REPLACEMENT SHIPPING UPDATE (October 22, 2012): The replacement units for Dave's Picks: Volume 3 have begun to ship out to those that reported their order missing. We again apologize for the delay and inconvenience, and we thank you for your patience. Sincerely, The Dead.net Team
DAVE’S PICKS VOL.3 FEATURES SHOWS FROM KEITH’S FIRST TOUR!
This product is officially SOLD OUT. Stay tuned for news on Dave's Picks Volume 4.
In all the years that archival Grateful Dead recordings have been coming out, there have been just three from the red-hot fall of 1971, Keith Godchaux’s landmark first tour with the band. Those would be Dick’s Picks Vol. 2, a rippin’ single-disc release of the second set of the group’s Halloween show at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Download Series Vol. 3 from the 10/26 Rochester show and Road Trips Vol. 3 No. 2 from November 15, 1971 in Austin, Texas. Now there is a fourth: Dave’s Picks Vol. 3 features the complete October 22, 1971 concert from the beautiful Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on two discs, with a third disc culled from the previous night’s scorcher at the same venue.
Keith came into the band in mid-September ’71, at a time when Pigpen was desperately ill and the band was hungering for something new to help fill out their sound. A sparkling pianist, Keith was a complete unknown at the time, yet, miraculously it seemed, fit in with the Dead immediately. The live “Skull & Roses” double-album (recorded in the winter-spring of ’71) had just come out, and the band was still enjoying a surge of unprecedented popularity since Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty were released the previous year. They were on a roll!
Never ones to rest on their laurels, however, the band continued their torrid pace of introducing new songs: “Sugaree” and “Brown-Eyed Women” first appeared in the summer of ’71, and that fall, when the band with Keith hit the road, starting out in Minneapolis (10/19) and then moving on to Chicago (10/21-22), they had a whole bunch of other freshly minted tunes waiting to be born—“Tennessee Jed,” “Jack Straw,” “Mexicali Blues,” “Ramble On Rose,” “Comes A Time” and “One More Saturday Night,” all of which appear on this set.
The sparkle and verve that Keith brought to the band is immediately apparent, as he tears through rockers and bouncy mid-tempo numbers with the confidence of someone who had been playing this music forever. If the quiet keyboardist was nervous or unsure of himself on this first jaunt, it certainly wasn’t apparent. And you can feel the electricity in the rest of the band, as Jerry, Phil, Bob and Bill absorb and play off of the amazingly inventive musings of their new recruit. Of course Pigpen’s absence was deeply felt (and the band acknowledged it at every stop), but Keith’s entrance was so seamless and the energy he injected into the music so impressive, the group didn’t appear to lose any of the momentum they had been building tour after tour.
The songs are a blend of old, still-recent (from Workingman’s Dead on) and brand-new. One forgets that crowd-pleasers such as “Bertha,” “Deal” and “Playing in the Band” had come into the repertoire only eight months earlier, and “Truckin’” and “Sugar Magnolia” were just over a year old. Even a bunch of the cover tunes were relatively recent additions—“Big Railroad Blues,” “Me & Bobby McGee” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Keith handles all of those (and earlier chestnuts like “Cold Rain and Snow” and “Beat It On Down the Line”) with his characteristic aplomb, but perhaps most impressive is how he fares on the Dead’s big jamming numbers. On Disc Two, you’ll hear his thoughtful and inventive contributions to a truly stellar, 29-minute version of “That’s It for the Other One.” And on Disc Three (from 10/21), listen to him as he navigates through a spectacular “Dark Star,” which is split by a spirited romp through “Sitting on Top of the World.” The encore of 10/21 also features the first of only three “old school” (pre-hiatus) versions of “St. Stephen” Keith played on.
