Pick of the Day, with Discussion

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April 6, 2020 - 9:47am

8,064 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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June 18, 2021 - 8:02pm

#3501

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Old man Jenkins sez...

I remember 12 31 85 being on the radio
June 18, 2021 - 8:01pm

#3502

proudfoot

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Will this one post?

Odd
June 18, 2021 - 6:42am

#3503

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

I’m working on it 😉

Gave 12/31/85 a whirl while working yesterday. Unfortunately got a call during LIG, so I’ll need to hit that again.
Hell, really need to do the whole thing again...wasn’t this one on pay for view BITD?
June 18, 2021 - 6:39am

#3504

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

12/31/85
Thanks for giving…

12/31/85

Thanks for giving me an excuse to break out this old familiar that hasn't had a listen in a while.

Out of the gate like a rocket with Touch ...just a touch too fast.

Everybody takes a deep breath and, somewhat ironically, they take Tons of Steel at a much more sensible pace. Sounds like Brent's playing a DX-7. Bobby seems to give a little off-mic HAA! just before the guitar solo.

CC Rider keeps it on a slow boil until Brent stokes the flames with his B3 during the second round of solos. I love the guy to death, but I've never really been able to buy Bobby as a blues man, despite his apprenticeship to Pig, but this thing is really escalates into a resounding climax. Hot stuff.

Dupree's is a cool song to have back, but they probably should have thought about doing it in a different key 'cause it's totally out of Jerry's vocal range at this point.

Cassidy. Love this tune. Feels more like a Brent lead vocal as Bobby is almost rapping it, while Brent carries the melody. Jam feels good with the drummers going off as usual, but it feels more like a warm up, seeming to end rather quickly.

Brown Eyed Women, man, this is like all time hall-of-fame level piece of songwriting and it's criminal that this isn't well-known outside of Dead circles. I love the "drink down a bottle and you're ready to kill" line, but "the bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean"? just sheer brilliance. One vivid image after another.

Not sure if the rhythm section listened to Bobby's admonitions about getting too busy before Let It Grow. It's all full of 16s and marching rudiments. Phil's takin' it kinda easy, but it's hard to say if he should really be lumped in with the rhythm section. Jer tears into that first solo. You can really hear the trumpet influenced lines he's playing even without the MIDI. The interplay between Jerry and Bobby during the full-on jam is such a web of strings and inversions, they're blending into a two headed, 12 stringed southwestern psychedelic beast. Behind them the percussionists flow like a gurgling stream with Bent's synth weaving in and out of their groove. They just fall into the return melody without ever actually going into full unison, but rising toward it like sunshine into the cool desert air.

Ahhh, the Father Guido Sarducci and Ken Kesey countdown. I don't know how many time's I've heard this, but it still cracks me up to this day. "It's a representation of the U.S.S. Miramack!" "It's an enormous Perry Como!" "It's Rasputin, FDR, and Eric Clapton!" "That's not Eric Clapton." Poor Guido. "I'm outa here" lol.

I love Bobby's little Blues Brothers shtick during Midnight Hour, and he sounds genuinely hurt when Phil later welcomes the home audience when he's just done it twice!

I let Sugaree and Man Smart Woman Smarter go by as I was typing, but basically more good stuff

Ship of Fools seems like a tune that just doesn't get enough plays.

Compact Playin'. They seem to be stacking the set, but at the same time also keeping an eye on the clock for the broadcast, or something. The second of two hot Bobby jams that we just get a taste of. Was that a hint of guitar synth?

Certainly not complaining about this Terrapin getting plenty of room. They nail it. A nice, long drums/space jam follows on.

Bobby's in a talky mood, making rare comment about the ragged Truckin'.

Black Peter has a relatively brisk shuffle going on. I like this one best as a dirge, but they've got a lotta NFA and Throwin' Stones ahead of them, I guess. Nice interplay between Brent and Bobby's vocals. At some points it the two songs become pretty much indistinguishable.

