• 8,068 replies
    marye
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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.

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  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Ha

    I was talking about a mini box of Feb '74 before they released 2/24 (and now 2/23), but I like the way you think.

    I always assumed, probably incorrectly, that there were problems with the recordings of much of the October 74 run. I know Owsley was very vocal that they had excessive bleeding from mic to mic, etc.

    As for something to listen to today.. not that I am strictly a Today in GD History person but 9/18/70, 9/18/74 and 9/18/87 were all excellent shows. 9/16/87 was surprisingly good for the period also.

    That's all I have for now.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Ok, back to Europe

    Hit 5/7, 5/10, and 5/11 this WE. Of course I’ve forgotten the finer points and things I wanted to say, but I’ve not wanted to be overly analytical, or get distracted with notes, and instead, just get right, relax, and try to enjoy them. (Which has not been hard ; )
    5/7 is just too much! It’s not always the most precise or perfect of the tour, but that’s because it’s a freight train on steroids!
    I’ve always preferred full steam ahead Dead even when that leads to more worts, not that this one has many, perhaps just a few more noticeable than some of the more reserved, precise (hey, they were trying to make an album) shows.
    Actually, I think the album factor is one reason this tour is so good. They’re in a place where they’re ontop of their game and can let it rip, but keeping it just enough under raps to keep the consistency high for recording purposes.
    Win win, but 5/7 seems more about the live gig, the large miserable crowd that seems to really appreciate the effort etc, more than playing it straight for the tape machine?
    Choo Choo, all aboard! what a beast! Garcia starts out in 5th gear and doesn’t let up for almost 4 hours!
    Dark Star AND an Other One! Full on grease fest with six beauties, including a nice LL that fits the format better than going on too long, and a nice unusual Segway into GDTRFB. Clearly they were enjoying themselves in spite of the conditions? They joke about blowing the big ones, but not this time bubba!
    I’ve had this one so have heard it several times, but it was a real treat to sit outside in a warm but not super hot day and just groove on this one!
    Yesterday I hit 5/10 for the first time and unfortunately didn’t get quite the best listen, at least to the later parts.
    But I did enjoy it, even if it was perhaps a little more laid back than 5/7 etc. Hey they all can’t be rocket ships lol.
    The word that kept coming to me was Smooth…this show seemed smooth. They’re gelling as a unit so well by now, and the consistency is so good. Sure there’s a miscue or clam every once in awhile, (I dare you to find a show that there isn’t ; ) but the overall tightness, energy, musicianship is truly better or on par with any tour they ever did!
    Of course there’s the sweet He’s Gone they finally got right, and why it’s the one! Another Sing me as they’ve worked that one in the repertoire nicely. And if I remember correctly, this had another of those unusual Other Ones, kinda jazzy perhaps and similar to 4/16? Unfortunately this one’s a blur for various reasons including hitting 5/11 afterwards. I’ll definitely want to rehit this, 5/3, and the Wembleys after the tour…but for now I want to go in order…
    Ok, 5/11, this one for whatever reason has always been perhaps my favorite?
    Not saying it’s the best show of the tour, just for whatever reasons perhaps my favorite?
    Certainly the set list is part of it: Nice Playing if not huge opener, plenty o grease, including a cool and final Caution, with final WHO Do You Love tease, Nice Truckin ender to mix it up, and a very cool, perhaps unusual Dark Star!
    Maybe it’s just because I think this might have been the first ala cart show I bought when I hand to the head realized what I was missing not having these Dark Stars? (Now realizing same about the cool spacey TOO’s)
    Other One can get real repetitive but these ones are often very diverse and different! The weirder the better I say!
    Whatever the reasons, this show, even after taking the tour plunge, still resonates very strong for me? Hey, I even think the cover art might be my fav? Ok, maybe I’ll hit it again streaming while working, before moving onto 5/13 and 5/16, both I’ve never heard yet, so hoping I’ll get to spend some extra time with em during the week…
    ONWARD! Ok, who stole my Heineken Dark?

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    More shows

    That’s all I ment.
    Everyone’s made good points, and there’s no easy answer.
    I was going for a conversation starter more than just to editorialize.
    Like most things, no easy answers.
    It’s just now that I’m all addicted to this collecting nonsense, I need as many RJ shows as they’ll give us, and I’m afraid things are going to start slowing down, and eventually it won’t be worth it to them, and so many great shows will never get fixed up and released. And don’t you worry 1stshow ole buddy, there’s still plenty of RJ shows in the vault.
    As a rabid nut trying to tag as many of em as I can before I croak, I’m here to tell ya there’s plenty of gold left in them there hills! Yes many are cassette, but the gang has been getting better and better every year at fixing em up!
    And, there’s still lots of DATs and still a decent amount of killer multitracks, all just rotting in the vault!

