't had a 79 released since 2019, might be time to give us another next year.

5/30&31/80

Caught 5/30 and 2/3 of 5/31 yesterday. Noticeable strong for early tour!
Hot Hack Straw and Passenger in there somewhere? Cool Rat placement.
Yep more solid 80 with a few interesting placements.
Continuing onward with 6/5/80 and the scraps from 5/31…

Wild game DV, but hey, a wins A Win!
Go VIKS!

5/31/80

My third show and yep it's a good one. Post drumz sequence was on 30 days and I pretty much knew it had to be from that show just from the song sequence. Still pretty green at the time and did not recognize just how crazy unusual that Wharf Rat > Other One pre-drums was (that sort of knowledge would come a "few" years later). Not sure if you recognized the scenario for the double encore. After US Blues the lights were up, roadies started breaking down gear, but a good portion of the crowd still cheering and not leaving. After something like 10 minutes the band came back and played Brokedown. A buddy and I had made our way above the tunnel that led back stage (like dopes we were thinking of trying to sneak back there) and we saw a guy run out to stop the roadies from breaking down the gear and next thing here comes the band out of the tunnel. We were maybe the first in crowd to realize what was happening. There had to be a lot of shows where the crowd wasn't leaving all that quick and not sure why this time they came back out. I don't think I've ever listened to 5/29 and 5/30 - need to remedy that.

Onward

OB/BlueCrow

Want to toss one of the more liked from the mini tour you just cycled through?

December 5,6 1992

Gila River Indian Reservation was where these two wonderful Grateful Dead concerts happened. Home of Ira Hayes and Russell “Big Chief” Moore. I saw my final outdoor Dead concert 30 years ago today. After those two shows I only saw them three more times, February 1995 in Salt Lake City.
That skeleton holding the hour glass with wings is watching from a not too distant cloud. Or as old time Montana cowboys used to say, “When I stand up in the stirrups I can see the end gate in the distance”.
Seize the day , and the night.
Gila River hit first stage flood in the past few days, just like 30 years ago when torrential rains kicked up every wash and river course in the southwest. And then the winter sun shone on the 5th and 6th in time for the Arizona Grateful Dead shows.
As Jay Leno said to his guest Sting years ago who was opening for the Dead in Las Vegas, “ it’s amazing how the Grateful Dead can control the weather, wherever they play there’s a huge cloud above the audience “.

Here Comes Sunshine

that must have been something day 2

good to see you again Strider

just had a juvenile Prairie Falcon in the yard. what a beautiful, fierce presence.

3 nights in May 1980

Jim - only familiar with 5/31. We hit it a good while ago, but if it's "new" to you (always a relative concept for me) then well worth your time. SBD available for Set II. Dave L. has posted parts of Set II from this show for years and maybe it will see the light of day as an official release. I really need to follow in Oro's footsteps and check out the previous 2 nights, and maybe you should start there.

I got side-tracked and right now I'm down in AZ on 12/6/92.

edit - that was whole lot of fun!! 30 years ago today. 3 weeks later, on Christmas Eve 1992, at the annual party for family and friends, Tom R. was talking about seeing this show and he was all aglow about the return of Here Comes Sunshine.

Cosmic, rich, full-bodied honest victories over desperation…….

Hey there space rockers!!

Pick Of The Day: Bellarmine College, Louisville Kentucky, December 7 1968

If you can explain string theory to me, maybe you can explain this show………try not to go all Hawking on me…..

The strings are played, dulcet tones result. It sounds like a small yet enthusiastic crowd witnessed this cosmic spectacle, which begins in slightly typical big jam form, a nice Star/Stephen followed by an Eleven which is cut inexplicably short. The band restarts the trippy festivities with a mournful Death Don’t followed by a crunchy CE/TOO/CE suite, which foreshadows the closing weirdness to follow by melding seamlessly into New Potato Caboose. How to explain the closing Rosemary (?the only existing recorded live version?)-He Was Friend Of Mine-It Hurts Me Too-Morning Dew-And We Bid You Goodnight? Good luck with that one…..

