Dave's Picks Volume 1
Dave's Picks Volume 1 is officially SOLD OUT.
Have no fear, you can join the fun with our next release Volume 2, the complete Grateful Dead performance from the Wall of Sound tour, recorded live on 7/31/74 at Dillon Stadium in Hartford, CT. This was one of the final East Coast appearances by the Grateful Dead for almost two years, and is one of the longest, most exceptionally well-played shows of the entire year. The big jams stand out, of course, including "Weather Report Suite," "Eyes Of The World>China Doll" and "Truckin>several thematic jams," but the smaller songs, like a rare show-opening "Scarlet Begonias," "Mississippi Half-Step," "Big River," "Greatest Story Ever Told," "Uncle John's Band" and countless others are also excellent at this A+ show.
In addition to all the great music, you can look forward to another digipak with trays made of 100% recycled and PCW materials (and of course a booklet featuring a historical essay and photos). Due to popular demand, we'll be using a heavier paper stock for Volume 2 and all the great Dave's Picks releases to come.
Dave's Picks Volume 2 ships this May. Stay tuned for pre-order details.
Learn More About Volume 1 here...
Dave's Picks Archival Series Kicks Off With 5/25/77
Chances are if you’re a Dead Head you’re already well-versed in the glorious spring of 1977. Back a year since their mid-’70s performing hiatus, and fresh from recording their Terrapin Station album in L.A. with producer Keith Olsen, the Dead returned to the road invigorated and excited that spring. There were fantastic new songs (including the “Terrapin Station” suite, “Estimated Prophet” and “Fire on the Mountain”) and their older tunes seemed imbued with new vigor and vitality. Every stop of the tour, which stretched from the third week of April (beginning at the Spectrum in Philadelphia) through the first week in June (back at Winterland in San Francisco), presented some new wrinkle or interesting variation on the repertoire, as songs were moved around, unusual combinations were explored and the septet continue to solidify and mature. Which is a fancy way of saying the band was on fire—y’see, there’s a reason why this is the ninth show from that tour to be released!
The song list from 5/25/77 might not reveal much out of the ordinary (though it’s great selection of tunes), but the playing is definitely extraordinary. The first set contains outstanding versions of favorites such as “Mississippi Half-Step,” “Jack Straw,” “Cassidy” and “Lazy Lightning” > “Supplication.” And the second set is primo-grade ’77 from start to finish. The buoyant “Scarlet Begonias” > “Fire on the Mountain” that kicks things off sets the tone, but then the rest of the set is a deftly played medley starting with “Estimated” and moving into “He’s Gone,” a primal drum workout from Mickey and Bill, a heart-pounding version of “The Other One” that’s split by “Wharf Rat” (the only time those songs were played in that sequence), a joyful “Wheel,” and then a double-dose of Chuck Berry to bring it all back to rock ’n’ roll basics. Talk about a thrill ride!
— Blair Jackson
If the posts I am seeing here are correct, and Vol. 2 is going to be the Hartford show of 7/31/74, I might just die! I have always said, that of all of the GD shows I saw, that was THE best by far. I am STOKED!
So how many of the 12,000 are left for sale after taking into account those that got the subscription: 11,900, 1, - what?
Now that Volume Two is revealed, Dave's Picks begins with back to back Home Runs. My best guess for Volume Three is an early pick- I'll go with 4/23/69 from The Arc.
You mean "septet," right? Donna counts, too.
No complaints here about 7-31-74 (if that is true). Those '74 shows, even when already available in crisp soundboard, benefit even more than others from the Norman treatment (e.g., The Wall of Sound RT, WOW).
Anyway, a couple of months ago I did say what I wanted to see for the DaP 2012 series (in addition to the '77 show) was: Either Fall '72 or Summer '74, plus something from '84 and something from '67. So far so good! (Though I'm guessing a 74 release will preclude a Fall 72 release, boo hoo).
agree with Jackstraw, cbs73 and ajt, so, with shipping et all this will be 30 bucks, I guess the 12,000 haven't been sold yet and may not for previously mentioned reasons. Bonus disc gonna be a comp of shows from the northwest 74, too bad. Hey, could you give us a heads up as to which shows are gonna be picked from, would love to get the complete shows before they are removed from archive. Thanks in advance :)
LBC I feel for ya man, I reported defective discs also and have received nothing, zip, zero, another reason I just can't see the cost, it's a crap shoot now, will I get the disc, will it play, if not, will I get a replacement? All real questions that have never been addressed. Too bad.
We all love 77 but this is a bit to close to "To Terrapin". I'll pass, but would be very psyched for the July 74 if true!
5/25/77, 7/31/74 etc etc etc already have killer miller sbds circulating. What would be cool is picking a show where only a crappy aud circulates. That would justify a $27.98 price tag.
more money - more empty space - less music -
not really a good deal at all!
sorry, but for me it is a very bad disappointing start!
Location
He makes a dig at finding this and other series on Ebay...but I have not found the last two Road Trips on Ebay for more than $25 with shipping.
After the price of this compared to Ebay...I don't think he has room to hate on Ebay.