Dave's Picks Volume 1 is officially SOLD OUT.
Have no fear, you can join the fun with our next release Volume 2, the complete Grateful Dead performance from the Wall of Sound tour, recorded live on 7/31/74 at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, CT. This was one of the final East Coast appearances by the Grateful Dead for almost two years, and is one of the longest, most exceptionally well-played shows of the entire year. The big jams stand out, of course, including "Weather Report Suite," "Eyes Of The World>China Doll" and "Truckin>several thematic jams," but the smaller songs, like a rare show-opening "Scarlet Begonias," "Mississippi Half-Step," "Big River," "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Uncle John's Band" and countless others are also excellent at this A+ show.
In addition to all the great music, you can look forward to another digipak with trays made of 100% recycled and PCW materials (and of course a booklet featuring a historical essay and photos). Due to popular demand, we'll be using a heavier paper stock for Volume 2 and all the great Dave's Picks releases to come.
Dave's Picks Volume 2 ships this May. Stay tuned for pre-order details.
Learn More About Volume 1 here...
Dave's Picks Archival Series Kicks Off With 5/25/77
Chances are if you’re a Dead Head you’re already well-versed in the glorious spring of 1977. Back a year since their mid-’70s performing hiatus, and fresh from recording their Terrapin Station album in L.A. with producer Keith Olsen, the Dead returned to the road invigorated and excited that spring. There were fantastic new songs (including the “Terrapin Station” suite, “Estimated Prophet” and “Fire on the Mountain”) and their older tunes seemed imbued with new vigor and vitality. Every stop of the tour, which stretched from the third week of April (beginning at the Spectrum in Philadelphia) through the first week in June (back at Winterland in San Francisco), presented some new wrinkle or interesting variation on the repertoire, as songs were moved around, unusual combinations were explored and the septet continue to solidify and mature. Which is a fancy way of saying the band was on fire—y’see, there’s a reason why this is the ninth show from that tour to be released!
The song list from 5/25/77 might not reveal much out of the ordinary (though it’s great selection of tunes), but the playing is definitely extraordinary. The first set contains outstanding versions of favorites such as “Mississippi Half-Step,” “Jack Straw,” “Cassidy” and “Lazy Lightning” > “Supplication.” And the second set is primo-grade ’77 from start to finish. The buoyant “Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain” that kicks things off sets the tone, but then the rest of the set is a deftly played medley starting with “Estimated” and moving into “He’s Gone,” a primal drum workout from Mickey and Bill, a heart-pounding version of “The Other One” that’s split by “Wharf Rat” (the only time those songs were played in that sequence), a joyful “Wheel,” and then a double-dose of Chuck Berry to bring it all back to rock ’n’ roll basics. Talk about a thrill ride!
— Blair Jackson
Display on homepage featured list
Off
Feature type
dead comment
History continues to unfold.
I'm looking forward to the arrival of this release. As an avid Deadhead and collector I'm looking forward to it all. 1977 was a good year and I'm sure the music will be pristine. I was looking over all my Grateful Dead, JGB releases in my own Vault, it really is amazing how much music has already been released. Just seems like it's all just getting started. I'm sure we have much to look forward to in the future. Big round of applause for David and all involved in this series. Also for the folks who turned on the recording equipment on May 25,1977. Amazing it is, I'm glad to be part of history, keep jamming.
Coconut Phil
Volume Two
Surprised no one commented on this yet- Still looking for confirmation, though to the best of my knowledge, Dave's Picks Volume Two is the complete show to July 31, 1974
Dave's Picks Volume 2
Yep, I heard and saw it too, 7/31/74, and if you bought the subscription, (like me) you get a bonus disc, from summer 1974. The bonus disc contents have yet to be finalized.
Thanks for the digipacks
Everyone at GDP: Thank you for getting rid of those horrible cardboard sleeves. So far, almost all of my Road Trips discs have been scratched because of your ingenious idea to save a few bucks.
IT WAS THE WORST IDEA EVER.
Thanks for bringing back the digipacks.
Don't go cheap on us again.
Looking forward to this release
It just doesn't get much better than May of '77, which is probably why so many releases have featured shows from that month. Here's an idea for the shirts: just release the entire month of shows (a la E72 box). Guarantee that would sell out right away...
Still no RT4.5
Am I going to get this before RT4.5? If so, I won't be sure whether to be delighted or furious.
