Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,068 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

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

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April 19, 2022 - 12:24pm

#2341

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Ha

That’s what chain saws are for!

Gary, I think besides trying to keep up with Garcia, Phil was using that big system on stage to help fill in those near field areas (up front etc) we were discussing, the areas that didn’t get proper coverage from the PA?
What some refer to as the Phil Zone, though to me that’s was where both his stage sound and the PA sound merged and acoustically coupled.
But yeah, My spine tingles and can still feel rather than hear those sub frequencies in my DNA. (By sub I mean below the threshold of hearing, not a subwoofer). Those Meyers 18”s in the PA were ridiculous in the right spot, in the right venue etc.
Plus, it’s the Grateful Fucking Dead so why not go big!

PS, that Grateful Dead gear book is great, though a little dialed down.
April 19, 2022 - 12:07pm

#2342

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

I want what Phil's having...

Home version. 18"'s and 4"'s. If I move some things around, they should fit.
April 19, 2022 - 11:21am

#2343

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

Oro

thanks for the write-up, input. Need a little time to read again and ponder. Think again we are speaking the same language but as 90% of communication is non verbal, some times the written language let's us down.

It seems I have the dead's equipment book, need to track that down. Not necessarily for this discussion but just to find it again...

Should have figured Phil would use Meyer systems. Using 18's onstage, wow!

Hope all well your way!

G
April 19, 2022 - 10:10am

#2344

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Phil’s Rig

As of late 82 or early 83 Phil was using 4 Meyers cabinets: (4 -18”, 4 -15”), 2 per cabinet powered by custom PIE amps, until they started not using speakers on stage in 92. (Which I didn’t like).

Not sure I get all what your saying? I agree that Soundboards do not sound natural for many reasons.
Perhaps your referring to the phenomena of Microphones not having frequency response to accurately record bass waves combing sub sonic frequencies at those kind of SPL levels?
Mic location can also make a big difference and was partly why Dan started the tapers section. Unless you have the right knowledge and equipment chances are a recording made too close will mot sound good.
Plus you have the physics: the lower the frequency, the longer the sound wave. If your too close you’ll not hear the fully formed bass note etc.
In fact if your too close much of the PA sound will blow right by you. You’ll also not properly experience stereo imaging. That’s why usually, the sound board or just before it was THE place to be. It was a trade off going up front: yeah you were up close and could see and hear their stage sound, but the PA mix was so above and beyond you that you missed a lot of info. Eventually they added little Meyers boxes, usually sitting on the front of the stage to add some vocals etc for those up close.
Nothing comes for free! Personally, like Bear, I didn’t like the stereo set up because of this. Unless you were in the right spot, you missed a lot of info, especially if you were sitting on the side!
This was the main reason Reserved seating sucked: nobody could sit where they wanted so if you were a sound nut like us, you often had to endure less than perfect sound/mixes.
April 19, 2022 - 9:33am

#2345

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

Fall Out from the Phil Zone

I listened to 1988-10-15. Once Friday, Second Saturday. Two different sources although both said the Ultramatrix board, the first was much muddier than the second. Best highlight was the deep garbled voices toward the end of drums. Really bizarre, and reminds me of garbled voices during latter Star Wars during broken transmissions, and reminds me of the fellas ties to Lucas, the lightgiver.

I was very disappointed in both versions as the show is missing a whole lot of data/music. What I mean by this is, I am wondering if there is fallout from the phil zone? I am positing that as the Phil Zone expanded, Healy lost control of the overall sound. If memory serves at some point it seems I remember maybe Phil using 18" woofers onstage. For sure he was using 15's (plus 12's and 10's). Now I loved my bit of time I spent in the Phil zone, but generally when I got up close, it was Jerry side. As Phil blasts his horn, this means Healy had to bring Phil down in the overall P.A. mix. In my humble opinion, I believe this led to the bad tape sound, lots of data/music missing. When I focus my ears, I can tell that much of the overall lower sound waves are missing or nonexistent. Even worse, the frequencies that are there are very muddled and indiscernible.

