Grateful Dead

Nice little Stayin' Alive tease right before MAMU for you Jim.

Or was that part of the plan Slow Dog Noodle?

Either way, pretty funny.

Sorry, been slacking here trying to get some work on my theater finished.
FALL 73: I did finish that last week. Believe I left off with a fine 9/21/73 Rectum show.
From what I can recall lol, 9/24&26/73 were pretty similar, actually, not surprisingly, not a lot of variety on this tour in general. Makes sense considering the focus on the new material and the use of supplementary musicians for this new material.
In fact, the biggest trend I noticed on this mini tour, was that by the end, all “that” was relegated to the last part of the show, with the horn guys only on Eyes, WRS, and Sugar Magnolia. Early on, besides the aforementioned, they were on Truckin’ and occasionally elsewhere, and of course Let Me Sing. It’s a shame that one fell by the wayside but I’m guessing Keith’s shyness and having to be the front man singing was just never going to work?
Anyway, Boo fa falo had a nice Here’s Comes a Sunshine, and I believe the tours only Sing Me Back Home, while the Burg had a nobodies, and of course overall many nice status quo Playin’s on the tour. Really glad I finally went through these, shitty tapes and all, interesting tour and yet another cool adventure by the boys to take it furthur!

I can see why this probably wouldn’t get a full box treatment, but considering the historical elements, the new material, and the fine playing you would think a small 2-3 show release would be appropriate. I agree with the consensus that 9/11/73 is a must. All the above greatness while fresh and obviously fun for them, with a sweet Dark Star too. All that’s missing is a HCS! Next I’d say I concur with brother Bluecrow about 9/17/73 at Syracuse, with perhaps one from either Pittsburg or Buffalo thrown in to document the tour/horn/set list progression. So glad I finally went there, can’t believe it took me so long especially since fall/winter 73 has long been one of my top say five tours. It’s like a nice appetizer for that giant feast that followed!
Ok, speaking of favorite tours, on to FALL 89.

Did 10/11&12/89 2/3 times over the last couple days while I made a mess of my basement lol.
Main thing I can say is it’s tough to follow those Hampton shows! Both 11&12 are good status quo 89 shows (mostly good, a few lesser moments too), but overall enjoyable sets, playing, energy etc, but I kept saying to myself, especially for 9/11 “these are hangover shows”.....You can literally feel the “elephant” and it’s energy have left the room so to speak. But since there has to be a “next” show, in typical GD workmen like fashion, they pick up the load and carry on.
Like a Monday after a big party/reunion weekend!
So far on the tour Jers been pretty strong and consistent, Bob, not so much? Brent was good in Hampton, but not as much here, even my fav Little light is perhaps that? Decent Pockey way and mostly good support work...enjoyed that whole sequence on 10/12 with an always fun second set Cumberland! Bob tries to steal one of Jerry’s versus which lends a palpable lift to the overall vibe such that you feel them all smiling at each other and it makes you smile too. I love these little nuances that shine through the Dead’s music.
So perhaps these aren’t top shelf, If they lived in a different space not related to the shows around them, meaning taken on there own, their enjoyable enough, and of course have some of the nice weirdness that was a highlight throughout most of the tour. The drumz/space/midi sequences where awesome if your into that? But if I was constructing a box for this tour I’d could see not needing to include them....
Next night it’s Bob and Jer on Letterman, and then back to the swamps of Jersey for 10/14, with a nice first set closing Help-Slip-Franks and I believe a solid second set? Have this one on tape, but not too familiar with....
Probably try and give the 14&15 a few spins over the next couple days with a big Friday rave up of the mighty Nightfall of Diamonds 10/16/89 blockbuster! I still think overall this is one of the best single live releases ever, yet it seems to really fall under the radar? I think maybe the sound is the best of the 4 releases so far, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
Ok, caught up....Onward!

Oh, other catch ups:

BIG THANKS to Bluecrow! Outta nowhere he remembered something I said I was missing months ago and when he found an extra, generously sent it my way! Amazing, thoughtful and a dose of just what the world needs, kindness!

CASEYJ: another big shout out to you too, I don’t care what anybody says your awright!
Oh, and with the holidaze shopping season coming up, he does fine dye work, especially if your looking for custom Chefs themed apparel....

No need to twist my arm to spin the great 4/24/78. Meanwhile, I will follow Oroborous footsteps into Oct 89. Now that I've turned on to the Warlocks shows, I feel the doors have been opened for all of Oct 89. I had forgotten that we have 10/16/89 in multitrack glory ("Nightfall of Diamonds"). That's another one I've neglected. I've barely even listened to that one. And then the great grand finale of 10/26 - this should be fun. Gooey psychedelic goodness, indeed. Looking forward to any other tour reports, Oro.

Completely agree cone kid. But that song seems to never go away, it just rattles around in your head.. sort of like stepping on a big wad of gum, it's annoying and takes way too long for it to go away.

My comments on the Download Series are the same as they were 14 years ago.. I feel they could have done more with the sound. Either that or the masters were not AAA+ Blue Chip. Still good shows and I use them occasionally when I want to go down the path less travelled.

Far more tolerable than rap/hip hop and twangy country.

Bring on some Disco Dead.

Thanks Jim, a little 69 for a change of pace sounds good. And Dave's Picks #7 for tomorrow sounds great. 4/24/78!

Works for tomorrow..

And I was just about to suggest 4-24-78. Good thing I didn't! :)

a shortie. Hope everyone has this.. if not PM me.

Download Series 12: April 17, 1969 at the Washington University in St. Louis, MO

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grateful_Dead_Download_Series_Volume_12

Disc one
"Hard To Handle" (Redding, Jones, Isbell) - 7:18
"Morning Dew" (Dobson, Tim Rose) - 10:21
"Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy Williamson) - 9:16
"Dark Star" > (Jerry Garcia, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Bob Weir, Robert Hunter) - 21:35
"St. Stephen" > (Garcia, Lesh, Hunter) - 2:34
"I Know It's A Sin" > (J. & M. Reed) - 3:45
"St. Stephen" > (Garcia, Lesh, Hunter) - 3:01
"Turn On Your Lovelight" (Malone, Scott) - 19:13
Disc two
"That's It for the Other One" > (Garcia, Kreutzmann, Weir) - 22:44
"Caution (Do Not Stop On Tracks)" (Grateful Dead) - 1:53
"The Eleven" (Lesh, Hunter) - 13:57
"Dupree's Diamond Blues" (Garcia, Hunter) - 5:06

Send us a pick Jim.