My tape has Mississippi Half Step, and the "We want Phil" "You can't have him" Tom Thumb from 6/29/86 Alpine Valley as filler, and then Box of Rain from RFK 7/7/86 as filler. Talk about a couple of infamous heat wave gigs. These selections reveal nothing of the apparent travails.

"If you're looking to get silly, you came to the right place!" Indeed.
June 17, 2021 - 8:44pm

#3505

bluecrow

Joined:
September 21, 2015

a few days late

that Baltimore show from March '73 is super fantastic cool. release it dave.

that Shakedown opener from 4/26/83 is top shelf.
June 17, 2021 - 5:56am

#3506

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

12/31/85

I will give it a go Jim.

Alright Rockthing. Good to hear from you.
June 17, 2021 - 12:17am

#3507

rockthing

Joined:
August 2, 2020

Funny how I don't come …

Funny how I don't come 'round here no more. I'm a binge drinker personality, I suppose.

JimInMD:
I'm in for 12/31/85. One I've had on cassette for years. Unfortunately Let It Grow did not leave such an indelible mark on my memory... or well, never mind... Definitely looking forward to revisiting it based on Dennis' assessment. Interesting how things can just pass you by sometimes. My main memory of 12/31/85 is Ken Kesey on the FM, or wherever it was that my copy was dubbed from. Man, to me, this show is all about that Kesey intro. Gold.

DeadVikes:
I go back to the 4/20/85 show a lot, too. I'd never heard it until it came up as pick of the day earlier this year, but that was definitely a find for me. Thanks, everyone!
June 16, 2021 - 4:14pm

#3508

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

So 12/31/85 Tomorrow?

I'm intrigued..
June 15, 2021 - 2:11pm

#3509

DeadVikes

Joined:
October 26, 2016

Dave's Picks 35

Jim, I am a day late but I am going back to Dave's #35, 4/20/84. This show continues to get better to my ears after each listen, so I am looking forward to it.
June 15, 2021 - 12:50pm

#3510

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

12/31/85

I will definitely check that one out.

Yes.. I have definitely listened to hot LIG's when hitting the harder stuff. Sometimes music helps me get into a groove, into the flow and helps with timing and muscle memory. ..but pick the wrong music and it can work against you. No more scary dark stars on really difficult stuff with consequences.. bad trip music can manifest itself into upside-downness in a hurry. Which is bad.

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.

68 and Loud

I completely agree.

On occasion and if I'm not careful volume gets the best of me. One day I might live to regret this. Thankfully, that day was not today.

A new one for me. Some sound weirdness especially in and around banter, but what the hey.

I don't know what it is, but I have soft spot for The Eleven, Born Cross-Eyed and especially New Potatoe Caboose. Good show with some vintage grease to end the night with me feeling a little dirtier than I did when I woke up.

If there's no pick for tomorrow, I suggest the next in line. It's a partial, starts with a rare Clementine. 1/20/68 Euraka Municipal Auditorium. I think we should set up a go fund me to find all the missing reels, there's a couple missing from this show. It would be something for them to be found.

4/30/88 at the Frost

Hey Jim, I know you have had a lot on you plate this year. Thanks for checking this one out. Yes, the recording is decent, not great. Like a lot of 88 recordings out there. Still think they have some good ones in the Vault.

I liked the show, anytime I see a Hey Pocky Way, I am in. Nice Shakedown to open the second set. Love the triple Encore with China Rider OMSN.

It is good to get out of the comfort zone once in a while Doc.

Carousel Ballroom 68, okay Jim, Ok will have to que it up this morning.

Enjoy the weekend out there.

Edit. Oh and after the carousel ballroom I will be moving on the 12/9/79, Dave's Picks #47. Love this one and I need some 79. If I had the keys, I would be putting out a big 79 Box.

Lewiston, for your consideration

44 years ago today, there when Roy Buchanan along with Levon and His All Stars opened for the Dead. My last in person show, on the bus since their first album, however things had changed so much.... Doc was there, a wild late summer scene, part of my farewell to Maine.

All is worthwhile if the soul is not small.....

Hey rockers!!

Yes, we were there and had a blast. Beautiful day and tremendous music. A very fine show by the Dead, one of my all-timefavorite in-person Dead experiences.