Most of the 12,000 limited edition copies of Dave’s Picks Vol. 3 are already spoken for by subscribers to the series, but there are a still a few thousand available through Dead.net only. These will definitely sell out—and fast—so if you want make sure you get your copy, order today! As always, the 3-CD set has been lovingly mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman from the original vault reels, and the eco-friendly Digipak includes a booklet with an essay about the show and, in this case, some very cool photos of the interior of Chicago’s historic Auditorium Theatre. For the complete song lists and ordering info, click here.
—Blair Jackson
If you haven't received your copy of Dave's Picks: Volume 3, please see our note at the top of the page.
DAVID LEMIEUX ON VOLUME 3 & MORE
David Lemieux sits down for a seaside chat about his favorite moments on Dave's Picks, Volume 3: Auditorium Theater, Chicago, IL - 10/22/71. Watch the video here:
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Great choice!
Vol.2 didn't really do anything for me, but this is a hot performance.
New release and other things
I have to admit it:I'm a 70's kinda guy so i never have enough of that stuff.i know some of the guys don't share this point of view.no hard feelings anyway.I agree with all those who pointed out that Vol.2 wasn't a great gig to begin with and the recording was spoiled by a bad mix ( Weir's guitar is too low in the mix,for instance ).A pity considering the legendary WOS year
I hope this next one from a great tour can fix things up.The song list looks perfect
( too bad Pig wasn't there ).
One more thing : i keep my fingers crossed for the UPS people to ship my parcel to Italy in a small bubble bag and not in a cumbersome cardboard box.The Italian customs will skin me alive with import taxes.
last time for the London 72 show (rush shipping ) I had to pay Euro 36.37!!!
God bless import taxes
Italian Import Taxes
That's weird that they tax you based on the packaging used to deliver it and not the declared value of the contents.
I'm always really happy when the Dave's Picks arrives suspended between its inflated plastic pillow bags in its oversized box. It helps justify the lack of free-postage for international subscribers too.
Digi -packs seem to have the annoying habit of losing those little teeth that hold the CD or DVD when posted in bubble bags - which is why I didn't mind the carboard sleeve approach adopted for the Road Trips releases.
It is hard to please everyone
I think no matter what release they put out it would create a stir with someone. I think this is as good as anything else and it may just be that you cannot expect to have them troll all the free sbd releases out there to come up with something no one has ever heard.
Two suggestions:
(1) in this day of social media why not have a poll on the website with a list of 5 shows and let the community vote... that would be fun and create some great traffic, discussion and discourse I am sure on the website.
(2) 10-12-84 - please consider for a future release so I can hear a SBD version of that morning dew before I die!
Dave's Picks - cover art request
Thank-you for continuing to bring us the band's music! Any chance of getting a digital file of the album covers? I'd like to import the artwork as well as the music into my iTunes library. That way, when cruising with the iPod up on the dashboard, I'll see the artwork displayed instead of blank white screen. Thanks again and can't wait for Volume 3 to arrive at my door!
release artwork
The artwork request comes up with every release. In the absence of an official resource, you might visit https://picasaweb.google.com/titanarch.
Tape Snobs? Wha?
Space Bro - I generally love your posts, you are a knowledgeable and witty dude from whom I've learned much. I must confess I don't get this one though... how did "tape snobs" force Dave to pick three 70's shows in a row? (That's not a rhetorical, snotty question - I really don't get it :-) One could just as easily point to "80's snobs" who think that 70's shows are too common - that to be a bona-fide Deadhead you need to have some obscure (or formerly obscure) shows from '83...
Here are some reasons why I think Dave picked this show:
1. The performance is great.
2. The sound quality is great.
3. It's complete (uh, "complete show snobs" anyone?).
4. He knows from past experience that more people buy shows from the 70's.
5. People (including me) say they WANT a show from '84, but when something from that year is released, it will be from a cassette master, and will be a pretty sterile sounding soundboard, and people will bitch about the sound quality (the same way they're complaining about the sound quality of DaP2) even though that is just the way a mid-80's soundboard is going to sound....
