Grateful Dead

Looks like a very interesting set. Good time for the band. But I'm still waiting for the REAL DEAL: The box sets of TEXAS '72 and WINTERLAND '74 (Oct.)!

Bold prediction this will sell out after it's been released not sure if a lot alot of people will lay out the $$$ for this set in these hard times...You know they did a lot of 1989 and 1990 releases (a lot of 1990) otherwise they weren't that good although from the 30 tips box set the years they put out shows they were pretty good but I don't think you'll ever see a 1972 release again a whole entire tour..not just a leg...you can't say what will come...I think a lot of us swore we'd see a leg of 1980 shows more spedifically the acoustic/electric sets but my intellect tells me we won't ever see that happen as it would've happened already...unless those tapes haven't surfaced yet maybe someone will clean out their cellar one day and find soundboards...this is a great find this 1978 box set more spedifically the red rocks shows...but we'll see what happens in the future but you can't be unhappy with the progress of releases...we are definitely not hungry for more material but are left wondering what could be next...like the next dave's pick will be...some people already know.

This is a very exciting box set for several obvious reasons. The legendary Red Rocks show and the implications of lost Betty Boards being returned to the vault. I've never heard any of these July '78 shows, so I'm really into this release. The question will be if I manage to fund a purchase before it's sold out. I definitely agree that a May '77 part 2 would make perfect sense for it's 40th anniversary next year, assuming those tapes can also get or have already been returned. However, I would probably be just as excited to see a 5/9/77 DaP 20 to round off the year. So... whatever. Just keep the hits coming.

Last I checked the count of 60s & 70s vs. 80s & 90s last year was Dead even last year. 30 Trips had 17 shows from the 80s & 90s, while the 60s & 70s had 13 in that set (add the four Dave's Picks from last year and you get 17 from the 60s & 70s). There is no problem, just petulant children. 80s/90s beggars - put your bowls away.

I get the complaint about Dave shutting out the 80's/90's (and '66-'68). I share it. But with the Bettys back on board, I'd expect a slew of new '71-'78 stuff. Big tent, legendary type shows. Mickey's last show, the first of the ESP run (2/18/71). Kezar '73. Cornell & Buffalo '77. Summer '76. Fall '73. And Red Rocks '78 belongs in that pantheon. Especially 7/8/78. Point being, a release of 7/8/78 isn't the proper time to complain about the lack of 80's releases. Do that when we have an 'average' show from the '69-'78 era, not a legendary one. Would I like some more '89, '85, '87? Yes. Or even '88/'80? Yes. '66-'68? Yes. Even '91 or '81. ('90 is pretty well represented). But when 7/8/78 comes out, I'm not complaining, I'm celebrating. This is as good as the GD gets.

A while back I reread some books I have regarding the Dead, and tucked into one book, I found this quote from Jerry "I thought that maybe this idea of transforming principle has something to do with it. Because when we get onstage, what we really want to happen is, we want to be transformed from ordinary players into extraordinary ones, like forces of larger consciousness. And the audience wants to be transformed from whatever ordinary reality they may be, into something a little wider, something that enlarges them. So maybe it's the notion of transformation, seat of the pants shamanism, that has something to do with why the Grateful Dead keeps pulling them in. Maybe that is what keeps the audience coming back for and what keeps it fascinating for us too." So, I still can't recall everything that Jerry and I talked about that February morning almost 4 decades ago, but in a microcosm, it involved that same synergistic effect; I was so excited to talk to him, Jerry became jazzed to talk about art and symbols/mysticism (probably a break for him having to talk about the Dead & music, etc.), and while sharing our conversation, our interaction took on its own power. It took on it's own moment. I think that is what it was like when we joined with the Dead at those shows, their pouring out this unfathomable energy in that moment. And us in the audience rising in response with our collective surge pushing energy back to the Dead, which then propelled them to greater heights of aural adventure. Maybe I am just rambling on,.. but you know that the Grateful Dead did often get that 'dragon' off the ground, and into flight, with us all then levitating in the Dead's tow/draft. We were part that remarkable mixture of music + magic + visuals + adventure = alchemy. Then as we would watch/listen, with our mouths agape, as each of the Dead would tease, the improvisation, their 'call and response', Jerry's cascading leads ('catch me if you can'), Bobby's shimmering rhythm guitar, Phil's bass runs/bombs (that changed the very atmospheric pressure), Keith's keyboard interplay, Billy and Mickey's primal percussion then mutating into complex and compelling syncopation, urging and propelling the band further... and the bard Hunter's lyrics, that poetry, those revelations,...that song...and we would roar and exhort the Dead and pour that fervor into our tribal stomp and collective howl. And suddenly the moment slows and extends and everything becomes quite still, and that voice "nothing you can hold for very long..." .....And then all of us stumble out into that crystalline cool evening. Sad eyes, heads shaking, and smiles which alternated between satiation and longing for more. The truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.

....sounds interesting. Cold Rain, BIODTL, Scarlet -> Fire, Dancin -> Drumz. Had to read that twice before I got it....