In essence, string theory describes space and time, matter and energy, gravity and light, indeed all of God's creation... as music…..

Mr Miller’s remaster is very decent and worth a listen. That being said, it might never be officially released due to the numerous cuts and edits. Enjoy what’s there!!!

On a cosmic scale, our life is insignificant, yet this brief period when we appear in the world is the time in which all meaningful questions arise…….

Rock on!!

Doc
Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the universe, are challenged by this point of pale light, our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark……

Bellarmine

A well deserved spotlight, thanks Doc. Tagged this one here a few weeks ago, part of my 1968 quest this fall, rough cut but essential because of Rosemary, not to forget NPC. Reputedly only 500 or so were there, would love to hear further details from anyone. Apparently some missing cuts, probably did not start with Dark Star. Another example of a show that will never get released due to recording issues, nonetheless so very worthwhile.

92 AZ it is..

A new one for me and comes with a Strider story. I really enjoy connecting stories with shows. It's always the music, but the culture, life and times matter. I think most of us grew up with the GD. It's more than just notes and chords. The music certainly spoke to me and I bet most if not all of us. These are no simple pop ditties.

Have a good day folks.. heading out and testing out a new boat at high water in December, what could possibly go wrong?

Summer 1980

Really every show between 5/29 and 6/21 are solid. I’ve listened to them sporadically over time so don’t have a cohesive comparison, but I recall thinking the Alaska shows seemed to improve each night, really liked the 21.
Perhaps Portland gets slight edge of the PNW?. 5/29 is a solid tour opener, 5/30 has a hot Jack Straw>>Franks, and passenger etc, and 5/31 seemed to step it up as well as the interesting set list, and ending.
I saw the Band in 84 and nobody left and continued to raise hell, and even though the crew started to breakdown, they made em set it back up and eventually came out and kept playing, probably to avoid a riot! So can only imagine what it must have been like to see that happen with the dead! Thought it might happen on 4/12/83 but after long time they eventually brought up the lights, but even then nobody left!
Compton seemed to settle into a longer more classic flow of songs, but then there’s Boulder too? So I can’t really pick just one or two Jim lol.

12/7/68 looks interesting as well as the 92 Compton, so I’ll try to get to those next couple daze…

R.T. Vol.1, No.4 Bonus Disc

Still trying to get to the Rockin' the Cradle bonus.
Good chance today w/ snow and cold weather.
Only got partial listens on the '79 & '80 recommendations.
Stupidly missed the '92 Phx. (Gila Resv.) shows in person. Doh! What was I thinkin'? But I got 1 show each of the '90 and '94 versions. The '90 outshone the '94 by a wide margin with Bruce there in '90.
Interrupted by a system failure. Had to tear apart the stack. Switched on the bedroom stereo and no lights on the tuner. I've listened to CPR Classical every night at bedtime for a couple of years and now my mellow blue glow of incandescent bulbs (LEDs suck, way too bright) on the Pioneer silver face are missing. Really messing me up. And no tech in town! They've all died or moved to bigger markets. Asking all my local network who still toys with electronics in their basement shops. May have to drive 65 miles and drop it off with the only known repair shop. Two trips in winter, argh.
Be careful out there Jim. Many brave hearts are asleep in the deep, so beware, be-e-e-e-ware. ( I can never hit that bottom bass note) And you beat me to the ski tracks, I'm slacking. Feels like when Lucy Van Pelt says she never eats December snowflakes, they're just not ripe yet.
Cheers

R.T. Vol.1, No.4

Maybe some confusion? R.T. Vol.1, No.4 is From Egypt with Love - taken from October '78 Winterland shows. Rocking the Cradle is the Egypt box. I still need to revisit that From Egypt With Love Road Trips - I was trying to track down the discs scattered through my collection a little while ago and 1 is still MIA.

