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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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  • Angry Jack Straw
    Joined:
    Long time listener

    First time caller.

    A nod to Doc, Sir James and Oro. For obvious reasons.

    I first saw the band live in the early 80s. There was nothing better. Not even close. But that era has not aged well. If you like it, so be it. How many of you still have avocado or mustard colored kitchens? Or still wear bell bottom jeans. They were cool back in their time.

    The 80s are rough with those plinky keyboards. They just are. Fun at the time, but unlistenable now. To me at least.

    I won’t deny that there were some unbelievable shows. Augusta 84, most of the summer of 85, most of 87. Then not so much.

    I’m truly happy for the folks that want the later era shows. It’s just not my thing anymore. This release won’t even get played.

    When I first discovered the archive and was able to listen to earlier era shows, I was in disbelief. I couldn’t believe how much better the band was back then. To my ears. That music is timeless. Spinning 5/3/72 now.

    As the old saying goes, if you can’t spot the donkey, it’s you.

    I was the donkey.

  • hendrixfreak
    Joined:
    Just stopping by to say....

    That ForensicDoc is a good guy and an outstanding Deadhead.

    Also, I'd be stopping by to add my two cents, except the website keeps telling me it doesn't recognize me, bad password, yada yada, when it's been good for 2024 so far. Not a complaint, just a fact.

    Oh yeah, my one comment is that the next two picks are "a show," which means that the recently discovered '68 tapes won't make it to a Dave's Pick. Sooo.... how about GD/Rhino do a little special release next year that includes ... 2-3 '68 shows?

    How am I doin'?? Getting a little repetitive in my old age??

  • jjc
    Joined:
    sure would be

    Nice if they started giving us a hi res file of the cover art.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    PJ. Love em or hate em....

    ....but they have a top shelf business model.
    Saw Judas Preist Wednesday night. Great show. Rob Halford has still got it 💥

  • That Mike
    Joined:
    My Two Cents

    Dead/WBRhino should adopt a system similar to Pearl Jam, who makes most, if not all, of their shows available. Ordering is easy, you can order as a CD or as FLAC, and the quality is outstanding. I get it is somewhat “apples & oranges” in that Pearl Jam records their shows knowing they will be released, so recording quality is top notch, whereas the Jeffrey Norman team must reconstruct some pretty old tapes for 21st Century listening that were never intended for release.
    But the current system of Dave L choosing only 4 shows a year, that never gain full consensus, plus Boxes that often are hit or miss, there must be a better way.
    You don’t need an Archivist to tell you what sounds good, anymore than you don’t need a Weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

  • Charles In Charge
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    TNJED - FOTD box

    Admittedly, I have not listened to this box yet. I opened it and inspected the contents and got back to listening to other things--namely Geese (they rock). You say there are 40 tracks unplayable? What shows? Has anyone else had this issue? It give me PTSD from the HCS box set and waiting for those replacement discs.

    Now I have to get to listening except it won't be this weekend...too busy seeing live music!

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    'Ohhhh Faster Faster

    Wrote several years back about the Lazy Lightning Supplication at Greek 1982 was my favorite Lazy>Supp because it was fast. Seemed to be on a mission. I called it a Cocaine fueled take and jam. Someone replied what is a Cocaine fueled Lazy>Supp jam (?) to which I didn't respond. Kind of explained itself. (BTW, haven't even listened to that jam in around 20 years, need to revisit.)

    Agree with TnJohn. And, I never listen to negative thoughts about GD or life in general. Life is to short to waist time on the negative thoughts. Especially in this generation's time to live. I constantly have to fight off my own negative thoughts, that is hard enough.

    Cheers to all for this weekend. Love beginning of fall. October favorite month. My birth month plus leaves starting to change around here. Our peak is in 2-3 weeks. Hope I can return someday to the N/E to see their splendor of leaves changing. Their's is a season, turn turn turn, or something like that. Peaceful thoughts to all!

  • JoeyMC
    Joined:
    Stuff that doesn't suck.

    This pick. :)

    I also loved 49 and if this one sounds as good as that I think we're in for a treat.

  • iangillespie
    Joined:
    Thankful

    Exactly Jonathan!
    Having been a fan in England since 1976 (my first exposure was SYF, much maligned but there are some great stand-alone versions and as for the cover...) being limited to official releases and only being able to dream of tape trading, these releases are a Godsend!
    From the first Dick's to the 2024 box (there are a few gaps but hey!) I was in
    The quality of these 40 and 50 year old recordings made straight to tape is fantastic - particularly Betty's but also Kid's and Rex's
    July 8th '78 is playing now and the electrostatics are loving it!
    They have also made me appreciate the later stuff; Giants Stadium is one of my favourite boxes
    Here's to Dave's Picks 100!