WOWOWOWOW!!!
the third disc is sweeeeet.
bring it on!
DaP2 is fine. why are people less than pleased with it? the third disc is is what makes it worth getting. Oh, and a Scarlet opener.
vote with your wallets, people.
if any 84 show needs to be released, it is 7/13/84. and 10/12/84. and 7/7/84. and 7/21/84. and 7/22/84.
gdhead77's suggestion
I meant to add - gdhead77, I think you have a great freakin' idea:
"in this day of social media why not have a poll on the website with a list of 5 shows and let the community vote... that would be fun and create some great traffic, discussion and discourse I am sure on the website."
Seconded! Especially if the shows are spread out - it would be interesting to see how people voted on choices from, say, 67, 78, 81, 84, 90.
Actually, this will be release #5 from 1971...
Although it's not a full show (and neither was DP #2), Ladies and Gentlemen: The Grateful Dead covers the April 1971 run at Fillmore East.
Young head in Chi-town
Glad you've been to see post-jerry shows because the dynamic between the band and the heads was part of the magic that made the Grateful Dead different from ay other "concert". GD shows were more than just an artist supporting their latest release or looking to generate $$$, the band and the heads were in it together; each show was like a party with your really good friends (even when you went by yourself). So, even though you didn't get to see Jerry when he was alive, you still can see him in the DVD's or videos on You Tube (some cool bootleg vids out there). Since you've been to see the band and appreciate the music, you'll have a sense of that magic even though it isn't "live".
As for all the negative comments that greet each new release... guess I have a different perspective. Back in the day, we'd order our tickets, then plan the trip never knowing what the shows would be, one of those nights when magic happened or one that fell a little short. Either way, it was always a great experience. I know there were some shows I attended when the band was on, but I wasn't (I'd had too much, not enough, or something else was going on), but those "off" nights are still part of the whole experience. I'd rather be grateful for what I receive (live shows or new releases) than gripe about some issue that keeps it from my opinion of "perfection". No one is forcing me to continue buying what the good folks at dead.net are selling... so I say THANKS!
~~~ Once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right! ~~~
~~~ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile ~~~
Dave's Picks 3
I think this pick will live up to the other two great works put out there. Since everyone has there two cents to share, I would hope the PTB would put out 9-12-81 Greek and a bonus disc of the Lake Placid 10-17-83 Set 1. Both of those shows cook and would give us an 80's release. Love the 70's stuff but..........
1971 releases
Three From The VaultSkull & Roses
Ladies And Gentlemen
Road Trips Vol. 1 No. 3
Dick's Picks Vol. 35
Download Series Vol. 3
Dick's Picks Vol. 2
Road Trips Vol. 3 No. 2
@cbs73 - re: cover art
Thanks for the tip and the link! How did we survive before google?
Before Google...
Cosmic Charlie, just for fun I googled your question, "How did we survive before google?" and got over 4 million hits. Heh.
https://www.google.com/search?q=how%20did%20we%20survive%20before%20goo…
digital cover art
Thanks cbs, I've been looking for the digital cover art!
I'm a late comer (89), so I like all eras - even the 90's. Although I will second the fact that the best playing (in most opinions) and sound quality is from the 70's. This probably has more to do with ensuring the subscriptions sell out in future years than anything else, so why not an 80's release that is not part of the DaP series? We've been short on independant releases this year.
Also, I read somewhere that Rhino is planning a box set this year with 3 shows from a single tour. I think/hope the 80's folks will get some kind of satisfaction before year's end.
claney
At this point, all I'll say any further, about my tape snobs analogy, is how TPTB actually do pay attention and listen to us. It is a primary part of their marketing research.
Just observe the reactions on this forum the next time an '80's or '90s release comes out, and the high volume of negative banter that will ensue from the same folks who openly vocalize their refuse to enjoy anthing from outside of the '71-'79 bubble. The Formerly The Warlocks Box was a prime example.
