• 8,086 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    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.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • The Good Ole G…
    Joined:
    DEADVIKES - Alpine

    So cool to hear those Alpine Memories!

    Two back at ya.

    6/26/87 - 1st Night - Set 2 - China Cat Midi weirdness. The weather was getting ominous, my first show at Alpine, was totally ripped, and I start hearing horns and weird shit, I’m trying to see the stage, thinking is there a guest performer or something, more midi weirdness in Eyes > Drums, I didn’t know what Midi was or how they were doing that, it was eating my mind, by the time they got to the ripping All Along The Watchtower (broke out 6/20/87 that year, so it was new) the weather had gotten pretty dicey, that Watchtower sounded truly Wicked in it’s delivery and tone. The boys laid it on us that night. I bought the ticket and took the ride. It’s a night I’ve always remembered. We slowly strolled out of the show went and found our tent, partied, crashed, woke up and did it again the next day in the sun!

    1988 - 2 shows, break, 2 more shows - Yeah it was hot and dry as dirt that summer as reported. I loved the break day.. we were kids, so not having water didn’t seem to effect us, we were probably drinking soda.. who knows. But we hopped in my buddy’s convertible on the day off, drove around until we spotted a pool in someones back yard, and we all ran and hopped in it to cool off and get a dip, then ran back to the car dripping wet, dived in and sped off. It felt so good, we were so hot and dirty and it was dry as a bone. Sorry folks, but we needed your pool and you weren’t in it.

    At the time I never thought those would be the days, but those were the days!

    THE TAPES:
    Sadly the Alpine tapes seem to have issues.
    1987 - No SBDs in Circulation still! Been waiting for 33 years, and even if we had them, which we don’t, they probably sound like ass, like so many ’87 shows. Healy was experimenting with UltraMatrix that year and lots of ambient noise got baked into most of those tapes.

    1988 - Healy strikes again! Dan was doing some type of panning of the sound through the speakers, I can’t remember where I read / heard, think it was GD Hour, maybe Lemieux. Anyhow, it creates a type of “warble” sound in the recording, I’ve got those SBDs and they’re a bit hard to listen to due to the consistent “warble” through out. All 4 nights have it, I think the last night has it least.

    Another Flash - 6/20/88 - The sun setting as they played Terrapin. I still remember that as a favorite moment, was way back on the hill on the lawn lots a space, just taking it in, looking at the moon. I’d just seen a new Brent Song (Turned out to be first Blow Away unbeknown to us at the time / pre-internet / phones / technology) and that had rocked me, we were big Brent Fans.

    1989 - Well those are some good tapes!!

    But that’s another tale, and I wasn’t at those shows..

    Memories:)

  • Thats_Otis
    Joined:
    Early Morning Jamming - BCT 8/25/72

    Got out of bed way too early for some reason, but had a chance to put on today's pick and listen to most of set 1 without interruption. Really strong 1st set! I love the placement of "Black Peter" and all of the regular tunes are played very well. Just finished with that beautiful "Bird Song" before the wife came down and life started again, so I am going to have to save "Playin'", "Bertha" and the short Set II for later on today, but that 1st set was a great way to start the day!

    For no good reason at all, this is another pick that doesn't get as much play from me, but after this morning's initial listen, I think that is going to change!

    Peace

  • Strider 808808
    Joined:
    8/25/72 BCT

    Mark me down with it

  • Dennis
    Joined:
    Jim and the Ex

    >>>>>The real kick in the ass is, she also threw away all my pictures, every single one... simply because some contained pics of me that included ex girlfriends.

    That's a shame, a damn shame. The was just before she died in that tragic kayak accident, right? The river was running hard and fast and you begged her not to go out that day. It was only by the grace of GOD did you survive. I read the report about how you kept diving into the cold water time and time again to look for her, but, alas she was gone. But that's one secret you can never tell.

