Grateful Dead

Bitcoins at $20,000.Man, I wish I had bought some Bitcoins when they were $1.

"A cynic is a man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing."-Oscar Wilde Another good quote from the same play-Lady Windermere's Fan- "In this world there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants and the other is getting it."

Exactly. Explaining economics to most people is like trying to teach a wooden bird how to spell. Never gonna happen. The value of something is worth exactly what the last person just paid for it. No more. No less. You can talk about utility curves and all that theoretical garbage about how it impacts the value to each individual purchaser all you want. In the end, the last transaction is all that matters. Let me ask you this. When selling a house in your area, does the realtor ask you what you think it is worth or show you how much the house just down the street sold for and tell you about what you are going to get? Like you said earlier, some folks would be better off if they just listened. But they don't.

Wagons, Ho! Time to mooove on! Dave's Picks Volume 26 Wednesday, November 17, 1971 Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA Release Date- April 27, 2018 Label- Rhino Format- CD (Sarcastically speaking: cassettes, LP vinyl, open reels [reel-to-reel], wax cylinders, smoke signals, flatulence, etc.) I'd like to think that one good old Deadhead had a wee part in this release, the *prince* of 1971 - Forensicdoceleven, or Doc. He is currently on a sabbatical from dead.net posting. I'm looking forward to this release and to see how fast the "extra" or the units that are not included in the 2018 DaP subscriptions sell out. 46 minutes or less?

Not to beat a dead horse here, but I'll also chime in along the lines of "collecting"....which I personally view as the pursuit and gathering together of the things you love. It can be anything...as people have noted: GD, stamps, cars, star wars toys, my little ponies, insect thoraxes, artwork....it goes on literally forever. And, what is it again about all of this stuff that gives it its' value? It is the desire and wanting of the individual person. And, since every person is unique, every person attributes different value/desire to different things. Now, the fun starts to happen when there is overlap between individuals and groups, and that's when you get these incredible fan bases to congeal, share, evolve, and grow together - as well as share the group-desire for more of the same things that we all love. The result is mass releases of things like certain cars, toys, or music. I suppose the other piece of this that hasn't really come up, but is also a reason I am still continuing to acquire GD shows and other fun physical items, is that I want my children to also be aware of these things, and be able to not only share with them, but eventually pass it along at some point in the inevitable future. That is important to me. But again, each individual is exactly that - an individual with different reasons and thinking and wants and needs. That is what makes all of this so lovely in the end. BTW, it was very early on in my stint on these here boards that the FW69 shows came up, and I had mentioned in a post in passing that I had also missed out - and lo and behold within moments there was a very kind head who had offered me up a copy. This was my very first foray into swapping of lossless files via the web and these boards. It was my "first step into a larger world". For that, I am thankful; and will always be more than happy to return a favor or simply help out where I can. Have a kind day, All. Sixtus

Thanks for the tip.. I just dumped my bitcoins and am all in with Tulip Futures. The prices for these things will surely never go down, and they're just so incredibly beautiful. At this point.. I guess I am a collector. I would hate to miss a release especially knowing they go out of print, seemingly forever.. Sometimes I laughingly wonder if I should have them insured.. I think if I were a pipe smoker I would be reaching out to Mr. Pete's Turkish carver. Oh.. and I have a pretty good custom made wooden paddle collection, some are true works of art and I cannot bring myself to scamper down the river with them beating them on rocks.. Add in a little more art and all is good with the world. And now my new passion.. Tulips. I am a little worried about David though.. listening to 3/1/1970 at the Family Dog.. I was sure we would be seeing this on Today's Dead complete with setlists and links. ah.. 1970 Grateful Dead. What a year.. I lent my FW69 box set to Keithfan so he could check it out. I just got it back in the mail this morning. Weird, there are circular stains, watermarks or something on all the CD covers and it reeks like my college dorm room. They still sound fantastic though. Life is grand.

