Grateful Dead

As I await Boxzilla like the rest of us, I have been finding a pleasant home here on these boards, reading through the myriad comments, hypotheses, favorite moments and all- around interesting anecdotes related to our favorite band. Also as I wait, I decided to look a little deeper into the Dark Stars from the Europe 72 trunk and do my best to qualify them to find, at least in my estimation, what is the best jamming the boys pull off - and most specifically - those Dark Stars in which they bust out the Feelin' Groovy Jam, a harbinger of intensity, melody, and mind-melding. Below is a short synopsis for each of the eleven Dark Stars from the trunk, followed at the conclusion by my recommendation for the most intense and enjoyable foray that can keep your toes tapping. While off topic of Boxzilla, I thought since I put the time and effort into this search, others may find it interesting or of value. I had looked for something similar previously anywhere on the interwebs, but to no avail. Here goes.... 4/8/1972 - Wembly Empire Pool, London - 32 mins; intense/fast paced first leg up til about 10 mins then returns to DS theme for 1st verse; spacey post-verse til ~17 min, then pace picks up for a few minutes, followed by a brief meltdown; additional spaciness around 24 mins followed by another full meltdown; interesting groove established around 28 min that has hints of Sugar Mag (into which it segues, flawlessly). No second verse. 4/14/1972 - Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, DK - 29 mins; loose first 10 mins not overly spacey; gets spacey around 11 mins; interesting groove establishes around 16 min to head into first verse w/interesting beat; heads off into intense nearly 7-minute jam inclusive of a very tight and fast Feelin Groovy jam; final 3 minutes are a meltdown. No second verse. 4/17/1972 - Tivoli Concert Hall, Copenhagen, DK - 31 mins; spacey opening to about 7:30 when first DS theme emerges leading to 1st verse at 9:45. Spacey post-2nd verse tries to take off but melts further around 19 min; returns to a partial groove around 24:30 and closes out with spaceyness in the last 2 mins. No second verse. 4/24/1972 - Rheinhalle, Dusseldorf, Germany - Split by Me & My Uncle; 26 mins 1st half, 14:30 second half. Spacey opening until about 8:45 where it coalesces and falls into first DS theme around 10:15 followed shortly by 1st verse with slow, sparse notes. Spacey feedback following verse until 15:45 and then picks up into an intense, fast paced jam for just under 2 minutes before it becomes dissonant again leading to major meltdown which eventually heads into Me & My Uncle with ease. Second half: spacey reintroduction persists until about 7 mins, where Keith leads-in with some piano phrasing and then the band follows into a tight fast paced jam where Jerry plays some lines back and forth as if in conversation with himself and then maintains an intense level effortlessly segueing into Wharf Rat. No second verse. 4/29/1972 - Musikhalle, Hamburg, Denmark - 30 mins; spacey opening for ~5 mins, then enters a groove and Phil hints at the Feeling Groovy jam until it finally is joined by Jerry a minute later until about 8:00, then the floor drops out into space. DS theme appears at 14 min which leads to first verse. Spacey post-verse noodling leads to major meltdown, settling in at 22 mins with a fat, fast-paced Keith-led groove. Final 4 mins are spacey & lead to major melt #2, dropping into Sugar Mag as DS finally melts away. No second verse. 5/4/1972 - Olympia Theatre, Paris - Split by drums; 19 mins 1st half; 17:34 2nd half. Spacey opening til about 6 mins when fast paced jam kicks in until 11:20, slowing down then resurrecting the DS theme into the first verse. 4 mins of space leads into drums. Second half post-drums is very spacey until 7 mins, then kicks into overdrive with a very high energy jam leading to a phenominal Feelin Groovy Jam for several minutes before settling into the second verse. DS dissipates into the Sugar Mag from E'72. 5/7/1972 - Bickershaw Festival, Wigan, UK - 19:49 mins; decent, coherent jamming for the first several minutes that congeals nicely around 8 minutes. Bottom falls out around 10 mins and leads to some light noodling, cymbal fills and space. DS theme emerges at 14:23 and heads into 1st verse. Space fills the air through the remainder of the song until it totally breaks down into drums. No second verse. 5/11/1972 - Rotterdam Civic Hall, Netherlands - Split by drums; 13:45 mins 1st half; 30:34 mins 2nd half; Opens with a light, airy jam that persists to congeal into a decent groove as it treads in and out of spacey phrasing. This settles into a mysterious sounding jam that grows with intensity without a return to the DS theme before dissolving into drums. Emerging from drums, Phil and Billy duel for 2 minutes before Jerry joins back in with some complimentary thoughts; the DS theme appears around 5 min followed by 1st verse. A few moments of spacey feedback give way to spacey noodling that devolves into a full blow chaotic meltdown, only to emerge around 19:30 into a very nice, fast paced groove that hints at Caution and PITB jams. This eventually dissolves and a light, sparse outro ends the song as it heads off into Sugar Mag. No second verse. 5/18/1972 - Kongressaal, Muenchen, Denmark - 28:20 mins; almost 2 mins of noodling before opening notes from Phil; a loose jam ensues around the DS theme for the next several minutes and then decays. At ~9 min an interesting jam emerges, which eventually settles back into the DS theme and 1st verse around 14:30. The remainder of this DS is borderline chaos as it treads in and out of varying degrees of a meltdown until it settles into Morning Dew. No second verse. 5/23/1972 - The Strand Lyceum, London - 30 mins; Spacey opening minutes lead to tight fast paced jam commencing around 3:30 for two minutes and then it settles into another spacey jam digressing to almost…nothing. Billy and Phil then have a small duel until ~13:30 when the rest of the band fills back into a delicate groove which grows to into a jam reminiscent of the post-Truckin' foray from E'72 until about 17 mins, when they drop into the DS theme and 1st verse. Ensuing is additional delicate spaciness that transgresses into a frenzied meltdown madness, and eventually settles into Morning Dew. No second verse. 5/25/1972 - The Strand Lyceum, London - 34 mins, out of Wharf Rat. Strong opening with a groove almost from the beginning, no noodling around here in the first 7 minutes. Then turns very spacey until 15 mins when DS theme appears, and heads off into 1st verse. Post-verse finds a Billy, Phil, and Keith duel for several minutes. At 21 mins, Phil institutes a mellow Feeling Groovy jam, soon joined by the rest of the band until ~25 mins. Final minutes are dominated by space and then a monumental meltdown before heading off into Sugar Mag. No second verse. Final Verdict(s): It is a very close tie between 4/14 and the second half from 5/4. I put these on the pedestal due to the crazy, intense jams surrounding the Feelin Groovy sequences. They are just interstellar. Part of me also wanted to simply catalogue which Dark Stars included a Feelin Groovy jam from the '72 trunk, so I feel my work is done and I can rest easy. I'd be delighted to hear if any others had similar, or more excitingly, differing thoughts. Happy Thursday to All. Sixtus

