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    Dave's Picks Vol. 52: The Downs at Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM (9/11/83)

     

    I remember the venue almost like and old fort with roses everywhere. We came to the site and Wavy Gravy showed us where to camp. Ken Kesey was here as well as a couple other big figures of the counterculture. I think because of Mickey's 40th. During drums a double rainbow appeared. Every time it looked like rain the band would stop and then come back even stronger from their breaks. I saw more outdoor shows in 83 than all the years combined. I have goose bumps even typing this from the memories. - xxuncle johnxx, Dead.net

    One of the best memories I have were these 2 shows. During the break there was a lightning storm behind the stage, followed by a rainbow and then an awesome 2nd set. Morning Dew with a Cold Rain, Phil singing encore. Most of my tour buddies went home after Red Rocks and I tortured them with the Santa Fe tapes. Nothing beats the magic of a great GD outdoor show. "It all bleeds into one." - grateful hawaiian, Dead.net

    In between sets, I remember it rained... and early on in the second set, there was an amazing rainbow directly over the stage behind the band. I don't believe they saw it, but I'm sure they heard about it. "Let It Grow" was awesome! - Johnny_A, Dead.net

    The pot at the end of this rainbow is mighty fine, indeed. Our final Dave's Picks release for 2024 features the complete unreleased show from The Downs at Santa Fe, Sante Fe, NM, 9/11/83 (fun fact, it was Mickey's 40th birthday) with just a squidge of 9/10/83 to round things out. A true trader's treat, this one is solid all around from the lively first set featuring soon-to-be minted 80s classics like "Hell In A Bucket" and "West L.A. Fadeaway" to the return of "Help>Slip>Franklin's," the incredible 2nd set surprise of "Let It Grow," and adventurous takes on "He's Gone,""Wang Dang Doodle," and "Morning Dew." It's all well played, my friend, well played.

    Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 52: SANTA FE, NM 9/11/83 was recorded by Dan Healy and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering.

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  • tnjed98
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    Strider

    Strider! Can you please explain how someone calling attention to the repeatedly stale picks, as well as the recent technically deficient FOTD release, is a "buzzkill" ?? As stated, I am personally a huge fan of the Brent years - but the fact remains that the picks are getting stale. I guess if you are not blindly praising and paying Lemieux for whatever half-ass*d product he chooses to put out, then you are a hater. Happy to wear that label if so.

    Personally, I prefer when I purchase something for it to work as expected and not be laden with file errors or poor audio. Did you even listen to 51? Sound quality was utter garbage

  • Strider 808808
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    My favorite show of the 80s.

    Remind me not to read all the comments. Hater posts about this Dead show. No buzz kill please.
    Thank you Dave. Great pick.

  • canoncito@gmail.com
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    Best and Worst Times in Santa Fe

    Home town shows for me (lived a couple miles away in La Cienega). It was the Best and the Worst of times....

    Best was 3 Red Rocks shows, then coming home for this, and even better, the night off in between was Zozobra night, the kickoff of Santa Fe's Fiesta weekend...ten thousand plus gathered to burn Old Man Gloom, a 50' puppet, groaning and waving his arms in full ritual glory, letting go all our glooms from the year. So fun to share that with a friend from back east and a couple new show-friends who tagged along as we came south!

    Also Best was the aforementioned weather magic, lightning in the foothills behind the stage as the first set ended, and the rainbow as they cranked it up for set 2 with Help on the Way. Classic!

    The Worst, I'm afraid, reared its head in both concrete and creative realms....The Downs was set up for these shows (as in the previous fall) with the stage facing the grandstand from across the track's oval. This created some awful echoes for those in the middle; of course, you could solve that by moving up close enough to the speakers to overwhelm the echo....or by being way back in the stands....but not ideal for those who like to wander! (a later Lyle Lovett show I saw there rectified this by setting up parallel to the stands).

