• Post reply
    1,599 replies
    Dead Admin
    Default Avatar
    Joined:

    A sealed, unlabeled box sat undisturbed for decades on a shelf in the Grateful Dead’s San Rafael tape vault on Front Street, its contents an enduring mystery, even to those few with access to the vault. All David Lemieux knew about that box when he became the Dead’s archivist was that it contained tapes belonging to Bear—Owsley Stanley, the Dead’s first soundman and architect of the Wall of Sound. Even in the Dead Heads’ Holy of Holies, the taped-up box was tantalizing. But this was Bear’s personal property, and so he didn’t touch the box out of an abiding respect for the elder luminary of sound. Bear’s archive of Sonic Journal recordings had been kept safe for him for years within the Grateful Dead’s vault—over 1,300 reels of tape stored in heavy-duty cartons like old banana boxes. At any time, David could have popped the tops and explored them to his archivist heart's content. But they were off-limits without the nod from Bear. - Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell, Owsley Stanley Foundation

     

    With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43. The two virtually complete performances from San Francisco 11/2/69, Live At Family Dog At The Great Highway, and from Dallas 12/26/69, McFarlin Auditorium, are complementary in their clarity and consistency thanks to Bear himself, and in their ability to foreshadow where the Dead were headed in the years to come. If the two killer 20-minute+ "Dark Stars" don't get ya, how about the Pigpen-centric sets featuring "Midnight Hour," "Next Time You See Me," "Big Boss Man," "Good Lovin'," and the once-lost-now-found complete rendition of "Dancing In The Streets," or the first full acoustic set ever performed? And we're certain you'll be fascinated to uncover the "Mystery Of Bear's Banana Boxes" as told by Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell in the liners.

     

    Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43 was recorded by Owlsey "Bear" Stanley and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

     

    *2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Recent Oldest A to Z Z to A
Reset
  • #871
    Crow Told Me
    Joined:
    Out of the River All Ugly and Green

    Very cool that David Hidalgo and Susan Tedeschi both played Jerry’s Alligator Saturday in Berkeley. The Lobos even broke out “West LA Fadeway” and “Not Fade Away”. Another epic show. Going to see TTB again in Sacramento tomorrow. A very very very slight possibility we might hustle up to Bend (love that town anyway) but more likely Sac is the last tour stop for us. Till next year.

    In other old news, DaP 43 is the proverbial bee's knees. Can’t add much to what’s already been said. First disc scared me a little, because the guitars are waaaay out of tune for the first couple songs, surprised there hasn’t been more chatter on that. But things get a lot better from there. Nice Good Lovin: Phil was just so energetic and creative during this period. And of course the acoustic is wonderful to have. And as everyone has said, the 11/2/69 Dark Star sequence is what’s generally known as The Really Good Shit. As good as that Dark Star is, I think the 12/26 is even better.

    Has Dave been on a roll, or what? I almost got off the subscription bus after last year, which included two ‘80s shows that didn’t float my boat. But man, everything from #40 on has been outstanding.

    Last five:

    Neil Young: Noise & Flowers (don’t sleep on this one!)
    JGB: Run for the Roses
    TTB: The Fall
    Roy Hargrove: The Vibe
    Kamasi Washington: Heaven & Earth

  • #872
    wadeocu
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Stella ...

    Hear me now, believe me later:

    3/21/94 has a really great performance of Stella Blue

  • #873
    topchinacat
    Joined:
    Billy...

    8/28/82 is a great show ... I've had that tape for 40 years... wish I'd been there! I too was at the all the 83 NYE shows ... what a fun time! Also usually hit the Ventura shows too .... pretty nice venue, only an hour or so from LA. I'm no festival historian, but the US Festival was other-worldly ... so many acts, so many vendors, so many people. And since it was 2 days, many were there overnight (vendors & campers) so it was a wild scene at least until dawn!!

  • #874
    KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    Stella

    Proudfoot, Daverock, Jim - thank you for the insight. Jim, it's partially why I posted - I was listening to Colgate and it just moved the heck out of me, and it was like I "got it" for the first time. There was a sound in there I've never heard a guitar make (I think it was Bobby). Well...always another door in the Dead world. Some days I long to to have have seen and followed them in the 60s and 70s, just to have experienced it all as it was happening. But there is also something to having gotten on the bus late and having this huge library of material to indulge in. I guess all one could do in those days was scrape up the cash to follow them.