In the photograph, Jerry is seen with a beautiful shiny hairdo, in a semi-profile which emphasizes the pootched out succulence of his insolent pouting rictus, the sight of which will be certain to drive the helpless young deadheads mad with desire!

Turns out I'm already on. I closed my eyes and took a running leap. That was back in '77. Been enjoying the ride ever since. Peace

I'm listening to the big box stream on my iPhone. I can't seem to get a concert to play continuously. After each song, I need to get back into the iphone, and into the safari browser to get the next tune going. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

thanks so much... I had been wanting to ask the question here but figured the answer may have been to daunting. Still a newbie on "Feeling Groovy" jam. Have heard a few but want to find some of the best. So I have been wondering about which stars and which china/ryder jams have them. I figured I would just take my time and find them for myself. Thanks for the effort and the head start. I only procured E72 about 90 days ago so I still have a bunch of first time listening to finish. G

I cut and pasted it into one of my "pay attention bob" notes in my music listening file... Thanks!

has me smiling and mad with desire... edit: had to think as i am at work...punky i promise not to...

however...to me 04/08/72 is the gem of the bunch.the beginning jam is super tight and stays melodic and exciting, the verse is perfect, and the ending jam into sugar magnolia, especially when they are playing both songs at once for a few measures, makes me cry not to mention sugar mag goes then into a 20 minute caution, jerry and pig doing their thing

@Chris Grand - I hear you man. Yes, 4/8 is pretty intense almost right out of the gate and they keep it going for a good portion of the intro. The melts are pretty major though and things get WEIRD. and I'd say b/c there is no Feelin Groovy, it didn't make my cut by I will say it ranks up there as one of the best in my estimation outside of that parameter. Good call. EDIT: after a re-listen on my ride home today, I can say with vigor that the last four minutes or so of the 4/8 Dark Star are very unique, inspirational, and spot-on 'what the boys do'. It really is a Sugar Mag proto-jam and they all pick up on it. Quite special. @Gary Farseer - ecstatic to help you along on your journey to uncover these truths. some of my fondest memories of this music are finding these little things here and there that get planted as seeds in our listening-minds only to learn they seem to always blossom into something much larger and more beautiful than we could have thought once we dig deep enough. @boblopes - I am pleased to make it onto your reference list for the future - that is a first for me! rock on guys Sixtus

