July 31, 1974
SOLD OUT
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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Hey stop bath
Don't waste your time feeling sorry for us poor saps who have to get the subsequent releases! I, for one, am looking forward to them, and it's OK with me if you think that ignorance is bliss in my case. I would not trade places with you if given the chance. You are jaded beyond repair, and I will not waste my time venturing a guess as to what shows might please you. Unlike what Bobby used to say regarding the sound system, I do not need for everything to be just exactly perfect all of the time. I hope you find what you are looking for.
Man oh man...
Well, as usual us Heads have a wide range of opinions. Got #11326 in the post the other day and have ran through it now 5 times. 74 is a tricky year I think. One, 74, to my ear anyway, is a loose year overall. Takes awhile to see where the boys are going to take us, and this suits me just fine. Some Dead is hot burn, like much coming out of 77, and some is a slow ride. So here we have a slow ride, that for me really hits home after several listens. The fret work going on in Eyes is a worth the price of admission alone.I have also now taken to listening to much of the Dead on a very good quality pair of headphones. This show very much comes alive with full immersion...so adjust the horizon a wee bit ;), put a pair of cans on the old ears, and see what the boys were up to many years ago. I for one am pleased as punch to get these releases. I miss the tour every day, and am just so glad to have my favorite bunch of crazy guys sounding so good, in remixed and remastered splendor. Take care all and take care of each other. Let us respect what ever years float your boat more then others whatever they may be. 93 or 68 or 72... Its all Dead, warts and all, and the music has changed our lives all for the better.
I am still just totally loving the music created by this wonderful group of musicians. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of this "environment". Every time I hear these familiar sounds I feel like I am safe at home. To love this particular music so deeply and to have so much of it to dig into is a dream come true. ❤⚡
Another great show from '74
The show is not what I would consider boring but rather a spectacle and that is nothing new coming from 1974. Sure it may lack some in the jam element but there are very good renditons of many of the songs including a smoking China Cat > I Know You Rider, Miss. Half Step, Eyes of the World, Truckin', and WRS to name a few. Not to mention it is a complete show (minus Seastones) in comparison to the other releases available. The thing about 1974 is that it is such a versatile year from 2/23-2/24, 5/19, 6/16, 6/18, 6/26, 6/28, 7/19, 7/31, 10/16-10/20/74 to name a few leaving us with so much to choose from it is hard to satisfy everyone with one release.
One really long first set?
I saw that comment a ways back here, and it made me smile, as I was thinking something very similar. The difference may be that for me, this is one really good really long first set. Sometimes it's nice just to enjoy the songs for the sake of the songs, isn't it? And in this case, with the exception of China Doll (never one of my favorites regardless), it's a clunker-free really long first set. Now if I can just figure out how to keep some of the WOS vocals from dicing my ears and brain into little pieces...very sharp edges, there.
china doll
the thing with this china doll is that it got started way too fast, in many cases if you start a tune at the wrong tempo, it's a good idea to make the best of it, keep it steady and try to mine it for new textures in that tune
but in hindsight this one shoulda probably slowed down before the singing started
but i love this release for many reasons including that i, like many of you, had one of the worst sounding aud. tapes imaginable for this show (1st set), in spite of the typical 74 "sharp edges" it sure sounds good now, thanks
Much as I
want to listen to Dave's Picks Dos, my plate is full of Europe '72. But I know that 7/31/74 is a very good show and, no doubt, the sound is probably much improved. Should you be a subscriber, you know that the bonus disc has the jams - well done Dave. In fact, 7/29/74 might just be the better show, no?
Don't dis the China Doll - for some reason the transition from the jam was hit or miss in '74.
E72
i am also trying to listen to selections from each E72 show on or near its 40th aniv date, im in the middle of bickershaw now, running a bit behind of course
jerry's tenn jed intro is funny: this is a song about the great state of tennessee... where jack daniels comes from
and bobby at the beginning of the 2nd set: get off the f#*king towers, we dont want a bloomin' catastrophe
oh and the music is good too
postage moan (yet another...)
Very happy with the vibes. the bonus WRS almost (almost) ranks with the Ally Pally one from Dicks vol 7.