Now as a way to test my theory, I listened to 1988-03-27, Hampton. Another group of shows I saw in 1988. I did see 8 Dead shows there and fully know the quality of the sound that can be obtained within the mothership. (Also saw the shows that make up "Hampton Comes Alive..") When I listened to March 27, the sound is very good. However, although not as bad a St.Pete, there is again a large amount of data/music missing as well. The imaging is excellent but that is because the imaging comes from the higher frequencies. Bass frequencies are much more omni- directional, whereas high frequencies are unidirectional. (Want to press on these concepts furthur, later on. I want to go back to some discussions back in October regarding HDCD.) If my hypothesis is correct, then the tape anomalies concerning extremely muddled low frequencies will test out thru other 1988 shows. Had not heard or noticed this until this past weekend. So for St. Pete, it not only causes Phil to be muddled (deep booming bass with no clarity to individual notes played), it also means some muddleness from other players/instruments. I believe this may be the reason why 1988 recordings may all need matrix recording.

Just one man's opinion, would like to know what others thought.

Both Hampton and St. Pete were excellent shows when you factor other aspects than just the quality of the reproduced sound on tape. One reason I love the later shows is because the P.A. quality produces a much more full bodied, across frequencies, sound than do earlier performances. Early performances are fire from perfomance, latter shows have more depth and clarity in the frequency spectrum, hence DaP#40.

Ok enough for now.

G
April 19, 2022 - 9:23am

#2346

bob t

Joined:
November 21, 2007

Sandstone Amphitheatre 7/4/90

I was there.. It was so hot at the start of the show... Close to 100... Really enjoyed the long scarlet>fire popping up in the 4th slot.... Drove straight to Louisville after the show... why oh why.
April 19, 2022 - 8:53am

#2347

Gary Farseer

Joined:
August 1, 2015

Congrats Jim!!!

Knew we were getting close. Still love the Raven show. I am a huge '82 fan.

This was the same time as my first drop, April 1982, what a life changing event, as I know 4/19 was for you.

First 2 drops were Orange Sunshine and Purple Haze. Not too bad for first 2. Man, there is a lot to write about with those 2.

Thanks Jim for being such a solid rock of posting here, and again, Congrats.

G
April 19, 2022 - 5:45am

#2348

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

4/19 - Why take one when two will do?

I can't say no to that. A pivotal moment in the life of Jim.

The drive home (including the arduous task of finding the car) was perhaps scarier than that moment when they derailed into discord and mayhem shortly after drums. The driver, the older brother of the friend I went with, was totally straight and a taper. The two of us had never seen the dead before and we both indulged - two each. Making it through space intact was the first challenge.. then we had to live through it again on the drive home. I was given very strict instructions which I followed as if my life depended on it, "He cannot know." So we hop in the car, he takes out his newly recorded master and fast forwards to that very moment it all began.

"Quoth the Raven Nevermore. ....It was a dark and stormy night.... Wasn't it?" and the laughing and the sounds of nitrous.

Listening to this again for the first time in a while, that laugh at the beginning of space that sounds remarkably like the laugh repeated over and over again on a loop cycle during the excellent Space from Dave's Picks 40, Deer Creek 6/18/90. It's the same laugh whether recreated or brought back to life from this recording? Not sure.

Looking back on this 40 years later, I have to think maybe Larry wasn't as straight as he was purported to be. How could he not have known we were holding on for dear life on that fateful drive home? Perhaps he fast forwarded to that space because he knew and approved? A test? Questions that will likely remain unanswered.

If you haven't heard this check it out, there's a brand spanking new Miller on the archive that reeks of an upgrade. On a similar note, Lemieux has been playing stuff from this tour this year. I recall him referring to it as "a most excellent tour", perhaps foreshadowing things to come?

To me, the sound is better than some of the 82 that's found it's way to CD.. When the sweet chords of the Wheel finally broke through the madness that came before it.. I realized things were going to be ok after all. And they were. But the half hour before that and the half hour drive home took some time to make sense out of. Thankfully the Wheel and Stella Blue were there to provide support and ground us after our travels.

I'd like to think we both passed the test. ahh.. well, onward.

Edit: Two additional comments.. the discord probably started with Feel Like a Stranger, also that Brokedown Palace was sweet. 81 and 82 have some really nice versions of these songs, Jerry's voice was in good shape during this period. a real highlight.
April 19, 2022 - 4:02am

#2349

daverock

Joined:
September 1, 2014

Tupelo

I can't honestly say I remember the Pigpen version - despite having the cd of 4/18/70. But that John Lee Hooker record is unforgettable. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds cut a thunderous record based on this theme, and with that title, in the mid 80's.
April 18, 2022 - 8:34pm

#2350

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

POTD 4/19/82

In honor of Jim’s 40th anniversary.
If you’ve never had the pleasure, grad some nitrous and check it out ; )

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

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.