GREAT NEWS!I had been sitting on the proverbial fence about this 30 Trips box this past summer and finally said I get would get it. I also ran up some other ugly surprise expenses that I have to pay off in October, November & December, yeah that big, so I had to cancel my order on September 16, and I posted the sad news on this thread shortly afterwards. I also told some other friends of mine that I had cancelled this 30 Trips box. One such deep-pocketed friend said that he would reimburse me if I could get another order in. That luck happened on Sunday Sept 20 and on Tuesday I got the stream and .pdf of the book. WOW! THIS IS AMAZING! (so far) I am skimming thru the book and Nick has done a great job writing it. It's a good read but I'd rather read the hard copy, because reading two pages on my screen like this just isn't in me, especially on my old (2007) desktop. As for streaming, the 1967 LA Shrine seemed a good place to start. I only intended to play a track or two, but I streamed the whole show. THIS SHOW IS AMAZING! Other than the 67 show, a track here and there, all the years. I am surprised with 1994, I like it, better playing than I expected. There seems that there is some hiss in the 84 show, which is a cassette master. Or is it my ears? Audio monitor: a pair of "Computer Associates" MMS-15/CA-15 "full-range" speakers with headphone jack (they don't sound all that great as is) Sennheiser HD-480 cans that are about 30+ years old and sound very good, or at least much better than the CA's, in my opinion. I wish this box would ship in mid-October, instead of the end of the month. Oh yeah, 10/31 is the 26th anniversary of the original release of "Built To Last" and the 27th is my b'day.

Streaming the big box on an Iphone - customer service tells me the streaming is not compatible with mobile devices. They recommend listening on a desktop.

Glad to hear it. I read your post a couple weeks back and felt for you. I have been there, finally getting better financial footing so trying to make up for lost time. A good friend is often one of the best things in life. Not sure I will make it folks, everyone keeps Shrining on me! Jim you still making it?

I had to argue with a few friends that, while very expensive, 30 Trips is not overpriced. Now, as amazing as this new Bob Dylan set is (and it is AMAZING) it is indeed overpriced. THE CUTTING EDGE 1965 – 1966: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL. 12 COLLECTOR’S EDITION Limited, numbered edition of 5,000 units worldwide – THESE WILL BE THE ONLY COPIES OF THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION EVER MANUFACTURED! Every single note recorded by Bob Dylan in the studio in 1965/1966 379 tracks on 18 discs 180 page hardcover 11” x 11” book Includes certificate of authenticity ALSO INCLUDES: The original nine mono 45 RPM singles released during the time period A leopard skin printed spindle A strip of film cells from an original print of the ‘Don’t Look Back’ film includes a download link to hi-res audio files for all 18 discs The Bootleg Series Vol. 12 Collector’s Edition Box Set $599.99

Yeah I love finding the truths...the golden nuggets. My problem is deep cycle partying and OCD...it is like finding the same nugget of truth over and over.

Hey Steve, I've been listening on my iPhone 5 nonstop. Only a few buffering problems here and there when I have bad wifi... That said, I have never updated my software so I might be on a different version of safari. (I don't update till I have to because did have a problem once where updating deleted all my contacts and it was a loan in the ass). Try downloading another web browser like chrome. I bet that will work!

Streaming some '84. Love this silly little song, especially the acoustic one they did for Dead Set or Reckoning or whatever video was I saw on PBS.

Dark Star>Sugar Magnolia>Caution.....simply magic

Nice "work" Sixtus, I've been revisiting Dark Star a bit myself lately. While I do hold a PhD in Europe '72, Dark Star remains an ever opening flower. Nice article for all of the '72 jam fans: http://deadessays.blogspot.com/2014/03/1972-melodic-jams.html

The trick that works on my iPhone 6 is to keep the page open, with the light on. This takes a toll on the battery, of course, but each song starts on its own, with just an annoying hiccup between tunes.

..work productivity just tanked for everyone reading these threads for the next week or so. That's what.. about 13 hours of Dark Star listening alone and does not include the obligatory Sugar Mag / Caution / Good Lovin' listening that comes with it. but seriously, nice write-up. Thanks. _________ One edit: I hear KeithFan2112 is already planning to call in sick tomorrow to revisit some of these. Bird flu or something.

I get the hiccup before the new song starts too but it works on my iPhone and iPad pretty good. The book does not work on safari though. I haven't tried google chrome does anybody know if getting the book works on a iPhone or iPad with a different browser?

scarlet>music never stoppedholee fuk go there, now

That blog rocks, I've been spending a fair amount of time on there when I can. Thanks for the '72 jams link, the details in there are so helpful and make for a never ending hunt for the reasons we love it.