  • KRIYAS
    Joined:
    Just checked my email...

    Check it out....looking forward to this...how 'bout some 1986?

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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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Thanks Charlie for the big list name drop of bands! I have actually heard of and bought some of them groups before. Mainly ones I've listened to on the local jazz station, then bought piecemeal off internet tunes.
El Michaels and Budos were new bands to my surprise, they've got such a retro feel for their new arraignments. You'd think they came from a time warp it sounds so authentically old school. Real good tunes!

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In reply to by RyXs

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In Britain it was the first half of the 1970's that were written off - mainly by some really good writers from the N.M.E. The feeling they expressed was that the 1960's featured exciting, ground breaking music, but when the 1970's kicked in technique, rather than inspiration kicked in. Most of the bands and artists from the 60's that were still around were considered past their best, and bands that came to the fore in the 70's were regarded as dull. The Stooges and the MC5 were held up as the way to go. I can remember getting Raw Power when it came out, and that seemed incendiary - very different from other hard rock albums.
Write ups were printed about the new wave of American bands who played at CBGBs, and along with the two bands mentioned above, they was considered something of a guiding light. The first Patti Smith album, and even more so the first Ramones album that came out in 1976 were really influential in this country, paving the way for the Sex Pistols and punk. As far as the critics were considered, rock had been saved at the last minute, and a lot of people went along with that.
It all seems very different now, I must say. Punk from England in the mid-late 70's is one form of music I can no longer stand - although as a teenager going to those gigs in 1976-1977 it was 'triffic.

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Wow Daverock, I don't recognize a single thing you said about the 70's. Maybe that is because we were living in completely different parts of the country. I was living on the south coast at the time. In the first half of the decade some so-called progressive bands became very pretentious but the less famous bands were as good as they had been in the late 60's. Most broke up or had become irrelevant by the second half of the 70's. Punk and suchlike was largely invisible in my part of the country. There were a few punks and some skinheads in town but you had to look hard to find them. I recall 1969 - 1974 as being the best period for music and the 1980's as being the worst. I'm surprised at how much our views of that period vary.

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Father time remains undefeated.

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Haven't found a lot of new jazz, but a couple of acts that tend towards that direction are Dave Guy, his new album Ruby is some cool stuff, and The Olympians self-titled album is cool as well, sort of jazz with some soul roots. The Olympians album is really great from start to finish.

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Leon Michels is the driving force behind El Michels Affair and a lot of other new soul where he appears as a player or behind the scenes as a producer. Some of the later El Michels Affair albums have a more international music flair. If Leon Michels is involved in something I usually consider it worth at least checking out. If you dig that modern stuff with the authentic retro feel then definitely check out Big Crown Records, Daptone Records and Colemine Records, they all have a bunch of modern soul in their catalogues.

I remember as a 6th grader seeing a write up about it in Time magazine with a photo of Johnny Rotten thinking "wha'..."

GBH
Crass
The Exploited

Not sure if those count as mid 70s
Prolly not

Exploited created a ditty that sums up my current world view very nicely

Early 80s but never outdated

Simonrob - I think my post was a bit misleading. It was the music press - specifically the N.M.E. and even more specifically Mick Farren - hastily followed by Nick Kent and Charles Shaar Murray - who wrote off the big rock bands of the early 70's. I personally saw it very differently. I was 14-15 in 1972 when I first started going to gigs, and for me , seeing David Bowie, Black Sabbath and Hawkwind in particular was mind blowing. Life changingly so. But I was coming to it as someone very young who had no idea what had gone on before. The rock critics I mentioned, despite taking it upon themselves to represent the "the kids" were actually from a slightly older generation.

Manchester was a hot bed for punk - and as I liked The Stooges I gravitated towards it like a moth to a flame. The Electric Circus in some godforsaken area of the city was where it was all kicking off. Very different from seeing prog rock at The Free Trade Hall - home of the Halle Orchestra. I bought quite a few singles as well, charming little ditties with titles like "I'm Sick Of You" and "I'm A Fascist Dictator". A hoot at first - but quite a few punks seemed to adopt that world view for real. They all started looking the same, and were getting more and more antsy as they read in newspapers like The Sun that they were supposed to spit at bands and beat up hippies. As I looked like a member of Gong by 1977, I though it might be best if I moved on.

For whatever reason I found them "meh" after hearing the album Kick Out The Jams once or twice

I see they were explosive for 1968. That is obvious.