I hear you with with the lack of nearby places to have certain work done, sort of the price for living a long ways from a true metro area. For me it's auto work. As luck would have it I just drove an insane distance to have a truly critical repair done in a correct and timely fashion and guess what. Everything was going just exactly perfect until it wasn't and something else got screwed up right at the tail end, that as it turns out they could not immediately fix. So I get to make that drive again this Friday and hope they can get it right this go around (and I'm not fully confident right now.) Ouch.

Thanks again BC

From my same disorganized batch.
I must have slipped it in with the 3 Rockin' the Cradle discs.
I had a ton of stuff donated to me that were in those single paper/cellophane sleeves and I transferred it all to heavier cardboard covers that hold 4 discs each (Ironically they are Muzac subscription covers from a ski shop I worked at that would discard them when the new ones came in - "Creating experiences with audio architecture" LOL) and clearly I was stoned when I "reorganized" and relabeled their new covers. My initial impression of The Cradle wasn't so great apparently as I'm not sure I've even listened to it twice. Got to remedy that too as '78 is my year. Another mystery solved by the sleuth BC! Thanks again.
Cheers and happy listening today

Today's Dead related trivia: Was looking up Stanley Mouse and did not know he had done stuff with Big Daddy Ed Roth in the monster's driving fast cars art era. Article said he lost a suit against Pixar-Disney over copyright infringement over the characters Mikey & Sully in Monsters Inc. which he claimed they took from one of his ideas.

Edit: The new icon is the new boy cats from the shelter. Name suggestions? No, not Bob & Jerry.

String Theory

That must explain the timing and overlap of the posts this am. I didn't see docs and dvcvt's until now.. I'm switching gears and hitting 68, maybe fitting in one of Striders tonight and the other tomorrow.. which gets us to one of the Alaska shows I think..

So we have a bit of listening to do. Hope everyone's having a good day. Big fun here.. water water everywhere, a big adrenaline day with no carniage whatsever. 62 degrees here in December. Crazy.

Berry Interesting…

…Juxtaposition between 68 and 92 Dead.
12/7/68 was pretty cool with great set lists including of course the one and only Rosemary and all that youthful exuberance!
12/5/92 definitely has a much different energy/feel, but much more professional sounding all around!
I enjoyed both comparatively to other shows from their respective years, but it’s kinda pointless to compare them to each other. Thought 92 started out kinda slow which is not unusual for the time, but built up nicely as it progressed.
68 they come right outta the gate with a decent Dark Star and rarely let up!
Two completely different shows that illustrate just how prolific and versatile this band beyond description is!
Shooting for 12/6/92 to start today off…

Yep BC, I think we’ve reached some kind of tipping point. Nobody seems capable of doing/completing anything anymore!, and worse, they don’t give a shit!
feel your pain! After a month and a half I still can’t get a lousy estimate to fix my car!
Towed it there almost three weeks ago. Was told it should only take a couple days for an estimate, after nothing for a week, I mailed em a week ago Monday, no reply, no calls nothing! I go in this past Monday after being patient for two weeks “oh yeah we’re going to get to it today”, now end of the week, nothing…it’s like the whole world is so short handed, burned out and out of give a fucks! Like, we don’t care, and we don’t care if we lose business either…
And don’t even think about complaining! Passive aggressiveness is another widespread pathology of these modern times too!
Meanwhile up here as the clueless tourons roll in by the thousands, we’re on the CDCs no bueno list and yet everyone just keeps on like nothings happening!
WTF happened to people?
Ok, sorry, Debbie downers headed down to the mine now and thank goodness for the GOGD!
ONWARD, through the snow and fog! (Shoveled another foot and it’s still snowing)
Am I miserable, yes, yes I am lol.

10/21/83

Looking at 10/21/83 from the 30 Trips box for tomorrow. Hope you all can squeeze it in.

Prizes are like butterflies, colorful butterflies that fly away…

Good day, fellow rockers…….

First and foremost, I would like to thank TPTB for the shout-out about my post concerning the oddities associated with the December 2, 1971 Boston Music Hall show. That was very sweet, and unexpected. So it seems you DO read these threads after all…..