It should always be about the band and the music and getting that music to as amny interested parties as possible. I've subscribed every year since the final year of the Road Trips series, including every Dave's Pick. I have absolutely zero interest in reselling or parting with any of it and frankly would be perfectly fine if they were all reprinted. There's plenty of money to still be made by Rhino, the band members and family trusts if/when they decide to reprint FW'69. Even the people who run this page and/or work (or worked) for them have stated that they underestimated the demand for it. 13 years later, and it appears MOST people would be fine with a re-release. If you're the type of person who buys these with the expectation of making a profit from the back end of it, you don't really care about the music or the band. They flipped the script on Get Shown The light and the E'72 trunk, as well as the Dave's Picks series. Might as well do that with FW'69. Depriving the newer fans who missed out, and older fans who missed out, is like depriving the masses of Cornell '77 and 8/27/72.

Space.. are you saying because someone buys Tulip Futures they don't really care about tulips or flowers? I really like tulips.

Not long before the Summer '73 box is announced. I've never been wrong before...........

"The first lesson of economics is scarcity: there is never enough of anything to fully satisfy all those who want it." -- Thomas Sowell

My financial adviser, Admiral van der Eijck, assures me that Tulipmania is here to stay.

I really like tulips also, but just the ones on the front of my wife's face.

I spent over 50 years collecting cannabis products, but my investment all went up in smoke.

One of the things about collecting is no matter how much it goes up in price (not value), if you're a collector and you sell it, you don't have it anymore. This is different than an investor. If you buy 2 copies of X with the intention of selling one, that's an investment. If you collect, the joy is looking up and seeing your collection. I just keep telling my wife and kid what this shit is going for so they don't give it away or trash it! Final note - I've said before, but, if you feel you've invested in these things, you may want to sell soon. I would think as older deadheads die off the value will drop because demand will not be there. I know we all think GD will be a forever thing, but find a Louie Armstrong fan club. (though Louie is still top shelf in my book)

You got sucked into the investment market too? All that money and nothing left but crumbs and 1/2 my memories :-)

I both sell and care about the band. The two are not mutually exclusive. I know others who sold merchandise to sustain themselves on the road while following the Dead during their touring days. And I'll tell you who cares about the resellers - most of my sales of the 30 Trips CDs were accompanied by a great deal of gratitude, as the shows were not available individually from Rhino. Allow a touch of grey in your life, and you'll be much happier Space.

Maybe we gone over this before.... First, when is a band a cover band? Is JRAD a cover band, Furthur? Or are they just playing a catalog of music and bring their own interpretation to it? Is the NY Philharmonic a Beethoven cover band? Thoughts? Second, I oft times wonder what separates the Dead from "jazz". We hear the quote "... their the only ones who do what they do". Are they? Jazz group have been improvising since 1900 (+/-) and I'm sure basic hillbilly bluegrass guys have been bending a tune forever. (forever being a fluid word) The other day I had a flash of wonderment and thought maybe the difference is volume. Do jazz groups play that loud? Are jazz groups more acoustic driven? Should the Dead just be considered a jazz band? Is this better than flogging that dead horse of limited editions? And what about Gainesville?

Ashes to ashes and dust to ... what were we talking about?

...to everyone's collective groans. A few years ago I attended a free lecture about the Dead with a panel including Dennis McNally, Blair Jackson, and a few others. Very entertaining, even my non-deadhead wife found it interesting. Anyway, the big bearded bear Steve Wozniak was also in attendance, several rows below us but hard to miss. Always liked that guy when I've seen interviews with him, didn't expect to see him at this kind of event. Recently, I read that he was praising Bitcoin because it was "pure math". Ok then, Steve. But don't forget, Tulips are "pure flowers" too.