However, cue usual europe side of the pond curse, the shipping charge is painful. After being charged £16 extra for delivery of Daves 1, I wrote to the forum and Marye suggested i contact rhino to see if things could be done as id already paid the international postage charge.
I did, and things changed This time the shipping tax was £23.
Oh boy...
Not sure why they have to use such a huge ups box as that seems to be the cause.
Here's to volume 3 and an extra £30!
as for suggested shows, more with bruce hornsby as it's great listening to another lead player.
On a wider note, if anyone wants to hear another great space jamming band check out the Oresund Space Collective. it doesnt 'sound' like the Dead, but the emotional response is kind of the same.
keep 'em coming
Actually I have found what I
Actually I have found what I am looking for in terms of Dead releases (and in life). There are several of them in my collection. My assessment of the situation doesn't make me jaded or anything like that. I just know what I like. If we all liked and enjoyed everything in life how fun would that be? And I do agree that things don't have to be perfect. I just would not have picked this particular show, but then again what do I know. I did give the show a second listen today. I figured out that I have been under the influence of E72 for the 40th run that in my mind I was not expecting a laid back show. And this is a laid back kind of show. Today I was in one of those moods so I am feeling better about this release.
I second that vote for '73 Watkins Glen release!!
Searching for the sound
How many shows are left in the Vault that are must haves? For me, there are hundreds more. There's nothing like Normanized glory. Every show that is beautifully mastered and mixed professionally for our listening pleasure is a must have. A perfect example is the first Dave's Picks. The Mosque show circulated in great quality for years prior to it's release. And now this show sparkles like never before. Of course we all want the most thrilling performances. How many of the finest Dead shows remain to be released? I would guess there are many more. On a side note, I counted up every archival release- somewhere over 350 total cd's. Nobody loves their fans the way the Grateful Dead do.
Amen Zuckfun!! No one loves
Amen Zuckfun!! No one loves their fans more than the Grateful Dead. We must always keep that in perspective. They don't have to release another show, but we sure appreciate it when hey do. We still get the choice to buy 'em or pass and let someone else enjoy what we don't need.
No discs here
The set hasn't arrived in MA yet (at least for me). I'm not worried, just commenting. I listened to part of the show on discs that I've had for years. I think it's a great show. Nice pace, nice selection, and I think the jam out of Eyes is fantastic. Looking forward to the upgrade.
Excise Duty
I've not received mine yet but looking at Yeti_UK's comments brings back the argument of how much we have to pay this side of the pond to be a fan of the Dead.I know no one is forcing us to buy this stuff but when you pay your subscription up front and postage then get hit with a hefty duty charge and a further $12 charge from good old Royal Mail for collecting the duty on behalf of Customs and Excise it adds up to a pretty expensive purchase.
Also noticed that in the past we were only charged duty on the goods, however now they are adding the postage cost to the sale price and taxing on the overall cost!
I have asked before if these items cannot be marked gift on the excise label as these have been pre-paid and are not individual purchases but no one seems to be taking me up on this.
I suppose we could buy the sets from retailers at this end but then we loose out on the bonus stuff.
I'm wondering what proportion of the 12000 were sold to fans outside the US and therefore what percentage of the fans worldwide are being hit with similar charges.
Sorry to whine but times are hard here in dear old blighty! Happy listening to all those who have received their discs!!!
bonus-disc Cap Centre Sugaree
Jerry's guitar is out of tune, which he gradually corrects (while performing), though maybe not completely; even so, his note textures are SO rich (though, as usual for this song in this era, yes?, there's no soloing lengthier than eight bars). I love the sound of that Irwin Wolf guitar, and its living presence in the '73(pre-"Wall")-'74 PA (and Jerry's note-sculpting).
(And the instrumental-ensemble fit and harmony in "He's Gone" on this disc are wondrous!)
Must Have Shows
There are quite a few shows that have been tape trader/collector favorites for many years that would be welcomed by most of us.
A few examples of popularly traded recordings that haven't been released yet and in no particular order...
3/29/90, 7/13/84, 8/27/72, 7/16/72, 7/27-28/72, 6/9-10/72, 10/26/89, 9/10/91, 9/26/91
There are many others, but these I listed off the top of my head.
