• https://www.dead.net/features/daves-picks/daves-picks-volume-2
    Dave's Picks Volume 2

    Dave's Picks Volume 2
    July 31, 1974
    SOLD OUT


    Check out the
    Subscriber's Only
    Bonus Disc Cover.

    Dave’s Picks Volume 2 is officially SOLD OUT.

    Stay tuned for an upcoming seaside chat with David Lemieux as part of our Dave’s Picks series.

    ABOUT VOLUME 2

    We warned you. We said there was a chance that the limited edition Dave’s Picks releases could sell out. And sure enough, Volume 1 is a goner. No copies left. (OK, even we were a little surprised it sold out so quickly.)

    Which brings us to Dave’s Picks, Volume 2. The thousands of you who bought the full-year Dave’s Picks subscription have nothing to worry about. Your CDs (and the bonus disc that comes with this one for subscribers) will be winging their way to you shortly. But NOW is the time when all you other good people who are interested in purchasing this potent slice of Dead history can submit your orders.

    The show in question is a three-set wonder from Hartford’s Dillon Stadium during the heart of the Wall of Sound era, July 31, 1974, four days after the release of the Dead’s fine Mars Hotel album. Dwarfed by the Wall’s irregular columns of speakers on a hot and humid Wednesday afternoon, the band thrilled the sold-out crowd of 20,000 with a far-ranging collection of tunes and jams that showed how far they’d come as musicians, songwriters and interpreters of others’ songs in their decade together.

    The 12-song first set kicks off with the still-new “Scarlet Begonias” (opening a show for the first of just three times in the Dead’s entire history), and includes such other early ’70s favorites as “Jack Straw,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” a pairing of “Mississippi Half-Step” and “Must’ve Been the Roses” and “Row Jimmy.” The '73-’74 versions of “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” have a unique character, and this one exemplifies that nicely.

    Things start to open up a bit more in the second set. An expansive “Eyes of the World” is partnered with a particularly fragile “China Doll” mid-set, and the concluding take on the complete “Weather Report Suite” is filled with impressive shifts in dynamics and purposeful jamming during a 12-minute “Let It Grow.” That set also has a good “Big River” and an excellent “Ship of Fools” (another new song that year).

    Set Three starts with a couple of short selections, hits an early emotional peak with one of the better versions of “To Lay Me Down” from that era, and then really goes into gear with the onset of “Truckin’,” so often a gateway to wondrous possibilities. This one rumbles and wanders and flits and crashes and dashes all over the place during a half-hour exploration that includes what is popularly called the “Mind Left Body” jam and a full-blown Spanish jam, before eventually winding up at the docks for a deep “Wharf Rat.” The set closer, “U.S. Blues,” was one of the anchors of the Mars Hotel album (and an FM radio hit at the time); a perfect summer anthem.

    All Dave’s Picks releases are mastered to HDCD specs from the original vault tapes by Jeffrey Norman, and include a booklet containing an essay about the show and period photos. The Digipak is made of 100% recycled and PCW materials on heavier paper stock due to high demand. The limited edition consists of 12,000 numbered copies.

    — Blair Jackson

    DAVID LEMIEUX ON VOLUME 2 & MORE
    David Lemieux sits down for a seaside chat about his favorite moments on Dave's Picks, Volume 2: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT - 7/31/74 and sheds a little light on how Dave's Picks are selected. Watch the video here:

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  • claney
    12 years 7 months ago
    Veneta
    Yeah simonrob - nor would you hear (many) complaints about an October or November '72 release. But I don't think that is likely in 2012. As for Veneta, yeah bring it on - DVD / CD package, preceded by a nationwide theatrical release yeah... Every year they wait, they are, uh, losing fans, demographically speaking. (Literally, "we ain't gettin' any younger!)
  • Syracuse78
    12 years 7 months ago
    Yeah, it seems like shows in
    Yeah, it seems like shows in the '90s and in particular '92-'95 are always really good (for that year). If you can listen to any era, why pick a good show for 1994 when you can enjoy a good show for 1973 or 1969 or 1977 or.... I know I've listened to the DP from 1993 approximately one time. I've listened to DP 12 (from '74) about 20 times.
  • simonrob
    12 years 7 months ago
    While nobody would deny...
    that we have had an overabundance of '72 lately (a fact, definitely not a complaint) I think very few people would be upset if Veneta was released in the near future - particularly if a DVD was part of the package.
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Dave's Picks Volume 2
July 31, 1974
SOLD OUT


Check out the
Subscriber's Only
Bonus Disc Cover.

