Who's ready to boogie with a little Brent-era Grateful Dead from the Gateway to the West? DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 47 features the complete unreleased show from Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, MO, 12/9/79 and you're going to need stamina because this one is high energy from start to finish.
By the time December 1979 rolled around, Brent Mydland had fully cemented his place in the Grateful Dead canon with his twinkling keys, harmonic tenor, and songwriting skills. No more is that evident than at this show boasting 25 songs including soon-to-be classics from GO TO HEAVEN like "Alabama Getaway," "Don't Ease Me In," "Lost Sailor," and the Brent-penned "Easy To Love You." It's also packed with whirling takes on fan-favorites like "Brown-Eyed Women," "Shakedown Street," and "Terrapin Station." And you've never heard a 2nd set quite like this with eight songs before "Drums" including an improvised "Jam" launching from the end of "Saint Of Circumstance." It doesn't stop there though, with a blazing finale of "Bertha>Good Lovin'" and perhaps one of the best versions of "Don't Ease Me In" the band ever did play. We've rounded out Disc Three with an extra nugget from '79.
Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, this release was recorded by Dan Healy and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.
49 Bye Byes
A short 49 years ago yesterday, I stood in pouring rain for an entire day watching CSNY on their 1974 tour. The Band was one of the openers, and I recall they killed it. While looking at the CSNY tour schedule for that tour, I see they did a set at the Troubadour on October 19, 1974, to wrap up the tour. The opening act? Jimmy Buffett.
Aaaaa, T town in the rain!
Did the weather make the concert? That can happen.
Hellava set list! All them homeboys back in the hood, must of been something!
Ah memories, misty water color mammeries from the way we were….sigh
Rain Rain I Don’t Mind
Oro - It was steady, all day, freezing rain, on a college football field - I would have likely stood through a blizzard to hear Levon & the boys, though. Not quite what the Burning Man crowd is experiencing this weekend with their rain & mud, but I was chilled to the bone for a week. So worth it.
It’s only rock & roll, but I like it!
Burning Man....
....saw that. Nevada got dumped on the past couple of days.
Sinkholes appeared on the west side of the Las Vegas valley. The Lake Mead water level rose 3' in the past week or so. 👍
Looks like Burning Man is getting some more rain currently.
Phish played a 42 minute 6 song encore last night at Dicks. The Mango Song was one of them. In my opinion, one of the Phishiest Phish songs in their catalog and a personal favorite.
Lucky ducks.
SACD and Hybrid SACD
The original SACDs are very limited in what will play them, but the hybrids are great as they can be decoded by any cd/dvd/blu-ray player. The Blues For Allah was not a remaster and not a multichannel mix, but the MoFi UltraDisc. So it sounds really clean, very quiet, I noticed on that ride. The Wish You Were Here is a 5.1 hybrid, and I guess you get the High Resolution Stereo Mix, which sounds cleaned up, and seems to have a different separation in the stereo field. It does not replicate the movement of the 5.1 mix, but it sounds far better than just the 2011 Discovery/Immersion remix/remaster when played on the SACD to my ears.
I think I'm gonna get a soundboard that has Dolby Atmos in the coming months to really get the best out of the Dark Side Atmos mix on the 50th Box set (damn thing is almost as tall as GSTL placed on top of 30 Trips, and weighs 22lbs!), Who's Next | Lifehouse, Animals, and Wish You Were Here and Quadrophenia in 5.1. I gotta watch out that the living room doesn't become the spot for listening to music, though. The wife will kill me.
Money Doesn’t Talk, It Swears
Dylan is a personal favourite, and I always make a point to see him if he is through town, or the area, or upstate New York. A constantly fascinating figure to me, and always a great band, and some fantastic guitar players over the years - Charlie Sexton, GE Smith, Larry Campbell, Duke Robillard, etc. I see he is hitting town for two shows, and I see TicketBastard has got their claws into tickets, with resales for his shows over $2K in some cases. Taylor Dylan?! My wife says it is much to do with artists having to make their living strictly from show revenue now, because the younger generations don’t often buy music in the traditional sense that we grew up with (my 30-something kids don’t own CDs or even vinyl), and so much is available for pennies on line - or free.
Likely Dylan’s swan song tour, too, certainly by 2024. A pox on TicketBastard. Concerts are real special, but so hard to get tickets for a decent price. Taylor Swift really changed the landscape, and it was already a mess before her tour. Greed greed greed. Maybe I’ll stand outside the venue with the old tattered “I Need A Miracle” sign.
