What Are You Listening to RIGHT NOW? Version 13

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January 16, 2017 - 8:58am

2,905 replies

marye

Joined:
May 26, 2007

New year, new update. Tell us of your musical adventures in real time!

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October 23, 2024 - 5:29pm

#201

icecrmcnkd

Joined:
October 20, 2015

12-18-73

Dark Star just started.

12-18,19-73, and the other chop jobs from that Fall tour (11-20, 11-30, 12-4, 12-6) should be Plangentized/Normanized, Boxed up, and released.
October 22, 2024 - 6:23am

#202

Dennis

Joined:
November 1, 2012

Uncle Trip and 7/4/86

I was there, I recognized the t-shirt Jerry is wearing :-)

Second set opened with a great Cold Rain & Snow intro that stretch until the first raindrops started down, then, "I married me a wife.....", and the cold rain poured down!

And poor Dennis in only a t-shirt!
October 22, 2024 - 4:38am

#203

uncle_tripel

Joined:
October 2, 2023

a day on the green...

...with some unbelievable dry sunny weather
(82 degrees in these parts) in the mid-atlantic for late october,
I'm putting on my boogin' shoes for
oakland coliseum
june 8th 1974

can hardly wait to get started...

PEACE for ALL!
uncle_tripel
October 21, 2024 - 8:51am

#204

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

The sound

Of thick air...
October 21, 2024 - 8:51am

#205

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

The sound

Of thick air...
October 21, 2024 - 7:06am

#206

uncle_tripel

Joined:
October 2, 2023

always...

...avoided the NR on recording
and found very early the highs just got too muted for my ear,

returning to some more 1978 this week:
june 4th 1978
at Campus Stadium, UCSB in Santa Barbara, Ca

some more friends of the devils? lol...
...= the "on stage" harley davidson acceleration into--->NFA

make LOVE, not war!

PEACE!
uncle_tripel

PS: new avatar = mickey & jerry on 7/4/86 @ Rich Stadium
October 17, 2024 - 7:34pm

#207

JimInMD

Joined:
June 27, 2011

Noise Reduction and...

I used Dolby for a brief blink of an eye when I first started copying tapes. Being young and naive, I thought who wants tape noise to come through on the recording, duh.. no brainer, I flipped the Dolby switch on my Nak and hit record. I just want to hear the music, no hiss.

Very quickly reality set in. Was it Dolby A or Dolby B? Was the source tape recording using Dolby, if so, if you hit Dolby wouldn't it further compress the recording and further alter the sound, you can't play back using Dolby Squared, right? And what do you do in the car, in the boom box (yes.. we were just a few years out of 8 tracks when I started getting tapes). And who really flips or unflips the Dolby switch anyway based on how you think the recording was made. After all, were all these tapes properly notated every step of the way.

So I quickly gave up on noise reduction, I had a good enough tape deck that I shouldn't be so worried about tape noise. I quit Dolby and never looked back (and never worried about pressing the Dolby button again).

Just spit balling here, but my prejudices sometimes come to the surface when I hear a Dicks or Daves or Road Trips that sounds a bit muffled and I wonder if the particular Reel or Cassette or Betamax or whatever might have had a Dolby snafu baked in. To be clear, I have no proof this has ever occurred, I just wonder sometimes.

I should emphasize Jeffrey Norman / David Glasser, etc. have gotten better at their jobs. So if there is any compression or noise reduction used anywhere along the way, they better at making this music sound as good as it possibly can, regardless of the sordid history of the source tapes. Thank you GD, Mockingbird Studios, the good folks and Plangent Processing and all the others that get this music to my front porch. Oh, and thank you tapers too!
October 17, 2024 - 3:54pm

#208

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

Ooops, forgot

I can’t say for sure off hand about everyone who recorded Dead and NR, but Betty was known for not using it, and if things are done right, no need.
Nothing comes for free, so every time you do something, it will effect other things, sometimes negatively…a cost benefit trade off…perhaps just like BITD with high gen cassettes? To Dolby or not to Dolby, that is the question lol
I always have tried not to do any permanent adjustments/fixes, preferring to try and fix some other way, eq etc, but nothing permanent that you can’t fix yer fix!

Imho NR etc becomes more of a band aid for when things weren’t able to be right, or to help mask issues beyond repair, i.e., the ravages of time.
Don’t think I’ve ever used any on a master recording?

