Listening Party: Dave's Picks Volume 2
We welcome you to hear “China Cat Sunflower> I Know You Rider” and “Wharf Rat” from the brand new Dave's Picks Volume 2.
July 31, 1974
$27.98
Man, hearin people rag on this show is crazy. People should be psyched to get a high quality show from 74. Wake up folks, this stuff is finite, and in short supply! Gettin this show is a treat. You may like others sweeter, but it doesn't diminish this show. Now to be more specific: you're nuckin futz if you don't get the Eyes or WRS. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Please don't dominate the rap,jack, if you got nothing new to say....
There's no way everyone will be happy about a release....I have no problem with the complaining at all, but please refrain from telling me or anyone else that "we just don't get it"...That is so much BS....
eddpao: you said:
"I'm afraid that I too would have to say that some folks just don't get the essence of what a killer Dead show encompasses"
You should be 'afraid' to say such a thing.. I wasn't aware that ANYONE except for ME could make ME aware of what the 'essence of what a killer Dead show encompasses' to ME.
Everyone takes from a show (or anything for that matter), what they want - NO ONE can define what any one else should or could take from a show.
Some people try and define the 'norm' for everyone else as if their opinion matters more than the next.
Next time I need to know what the essence of a killer show is I will consult with you so that I can know if I enjoyed it or not???
Let there be songs to fill the air.
pwfurther: Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing shows in 1974. 02-24-74 or ironically 06-16-74 surpass this show by miles.
<<<
Ironically? What's the irony? That the Dead could play a great show somewhere besides the coasts?
1973 and 1974 performances were arguably the best years of their career: what have you been smokin?? Sure wish I could've been in Hartford or Landover that summer. I did get to witness the Louisville show. Is there a better Eyes of the World out there?
Cudos to David for his listening, analyzing and choosing efforts. I guess if you don't like what you hear, craigslist or eBay will be an avenue for you to consider. I Know You Rider is really good, so go back and hear it again! Gonna miss me when I'm gone!
Didn't go to this one, as my first was a couple years down the line, but I gotta agree with pwfurther's comments above...I've seen so many amazing shows, but the wrong notes, sloppiness in China Cat, right off the bat, tell me I've heard enough. Just not quality archive stuff... unlike the release from New Haven a couple years back... a show that I saw/recorded, always claimed was stellar...which the release some 30 years later bore out. Still have the original cassette tape, recorded from the 15th row, and it sounds so much better than this show! I'm afraid that I too would have to say that some folks just don't get the essence of what a killer Dead show encompasses...and that many shows just weren't...all there. I too wonder what Dave was thinking. After hearing what I've heard, I wouldn't buy it. Love you guys, though!
Shows like this contributed to the Dead's resignation that they needed to take a much needed hiatus after the October shows in 1974. Jerry is sloppy as hell, not at his best at all. The shows in England were similar. Where they were sharp as diamonds in 1973 they started to slowly slide downhill from there. I used to think that the shows in 73 & 74 were all the same but this is just not the case.
Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing shows in 1974. 02-24-74 or ironically 06-16-74 surpass this show by miles. Check out Jerry's "Ive been working on the railroad" quote during the china/rider from the latter show and then listen to the version of china/rider on this release - sad. 06-16-74 or 6-18-74 are much more deserving of the full show release treatment.
I know that Dave does his best but either he isn't listening carefully enough or just doesn't get it. "Shining Star" the live Jerry Garcia Band compilation is probably the worst/best example on how Dave has been way off on his picks. 1974 was a tricky year and somewhat uneven however I feel that this show was picked with the idea that the shows in 74 were all good which is not true.
There are times during this show where Jerry is clearly not doing well. He can sing real good but his guitar is all over the place - hitting bad notes - the china/rider sound sample pretty much proves this. Prophetic considering this is how things were in 1995 as well.
Count me as one who would have liked to see Seastones included on this release. I saw Phil and Ned about a week after this show in Philly and I agree that their performance is the thing that took absolute, full advantage of the Wall.
That said, I certainly understand that Seastones is not for everyone and even without it, I'm certainly looking forward to this release.
Just wanted to say that I was not going to buy the first Dave's Picks but then watched his live chat and was so impressed I signed up for the subscription. It seems to me that Dave really "gets it" as far as what most Deadheads really want. These first two picks are right on: complete shows, uninterupted and (can't believe I even have to mention this) in order. And, obviously they're from great years for Dead shows.
Here's the big But, or maybe not so big. While I can see Blair's point that Phil and Ned are not technically the Grateful Dead, I still think of that as part of the Grateful Dead concert. Maybe I think that way because Phil and Ned is listed (seemingly) as part of the show in Deadbase. On the other hand Deadbase also often lists opening acts and that's not part of the Dead show. Anyway, I think it should have been mentioned that Phil and Ned is not on this CD. My guess is it wouldn't have been a deal breaker for most buyers but would have lessened the dissapointment of those hoping it was somehow on the release but not listed.
I ended up loving the first Daves Picks and this one looks even more to my liking. More 70s is what I'm hoping for although that seems doubtful for the next release or two, but I'm willing to bet, via the subscription, that Dave will come up with something great for dapicks 3.
So a group of musicians that admittadly experiment regularly with voice, instruments and equipment get criticized when they do just that? Or after touring almost nonstop for seven years get on stage and play a note off key or forget a word your ready to throw the entire show away? Really? How many times have you critics taken the stage? What part of the Dead's mistakes or experiments have they ever hidden from us?
You will never fully enjoy this music unless you try to understand the shared attitude of the Dead towards their endeavor.