    I totally get what yer saying, but think of it this way: suppose the summer 78 box was never released and only a couple others from that year. If they came out and said “this is your one chance to get the 20 best of 78”, including those shows in the July box, would you not find some way to get it? For sure, not everyone is going to want all of em, but I think you’d be able to scrape up at least 10k folks who would want at least one or 2?
    Really they should be digitizing them all, or at least the top 20 or 30 from each year that haven’t been released, and have a system where they announce a certain number, or block at a time, and do pre orders, to have inventory control.
    Some shows might sell big, some not so much. Perhaps have a rule that shows that don’t meet a certain threshold won’t get released?
    I guess the solution would involve somehow having a cost effective way to prep them, but pre order so you don’t always have to have such big sales numbers for every show? Perhaps DL like you say, but that hasn’t worked so well, so far anyway…
    Again, no easy answers, and I totally understand other pov. I just would hate to see so much good music not get the treatment it deserves. And yeah, the archive is awesome, but there’s nothing like getting a great show that’s been fully fixed/Normaned!

    Hey DV, where ya been hiding? Good to see ya, and sorry, I won’t mention you know who. It has got to be really tough being a fan. It’d be one thing if they just stunk, but they have potential, if only they could stop beating themselves.
    A well, it’s early still…

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Releases

    Would love to see more shows released. My preference is still CDs.
    It would be interesting to know what the terms of the contract are with Rhino? Are they able to release as much as they want or are there limits?
    Do they even have the ability to release more per year then they currently are? Is Jeffrey Norman able to mix and master much more than he is now. He might need help. Maybe you could assist OB?

    There are some shows they already mixed and mastered that could be released on CD. For example, the two shows from the first Road Trips that they released as digital downloads, 11/5 and 11/6 1979. Also, the shows from the download series.
    Would also be interested in more video. Why not release the shows from the MUATM. They did this with the 91 show in the Giants stadium box, but would love to see the others released at some point. The 91 Chicago show was really good.

    Okay, seems others are talking about 1988 for #48. We will see next month.

  • 1stshow70878
    Joined:
    Box discussion

    I'm a dinosaur as Oro describes it and know zero about streaming and how younger folks get their music, movies, and TV but I'm guessing the Dinos are the ones buying hard copy CDs. My question is, if the '80s and '90s scene was populated by more younger concertgoers in huge stadiums in numbers way beyond the earlier shows shouldn't there be a demand for those shows in a format they like? I'd bet lots of folks will buy a show they attended. Mickey's model may fit that some day. That said, I'm ignoring the fact that some earlier shows had attendance in the 100,000+ range (Englishtown?) but there were just a few of those. I know Dave said that the last increase to 25,000 copies per release would be the last increase and maybe that's the limit for profitability for hard copy. I'm guessing the download option would be more profitable regardless of sales numbers (if they could ever get the damn things to work!) as all you need is a bank of servers and a few tech savvy people to run it. Large box offerings could be done as a pick and choose your favorite with quantity discounts for more shows. I know I won't be buying twenty shows from individual years I don't like as much and there is likely some truth in the theory that a good portion of "the good stuff" has already been released. Seems like, as with many things, tech is going to have to save us in this dilemma. Affordability is key either way. I can't afford $500 boxes even if I like the offering. It's as simple as that. So Mickey, let's get digitizing! Us Dinos will just have to figure out how to download and stream.
    Cheers
    Oh, and the price of the downloads needs to come down. Currently makes no sense if the price is almost the same just without the shipping. No incentive to be green.

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Y’all are missing the point…

    I’m not talking about preferences, if I was, I’d be down with Conekids idea.
    I’m talking about the reality of only a somewhat limited number of boxes getting released.
    Their not going to do this forever!!!
    For example, say they only releases 8 or 10 more years at one box a year.
    With 3 show mini boxes that’s only 30 more shows. Plus say 40 more Dave’s. (4x10).
    There’s still way more than 70 great shows in that vault…
    My plan,
    25 for primal 67-70
    15 for 71
    20 for 72
    20 for 73 (at least!
    ? 74 might just be mostly scraps
    20? for 76? Maybe
    77 is already over represented so he can spit the last few out on DaP
    20 for 78
    20 for 79 and 80
    20 for 81 & 82
    20 for 83 & 84
    20 for 85 & 86
    20 for 87 & 88
    20 for 89 including fall tour (alpine should be a stand alone
    90 not sure you’d need to do 20 as it’s already fairly represented?
    20 for 91 & 92
    20 for 93-95
    These plus DaP and special separates and one might say we’ve received most of the best!
    Take pre orders plus run an extra 10% so your not stuck with inventory but have a few for Johnny come latelies…
    You could still make them “limited”…
    Release 2 a year, everybody wins cept maybe the finicky heads who probably won’t buy much more anyway…

    Voila, all hardcore heads gets represented,

    And remember when Mickey made his bold pronouncement about making all shows available (about the same time he said Phil must have got the liver of a jerk) .
    But I’m sure things won’t change, sales eventually will make cost prohibitive and the vault will go to waste, but hey at least we will have most of 77…and four versions of October 74…
    Think about the cruel reality of only 3 to 5 shows a year for only 8 more years….the horror!
    Tic toc…

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Winterland 74 box

    Yes, next year hopefully - vinyl too. Bit of leisure wear to listen to it in. Nice.