Dave’s Picks Volume 2 is officially SOLD OUT.

Stay tuned for an upcoming seaside chat with David Lemieux as part of our Dave’s Picks series.

ABOUT VOLUME 2

We warned you. We said there was a chance that the limited edition Dave’s Picks releases could sell out. And sure enough, Volume 1 is a goner. No copies left. (OK, even we were a little surprised it sold out so quickly.)

Which brings us to Dave’s Picks, Volume 2. The thousands of you who bought the full-year Dave’s Picks subscription have nothing to worry about. Your CDs (and the bonus disc that comes with this one for subscribers) will be winging their way to you shortly. But NOW is the time when all you other good people who are interested in purchasing this potent slice of Dead history can submit your orders.

The show in question is a three-set wonder from Hartford’s Dillon Stadium during the heart of the Wall of Sound era, July 31, 1974, four days after the release of the Dead’s fine Mars Hotel album. Dwarfed by the Wall’s irregular columns of speakers on a hot and humid Wednesday afternoon, the band thrilled the sold-out crowd of 20,000 with a far-ranging collection of tunes and jams that showed how far they’d come as musicians, songwriters and interpreters of others’ songs in their decade together.

The 12-song first set kicks off with the still-new “Scarlet Begonias” (opening a show for the first of just three times in the Dead’s entire history), and includes such other early ’70s favorites as “Jack Straw,” “Brown-Eyed Women,” a pairing of “Mississippi Half-Step” and “Must’ve Been the Roses” and “Row Jimmy.” The '73-’74 versions of “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” have a unique character, and this one exemplifies that nicely.

Things start to open up a bit more in the second set. An expansive “Eyes of the World” is partnered with a particularly fragile “China Doll” mid-set, and the concluding take on the complete “Weather Report Suite” is filled with impressive shifts in dynamics and purposeful jamming during a 12-minute “Let It Grow.” That set also has a good “Big River” and an excellent “Ship of Fools” (another new song that year).

Set Three starts with a couple of short selections, hits an early emotional peak with one of the better versions of “To Lay Me Down” from that era, and then really goes into gear with the onset of “Truckin’,” so often a gateway to wondrous possibilities. This one rumbles and wanders and flits and crashes and dashes all over the place during a half-hour exploration that includes what is popularly called the “Mind Left Body” jam and a full-blown Spanish jam, before eventually winding up at the docks for a deep “Wharf Rat.” The set closer, “U.S. Blues,” was one of the anchors of the Mars Hotel album (and an FM radio hit at the time); a perfect summer anthem.

All Dave’s Picks releases are mastered to HDCD specs from the original vault tapes by Jeffrey Norman, and include a booklet containing an essay about the show and period photos. The Digipak is made of 100% recycled and PCW materials on heavier paper stock due to high demand. The limited edition consists of 12,000 numbered copies.

— Blair Jackson

DAVID LEMIEUX ON VOLUME 2 & MORE
David Lemieux sits down for a seaside chat about his favorite moments on Dave's Picks, Volume 2: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT - 7/31/74 and sheds a little light on how Dave's Picks are selected. Watch the video here:

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We warned you. We said there was a chance that the limited edition Dave’s Picks releases could sell out. And sure enough, Volume 1 is a goner. No copies left. (OK, even we were a little surprised it sold out so quickly.)

Which brings us to Dave’s Picks, Volume 2. The thousands of you who bought the full-year Dave’s Picks subscription have nothing to worry about. Your CDs (and the bonus disc that comes with this one for subscribers) will be winging their way to you shortly. But NOW is the time when all you other good people who are interested in purchasing this potent slice of Dead history can submit your orders.