Probably looking forward to 31 July '74 more (if the rumour is true) but I always enjoy '77 shows more than I think I'm going to. Some beautiful, smooth, effortless stuff. Perfection a lot of the time. The problem is that the perfection can be less exciting than the riskier pre-retirement stuff.
What am I saying? My only ambition is that I get this. I've given up on receiving RT4.5 and have written it off as Rhino/dead.net ripping me off. If it happens again, I'll check out for good.
A sour note for digipacks...
The digipaks are not perfect, either. My 2001 reissue of Europe 72, the hubs have one part broken off and can't hold either disc correctly, and both discs are scratched. This is the same with 2007's Cow Palace set. Several of my Dick's Picks are almost the same way, but I can still get generic replacement parts for those plastic parts.
But above all of my few complaints, the music is the most important and shines thru very well.
The May 25, 1977 show is an excellent accessible way to start off a new release series. Thank you very much for this release.
totally
agree with Jackstraw, cbs73 and ajt, so, with shipping et all this will be 30 bucks, I guess the 12,000 haven't been sold yet and may not for previously mentioned reasons. Bonus disc gonna be a comp of shows from the northwest 74, too bad. Hey, could you give us a heads up as to which shows are gonna be picked from, would love to get the complete shows before they are removed from archive. Thanks in advance :) LBC I feel for ya man, I reported defective discs also and have received nothing, zip, zero, another reason I just can't see the cost, it's a crap shoot now, will I get the disc, will it play, if not, will I get a replacement? All real questions that have never been addressed. Too bad.
7-31-74
No complaints here about 7-31-74 (if that is true). Those '74 shows, even when already available in crisp soundboard, benefit even more than others from the Norman treatment (e.g., The Wall of Sound RT, WOW).
Anyway, a couple of months ago I did say what I wanted to see for the DaP 2012 series (in addition to the '77 show) was: Either Fall '72 or Summer '74, plus something from '84 and something from '67. So far so good! (Though I'm guessing a 74 release will preclude a Fall 72 release, boo hoo).
Primal Time
Now that Volume Two is revealed, Dave's Picks begins with back to back Home Runs. My best guess for Volume Three is an early pick- I'll go with 4/23/69 from The Arc.
So how many of the 12,000 are
So how many of the 12,000 are left for sale after taking into account those that got the subscription: 11,900, 1, - what?
Dave's Picks Vol. 2
If the posts I am seeing here are correct, and Vol. 2 is going to be the Hartford show of 7/31/74, I might just die! I have always said, that of all of the GD shows I saw, that was THE best by far. I am STOKED!
Worst art ever.
The CD cover art for Dave's Picks Volume 1 has got to be one of the ugliest Grateful Dead album covers I've ever seen. C'mon guys, you can do better than that.
The Mosque
The '77 Richmond show at The Mosque holds a special place in the hearts of many central Virginia Deadheads. Many of us were home from college for the summer and the idea that the band was playing in the cozy 2,500 seat opera house instead of the cavernous (and sound challenged) 10,500 seat Richmond Coliseum was indeed special. Perfect spring evening, hundreds in Monroe Park before the show (well behaved) and the band delivered an outstanding show.Great memories!
Thanks Dave, keep up the good work!
Vinny in Los Osos
Dave's Picks
The chat was really interesting a few nights back. I am actually looking forward to this release, 77 is not one of my favorite years, everything is just a little too perfect.
As far as the previous cardboard packaging, I always have purchased slim line jewel cases and immediately would transfer the new disc from original packaging to fresh case. I am a little behind on a few of the Europe discs and have noted some mild scratching, so I will be purchasing jewel cases today. I know they take up a little room, but worth preserving the music.
As far as future releases, Dave was really singing the praises of October/November 1968, so I wouldn't be surprised to see something from there released. He was touting the evolution of Dark Star and the wicked Elevens from that time period. Plus, anything with a New Potato or Caution is gold in my book.
I think the 74 show will be interesting, but I really prefer 72/73 more. The 74 stuff sounds so thin to me, and the vocals have those weird "s" sounds on vocals because of the 2 microphone set up for vocals. 72/73 are so much more warm and fuzzy sounding to me.
Still, I'm looking forward to many wonderful releases this year.
New Series
The chat was really interesting a few nights back. I am actually looking forward to this release, 77 is not one of my favorite years, everything is just a little too perfect.
