Grateful Dead

4:20pm

Mountain Standard Time. “We’re picking it good in Mountain Standard Time.” Mission Mountain Wood Band

Okay, on it Jim. Most likely will have to finish up tomorrow. Been kind of a crazy day.

I'd consider this on par with the Philly Dave's Picks recorded later that week. Highlights are a smoking Let it Grow and they continue the fun into the second set with a fine Help/Slipknot!/Franklin's Tower, the Slipknot! being particularly tasty.. then Morning Dew out of Space and the rest is formulaic for 1984.

Anyway.. a friend got me to revisit this and since I was there.. it brought back some really good memories.

The parking and camping scene at Merriweather was really quite amazing, I cannot believe they pulled that off. We used to walk to the shows there, it was about a 20 minute walk from my parents house. This would be last year I lived there, but I did make sure to visit my parents when good music came to Merriweather. I also recall that year my circle of friends had grown from high school to college, so we had guests that week.. some sleeping in the basement, a few under the pine trees out back and at least one tent.

I think of all the Grateful Dead shows at Merriweather, 1983 was the most fun and downright frightening during the storm, 84 still had a lot of steam and the sound in the venue was both louder and clearer.. these shows had some energy right out of the gate with a Casey Jones opener the night before. The tapes for 84 are considerably better than 83 and the tapes from 85 are considerably better than 84. 85 was the most polished with that Shakedown street people talk about. After 1985, the SMACF people held a big meeting and voted to eliminate the Grateful Dead in Columbia (SMACF = Suburban Mothers Against Crazy Fun) . Another venue in the long list of places the Dead could no longer play in. Sad as it was a cool place to see the boys and I think they liked playing there too.

It didn't stop the Garcia Band from doing a couple shows there in 89, both released and really quite excellent. I could be wrong, but I think they axed the Garcia Band after those shows, the reaction something like... "I thought we outlawed those hippie shows, what are they doing back here again?" What seemed to get the greatest reaction was people both bathing in the water fountains that decorated the suburban mall across the street and I think someone decided it would be a good idea to put some bubble bath into the water pool that fed the fountains at the same time. Something like that made the paper and had everyone talking about the rainbow colored invasion.

Well.. that's all I got, I don't have terrific detailed memories, but I know I enjoyed the ride. Back to your regularly scheduled Phil Bombs and cracking plaster.

3/24/71: ...awright had some good moments, guess I was a bit preoccupied when that was on.
6/27/84: First was good but a bit of a sleeper?
Second set was awesome cept for the “formulaic” ending. Really dug the H/S/F and of course the Do It In the road, though interestingly brief and you could tell some of the band didn’t know it as well. Must of been quite the surprise!
It’s crazy how loud the crowd was even on a SB...Merriweather, yasss unfortunate they couldn’t keep playing there.
Big fun in 85 and those JGB shows, though they and the scene was of course much more mellow. Remember being stunned at all the houses/condos? that had been built where the back lot used to be.
Remember that fountain in 85 at that mall where I found my First EKU 28 beer. Think we used the mall rest rooms for quick hobo baths? Wish we would have gone in 84 but wasn’t quite going that far for shows yet...
Good pick, another fine show we might not have gotten to if not for POTDWD...

No commented on my list so what’s it going to be then...?

....Jim was there! This one's for you dude.
EDIT. Hey! It's got a you-know-what!

Yo!

OB: We did 1982-08-06 on 1/5/21 & 1978-11-20 on 11/20/20, but the other's haven't come up. I'm always down for August '72 and my arm can be twisted for the other stuff ;)

Dig the Merriweather show, fan of '84, and it has a "Rippin'" Cumberland!
First WDWDIITR.. Jerry split haha.
Cool that you were there Jim, and right next to home, that's awesome.
Nice job on the memories. I remember you mentioning not being able to remember stuff, but sounds like you're doing pretty good ;)

Speaking of Memories, I had a flash listening to 3/24/87 yesterday, the Miller Ultra sounds dope on headphones BTW, during Terrapin when the roar of the crowd is so intense it gives you chills, I remembered as I was listening, part of the reason the crowd was going so crazy was because Candace Brightman was killing on the lights. She had it totally dialed into to what was happening, and EVERYONE was so into it, all of it, but the lights were helping us all reach Terrapin!! And we did.