Here's an app that can download the pdf and open up the book: https://appsto.re/us/dolRy.i

I laughed out loud at the work productivity reality cause, well, yeah. Good call on the Other Three mentioned, I'd assume The Other One needs the same consideration as I recall some jazzy places there too. Anyone have a good place to start for a nice jazz filled Version From The Trunk? And I was thinking the same treatment for Good Lovin was also sought, seeking a combination of Pigs awesomeness and the band's hyper grooving ever- inspired, long jams. So much to sift!

Chris Grand got me to revisit the Other One from Concertgebouw the last time this conversation came up. I got a lot out of revisiting it. 5/3 gets a lot of accolades as does 4/26. I've posted this link before. There's some decent reviews and insights and stuff. https://archive.org/post/304297/europe-72-notebook oh.. I have no idea who posted those reviews, it wasn't me, but they're pretty handy. For what it's worth.. I got as much out of the Caution jams as anything else from this tour. I was expecting magic from the DS's and TOO's (and they delivered). A couple of the cautions caught me unprepared had me picking my jaw up from the carpet. One Edit: I am not sure why.. but I had not really listened to much from that tour other than the official releases before the box was delivered. I had pulled down just 5/3 and 5/26 from the archive. I got more out of this release than perhaps any other offering from Dead.net simply because it so exceeded my expectations. I bet I am in the minority here, its not like it was a secret.

Excellent breakdown, nice notes and only a single 2 verse Dark Star the whole tour, learn something new everyday.You don't get a new Dark Star factoid everyday. thanks.

So I've seen a lot of your back and forths over the years and am happy to have learned yous sumthin new. Admittedly that exact revelation swept over me as I concluded my DS assault, but I felt leaving it to Us to find it would be fun. It is an interesting nugget. But also makes you wonder a bit....we miss the mirror shatters and epic searchlights casting.... One thing that's clear is we're All dialed-in and paying attention, a great thing.

Obviously we didn't miss the 2nd verse until you brought it to our attention. Olympia Paris, the lead in to the official E72 Sugar Mag, that's trivia gold.5/4/72, 5/4/72, 5/4/72.

I will definitely check out TOOs as prescribed. I like starting points. Chris Grand your contributions are appreciated everywhere, cool. That read is dense and informatively addicting, looking forward to the digestion. The Cautions. Agreed. Ferocity, so fast, jaws agape-syndrome persists....the runs runs runs from Jerry but the a Rhythm Gang hot on his trail. It's fun, fun stuff and if that doesn't put a smile on your face....it will. I suppose that's The Thing. Comes in many forms.

....i have a Galaxy S6. T-Mobile provider. Using Chrome browser, Works good, except when my phone times out, the next song doesn't play automatically. I need to either set my phone to a 10 minute time out limit (which is it's max), or pay close attention and keep swiping. But with the Dead, paying close attention is a broad term. You know what I mean. Also, when it comes to the Boyz, 10 minutes covers maybe the first verse at times....ahhh...first world problems. Aren't we lucky?....

Not to add to the project but if you are going to do The Other Ones, you might as well start at the Truckin that begins the jam into The Other One. Lots of nice versions of Epilog and Prelude from the E72 album. Every The Other One from the E72 box starts with a Truckin to begin the jam.

So,Kayak Guy,,that Truckin > Jam from Europe '72 is what contributed to one of my MAJOR discoveries back in my UVM days, decades past. And I was both moved and schooled at the same time and listening became A Sport once I digested what this had unveiled. Thanks for the reminder.

This board is the best. I've ameliorated my iPhone streaming technical difficulties. No surprise customer service was not helpful. I figured a post here would put me on the right path. Tonight is 28th anniversary of first show!

Based on your rave I got two tixs to see chris in Dallas next month. Thanks for pointing these guys out, will post short review.

YEP WENT THERE, THANKS FOR THE SUGGESTION CHRIS GRAND. THIS BOX IS LIKE THE JELLY OF THE MONTH CLUB... IT'S THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING YEAR ROUND!

Yep! That works! Much appreciated

REALLY excited for the new Dylan release, but damn if that doesn't show us how fair the 30trips box price is. 600$ for 18 discs of rehearsals and alternates (for the most part), that my friends is crazy. Still really excited about the music becoming available and will probably buy the 200$ version. Atleast there are some options including a 2disc highlights for about 20$. That 600$ price tag was a bummer for sure though, as I really enjoy the music.