As far as the previous cardboard packaging, I always have purchased slim line jewel cases and immediately would transfer the new disc from original packaging to fresh case. I am a little behind on a few of the Europe discs and have noted some mild scratching, so I will be purchasing jewel cases today. I know they take up a little room, but worth preserving the music.
As far as future releases, Dave was really singing the praises of October/November 1968, so I wouldn't be surprised to see something from there released. He was touting the evolution of Dark Star and the wicked Elevens from that time period. Plus, anything with a New Potato or Caution is gold in my book.
I think the 74 show will be interesting, but I really prefer 72/73 more. The 74 stuff sounds so thin to me, and the vocals have those weird "s" sounds on vocals because of the 2 microphone set up for vocals. 72/73 are so much more warm and fuzzy sounding to me.
Still, I'm looking forward to many wonderful releases this year.
Just Another Price Increase!
A new package but the same old price increases!!
Too Bad! These 3 CD packages cost $19.98 not long ago.
Just one more reason to shop somewhere else!!
Best Wishes-Jimmy
Just Another Price Increase!
A new package but the same old price increases!!
Too Bad! These 3 CD packages cost $19.98 not long ago.
Just one more reason to shop somewhere else!!
Best Wishes-Jimmy
Daves Picks vol 1
I have a tape of this show and as I listen to it I wonder why this show was picked. This is one of the infamous Betty board shows and I have to say it it one of the weaker shows on this run. The Buffalo show from May 9th blows this show away, as does the Boston show from the 7th. This show has dead air and pauses throughout. Both shows listed above blend songs together like a mix master.But this is just my humble opinion.
keep up the good work
Daves Picks vol 1
I have a tape of this show and as I listen to it I wonder why this show was picked. This is one of the infamous Betty board shows and I have to say it it one of the weaker shows on this run. The Buffalo show from May 9th blows this show away, as does the Boston show from the 7th. This show has dead air and pauses throughout. Both shows listed above blend songs together like a mix master.But this is just my humble opinion.
keep up the good work
A perfect 10
One observation about Dick's Picks, now that Dave's Picks is picking up momentum: There are little magic ditties within the series I still enjoy: Number 19 is from 10/19, Number 28 is from 2/28, Number 26 is from 4/26. Number 10 is a perfect 10- All this to say, I hope in some way this tradition continues. The bar is high, and Dick threw down the gauntlet. If the first two Picks are any indication, Dave is more than up to the challenge.
How bout a best of 66/67?
I realize there's probably not much material in the vault from those years, but nonetheless I'd love a Best of 66/67, heavy on the 45-minute jams.Whatya say?
Avalon Ballroom
I think we'll be getting the 12 and 13th October '68 shows, If we're lucky 11th October might be hiding in the vault., Imagine that as a 3-disc set.
Dave's Picks
Absolutely looking forward to another spring '77 release. It's very exciting that 7-31-74 appears to be on the horizon for the next one.
same shit, new package.
is there really a theme to 'dave's picks'?
its hard to dismiss the name change as anything more than an effort to boost sales.
2 volumes = 2 mid-70's shows.... yawn!
----
PatagonianFox...
Excellence is the theme of Dave's Picks, and if you listen closely, you may hear it. As far as boosting sales, if you want the releases to continue, this is exactly what we hope for.
gag me with a spoon!
i hope i'm fortunate enough to hear the grateful dead through your ears someday. i certainly wouldn't want to miss out on the excellence.
sadly, the music chosen for release is all derivative. rhino doesn't want to take chances, so they release the same stuff again & again. you could throw a dart at a 1977 wall calendar, and find a decent show, but it doesn't mean i need to hear it.
i'm tired of 70's dead. i want rhino to release stuff from the '60s, '80s, & '90s. i want more pigpen. i want to hear brent's pain as the band rocks out 'blow away'.
is it so hard to give fans something new?
--------
Wow
Can't believe all the complaints. The first week or so of May 1977 (all the GREAT shows) are not in the vault, they were auctioned off in the Betty Boards stash I believe. Along with a whole bunch of other shows you'd rather not hear about.
Probably won't get a 1968 Dave's Picks. We got that '68 Dick's Picks but there really isn't anything from '68 that would work.
No one would complain about another '72 show so soon after the Europe boxed set.
Anybody consider that we may get a two-disc pick with the third disc being from another or other shows from the same time period?
Bring on the '71 and the '73 please. I love those years. Thank you for all the wonderful music (except '76, '81, '83, '84, '86, '87, '88, '92, '93 and '94).