Maybe if I listened again I might reconsider the "meh" thing

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In reply to by proudfoot

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I remember Kick Out the Jams from high school, but by the time I left for college in 1970, it was Live Dead got me through the first semester, that and a slab of Afghani hash. Saw Zach Nugent play lastThursday night with Sunshine Garcia Becker and Cheryl Rucker vocals, plus a friend of his on various bass. Zach stuck with his 1958 Martin D-28 the whole time, played some great solo breaks, pretty much what one might expect from their tenure with JGB. Standout for me was Catfish John and Run for the Roses, Simple Twist of Fate had particular resonance. His parents were in the audience, he's more or less quasi local, has played in the area a bunch. A small jazz jam scheduled this evening. Last Five: Frisell Nashville, Coig Five, Return of Grievous Angel Tribute Various, Zappa YCDTOSA, vol. 4, Metheny Moondial.

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I had the advantage of being 16 in 1969. I had got off to an early start when I saw the Beatles in 1963 when I was 10. I started mis-spending my youth at an early age.

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In reply to by Vguy72

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I didn't know. I understand a little better now. It's very hard to escape from those thought processes and ingrained worldview at your age.

Any information that contradicts what we always believed in will automatically be met with not only automatic disbelief, but also a strong resistance and a visceral reaction of rejection and ridicule in order to maintain our worldview.

This is directed solely at those who were teens or older in the 60s/70s.

I must now apologize for not being more gentle in relating the facts that challenged your perception of reality. I am sorry.

I'm just going to leave you be, now. You will have a lot to process and deal with regarding this very shortly.

Please try to remember that the enemy is not the one who is revealing the truth to you, but rather than one's who have hidden the truth from you all this time.

And please remember, when all is said and done, we are all really just the same.

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Don't you get it.?!!! As tempting as it is, ignore this SOB. Please!

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In reply to by JeffSmith

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You can ignore me, but it's going to be impossible to ignore the truth that is coming.

We all lived through the biggest crime against humanity in world history.

The perpetrators will soon be brought to justice. This is not a left vs right issue. Social engineering was used to frame it as such, in order to distract you from what was actually happening.

Prepare yourselves for the truth that is coming. Forgive yourselves for being fooled. It was not your fault. Direct your anger only at the perpetrators of the crime. We were all victims.

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In reply to by JeffSmith

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Shun

My distant Amish and Mennonite relatives approve

Shun

Estimated Eyes Daves 27
So-so

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In reply to by proudfoot

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Kind of a "Seinfeld episode 2 face"

Sometimes his girlfriend looks hot

Sometimes pale and sickly

9 2 83 is a 2 face

10 2 76

Looking forward to that

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"You can ignore me"

Yeah, no kidding, thanks for the advice dummy

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Went back and forth on the new Dick's vinyl, and bummer too late. Cow Palace might be good? Too many interruptions and flips for me, gonna pass

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In reply to by itsburnsy

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GD on CD works best for me

As I say, vinyl cant transfer to the car or around the house

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You don't have a record player in your car??

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In reply to by proudfoot

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HCS - why do you think anything you write would have any effect on my world view, as you call it ? You are a bloke with a made up name making inappropriate comments on a Grateful Dead website. I wouldn't expect to find insight on here on any subject other than music and the culture in which it exits.
Even if I did...you don't come over as a reliable source. Last week you told us The Dead retired "Here Come Sunshine" after 1974. Clearly wrong, and by extension, as you were wrong about that ,it follows that you may well be wrong about many of the other things you write about. It seems likely, given the evidence, that you present things you want to be true as literally true, without any regard as to whether they actually are or not.
It's not up to me to say who is welcome one here and who isn't, but I still say you are. You surely need to stop making assumptions, and stop talking down to people. If you really want to be seen as an "expert", maybe learn how to ask questions and develop a bit more humility.

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In reply to by simonrob

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Simonrob - that must have been amazing to see The Beatles. From this distance it's hard to believe they lived on the same temporal plane as everybody else.
I lived just outside Blackpool, with my parents, when I was 10. It was around this time, 1967, that they took me to see live shows - I've already mentioned The Black and White Minstrel Show - another was Danny La Rue. A drag act that mysteriously broke through to the mainstream. I don't think my parents actually saw him as a drag act - more a totally straight bloke who simply put on a dress to make fun of women. No wonder I grew up spooked.
That was my 1967 - for anyone who wasn't alive during the Summer Of Love - it was grossly overrated.

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In reply to by daverock

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Hey Mary, could you please clue in A$$ Hat, I mean Here Comes Sunshine, as to what the rules of etiquette are on this site? Pretty Please and Thank You!!!!
I am sure there are many other places that would love to hear what he has to say but this is not the place.
This is about the band, the music and the community. It is actually the only chat I belong to because I don't (didn't) have to deal with with opinions about other things. Let's get back to the Good Ol Grateful Dead and the only arguments on here being about what the next release will be or whether Dave got the last release right. Yes I'm ready for some 67-70 and absolutely yes this1983 release was amazing! Thanks Vguy.