Bullmoose has the 6cd version for $108.97 with free economy shipping in the US. Don't know how long they'll offer it at this price, I've bought several items from them hassle free. http://www.bullmoose.com/p/21191595/bob-dylan-cutting-edge-1965-1966-bo…

Hey KeithFan...since you are a...Keith Fan....I assume you have seen/heard the Dark Star from 10/22/71 Chicago (can't recall off the top of my head which official release it was) and if not it MUST be checked. EDIT: while the DS noted here did in fact appear on DaPick's 3, it's not from 10/22 - it's actually from the additional Bonus tracks that were included, from October 21. In my iPod I inexplicably have grouped them into the same playlist/show as 10/22...my bad. While not overly jumbo like to 30-minute Stars from The Trunk, the first half is about 14 mins and change (and is then split by Sittin on Top of The World - AWESOME) - and toward the end of this first foray, right around 11:20, Keith TAKES OFF along with Jerry, shortly Phil and Bobby fill back in and they are all pounding away - all are turned up to '11' - aka One Louder - into a jubilant jam that then morphs into one of the most energized Feelin Groovy jams I've heard. It only lasts a few minutes and then falls into a short frenzy before 'Sittin' and then is closed by a 2 minute DS second verse and done. You may need a wipee when it's all over. Happy Friday to All in Deadland Sixtus

Thanks for the 71 Sixtus. I am sure Doc sensed your comment, Doc? Can't wait to Ear it. Come on Coffee!

That's Dave's Picks #3. Keith is prominent in the mix on that one. Fresh is the word that comes to mind.

Dave's Pick's 3...an early one from the series and great. I DO love that the pi-aner is turned up in the mix, I thoroughly enjoy the grand's sound. Thanks for the clarifier. I'm off on TOO today....5/3 to start...here we go.

Oh yeah, I know it well, but not well enough, for I do not recall the specific passage you speak of (but it's queued up next, you caught me right in the middle of the DS from 2/28/69, and I can't move on until I make it through The Eleven - that's just how I roll). For the uninitiated, Sixtus speaks of the version on DaP Vol. 3. I've been on a bit of a Dark Star trip myself lately. Was just discussing 11/2/69 with a very good friend - unofficial release, but another buddy recently hooked me up with the mp3. A blogger somewhere else touted it as TC's finest moment - I don't know if I would go that far, but it's top-shelf. It also melds into St. Stephen > The Eleven, which is the best way to fly the Dark Star flag in my book. If you really want to melt your head, program the four FW '69 Dark Stars back-to-back-to-back-to-back, and then put on Fillmore East.

Ahhhh...the '69 Dark Stars, such a comforting and simultaneously outrageous place to be. Wish I had the FW Box and therefore all of the Stars...I was only able to get the 3-Disc compilation, and even that one is great and I suppose would be among those touted in 'the lineup'. I'd love to get my hands on the remainder. I haven't heard the 11/2/69 Dark Star, but I did have a listen to the 2/11/70 that was linked here the other day...along with several others from that timeframe and man, I am with you on the old school energies spewing forth outta there. I just need to NOT start my listening sessions at 11 PM on a week night I have 3 Stars queued up...I don't get to bed before 1 AM. That's what Friday's are for.

Jim, I was checking out the link you posted, with the E72 notebook. Would be interesting to re-do that list with everyone's own personal picks. He has some interesting selections in there - I wonder how HIS choices have changed since the box set came out (best sound quality for example - I find 4/26 outstanding). I would choose the 5/3 China Cat as the best (but not the Rider - hate the vocal overdubs); but anyway, the 5/3/72 China Cat has a Jerry solo that lifts me off my seat. I could go on for paragraphs about E72, but that work productivity thing is preventing me, as I called out with the Bird Song Flu the day dead.net charged my card and gave me 30 Trips streaming. Sixtus - check your PM

anyone taking advantage of the $67 Amazon Prime sale today? Any one have Prime, do you like it?

Yes, worth it Gary Farseer - esp if price reduced. I mean, if you order a lot of stuff like Star Wars Legos (not to self incriminate, but hey) then yes totally worth it for the fast shipping. It is fun to find things on your doorstep. I'd recommend.

Keithfan: Other One. November 11, 1972. And oh yeah, listening to that Cobo Scarlet>Music right now. Though I'm trying to wait for the box, I figure this segment will get many repeats from me anyway. Oh boy. I LOVES me some 76. This show will be a NICE companion to 10/9 and 10/10 (which it seems to resemble much more closely than say the preceding September shows) EDIT - It may be, as many say, that the band was better with one drummer, turning those corners and such. But I can't imagine Music Never Stopped without Mickey.

DS as an ever opening flower, yes it is indeed. Makes me think of Yes Parallels...