Would make a solide offical release. It is worthy......

Doc
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.....

All is worthwhile if the soul is not small.....

Hey rockers!!

Yes, we were there and had a blast. Beautiful day and tremendous music. A very fine show by the Dead, one of my all-time favorite in-person Dead experiences.

Would make a solid official release. It is worthy......

Doc
Everything I did in my life that was worthwhile, I caught hell for.....

9/6/80

Hey DMCVT,

Love this show and will get it going again this weekend.

And yes, it would make a great releasen.

Pretty sweet you and Doc were there.

9/6/80 Lewiston

I'm in - hopefully sometime this weekend I can transport my mind and spirit into late summer beautiful day/evening Maine. Sounds like a dream show and setting. Very cool that a couple of you guys got to be there. Didn't realize this was the last show before the Warfield run. Long and heartfelt write up on grateful seconds (he was there). Comment at the end from a guy who was 8 at the time and lived a "bike trail" away from the fairgrounds. Listened to part of the show from his clubhouse. Rode his bike over and snuck in. Totally dug the Drums. Made major bank (for a kid) collecting cans and bottles for deposit afterwards (which is exactly what 8 yr old me would have done.) Think I might travel John Deere with the Jim Wise FOB.

Been Gone

But back this week. I can do Lewiston again.

As I recall there is not a good soundboard that circulates, right? And the one that does is first set only and it sure does sound like an audience (or ultramatrix on steroids at least).

High energy though.. like Gainesville, there must have been something in the water.

You have to wonder if this was recorded and if so where the hell are the master tapes? I think someone (Parrish??) tossed out the language that some of the master reels were left on the seat and when the truck pulled away they must have flown out the window or something.

I'd love to see more reels (and cassettes) returned.

Anyway, Lewiston Me for me tomorrow.

Edit: Started tonight - why not? Gave up on the "soundboard" and settled on the Jim Wise same as Bluecrow. Good news, Bluecrow.. The John Deere Broke down and was sitting in the yard for the last half of the week. I got it working today. Had to replace the solenoid. Damned electronics are always interfering with time travel. Just imagine if this broke back in time before Jebediah Solenoid created the first working model for riding mowers.. we would have been screwed.. I mean, nothing wrong with being stuck in 1980 but why not go back another 10 to 15 years...

High energy is right. Pretty good audience.

Follow-Up

While I was in the neighborhood, I took a quickie with 11/28/80 Lakeland Civic Center - Lakeland, FL (30 Trips).

I figured why not.. most enjoyable, especially To Lay Me Down. Not sure why I like that song so much, but I do.

More 1980

Ah, yes, more 1980. You don't have to twist my arm. A shorter show for the time period, but still really good. Will get it going after I finish up Dicks #36, which was mentioned on some other threads. Such a great show, but apparently didn't sell well at the time. No idea why.

My Favorite Non-Multi-Track 1980 Release

Random Musing - 1980

My favorite non-multi-track 1980 release has got to be Dave's # 8, 11/30/80 Fox Theater. Love how that Matrix worked out. If anyone remembers the seaside chat, he was spot on.

Crowd noise was not as big an issue in 1980 as they could play in some pretty intimate venues. Also, as the age of the cassette master replaced the lovely Ms. Cantor Jackson, a lot of those early soundboards are a bit sterile sounding without the crystalline highs and the booming lows. Blending those early 80's soundboards with one of those near perfect audience masters works. When they aged out of the smaller, cooler venues (thinking after Jerry's coma and In The Dark) audience tapes had to compete with hundreds of the guy next to you screaming "JERRY!!" at 95 decibels, this was no longer possible.

That SBD/Dr. Bob matrix is almost exactly perfect (or as good we are going to get for the time).

On the opposite side of the same coin, I think some of the Ultra Matrix's have a bit too much of the guy yelling JERRY! then I sometimes want to hear. Thinking a lot of 87 suffers from this, and by then the audience tapes were no better.

Anyway, if Mr. Norman can pull of similar wizardry I wish they would do more like DaP#8.