Someone will certainly complain if/when 3/29/90 gets released in it's full multi-track glory, and that it isn't good or as worthy enough to release as something from what I will now refer to as the 7 year bubble. The Formerly The Warlocks Box was a prime example.
.......................................................
In regards to cassette masters...
I don't recall off the top of my head exactly at which point Healy made the switch from recording onto analog cassette tapes to digital beta tapes, though it seems the switch was made sometime in mid-late '84. ???
I've heard recordings from '84, possibly from the famously leaked video feed tapes, that sounded absolutely awesome to me, and every bit as good as any other recording in any format medium from any other era. And even if the recordings sound a little raw, so long as the performances are stellar, I'm totally down!
.......................................................
In regards to DaP3, once the CD set is in my hand, and I hear the rumbles of Phil dropping the first bombs from that Other One shakes the walls and rafters of my home, then I'll be just as pleased as pie!
"70s"?!?
It seems strange to me that folks can discuss "70s" GD. Anyone who is looking for equitable representation of GD "eras" in cd releasing is advised to be a little more precise. There are two major phases of their '70s live music: pre-Blues for Allah and post-BFA. Both phases are damn good but they are quite different. The first phase is characterized by the Europe 72 sound. The second phase is marked by a more sophisticated musical sensibility and a deepening maturity in the playing. Phase 2 also brings a much greater self-assurance in the song writing, epitomized by the Help on the Way suite, the Terrapin Station suite and several others birthed after '76. (btw, BFA itself is certainly inventive and displays balls-out self-confidence, but musically is something of a tangent!).
The game is afoot
An interesting topic was floated- and I love to guess, it's part of the fun. What will the next Box Set be? A 3 show set was hinted. My first guess is the 3 Spring Nassau 90 shows- Multi-track, the performance level (Branford) is there- Let's put it on the big board. Or perhaps a Six show box- with the three Omni shows included which follow. Or how about an 81 Box- There's a curveball surely to be blasted out of the park. There's some great early 80's music ripe for the picking, whether or not the sound quality exists is in Dave's hands.
Variety
I'm completely excited about this release and was thinking the other day that I needed some more 71, since I missed both of the summer 71 houseboat releases (I read they didn't sound that great, anyway). I do really like RT 3.2 and am looking forward to hearing another show from that tour.
With that said, I totally agree with Spacebrother and others that more variety would be nice. For a long time, I listened to 69-77 almost exclusively and fall 73 is my favorite tour by a long shot. My shelves are so inundated with those years, though, that I've lately been appreciating the dynamic that Brent brought to the keys and also the wider range of songs. I've heard the American Beauty/Working Man's material so many times that I welcome a Sailor>Saint, Victim, Stranger, Althea, etc, etc -- not to mention all of the great late 80s Dylan covers! I recently bought the Warlocks box (20% off Memorial Day sale!) and it's been blowing me away. It sounds pristine and you can just feel the excitement and energy brought on by all of the reintroduced classics. I've even been enjoying the MIDI soundscapes that I used to detest, although I still cringe when an original Brent tune pops up. I've listened to the April 1st '88 RT release more than just about all the others, just because it's DIFFERENT.
So, if the powers that be are listening, bring on something different once in a while, but don't hold back on these gems either. '84 or '87 would be nice.
Pure Jerry
By the way, I know this is a DaP thread, but does anybody know why the Pure Jerry releases stalled out again? Is there still infighting among the estate members or are they just not profitable? The Garcia/Kahn and Ragged but Right releases whetted my appetite, but we've seen nothing since!
A new generation of Dead Heads
IF the goal is to market to a NEW GENERATIONS of youths then I am sorry, but there is no way the later years stuff is going to sell to the15-24 year old market. Am I wrong?