  • unkle sam
    Joined:
    5/21/77

    @ Good old Grateful Dead: I had to think about this one, that was a long time ago, and it was my first dead show. What I do remember about the show was the crowd, what a cool bunch of people, and the twirlers, my first time seeing them and they were everywhere, in the back, in the halls, in the bathrooms, everywhere there was a space, they were twirling. I'm pretty sure we all dosed that night, we did that a lot in the 70's. I have Dick's picks 29 which has this show and the Atlanta show if I'm not mistaken and the band was in tune and doing the "just exactly perfect" thing but I don't remember one tune they played that night. I also remember the tye dye, it was also everywhere and the stage had a huge tye dye mural in the background, most of the speaker covers were tye dyed too, as were a lot of the crowd.
    I had heard a few dead songs before going to this show and was interested, but not a deadhead yet and believe it or not, this show did not transform me into one, not that night anyway, it was the April 80 show that did that. I remember getting close enough to get a good look at Donna on stage, she was ok but I had seen bands with chick singers and she just did not impress me. I prefered Grace who in my opinion had a much better voice and was just lovely to look at. With that said I do believe that it was Donna that left me uninspired and the main reason I did not get on the bus that night. I think a lot has to happen for one to get "it" and this performance just didn't have it and the civic center, even tho it was newish, having opened in the 70's, it was still a cavern with not the best acoustics. But three years later, I jumped on the bus big time and turned a lot of younger heads later on to this band, still my favorite band after 40 + years.

  • fourwindsblow
    Joined:
    Fox Th. 1980 matrix?

    Did Bolo24 just say were are getting another Fox Th. 1980 matrix? woohoo!

  • fourwindsblow
    Joined:
    GOGD

    "What’s your Favorite Year seeing shows?"

    I would have to go with '89. Saw shows spring summer and fall and they were all great shows.

    Civic Arena Pittsburgh both nights. released
    Closing JFK Philadelphia. released audio and video
    Spectrum Philadelphia all three nights. will be released one day

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    GOGD

    Alpine 87-88. Those were some unbelievable times.
    Like Jim, I do not remember all the shows song by song like some others do, but, for some reason the first night of the 87 Alpine run, I can still remember the Feel Like a Stranger opener and my buddies and I running down the hill to try and find a spot. I always remember the Tons of Steel from that night as well. What a time! 87 for us was different from our first experience at Alpine in 86. Of course it was two weeks or so after that Jerry slipped into the comma. At the time, I didn't think we would get to see the band again. What a run after that!
    GOGD, do you remember the drought in 88 at Alpine? It was crazy. We had campers in those days 87-89. I just remember 88 was so hot and we always had tons of people coming to our camper looking for water. In those days, we had tons of beer, but not much water.
    Some of my best memories of all those years at Alpine was after the shows in the parking lot talking to other heads about all aspects of the shows, the band, Jerry, what the encore will be the next night, etc. Similar to what we do here. Man, seems like so long ago, but I think about those days a lot and no band has ever come close to that feeling of seeing the Dead live. There are a huge group of people here that were at those shows at Alpine, this one is for you guys and gals!
    At some point in time, we will see some of these late 80s Alpine shows released.

    My wife has asked me as I am watching the Shakedown Stream shows, we will see you in the crowd on some of these?
    My response, only if they play Downhill from Here.

    Stay well.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    ..my first, vividly.

    4/19/82, Baltimore Civic Center. Don't need no stinking ticket stub to remember that. Electric.

    Buckeye Lake.... fun indeed.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Buckeye Lake....

    ....that was fun indeed. Tom Thumbs. Righteous.

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months
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.
user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

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…..

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.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

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…

user picture

Member for

12 years
Permalink

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"

user picture

Member for

14 years
Permalink

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!

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.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

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……

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

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 : (

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, ....

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

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.

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

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.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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!

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.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

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!

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

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 “.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

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……

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.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by bluecrow

Permalink

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?

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

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…

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months
Permalink

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

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.

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months
Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

In reply to by 1stshow70878

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

…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.

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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

user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months
Permalink

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....

user picture

Member for

9 years 1 month

In reply to by JimInMD

Permalink

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.

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!

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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!

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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

user picture

Member for

1 year 11 months
Permalink

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!

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

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!

user picture

Member for

8 years 1 month

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

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.

user picture

Member for

10 years 2 months

In reply to by Oroborous

Permalink

As can be seen, I've never let it hold me back in life.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by daverock

Permalink

Ok, 10:30 and no picks so how’s bout 11/29/79 with maybe a 12/13/92 chaser?
Looks like a Miller and a little different set list.

DR, when the going gets weird, the weird turn pro eh ; )

Wow, you got my number OB. I will have to hit this tomorrow, work got in the way today.

Haven't heard this one.

user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months

In reply to by DeadVikes

Permalink

Oh yeah, your definitely gonna wanna here this one DV!
Jer performs unlike much of the tour.
Much more present than11/4. Solid show though no cool weird jam…

Didn’t make it to 12/13/92 so might try that today.

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