Steve Wozniak has an inventive mind, so it comes as no surprise that he’s a fan of Bitcoin. The Apple cofounder spoke at the ET GBS about what made him a fan of the cryptocurrency. “Bitcoins to me was a currency that was not manipulated by the governments. It is mathematical, it is pure, it can’t be altered,” he said. Unfortunately, all of this doesn’t safeguard Bitcoin from fraud. The American inventor and philanthropist told a full house at the summit how his own Bitcoins got stolen. “The blockchain identifies who has bitcoins… that doesn’t mean there can’t be fraud though. I had seven bitcoins stolen from me through fraud. Somebody bought them from me online through a credit card and they cancelled the credit card payment. It was that easy! And it was from a stolen credit card number so you can never get it back,” said Wozniak. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/would-you-believ…

The Dead, for the most part, seem to be different from all the jazz I have heard in terms of material played and maybe chords used to play it. But they seemed to adopt the principles of jazz, and apply it to rock n' roll, blues and country. The way they improvised was jazz like-but the music they were improvising on didn't seem jazz like to me. There attitude on stage seemed a bit jazz like too. When I saw them for the first time, in 1981, I was struck by how low key their entrance on stage was. My memory isn't precise, but I seem to recall that they just shuffled on stage, tuned up for a bit, then eased into Mississippi Half Step. Quite low key. Very, very different from other rock concerts I saw round about that time, like The Stray Cats and The Cramps. And Iggy Pop, who appeared on stage like a whirlwind, arms and legs cartwheeling in different directions, before picking up the mike stand and throwing it into the audience like a spear. But back to The Dead, I guess the closet they came to being jazz in terms of material was Eyes of the World and Blues for Allah. And the jams they played during 1974. But I don't know-I'm just waffling. Good subject to waffle on, though.

I think what separates the Dead from Jazz is the harmony, and how chords are used and substituted. Also, a very important part of Jazz is swing; the Dead never really did swing, might be a few exceptions though, can't think right now...

Actually, the closest they got to Jazz was 72 -74, when Billy was the sole drummer, he could swing; Mickey has 0 swing. Check out Big River pre and post hiatus.

Pray for Summer '73.

Summer '73 Box aka skeletons without beards, the complete recordings.

Funny Kyle & others you brought this up today, I was JUST looking on amazon at some random GD and saw a Miles Davis/John Coltrane CD set from 1960 that I was severely contemplating buying...I came this close. I inspected it recalling how Bobby noted in the past how he was trying to emulate Coltrane on his guitar, so I was briefly inspired by that to take a dive into some of this stuff. I didn't end up pulling that trigger, but am very open to doing so and expanding that sound to my ears a little bit. I am always happy to receive suggestions! Admittedly, my jazz knowledge is very poor - I only have Miles' 'Kind of Blue' and I think that's it. However, I did take a history of jazz class while at UVM, thinking this will be slam dunk class and that I might actually learn something. Unfortunately, what this class turned out to be was probably one of the most difficult classes I have EVER taken. Instead of allowing time to take in all of the different eras and performers, the class consisted of reading like a 500 page book, and then also being issued like 10 cassettes with probably 20-30 songs on each side (and remember, many had no lyrics), and we had to literally be able to identify ANY of the songs by like a 30 second snippet, and also be able to name who was playing what instrument during the segments. It was absolutely ridiculous. Let's just say it wasn't one of my best grades in college....but did leave me with a few lasting impressions that continue to interest me. And, if this were a 'GD Class' by the same parameters, well, now that would be a fun one in which to participate and I daresay I would likely get a higher mark. I would also agree that the most jazzy dead was '73 - 74 where they could all turn on a dime and the explorations were definitely more jazzy-in-feeling. Sixtus

however I am currently experiencing 6/14/85. A beautiful audience recording i highly recommend Morning Dew from this show it opens the second set and it SOARS. Greek me, Dave.

Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" zowie. In David Gans' book Playing in the Band, Phil talks of Miles opening for the GD with the Bitches Brew lineup. I never heard the album until I bought the CDs of it a year or so ago. About once each month, it is something to be enjoyed.

I'll only buy the Summer '73 box if the artwork has skeletons WITH beards, both male and female. And maybe a few terrapins with beards too. That would really seal the deal for me.