Far out, this music really does help you time travel.
I'd totally forgotten about that, but for a moment there yesterday, I was back in the spaceship.. peaking!

Now what's it gonna be OB.. 1972?

the Grateful Dead.
Very nice people..

and so 8/21/72 begins, I'm off to the Promised Land.

One of my favorites... but it's a bit late for me to dive down that rabbit hole. Perhaps tomorrow...

Since the BCT 72 shows were not released as a box set, I say we demand Dave release the Fox Theatre St. Louis run as a box.. it's only fair.

Double Post

...no tunes today : (

I started a go fund me.. We should have your bail ready by the hour. We sincerely hope that helps and opens up your listening opportunities.

Fresh out of prison on six dollars bail..

So the ball is in your court for what we will be listening to tomorrow, OroB. Choose wisely.. (that trick never works)

Been having a really rough week all.. send some good vibes my way. Wrecked my kayak and tweaked my shoulder doing a trick move in the Suez Canal. I have that stuck, sinking feeling about it all.

What a crazy world we live in.. thank god for smoldering music.

....was nifty. Just sayin'.
Good vibes your way, because you were present and accounted for.

8/21/72 is killer

Dark Star!!!!!

actually fresh outta the mental institution but still an overwhelming urge to throw things ; )
Rut ro, broken Kayak! No Bueno, the seasons just starting....sounds like a good excuse to get a new, upgraded version. “Hey Maaaaaaa...” careful with that paddle Sydney!

GOGD: thought those sounded familiar ; )
I guess that’s why those dates were scribbled on a scrap of paper.
Stump the panel? NOT!
Perhaps 7/7/81 or 4/9/82 mañana?
I’ll try and do some scouting this weekend for more off the beaten path stuff...

But first, it’s time for 8/21/72! Haven’t met this one yet, stoked....did someone say 72 Dark Star whoop, whoop!
ONWARD!

Half way through. Sounds great but seems a bit down on spunk probably due to pig being sick.

Has anyone noticed that only Jerry's vocals are on the 8/21/68-Set 2 vinyl LP released in January....as opposed to all vocals on the Miller transfer?

Has this been discussed already?

just sayin'

Uploading 3/25/83 & 3/26/83 from relisten for a run through memory lane or motel if you will. Was at Compton not Aladdin. Add two days of Santa Fe in September 1983 for a 3 GD year. Just leave me the 3G.

That's funny you mentioned that. I noticed it the other day, but hadn't compared the two yet.

It sounds weird on the release with just Jerry fo sure.

Wonder what's going on there.

....8.21.72. 20:45 mark. Then they back out and El Paso is the intended target.
I literally got chills.

Yea, ain't it something. I believe this is only the second time I listened to this show. I was hoping the whole run would receive official release status.. but.. anyway, I was miffed at the bailed Morning Dew on the first go around. I enjoyed it much more this time, they created some space and took things to some interesting places in the time between the failed MD and El Paso. It's a unique piece of music, most enjoyable.

Proudfoot mentioned 6/16/74. Earlier this week I finally broke apart the Wall of Sound Road Trips and spliced in the best recording I could find of the missing songs and made two complete shows out that Road Trips (6/16 and 6/18).

Having some fun with polyurethane and epoxy.. I could use a cold beer and a musical adventure. I think I am going to slide right into that one as the sun goes down.

Not sure I’ve ever heard such an obvious attempt at a segway get so blatantly shut down lol
JG doesn’t just tease or hint, he totally just starts playing it, and continues to do so, but Phil’s like nope, we’re not going there, here, have some power cords instead! Pretty cool!
Great show, and man, for streaming it sounded really good!
Need to do the 8/24/72 one of these days...72 Daaaark Staaar !

that aborted MD pissed me off

I think you can hear something similar on 8 27 72. Not as obvious, but still a hint

Big fun in 85, yass yas yes, if memory serves me that was just after the '85 Hershey show, the "a bit much" of that powder in the 'shroom soup fixings ,ahem ah woop woop, for the serpent..
yes we were singing " ashes ashes Pierre falls down" he he, I never had such a hard time finding my car, as that night, and they, err we all, were using that fountain as a hobo bath, in Merriweather as, I recall, the office workers staring out, the horror, oh the horror, I enjoyed my first "Keep on Growing" that fine evening...

How about some Spring 1990 to get the day going?

