Grateful Dead Dave's Picks Volume 2

Features

April 5, 2012
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.

Listen to free streams from
Dave's Picks, Volume 2

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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Dave's Picks Volume 2

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

Check out the
Subscriber's Only
Bonus Disc Cover.

Listen to free streams from
Dave's Picks, Volume 2

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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John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow

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claney

12 years 6 months ago

Eco Packaging
Gratefuldean - I'm with you on the packaging. I was really pleased when they announced the recycled materials for the CD case, and equally appalled at the way it was shipped. Shit, if Deadheads don't care about that stuff, who will? (Even Jerry, remember, broke out of his usual political / issues aloofness to comment on the environmental nightmare of a vinyl record pressing plant).
SugareeSteve

12 years 6 months ago

I was thinking that too when
I was thinking that too when the box arrived. I would think a secure bubble mailer would work. But I am sure people would complain about that as well. Bottom line everyone will not be pleased no matter what it is show, artwork, disc packaging, shipping packing, mail service..... I am just happy to be getting excited about shows and products from Dead.net
Thats_Otis

12 years 6 months ago

Dave's Picks Volume 2 - Not boring, but...
... I do feel you on the idea that it seems like one LONG first set. For whatever reason, it never really seems to take off into that other-worldly place that so many second sets would journey. I do think that the absence of a major jam vehicle may be the culprit, though I would argue that Truckin' was often the very vehicle that would deliver us to that special second set place. It's just on this show, the band seems to peak during the Truckin' jam, (which IMO SMOKES!), but then take the foot off the gas for MLB and especially Spanish Jam, (which is basically some gorgeous noodling from Jerry and some random plunking from Keith... not really a cohesive jam for 3/4 of its running time.) Then into Wharf Rat, which is a great tune, but there is nothing spectacular about this one. Always a fan of US Blues, so glad to hear that up next, but then the Saturday Night - - has anyone else noticed that it sounds like the band turns WAY down for this and the UJB Encore? I checked my volume, and it was the same level as it had been for the entire disc. I don't know, it sounds like all of the life gets sucked out of the sound. Couple this with the fact that Disc III begins with To Lay Me Down, a WONDERFUL song, but a slow starter, and you end up with a pretty "meh" disc of Dead. (I found that it helps if you listen to all of Set III together...) All of that being said, I am still enjoying this release A LOT. I think that discs 1 and 2 are worth the price of admission. Disc 1 starts off a bit rough,... and the BIODTL that Dave refers to is pretty bad listening, BUT, the Half-Step>Roses is GORGEOUS and I simply like the song choices: Row Jimmy is a fav, a strong Jack Straw, and a GREAT 74 China>Rider! Around and Around is a fun way to end the set too. Disc 2 is pure butter. Bertha and Big River are great opening numbers, followed by a FANTASTIC Eyes>China Doll. I have to disagree with the poster who said China Doll is one of the worst versions he has ever heard... On first listen I thought that it was beautiful and a very interesting followup to that mind blowing Eyes. Promised Land is pretty hot, and Ship of Fools is another example of why I just love the setlists from this period. (Wake of the Flood and Mars Hotel being my two fav. collections of studio songs.) And the WRS is an excellent, well played, well-sung version. Then the start of Set 3, El Paso (good version, if you like this song...) a great Ramble On Rose (BTW: I also disagree about the singing on these discs; I think they sound pretty good, especially Jerry!) and the Greatest Story (not one of my personal favs.. what are Bobby and Donna screaming about?) All in all, I am very glad to have this in my collection, and while it doesn't rank up there with some of the best live releases, I certainly would stop way short of calling it boring. Let's see where Dave takes us next...

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

Check out the
Subscriber's Only
Bonus Disc Cover.

Listen to free streams from
Dave's Picks, Volume 2

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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Dave's Picks

dead comment

Sounds great.

Much better than a majority of the washed-out Dicks Picks. Enough with 77 and 74 already though. Mix it up!

darkstar

what OS/computer/player are you using?

Dave's Fav #3

We must move to speculaton about the next impending release.

The next release...

Hopefully, something with a smoking Alligator->Caution!!!

mixes with wall recordings

You must remember with the Wall of Sound, each member had control of their own sound. So, for example, if it is a 2 track recording and you are not hearing Keith, it is because He doesn't have himself turned up enough. There were also no monitors, because they had speakers behind them and above them. This is one of the Best Wall recordings that I have heard.

whats next?