I am glad GD shows weren't subject to...
the modern pricing system
I never would go
"Money doesn't talk
It swears"
Some prime lyrics there
RIP Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth
"Might as well be walking on the sun"
Great tune
Y'all be cool, Steve
New Dead Head TV uploaded for streaming
Up on our site dreamswedreamed dot com this week:
"Deadhead 101: Giving deadheads credit" PART ONE
This is a two part interview with Sociology professor Rebecca Adams about her 1989 sociology courses where students practiced sociology by going on Summer Tour and studying the deadhead subculture. They chartered a bus and followed the band to six concerts.
The Dead News September 1989
Enjoy!
nitecat
Mississippi Half Step
I take half hour walks every day weather permits, its my chosen exercise. I listen to podcasts during my walk. Ever since the Good Ol' Grateful Podcast began, that's my go-to cast. I just returned from my walk today, and really enjoyed a detailed breakdown of all the parts and instruments that made up Mississippi Half Step. Wonderful!
Ifn you like T. Rex
Look up T. Rex 3 18 72 Wembly
On you know what tube
Rock n roll
Bang A Gong
PF - Right on!
I haven't bought them yet, but I noticed 2 Alice Cooper albums from that era and world, "Killer" and "School's Out" came out recently with bonus live discs.
Alice Cooper
DAVEROCK, I had to buy both Alice Cooper cds. The live material was a real treasure. Those cats could JAM!! You will not be disappointed.
Anyone else curious what #48 will be?? How about a little 1970??
Love It To Death
Mr Ones - that's encouraging. I've never actually heard a live Alice Cooper album, and I did wonder what these two discs would be like. If they cut the mustard or not. I'm surprised you mentioned them jamming - that's not what I would have expected.
These were again albums I loved in my teens - those and "Love It To Death", but apart from these three, I never listened to them much after that. I wasn't so keen on "Billion Dollar Babies" and have never heard an album by them, or should I say him, since.
But most albums I liked between the ages of 15-18 still sound good to me. Even though...
"The spiral light of Venus...
rising first and shining best". I saw Venus this morning about 5am low in the Eastern sky, it really is bright. Check it out if you're up early.
Nishimura Just Passing Through
Venus is very beautiful and prominent in the sky, and the comet Nishimura is expected to be equally bright (although comets are often oversold).
Nishimura will make its closest approach to Earth on Sept. 12, coming within about 125 million kilometres of our planet. But the more important date is Sept. 17, when it will be less than 34 million kilometres from the sun at the closest point in its orbit. That’s when it will potentially glow the brightest – but also when it will be easy to lose in the light of dawn. So a few days before (or just before sunset a few days after) might be a better bet.
My Listen of the Day - Bar 17, by Trey Anastasio. I cannot believe I took so long to “get” Phish, but now that I do, there is some extraordinary solo work there, too. I picked this one up used, and he is simply an incredibly talented guitarist and arranger. The lyrics kind of blow, seems to be a Phish thing, but the music is truly first rate. Can be played at dawn, or shortly after sunset.
Colin and dylan
Thanks,,,, checking now.
160 bucks for 4 disc!!!!
Dylan
Thanks.
It has been ordered. Got the "box" and the vinyl "highlights".
Took a while to find on amazon! Found it via another site. After ordering, got email from dylan site with order info :-)
I was intrigued by the complete album collection/box. All the Dylan albums for 250. Maybe for christmas.
Bob On Order
I found the Dylan Budokan box set on Amazon right after reading Colin’s note, and then I received the email from Dylan’s site, which has track listings etc.
There is also a large retrospective book coming in October on Dylan covering much of the archival material that is going to his official Library in Tulsa, entitled “Mixing Up The Medicine”, over 600 pages, but pricey. There is also a one disc “retrospective” of maybe a dozen of his more popular songs that can also be purchased to accompany the book. I ordered the book maybe two months ago, but it is definitely on Amazon.
Broncos?
Puttering in the Dead net Store and saw a Denver Broncos homage t-shirt.
Wait, what? Is this a sports team series of shirts like the ones for each state?
Love the retro colors and especially the skeleton riding the rearing horse.
But not enough of a football fan to part with my money.
It sure would be a unique one to show up anywhere around here wearing it.
Not as cool as my Telluride Dead locally made one anyway.
Cheers
Dylan again
Even more expensive in the UK. Badlands are offering the 4 cd box for £164.99. Makes GD boxes appear positively cheap.
Bob Dylan
Is he still worth seeing in concert?........I lost interest in him after Rolling Thunder, which is still my favorite of his Bootleg Series releases.......it just seems to me he is mailing it in. I've always loved the Dead's versions of his songs, especially Baby Blue. Never seen him live, and he is in downtown Indy in 6 weeks. Don't want to drive 30 miles round trip to see nostalgia, so I'm passing. Gas is too expensive. When was the last time he played guitar during a show? Am I going to miss anything, besides a history lesson?