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worth the wait... non-sequiter: 7/6/84 and 7/7/84 would a good combo release. I had fun listening to 7/7/84 over the weekend. It must have been a glorious amount of fun to be at these shows. Luckily, I was at 7/13/84.
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Release day is tomorrow, the 1st. I'm really looking forward to this one arriving. I'll kick back in my lazy-boy and slip on my Bose headphones and travel back to 1974. Saw where Dave's Pick Vol. 1 is up to $61.00 on Ebay. Everyone best order a copy while you can, these will go faster then Vol. 1. The Road Trips series Bonus CDs are being sold on Ebay for big bucks. Amazing how valuable these become after only a short while. There are a ton of Dick's Picks on Ebay too, some are way over priced, others are super deals. The E72 box sets are not showing up as much, guess folks have sold them all. Looking forward to Vol. 3 already, who knows what it will be, keep jamming. Phil
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Does anyone know, if the number you rec'd for Dave's Vol 1 will be the same number you will receive for Vol 2. ? Will the Bonus disc be in a card sleeve, or a digipack? My apologies, if these questions were answered in Dave's Vol 2 video - i have been having problems viewing this from my home pc, will watch at work tomorrow thanks
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...I'm hoping that an '84 show (preferably from the Summer tour) gets released and officially becomes volume three. A great and officially unrepresented year, unless you count the Shakedown Street 12/31/84 from the So Many Roads boxed set.
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I couldn't get it to work at first either. If you, like me, have a Windows system, try right-clicking anywhere in the video window and setting the Flash settings in the window that appears. That worked for me - maybe it will work for you too.
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17 years 6 months
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Not yet, I'm waiting.
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17 years 6 months
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please send me a PM with the OS/browser you're using so I can pass this info to the tech folks. Here in the land of OSX and Firefox, all is swell, so I'm not seeing what you're seeing.
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It showed up today and I'm listening to the bonus disc right now! Sounds fantastic and thanks to David, Jeff, Blair and everyone who made this happen. I ordered two subscriptions. The first was the regular USPS shipping and that hasn't arrived yet but before the subscription ended I took out a second one (just in case as I had a package that was lost around Christmas) with overnight shipping and that arrived first thing this morning!
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I just got my "shipping" mail which states that there are now less than 500 copies left, so if you are still trying to decide whether or not to go for this, you should make your mind up pretty fast.As my copy has to get across the pond, I guess it will be around 10 - 15 days yet before I get to see it. Can't do anything about that except sit and wait patiently.
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darkstartheotherone Ain't no bread in my breadbox: then again, Kansas mail still relies on the pony express outta St Joe
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I'm wondering what year the next Dave's Pick's will be. Looks like it may be somewhere in the 1980s. If so, hope it's 1980-82. A show from the London run in Oct 81, just of of the top of my head. Barcelona from 10/19 too. And on & on. Few of my buds all swear it will be in the 80s, might end up being a late 60s show. Hate to say it but would'nt be too thrilled if there was a 90s release in the next two volumes. That's why I did'nt go for the subscription. Can't wait to get Vol 2 !
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Personally I would like to see the New Orleans show the Dead before the NYC run in October 1980. Acoustic and electric Dead. Tho I could see this tour as the multi-show release due out later this year that was discussed earlier on this thread. What would happen if Dave released the Grateful Dead's final performance from '95?
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I have an audiotape of the show. Phil not letting Jerry end the show with Black Muddy River and breaking into Box of Rain was as mystical as prophetic. Such a long time to be gone, such a short time to be there.
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.And if you let Gracenote give you the song titles... you're welcome.
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I vote for 10/01/94 at the fabled Boston Garden. It was my personal last show. It was the strongest show I saw in Boston during the later years and was a great show in its own right. It started "on fire" with a wonderful "Help on the Way" into the Jam. Terrific "Stella Blue" and second set "Scarlet-Fire" plus a bunch of other goodies. A very strong Jerry performance that night. I will never forget it.
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Couldn't agree more with Underthevolcano.....Would love to see 10-1-94. In my opinion one of the best shows during the later years. I would add the So Many Roads to being one of the highlights....Jerry lets it all out.... Would love to see that but of course just about anything is welcome....I would love to see a mini box of the Ark shows from April '69..... Looking forward to getting my 7-31-74 and bonus disc.....wooohoooo