Wow
Can't believe all the complaints. The first week or so of May 1977 (all the GREAT shows) are not in the vault, they were auctioned off in the Betty Boards stash I believe. Along with a whole bunch of other shows you'd rather not hear about.
Probably won't get a 1968 Dave's Picks. We got that '68 Dick's Picks but there really isn't anything from '68 that would work.
No one would complain about another '72 show so soon after the Europe boxed set.
Anybody consider that we may get a two-disc pick with the third disc being from another or other shows from the same time period?
Bring on the '71 and the '73 please. I love those years. Thank you for all the wonderful music (except '76, '81, '83, '84, '86, '87, '88, '92, '93 and '94).
Prediction Picks
It should be noted that each of the past four years a Box Set was released for us. I feel spoiled by how much music is available. I sure hope the streak continues in 2012. As always, a big thanks to the people behind the scenes for all their efforts. There are many more than this, though here are the dates I remember that flashed before the Dave's Picks logo:5/26/73 Kezar Stadium- San Francisco, CA
5/17/74 PNE Coliseum- Vancouver, British Columbia
1/22/78 McArthur Court- Univ. of Oregon- Eugene, OR
3/9/81 Madison Square Garden- New York, NY
4/23/69 The Ark- Boston, MA
5/19/74 Portland Memorial Coliseum- Portland, OR
5/26/77 Baltimore Civic Center- Baltimore, MD
10/3/76 Cobo Arena- Detroit, MI
11/4/77 Cotterell Gym- Colgate Univ. Hamilton, NY
9/18/87 Madison Square Garden- New York, NY
7/31/74 Dillon Stadium- Hartford, CT
Not certain of 5/26/73, should've written them all down
re: prediction picks
Those all look great to me. I notice how the last one is right! 7.31.74!
box sets
if they do release another box set, i hope its more akin to the 'fillmore west 1969', 'winterland 1973', 'winterland 1977' & 'formerly the warlocks' box sets.
IMO there is no need to release another 'europe '72' monstrosity. box sets don't need to be 73 CDs long. especially, when there is no discernible difference between shows.
seriously, has there been a more repetitive tour?
-------
seriously, has there been a
seriously, has there been a more repetitive tour?
What about that crappy FW '69 box?
Dark Star>St. Stephen>The Eleven>Lovelight.
Sheesh, what did they do that like every night???
lol
'69 fillmore west > europe '72
first of all.... '72 grateful dead bores me to tears.
anyone who bought the 73 disc box set either has way too much money, or a very limited taste in music.
-------
as for repetitive tours: the grateful dead played....
dark star --> st. stephen --> the eleven --> turn on your love light
just 42 times in 1969; out of the 150 shows performed that year. 28% of all shows.
even when not playing 'love light' the grateful dead played....
dark star --> st. stephen --> the eleven
a mere 54 times. thats only 36%.
--------
winterland '73 features 'weather report suite' all 3 nights.
winterland '77 features 'terrapin station' all 3 nights.
there is a big difference between a bit of repetition when packaged in a 10 disc box set, and an overly repetitive 73 disc money grab.
You're right...
I remember thinking how I prefer 1974 over 1973, because there are 21.94 percent of shows with Let It Grow in 74, and only 18.223 percent of shows with this song in 73. It's so obvious, I needn't even write this. LOL
More Picks...
Thanks to cbs73, who had the foresight to write down many of the potential Dave's Picks in a previous thread. The following adds to the list posted above...9/28/75 Lindley Meadows- Golden Gate Park- San Francisco, CA
6/10/73 RFK Stadium- Washington, DC
6/30/73 Universal Ampitheatre- Universal City, CA
9/11/73 College Of William and Mary- Williamsburg, VA
6/14/76 Beacon Theatre- New York, NY
6/22/91 Soldier Field- Chicago, IL
6/23/74 Jai-Alai Fronton- Miami, FL
1/2/70 Fillmore East- New York, NY
3/29/93 Knickerbocker Arena- Albany, NY
11/2/84 Berkeley Community Theatre- Berkeley, CA
4/15/78 College Of William and Mary- Williamsburg, VA
10/27/90 Zenith- Paris, France
There are others, list is not complete. Maybe 11/7/71, can't remember though
I'm gonna guess that the Road
I'm gonna guess that the Road Trips from '93 was the worst selling live release of the last ten years.
That's probably why I can't think of a single release from '92-'95 besides that one. Oh, and the fact that the boys were 20 years past their prime.