    Sadly, this show featured what I felt at the time to be my clearest experience of Jerry's issues in these years. The way I heard the Help/Slip/Franklins sequence, Bobby was doing something really fun and creative at one point (I'm a "Bobby Fans are People, Too" guy), and ol' Jer just totally fell off the side of the train at just the point we were primed for him to ante up and raise the stakes. Just lost it. Happens to the best of us, I know....but it was pretty striking at the time.

    The next summer, my compilation of the few(ish) highlights of that year's set of Red Rocks shows was called "Are We Having Fun Yet?" It was a rough stretch for sure.

    Ah, well, not griping about the release or the band or the challenges Jerry was grappling with. Just my memories of these shows.... Which of course were still way fun in the moment despite the transient reminders of the deeper troubles lurking within.

  • daverock
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    Bulls Eye

    Butch - I agree with most of your post - I'm not sure I'd go along with remixing a show and dropping a musician that was there out of the mix ( Brent) however irksome his contributions became.

    I enjoyed a lot of live music in the 1980's that doesn't stand up to close scrutiny now. I saw Hawkwind loads of time in the 80's and always enjoyed it - but I wouldn't recommend any of their live albums from that era. You really had to have been there - and I suspect it's the same with Dead shows. Maybe they will concentrate on souvenir shows from now on - ones that the greatest number of people attended, which would necessarily mean concentrating on 1980s-1990s.
    Not good. This could be the first year when I haven't wanted any of the Daves Picks shows that have come out.

  • DeadVikes
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    Dennis

    Yes, September 11, Dennis.

    Yes, it has been a different couple of years for Dave's Picks, but put me in the camp of wanting more variety, not less. There are tons of great shows out there from all eras. But, not everybody will be happy.

    For me, the Frost shows were my favorite so far and that was a surprise to me, but I really like them and keep listening to them.

    Based on sales, #49 is the only one that is actually sold out. You still have three from last year that are still available. Maybe they should cut it back a few thousand. Not sure that will happen.

    My least favorite of the year was #51, sound quality is not very good.

    I haven't heard the Santa Fe show yet, looking forward to it.

  • tnjed98
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    When will Lemieux stop hoarding and grifting?

    Could not agree more with Butch's comment about how poor these releases have gotten, and this is coming from a huge fan of the Brent years. David, why do you continue to keep so many of the great, classic shows bottled up and give us this bull instead? Holding it all for the inevitable $5-600 GD60 Box?

    Even worse than the choice of show for Vol 52 - how could anyone confidently expect a quality product from these clowns when the FOTD set was such a flaming pile of trash?

    At my last count nearly 40 tracks in the set are totally unplayable, with no solution from Lemiuex and the crew but a refund - if you take the time to reach out and ask. No one from Dead.net coming out and saying, "hey - don't buy this it doesn't work properly." Very shady if you asked me but oh well, on to the next release of "top notch Grateful Dead music," so who cares! I wonder if/when enough of us heads will realize that these "archivists" are really just grifters ripping us all off.

    My recommendation to anyone reading; buy a cheap external hard drive and fill it with free, high quality FLAC for less $ than you're spending on one or two of these bogus releases. Stop giving David Lemieux your money for nothing of value in return.

  • Dennis
    Joined:
    Numbers on Birds?

    I see 11 & 40 on the birds,,, I assume the 40 is mick's birthday. Is 11 the date?

  • Butch
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    Worst Dave's Picks Year

    I'm done subscribing. There is so much good 60s and 70s material in the vault, and half the releases these days are the band on the decline. Doesn't matter how many people were buying tickets for the shows (thus is always the argument for the 80s), the recordings suck. I don't how people can stand listening to that keyboard player's bar band vocals. Sure the concerts were great live and in person, but so were the Stones this year but I am not listening to a recording of them in 2024. It's no secret why sales are down. There used to be so many subscriptions that these things would sell out in less than 24 hours. It goes to show hiw few people want a subscription where they're getting two Brent shows a year, usually with bad audio. I would remix Spring 90 without his vocals or most of his keyboards. Dude, learn when to stop playing. Oh, but he made Jerry smile onstage. Never mind. Keep them coming.