I'm real excited for this release and pre-ordered immediately. I'm most looking forward to the 7/1 show, I wonder how the country fans reacted to Terrapin. I think this will be the only box set of the year despite the curiously early release date because people are still recovering from the massively expensive (and massively great) year 2015 was. The last digital 30 trips release just barely sold out and in one of Dave's earlier chats this year he said it wouldnt be an overwhelming year box set wise. That being said, I'd be all in for a fall box set....

San Francisco at the Winterland, where I gifted the 'dragon' to Jerry. And then a month or so later I got to talk with him after that monster Madison Show (February of 78). Omaha was that summer. If I could repeat myself for those who haven't heard this before (my 3 sons are groaning loudly, they have heard this tale so many times), but here he (I) goes again.....many years ago, in a galaxy far far away, called Nebraska........ Back in 1977, my girlfriend (now wife), myself, and two buddies decided to road-trip from Lincoln Nebraska to the Winterland for the New Year's Eve run of shows in San Francisco. I toted along with us a clay sculpture that I had made the prior year. It was a one and 1/2 foot (in circumference) dragon that was biting/consuming it's own tail. I had 'scraffitto' (carved designs) into the entire beast's 'hide' and then it was fired and stained. It was the biggest piece of clay sculpture that I have ever made. And I thought it would be fun to give it to the band on New Years. So away we go, get to the venue and secured tickets for the run (12/27-29-30-31-77). The shows were unbefuckinliveable and Winterland was such a great hall. But on the 31st, we were sitting on the sidewalk waiting for the doors to open, talking and watching the circus, ready to hurry and get in for the 'activities' ie. freak volleyball and Bill Graham was going to show us movies (Ray Bradbury's Illustrated Man and the original Beatles Magical Mystery tour) before that evening's show. I thought "I better try to unload the dragon aka 'Oroboros' now, it's heavy and I don't want to try to talk my way though the front gate with it." I spied a door that said 'Backstage' and began knocking on the door. No answer. The line of people on the side walk started getting up and moving toward the entrance. Banged even harder thinking "I've got to get this dragon in there so I can go in the front and join in before the show", and as I pounded harder, the door yanks open so hard that it yanks me into the doorway. This doorway is immediately filled with a gigantic black man in a red event t-shirt, who puts his hand on my chest and leans forward and bellows "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" Startled, I held out the dragon with both hands and stuttered "to give this to the band". The giant took it in his immense hand and his face curls into a grin as he held it closer to inspect it and I watched my dragon shrink to the size of a key chain. He exclaimed "Wow, what is this, I'd like one" and I explained "it's an oroboros and that is the only one there is." He grinned and said "Cool, who do you want me to give it to?" and I said "to Garcia, give it to Jerry Garcia." The giant disappeared as quickly as he appeared and the door slammed shut like the the first time Dorothy tried to get into the Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. So, I happily gain entrance to the show and needless to say, it was something, 'freak volleyball' followed by the movies, Graham's copy of Bradbury's 'Illustrated Man' followed by a 16 mm Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour". The colorful/wonderful crowd, 'rainbow' Rose with an eyedropper of liquid party favor "just one dollar per drop. On your tongue or for the adventurous, a drop in your eye". Oh, and when each person walked through the entrance the staff handed us a piece of paper that had a message about a "Good things come to those who wait, surprise at midnight" with steal your face logo. When you entered Winterland, you could go into the big 'hall' surrounded on all sides by an elevated balcony, (with theater seats). You could also go into a bar, which played some black and white videos on a 'big screen' taken from pro shots of the Winterland stage when Hendrix or Airplane or etc played. Very entertaining on many levels. Hey, the New Riders of the Purple Sage are starting, got to get in there, the sound is loud and they are rocking the house. Anticipation was high and the Dead came out for the first set. Our party favors are now starting to engage..., things began to sparkle, and the old Winterland venue takes notice, and her walls start to sweat and, then to sway with the strains of familiar music as the Dead coax this old hall to dance with us all. This is such a delight, I know the vista cruiser is engaged and then I notice when the house lights went down, and the stage lights went dark in between songs, then I saw it. On top of a monitor, in between Billy and Mickey, there was a flame, it was a white candle sitting in front of a dragon consuming it's tail. It was Oroboros, ON STAGE WITH THE DEAD! I watched as Jerry walked over and lit a cigarette off the candle by the beast. They took a break and the surprise for the second half was Uncle BoBo (as Bobby liked to call Graham) dressed up as Uncle Sam on a motorcycle sliding down on a cable suspended high from the back of the hall to the stage. They put spotlights on him as he approached the stage and it was hilarious. Because as Graham came to the stage, the weight of the bike and BoBo was too much and the stage hands had to rush out and drag him onstage and then to the explosion of Sugar Mag, complete with dropping balloons and babies girl and boy New Years