84 85 maybe?

Next Show

One from The Ark.

Petition for 9/24/76

Respectfully submitted, that while there are many fine suggestions for official release in this thread, most of them have circulated in soundboard format for decades.We have never had the soundboard from William & Mary, 9/24/76.We know at least part of it is in the vault, since the Playing>Supp>Playing is on the Cow Palace bonus disc (as were selections from 6/9/76, subsequently released as the last RT). Knowledgeable Sources have stated that the whole soundboard is there, inexplicably dormant. It contains, to my ears anyway, one of the very finest Help>Slip>Franklin's ever performed. Lesser renditions have seen commercial release. What follows it is equally exceptional. It is a missing piece of one of the most interesting musical maps in the band's career, and it deserves greater recognition. Please consider it.

right on, jbr1230

William and Mary '76 would be a fantastic choice. Another great choice would be the Portland '74 show Dave mentioned in one of the videos here and based on the sales of DaP2, there seems to be some demand for '74 shows.Waiting to see what's next is part of the fun of the subscription; I've been checking pretty often.

jbr1230...

Just in case you missed it, the Slipknot-Franklins Tower from 9/24/76 was featured during last year's 30 Days: http://www.dead.net/30daysofdead

Dave's Picks Vol 3: The Ark '69

I'm with Scott-O, I'd be very GRATEFUL to have a show from the Ark '69 three night stand. Actually, the whole run would make a nice box set. And that's my opinion.

Dave's Picks Vol 3 & 4 (What shows??)

Hi,Do we know what shows will be featured in volume's 3 & 4???? Vince

It's either pre Donna or post Donna

Since David Lemieux is going to represent a different GD line up for each release for a given year, we know that we are not going to get anything from early 72 until early 79. My guess is that we will get something from the Brent years for vol. 3. I am also thinking that it will be from an underrepresented time like 84 or 85. Just a though...

Next release

Agreed - with the convention of switching band composition for releases, I would agree with a pre or post Donna release is up next. Personally, I'd love a 68 or 69 show (Ark woulld be nice . . . but what a grate run to release? ) but I think something like 10/26/89 or something from the Bruce/Vince era will be in the next 2 releases. As a Dead omnivore, I find moments to love in each era and am grateful for Dave and Jeffrey Norman for all of their work.

11/2/84

I just went back to the original page announcing Dave's Picks with all of the dates floating around. One of them was 11/22/84 at the Berkeley Community Theatre. That's my guess...

well

I loved that show... I loved that whole run. That would be fine with me!

This just in from our pal JC Flyer at Terrapin Crossroads

Jun 20, 2012 - 6:30PM Join us at Terrapin Crossroads on Wednesday, June 20, for a Dave’s Picks Vol. 3 listening party followed by another installment of our Storytellers series! From 6:30-7:30, David Lemieux will play selections from the brand new Grateful Dead archival release CD, and from 7:30 to 8:30 he will join J.C. Juanis in conversation about music releases, the audiovisual archives, and whatever else comes up. To reserve a spot for this FREE event, call 415-524-2773. Space is limited.88

shoulda known...

...they'd have somethin' up on the solstice...nice!

Around & Around

It sounds to me like Bob is singing "They Never stopped 'Drockin'..." on this song from 7/31/74.... All thru it he sounds like he's singing 'Drockin' instead of 'Rockin'. Anyone else pick up on this????

Did you get a copy of Dave's Picks 2, or the bonus disc?

Hey all, I signed up for Dave's Picks last November, paid the subscription fee, but have only received Dave's Picks Vol 1. Anyone else have a similar experience? I never got Dave's Picks Vol 2 or the bonus disc for subscribers. Through close to two months, a dozen emails and several phone calls, I haven't been able to get any satisfactory answer to "where is my order", until today, when I was told Dave's Picks Vol 2 is on back order. So I'm a little bit frustrated, and I've asked for a refund. Honestly, I mainly signed up to be a supporter of the larger, ongoing Dead operation. Putting my money where my mouth is, so to speak. It's not like I have any shortage of quality shows to listen to, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on a whole lot by not getting volumes 2, 3, and 4 or the bonus disc. But I am surprised by how shabbily I was treated as a customer. Probably the worst customer service experience I've had, well, ever. Comcast is more responsive. I was told I should get at least a partial refund. So that's something. But I don't think I'll be ordering anything else from Dead.Net in the future... Excited to see Phil, Bobby, and Mickey at All Good, though

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