    Mini boxes score where you might not want 17 shows or whatever. I wouldn't mind a few shows from Europe 1990, having attended the London ones - but I'm not sure I would want the whole lot !

  • icecrmcnkd
    Joined:
    Winterland Oct 74 Box, and we need more releases Dave/Rhino

    Hopefully it’s moving into production soon so that we get it for the 50th anniversary next year.
    With all the video included.

    I’ll take mini-Boxes.
    3-show mini-Boxes, released once every other month, and not during a month where a DaP is released. Thus, the DaP’s and mini-Boxes would give us a release 10 months out of the year. The other 2 months would be RSD and Black Friday RSD.
    Sounds like a grate plan to me.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Winterland

    Agree..

    Can anyone tell me why we did not get a Winterland '74 Box Set? The box design would, of course, been a mini Wall of Sound.

    Wars have been fought for less.

    Oh, the horror.

  • wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    Winterland Box(es)

    Would you like yours in a mini or mega? 1972, 1977, 1978 still ripe for the picking. Added together that equals mega I'd say. Taken alone some fine mini ones there. I think there's a New Year's 1971 available yet to add...

    P.S. Currently spinning the space jam from 10-18-1978

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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.
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The reverent tones for 2-14-68 got me to go primal today.
And while not a primal guy (blasphemy again!) I finally got into it around Viola Lee Blues (disc 1 bonus material). The 2nd set does look killer. And you sure get your share of Dark Stars in this Road Trip. While most of the first disc was playing I was also reading about the history of S.F. back then and particularly the Carousel Ballroom (El Patio) and it's history before Bill Graham changed it to Fillmore West. Kinda helped flesh out the scene a lot more for me. 1968 must have been a tough time to be a hippy as a lot of stuff was going down. I think I had it easy by comparison in the mid-'70s.
Following this up with Ledded's desert island, and if I could only have one GD album, pick of Ladies and Gentlemen, The Grateful Dead from April 1971, going trans-continental to NYC. Onward!
Cheers

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To be honest, the only one I can think off of the top is Richfield 3-21-94. I'll have to listen back to some others to see how they're holding up, but 10-5 is another I liked. 10-1 was an official pick.

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A lil bit of something better than all of nothing…

I know 7/31 is decent, and 8/1 is good, cus I was there ; )

Anyone else? Bueller…?

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Because you asked Oro:
Only listened to this once since seeing it (my final show).
Starts off good with a Help>Slip>Frank but has it's share of mediocre moments too. To my ear Jerry just wasn't at top form that night. After H>S>F an interesting combo of Spoonful>Jack A Roe, Masterpiece, B. E. Women, and a rousing Let it Grow to finish set one. Set two pre-jam had sound issues as I recall with only Easy Answers, Lazy River Road then the jam of Playin'>Eyes>Drums> Wheel>Last Time>Attics>Good Lovin' brought it home in good style and the Liberty encore was new to me. The whole thing seemed short and a little tired but the 2nd set jam was worth the price of admission for sure with that interesting combo. Last Time> Attics really was a surprise in there.
So there ya go amigo. Cheers
Going to Aspen Sunday for the free Los lobos concert? Can't beat the price!

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It’s on my recon list!
Hey, it’s 94, so expectations are low, hopefully then I get surprised like 93.
But my quest is to hit as many as I can from all the years combined…

If it keeps on raining, the levees going to break!
But hey, better than fire!

Outta be fun boogieing in the rain to the Lobos!
Even if I could make it, not sure I could make it…canyon closed last I heard…

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Seattle - 6/13 & 6/14
Eugene - 6-17 (and 6/18 & 6/19)

Honestly feel that the late years (93 - 95) Northwest Coast shows were not like most other shows of their era. At the 94 and 95 Seattle shows and all the Autzen shows from 90 to 94 but one. .6/13 and 6/14 (Seattle 94) very different in their song selection and both excellent in their way. Dew that closes 6/13 Set II was way awesome and excellent jammed out second set.. Jerry was into the cool temps of Memorial Stadium in Seattle and played 6/13 in a leather bomber jacket (photos out there.). 6/14 they dropped into That Would Be Something which I loved though didn't recognize and my thought was "Hunter wrote a lyric so simple that Jerry couldn't forget it!" Later discovering it was Paul and "Bowl of Cherries" (McCartney). What a treat! 6/17 Eugene (first of three show run at Autzen that year) was the only show I missed during my years in the NW, and missing it was much to my regret. Rained hard that night and the other 2 shows were daytime with lots of sun. Close friend from CA who made it got a "drop" maybe 2 in the eye - it had been awhile but he was well versed in navigating that space and once he settled in loved that show. No SBD for 6/17, unfortunately. Set II Rain opener in the pouring Oregon night rain, Eyes, and Wheel > Attics out of Space. 6/19 with the fat 2nd set because they knew they would never play Autzen again because scene in camping and town etc. was rife with clueless rude slobs. huge shift in that regard from '93. Had to play Portland Meadows, a racetrack, in '95.