The beauty of brevity

Speaking of shows that bloom in the presence of shorter songs ( although 4/21/71 may not actually be that particularly), Daves 21 - 4/2/73 is a good listen. Beautiful playing, but for the most part within the confines of more structured songs.

6/10/73-Dave's 21

Love Dave's 21. One of may favorites. Sound quality is A++.

6/10/73- I think may third time through this show and it is so good. Probably my favorite at this point from the box, but I need to listen to the other shows some more. That Eyes is wild. Some really interesting work in the last part of the song. Of course the third set is really fun.

Hope that tracking for #50 hits soon.

Dave's 15

4/22/78
Today's the anniversary of this show.
Peace

Spring 79

5 3 79 thru 7 1 79

Dedicated to GODV!

Tour starts out decent, but nothing special.
Every night seems to gel until late first set on 5/7.
From then on things take off, especially with the second set Shakedown opener.
The next 2 nights, 5/8 and 5/9 are the shin dizzle!
Both shows are ripping good! Only Auds, but not bad. Don’t let that keep you from enjoying these hot shows!
Bill Ricka I heard before and didn’t need to rehash.
The twelfth is good, and Maine perhaps better to close the tour.

6/28 had Aud first, SB second, but not the best show, a bit mellow compared to the previous fireworks. Similar on the 30, but ending on a better note, and a nice HS matrix on 7/1. Probably the best recording of the bunch, but again, the 8 and 9 are must hear shows if you dig 79!

5/6/84 thru 6/14/84 up next
Onward!

Dave's 15

Did the first set again this morning.
Love it! Seems like a show where the 1st set might be as good or better than the 2nd. Nothing wrong with that though.
Have not met a '78 show I didn't like.
Cheers

79-OB

Did you say 79 OB? I think I have poked around a bit during that time period and noticed a lack of SBs. Reminds me a lot of 1980, where the SBs are lacking. Hey anyway, I will check out some of the audience recordings OB. Nice job and bring on a 79 Box before we all get too damn old.

No shipping notice yet over here for #50.

4/22/78

They played part of the second set last night on TIGDH. I forgot how smoking the Eyes of the World was. Creative jam and Jerry was on fire.

Similar yet different, Dave's Picks 7 and 15 can cure what ails you (ales you?)

I enjoyed 6/10/73 too. It's interesting listening to Betts and Garcia play off each other. A once in lifetime occurance I guess, so glad someone hit record.

What's up next?

Picks

You call it Jim.

Greek 84?

I was thinking of the 7/13 show for the Scarlet/touch/fire because the arrangement derivation reminds me of the Frost Shows in DaP 49. I might do 7/15 for the PITB / UJB. Sometimes in this era the ferocity of Jerry's Playing is contagious. It's also got a late era non-disco Dancin' in Streets and Do It In The Road, a nice prelude to what we would see develop in 1985.

One last later era show and perhaps next time I'll go way back.

7/13/84

I am in. I have never heard this show. Thanks Jim.

Cool

I've only listened to 7/13 from this run, at least that I can remember. I enjoyed it. I'm going to dig in on the other two but 7/13 gets the most love.

Bueno

6/10/73, I too hit the last two discs and fully dug.
It’s a shame DB wasn’t more comfortable with the boys and/or had more chance to jam. All discussed in one of those ABB books out sorta recently.

7/13/84 is a good 84 outing. Can’t believe it’s not been released being a Pinkus first show, and…
Gonna wait till summer for that as I’m back in research mode, chipping away at the mother load!
ONWARD!

Hit the 8&9 DV, you’ll thank me!

W a y back b o n a n a z a

Hey Jim, think I might go 6 6 69 thru 7 7
prolly starting next w e e k after my current 84 s w i n g
Perhaps yee all might want a play along?
Get the deer fired up!

7-13-84

Good stuff.
Had it on cassette years ago.

7/13/84

Maybe they are saving it for a Greek Theatre Box set. Fun show, they played alot of my favorite songs.

7/13/84

I had this on a tape back in the day too. It was one of those shows where I was never quite sure if it was a very high energy show - or if my recording had been done at the wrong speed.

7/13/84

Great show Jim. Good first set, recording is good. Yes, love that Scarlet, Touch, Fire,Man Smart. Good Miracle Stella Blue, Sugar Mag finish and then wait, what, a Dark Star encore. Billy must have loved this one.