    We had 1 show from before the hiatus in 2024, including the box set. Dave, Rhino, and Pinkus don't deserve my money when they're holding back great material from 68-74. There won't be 25K Dave's Picks per release next year. They got cocky and tried to mix in too much after hiatus music. The Dave's Picks titanic is sinking. Shame.

  • Deadheadbrewer
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    Fall '83!

    For my money, the best tour between the end of 1978 and the Summer of 1987.

    LOVE the cover art!

  • bluecrow
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    Santa Fe

    A fun release! Wish I could of seen these two shows cause its NM (an adopted state - work there, all over the state, on a regular basis) and Santa Fe (beautiful fascinating town with deep history - famous for good reasons), and yeah, they're smoking outdoor shows with awesome high desert weather. Really love the racing roadrunners!! NM state bird - always happy with a roadrunner sighting!

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Dave's Picks Vol. 52: The Downs at Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM (9/11/83)

 

I remember the venue almost like and old fort with roses everywhere. We came to the site and Wavy Gravy showed us where to camp. Ken Kesey was here as well as a couple other big figures of the counterculture. I think because of Mickey's 40th. During drums a double rainbow appeared. Every time it looked like rain the band would stop and then come back even stronger from their breaks. I saw more outdoor shows in 83 than all the years combined. I have goose bumps even typing this from the memories. - xxuncle johnxx, Dead.net

One of the best memories I have were these 2 shows. During the break there was a lightning storm behind the stage, followed by a rainbow and then an awesome 2nd set. Morning Dew with a Cold Rain, Phil singing encore. Most of my tour buddies went home after Red Rocks and I tortured them with the Santa Fe tapes. Nothing beats the magic of a great GD outdoor show. "It all bleeds into one." - grateful hawaiian, Dead.net

In between sets, I remember it rained... and early on in the second set, there was an amazing rainbow directly over the stage behind the band. I don't believe they saw it, but I'm sure they heard about it. "Let It Grow" was awesome! - Johnny_A, Dead.net

The pot at the end of this rainbow is mighty fine, indeed. Our final Dave's Picks release for 2024 features the complete unreleased show from The Downs at Santa Fe, Sante Fe, NM, 9/11/83 (fun fact, it was Mickey's 40th birthday) with just a squidge of 9/10/83 to round things out. A true trader's treat, this one is solid all around from the lively first set featuring soon-to-be minted 80s classics like "Hell In A Bucket" and "West L.A. Fadeaway" to the return of "Help>Slip>Franklin's," the incredible 2nd set surprise of "Let It Grow," and adventurous takes on "He's Gone,""Wang Dang Doodle," and "Morning Dew." It's all well played, my friend, well played.

Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 52: SANTA FE, NM 9/11/83 was recorded by Dan Healy and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering.

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I am from the East Coast and was in Santa Fe for a work related trip and got to this show. I have some pics from up close and one that stands out is Phil sharing the mic with Bobby (wish I could post it here!) - this was probably a rarity them both sharing one mic (like the Beatles did). I have a pic with rainbow in the background as well. Cool show!!

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Welp, it’s made it to the hub in Rossford, OH, which is about 1.5 hours from my house. It’ll be interesting to see how long it sits there before it makes it to me.

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Alembic mission control. Groovy bass. So long, Phil. I dedicate Moby Grape - boysenberry jam to Phil.

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In reply to by carlo13

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Anyone receive this one yet?

Mine is now scheduled for this Friday, November 1.

Would love an expedited shipping option.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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Arrived through time travel, here in Central New York.

It's amazing how fast they CAN come, but usually don't. I think it left Fontana on the 26th...