    I put them all in a folder and started thus morning with another run of Colgate, and am now on Road Trips '78 from the Winterland run. I cobbled together a SBD folder of this run a few years ago. The audio quality varies I recall. Would also like to have it released under the Full Norman moniker. The Orpheum might be my favorite '76 release after Cow Palace. That mix is something special, with Jerry and Keith coming in loud and clear, and Keith playing pretty much piano only, which is to my liking.

  • #875
    daverock
    Joined:
    Stella Blue

    Beautiful version of this at The Orpheum 7/18/76 too. Maybe my favourite 1976 show, as it goes.
    BTK - I would also like to see that October 78 run come out as a box. It must have been great seeing the band so often. To me, for the most part, they have been a band I've listened to at home, on my tod.

  • #876
    billy the kiddd
    Joined:
    Anniversary show 8/21/83. Frost Ampitheatre

    39 years ago today,( along with a lot of other great people who post here on this forum) I was at the Frost Ampitheatre for another great show with the Good Ole Grateful Dead . The first 2 songs were Cassady & Dire Wolf, what a great show. I saw some great shows in 1983, Ventura, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, Marin Civic Center. My favorite show of the year was 12/28/83 at the S.F Civic, still one of my favorite Dead shows, it also had a nice Stella Blue.

  • #877
    billy the kiddd
    Joined:
    Stella Blue

    I was at both 10/21/78 & 7/13/76, both great shows, both great Stella Blues. I wish they would release 7/13/76. 10/21/78 is partially released, I wish they would release that whole Oct 78 run at Winterland.

  • #878
    JimInMD
    Joined:
    Stella Blue

    Every time I listen to this song, I like it more.. and this has been true since the first time I listened to it.

    There are songs that sounded great early but then stuttered, songs that took a long time to find their legs and song that somehow sounded great each and every year they were performed. Stella Blue is one of those songs.

    There have been a few times when reflecting and I put something on, when I am in deep mood to begin with, and Stella Blue almost brought me to tears. It's one of the more powerful songs in their canon.

    Edit: Bobby sings this song now.. but I think it's a song better suited for Oteil. So I googled it and there is a beautiful version of Oteil singing this.. just him and his bass guitar. I was right, this is better suited for Oteil.

  • #879
    proudfoot
    Joined:
    Stella Blue

    10 21 78
    7 13 76
    12 19 78

  • #880
    KeithFan2112
    Joined:
    Colgate Stella Blue

    It's been some time since I listened to this version. Guilty of overlooking the song in general. Is there a better one in the 70s? Did it even peak before the hiatus? This is embarrassing, but at this point I'd rather just ask for directions than try to figure out the best versions myself.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

3 years 7 months
Submitted by Dead Admin on
Forums
Dead Store Products

A sealed, unlabeled box sat undisturbed for decades on a shelf in the Grateful Dead’s San Rafael tape vault on Front Street, its contents an enduring mystery, even to those few with access to the vault. All David Lemieux knew about that box when he became the Dead’s archivist was that it contained tapes belonging to Bear—Owsley Stanley, the Dead’s first soundman and architect of the Wall of Sound. Even in the Dead Heads’ Holy of Holies, the taped-up box was tantalizing. But this was Bear’s personal property, and so he didn’t touch the box out of an abiding respect for the elder luminary of sound. Bear’s archive of Sonic Journal recordings had been kept safe for him for years within the Grateful Dead’s vault—over 1,300 reels of tape stored in heavy-duty cartons like old banana boxes. At any time, David could have popped the tops and explored them to his archivist heart's content. But they were off-limits without the nod from Bear. - Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell, Owsley Stanley Foundation

 

With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43. The two virtually complete performances from San Francisco 11/2/69, Live At Family Dog At The Great Highway, and from Dallas 12/26/69, McFarlin Auditorium, are complementary in their clarity and consistency thanks to Bear himself, and in their ability to foreshadow where the Dead were headed in the years to come. If the two killer 20-minute+ "Dark Stars" don't get ya, how about the Pigpen-centric sets featuring "Midnight Hour," "Next Time You See Me," "Big Boss Man," "Good Lovin'," and the once-lost-now-found complete rendition of "Dancing In The Streets," or the first full acoustic set ever performed? And we're certain you'll be fascinated to uncover the "Mystery Of Bear's Banana Boxes" as told by Starfinder Stanley, Hawk, and Pete Bell in the liners.

 

Limited to 25,000 numbered copies, DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43 was recorded by Owlsey "Bear" Stanley and has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman at Mockingbird Mastering. Grab a copy while you can.