Onto rest of GDM soundtrack this afternoon…
October 17, 2024 - 1:16pm

#209

1stshow70878

Joined:
September 11, 2014

Thx Oro

So 15 ips or 30 ips would have been impractical for shows I imagine. Expense, changing reels too often, and as these were for listening by the band not studio use, etc. But what about them using noise reduction? I'm guessing no Dolby.
As an aside, I seldom have my Dolby on when listening to cassettes even though most were recorded with it. Even factory tapes with Dolby seem less muffled without it and I'm not listening at thunderous levels (most of the time) where hiss is an issue.
Skylabs, a top notch mid-western audio repairer, no longer works on certain categories of equipment: Consoles, quad receivers, linear tracking turntables, automatic turntables, and reel to reels. Just not worth it from a cost perspective for what those machines sell for vs. repair costs. There are still plenty of specialists who will and R-to-Rs are available restored at very reasonable prices but good luck finding pre-recorded tapes (old or new). Nobody makes them anymore. I was never tempted but my cassette guy sells tons of R-to-Rs for like $200-$300 fully restored, but they are more run of the mill Sony and not high end. And they sell fast!
Thanks again and cheers bro
October 17, 2024 - 12:37pm

#210

Oroborous

Joined:
June 19, 2007

First half of GDM soundtrack

Ist show. The more surface area (wider the tape), and/or the faster the recording speed, the higher the resolution. And yes R2R can most certainly sound best. (Like anything though, if done well)
The problem is a good one is very expensive, they’re as hard to keep maintained etc as a TT, and good linage quality tapes are rare and expensive, oh, and more a pain to “flip” than even a record…but they can sound amazing!

Remember, many CDs AND most vinyl are sourced from (hopefully) master R2R tapes! A purist with the gear and ears might argue that direct to (vinyl) disc recording is the ultimate…but good luck lol
One of the main reasons digital still gets such a bad rap is twofold
1- the conversion used originally, and lack of attention to disparity’s between different DACs in the chain. Conversion has come a loonnggg way baby! AND…
2- a significant number of the CDs first produced to meet the huge demand were not sourced from the master tapes, and lineage and source quality were often a joke! Caveat emptor: not all CDs are created alike!…or Blu-ray’s, or DVDs, or Vinyl etc Like drugs boys and girls, know your sources!

John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

Forums

Currently Listening To...

New year, new update. Tell us of your musical adventures in real time!

Genesis - Selling England by the Pound
Pink Floyd - Peel/BBC 16 July 1970
Jimi Hendrix - NYE 1969 Fillmore East (some connection with England, I guess)
GD - Dave's Picks 2 7/31/74 (connection lost - wait I guess Sam Cutler was there)
Throwing Muses - Real Ramona (connection well and truly lost)

Next up:
Dave's Picks 20 12/9/81

3-24-73

DaP32

12/8&9/90

I think that’s right lol
Didn’t get the best listing in, but enough to appreciate more of this consistent 1990 greatness!

Oh yeah, 12/4 before, so another DHB wee!

10 31 90

Jerryz voice is SHOT

Great music though

Eugene 6/17/94

Black Throated / Tom Thumbs / Deal
Rain > Eyes > Samba > Saint >
D/S > Wheel > Attics

especially that D/S > Wheel > Attics

Yep Oro - of course it still hurts ; )

6 17 94

Yes tasty
Attics of My Life

Afternoon show

A 94 show I wish I could've attended is 6/26/94

Candyman

...

10/31/90 J voice

It’s weird, he sounds good on that sweet H/S/F, and the all of a sudden, somewhere in the first it’s fucked? Weird…

10 31 90

I actually hit the skip button during Fire

His playing is fine

Who knows what kinds of germs touring bands are exposed to

In addition to THOSE

In the house

12 3 79

My 16th birthday

90 miles southeast of where I was living

However, the bus was still a little over 2.5 years away from my stop

Edit: first two discs ok but not transcendent, at least this time around

Disc three? We will see...

Edit
Rest of show ok, not transcendent

Did not listen to 12/4/79 filler

Yet

In the car

10 31 90

12/12/90

12/13 after

Upcoming road trip music

5/26/72
5/27/93
3/10/81
2/23/74

I haven't heard 5/26/72 all the way through for a long time

It'll be good to hear pre-hiatus GD again after 90% post-hiatus for the past year or so

31/10/90

Re Jerry losing his voice - he was in England don't forget. Everybody has a cold here by November.

Rockin' out!