Ah...Right...right...6/9-10/73
...for some reason, I've got '72 locked in my mind. Damned E72 box, I think it's fried my brain ;)
Got it
Happily enjoying disc 1 here in France. What is there not to like? Yes there are some flaws in the sound, but I am sure JN did the best possible job with the avialable material. I am finding that making some small adjustments to speaker positions and tone controls makes a real difference. If I position them so I am listening from just in front of what should be the 'sweet spot' and push the bass a little it sounds much richer and fuller. But that is probably just me.
The packaging is so much better than the Road Trips, Blair's essay is of the usual high standard...... Yup, one happy customer here.
Digipak's Please
I'm not sure how realistic this request is, but I would jump at the chance to buy new cases for the Road Trips series. Out of every release, from One From The Vault to Dave's Picks Volume Two, only the Road Trips discs won't be returned to their packaging for safe keeping. If new cases are designed to house this series, I'd buy them in a heartbeat.
Nothing here yet...
I'm wondering how many have not received Vol 2 yet. So far, I haven't. I do hope it arrives soon...
we seem
to be unable to reproduce the problem. It seems to be confined to some, but definitely not all, Windows/IE users, and we cannot make the problem happen ourselves, as it were. I have passed along the details from the people who have reported the issue, but there have not been too many of them, which makes this hard to troubleshoot.
China Doll test
Wilfred - try Firefox if not already using it...
I am finally loving DaP2.. Listened to disc one in my car, not friendly to WoS keyboard heavy vocal ugh-ness. Now listening to disc two at home on headphones, aaaaah, so nice. This is a headphone show.
Seems like China Doll may be a litmus test for how one feels about this release. After all the negative reviews here, I braced myself, but lo and behold, I think this is a gorgeous and exploratory version. Jerry's singing is emotive, careful, the playing is beautiful (is it tight, well no, it's China Doll!). One man's sloppy is another man's exploratory I guess...
HDCD player
I am really enjoying these releases so much but would be enjoying them better from my home theater system vs. my computer speakers or car. I do have a nice set of bose headphones but i want to experience the true HDCD. Anyone know of a list of players that will play HDCD's for someone on a budget? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Arrived in the UK
Got mine a few days ago and listened to the Bonus disc first - am I alone in thinking the Weather Report Suite on that is one of the best they've done?DP2 was packed in the same kind of box as the first with airbag protectors which ensured that the long journey didn't take its toll on the disc. Last time I had to pay a high duty, but this time not. Maybe because the value was written on the customs slip this time or maybe it just slipped under the radar. Whatever, I'm glad I didn't have to pay extra.
I've got a sneaking feeling that we'll get an 80s next time - I guess only time will tell.
Arrived in South Australia
Thanks. This is a gem! Big smiles across my face!!
Arrived
tombstone
My set arrived yesterday. It came via UPS not USPS as the tracking link in the shipping email would indicate. It took almost ten days to arrive which is amazing considering I live near a major city in the US. I don't understand the mechanics of it ... it just is.
That said, I think this release is great. It's a significant upgrade to the copy I had.
HDCD
Go to ebay and find a used NAD C541i or C542. Amazing quality for the price..you wont find anything better.
Another choice would be a used Denon 2910 (but the NAD sounds much better)
New systems at a budget price are hard to find, but OPPO is supposed to be good for the price
good luck
Finally...
my new CD player arrived, replacing its deceased predecessor. The last few days have been spent listening to a number of CDs that I had got but had not been able to listen to, "Dave's Picks V.2" included. I am impressed with DP2 and the bonus disc. The sound quality on both is just fine, including the vocals which tend to be the problem with Wall of Sound shows. I can see why some commentators have said that it sounds like a three-part first set in that it never really reaches the heights that the band are capable of attaining, due in part to the song selection I suspect. That said, it is a good solid performance (with the notable exception of "China Doll" which sounds somewhat like a first rehearsal!) and well worth its release.The new CD player is a Naim Audio CD5 XS and it sounds just great in my system. One of the main reasons I opted for this particular player is that it has a HDCD decoder, That is a subject currently being discussed here, particularly regarding what players do or do not have the elusive HDCD decoder. I have been unable to find a definitive list of players with HDCD, but indeed Oppo players include HDCD.