dancing at the each edge of the stage. I was 'sittin' on top of the world (Dead reference intended). What a night!! If you pull up 'YouTube', NYE show 1977- Fire on the Mountain video, right at the end of Fire on the Mountain, the camera does zoom in on the 'oroboros' for a couple of seconds. RDevil here on Deadnet found that 'view' and clued me into it. From then on my 3 sons knew I wasn't bullshittin' because I showed it to them! Anyway, what a treat that run in 1977 was. At many levels, the return of China Cat-Rider, my being able to 'gift' our band, who poured out so much to us. But unknown to me, the best would be yet to come. We walked out into the cool San Francisco early morning and drove through the fog back to Nebraska. This is not the end of the tale. Fast forward to another road trip to Madison, Wisc. on 2-3-78. The Dead were on a roll and it was really a killer show. That Cold Rain and snow to start and the tremendous second half with Estimated>Eyes>Wheel (if I recall correctly). Disparage 1978 at your own risk. I was at Windterland and other shows in 1977 and still treasure those 78 shows I was lucky enough to attend. The next morning before I left the hotel, I got a wild hair and called the front desk and asked "Could I have Jerry Garcia's room please?" and the phone rang and Jerry answered! I said "Hey, I'm the guy that brought the dragon to the New Year's show" and Garcia said "Meet you in the coffee shop in 20 minutes". I couldn't believe what was happening but stumbled into the coffee shop at the appointed time and looked around and saw Jerry Garcia seated at a table with a ravishingly beautiful raven-haired gypsy woman. I walked over and introduced myself, and 'shook the hand, that shook the hand, of PT Barnum and Charlie Chan'. Jerry beamed that smile and gestured and said "sit down, man". He asked me "How did you fire that dragon so that it didn't explode in the kiln?" and I explained how I had cut it in half and hollowed it out and then joined it back together. I told him how I had used a guitar string to 'halve it" and we locked eyes at that moment and he burst into laughter and I said "Ironic, huh?" and Jerry quipped "No, man that makes perfect sense." And then we laughed some more. Then the gypsy/beauty said "where are you from?" and I replied Nebraska. And she shot Garcia a glance and stated "he came all the way up here from Nebraska to see the band!" To which Jerry shrugged his shoulders and retorted "we didn't ask him to come" and looked at me and we both howled with laughter again. No deadhead was she. We talked more about art and the dragon and I didn't know at that time of Garcia's interest and practice in art (this kind anyway). He was completely engaged in the topic of art, but quick witted with 'turn on a dime' twists, turns, and little commentaries on a variety of topics. Jerry was also focused on listening, not acting like he was the important one, giving me time and locked in on our discussion and talking about our shared interests. The gypsy woman frowned in disbelief as she asked me "You went out to San Francisco for New Years and then came to Wisconsin" and I said 'yes' and then I turned to Garcia and asked him "Why don't you bring the circus back to Lincoln, Nebraska?" He quickly replied "You mean to Perishing Auditorium?" And I corrected him "No, it is Pershing Auditorium, after the army general" and he quickly retorted "No man, it was perishing, really!" And we both burst out laughing again. At that Lincoln, Ne. Dead show on 2-26-73, there were a bunch of drunk frat boys yelling 'boogie, boogie" at the top of their lungs.., but that show is top-notch! Anyway, I asked Garcia "could you bring the Dead back to Nebraska" and Jerry grinned that Cheshire cat grin and said "who knows?" I took my leave (their breakfast arrived) and drove home. Then that summer the Dead came back to Omaha, Ne. on 7-5-78, and I taped them with my NAK 550 in FOB, and followed them to their/my first Red Rocks shows. What a run! So that is my story, Jerry Garcia was totally gracious, engaging, enthusiastic, and kind to a deadhead who approached him at one moment in time. I know, I repeat myself, such is my lot in life at this juncture, but thought I would 'complete the circle' of this story. See furthur down the thread for my account of these shows when Jerry did bring the boys back to NE (after KC and St. Paul) and then their (and my) maiden voyage at Red Rocks. I don't recall if I ever shared that Bob Weir had taken to wearing a full-head Werewolf mask when the band came out to encore with Werewolves of London. I remember seeing that mask in Chicago, and several other 1978 shows, St. Paul? Red Rocks? It was hilarious as he struggled to see/play/sing and the other guys goofing off him (Kinda like the boys in masks playing Big Boss Man cica 1972 in Europe). Not easy to do, but he was a pretty funny visual and really got us all into howling 'aaahoooooo' back to the band and Bobby. Hey Deadicated, wasn't Bobby wearing that mask in St. Paul? Didn't someone shoot off a firecracker in the hall during that show? Or maybe I just had a synapse....;o} Anyway, sorry for the repeat, but 'looks like the old man is getting on'.. And may you all get those shows you want and/or attended released soon complete with the Plantagenet treatment/process in the near future! This set shows it obviously CAN happen. I am taken aback. "It ain't what I don't know that gets me into trouble, it is what I know for sure, that ain't so". -Mark Twain

I've never met anybody. Once walking in NYC with a group, everyone turned around looking and I was like, "what?",,, everybody was that was Dave Winfield. I think that was the name big baseball player in the day. Walked right past him, never saw him. Closest I've ever came to meeting a celeb.