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Anyone else, keep ‘em coming…
After checking my Deadbase, looks like I hit Richfield and a couple that ole BC mentioned.
Hopefully I’ll get a winter hiatus and do more recon next year!

Hit the 88 shows from the Crap center this week, solid, mostly good, the 3rd and 5th I think I liked best.

EDIT: wasn’t feeling up for full on GD yesterday, so hit the psychedelic goodness from 6/27/15.
It’s a shame they didn’t rehearse more, especially this cool early stuff, but it’s still surprisingly good sans a few transitions etc.

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Pre-Dead & Co., still the GD?
Cannot believe it has been that long since Fare Thee Well.
All the songs played were from 1970 or before! Almost fossilized.
I can see why they were a bit rusty.
Dust off those rusty strings just one more time.
Cheers

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Yeah 1stshow, my understanding from my insider source was they didn’t practice as much as they were supposed to (imagine that lol) and especially all that old stuff, since those shows got added sorta last minute. Phil, and Bob somewhat in Furthur, were playing much of that, but not sure how up to speed the rest of the crew was?
But my goodness, what a set list!
I’d take this set list, rust and all over the stuff they did in Chicago!
One of the very few times What’s Become of they Baby was performed perhaps topping the list.
Wish they would have released a video of this one, though guessing it’s out there somewhere?

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Finally finished this one up today OB. Another fine 79. I thought the sound quality was good for what it is .
PT Barnum and the Shah of Iran!
Nice energy through out the first and second set. Enjoyed the Shakedown, High Time, Estimated. I thought the Eyes was a little off, seemed disjointed and too fast and not up to that spectacular version from 11/5. Good finish with BP, JBG and US Blues.
Would definitely listen again.
Love this period.

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11-29-79 in this week's Taper's.
From Black Peter to U.S. Blues.
Oh, duh. The other 2nd set chunk was on last week's Jam-o-week.
Yeah, I keep forgetting how that works.
That Eyes was weirdly fast (but lengthy), like where's the next gig fast. And you'd think with all those verses of don't tell me this town don't have no heart they could have worked in some Huey Lewis, the heart of rock & roll is still beating, in
Cleveland, you known, rap like Pig man. Oh wait, Huey comes later. Never mind.
Cheers

Maybe at top of my list of GD songs I never heard live. I think I knew Phil did it at least once. Didn't realize the FareTheeWell group performed it. I'll check 6/27 - sweet set list indeed.

I think I saw Further do this. I have to look.. it might have been at Radio City Music Hall the week after Bear died?? I might have seen Phil do Rosemary too with P&F, likely also in NY. Of all the spin off bands, I have always liked what Phil is doing the best. He had an interesting approach and brought in top shelf talent. Plus, I always had a good time and made plenty of phriends.

If I had an opportunity to see him tomorrow, I'd take it.

I don't recall either of these being exceptionally good, but they were exceptionally weird.. which counts for something, right? There was an Alice D. Millionaire mixed into one of these shows and a few other oddities. You gotta give Phil credit for embracing the weird and embracing those old primal songs. Bobby brought a few back also.

DV, yeah it’s not the Rectum (personally I dig 11/6) but how would you compare to 31 and 47?

6/27/15: yeah, that’s a set list! What’s become isn’t mind blowing performance wise, but talk about weird and a WTF, moment! I remember watching at my cousins and hearing it before they started it and thinking, na, no way, then Holy Crap! Lol
I remember being ecstatic at the P&Ph Denver Philmore in 99 I think, because of 2 things: one, the music was in good hands and going to live on, and two, those of us who unfortunately missed the early years were finally getting the goods! They were breaking out all the old chestnuts, not JUST Dark Star, SS etc, but New Potato, Born Cross Eyed, all the sweet early weird shit, frickin Daverock would have been outta his mind hearing all these old gems live! Lol
So yeah, the 6/27 show was perhaps a bit tepid and unpolished at times, but it was fun as hell and shows the potential of what might have been again, and was by far my favorite from the five shows. It also set the bar for D&C as now it was not only a possibility that they play these nuggets, it was now expected again! So thanks again Phil!
The weirder the better I always say…

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OB-Would have to give the nod to the Kiel show, #47.
Of course 11/29/79 isn't a polished up version either. But I don't think this one will ever be released.

Looking for a good 1980 show for today. Hard to find good recordings for 1980.

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Have we listened to 8/26/80 Cleveland Public Hall here yet? They played the next night (Pine Knob) on Today in GD History a few days ago, but this one might be just a touch better. They both are nice mid to late 80's shows. (full disclosure, I'm a sucker for a good Comes a Time)

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I don't think we ever listened to this one Jim. Cleveland.

Will get it going today.

Thanks!

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Hmmmm?
Can’t recall and not home to check so…guess we’ll give it a whirl.

11/29/79: hmmmm again, you don’t think it passes muster?
Guess I’ll have to check it out again? Think I recall there were some “spots” but they all have em, and overall my recollection was that it was crackling with energy?

