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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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  • iangillespie
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    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?

  • TN John
    Joined:
    No Negatives Here

    I used the welcome news of this release as an opportunity to fill some gaps in my collection. Scored a Dave's 27, which is arriving in the mail today. Also scored a Dave's 39, which will arrive early next week. Now I will patiently await my shipping notice for 52.

    And if Dave is taking requests for a Vince show, I will suggest 10-5-94 at The Spectrum as a good starting point. Check it out if they ever get the Archive back up, and see if you agree. If you're really adventurous, there is a shaky video of the show on YouTube that has been synched with Charlie Miller's remastered soundboard. The sound is excellent. It just has shaky camera work.

  • proudfoot
    Joined:
    Same old story and I know it's been told

    Grumble bumble

    The pick sucks
    The packaging sucks
    The sound sucks
    (The sucks of the FLAC I understand)
    Too much 70s
    Too much 80s
    No 90s

    What sucks to me is the heights of 10/9/89 going into Throwing Stones. Oh Bobby, why?

    Given the current world situation, I will take what they give and keep on listenin'.

    May our collective future be bright and pleasant, and may we all remain Grateful. Being literally dead can wait.

    Onward...

  • jonathan918@GD
    Joined:
    Thankful

    I, for one, am very tankful for all releases.

    It's ok, call me a fan boy.

    I really think the disdain for anything past 78 is because when some folks get turned on, by a friend or a family member, they're told that anything post 78, or with Brent, or Vince, that it's all shit from those years and they believe that.

    Just my 2 cents

    Bring on the 80's and 90's!!!!

    Rock on, gang

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Being there

    I only saw The Dead in the 80's - well, twice in 1981 and three tines in 1990. I thought all 5 shows were great. It's just the recordings of such shows 30-40 years later that I'm not so keen on. 'Specially when there are so many amazing shows to listen too.
    Somebody mentioned Dicks Pics 33 on here as the best of that series recently - which passed me by at the time. This morning I decided to listen to 10/9/76-and hey presto - Dicks Picks 33. Now this, I like.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Obeah spitting facts....

    ....hate to beat a Dead horse, but if you don't have fun with 9.11.83, then I will raise a questioning eyebrow in your general direction and might even fart.
    And you don't want any part of that.
    It's Mickeys fuckin' birthday ffs!
    We can agree to disagree, but the compass points to me being on point.

  • Obeah
    Joined:
    The strong feelings thread

    Interesting how polarizing this pick is already. I've said before that I'm not a massive '83 fan, but I'm happy to get some variety. Because I'm never going to run out of '71-'74 material to play at this point. I also know that many of us, myself included, would probably cut off a finger to make a soundboard of 9/20/70 materialize. Alas, the vault just doesn't hold every last thing: there are some missing reels and some missing shows. So in lieu of getting blood from a turnip, I'm down with getting a show that fans who were there speak highly of, and one that I've never heard before.

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    The GD did play a lot of songs faster....

    ....during '82-'84.
    That's how it was. That's how it will always be.

  • shug9
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    It will be interesting to…

    It will be interesting to hear how these recordings sound because most of the circulating records are sped up. I think they were playing fast, but not as fast as the recordings. Also what has been labeled as SBDs have quite of bit of audience ambience in them. I prefer a pure SBD myself.

    But the setlists and performance in this shows especially 9/11/83 is grade A in my book. Help>Slip>Franklin>Let It Grow, fantastic! Lots of other highlights too. I'm pretty excited for this release!

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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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If you didn't already know, all vinyl on here is on sale, 25% off

Last few:
Caravan For Girls Who Grow Plump in the Night
Raging Slab True Death EP
Guty Cardenas Lirio Azul CD
Moody Blues Seventh Sojourn
GD 6-10-76
GD 1977 King Biscuit broadcast

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Thank you Obeah for that deep inquisitive analysis! Very sound theories indeed.
When I recall the last few SeaChats, Dave mentioned a new 'era' for #54, which could as well be an era within an era. He also mentioned it was a show they had pretty much already decided on as the first release of said era. So with that in mind, there are only so many possibilities. Now for 2025 I had felt 1976 was due up as it would only be the fourth Dave's Pick release from that year, now confirmed by starting off with that pick. Thank You Dave! Dancin' in the Street.
I got a feeling that the 1983 release for #52 was bumped up in the rotation for one reason or another. I say that because I recall Dave saying that each of the four releases from 2024 would all cover different band member line~ups, which wasn't the case. DaP#49 & DaP#52 are the same musicians so to speak. That said, Dave has also made it clear in the past seachats that sometimes they improvise with the release plan, as things can change on a whim.
Driveled answer quick conclusion is,.... I think we've got a 1969 Banana Box Pick for #54 or perhaps instead a September 1970 pick with the bonus disc. As for #55 I feel an autumn 1973 show is on the wind, I say that because all but one Dave's from 1973 are spring tour. So for the last release of the year #56, I predict the first Vince era pick, maybe a show with Bruce? Anyways, If the final 2025 pick ain't that, then perhaps it's a late era Brent pick. Maybe 1988, with some early "Built To Last" tunes scattered about?