3/25/1990, Knickerbocker Arena.

Stay well all.

Is this thing on?

Oberon is in the house. We made it to Spring.

Everybody hang loose.

....one could say, I was Dozin' To The Knick.
Vegas Golden Knights bounced back with an impressive win.

Excellent choice, DVikes. A couple years ago I reorganized the Nick shows so I had three complete shows in the correct song order. I have not listened to it since I did that, probably not since I got the box.

Who was laying down those fat saxophone growls in Wang Dang Doodle? I thought it was Jerry at first but I don't think so.. Brent? Bird Song, Let it Grow, Eyes and Black Peter provided the goods. Tasty and a great pick for a productive Saturday afternoon.

Hope you all are having a good weekend.

In a sea of unbelievable shows, for me this one always sticks out a little more. What a first set. The Touch is great. I love Wang Dang Doodle. Jim, I always thought that was Jerry with the Midi? But of course I could be wrong.
Never Trust a Woman. Such a good Brent tune. While listening to this song recently I always think about getting to ring that Bell. Close with a Bird Song, Let in Grow, Wow! And than there is the second set. Check it out, I won't say anymore.

So much great music!

How about a Spring 1990 MUATM for this year? Let's do it.

I’m currently experiencing the aftermath of too many Oberons.
But they taste so good.

3-28-73 DaP16
It’s got a Cumberland!

You guys always pick the good stuff when I’m too busy lol...well it’s ALL good, but I mean favorite stuff or stuff that as soon as I see it I go oooooo!
Yeah, haven’t drawn from the 90 well in a while and DaP 16 is perhaps my fav, SCOOBY DOO! Woof!
I’ll have to get those in later and/or tomorrow, which of course means I’ll fall even further behind lol.

Conekid: remember, nothing comes for free ; )

More Merriweather....does anyone remember the carton/artist that used to be in I believe the Golden Road?
He did one about the Fire on the Mountain jam late after the first night of 85.
BOO, do you remember? We were there with our coolers on a strap...It was a big jam/guitar/drum circle that at some point started in on Fire and went on forever. If my memory serves it was sorta up on a little hill way up in the back lot, and it went on until sunrise which was awesome! It was so cool he did a cartoon about it.
Perhaps not as good a jam as with Prezman (when he got a little Faith lol) and the Jethro Tull flute guy at 84 Toga, but quite the night! And yasss, yass, yass chilrens careful with that magic shroom dust Lol, and as lost as you were trying to find the car, it was all I could do just to follow you at that point lol. Still think I have some blown circuits pzzzttt from that night? I remember you guys stoped at like a Wendy’s and I had to sit in the car with my face stuck to the window, still literally crackling Zzzztttt, and was cognizant enough at one point to see this wide eyed little boy staring at me with fear in his eyes lol. The four of us ended up getting a room that night partially cause it was pouring, and you guys just sorta propped me up in the corner while I kept crackling fffzzzzztttt...Was that Hershey Dew perhaps not the best Dew you ever saw, I’ve never lined em up back to back but I’m sure it’d be a top pick, a real Bobbie Dazzler fo sure!
Also will never forget 89 JGB shows where I had one of the best veggie chili’s ever after the first night! Been trying to copy it ever since!
Hey Jim, did they let us camp there in 89? I think so but am not sure? I know they kicked us out pretty early after the second night.
Fuggin’ cops everywhere leaving after the second night....found out later Bush was nearby for some reason?
Got pulled over for nothing on the pike heading to Philly for the next show...totally because of profiling, KOONT!
Took what few stickers I had on the ole Orange Canoe off after that.
Young Doogie Houser pos...tried to fuck us six was from Sunday, luckily old vet cop came along and told him to stop etc. Little dumbass didn’t know who he was dealing with as we were road gods back then!
Ah, mammeries, misty water color psychedelic tie dye mammeries...

It's a conspiracy, OB. You should see all the PM's.. they are trying to schedule Skeletons from the Closet the next day we know we have you.

I didn't get to the Scooby house yet, but I have been doing a better job of keeping up lately. Perhaps today.