 

*2 per order. Very limited quantity available.

user picture

Member for

11 years 8 months

Submitted by dmcvt on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:44

Permalink

the elation for this and for hints at what else remains in the vault.

Just what the doc ordered!

user picture

Member for

10 years 3 months

Submitted by 1stshow70878 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:44

Permalink

fans got their wish.
2 Dark Stars and plenty-o-pig.
Sounds good to me!
Cheers

Edit: Non-subscribers (Daverock?) better jump on this fast. Certainly one that will sell out in a day.
1300 Owsley reels in the vault did it say? A HUGE virtually untapped source.

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month

Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 09:55

Permalink

I like Owsley's technique. That'll do, Pig.

user picture

Member for

3 years 1 month

Submitted by billy the kiddd on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:18

Permalink

just what I wanted. 2 shows from1969,. Thanks Dave, keep them comming.

user picture

Member for

10 years 1 month

Submitted by That Mike on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:20

Permalink

Dave - You had us at Pig. A real nice release, and Owsley sound, too! (Blushing)

user picture

Member for

10 years 4 months

Submitted by KeithFan2112 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:49

Permalink

It took 8 years, but I finally guessed the right shows. Nevermind that I included the Boston Tea Party trio.

user picture

Member for

10 years 9 months

Submitted by hendrixfreak on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:50

Permalink

I'll take this one, thank you very much!!

Oro, you either get primal or you get Pig. I'm very pleased with this one. Did not see that coming.

Woo-hoo!

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

Submitted by bluecrow on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 10:51

Permalink

Sweet release for DaP43!

"With a wink and a nod from Bear, we've peeled back those banana boxes to find some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including the double dose of shows that make up DAVE’S PICKS VOLUME 43."

just want to highlight ". . . some of the oldest and rarest of all recordings of the Dead including . . ."

pray tell what other mysteries are there in the banana boxes?? to be continued.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:09

Permalink

I think Dave was worried about a riot.. we forced his hand on this one.

I'm looking much more forward to this than the box set. No offense meant.. but this looks sweet to me.

user picture

Member for

4 years 1 month

Submitted by Crow Told Me on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:11

Permalink

Beyond stoked about this DaP. There doesn't seem to be a track listing yet, but given the description (not one but TWO 20-minute-plus Dark Stars, AND plenty of Pig?) this promises to be epic. Audio quality is likely to be outstanding, given that it was recorded by Bear and evidently stored in a banana box for 50+ years.

Wonder what else is in those banana boxes? Guys, if you find any blue tablets, you should probably forward them to me for safe disposal.

The MSG box? Not sure I need 17 discs worth of '80s, so I'll probably just go for the breakout set from 3/9/81. I have to admit, this release makes me a little sad, because it makes me think that now it's going to be years, maybe longer, before they do the Berkeley Greek 1980s box some of us have been longing for. Can't see 'em doing two venue-centric '80s boxes in close succession.

And just btw: don't get Covid, if you can help it. Went on a business trip (got to go to NOLA, at least), came home and got sick. Despite being vaxed and boosted, it was sucky week. Not the end of the world, but pretty sucky. I mention this in the hope that it'll encourage others to be vaxed and be careful: that fucking virus is still out there. Be well.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 11 months

Submitted by wissinomingdeadhead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:15

Permalink

Its so good to be wrong!!!!!! I thought for sure Dave would venture into the 80's the 60's are not the 80's. By the way I'm digging the gray hoodie, very understated.

user picture

Member for

4 years 8 months

Submitted by WokeUpDead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:19

Permalink

I had jumped off of the subscription bandwagon almost as soon as I got on, after the disappointing DaP31. This year I reluctantly hopped on again because I liked the Baltimore show and absolutely salivated over the Winterland ‘74 with bonus disk. I was resigned to getting a throwaway ‘80s show this time around. Nope. I am virtually in tears as I type this, and best of all I have no worries of this one selling out because it’s already been ordered. It’s a beautiful day.

user picture

Member for

17 years 6 months

Submitted by SPACEBROTHER on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:31

Permalink

I haven't browsed Deadbase yet to see if these shows are listed or the setlists, which I imagine are similar to others from the era. I also wonder if having been stored in sealed boxes all these years if they are uncirculated? That's always a nice surprise.

I'm a lifetime subscriber since the beginning. Glad to see Dave mixing it up.

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:43

Permalink

The sound on the archive is good.. assuming Latvala took a little peeksy into the banana boxes and shared. I'd still like to take partial credit for guessing Dave's 43 would be sourced using returned reels from the late 60's. I think I posted something to that effect a week or two ago.