Bob Dylan
Rolling Thunder may be my favourite release in the Bootleg series too. But he has made many great albums since then. He is surely one of the most important American musicians of the last 100 years, and the fact that he is still performing is amazing. I have only seen him once, but listening to numerous live albums over his career, it strikes me that he is constantly re-inventing and re-interpreting his back catalogue while adding vital new songs to it. It sounds a bit pretentious, but he seems more of an artist to me than an entertainer. I would think if you thought he was ever was worth seeing, he always will be.
Re: Bob Dylan
Rasta, funny you ask if he even plays guitar anymore. That was the thing that surprised me most when I saw him in 2010: he played the hell out of the guitar! He was ripping it all night. His voice wasn't great, but I've never enjoyed it much, but it was different live. He plays wildly different arrangements (I'm told every tour), so you may not know what the song is until the chorus or something, unless you have a great ear for mumbled words. But I was thoroughly impressed, and somehow somebody taped it and spread it via bit torrent. I had heard when he toured with Phil and Friends, he waited until all mic stands were lowered when it was his turn to play, so was surprised he allowed at least one taper, who didn't mention it being stealth or anything in the notes. I'd go, just for the experience if you've never seen him. I never saw Jimmy Buffett, and now regret that. Next weekend, I'm seeing Willie Nelson on his Outlaw Fest tour with Bob and Wolf Bros and Los Lobos and String Cheese and Tedeschi Trucks, but mainly going for Willie. And sadly, will be missing Peter Gabriel next week; hope that isn't my last opportunity.
Garcia for $1.00. 9/7/81
That's right just $1.00. Garcia was doing a benefit for a local radio station and it only cost $1.00 to get in. Kreutzman played drums that day. Queen Ida and her great Zydeco band opened the show. We already had our tickets in our pockets for the first run at the Greek, just 4 days away. FUN TIMES!
Silly Phish lyrics....
....yup. Fans ate them up. I'm one of them. They made/make me laugh.
They have never taken themselves too seriously, which is fun. Until they get serious. Then it's all business and they proceed to fuck your face.
But check out Evolve. Its new. It treads the path between silly and serious.
Bonus points for being extremely catchy 🍻
Or. Check out their cover of the Stones Shine A Light. Swoon....I was lucky enough to see them cover the entire Exile On Mainstreet record back in a day.
My Vermont Flood Relief cap arrived today. ❤️ it.
Now, That Mike needs to see them live. I'll go!
Silly everyone's lyrics
According to film critic Pauline Kael " Movies are so rarely great art that if we cannot appreciate great trash we have very little reason to be interested in them." Maybe the same could be said about lyrics in rock songs.
Miscellaneous
Rasta - Absolutely see Dylan. I’ve seen him maybe 20 times, never disappointed, and I even saw his Gospel tour, and it was great. VGuy is right - none of us are getting younger.
Billy - Only $1 to see Jerry! That price would blow up TicketBastard’s mainframe.
DaveRock- Definitely some silly lyrics out there, may I introduce Exhibit A, Phish lyrics, into evidence. However, they absolutely kill it with their incredible sound. VGuy, as my Phising Guide, I assure you I’ll see them next round.
Happy Friday, all.
On the road again
Off to see Bob and the Wolf Brothers this evening up in Park City. Never seen them before. Psyched. First show of tour and only one west of the Mississippi. Youngest brother is going to be there too which is a real treat.
Hava a grate weekend friends and neighbors. Onward.
re/ Dave’s Picks 48
… rhymes with 48. So Here comes an 80’s era pick or is it the 60’s era, full blown Primal Dead. 90’s era choice to add from a past release waiting in the “Wings”! ;)
Have a grateful weekend everyone, peace be with you all. “Nothing left to do but Smile Smile Smile”
There’s Nothing like a Grateful Dead concert!
🙏❤️💀🌹
Go see Bob Dylan, Bobby and the wolf bros.
Definitely, for sure go see Mr. Dylan, always a fun nite, if for nothing else trying to understand what he is singing. :) He always has the best, tightest band with him, always had a blast at his shows. I do believe I have seen him in 5 different decades.
Bobby and the wolves, not impressed, slow, real slow. They did an acoustic version of ...Dark Star. Enough said.
Starting to feel a little bit like fall here in the mountains, dig it.
Tangerine Dream Monday coming up, can't wait, front row tickets. I won't recognize most of the songs so I don't think I will be able to produce a set list, but I will let ya all know what it was like. A 9/11 show, Mickey's birthday and of course the anniversary of...
Silly lyrics? How about Blue Oyster Cult, She's as beautiful as a foot, Workshop of telescopes, I'm on the lamb but I ain't no sheep, all have some bizarre lyrics, funny too.