In fact I challenge any one of you to turn a new youth on to the Dead and ask them what they prefer: the 1970's, 1980's, or, 1990. Let me know how it goes. I have turned my students onto the Dead via E72. But then I am of the younger sort and I cannot tolerate some of the other non 1970 years. Don't get me wrong, there are aspects from those years that I do enjoy like the space and drums and baby blue to name some of my favorites,
However this is a subscription, therefore there is no marketing involved. Obviously the subscribers and many of the fans want the under represented years. They have said this on more than one occasion. I say do what many of the folks on here have suggested and poll the people who have put forth their money!!
As I have said many times before, David and Rhino are listening. Did anyone notice that there are now 300 more non subscription releases up for grabs than when DP Vol. 2 went for pre-sale (2800 vs. 2500)? I am betting that next's year's subscription package will be smoking and attractive. There might even be a DEAD Head membership.
As far as this release goes, what can I expect to hear differently that the RT 71 from Austin doesn't already have? I don't mean that in a condescending way. It sounds great and I can't wait. Someone mentioned earlier that the GD just did the same four shows over and over again. I think there seems to be some truth for that in terms of what IS getting released.
Cheers!!
Pure Jerry
Not sure of the why, although Blair mentioned in his Golden Road feature a couple months ago, that there's a new regime on the JGB side, and it seems likely we will see more releases sometime- but we shouldn't hold our breath. The Pure Jerry series left off on a high note for sure, with Bay Area 78.
Dave's Picks and Road Trips cover art
For those of you like me, who love/need to have artwork for your iPod or iTunes, look no further than Scott McDougall's website:
http://scottmcdougall.net/grateful-dead-art
He created the artwork for all of the Road Trips, the first two Dave's Picks, and the Europe '72 releases. They are presented here in all their glory!
Pure Jerry
(pause from thread) I also would like to know the status of "Pure Jerry" . I can't wait for more releases.
Each time a new release is
Each time a new release is announced, debate sets off. My first reaction when I heard about this new Dave's Picks was of surprise. I was sure that this time something from the eighties or nineties was going to be realeased. I'm not very fond of post-1978 Dead, but I think this is maybe getting a little bit repetitive. I am very fond of 1971 recordings, I really like this transitional year in the history of the band, but I understand the dissapointment of many fans, though.I would REALLY like something from 1967 and something more of 1975 to see the light of day some day. Anyway, I think we are really lucky of having so many releases of the band we love. I mean, they even released a whole tour last year, 73 CD box-sets certainly do not happen everyday!
COOL ART WORK, finally.
Many thanks to the folks that posted those artwork links! Makes it much easier to add to Itunes for all the many releases. Also, the new Dave's Picks artwork is the first one I finally liked. I was surprised to hear that this was done by the same artist as the Road Trips series. The Road Trips covers are all awesome. I also much prefer that packaging-thick stock, less shelf space, etc. As long as you handle the RT packaging with care you won't have a problem with scratched discs. Takes a bit of a squeeze & the discs come out easily, scratch free. The Dave's picks series are too big & the E72 too flimsy. The Road Trips are just right & it feels the closest to an LP. The only thing better would have been if they increased the size by a hair & then used individual sleeves like a vinyl record for each disc. Who does not miss the ritual of playing an album, or rollin one up on a 12"?
I second the call for more
I second the call for more pure Jerry releases. Who knows what is holding them up. I really enjoy what has been released. That 86 show is pure heaven!! What about another Old and in the Way release. I know the Bear recorded a lot of shows and I am sure that David Dawg doesn's have em all. I bet Jerry's kids have access to them. So here's to hoping!!
As far as the DP # 3, I was surprised to see another '71 show. I enjoy that year so whatever. But I would really welcome December '71 with Pigpen singing Run Rudolph Run. In my opinion, and God Bless American I am entitled to one, I think one factor on a release should be something that hasn't been released. Hard to do considering so much of the 1970's has been released, but why not release shows that have a uniqueness about them such as a song that has never seen the light of day except on the tapers section? I don't really know much about this release that is coming out, but I can't really see how it is going to be that different than the Austin show. Please enlighten me!!