Think I might check out 7/6/84 from Alpine next.

The 15th

July 15th Was not too shabby either.

Apparently Hundred_Year_Hall is a reserved word. The Hey Now police striketh me down for mentioning it in this post, well.. because I listened to it today and it kicked ass and thus inspired me. I'm pretty sure there's no copyright infringement for using those words in a posting, no harm done whatsoever. What a waste to build and install such an obtuse infrastructure. What do the head cheese at Rhino do, smoke tons of crack before the board meeting and dream this shit up? Goodness.

Hit the show mentioned above today (on it's birthday!), I could not resist. That Other One is Other Worldly and the transition out of Love_Light is so, so, so good.

Hundred

Year

Hall

Hey Now

Applied randomly

I got the treatment a few days ago

Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life.....

This well known and deservedly classic Dead show crackles with an energy and intensity that even the Dead themselves could only rarely conjure. I must admit, this is my all-time favorite Dead show. It isn’t flawless, but it’s very powerful and has killer versions of El Paso, The Rub, Cumberland Blues, Morning Dew, Hard To Handle (best ever!), and The Other One. Throw in the big closing jam with TC and voila---magic!!! Without doubt, this is my “desert island” show………………..

You all know what I'm talkin' about..........

Doc
Music comes from an icicle as it melts, to live again as spring water......

4/28/71

Favorite Dead show Doc, I am in.

Favorite show of all time, interesting question.

Doc

Doc, thanks to you I have that show. It is absolutely top tier stuff! Time for a listen.

Set The Dial To

4/28/71

That Other_ One is Other Worldly and always takes me back to the first spin of S&_Roses. Among the first records I purchased from my limited revenue stream at the time cutting lawns in the neighborhood.

If I feel in need of an after burner, I'll be sliding in 4/5/71. It's nice to finish this with that closing twofer from this show. Puts me in a good working man's mood to get stuff done. It might even inspire me to cut my own grass.

Edit: The things you have to do to get pass the HeyCow elitists. They did not like the way I discussed cutting my neighbors lawns.

Desert Island

Don't tell anyone, but I am smuggling a few extra shows into my desert island travel bag. Picking one is simply impossible.

Favorite Shows

Very hard to pick one Jim.

Here are my five in no particular order:

12/31/76
2/18/71
5/26/72
11/6/77
11/5/79

Is that five already? Shoot, didn't even make it to 1980.
Edit. And I didn't include any shows from 73-74. Okay, this is tough.
Too many to list.

Five desert island shows

Since Jim has degreed that we can take more, here we go............

2/28/69
5/15/70
4/28/71
12/14/71
5/26/72

Of course there's so many others, but there's only so much room in my life raft.......

Doc
No Hey Now LOL

4/30/81 Greensboro

Pulling out the cassette for this special show. The future Mrs. Big and I were front row center for this one. Camped out for those tix. Classic Spring '81. Fueled by the red dragon, we then took on Hampton and Philly.
Exactly two years later we tied the knot. 41 years later we are celebrating with Taco Tuesday and a good night's sleep!

Congrats Big B

That's a good run!
They Love Each Other.
Cheers

Hunter S Thompson gem

"Music has always been a matter of Energy to me, a question of Fuel. Sentimental people call it Inspiration, but what they really mean is Fuel. I have always needed Fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio."

Thanks!

Original Oro,
I needed that!

Congrats to the Bigs
The family that burritos together…

Almost forgot

My last trip 5 6 84 thru 6 14 84
HN edited. all mostly good, usual 84 opsies etc, mostly good boards,
None of the Hults stood out, liked the weirdness last night.
Cal X a little better, probably. Red Rocks was definitely my best overall, especially enjoyed the second night. Last is fun but more sloppy…

Been hitting 77: 4 25 30 and now 5 1 prepping for 50 next.
Maybe 69 next?

How’s Jonathan?

Did we lose ya in the frozen Midwest lol?

And now DV I know you don’t like Auds, but you’ll like those 79s!
Onward!

Congrats!

On the anniversary Big B!
Peace

Bigbrownie/OB

Pretty sweet BB, front row center in April 81 and with the future Misses. Prime time Dead in my opinion.

OB, I don't mind an audience recording if it sounds good, just can't take the ones that sound terrible. Spent the first part of my Dead journey listening to a lot of bad tapes, which I am sure you can relate to. Anyway, yes, I am dipping my toes in those May 79 shows per your recommendation. Thanks Man.