Roy Buchanon "Livestock" 11/27/74
The Rolling Stones "Get yer ya-ya's out!" 11/27/69

GD just not happening right now

Listening to Bob F. Dylan

Highway 61 Revisited

Mixed feelings on BD movie

Hollywoodization is something I don't generally like

Bob is awesome

Currently

2/23/74

2nd Disk of 5/26 is particularly Awesome!

Along with the beautiful Playing - which, 3/4 of the way through, I picture as shimmering sunlight on a lily pond, with a hummingbird or dragonfly flitting about then lifting off - followed by the crowd's spontaneous, stunned reaction (!)
Of course, we all know the heart of the thing (3rd & 4th disk selections) from the E72 album ... Overall, for me at least, it's hard not to put this show either at or near the very tippy top (surely a Himalayan peak, K2?) on the grand quality of the playing and total emotional commitment, as the closer of one of the greatest tours in their history, etc.

Modereko

self-titled first album (John Molo's band)

a long time favorite

Currently

Bitches Brew

Miles Davis

Laurie Lewis

Earth and Sky

another long time favorite.

Bruce Cockburn

Slice of Life - Live Solo

Slowly getting the feast together. A world of wonders indeed.

My inner Beavis and Butthead is...

Huh huh huhhuh

Holiday music

Consisting of a playlist of eclectic, immature, inappropriate, unknown, off the cuff quirky, Fun and otherwise not yer mamas Xmass mix of albums, set to auto DJ.
Oh, and whatever holiday jazz albums we have too!
Jazz to the World and Oscar Peterson being in constant rotation lol

So “shake your Christmas butt, until the crabby goes away…”

But first, need to walk on down the old valley road (to make room for leftovers)
Hope y’all are having a safe and enjoyable holidaze!

hey

back from a 4 month stay at the hospital, on the mend but weak as a kitten. Happy holidays to all.

Glad yer back PT!

We were really starting to worry the bastards took ya out!
Rest up and play dead (I hear it’s good for what ails ya!)

At the moment

I’m watching the ‘Beatles 64’ documentary. I particularly liked the guy who managed to get his seat from Shea Stadium when it was being demolished so that it complemented his ticket stub for the concert. That’s what you call obsessive.

Currently

5/26/72

Disc 2

It's got a Cumberland

Currently

4/27/85

Set one

Dave's

5-24-72 vinyl

5-23-72 last night.

The Lyceum vinyl Box is awesome.
And currently on sale.

Crunchy Granola R&R

On something of a Blackberry Smoke jag - today, Live in Atlanta ('18) on pod while chopping wood (cherry!). For your cut-n-paste listening pleasure: youtube.com/watch?v=Jd48J7MzlWI&t=1652s

Garcia

(first album - 2004/2005 remaster with bonus tracks)

Needed an early Bird Song and decided to go back to the source. First listen with the new headphone amp and the Senn HD 650s. A desert island disc - stunningly beautiful!!

Kate_C.!! Long time I think - good to see you again!

PROUDFOOT

Nice choices lately....and, hey, it's got a Cumberland!!!!

Senn's

BLUECROW, how's the Senn's HD 650 treating you?

I have a pair of Audio-Technica that are very nice

I've seen mention of the Senn's on here and been tempted to try them

J918

Love 'em! Sound is superb. Very comfortable. Purchased in March on sale for $295 - replaced another pair of Senn's, can't remember which model - which I also really liked but the 650s are a whole new level in terms of sound, comfort, and build. A lot of my listening is off a Mac desktop and recently picked up an iFi ZenDAC3 headphone amp plus an iFi IPower2 5 volt power supply for the amp. Super happy.

I see that Senn website has them on sale for $310.

BC

Thanks man!!

Joan Osborne - How Sweet It Is

Was lucky to see Joan with The Dead during the 2003 shows at Red Rocks. Such a gorgeous voice and presence. Days Between that first show! Later in the run she traded verses with Bobby on Hard to Handle and it was awesome!

J918 - do it!

BC

Strange how we almost crossed paths.
I was at the 7-7-2003 The Dead @ Red Rocks. Called it my 25th anniversary show. Did a one day round trip from Montrose, including Crested Butte where my buddy lived. Phil asked us how many were here 25 years ago. Lots of hoots and hands up in answer.