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11/29/79: awright, just listened again and I’m not changing my mind lol
I can’t find anything wrong with it?
Bama is Hot, Promised land is good cept Bob has slight vocal miss early. Candyman is sweet, Mama/Mexi is good, TLEO is nice, Minglewood’s good, Bobs not too bad on slide, Easy To Love is nice, god Brent sounds higher range AND better than DG (it’s a shame how much his voice deteriorated, though it gained a new goodness, like JG imo), Hot Brown Eyed, Looks like was ok, but not great, Jers first solo is oook, and not much outro? Did like Brent’s attempt at storm sounds on the synth at beginning. Decent Dough Knees closer.
Second opening Shakedown starts oook, but builds up nicely, though not a rager. Hot Samson, followed by High Time. Ok but not great, nice Brent harmonies, but JG doesn’t solo much? Good Estimated into a good Eyes. Yeah it’s faster than those awesome 73s we’ve become a custom to recently, but I’ve heard way faster, so I didn’t find it too fast: it didn’t seem to mess up his vocal phrasing etc. Cool jam out into drums with a sorta pre drums space like they wanted to keep going…so then immediately into a decent Black Pete, ok A&A, and then a hot JBG closer. Good US Blues calling out the Shah lol. Yeah, I still like 11/6 tops, but this is at leases as good as 47 if not better, again, imho, no offense intended!
Since we could be running outta releases, I’m not sure I’d go with this for a single shot, but part of a good box with Pittsburg x2, Indianapolis, KC, something from those good Nassau shows, and a ? (not at home so no notes)…
Ok, 80 next…
8/26/80: a solid, well played show, nothing flashy, no big moments, only one lil muff in UJB.
Just stays quo 1980…
The set list is fun though, including the first Rooster since 64, 65? (I think?) and in the second set!
(Actually, second rerooster, first on 8/19 according to DB 10)
Comes a Time and Casey J we’re nice, if not highlight real worthy. That kinda sums this one up, good show, few flaws, good sets, hard to criticize anything, but…..? Perhaps lacking a little fire? Hmmmmm? Whatevs, good sheet!
ONWARD!

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Love your passion for the Cleveland show OB. It is good. The Eyes just didn't do it for me. Rest of the show is good. Might be nit-picking a bit, just my opinion.
If they gave me the keys to 1979, the second night at Cape Cod, the three nights at Nassau, Providence and the two nights at the Spectrum. 7 nights in late 79. How does that sound.

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Fine show Jim. Really good audience recording. Brings me back to me roots with these recordings. I love the energy of this show. Nice Sugaree opener into El Paso. Dig the Althea. Shorter first set. Yes OB, interesting second set Rooster. Good UJB and Playing. Love that Comes a Time, Lost Sailor SOC, great Casey Jones and close it out with a rocking JBG.
Might have to continue on with some 1980, was also thinking about dipping into some E72 shows.
Edit-8/27/80 Pine Knob seems like a good possibility.

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I'm not expecting anyone to follow suit necessarily, but I happen to be half way through the first Wembley show, 4/7/72, at the moment. It's overshadowed by the following night...in fact it's overshadowed by virtually all the other shows on the tour. But it's well worth a listen if you fancy going for one of the less celebrated shows from this tour.

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I'll be headed down that EU72 tour rabbit hole starting in a couple of days.
Interested in what you hear on the the first one.
Cheers

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1stshow - thanks -I don't know whether it's because this is the first 72 show I have played for a month or so, but it sounds spectacular. The first date on the tour, and they maybe felt they couldn't afford to take things too easy. Every song hits the spot. This period is usually marked by the great jams, and the tracks that stand out here are Playing, China-Cat and The Truckin'- Other One jam - but it's not just the improvisations that shine. The whole band rocks much more convincingly with Keith in the ranks - checkout Beat It On Down The Line. Sugar Magnolia really comes into it's own here too, moving on from it's country feel of 12 months ago to pure rock n' roll. I was going to miss out the last few songs on this set - it all looks very, very familiar on paper. Don't be tempted - it's a great celebration after the intense jamming on The Other One. The crowd are asked to move back to their seat towards the end - so the joint was obviously rocking all right.
And to think this is one of the also rans of the tour-incredible!

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OK, here I go into the EU72 22 show breech.
Thanks again to a friend.
Excited to get started after DR's review.
Going in sequence seems to make the most sense.
May have to do some non-Dead palate cleansers in there too.
Cheers

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In reply to by 1stshow70878

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Yeah 1stshow, I don’t care what anyone says that guys awright! ; )
Yep, I’d say do em in order and no other dead in between. I find that’s the best and most satisfying way to do a tour.
It’s cool to see the little nuisances and changes that happen along the way that might get missed with Just a cursory spin. Though sometimes ya might feel ya need a Dead change, I find that mucks up the above.
Don’t think I’ve done a tour this big, yet, but it’s a satisfying accomplishment upon completion!
So you go, we’re with ya and look forward to posts from the road ; )

8/29/80: after 8/27 yesterday, I figured I’d hit the next one as it fit into what I’m doing, and it fills in a hole that completes the 8/24 through 9/6 sequence…
Another, similar to the 2 proceeding: mostly good solid, few misses, though no real fireworks, just grinding it out on the road Dead. The next night (8/30) is on Dave’s list, and I found that one to be perhaps a slight step up, though it’s been awhile…9/2 is very good, though I’m biased, and then the next 2 from DL 7 (haven’t heard those in forever), capped off by the glorious 9/6 Lewiston show!
Onward!