In listening to a few other recent purchases for the first time, I had a couple of pleasant surprises. The Bear recording of Big Brother and The Holding Company "Live at The Carousel Ballroom 1968" is HDCD mastered, something which Sony/Legacy do not normally do. The new New Riders of the Purple Sage album "17 Pine Avenue" is not HDCD, but the sound quality on this recording is astonishing. The music is also pretty damn fine. Highly recommended - check it out if you haven't done so already.
Thanks .. arrived in the UK (No Customs Duty)
Been away for a couple of days, and mine arrived while I was away.This time the 'Gift' box had been checked, so did not have to pay extra customs duty.
Thanks again.
Nothing here yet either
I was informed that it shipped on 4/29 but I have yet to receive it. Not sure what the deal is. It seemed like Vol 1 came a bit sooner.
no dave´s picks 2 - not yet
got nothing up to now over here in germany,but it will arrive any day now - I´m sure!
Looking forward to it.
I was there
While usually with my brother and friends at Dead shows, I went to this Dillon Stadium show alone. And I had my first taping experience, bringing along my dad's Norelco portable cassette recorder and a hand held mic. During the first set I noticed a roadie on stage intently scanning the audience and at break he came through the crowd confiscating tapes and saying "There is no taping at Grateful Dead concerts". He was pretty heavy handed, almost smashing the recorder of a guy next to me. I gave up a tape, but it was blank. Most of us continued taping the rest of the show without incident. The second set, "Eyes" in particular, was one of my favorites. I enjoyed those tapes for 2 years until they were stolen out of my car with the cassette player. I was so happy to see Dave pick the Hartford show and to get to hear it again after all these years in much better quality than my cassette recordings. Thanks.
Dave's Picks
After listening to Dave's Picks 2 I will say that it is a welcome upgrade to the soundboard recording that I had. Crisp clear and sharp. The guys were on their game. For those that lament not having Phil's Seastones in this recording, just get a copy of Mr. Millers soundboard of this show and put the Seastones in the right place. Not having subscribed I didn't get the Bonus Disk, BUT, the complete show that the Bonus Disk was culled from is available 7-29-74 with Hunter's fine matrix #74 for those that want it. Keep up the good work and I will look forward to the next release. (~);}
DP2
If you haven't heard this yet, I highly recommend it. The Wall of Sound in full bloom! This is the cleanest, clearest, most dynamic '70s recording I have heard. Instrument seperation is impeccable, and in particular, Keith's keys are up in the mix on a par with the others like I have never heard before - a real treat to these ears. Hell, Phil's bass sounds so good the band could be called Phil & Friends 1.0! Thank you, David and Jeffrey. Keep up the great work and keep 'em comin'!
Not THAT great
"This is the cleanest, clearest, most dynamic '70s recording I have heard"This must be a joke! I liked the last offering of the Dave's Picks series, but the sound is far from being the clearest, cleanest most dynamic recording of the 70's! Dick's Picks Vol.28 is far better, just to mention one of the recordings which sound better than Dave's Picks 2. The Dick's Picks from 1972 sound better too, and we could name many other examples of more clear, clean and dynamic soundboards from the 70's (in fact, the Bonus Disc sounds better than the album itself!).
It is great to have these releases, of course, but we KNOW the sound quality of some of them is NOT top-notch.
(And, by the way, the "controversial" 'China Doll' version in this volume is quite sub-par)
i'm sure UncleJohn was just joking
RNE,
i really think he was joking to be honest...
although i didn't dislike DP2, i def. could think of many many many better performances from the 70s...there is no way he was being serious.."most dynamic"....really???
there were def. some amazing points in DP2..portions of the eyes were unbelievable and the truckin gets better and better every time i listen. The truckin really shows how well they were able to jam out of any song, go off on an unbelievable musical tangent, and come right back into the song as if nothing had just happened...i LOVE the truckin
With that being said, there were def. some moments in this show that were just not that great. And to be honest, i thought the bonus disc not only sounded better in quality, but i felt it sounded better musically as well.