As usual.. my memories are a bit hazy, but I am pretty sure they passed an ordinance where you could not camp overnight there anymore. Plus.. it was primarily GD shows that had the biggest camping pull.. Did the JGB ever get that kind of treatment? I do not remember the Golden Road artist either, I tried in vain to figure it out. Good to hear your tales of old.. may they come again, if not to us then the next wave of good people.. It seems like there was a golden time up until the late 80's where people were mostly well behaved and we got away with a lot of free and fun behavior without too much consequence. Unfortunately the draw was so big and eventually unsavory characters seeped into the scene which signaled it's demise. It sure was fun while it lasted. I should have seen more shows!!! Well, at least we have the tapes...

RIP This guy played for/with so many different bands and styles, brilliant. First time I heard of him was on a little feat lp, very cool, named one of my cats after him.
It seems every week or month we loose another one of our favorites from the past, time is catching up to us all. I have great memories, just need a little more time, just a couple more spins, so glad we made the memories we have as those times are gone, I miss them so and will always say to you all "shall we go, you and I while we can....." time flies so fast.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/29/sandstorms-turn-sun…

....they get all the cool skies in China.

Thought I had that Merriweather Fire on the Mountain cartoon somewhere, but couldn’t find it in the vault?
My initial thought was it was a Sinkers by Mike Swartzbeck, but those seem to be in Relix. Golden Road has some by Bill Fitts that might fit the bill? But now I’m unsure? My gut says The Sinkers, which it could be Relix and not Golden Road as its been a long time...I’m positive that there was a cartoon commemorating that fine night and jam at sunrise specifically mentioning Merriweather 85 but I can’t seem to find much about either artist etc.
unfortunately I only have a couple of Golden Roads and perhaps a half dozen Relix and it’s not in there.
I have more Almanacs but I did not go through them as I don’t think that’s where I saw it?
Damn, this is going to drive me nuts now lol
Sounds like a job for McGruff er a GOGD!

despite the S>F reference...I do not want to be in that crud.

Last year's wildfire smoke...no no no

the music I have on now...Swans' Public Castration Is a Good Idea...goes good with the visuals of China's sitch

listening to 3/24/81

the opening has that "the tape deck is eating the tape!" sound

after a few moments of that it smoothes out

energetic show

Ha.. so funny. I like that moniker.

I say, 6/20/74 for today.

because...why not?

Alright, The Omni, I am on it. Thanks for the pick PF.

74 should bring some out of the woodwork.

I’m with ya PF! 6/20/74, don’t think I’ve heard that one yet, so yeah, why the hell not!

What can I say about 3/28/73...sigh.
Great googly moogly what a show!! It’s got a:
Sweet HCSS
WRS prelude
Awesome Dark Star
Killer Eyes
A PITB closer! (Ireally like in that spot)
and if that’s not enough;
Wave the flag
Loose Lucy
Funky TLEO
Race Is On
You Ain’t Women Enough...AND.....wait for it, it’s got a Cumberland opener!
One of my favorite Dave’s, hell this bad boy is one of my favorite shows period!

And then to get caught up I followed with that nice smooth 3/25/90. Oh, BTW, totally JG playing the Wang Dang Sax!
And man as good as Scooby do sounds, when that Multitrack goodness came on after...holy Toledo Bat Man.
Talk about a one two punch...a very grateful day indeed!
Ok, @+#=$% slackers (just kidding ; ) PF and I are going to Atlanta baby!
ONWARD

EDIT: cool, now we got ole DV with us too!
DBL Edit: 3/28/73...and of course Strider was there! Wow, that boy seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time lol

Not as many 'ghosts' as you might think. Some of us – me for sure – are usually just 'mutes' soaking up the great tales and fascinating perspective from folks who were actually "there" and know of what they post. THANKS! Onward!

....it seems I've never listened to this show either. First time for everything!
Eyes -> Slipknot! Jam -> China Doll sounds delightful.

I think i have said this before but this was one of those 74 shows that never circulated in tape trading days!! Bobt

I'm all in.

Hee-hee,
Like moths to the flame, albeit a groovy psychedelic multicolor flame ; )

Out of '74!

I saw that the guy who did the voice of McGruff ended up getting busted with weed & guns.
Life is stranger than fiction some times.

Enjoying the memories and the stories.
OB - '85 always gonna be a little wistful that I didn't start seeing the boys a year earlier.
I wasn't ready at age 15, but man... I would've caught a Cryptical!!
Thank goodness for the tapes.

And on that note, I'll dust off 6/20/74.

Good Stuff!