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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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  • Danehead
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    70..

    Little 1970 in the vault.. yet the booklet to Daves 51, claims (page13)"This period of 1970 was the only gap in the Deads archive".. is this true.. ? BW from Copenhagen

  • Obeah
    Joined:
    TY HF + Doc re '68. '70. Fall '72. Diamonds and Rust.

    Yes, I'm vying for worst subject line ever. I'd have done better to follow Dennis' lead and just title it "things". But Mercy and Goodness and Sweetness and Light, you good people gave me a lot to think about!

    Thanks Doc and HF for filling me in on those '68 developments. I know there are some vectors like Dead Legs and Dead Air that seem to regularly surface new stuff - or new sources for existing stuff. Not sure who all is part of GEMS but they seem to do heroic work, too. But I tend to run behind the curve, so I appreciate this intel.

    @HF I do share your wish the PTB would be a bit more... sensitive? attuned?... to the passage of time. As you said the '70 selections in the vault are pretty sparse. But all the more reason to work on what is there and get it released. If I could rub the lamp and get the genie to grant me influence with the archivist, I'd push for a 'sea change' in the way Lemieux et al approach the box set for the 60th anniversary year. Viz. I'd like to see them curate the entire vault contents for 1970 (or perhaps 1967 and/or 1968 - I pass over 1969 just because I feel it's well-represented already and the need is less pressing) and if a given date doesn't meet the necessary benchmarks to allow it to emerge as a traditional Dave's release (for ex. Vols 19 and 30), then Mockingbird Master what's there, and release it piecemeal. In this way one could build up a historic box... and the sparse nature of the vault's inventory for '70 should make this doable... if they could do 80 CDs for 30 Trips, there's no reason they couldn't do that again for this project.

    This would be one of the most important and foundational archival releases that could ever happen, and it seems only right for it to get out while the remaining participants from that era are still on this side of the ground.

    More realistically: it would not surprise me at all to see Fall '72 get amalgamated into a box.

    The Diamonds and Rust connection with Judas Priest was quite deliberate... I think their producer suggested it to them as a way for them to get radio play in the United States. Somewhere there's an interview with Halford that goes into more detail. I think it says a lot about the band that they didn't dismiss it out of hand and instead really went for it. The whole thing is fascinating on many levels, not least because their cover of the song is quite good. And that's not just my opinion; Baez herself has praised it effusively.

  • iangillespie
    Joined:
    ESL 63's

    True they don't shake your gut like moving coils do but the definition is superb. The QUADS go down to 40 Hz and Phil can still rattle the furniture!

  • SPACEBROTHER
    Joined:
    Been a while

    Saw this release announcement. Subscribed, as I have since the beginning with the last Road Trips year run, and will continue to do so. I love these releases. This year's picks have been solid for me. The 1978 box is cool. I listened through every show once so far and there is some great playing, even with a lot of repetition in song choices for that tour.

    Recently listened to the "In and Out of the Garden" MSG 83 shows from that fall tour and they are quite remarkable. The Hartford Dicks Picks 83 show second set pre-drumz segment has Jerry playing incredibly inspired. Brent was always awesome.

    I'll never understand the resentment towards any era of the Dead. It's all good. Sure, 94-95 saw Jerry gradually dying from his health issues at a much too young age. I'm now several years older than he was when he died, but he was an old soul even back at the beginning of their career together as a band. I feel fortunate to have seen them about 50 times from 84-95. Almost every show I attended were great, well performed shows, up until the very last two where Jerry looked defeated from life, touring, addictions and the stress from fans that lost touch of the scene which led to incidents like Deer Creek 95.

    More recently, caught the Phish shows with Billy Strings sitting in and they are playing fabulously these days. I hadn't seen them for quite a while (a few shows between 94-96 and a show in 2017). I feel I've been missing out and hope they keep that going.

    Also seeing Stevie Wonder for the 1st time (fan for almost 50 years), and catching the King Crimson "Beat" line-up in a few weeks. Also caught Marcus King for the first time (great show highly recommended) as well as Warren Haynes on his symphony tour, Greensky (with Billy Strings yet again. Only recently picking up on his thing and that kid can play). Also caught a solo Trey TAB show, which was excellent, plus The Four Tops and Temptations on their current lineups (wish I could've seen them back in the day. Still quite entertaining, plus a couple of songs performed that Jerry covered!).

    All in all this has been a fun year musically. If a certain villian gets enough votes to repeat and escalate his dismantling of our country, the fin stuff will evaporate and we'll probably all lose our jobs, pensions, retirements and God knows what else. All I can say is please vote and keep that ruthless crooked bastard out.

    I guess I'm up to date now. Later....

  • Deadicated
    Joined:
    And, and ...

    the show that benefitted the most from the "Plangent process" in the Listen to the River box is 10/19/72 - what we had before grated ... now is beautiful. Gracias, PTB.

  • Deadicated
    Joined:
    10/19/71

    If ever there were a show ripe for release it's 10/19/71. Just because.

  • simonrob
    Joined:
    ESL 63's...

    Great speakers, but do you get enough bass from them?

  • iangillespie
    Joined:
    Electrostatics

    QUAD ESL 63's - the greatest transducer ever designed

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life.....

    Hey rockers!!

    Since HF mentioned the fabulous Fall of 1972..........

    By that time Owsley was out of jail and back recording. We know he recorded at least one of the September Boston Music Hall shows. Hopefully he recorded the Texas shows---which would make a fine box set---and maybe just maybe those are in those banana boxes. The ones that I remain very curious about........

    One can always dream.......

    If the king loves music, there is little wrong in the land.....

    Rock on,

    Doc
    Music comes from a place we don't know......

  • Dennis
    Joined:
    things

    Angry Jack

    avacado/mustard are both back (still ugly as sin,,, the green was worst!)

    obeah - thanks for the heads up on Judas Priest doing Diamonds and Rust. I would/will mark me in the camp as not liking Priest like music, but, I say this with NO knowledge of thier music. This will give me a foothold to grab (can you grab a foothold?)

    Just got in a huge bear family set of Merle Haggard. Another I know nothing about, well this I put in the phone and will start to shove my way thru.

    So much music goes by on this site,,, thanks everyone!

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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.

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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In reply to by icecrmcnkd

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Cool song by Van Morrison:

'No More Lockdown'

No more lockdown
No more government overreach
No more fascist police
Disturbing our peace
No more taking of our freedom
And our God-given rights
Pretending it's for our safety
When it's really to enslave
Who's running our country?
Who's running our world?
Examine it closely
And watch it unfurl

....chugs along. It takes much resistance to NOT go crazy with purchases.
Tis a test of wills.
TBH, never heard Van's No More Lockdown. Just did and that song sucks in general, regardless of the message behind/in front of it. Lmao. Whatever. Musical tastes and appreciation comes in many shapes and sizes.
Now, The Bitter Boogie by KGLW? Now, there's a cool song. At least to me 🍻

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