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Another synchronicity there, Oro. Was just over in Maine with old friends, one of whom I had not seen in many years, he was on stage security that night at the racetrack fairgrounds and helped us get down front for the zenith of my too small handful of Dead shows. He reminded me that Roy B was feeling no pain but still played Nancy like no one else ever could, Levon and the Cate Bros, what a show. End of summer, end of tour, just could not have been better. Many recordings but apparently no clear SBD, otherwise mandatory for release. That friend had been searching for the lyrics for Jaime Brockett's Legend of the Titanic, pleased to locate for him.

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I would have thought that was essential if your going through a box the size of E72. You don't want to put yourself off it. Obviously very different following a tour at home than it would have been in the flesh. But even if you had been following this tour in real time, as it happened, you would have heard other music in between shows. Unless you're a monk.

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has passed. Used to see him regularly in Florida, every year for many years. A great excuse to get out there and have a little fun and get a great buzz. Been a while since I saw him, he got real busy there after a while and wasn't around the local bars that he used to frequent back in the day. Many a time down in the keys he would be there and he would discuss those "square groupers" that had been seen floating around back then. After one peeled off the outer layer that most were wrapped in what was inside was usually "gold". I remember a great show back in 1980, Jimmy opened for the Eagles and he had a broken leg. Of course he did "Margaritaville" and had changed some of the lyrics to include his mishap. Blew out my flip-flop, stepped on a pop top, broke my leg had to crawl on back home, man I'm in real pain, wish I had some cocaine, but that's been gone since early this morn. a gifted wordsmith for sure. RIP Jimmy, may those Jamaican winds blow you safely home.

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I won't try to do reviews on every one but maybe in groups of a few at a time.
DR was spot on. 4-7-72 gave me a new perspective of that year. It was:
- Polished, energetic, and played with stamina.
- Darn near perfect, as if trying to impress.
- Had a religious experience moment for me in GDTRFB where I kept saying Jerry is a monster by '72, and how does he do that. Just keeps coming up with a new riff every few seconds. Unbelievable. Rivals anything I can think of from any era.
Cheers

RIP Jimmy, always liked him even if he didn't get played at my house as the wife didn't care for him.

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…just not Dead. But hey, that’s just my methodology.
If I start listening to other Dead, I lose my hyper focus of the tour and all the little things, the nuances. I need to marinate in the shit lol
It’s like sometimes you switch to a different kind of beer midstream, one you know you really like, but because of the style of the one you were drinking is so different, the new one doesn't taste right. It’s your taster is off…
Best example is in 2021 when I did all of 1971 in order, listening to Phil figuring out his line in PITB. Every one was a bit different until he had what he wanted. If I was listening to other dead I might have missed that…
It’s hard to go a whole tour and not switch it up, but I think it’s the best way to do it!
Now a little Jazz or something else now and again,sure, but no other Dead!
But again, that’s just me…
I did hit the 4/7 stuff from Steeping out. The energy is like a fright train. You can tell they were itching to play!
But I think their holding the stick a little too tight because of that. I can hear JG saying something like “we have the whole Europe scene watching us so we can’t Fuck up…no pressure or anything lol”
So to me sometimes it’s a bit off the rails. But I like em when their going beyound the comfort zone, that’s why I like 85 so much. Sure occasionally there is an accident, but that’s ok when yer riding the edge!
The amazing part is, as good as this one is, it’s kinda just a warm up and indicator of what’s ahead!
Just amazing they could play that consistently at that level for 2 months straight AND get into all the shenanigans!

And yaassss, ole Jimmy Bufet, may the Caribbean winds blow him safely home to the big Cheese Burger in Paradise!
A son of a son of a son of a son of a son of a son of a sailor! Now you and Hunter behave now ; )
I

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There's clearly no right or wrong way in how we listen to all these shows. For me, with E72, I have started to think of them in terms of the few shows in one country, and listen to them before moving on towards something else. For example, the first three shows in England stand as a whole for me. So I listen to them one after the other - then take a break. Then go on to Denmark and do the same thing. The first three shows are so good I defy anyone to just listen to just one of them without listening to the next. But I don't want to over do it, so a break comes in handy - then the next one sounds fresh and will blow my socks off like the first one does.

Oro - I think you listen more deeply than I do!