But like everything in life, everyone has their own opinion and own individual taste... ALTHOUGH, UncleJohn saying this is the most dynamic and well recorded audio from the 70s is just being plain foolish!!!!
bob absent/missing
now that I got that new release over here in germany I remember that this is the show
where bob weir was not playing that much and singing neither.
by the way the bonus disc is a fine one.
Bonus psychology
Isn't it interesting how often folks seem to prefer the bonus disk? I suspect it is not as much a case of 'they released the wrong show', but rather a psychological phenomenon by which the exclusiveness of the bonus extra gives a bigger thrill. Do you think if they had released 7/29/74 as the main release then many would be preferring the bonus cuts from 7/31/74?
GOOD THINGS
That "bonus psychology" may affect some music fans, it is possible, for listening to music is a really complex process with lots of psychological implications. In my personal case, it is the first time I consider the bonus disc to be more interesting than the release itself.Anyway, let's also point out the good things about "Dave's Picks Vol.2":
a) It is a real treat having a full concert from 1974 for the first time.
b) The inclusion of "It Must Have Been The Roses", "Ship Of Fools" and "To Lay Me Down" in the same concert is a real gift (at least for me, a fan of Garcia/Hunter ballads). They are all beautifuly played.
c) "Weather Report Suite". I'm always expecting Jerry's solo to see how he plays it in each recording. Generally it means goose bumps, but sometimes he messes it up. In this recording, he seems to start some kind of tuning up when the time for soloing comes! But he catches up pretty soon, offering beautiful melodies. Then, the jam, always different. That's why I love to have as many versions as possible. the Bonus Disc version is more interesting.
d) Truckin>Mind Left Body Jam>Spanish Jam> Wharf Rat. These kind of jams, one of the main reasons for loving the Dead.
7-31-74
This show has always been rated high among tape traders so it's easy to see why they picked it. I'm glad that we finally get a complete show from '74 too but would've preferred that it would have been the Road Trips '74 shows that were complete. I'm sure that there are some that prefer this one. As far as there being a sub par song or two, that's what sometimes happens with a full show. I'd rather have the whole show! I do think that this is why the bonus disc might work better for some though, as it's more cherry picked. I have the full show of 7-29-74 and there are a couple of sub par songs there too.
As far as the mix, it's a two track and they've been telling us for nearly twenty years now that there's not a lot that can be done about that. This doesn't sound that bad to me. I remember when Dick's Picks 2 was first released and the big deal about it being early in Keith's era although when you listen to it, he's pretty much nowhere in the mix. I should also add that the sound quality on here blows away the circulating copies that I've heard. There are also a couple of patched places, from a different sbd source, on here that are unpatched on all the circulating copies (Row Jimmy and Spanish Jam).
problems with playback
When I've been able to play the discs the show is totally awesome, however none of my laptops recognize a disc in the media player ... plays on my DVD player, but thats not convenient ... any suggestions?
very pleased ith dave's picks
very pleased ith dave's picks vol 2.enjoyed more than vol 1,especially Bill's drums and Phil's bass in the mix.however it dosen't matter what dead i listen to now,after listening to all of europe 72 complete recordings i keep comparing everyhting else to that tour.especially frankfurt.i along with many others regard this as the best of the tour.tennessee jed,the other one and sugar magnolia-amazing,best versions ever of these songs?
My very first GD concert
This was my first-ever time seeing the Dead. I was 15 at the time. What a mind-blowing experience. Totally tripping as Truckin' started up. Have love them ever since. (Currently listening to "To Terrapin: Hartford '77" which I also saw...)
I really want to get my hands on this CD set. Amazon shows $65+. Yikes. Help?
Bonus disc skips on last track!! Anyoone else?
Hi all.
I noticed that my bonus disc skips on track NO# 8 Warf Rat on my cd walkman and also is problematic on my desk top computer.
Has anyone else had this problem?
Replacement?
This is a solid show to release even if the vocals on disc one are too high.
Bonus disc?
Bummer for me -- technically speaking.
P.S. The gate-fold photo of concert goers? The guy with the cell phone? It is probably a Motorola transistor radio he is listening to. Perhaps a local radio station talking about the impending show?