I feel like some of these Dead releases are like getting a haircut from a relative, you appreciate it and all ,but it is not quite what you expected. My case in point is the whole Seastones (Yes by golly I wanted an official totally insane version of that released, though I really can't complain considering a fellow Dead Head hooked me up-Thank you soooo much!!) from the DP# 2. I know everyone seems to HATE that stuff, but what about those of us who enjoy it, should we be left out?
Honestly I really enjoy every release that I have bought from this site!! I don't buy them all, but what I do buy, I really enjoy. I did get my copy of this show, and I will enjoy the heck out of it.
Now if we could just get some more information on this boxed set coming out. What is everyone hoping for? I would like to see shows from October 1980. I mean acoustic and electric Dead, how cool is that. I love the acoustic stuff from 1970, but the 1980's has some show stopping performances!!
-Till next time
Don't Count On It
While there appears to be a lot of chatter for an 80's release, I would not count on it and I'm guessing it's simple economics. Rhino has all sales data that and I'm guessing that it indicates that most of us willing to put out $30+ will do so on older shows that contain more vintage tunes. I don't really know, but I would wager the Road Trips from 5/26/93 was probably the one that sold least.
Always surprised when people complain about the earlier stuff
We all have our favorite years and periods, no doubt. And all years have their choice offerings. But for me personally, the tightness and energy of the earlier years float my boat. Though my touring years started in 1979, and I saw some truly epic shows along my journey, the Grateful Dead I fell in love with came earlier. Post '79, I was witness --as so many of us were-- to the slow decline of the Grateful Dead as a "tight" band. They became increasingly more "sloppy", less focused. They could still pull out all the stops and blow the roof off the place, but something essential had been lost. Jerry's voice started to go, he had both health and drug problems that were starting to take a serious toll (as did other members of the band). Don't misunderstand me, I love so many shows from those eras, too. And I buy them all as well since there is still so much to love there. But many of those shows also remind me of the forward momentum that was lost as the 70's gave way to the 80's and into the 90's. What if this band had maintained its tightness? I'm surprised to read folks complaining about 70's releases. It was the band's peak before poor health and substance abuse put so many bumps in the road of their incredibly long, strange trip. The beauty of Garcia's voice, the delicacy of Keith's playing (a level of delicacy they never recaptured in the post-Keith eras). It doesn't have to be your favorite, but this music is vibrant, soulful, exploratory, daring and oh-so-heartfelt. It's the Grateful Dead. Doing what they do best. At their best. And just because some set lists may be similar to other releases, the playing and energy, as we all know, is not the same from one night to the next, not to mention from one tour to the other. I'll buy those 80's and 90's releases when they're offered, but I celebrate these 70's releases with sweet relish and delight. As many as are offered. Few things in life make me happier. Thanks, Dave, for making these shows available. My life is that much richer for it. :)
Greek box set! Greek box set!
If we are going to whine about stuff NOT released...how about the fact that no Greek shows have been released.
81 AWESOME
82 AWESOME
83 AWESOME
84 AWESOME
85 Excellent
86 Fun
87 6/20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
88 Worthy
89 Worthy
That said, if the next 10 releases are GD71, I'll get em all.
A Greek show would be very welcome, ptb.
Greek YES!!!
Stoltzfus I agree. I was lucky enough to see every Greek show from '81 on the shows great the venue sweet (except in one of the early '90's shows where the bowl got to 113 degrees). In '84? they played pictures from Voyager during Dark Star. Do the whole thing
Dave's Picks Vol. 3
Who has a better job then Dave Lemieux? Listening to endless tpaes and culling them for the best. Hey Dave, do you need an assitant? I volunteer here & now.
THE best Dead is the '70's Dead. Period. Flashes of greatness abound over all of the years, but for one body of work, no band can touch the Grateful Dead of the '70's with Brent.