Very glad to see these shows come to light. They seem to be very special, at least to these ears.

Enjoy people.. This one goes out to Hendrix Freak.. if there's a more enthusiastic 60's and fall 1972 person out there.. I'd like to buy her/him a drink and shake their hand.

user picture

Member for

16 years 5 months

Submitted by Forensicdoceleven on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:52

Permalink

Jim!!

That would be me. Strong coffee will do, looking forward to the handshake...........

Did anybody think my obsession was limited to 1971?!! OMFW!!!

The dice of Zeus always fall luckily.

Rock on,

Doc
Whether we fall by ambition, blood, or lust, like diamonds we are cut with our own dust......

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 11 months

Submitted by wissinomingdeadhead on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:00

Permalink

11/2 does not circulate, no set list
12/26 Circulates, Zephyr opened-acoustic set without Bill

user picture

Member for

9 years 2 months

Submitted by bluecrow on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:08

Permalink

not in Deadbase but SBD source of 11/2/69 is on relisten

not that i've heard it. includes a "classic suite" DS > SS > 11 > DDHNM

user picture

Member for

13 years 5 months

Submitted by JimInMD on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:12

Permalink

Strong Coffee I've got! Doc you are equally enthusiastic of the old stuff. Check your PM.

As for 11/2, it looks like a copy of this was seeded to the Archive back in 2004 and a more complete version appeared in 2009.. so someone had them. I'm going to head to the attic right now and see what's in all the banana boxes stashed in the corner.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

12 years 1 month

Submitted by diw on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 12:41

Permalink

Who is the 4 fingered gal on the cover? Interesting that they did not go for a female skeleton.

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years 8 months

Submitted by Sydney Prentice on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 13:03

Permalink

This is great news Dave,its going to be well worth the wait, none of us are getting any younger,I'm looking forward to having this in my grubby little mitts in August.

user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months

Submitted by alvarhanso on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:34

Permalink

I'm a big fan of DaP 6 12/20/69 and 2/2/70 with 12/21/69 bonus disc with its two Dark Stars, DaP 30 1/2-3/70 with its great setlists capped off by that massive Dark Star> St Stephen> The Eleven> Lovelight, and DaP 10 12/12/69 and bonus from 12/11/69 scratches a similar itch, but I gravitate to the bonus disc for the whole Dark Star> St Stephen> The Eleven> Cumberland Blues, That's It For The Other One> Cosmic Charlie, because that's just fantastic. And now we add these two shows to that collection. Nonplussed on the box, but I reckon I'll likely get it sometime prior to release. The setlists are quite good, and only one Little Red Rooster.

Just listened to the Little Sadie and High Time in the Listening Party on my tablet speakers, and quite liked it. Jerry is in fine fettle.

user picture

Member for

7 years 4 months

Submitted by Mr. Ones on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:35

Permalink

Sounds like an oxymoron to me, but who cares!! It’s primal 1969, JUST before 1970, which we ALL(well, almost all) have been clamoring for!! I simply CANNOT WAIT to unwrap this and push play!!

Thanks Dave, Music is the Best!!

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months

Submitted by cheyler196 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 14:48

Permalink

I will take a GD sbd from the '60s ANY day of the week, and the Dallas show has long been one of my favorites. I'm VERY glad that it's being released and that 11-2 show is no slouch although I've never heard it complete and never in this kind of sound quality either. I'm very happy these shows were chosen, can't wait to get my hands (and ears) on them. Thanks once again to Dave, Dick, Bear and the whole GD family.

Jeffrey Norman works for the GD and also the OSF, which has been digitizing Bear's 1300 reels. OSF is about two-thirds done with digitizing so possibly ~400 reels to go. Probably that's what Norman was doing.

Meanwhile, only weeks to go until two unique '69 shows are in our hands.

I'll have to quiet down for a while about NINETY SIXTY-EIGHT, just because Dave gave us a nice dose of late '69.

Heh heh heh... we don't need any contests here, this whole crowd is foaming at the mouth for this release. Jim, you sure know how to get folks riled up. (What the hell are "banana boxes"?)

In fact, the good doctor and I had often discussed how early, short shows shouldn't stop Dave from putting two together to meet the DaP three-disc rule. Here we are.

A good shout out to all who made the past couple months on this forum worthwhile with good discussions of literatue and music. I only have about 7-8 books to read and tall stack of CDs to listen to, as a result.

