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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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  • RyXs
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    reShuffled Deal

    Seems to me and from what Dave said in his chat, this pick got bumped up in the rotation. Apparently it was already on the back burner from the time of the Boise pick. Also from what I understand it sounds like a fine performance from a good run of shows, outdoors at that.
    As for previous speculations, I am guessing that if the "different line~up" pick was indeed one of the Vinnie era, {with Bruce?} it is still on the way.
    I recall one seaside or deck chair chat where Dave said he delayed the Eugene~'90 pick {Daves#44} in leu of the 1990 Deer Creek double show for Dave's #40. To be honest I am glad he did that switcheroo for the subscription year, the excellent late era Brent show went so well with the previous pick. Which was a funky Phil show in Philly'83, no disrespect to the Eugene 1990 show.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Happy Birthday Bob

    And Happy Birthday to Bob. Still only 77 yesterday!

    So, are they going to do a MUATM this year? Does anyone know?

    I seem to recall Dave mention one at some point this year.

  • wharfrat6969
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    Revisionist History

    I actually was at many shows in the 80's. First show 6/28/85. Us Deadheads regularly show after show rolled out into the lots heads spinning wildly from what we had just experienced.

    We couldn't wait to get to the next time, nothing else compared.

    Sure it wasn't earlier years, but it still was light years beyond anything else going on.

    I question if folks that rank so hard on 80's show were even in attendance.

    Might as well close the book on Vinnie year release. You won't cherish them and play them regularly for years to come. Get real.

    I thank Dave for finally coming around to even releasing 80's shows.

    Don't like, don't buy, release numbers will go down. No big deal. Might even get more releases with 5 or 10 thousand runs.

    I'll hold Starlight 82' or Merriweather 85' to anything from Casio Keyboard Man years.

  • Gary Farseer
    Joined:
    Can't Wait

    Reading comments has me super excited. Another show I have never heard.

    As others say, Bring It On.

  • LetsGoCaps
    Joined:
    Redoing Dick's

    Dennis, I'll see your re-releasing Dick's Picks as whole shows and raise you Road Trips!

  • Vguy72
    Joined:
    Could you imagine the outrage....

    ....if/when they finally release a Vince show??? I can.
    Dissing on these Sante Fe shows is strange to me. Oh well.

  • VirgoHead
    Joined:
    80s releases

    I like ‘em. Looking forward to this one.

  • Dennis
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    Nothing for Everyone, but Something for us All

    Harsh comments, but a person is entitled to their opinion/feelings.

    The good thing is, nothing is mandatory, you have a choice. (which they're looking to take from women)

    I'll say it, I'm not the biggest fan of "primal" period, the song list was pretty short and I can generally live without feedback. (that's why we have drums/space :-) )

    I like "official" releases, even eras I don't root for. The anal in me likes being able to check off "officially release" stuff.

    In the end, every show I believe is on the archive and a lot of times they can be just as good as an "official release".

    And I agree, everybody thinks they can pick better than Dave. I think they can pick "just" as good.

    I like to see numbers, but, I'd bet for every 1 person who isn't happy with the release, there are 10 or more who are more than happy. (except for digital download customers,,,, hard to believe this is still a problem!!)

    Last thought, I wouldn't mind Dick's being redone with whole shows.

    Dave you're doing a fine job!

  • daverock
    Joined:
    Over the top?

    Hate seems a ludicrously over the top word to use in this context. I hate war. I don't hate Brent era Dead shows. I'm just not keen on them. I liked the 1983 show in 30 Trips when I played it last month. But that doesn't mean I want another one.

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    He has Van Gogh's ear for music..........

    Hey rockers!!!

    Been trying to stay out of the fray lately, but here I am..............

    Not a hater, nor an apologist for DL and/or TPTB. Pretty good show. Not my favorite era, but saw many good shows in 83 and would have gone to more.

    Don't like DL's choices? It's a challenging balancing act, trying to keep everybody happy. Think you could do better? Good luck with that............

    Enjoyed the comment, which was right on, about getting an external hard drive and finding stuff on your own. Been doing that for years. If they never put out another official release, I would still be a happy camper. You could too!! How? LOL you know where to find me, always happy to share...........

    I shall now crawl back under my rock, while cranking 4/6/69..............

    Music is like an open sky., you know it's out there... and there you are......

    Rock on,

    Doc
    Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart.....

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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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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.

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