Grateful Dead

...and who doesn't love a good Cumberland? Truth be told, I lived in the city of Cumberland for a few months at some point in the 80's. It was cheap and I was poor boy struggling to finish my undergrad. It cost me $250 to split a house for the semester. Make good money five dollars a day.....

I learned how to rock climb in a little crag off Wills Creek at a spot called Lovers Leap. Another fine Cumberland memory. It's worth a google search, a little Appalachian folklore, and a real pretty spot worth pulling off the freeway as you drive by. The original story of Lovers Leap appeared in the Cumberland Evening Times May 18th, 1881. An Appalachian coal town if ever there was one.

As for 12/19, I could be wrong, but I believe this is the first of the acoustic sets that would become standard the following year. I'm digging into it as I write this. Y'all be good.

thanks Doc for shining a light on another fine sixty-nine show!! anything acoustic, especially those early days is to be treasured. magic afoot.

also, a belated thank you for that fun oddity contest with 12/2/71. A new-to-me awesome show and always fun to try solve a puzzle. I will admit that the Brokedown/Black Peter oddity was something that I probably wouldn't have gotten in 100 years, but how did I miss that Smokestack/Lovelight??

Fine early morning, rockers!!

Pick Of The Day: Fillmore Auditorium, December 19 1969

I think the universe is pure geometry - basically, a beautiful shape twisting around and dancing over space-time. Sorta like the Grateful Dead……

Because Phil is stuck somewhere, Garcia and Bobby Ace regale ya with some old favorites, as once the tall skinny fella arrives they’ll play loud and all that. Who could complain about Monkey And The Engineer-Little Sadie-Long Black Limousine-I've Been All Around This World---before we get to the twisted electric journey through musical space-time?!!

And such a journey!! Something for all tastes---rockin’, rare Mason’s, soulful Black Peter, greasy Hard To Handle, Bobby Ace trying to tell a joke, a Cumberland even JimInMD could maybe love, another shot of greasy gooey jammy goodness with Good Lovin’, all wonderfully topped off with a closing sweet suite of That’s It For The Other One/Uncle John’s Band-Turn On Your Lovelight.

The esteemed Mr Miller’s remaster, recently unleased on us, is very, very nice. And while there are a couple of short audience patches, in this case---as in many others---it’s OK if it’s not exactly perfect………….

Rock on!!!

Doc
We need to broaden our sympathies both in space and time - and perceive ourselves as part of a long heritage, and stewards for an immense future……

12/29/77 - really strong, tight, driving show start to end. Like 1st show, this had sort of fallen by the wayside for no apparent reason. With Jim on this re China>Rider. Seems very well played to me. While it is the first version post 1974, in some sense it's not really a full "return" because they don't play it again for over a year until 2/3/79 Indianapolis when they brought it back for a few shows at the very tail end of the Godchaux era and it was in the rotation again from there on out. 12/29/77 China>Rider is a stand alone - there would seem to be a story somewhere as to why it was played this night. And yes, Jerry had returned to the Wolf in Fall '77, so no Travis Bean China>Riders.

BTW - that 2/3/79 Indy show has a smoking Scarlet>Fire to open Set II (only source circulating is audience.) Despite the CW, there is a whole lot that I like from those last months, late '78 into '79, of Keith and Donna with the band.

And a big thank you to everyone for the healing vibes. So far so good I think. Baby steps.

I guess that all depends on where we are now and where we were before?

mmm 12/29/77. Where to begin? I believe we are close to the return of the Wolf, correct? Oh.. and that Playin'>China>Rider>China Doll>Playin. Holy cow. Taking a step back, a historic and great show, if for no other reason look to the ferocity of Jerry's Guitar. Second.. and I hate to disagree ever so slightly with our dear friend and Vikings fan, I hold that China Rider with high regard. The transition is smooth as silk, subtle but ever so classic.

I know not the politics of the GD, but I believe this is the show where Jerry began playing the transitional parts Bobby used to, that early tension release passage from familiar to God knows where. I hold this particular passage in quite high regard, again no harm in intended. Perhaps my passion is partly because thank goodness it's back.. but wait for it.. it was forever and and a day before it would return for good.. in the classic GD fashion. Sort of like Dark Star, but not quite.

Anyway, no slight intended, I believe we can all agree this was an historic show. Not quite exactly the Return of the Wolf, but that is how I remember this show. Welcomed ferocity. One of my favorite 1977 shows.

Wow, what a couple daze!
I never watch sports all day but damn if that’s not bout the only thing I did yesterday lol
VIKS with the biggest comeback in NFL history previously held by da Bills!
I remember where and who I was with that day, but I’ll spare ya the tale lol

12/29/77: had never heard this one, mostly because saving it for if/when Realgone brings it back. One of only 3 I don’t have. But I threw it on at work Friday and enjoyed it though it seemed perhaps underwhelming for a 77?
Probably just my listen…
Good first set, Hot Sugaree stood out, always dig a Sunrise and the second set sequence with the serpentine Playin interweaved with the fine but perhaps not mighty return of China/Rider. Ooo, and China Doll in there too!
Glad I finally heard it and not getting “full” listen if/when Realgone spits it out I can still get a good “first” listen in.

9/7/85: after several false starts at work I gave up and finally sat down with it late Friday.
I have a tape of this I got under weird circumstances. After 86? Rich stadium show (long/short) I ended up giving this gal a lift to the rainbow gathering down in Allegheny State park in Pensitucky. Thought she was only going to much closer NYS park, but by the ticket, take the ride, and I couldn’t just leave her off in the middle of no where in the middle of the night. So for her profound gratitude at my “miracle”…she gave me a second set tape of this show.
Best part was when I returned home at dawn with an empty tank and pops waiting to use that car to go to work lol.
Like I say, long story lol
But I hadn’t heard this show in many years so glad I got to it.
After all the pre game shenanigans (must of been wild waiting/tripping and then that!)
Fairly rocking first set including a OMSN closer which I always loved in in that spot, or for an opener!
Nice Shakedown>Crazy Fingers>Samson. Followed by a nice sequence including the fun first Hey Jude finale, though some of the transitions are a little ruff, but capped off by a sweet Comes a Time. Bob brings her home with an 85 Lovelight and we get an always welcome JBG/Baby Blue dbl encore!
Unfortunately I guess your not allowed to mention 85 without some mention of “Jerry’s voice” so I’d say he sounds pretty dern good for the most part, definitely comparatively to 85 and perhaps overall?
Though I was fortunate to experience many post GD Rocks shows, alas I never made it for the real deal. And as usual, you can almost feel the rocks vibe here. Definitely worth a check out. Oh, I went with a nice Chapel matrix!

It was a crazy ride 1stShow. Fun to watch a comeback like that.

I was in downtown Minneapolis last night at a party and the town was hopping.

And the Bills pulled another one out! Looking good OB.

"The Comeback"
Wow.
Cheers

"Welcome to Thursday night at Winterland", with the Just Exactly Perfect Brothers Band. Wowzer! Haven't done this one in a long time and forgot it was my favorite Dick's Pick, at least until DP 18 came out. It used to get a lot of play time and I see why. How often do you get a second set jam with three portions of Playin'? Dang that's good stuff!
Encores and partial 12-30-77 still to go.
Cheers

That China Rider out of Playing is something, not earth shattering, but good. Welcome back!

Been spending a lot of time the last couple of days removing snow from my roof.... Not much fun, but necessary.