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In reply to by RyXs

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....that Without A Net vinyl looks good.
Btw. Target is having a buy two get one free vinyl sale. And they have Without A Net. Warning. Their search engine is trash.

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In reply to by Vguy72

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The best Deal going there is the Lyceum Box.
I scored that last year for that price.
A most excellent purchase.

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12 years

In reply to by Vguy72

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I checked and did not have this vinyl!?!

Got it from amazon 40 bucks with overnight shipping! Now that's a deal!

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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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Good price, I paid full freight when it came out. I would have thought this would sell out quick, but a guess a 500 price tag made people say NO.

It's a nice box on the shelf, I want to end up with all E72 in vinyl, I think I have them all so far :-)

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E-Sharp.

Ha Ha,,,, just a note to remind/point out Friday is record store day. 5/577 coming out and Jerry on the Eel.

I'll be standing in line like an idiot :-)

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In reply to by Dennis

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Error!
There is no E sharp, it’s an F lol

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...actually more than once. Most recently he got me good with the seaside chat language that presaged #51. TBF I'm not alone in that: a number of us thought his comments inferred the imminent release of a Vince-era show, rather than the "Bar Band" of Spring '71 that rocked audiences in the wake of Mickey's departure.

And I make that observation as I thank you for the kind words @RYXS while also simultaneously noting that I should be honest and humble in acknowledging that I'm *usually wrong* in trying to guess where Dave's going next. Vol 51 is just the latest example; def didn't think he'd revisit '71 again so quickly after Vol 48. Maybe the box set is going to be one release from every 10 years - '65 through '95 inclusive. (I think there's still one '75 show yet to be released! Although it probably has guests...)

I think I sometimes make those long posts in an attempt to bring structure to 30 years of Grateful Dead music. I know it's a fool's errand... and heck, on that note, order is decidedly NOT what this band is about for chrissakes (silly Obeah!). But one thing I never tire of is seeing how passionate this community is about their favorite shows and the candidates we cite for next release. I often imagine Dave Lemieux quietly browsing through, probably not making notes - one can't lead by committee - but hopefully being amused.

Cheers, folks. Next up: 12/9/81.

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I believe there are no shows from 1965.. but maybe we will get "30 Trips" vol. 2..

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In reply to by Vguy72

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How’s bout a multi-era mega box, that can be purchased in custom modular segments, the draw being the more era segments you buy, the deeper the discounts!!!. So for our friendly contingent that would prefer less and/or only primal etc, they could do just that, but at a premium. Only want Brucey and Vince, cool, we got ya covered, at a premium.
And yes I think you’d have to do the premium cost to ensure the more pricey “complete” box would be fair/competitive.
That would give any DH, from any era, a chance to participate and enjoy chever way their pleasure tends, but not be unhappy being forced to go bigger than they’d like, AND!…would most likely get some fence sitting types to purchase at least something, versus all of nothing, if it’s one mega choice only?
Just a thought…

I’d do the era segments something like below based on what’s released, what potentially is available, and what’s underrepresented (imho) of course ; )
Counts could vary slightly to accommodate show lengths. (Hate to miss a really good one because disc count for era was 1 or 2 off…)

66-69: 25 discs (chopped up, incomplete..as long as it rocks! Nice time for a garage sale ; )
70-75: 20 discs. Still plenty gold in them hills
76-79: 15 discs. this era has been heavily mined…have to leave something for future too!
80-89: 25 discs. I’d say more but…
90-95: 15 discs

That’s 100 total, (hey it’s Sixty, will their even be another official one?)
so not that much bigger than Boxilla, and as I say, each module or segment could be purchased separately, so, everybody eats!
😀

If we only had access to your wife's credit card.

Still haven't gone down the vinyl train. Have way too many CDs and money invested at this point to even think about it.

I think you have it right on the money with how you laid it out there. It's both comprehensive - mightily appropriate for the 60th - and still flexible regarding how people who have collected a lot already could fill in the particular gaps or eras they seek ... without having to chance missing out on the whole thing due to an 'all or nothing - lump sum' barrier.

Anyways: Travel well, All (if you are doing so) and have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Peace

As I posted the other day about the big Floyd Box, I got all the mini Boxes for half the price and only missed out on 1or 2 bonus CD’s, all the schwag that I don’t need, and 2 movies that are available individually.

Whether Dave/Rhino go big, small, or modular I’ll buy them.

Dennis, I also have all the E72 vinyl released so far.

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