I bitch, I moan, I complain, but never doubt that I appreciate all you do, all the music that’s been released, and all the music that’s been preserved and may some day be released. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!!

I never totally gave up my playful inner child, that quiz came from that spot in my brain that will never be extinguished. I thought more folks might take a crack at it. Honestly, it’s a tough nut to crack, unless you’ve read my unpublished but somewhat widely circulated 1971 opus (lol that’s a hint to anybody out there who might need/want that). It was all right there….well….two thirds of it anyways…..

In regard to 12/2/71, the answers are:
1) It was the only 1971 show with both Smokestack Lightning and Turn On Your Lovelight.
2) It was one of only two 1971 shows with both Brokedown Palace and Black Peter. The other was October 19….
3) It was unusual for 1971 shows in that there was no Truckin’, Other One, or Dark Star.

And I must admit, there may be more oddities about this show than I originally appreciated. As pointed out to me by many observant Deadheads, there is the “Name That Tune” tune after Sugar Mags (the Dead did many somewhat similarly classified “tuning ditties” between songs, so maybe why I overlooked that one?) and the unusual, possibly unique second set sequence of NFA/Lovelight/GDTRFB/NFA. Thanks to all who were paying attention!!!

Perhaps we’ll play again later this year, until then,

Rock on, and go primal!!!

Doc
As for me, prizes are nothing, my prize is my work….
P.S. Nobody won, but the prize would’ve been any 25 shows of your choosing…..just tryin' to spread the music....

Prize

Or as they say on the Price is Right

"A NEW CAR"

I’ll throw out a pick

12-10-71
Because it’s the anniversary, and the STL Box is still awesome.

I actually listened to 12-10-71 in its entirety on vinyl last weekend and it sounded grate.
So, listening to 12-9-71 now because I didn’t listen to it yesterday.

Yesterday I listened to 12-9-81 for its anniversary.

Good Call Cone Kid

Spinning 12/9/71. Yet another neglected box : (
Prolly hit last disc of 10/10 too.

Really enjoyed 12/6/92 at work Thursday. This one will need more love at some point!
12/11/92 at work Friday. Good, but not quite 12/6. Sorta typical slightly mellow start with build up as she goes…
Oh yeah, Friday I finished out my shift down the mine with that blazing first set from 4/8/85!

10/21/83: think we did this recently with Doc throwing down an 83 show!
I’d heard it, but not HEARD it until this spin!

11/4/79

Don’t think we’ve hit this one and I bet DV will be down.
2018 Miller SB available…

Man that 12/9/71 is a snappy lil show!

11/4/79

Yes, absolutely! Providence RI.
Glad you are keeping the list OB as apparently I can't remember some of the picks from October.

Pick of the Day, with Discussion

Yes! You should take part in every discussion so that you come across with different views about the topic and also you will be familiar to the mindset of other people. And you will enhance your speaking skills too!
Please ignore the mistakes!

Discussion

You should never let not knowing what you are talking about stop you from joining in either.

Ha

I do it all the time lol

Dug 11/4/79 DV, but didn’t find it comparable with the top shows from this tour, though that whole He’s Gone jam was worth it alone! Proper! Recording sounded pretty good too from what could tell under my conditions…
Perhaps a little slow or plodding outta the gate, but built up nicely. JG perhaps more than the rest of the boys, but not as bad as sometimes on this tour? Otherwise another fine show from a fine tour!

11/4/79

Enjoyed it OB. Give me a good Lost Sailor SOC, Althea and I am happy. Yes, not as high level as the Nassau shows or Spectrum shows, but still good and we get that long He's Gone as you mentioned. Recording is good and I believe these are all cassettes at this point.

I say go back and put those Spectrum shows on CD (they have already been mastered and released as downloads). Would be a nice little two show box.

EDIT: 12/13/92, the Dew was a bit underwhelming, but otherwise another enjoyable solid show!