Economics
I'm not privy to what the exact sales numbers are for any given release, except for the one's that have been offered in limited numbers, like DaP's at 12,000 units, FW '69 box at 10,000 units, E72 box with book at 7,200 units, and can assume that the Road Trips series and Dicks Picks have an unspecified limited number, seeing as how many of them are sold out, or almost sold out. Not to mention that most are only available through online direct mail order.
Up to this point, most of the Brent era releases from the mid-late '80s have been made more widely commercially available at most music retail outlets like Best Buy ect. A few examples are Dozin at the Nick, Nightfall of Diamonds, Crimson Wite and Indigo, Truckin' Up To Buffalo, Without a Net, View From The Vault I-IV, Go To Nassau.
Taking that into account, it's safe to assume that '80s Brent era releases far outsell everything else from the '60s, '70s and '90s.
If you also take into account that the Touch of Grey single and In The Dark both outsold the rest of the catalog by a significantly wide margin. 2X Platinum. This also indicates that the Brent era shows are the biggest sellers, and justifiably so.
American Beauty and the original Europe '72 audio releases are the only other Grateful Dead releases to go 2X Platinum, with the exception of the compilation "Skeletons From The Closet", which went 3X Platinum, and that only happened after "In The Dark" came out.
They will have no problem selling out of 12,000 '80s and '90s show releases..
...................................................................
I'll take one of those Greek Boxes please!!!!
Yes, but No
I lived in Berkeley at the time and attended most of the Greek shows. Many of them, and all of their New Year’s shows held at various venues in the Bay Area, were broadcast on KFPA and I recorded them on either VCR or digital tape machines. The bottom line is, whereas there were fabulous shows during that period, they do not translate well to the listening experience after the fact. There were shows during the 80’s that I absolutely loved, and for your reference, I attended shows from ’69 to the bitter end. After those 80’s shows, I was very excited to get home and listen to my pristine recordings, but I was always disappointed for the reasons that have been discussed at length here already. However, there are segments of those shows that sound good on tape and I would suggest the compilation approach versus full shows, for the most part.
Again?
Come on Dave. We have 71, 73, 74 and 77 covered. Really, we do. How about 84, 94, 95, 66-67? On a positive note, this is my first remastered "Frozen Logger". Other than that, I can't get too excited about this one...
Dave, open the archives a little wider please. We all know these by heart...
outstandingly fabulous & absolutely perfect
That's what I think of this pick!
Thanks Dave. You are doing a superb job.
next one will be 80s?
All the releases are great but hey dave how about some of summer 85 or 10 12 84 or gainsville 80 or hult center 83 or boise idaho 83 or spring tour 85 or spring tour 84 or saratoga 83 84 85 88 come on the 70s are the best but lets have a little more of the 80s.Want some shakedowns like merriweather 85 red rocks 83 so nice.Maybe some 90s spring tour or early sommer like deer creek.So many killer 80s i dont care what anyone says i love that nj road trips from 88.Etta james new years 83.Greeks 87 and 88 please more 80s more 80s more 80s and 90s they will still sell out.Thanks for all the great releases looking foward to this 71 show but please more 80s.
Always surprised by the kvetching
I always thought the primary response to any well done official release should be gratitude pure and simple. I assume the 70's shows are released more often because they are known to sell well and Rhino is a business. I would say that tons of music from other eras is available on Archive or various torrent sites, and those who want a healthy dose of 80's Dead just need only go to the Vineyard on this site and sign up for boatloads of well chosen free shows. No other band is so generous with its legacy or puts such care and thought into its official releases. Cultivate a gratitude attitude folks!
very much
looking forward to this release, as i had been with the previous two - both of which i've loved.
keep up the good work dave.
also, unless i'm mistaken, for all of you folks calling for a greek box set, i think blair wrote in one of the blogs that those are tapes they don't have the masters of, which sucks, because i'm rocking 9/12/81 right now, and this show smokes...
the dew
I would say that, based on my expert experience as a filthy tourhound and avid tape listener way back, Morning Dew was among the tunes that really didn't fade over the years, it had teeth and all of Jerry's best qualities right up to the end. And I think the whole band got better and better on it as time passed. Sugar Mag too, there are probably a dozen, but assuming we get a late era release up ahead, I would hope a shattering Morning Dew would be in there.