I hear ya brother!

Just every now and then from time to time…
Some shows are just so good it’s worth it, unless some Jack ass is screaming dumb shit right next to the mics all night lol

Right On...

DEADVIKES...I went to that well once too often, the not well audiencetape adventure...yes, those days have pasted

Really?

I mean I’m not arguing, I totally get it, but hasn’t there ever been a show so ridiculously good that you forget about the tape?
That you’d regret not hearing?
Of course, like I said, unless Estimated Prophet yells dumbness next to the mic all night lol Maybe not, there IS a Lot of shows out there!

And that’s so so quality, personally I like a perfectly done aud almost as much, well, I’d take a very well (professionally) done matrix over all, multi track of course ; )

No AUDs for me

Unless it’s the audio track of video.
I’ve recorded video at several shows. They’re on utoob at DeadFloyd69.

Otherwise, with around 4TB of SBDs on HDs, most of which I haven’t listened to yet, there is no reason for me to listen to an AUD recording of GD.

Floyd is a different story because AUDs are mostly what exist.

The Pink Floyd Sound

A bit off piste perhaps, but mention of them reminds me of the great documentary I watched last weekend called "Have You Got It Yet" about....Syd Barrett.

yes...

...those GD aud tape listening days have pasted, however, in the treasure chest can still be found the well-worn AUD cassette tapes with accompanying memories of
hershey 6/28/85
rochester 11/7-8/85 [weir and his opening the show by mentioning Rajneesh Bhagwan]
rochester 7/2/87
pittsburgh 7/6/87 [welcome our friends the Neville brothers]

and these only see the light of day every 7-8 yrs, & only if, lol, the JONESIN' is OOC,
which media one prefers to listen to makes no difference as long as
you all keep on rockin'

Fascinating

What we like and why we like it.
Used to love how five dudes who all just experienced the same show, sometimes together most of the night, could then have five different opinions in the car afterward lol
Keep ‘em coming boys!
I’m rollin on 77 currently.

I heard from a friend here that today is Harpur College Day

I can only assume it is true. Finished work a little early today, setting the controls for 5/2/1970. A few drops of tincture under the tongue. Hopping on the John Deere. I expect my afternoon will begin by cutting my grass and end destination unknown.

My only wish is that the Hey_Blow nazi's let this post go through unchanged.
5/1 vs. 5/2. I'm in the 5/2 camp but if you toss in both shows plus the New_Riders from 5/1.. well, lets just throw in 5/6 for a threefor. Trust me, it's going to be alright.

A tip of the glass to what's going on in the world today. I cannot help think of these shows juxtaposed over what's going on in college campuses right now. I refer to my previous statement, chill out a little people, everything's going to be ok. Sit back, listen, enjoy and be.

I love all you guys and girls, the world would be much worse off without us in it.

4-30-81

Hey now, gr8 show here, opening Jack Straw high energy and off we go, first set has a Peggy-O and a Loser and ends with a China>Rider. Second set is again where it's at with a monster of a Shakedown estimated>eyes>Drums>Space>Truckin>Black Peter with a Casey Jones encore. check it out

Harpur College

Harpur was a recording I listened to over and over in the summer of 1972. That's when I realized this was a really different band, and got on the bus, attending the San Jose 1972 show and two of the Berkeley Community Theater shows, one of was the Dark Star>Morning Dew show, which sealed my fate forever.

Watch out for HNPD

MIT 5/6/70

Got severely HN'ed this morning, and they didn't even read me my rights..........

Doc
Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized.......

May

We made it to May, which means Oberon time here in MN. Finally some warmer weather.

Hope we hear some announcements soon, MUATM and how about the 2024 box set? Man, mum's the word.

Hope all is well out there. Tomorrow I need to finish the Dave's #50 release, which is fantastic to my ears.

5-11-91

Getting in the anniversary listen.

DV, enjoy the Oberon. Too bad it takes so long to get to you.

May you live all the days of your life.....

For all those with an anniversary mentality, think May 11 1969............

Maybe there's a better copy in those banana boxes............

............along with a new and improved Crockett 69 and a complete Chico 68.........

Rock on rockers!!

Doc
May you live as long as you wish and love as long as you live.....

Conekid

Love that 5/11/91 show Conekid. And yes, the Oberon is back!

Will throw out 5/25/72 to hit up this week. Need to bust out a few more E72 shows this month.