Setlist: 1- Jam > Stranger > Baby Blue > She Said > Jam > Loser, Court of Paradise (meh), Cold Rain & Snow > Even So > Deal.
2- Jam > 'Til the Morning Comes > Jam > Candyman > Jam > Mason's Children > Jam > Piece of my Soul > Come Together > Drums/Space > W. LA Fadeaway > Sugaree, Sugar Mag. E: Box of Rain!
Joan was superb as was Jimmy H.
Have a burned copy of the CDs one could order on site after the show.
Cheers

Broke out the Citizen Steely Dan Box this AM

I've been whetting the palate with early/mid years of that - Then going all in with Winterland 2.23.74 next (extended by 'interpolating' so to speak, the 6.22.74 Jai Alai Fronton bonus disc in the middle to get the Playing, China/Rider, etc w/only repeat being Eyes) ... A very tasty sandwich!

Pat Metheny

Last night, at The Paramount in Rutland, VT, Pat Metheny solo concert, on many different guitars through the evening. His twenty Grammy Awards only hints at the depth and breadth of his music. Primarily acoustic material first half, he pulled covers off several other instruments and a double bank of percussion a la Orchestrion period for the second half, as well sampling and looping parts to stack. Pat has not spoken about himself much at past concerts, shared some stories, though probably many of the folks in the audience long time fans, knew much of it. He spoke especially about Gary Burton and Charlie Haden. His interview with Rick Beato on utube is outstanding look into his works. He's been on tour in Europe this fall, I almost missed it when he scheduled a few shows up this way. Highly recommend catching any performances in the states later this winter into spring. Many thanks to a wonderful friend who made this possible, Pat, part of my musical fabric nearly fifty years, almost as long as the Dead. Next up, Mr. Sun does the Nutcracker at the National Gallery of Art, down the street that night, Mickey, Bobby and Billy are part of the honors at the KC.

So close!

Forgot that the run overlapped with the 25th anniversary of the legendary July '78 shows. The first show was my favorite of the first 4 shows of the run (I think I headed home and missed the last show) but it was all sweet and good with that line up! I bought the cds for at least 3 of those - been a long while since I've spun any but really need to dig em out.

7/6/03

Set I - Jam > Scarlet > Fire > Good Lovin' > No More Do I, Queen Jane, Roses > Weather Report Suite

Set II - Jam > Cryptical > Jam > Days Between > He's Gone > St. Stephen > William Tell Bridge > D/S > Peggy O, Cryptical > Eleven > Bird Song > Other One > Music Never Stopped Encore: Samson and Delilah

edit - a Pat Metheny concert? - jelly - its tough for us living in the middle of "nowhere" when it comes to live music.

Blood on the Tracks

The last great Dylan record. To me, the songs are so powerful I have to be careful when I listen to it, because they really carry me away and I get very emotional. "If You See Her, Say Hello" just kills me every time. For example. But there's a lot of fun stuff here, too, (Jack of Hearts cracks me up every time). And half the songs are goddam classics.

I've heard new born babies wail like a morning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, then, is it hopeless and forlorn?
Come in, she said, I'll give ya, shelter from the storm.

I mean, seriously. When Bob's on, he's just the best.

Recommended listening

10/26/71
The Other One > JBG
HOT

10/23/71
10/24/71

5/26/72

Legendary

3-9-81 vinyl

Sounds good.
Treated myself to the Black Friday sale price.
Skipped getting 5-5-77 vinyl on Friday since I was able to get a copy of 5-22-77% vinyl a few weeks ago.

The scalpers are already at work with 5-5-77.

Note that according to the Real Gone website there are still 750 copies of DP3 vinyl that were held back for record stores and online retailers. Kind of lame since there are people who missed out when it went on sale and now the price will be higher.

2/23/74

:)))

Keith Fan - Where are You?

miss that guy around these parts ... Anyway, I LOVE how much of Keith's left hand you can hear in the DaP 42 2.23.74 (top notch) He's Gone Other One - Eyes sequence .... Also, LOVE the somewhat laid back & funky groove in the SUPER Eyes outro jam that follows: (aka Stronger Than Dirt, or Milkin' the Turkey). Magic !!!

On my travels

I also heard 4/29/71 first set

Wow what a great show

4/28/71 and 4/29/71 deserve full releases

To dream the impossible dream

GBtGD

Way After Midnight - JGB 1980

Just because ... Feelin' it.
; )

Way After Midnight

S-W-B - Killer disc - gonna jump right in. (Edit - so very good!)

Keith Fan pretty much (completely?) stopped posting here but pretty darn sure it is him posting on the Steve Hoffman Music Forum "The Grateful Thread" under user name KeithGodchaux. Posted in the last week there re 11/30/73. Not in communication with him, just something I noticed.