There are statistics and then there are statistics
I will be happy to post a thumbs up for you and all the folks looking for it if the next DP is a Greek box. However, i think you are more likely to see a Greek bailout first.
Sweet Home Chicago
I try to remain objective, though there's a special place in my heart for the GD in Chicago. A big Thanks for this latest pick- a rocking graceful breeze in the Windy City.
random info.
In addition to the Baltimore '73 with the Wolfman Jack intro., the Dead also opened the second set with Ramble on Rose in Cleveland on March 2nd, 1981. Cute dog BTW...
Like the title says...
Folks, these are Dave's Picks. They should reflect Dave. Now I'm sure, based on the complaints here alone, there is a good chance that we'll see something from those later years next. But if we don't, c'mon. It's all amazing Grateful Dead we're getting here. And it's not like the 70's were a lame period in the band's history. It is pretty much universally considered the band's peak. And their sound varied wildly as changes were made in both musician lineup and sound systems. Not to mention that the majority of the most beloved and quintessential tunes were introduced during this period. And yes, most everything is on Archive. It's not like we're deprived. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you shouldn't want some later (or even earlier) stuff as well, but be grateful for the amazing shows we're getting that are a reflection of Dave's tastes. That's part of the concept of "Dave's Picks," is it not? If the 80's had been as tight and as wildly diverse as the 70's, I sure wouldn't be complaining about three 80's releases in a row. Hell, there were some awful sketchy years and tours throughout the 80's and, even with that, I wouldn't complain, but be thrilled to get some of the best stuff from that era. Even 3 in a row. And I'd be patient that some earlier stuff were on its way eventually. In the meantime, try and recognize how lucky we are living in the era we do with the technology we have. It's all good. Making suggestions is one thing (heck, it's even encouraged), but complaining or, worse, accusing Dave or Rhino of doing something unfair or nefarious...? The reasoning behind that just eludes me. We're all so incredibly fortunate.
E72
In my mind Rhino and the GD staff have already released the best tour in GD history. Regardless of whatever gets released from here on out is pure gravy, I will always be thankful that I have E72 tour!!
I was wondering what was the longest song the GD every played?
It's all relative
I don't know enough to be certain, but fairly surely the longest song is the Playin from Seattle on 5/21/74- just a shade over 46 minutes. If the Drums is included as part of the song, the Dark Star from Rotterdam on 5/11/72 is over 47 minutes. And so it goes, this performance is commonly referred to as the happiest hour of our lives.
We're (or at least I'm) not complaining, Hal!
Hal and others, I'm not complaining, and I don't think others here are either. It's just good ole dialogue. I can't speak for others, but I love 70s Dead better than any other decade. I appreciate the work that Dave does and I think he genuinely listens to us about what we want put out on commercial releases. I ordered this as I do most of the releases offered here. I'm just offering my 2 cents when I say that many, but not all, of us would like to hear beautifuly mastered versions of some of the underrepresented years. Give me variety. To offer some analogies, Blood on the Tracks and Bringin' it all Back Home are my favorite Dylan albums, but sometimes I throw in Oh Mercy or Love and Theft for something different. I like Japanese and Thai food way better than Chinese, but sometimes a subpar, greasy pupu platter just hits the spot. Know what I mean? In my music rotation, it's not always about what's "best" so much as listening to a wide range. That's just me though, and these discussion boards are about expressing our opinions. I'm not bitching, and I do appreciate the incredible amount of Grateful Dead releases with which we are presented. Rock on, all.