Mush you huskies, Ride
Bluecrow/Dave's #48
Enjoy it Bluecrow. Would be interested in hearing about it when you get back.
Okay, LMG, you have me guessing. 91 does not ryme with 48, so .....…..
A wop bop a loo bop
Little Richard set the bar pretty high with that one. But non sensical lyrics reached entertaining heights between about 1967 and 1974. A desire to appear profound and poetic, despite not actually having anything to say was quite popular. Also - more in the 60's - a wish to indicate that you had had a psychedelic experience, and that this was what your song was about. Even if you hadn't taken a drug in your life.
Pig Pen's Birthday. 9/8/1945
Pig Pen would have been 78 years old today.. The best years of the Grateful Dead was when Pig Pen was in the band. Alligator and Easy Wind, two favorite Pig Pen songs.
Chinacat, Visions and Little Richard etc.
Chinacat Sunflower and Visions of Johanna are my two favorite nonsensical songs. Well, they must mean something to someone besides me and the people that wrote them.
They had a great special on Little Richard a few days ago here in the States. A documentary of sorts. The two dead covers came to mind, Good Golly Ms. Molly and Long Tall Sally.
Had a lengthy discussion with my father this morning about it and the transition from the folk days to Rock and Roll. A great musical conversation ensued. I credit Mr. Dylan for really jump starting the transition the day he went electric, but you cannot ignore other influences. Elvis, the Beatles, the blues greats, the evolution up highway 61 to Chicago, the invention of the electric guitar, etc. etc. etc. Funny.. my dad was not a fan of much past Ray Charles/Fats/Little Richard et. al when I was growing up but he is quite hip now. I took him to see New Riders of the Purple Sage 20 years or so at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas WV. He and I saw Santana, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Neville Brothers, Widespread Panic, Dr. John, the Radiators, Little Feat, Dave Brubeck, Los Lobos, WIllie Nelson and a bunch more share the same bill at I think the 1999 New Orleans Jazz Festival. He told me how he used to snak out of his room as a teenager in the mid 50's and head downtown (Baltimore), to the 'black clubs' frequently and see the legends as he called them. We saw a few that weekend (Fats and Ray Charles). Funny, I didn't tell him about my sneaking out escapades, I guess I was thinking there was still a small chance he would ground me.
Anyway.. talk of Little Richard brought me down that memory lane, thanks for giving me somewhere to get it out.
Music heals.
Still pick-less in the maritimes.
With three more weeks to wait until I can make a claim. maybe i'll receive 47 and 48 at the same time, could be fun. take care.
Dave's #48 / Little Richard
Carousel Ballroom 1968 or a 1970 show with an acoustic set ( 9/20/70). I would love it if they released 10/12 & 13 /68, what a knockout! I saw Little Richard at the S.F. Blues Festival, he was fantastic!
Vguy72
That 30 mile round trip is going to cost you maybe $5...........maybe I'll ride my bike down to Old National Centre......30 miles is piece of cake for me.......the ride home will be fun. Done several rides to Bloomington, IN........my favorite was in '88 to see Jimmy Cliff at Jakes......had to ride because of DUI's........one of my top 5 shows I've ever seen, probably top 3.
MSG 3/9/81 getting vinyl treatment for Rocktober.
5lp set MSG 3/9/81 preorder made for small brick and mortar stores. I ordered mine from the In Groove in Arizona.
3/2/69 for RSD then?
They're overdue on that vinyl release. By the way, if you don't have it, 3/1/69 is often available on the interwebs for 60 bucks or not much more. Only 3 LPs.
A guy on youtubes, PureGerry, said they announced 2 Dave's Picks would be issues on vinyl this year. Wonder if that's on hold due to lack of sell out on Vol 23. I haven't bought it, because it wasn't really a Pick I would have wanted on vinyl. Will probably break down just before it does sell out. Not so sure about 3/9/81, streamed that on nugsnet recently and not so impressed, and cassette to vinyl?
Lastly on the subject of vinyl, I hooked up my stereo the other night, and needed a suitable test subject, and Light Into Ashes seemed a good choice. Went for sides 3 and 4. Sounded great once I got it dialed in. Noticed that with this turntable, with its speakers underneath, that I had to turn it up to about halfway, then going past noon would lower my stereo speakers and raise the turntable ones. But in order to really have mid range and high end dialed in, I had to have the turntable's speaker's brought in a bit and the stereo attenuated some in the process to mix it. Never had that with previous turntables. Was muddy until I turned the knob, at least it wasn't distorted as the last time I tried it. Progress. And Dark Star> Feelin' Groovy Jam> Morning Dew> Playing Reprise was glorious (despite worst Donna scream ever on re-entry; frog in her throat?).