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More than one way to skin a rabbit lol
My way is hard, but I find it worth it, though perhaps why I haven’t done this whole tour, YET.
In fact, I’m not sure I’ve even heard every show yet? All the Dark Stars to be sure, but not all The Other Ones.
Yuck, yuck, see what I did there ; )
I have this book staring at me I’ve not read yet as I’m probably saving it and the remaining shows for when/if I do take the Pepsi challenge…it’s called Europe 72 Revisited by Howard F Weiner. (Think I have one by him on Cornell too?)
But after just randomly glancing it mentions the first England shows we’re supposed to be 4 at the Rainbow, but the place went outta business right before the tour so ole Cutler had to punt and go with 2 biggins at Wembley. He then starts to mention how good 4/7 is and how he, like many, perhaps overlooked it due to the greatness of 4/8 etc…
Hmmmm, sounds familiar lol
ONWARD! You go 1stshow, man if I knew I had the time I’d be tempted…

I just hit 11/20/73: never heard more than the RT taste. Another looonnngggg but fine 73!
Think I’m down to just a handful of 73s I’ve not heard!
Hmmmm, what now?? The Other One is working this WE so I should probably pick something official top shelf and warm up the ole transistors : )

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So now I have to get another book before I delve into E72. Just great...

If you google Blogspot Europe 72, the first listing is a reprint of the old Europe 72 Notebook that has been floating around on archive dot org for a dozen years or so, except it is in the correct order and mildly edited. Most importantly, it looks like they added many pictures of each venue. It really gives you a better feel for what it must have been like to be there. ...and man, there are some historic venues on that tour. For me, it would be worth it the next time I am in Europe to visit one, three or all of the venues (assuming they all still exist), just for kicks and giggles.

The GD did all kinds of things wrong in their tenure, but this tour was not one of them.

mmm.... The Other One is working this WE, hitting something epic and it sounds like officially released? oh the pressure.. If you're going to warm up the tube amps.. goodness.. the DS>MD from DP19 (hey, it's 73), DP16, DP4, 2/14/68, Feb and March 69, 4x/5x 72 or go for one of the other multi-tracks, any of the From the Vault, the WD or AB 50th's. The picking is the easy part, keeping the plaster on the ceiling, not so much.

I'm also a big fan of 85 for the same reasons mentioned. Also, taking the risk of introducing all those new songs. It was like they were climbing out of a rut and freshening up the place with vibrant and loud electricity.

For the second time this year, JimInMD isn't working. I have no idea why... Why do you mock me so oh dead net website?

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Maybe Dennis will let you borrow his wife’s CC lol
Or hey, since yer working too damn much, you should have some extra bread left over, even after the cost of your expanding empire ; ) Pretty soon they’ll be calling it Jimsville! Which is nice….

I went with the 12/26 goodness from DaP 43, and then the Stepping out segment from 4/8/72.
Chefs kiss fo sho!

Bob being his usual youthful self, ready to yell out in front of a crowd of young Christian types about last I saw Phil he was going to the dressing room with some chick lol. You can see why eventually they needed McNally…

Now time to hang it up, and see what tomorrow, oh, wait, that’s today? ,,,oh oh, where does the time go!
Gonna need another RJ caliber shooo…
ONWARD,

EDIT: wonder where 1stshow is, he should of left England by now…hopefully no situations at the border?

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With news from the front lines.
Blaspheme warning: This may contain heresy.
OK, I get why the consensus is that 4-8 is better than 4-7 but....
I like 4-7-72 better. The 4-8 from Dark Star on is amazing and unique but it is more primal. And while I dig Phil's insistent bass groove in the Caution, I mean he's leading the band at that point, but the DS gets a little disjointed at times. And there are better versions of Pig's songs coming later in the tour as well even if that Mojo is darn good. Now Jerry on pedal steel is more my cup-o-tea and even Phil singing a duet with Bob on that LLRain can't spoil that (truth be told he does a good job of it). And of course the MLB jam is great and they had a few notes leaning that way in 4-7 but never got there. But.... I was floored by the 4-7 second set altogether. It just builds and builds and, as I previously said, the Sugar Mag>NFA>GDTRFB>NFA closing just hit me right. Jerry en fuego! And every first set song was done to perfection so it's close but 4-7 edges out 4-8 for me.
So onward to Newcastle! Storm the battlement! And thanks for the support. Cleansing with classical this AM.
Cheers

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In reply to by 1stshow70878

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I also enjoyed listening to 4/7 more than 4/8 this time around. It seemed higher energy all round - a more exciting show. Not that there's anything wrong with 4/8 - very serene Dark Star, I thought. And again, I liked the rocking ending. Caution seemed like a nod back to the 60's to me - back to the acid tests, with a few tasty flourish's on organ, as John Peel might have said. Both Dark Star and The Other One sound very, very different at this stage from the 60's styles- but Caution seems to catch that old groove.

I've only played the first cd of the Newcastle show - but that opening "Greatest Story" must be one of the best versions ever.

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Morning, rockers!!!

After I bought the E72 trunk I listened to nothing but Europe 72 for about six months. Total immersion therapy. May have warped me a bit, but did make the Europe 72 tour part of my "Grateful Dead DNA".............

4/7 is a super fine show, as is 4/8. I always had a fondness for Newcastle and Aarhus, lesser known but solid and with some sublime moments. Best show of the tour, May 3, just one man's opinion. Favorite show of the tour, May 26, historic, massive, bittersweet, the end of an era. December 71 great, AOM run greater, Europe 72 greatest.