And thanks to Dave L. for an inspired choice. (I'm getting the 3-9-81 show and leaving the box alone, but sure wish I can get my hands on 3-10-81 at some point...)

user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

7 years 7 months

Submitted by TJPD2 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 15:14

Permalink

Its about time, one worth opening.

user picture

Member for

11 years 8 months

Submitted by dmcvt on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 15:40

Permalink

ask any supermarket for them, very sturdy, heavy duty cardboard, great for storage. Not entirely closed, usually an opening at top and bottom. Check recent shipments for tarantula hitchhikers. Shucks, no release listening party for the 60s bunch at Jim's bear battered beer caches?

user picture

Member for

7 years 10 months

Submitted by Obeah on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 16:06

Permalink

Oh myyyyy! I don't post very often here, but I've been watching the discussion/speculation on DP 43 for months. I figured DP43 would be 1980s for sure (hello, box set) and in that regards I was hoping for a 1985 release. I didn't dare hope for '68-'69. I'm glad to be wrong!

I've never heard either of these shows - super excited for this release. I keep various Fall '69 rips in my car - 10/25, Dick's Picks 16, the DaP 6 Bonus Disc - so it's going to be nice to change things up. This time I even went and bought an extra copy so that I can wow somebody who will only realize what they've missed out on when they are sitting in my passenger seat. That's ~$40 well-spent. @Dave thanks buddy, this kinda drop is what keeps me subscribing year after year.

user picture

Member for

4 years 4 months

Submitted by proudfoot on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:07

Permalink

totally awesome

Daves in a (banana) box

loooooove it

user picture

Member for

15 years

Submitted by bolo24 on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:56

Permalink

Didn't know about the Dallas show. Double 1969 goodness - how sweet it is!

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month

Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 17:58

Permalink

What I have:
Cold Rain
Midnight Hour
Seasons (this song is unknown to me, a first)
Mama Tried
Next Time You See Me
Good Lovin'
Big Boss Man
Casey Jones
Dancin'
Dark Star>St. Stephen>The Eleven>Death Don't

user picture

Member for

14 years 1 month

Submitted by bigbrownie on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 18:03

Permalink

I have this one archived in my cassette collection. Saw many shows at this venue. Great acoustics.

user picture

Member for

10 years 10 months

Submitted by alvarhanso on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 19:56

Permalink

Just looked up the setlists for these and saw Dave for once way undersold the length of the two Dark Stars, one 30, the other 24! Nice. But how about I've Been All Around This World? Always loved it from hearing the Garcia Grisman version, so stoked to see it's on here wih Little Sadie. Such a treat to hear Jerry sing these in such a strong voice. Now to avoid listening to the whole shows for three more weeks...

user picture

Member for

12 years 1 month

Submitted by sladeums on Wed, 07/13/2022 - 23:18

Permalink

I know it makes me not a ‘head’
But no

Pig’s “white boy blues” makes wants me want to barf every time.
Hahaha i hear him open his mouth and it’s like I want to jump off a cliff

I hear somebody brag about a “half hour Lovelight” ?
Thanks, I know exactly what show to skip. 

Seriously no

ughhhh

We can all jam and no despite I hate it I’m not selling to at cost hahahah

There are people out there.

user picture

Member for

17 years 1 month

Submitted by direwulf on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 02:48

Permalink

...deadhead but certainly a fool of high caliber. I agree with the Lovelights...sometimes, but damn take that tone and put it in the garbage where it belongs. The provenance alone of these tapes is enough to get my brain drooling and my ears lubed up.

Looks like they've reconnected the modem at the asylum. Nurse Ratchet must be on her first vacation in a few decades. 😬

user picture

Member for

13 years 1 month

Submitted by onthebussince77 on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 02:53

Permalink

For those of you wondering why artist Matt J. Adams included her, have a look at the cover of "Live/Dead".

user picture

Member for

8 years 7 months

Submitted by Lovemygirl on Thu, 07/14/2022 - 03:53

Permalink

…Oh Boy! 2 (two) “Primo” Primal Dead performances in one release (Pick)
“There’s Nothen left to do but Smile Smile Smile!” I’m as happy as a Pig in Mud! Lol ! 🤠
Have a grateful day my brothers and sisters.
there’s not a better feeling than having grateful fans dig’n The continuing Amazing Artworks involved year after year! Love it!
Take care folks , have a grateful day!
🙏❤️💀🌹

product sku
081227881597
Product Magento URL
https://store.dead.net/dave-s-picks-vol-43.html