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RGM CD Sale -
Road Trips Vol.1 No.1 - Fall '79 $16.99
RT Vol.1 No.2 - Oct '77 $14.99
RT Vol.1 No.4 - From Egypt w/ Love $19.99
Dick's Picks - 14 & 28 are $39.99 each,
DiP - 32 is $24.99
For those that need to fill in.

Rhino -
Has a new Rush compilation.
Atlantic years '89-'96 on 6 LPs.
If you're into that sort of thing.

Cheers

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Mine is here in NYC but acceptance is pending I suspect I will see it tomorrow. First time however I never even got an estimated delivery date. I ordered an LP from phish came damaged I replied to shipping email got help within 15 minutes and the replacement is out the door and on it’s way amazing how good customer service can actually be it is possible Warner rhino whomever.

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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not sure when I can give it my full attention, but sometime soon

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Arrived yesterday. Listened to first couple songs first set. Very punchy beginning.

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In reply to by nitecat

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....time for my annual viewing of The Exorcist.
Good, scary stuff.
RIP Teri Garr.
Sucks that a lot of my favorites are passing away.
Que sera sera.

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My copy is scheduled to arrive in Maryland on Saturday 11/2...8 days after the "release date".

So frustrating.

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Out for delivery.
A day early,
so to speak.
Cheers

Favorite Teri Garr performances;
- Original Star Trek episode - Gary Seven
- Mr. Mom
- Young Frankenstein

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UPS Mail Innovations is horrible. Mine left Fontana, CA on 10/26 and arrived in Rossford, OH on 10/28. It took 51 hours to drive it 2,194 miles. It’s been sitting in Rossford for 50 hours, which is only 105 miles from my house. According to Google Maps, I could walk there in 39 hours. It’s scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, but there’s no way that’s gonna happen if it’s not even at my local post office yet.

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40 years ago I was up at the B.C.T for a knockout show with the Grateful Dead, they kicked off the show with Dancing in the Streets and Dire Wolf. This was my favorite show of the run, but they all were great! I bought a cool poster outside the show from Rick Griffin, very cool. Big fun!

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Mine took 36 hours to go from Carlsbad to San Leandro - not even 500 miles. And it was picked up late at night, or at least that's when it was scanned, so passing through the greater LA area on its way North shouldn't have been too slow. Ah well. I'm still working my way through the '78 Box so speed isn't of the essence for me with this release.

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In reply to by Obeah

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Currently on WLA.
Still got my subwoofer turned up, might need to turn it down a bit, house is vibrating.
This may the best sounding ‘83 recording I’ve heard.
The centerfold of the booklet makes it look like the show wasn’t all that crowded.

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Neighbors forewarned.

Set 2 qued.

Volume up.

Yes.

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Mine went thru Rossford and arrived today in Cleveland suburb.

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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....damn straight sir!
I have good picks as well. I am so happy this got officially released.

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In reply to by LetsGoCaps

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She was cool

"Roll roll
Roll in ze hay!"

Interesting tidbit of info: my coworker's father's partner was a caregiver to TG (TG had multiple sclerosis)

Y'all be cool, TG

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....Has arrived just a bit outside Rose City, Oregonia!
Downloaded to the computer and thoroughly enjoying.

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41 years ago, I was up at the tiny Marin Veterans Auditorium for an absolute knockout of an evening with the Good old Grateful Dead. We really cut loose at this show, and it was a blast! Fun times!

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At this moment, my Dave's 52 is on a flight from LAX to Frankfurt. After that it has to get from Germany to the Netherlands, through customs and on to PostNL who will deliver it. With luck, I'll have it sometime next week.

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In reply to by simonrob

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Has arrived in TN. It will be the weekend before I can delve into it.

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Currently on disc one and the sound and playing are great!

West LA has some extra funk/zip to it. Very nice!!!

Hope every one waiting gets theirs soon, as the long shipping can be a drag.

In a nod to Warner Music, they have kept the price good on the Dave's releases.