The anniversary of a certain outdoor Maine show is coming up in a couple of days. Yes we were there and had a blast, one of the "most fun shows" we attended. Would make a fine official release some day.............

Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.......

Rock on,

Doc
Too many pieces of music finish too long after the end...............

5/26/72 is my favourite show from the tour. Has to be one of the best 5 shows ever played.

I play most shows from E72 every year, and have already played most of them this year earlier on. This time around, I was going through my records, having finally got a new stylus fitted - hence a revisit for 4/7 and 4/8. Listening to them logically leads on to the Newcastle show, which would make a great release for a RSD on vinyl in the near future.
I then have the Dark Star from Paris 5/3 and the great 4/5 show that followed. Then the final run at The Lyceum.

I really like listening to these shows on records ( why are records referred to as"vinyl", I wonder? We don't call cds "plastic"?) But you do have to do things like turn the record over half way through Dark Star - which might put some people off.

edit - whoops - it was the other way round - Dark Star being played 5/4, not the day before, with 3/5 being the one put out on vinyl in it's entirety.

Go get them 1st Show. That is quite the project. 5/26, 5/4 and 4/26 have been personal favorites of mine, but that is always subject to change.

Love the 1980 download shows OB. Will have to check out 8/30. Would love to see them release them all on CD.
Yes, Lewiston, that would be a release. 1 1980 show released in 11 years of Dave's Picks. Not much love for this year. Not sure why.

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Vinyl Me Please is releasing a Hound Dog Taylor album "Natural Boogie". As part of the advertising they've put up (or someone has) a 73 video of him playing.

On the tube search for

Hound Dog Taylor - 15 minute LIVE Ann Arbor 1973 Video

Thought some would like this.

Thanks for the tip, Dennis. That's a great album - I got a copy on cd second hand, in a cracked case about 20 years ago.
An inspirational figure, Hound Dog Taylor. Proof positive that you don't need a 1954 Gibson once played by Peter Green ( or some such) or a theoretical understanding of music to play the blues. Just a cheap Japanese guitar tuned to an open chord, a small valve amp, a brass slide and a don't stop for anybody kind of attitude. If I had a son or daughter, this is what I would tell them.

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Mornin', rockers!!!

It's National Lewiston Day!!! Celebrate!!!

Yes, I do remember..................

Great music is that which penetrates the ear with facility and leaves the memory with difficulty.

Rock on!!

Doc
Music really is our daily medicine.......

Well, we knew this was coming. It's been so long since I listened to this show, it's all but forgotten.

I had this one digitally, but before I documented the source, so it's old... Time to refresh. Alaska 1980 is also undocumented in my files, which means this was some of the first stuff I pulled down when I first discovered the Archive and other sources.

I wish I was at this one. Hey.. it's another 1980 too. I pulled down the Charlie Miller SBD/Aud with the audience portion recorded by Jim Wise. I think this is the best source, is anyone else using a different source? Only a few songs from the soundboard seem to exist.

Would love to see this show as a Dave's, though not sure about that sbd? My last Dead show, was in process of leaving Maine for Vermont where everything changed for a long time. Lewiston and central Maine area was home for ten years from 1970. So many concerts there, between Portland and Bangor: Dylan, BB King, Muddy, Clapton, Mountain, Zappa, Gary Burton, Canned Heat, Nils Lofgren, Mose Allison, Jesse Colin Young, The Eagles, on and on. However this show 43 years ago today, was peak in so many ways.

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In reply to by Dennis

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I blame management!

Ok, no time to chat, just quick mention that I may or may not be doing the Pepsi challenge…
I only hit partials of 4/7 & 4/8, but everything else through 4/21. Hoping I can get 4/24 in tonight.
Maybe try to remember what all I’ve experienced so far lol ok, gotta go,
Onward!

Hmmm, is that really Jim, or is that his bizzaro Jerry other via MDJim ???

Lewiston: no time now lol, but I did really dig it when we did it here before! That whole fall stretch is good.

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In reply to by Oroborous

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Yes it was me.. MDJim is my evil twin. JimInMD was in deadnet timeout for some reason and would not work. Initially I thought it was because let a curse word fly.. but I think my password got nuked for some reason and it took me a while to figure out what was going on.

Now that I have this new E72 book (thanks Oro), I will be following along after taking a few steps back. Hitting Lewiston today, what a Sugaree, and I still have half of 6/9 and all of 6/10/73 to squeeze in.

I tell ya, I really got engaged after looking at what all the venues looked like. I've always been a venue snob and have a soft spot for ornate, intimate theatres.. add in the Greek Theatre and Red Rocks for good measure.. come to think of it, Telluride was nice also.

Well.. back to cleaning my house of all things.. and finishing the first set from 9/6/80.

...and Ventura, Riverbend was nice, blossom except for the bottleneck getting into the shows.. Venues are fun (except the Crapitol Centre and those nazi cops on horseback that came with it. Was happy to see that one get imploded).