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You can bet that any clunkers in the new series will not be good for subscription sales next year. I think the multitrack releases we have seen already have satisfied my very light appetite for latter-days GD. Keep it primarily 60s and 70s please, 80s only if white-hot and differentiated.
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Danc I think you're safe... I remember reading an interview with (Dave?) in which he said something to the effect of: "there aren't likely to be any shows from '94-'95 released, the band doesn't want anything embarassing as official releases" (that was the gist of it, sorry to paraphrase from poor memory) I'm sticking by my hopeful "prediction" of the remaining 2012 DaP's being from 1967 (Fall?) and 1984 (I second the Summer '84 idea). Though the more I think about it, maybe they wouldn't release back-to-back shows from two unreleased years... hmmm
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I'm sure there are at least 12,000 people who would gladly buy a '94 release, I being among one of them. 10-1/94 would be a good choice for that year. I would also go with 3-30-94. I'm pulling for an '84 personally, but being the fan that I am, I'll get every year they release. I would just prefer to not be oversaturated with the same '72 - '77 overabundance, while other years/tours are either completely unrepresented or underrepresented.
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Listened to two of the shows from portchester ny 71 and dicks picks 17 from 91. The playing and energy are night and day. The 91 show was well played and has a fantastic setlist but can't compare to the shows from 71. I know not everyone feels this way and the 90's have many fans but I can't get too excited over anything past 85. I think the next release will be from 85 unless a whole box of 85 is headed our way. Dave how about the Stoneybrook shows from 10/70 as a future release or the mini fall east coast tour from 81.
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that we have had an overabundance of '72 lately (a fact, definitely not a complaint) I think very few people would be upset if Veneta was released in the near future - particularly if a DVD was part of the package.
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Yeah, it seems like shows in the '90s and in particular '92-'95 are always really good (for that year). If you can listen to any era, why pick a good show for 1994 when you can enjoy a good show for 1973 or 1969 or 1977 or.... I know I've listened to the DP from 1993 approximately one time. I've listened to DP 12 (from '74) about 20 times.
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Yeah simonrob - nor would you hear (many) complaints about an October or November '72 release. But I don't think that is likely in 2012. As for Veneta, yeah bring it on - DVD / CD package, preceded by a nationwide theatrical release yeah... Every year they wait, they are, uh, losing fans, demographically speaking. (Literally, "we ain't gettin' any younger!)
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Has anyone received a shipping notice from Dead.net? I thought they would be shipping a few days before the 1st. I have not received a notice yet, my wife has a subscription too, she has not received a notice either. I hope this is not the beginning of a hyper load of BS. Maybe the mail dude will have our copies tomorrow. Phil
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Hey Syracuse78 I like how you said if you can pick any era to listen to why not listen to the good stuff. I exercise that right every time I play the GD. I listen to the 69-74 years regularly (99.9% of the time) and the later stuff once in a while. By later I mean the year 1980 as I do not own a single show besides Dead Set and Reckoning. My personal choice. To all who like the 1980-1995 I respect that, but I just don't want it. I have the '77 Winterland and I really wasn't that impressed with it. Hence I didn't purchase DP #1. Sirius radio has opened my eyes to these years. I like the drums/space stuff a lot from these eras. I get the feeling that there are really only about 12, 000 people who buy these concerts anyway. It looks like Rhino realized the demographics and it sounds like they have listened to the suggestions that we have all put in regarding releases and better packaging material. I wish the powers that be would listen and not keep making you guys do blind subscriptions. I don't do blind subscriptions. However, If I knew of at least the years of the shows then I might rob my granny's retirement jar and participate. I know many are hoping for a '80's show, but I am hoping for something that I'll actually purchase. We can all sit around and speculate what show might be next. I say lets start a friendly competition and see who gets closer.
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How about this for an idea....why not list all of the shows that are suitable and availablle for release, and let's have a vote...pick a year, pick a tour, pick a venue, pick a country, there's more than one way to skin a cat...let the masses choose...it's our $$$....let's have some fun with it...the possibilities are endless....
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Should there be a subscription next year, and each this year is "worthy", I'll definitely buy one. So far, so good!