Maybe priority option for shipping??

rock on, gang

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In reply to by simonrob

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Mine has arrived in the UK. The Hermes tracking link on the DHL site doesn’t work but entering the tracking number into EVRI tracking shows that they got it this morning. It’s not likely to arrive before next week as EVRI doesn’t usually deliver at the weekend. I look forward to playing it.

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First off, I’m not complaining. Even if I did get it today, I would not be be able to dive in until the weekend.
It did arrive in Cleveland yesterday, after sitting in Toledo for 2.5 days. It was then shipped down to Akron, where it sat for about an hour. Then it was sent back to Cleveland, where it’s been for about 15 hours.
So silly…

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In reply to by ronmarley1

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In the house 2 days ahead of original scheduled delivery. Been on the road for 2 weeks, got back last night, and it was delivered to the PO this morning. Lucky in that USPS and UPS in this small part of the intermountain west are both excellent and preferred for delivery and UPS Surepost generally operates seamlessly and as designed. My copies are never shipped in the first wave but when they hit the road they generally move smooth.

Spinning Disc 1 now. Sounds great! Cut my deck to the Queen of Spades but the cards were all the same!

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In reply to by bluecrow

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Received notice the 23rd; still hasn't been received by shipper. Now I am scared, don't know what is going on.

As Eric once sang, "I'm Waiting!"

So waiting patiently, may be here today for all I know.

Smile, everyone have a Happy Halloween!!!

Dang, game 5 for a interested bystander turned out wild to watch. For me, no emotional ties.

Edit game 5.

Love that run. I always got hung up on 1984/10/28. From what I remember had long, deep freak time on a short setlist. Again, very old memories indeed, over 20 years for sure since last go round. Haven't heard 1983/10/30. Look forward to it someday soon.

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Has arrived on schedule. No issues. Not listening tonight.
"Night of the Living Dead" takes priority. "They're coming to get you, Barbara."
Happy Halloween, everybody!

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Just got the new Sante Fe show and love it!! Almost went to this show but ran into difficulties after the Red Rocks shows right before . . . I have a question for Dave: When are we going to get some Red Rocks Shows?

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What he said.
August '78 pair of shows.
Lots of good '80s R.R. shows
Box?
Cheers

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41 years ago I up at the tiny Marin Veterans Auditorium for a rocking Halloween with the Good old Grateful Dead. They played St.Stephen for the last time. I saw them play it one other time at the Orpheum theatre on 7/13/76. My favorite St.Stephen 10/12/68 but lots of fantastic versions.

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Looking forward to the new pick - never met a show with a "Dew" i didnt like.. so far I have liked/loved a Daves, save one; number 48 wich I found was a below standard show. My hope for 2026 ( I know..) is that Lemieux will expand the series to 5 yearly releases - nr. 5 beeing a New Yearsshow in December.. BW from Copenhagen - and I hope everyone will vote and be safe next week..

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In reply to by Danehead

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#3954 has just been posted through my door. That’s only 12 days since the initial shipping notice and 9 since the release date. Congratulations to EVRI on getting it to me so quickly.
I hope for a large turnout in your upcoming elections and that whatever the result it will be accepted as a fair outcome. I, obviously, have a preferred candidate but I wouldn’t want to be accused of trying to influence the election!

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But it landed at Amsterdam airport yesterday evening.

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Is that a Maryland flag in your avatar? My new Joss pool cue was made in Towson, where I coincidentally used to have some family living.

And Grate point about the pricing. This delightful package of goodies has been $100 forever now, which is awfully reasonable! That's the price of one decent concert ticket these days, and about 1/3 the price of a Sphere ticket!

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Highest number I've received yet. 90% of being right is showing up!

Keep dancing. Keep dreaming. Keep the music alive.
Dark Star is always playing. We just have to learn to tap into it.

RIP our sweetest friend. Everyone goes away, in the end.

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