Grateful Dead

11/11/71

such a shift in overall sound from the final show in August 71

GBtGD

Yeseterday had a hankering to hear Dark Hollow and reached for Ladies and Gentleman. It sounded so good that I"m back with Disc 1 in the predawn, this time listening on the Senns. That early '71 Skull and Roses sound is bliss. Those early Bird Songs are such jewels. Now skipped to Disc 4 cause I want some of that Alligator jam for breakfast.

Oro - you're the hardest working man in show business!! Still waiting for a cryptic Almanac reference to you and a "DHB" - aka a "deadheadbrewer" - the hat trick of GD show listening. Ah, those heady early days of POTDWD when we had so much time (thank you Bolo24 and MaryE for that gift!) Nowadays I feel lucky to get a solid full show deep listen once or twice a week.

Definitely need to borrow the time machine for 12/31/80 . Don't think I've ever heard it, certainly not in its entirety straight through (reported.) I remember my first listen to Reckoning, it was very late night summer of '81, and it just blew us away. Still wasn't that tuned into the GD world and I had no idea. Just checked and the LP release date was April 1 - pretty funny! Closest I probably came to an acoustic set - with close being a relative multivariant concept - was probably that Rambler Room one-off on11/17/78. About 10 miles from the house but probably not back on Turkey Day break yet, and also that Uptown run was not on my radar at the time so yeah not quite that close. Anybody looking for a banger Fall '78 listen try Set II from the next night (Uptown 11/18) - it kicks ass and it needs to be released.

As for Indy 12/5/81 - when Dave finally releases it I'm pretty sure he's gonna say it was originally being considered for Dave's 20 ; ) I mean dropping a Big Railroad into the middle of that killer Set II pre-drumz?? Wat is happening?! That Space > Wheel is so very fine. Sweet sweet show.

What a first show Mary. Must have been a blast.
Would love to see this entire run released as a box set.

Oh yes, Bills are still looking good OB. The Vikes have been getting it done. Bears on Monday night.

I'm still stunned. Among other things, it had the acoustic set, soon to be famous on Reckoning. It ended with Ripple, which was new to me, and here I am.

that will be a good one

Big show to start today, followed by 12/6/89 as we finish 1980 and move to finish the end of 89.

BTK (actually, the whole run), and Marye were there and I believe this might have been Mary’s first show?
If so, we’d love some stories : )

I had a tape of p/o this show way BITD but don’t remember it at all so it will be a treat to check out the whole show!

Being the holidaze and all I haven’t gotten the best listens in to this run, so haven’t noticed a lot of standouts, (that’s me not the shows) but overall I’d say they start out the run with good, solid consistent performances like much of this under appreciated year, and seem to build every night through the run.
From the Rockin Bama/Promised land, somewhat rare for time TLEO, and overall good first set (seconds a blur?), to hot Strangers, Sugarees, Half Steps, China Riders, couple hot Truckin’s, a nice Shakedown, sweet China Doll, Fun Casey Jones encore, hot FOTD on the 30, in fact all of the 30 seemed a step up, just a four show blur of consistent solid enjoyable GD!
No hometown slacking this run!

So now onto the big finale, including a nice capstone to the 1980 acoustic revival and one of the last of a mere few acoustic sets they’d play.
Onward!
EDIT: Hmmmmm and it’s a Bear recording…

Thanks DV, maybe someday I get my own blog LOL
Go VIKS! (Too nervous about Bills Lions after that LA fiasco)

From Dave's

In the house

I thought I'd go back to the St. Louis box, and play the shows in sequence-something I haven't done since it came out. The opening 1971 shows, from 12/9 and 12/10 are great. Maybe not routinely recognised as among the best shows of the era, there is still plenty to enjoy here. 12/9 features no extended jams as such, but they seem to me to be more in tune with the spirit of rock n' roll than they ever would be in any other year. Although they persisted in covering rock n' roll well into middle age, those later excursions often come across as light relief, before or after the more serious fare. Here every song is played with commitment. They sound as though they are having a good time.

Initially, 10/12 sounded less impressive to me. The same sort of thing as the previous night...again. Until the final cd where they stretch out into the future. An amazing rocking jam.
Starting on 10/17/72, the first cd passed me by a bit, but the opening Cumberland and Playin' in the Band on the second cd of this show are as good versions of these two songs as any I can immediately remember.
So there we go - a great box! And plenty to come.

You made the Bulletin again OB. Congrats!

The Dog Star beckons…
Onward…through the fog!