Well I'm no jazz expert, but I know it when I hear it, so I'll waffle a bit too. Agree with Cousins and daverock, the Dead were at their jazziest in 1974, and like Cousins said, you could hear it starting as early as '72. To hone in on the exact style, it's "jazz fusion" which is basically jazz with R&B / rock. Keith's Fendor Rhodes was a big part of what made this the Dead's sound (he started playing it in '73 - would be interesting to zoom in on the date). Jerry's improv noodling was another huge part, during stuff like Eyes, Dark Star, The Other One, etc. Billy's drumming as Cousins said was huge. He's got lots of swing, which is hard to define, but I guess it's lots of between the beat fills (like in UJB when he goes rat-tat-titty-tatta-tat-tat instead of rat-tat-rat-tat-rat-tat, varied time signatures, lots of ride symbol. Throw in Phil's lead-type bass playing and Bobby's chord textures (not so much rhythm playing as finding the holes and playing little melodic chord fills), and voila - the only band that does what they do. did. did what they do. does what they did. At least in the rock genre, which is where they lived. I find Dave's Picks 22 has a lot of great Billy playing. He's up in the mix, so you can really hear him flex his muscles. I think of all the members, jazz was truly Billy's native style, while the other guys dabbled in it (some more than others). And as far as the bearded skeletons go (male and female)...may as well throw the hair under the arms and truly represent the times.

....... And Iggy Pop, who appeared on stage like a whirlwind, arms and legs cartwheeling in different directions, before picking up the mike stand and ...... Laughing my ass off picturing Jerry "cartwheeling" across the stage:-)

KeithFan is our resident Justice Potter Stewart on jazz!

"reading like a 500 page book, and then also being issued like 10 cassettes with probably 20-30 songs on each side (and remember, many had no lyrics), and we had to literally be able to identify ANY of the songs by like a 30 second snippet, and also be able to name who was playing what instrument during the segments." My Dad was born in 1931 in NYC and was frequenting Jazz clubs (with his Dad's blessing and assistance) before he was a teenager.He took drum lessons from Baby Dodds ("Cousins Of The ..." knows that name!) and became devoted to the Jazz of the late 20s-late 40s (Primarily Divieland and Chicago small band, not much tolerance for Big Band, and a seething hatred of Bop!). He owns several reference works that he keeps in arm's reach while listening to his music. He expects to be able to name each player on a track by ear and immediately looks up the info in cases where he fails to recognize a player. That class sounds like his leisure! He woulda shown you kids a thing or two!

And i will def get my copy. Could buy 2 in the hopes of paying for part of mine, but im not the gambling or speculator or hoarding type. The Bitcoin bonanza will prolly cap at 50K and yet i really dont care. Money is the means to buy experiences and things that bring me joy. Its never been the end itself. Would much rather have what i have than 7 digits in the bank.

Miles Runs the Voodoo Down, great cut.

Ever since 2/19/73 Chicago was featured on JOTW or Taper’s Section a few weeks ago, I can’t get enough. Only 1 set, no matter, it’s fine and dandy. I keep going back to it like… a duck to water? It’s that good. The He’s Gone through China Doll is exquisite. Beauty! Have I included enough superlatives? Thank goodness it’s there to stream on archive.org. I think I'd have withdrawals otherwise. I would also withdraw some money for its official release. : )

We're all still just speculating on what is going to get announced, right? Or am I missing something haha Would LOVE some summer 73 though...

For a drummer to swing, you need to accent the 2 & 4 beats. I mentioned Big River earlier: pre 76, Billy's on the 2 & 4, in 76, Billy is still on the 2 & 4, but Mickey is often on the 1 & 3, sometimes accenting all 4 beats(loudly!); same with Me & My Uncle: listen to 12/31/78, intro starts with 2 & 4 accents, then Mickey switches to 1 & 3 for the 1st and 2nd verses, then back to swinging 2 & 4 for the rest of the tune.

Thinking about it, it was probably when Keith joined that the bands jams started to sound more jazz like. Both his joining, and Mickey's leaving-although the jazz influence isn't apparent to me on any of the 1971 recordings without Keith. Or with him, really. It seems to be 1972 when their jams took on this different flavour. They don't sound like anything else in rock music. Even other bands that I have heard who improvised still sounded like "rock" bands. The Dead truly sounded very different- not really jazz-but no longer rock music either, in the accepted sense of the word. Maybe the fact that they ALL improvised, rather than just the lead guitarist. And Keiths piano playing-Billy's drumming-the whole enchilada. This sound seems to come through occasionally in 1976. By 1977, though, although Keith was still playing beautifully in the first half of the year, the music seemed to lose the jazz feel completely. Even on Eyes of the World.