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stopbath, With all due respect to your views, subscriptions ARE blind subscriptions ~ that's what they are. You subscribe to a future event, and in doing so, co-optly contribute funds that ensure there WILL be a future event. What each volume will be, or contain, is NEVER known. Be it a magazine subscription, a comic book subscription, a Reader's Digest subscription, or a Grateful Dead music subscription. When you subscribe to Spider-Man, you may HOPE your favorite villains (like the Lizard, the Rhino, or the Green Goblin) show up during that period of time, but there's no guarantee they will and odds are, they won't. But you know it'll be your favorite hero doing what he does. You don't know who MOJO's cover stories will be about during your year ~ you can hope for Pink Floyd, but you get Kraftwerk instead. In any event, though, you know the writing will be in-depth, you'll learn something about somebody you never heard of, and it'll be a good read in general. A) Knowing what the shows will be defeats the whole idea of a subscription, and B) as you hear David say on the attached video: he doesn't even KNOW yet what they will be. As of last month, he was still between four choices for the next release only three months from now. It's a leap of faith, but it's fun AND that upfront capital ensures there will be releases at all ~ which has been the function of subscriptions since Ben Franklin's time. I opted out this year because of what I spent on GD last year (RT subscription AND E72 box), and because I don't need every release. If I were someone else, perhaps the blindness factor would dissuade me, as it does you ~ and fair enough. We vote with our wallets. But I don't think it's fair to ask for show dates in advance ~ those with enough 70's (in their own minds) may never have subscribed this year, based on the first two dates. It's part of the game. A subscription that isn't blind isn't a subscription.
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I went to 'check order status' on the front page and had them email me order history. It says that Dave's has shipped as of May 1, it also says 'pending' under availability in the same email. I'm taking it this means it has shipped, hopefully, but who knows.
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There's 6 people selling Dave's Pick's Volume Two on EBay, and 3 of those include the Bonus Disc. This show was released yesterday, and you can't buy it here anymore. Whatever direction this bus is headed, it seems a wrong turn was taken somewhere.
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It's the free market - - and we're all on the same bus. Headed towards oblivion. Ain't it fun??
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Yes, I got my shipping notice Monday evening. Bummed as I am by the absence of the Seastones music, I'm looking forward to it--I'm sure it will be great.
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Thanks for bringing me a smile Wilfred. I'm reminded of a movie line- "Are you still believing in the beautiful light?" Anyways, trying to find the beautiful light within the rapid disappearance of Dave's Picks, at the same time all of Dick's Picks are being reissued.
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Looks like this release is now an instant collectoirs item. On the bonus disc from the recently released "All the Years Combine" DVD box set, Dave Lemieux mentions in his interview that Veneta '72 will be coming out.
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I'm curious...there are ALREADY 7 copies up on Ebay, it is now May 3 and not a peep about my copy. Guess I'm so excited I'm just a bit antsy. I have read tons of horror stories though and I do have to wonder just a tiny bit if my number is now up. How do these guys get em shipped on May 1 and have em up on Ebay on May 2?
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Is this firm? Or the same "I suppose it will come out someday"? Nothing would make me happier than a CD/DVD of Veneta!!
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Veneta '72 is one of my favorite shows!!! I really hope it's released..either as another installment of Dave's Picks or out on DVD..wouldn't really matter to me. I would be so happy with any type of release of that show :)
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According to the interview, he says to stay tuned for an announcment coming soon. Seeing as it was in the context of video releases, I'm assuming at the very least a DVD is coming and it's release is imminent. He also mentions a few other shows under potential consideration for DVD release, among them was 6/22/91 Soldier Field high on the list. The Shakedown Street video from the bonus unreleased live performances, which happens to be from that Chicago show looks and sounds stunning. Even cooler yet is the 7/22/90 Tinley Park Hey Pocky Way video included. As cool as Veneta will be, assuming it's release is a top priority, I hope moreso that in light of the recent theatrical viewing of 7/18/89 Alpine Valley, that it will culminate in a release of that show on DVD/CD. ................................................ In the meantime, I'm still waiting for my copy of Daves Picks 2 to arrive. First things first.
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I can hardly see how the Alpine video would be worth investing the time and expense to release for one night at the theaters, but would not be worth releasing on DVD some time. I'd bet big money (as I would have on E72 shows being individually released) that this will also happen. Seems to me that utilizing a little common sense/business sense, one can easily predict what TPTB will do. Same of course, for Veneta...
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This might be the one release that will get no complaints (aw, who I am kidding?). 10mile - I would not look for Veneta as a Dave's Pick - way too special, plus it's multitrack... this will be a general release, in stores, etc, like the GD Movie... (but perhaps more deluxe, with a book and such) Oh boy oh boy oh boy...
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...you mean like bundle it in a new format with a load of stuff we already have, so we have to buy everything all over again? Stand by for the Alpine Blu Ray box set! cynical? Moi?
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and besides then everyone would stop bugging poor David L about it! As it is much requested, that's for sure.
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I agree with you completely claney, it won't be released as a dave's picks but rather as a general release... i really hope you're right about the deluxe package...that would be so amazing the playin' from 8-27-72 is still one of my favorites (along with most of the playin's from late 72) VELVEETA!!!!!
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Heh, that is funny Mary... that's why I think it'll be a CD/DVD package (or released separately at the same time). 'Cause if not, then poor Dave will be getting a bunch of emails saying "when will the CD be released?" or "when is the DVD coming out?" :-)
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Actually, I'd love to see the entire Alpine Valley run released as a combo dvd/cd set (blu ray, if possible). The problem with Downhill From Here DVD is that it was just pulled off the VHS version back in '98 rather than going back to the master tape. Time to go back and remaster the whole run from scratch!
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I'm still waiting for my sending confirmation mail, I'm a subscriptor. I hope I can have this set soon.By the way, the same treatment given to the Egypt concerts should be applied to Veneta '72. CD/DVD, but this time the complete show, maybe some 5.1 for us to enjoy, who knows. I've always thought about it and I do remember David L. mentioning the project some time ago, a couple of years maybe. It won't be a Dave's Picks, I'm sure. There's still so much Dead music to be released!