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Daverock - fortunately my parents didn't take me to see the sort of live shows that were forced on you, but of course there was no escaping the Black and White Minstrel Show or Danny La Rue on the television as there were only 3 channels in 1967. I think most people have to recover from their upbringing. That is as a result of what used to be called the generation gap.

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I've been able to do some focused listening lately, as i've had the house to myself the last two days

3/15/90 Wow, the band really blew it out for Phil's 50th b-day. Amazing show start to finish!

2/22/74 Daves #42 bonus disc

2/23/74 Dave's #42

That Febuary 74 Winterland run is simply amazing. Total fire front to back!!

It's staggering how much great music has been put out by Dick, Dave, and company

rock on, gang!!

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Still enjoying #52

Is that Let It Grow a monster or what! Wowzers

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As early as 1956-59 could be had in Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge, and DeSotos. I know Cadillac had them too. George Harrison had one in his Jaguar. I still have two cars with cassette players that work, lol. And our newest car has a CD that hasn't worked since I got the car when it was only 4 years old. Go figure.
Cheers

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Wow, HCS really stirred it up I guess. I would agree with the general sentiment in DaveRock's post about HCS being welcome and suggesting more of a focus on music and less on politics, although I don't disagree with much of what HCS posted. I have noticed lots of political comments on this site over the past few years, it's just that unless the post has a left of center view it seems to cause a bit of distress, while posts that lean left are not challenged or receive nods of approval. If you don't want political posts, don't make political posts. Shunning people with different views does not really seem like a constructive approach to life, and you never really know what areas of agreement you might find if you simply shut out anyone with a different view. Seems like a good way to ensure that each side will never understand the other. I thought diversity was strength, does that not apply to diversity of thought?

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In reply to by Charlie3

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....but when one doubles down and then proceeds to say, "I must now apologize for not being more gentle in relating the facts that challenged your perception of reality." I am sorry , yeah. I'm out. You can lean left. You can lean right. It's all good.
But don't pull your "punches" and try and dumb me down and then say your fucking sorry. Give it to me straight and man up. I'm not a fan of pretentious people and I've been personally approached and threatened by trumpers. I've personally seen friendships and relationships destroyed by the MAGA movement.
The Punisher logo gave it away long ago. But he changed it just "for me."
Pathetic. Takes two seconds to realize what kind of person one is dealing with if you have empathy and common sense. He did accomplish what he came here to do however, so winner I guess? Enjoy the incoming tariffs.
Should be fun.
And I couldn't care less about his last five.
And, just so everyone knows that I don't pull punches, I only see confederate flags on TV when there is a trump flag on the same pole.
Yay. Common sense!

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In reply to by Charlie3

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Yes, I agree that it is good to listen to people with different views. I have some great discussions with people in the physical world where all sorts of views are put forward. There has to be mutual respect, but if you have that - go for it !

On this board I like reading different views of The Dead - what some people really like others don't, and vice versa. The more different views expressed the more interesting it becomes for me. Not everyone sees it that way, obviously Some people refer to you as hater on here if you criticize someone or something connected with The Dead, which I'm not keen on. Seems a bit childish.

Political views though - and views on hockey, truth be told - when they are expressed on here I am really not interested at all. It seems a bit selfish when people go on about their private obsessions on here when they have nothing to do with music. One off posts aren't so bad, but long ongoing conversations off the point are a bit boring.

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In reply to by daverock

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....is heads and tails better than Donna circa 1973.
Let them fight!
Daverock. My interactions haven't been so kind.
I usually just walk away feeling dumber and scratching my head.
All good.

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TT’s are Boring the schtick is just one big ZERO.

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My profile pic is enough to trigger your anger response. It's the Two Minutes Hate from "1984" using Trump instead of Goldstein.

"The horrible thing about the Two Minutes Hate was not that one was obliged to act a part, but, on the contrary, that it was impossible to avoid joining in."

At least Winston was aware of the brainwashing.

for fellow music lovers.

There is a new Miles Davis coming out on vinyl called 'Birth of the Blue' being released on Dec. 13 and is available for pre-order.

It is the same lineup (Miles, Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers, and Jimmy Cobb) and recorded in the same studio as 'Kind Of Blue.'

The tracks have been released before, but this album puts them all together as they should be.

Looks kind of "cool."

product sku
081227817503
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https://store.dead.net/en/grateful-dead/special-collections/daves-picks/daves-picks-vol.-52-the-downs-at-santa-fe-santa-fe-nm-91183/081227817503.html