Agree with KeithFan's points 100%, though I believe '73 is equally as jazzy as '74 (maybe I say that just because i prefer '73 to '74, mostly because I don't care for US Blues or Must Have Been the Roses, and the '74 Scarlets don't really grab me). Billy could really swing like a jazz master the 1-drummer formation Having purchased both Kenny G and David Sanborn albums in the 80's, I'll recuse myself of any further comment as I forfeit any cred on the topic of jazz. (Oh, and the Kenny G album had a Michael Bolton live vocal guest appearance!!! The shame... Look, what I did was wrong, OK?)

...he sounds like the perfect student for that impossible jazz history class I took. Pretty cool stuff right there. I always find enjoyable the jazz-peeps nicknames back then....aka 'Baby Dodds'...so many others... I mean, what were you without a cool nickname? Just some guy in a band. It seems I might need to check out Bitches Brew.... Sixtus

I always thought Truckin' was a song that can really swing Rock on

Bill Evans. try some of that!

Summer 1973 box set on a blockchain entry somewhere to ensure I don't miss the 2 hour sellout...or something. Is there a GDblockchain.net yet? Hardy har har. Speaking of jazzy Dead, I used to hear that Weir patterned his playing partly on McCoy Tyner's piano playing. So, I went and got familiar with Tyner back in early 80s. Went to one of Tyner's shows at the Palace of Fine Arts in SF around '85-'86 with an old roommate. McCoy used to hold court there for a week or so at a time for several years back then. Lo and behold, who did we see lurking around the lobby while they waited to form the line to get in? It was Bobby. Thought he'd be with some beauty, but turned out he showed up with a friend, looked like it was probably Matthew Kelly. Not being celebrity chasers, we resisted the temptation to try to sidle up to him and start a conversation. He probably appreciated that. It was apparent that he was trying hard not to be noticed.

Is that a cryptic(al) reference to DaP27 being Swing Auditorium? Anyway, no time for jazz right now, I’m fully into 3-1-69.....

One of the June of 76 stands. I know we had June 9th already on CD and one of the Capital Theatre's on the download series. Just a feeling, both the Beacon's were returned. So 2 shows on the low end and 4 on the high end. Will be happy with whatever....

FloridaBobalooToo had to comment on your coming up for air/jazz rec. One word: yes! Two words: Village Vanguard! A lot of words: box set- Turn Out The Stars, the final Village Vanguard recordings. Never "got" the final trio until I just picked this up. But now...wow. They turn Miles Davis' "Nardis" into their Dark Star, stretching it out into 15-20 minute jams, never the same twice, frequently throughout this set and thier whole year or two together)... Of course, nothing may touch the original Village Vanguard recordings with LeFaro (even though I have both VV and Waltz for Debby, that box is up next...the whole night! in order!). Other than the Dead, these guys define group interplay, listening to each other, emotion, everything. Pure peaceful bliss. And on a totally unrelated and completely random note: why do people hate DiP 17? Sure there's probably quite a bit better '91 out there, but here's a lot to love... Keep the light shinin' on you friends. Sometimes recently I look out of my little cave and I can hardly see. But one way or another, this darkness...

I always liked it.. I enjoy the energy Bruce brought. The only released That Would Be Something is an interesting novelty of sorts.. I think a few of the regular posters here were at that show, Sixtus perhaps??

Great show.The Crazy>Playing transition is awesome.

Def not a fanatic, but if you throw out any major artist from the Satchmo era to the early 80's, i'll prolly have at least one CD or LP or an opinion of why i don't. Rarely in the mood to put the Classic era stuff on for just myself, but a fairly big fan of the more muscular Fusion stuff. Old school Jazz is good for impressing the ladies and/or setting a mood. The Ken Burns docu was the inspiration to delve in more and actually buy.