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    marye
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    Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

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  • Gollum
    Joined:
    12/3/79 Dave's 31

    I tried to give this another listen but didn't get very far. For me, Bob's guitar is just too low. You can barely hear him even in the Supplication (ouch!). Is it really Grateful Dead music if Weir's guitar is missing? The jamming sounds almost like the JGB, since Jerry and Brent's organ are so dominant. It's a shame because I really fell in love with Dick's 5 recently and want to hear more fall 79. I listened to a few fall 79 shows on the archive and it seems a lot of them have the same problem (Weir's guitar too low). The audience tapes aren't much better, so I guess it is not a soundboard source issue.

    other than that.... I must say from what little I've heard, it sounds like kind of a hot show. I mean, Jerry sounds inspired. Very frustrating!

  • Gollum
    Joined:
    JiminMD

    Sorry to hear about your loss. Thank heavens we have the music.

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    12/3/79 Dave's 31

    Otis, wait till Otis sees use, he loves us. I am still waiting for someone to identify this line.

    So, it is always good to revisit shows you haven't listened to in a while. I am big fan of the Brent era. The first set is good, I remember being excited for the rest of the show and than... The Scarlet Fire is good, but seems to lack energy. Same with the Terrapin. I think someone mentioned last year they thought maybe Jerry took a quaalude at the set break?? Who knows. Disc 3 seems to pick up the pace to the finish.

    Interested in what you all think?

    Other 79 releases have been rather hot like RT 3.1 and 1.1 and of course Dick's 5.

    I think we will see some more Brent in Dave's 35.

    Be well folks!

  • DeadVikes
    Joined:
    Sad Times/Jim

    Sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Jim. The times are tough. Stay strong and be well!

  • billy the kid
    Joined:
    JiminMD

    I'm sorry about the loss of your friend, music can certainly help at times like this.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    Feeding the Vibe

    The good people here make it all work, and no slight meant to anyone.. BobT, Willfred, 80s, VGuy, everyone.. but hats off to Oroborous, Strider and Nicecat for 'mostly' remembering shit from so many years ago my brain has to do math to figure it out. I know I harmlessly forgot dozens in this post, hopefully they will forgive me.

    I had a really good friend pass yesterday morning from Pancreatic Cancer. I kayaked with him less then 3 weeks ago two class IV+ V- local runs.. mid way through the next week he wasn't feeling well and checked himself into the ER and the diagnosis was terminal. You have to think.. if we weren't deep into covid, perhaps there would have been more preventive screenings, etc. A casualty of the times.. but I digress. So before I knew he had passed, his wife sent us this Caring Bridge link where people write into a journal that the family can read to the patient, etc.. and I think more or less just as he was passing I posted something that was meaningful to me and hopefully him.. ending with May The Four Winds Blow You Safely Home. So after writing I decided to revisit Jai Alai on my bike ride.. just as I climbed the hill out of the canyon and the endorphins begin to kick in from climbing a big ass hill on a bike, the Cumberland El Paso To Lay Me Down sequence came on.. and I had forgotten (sort of) about the how good the To Lay Me Down was. Right song, right time.. and so it ends.

    Anyway.. I know I am saying something all of us have inside us.. but the music is almost as important in getting me through stuff as my own mind and instincts are, the music is sort of tapestry of life.. fabric.

    Moment over, timely songs and memorable moments. It certainly has helped carry me through, perhaps all of us.

  • JimInMD
    Joined:
    6/30/85

    Great little show.

    Merriweather was sort of like the outdoor Hampton on the North side of DC instead of the South. Attractive venue, usually welcoming to the crowd and all that went with it (until they weren't anymore), held about the same number of people (probably a little more if they packed the lawn, which they did) and had a lot of overlap in the crowd that attended. The band also had an easy in and easy out. Plus.. they were doing these multi-show stints for several years in a row just when momentum was beginning to build and the setting of both venues was sort of idealistic in this regard. Merriweather would let you camp in the lot, and when things got really crazy, people started setting up tents in the open field under the power lines just outside the reach of the parking lot (and for the most part outside the reach of where the cops really wanted to patrol). Once you were in, everything was there and you were fine for the weekend.

    I think the shows at both venues had a similar vibe.. it was a safe place for the band and heads in the early to mid 80's and the shows reflect this. Lots of fun, and yes.. that is a great shakedown. I think 85 gets the most love because the tapes sound better than the earlier years. 83 and 84 were strong years for Merriweather.. but the tapes are just not strong and crisp and don't seem to reflect what it sounded like inside. Guess that's mostly true for the whole decade.

    Still great time.. used to walk to those shows from my folks house, by 85 people were camping in the back yard.

    Looks like Jerry was wearing his red t for this show.. What good times.
    https://deadimages.com/store/photo/grateful-dead-june-30-1985-columbia-…

  • wilfredtjones
    Joined:
    6/30/85

    Has almost the consensus Best Of version of Shakedown. I think if they ever released a June '85 box, they would have to include 7/1 and 7/2 which are of similar caliber as the June stuff in my opinion. There is that hilariously botched Brokedown encore from 7/2 though...

    Fall '85 has some really nice stuff as well. I'm thinking of 11/5 which has another nice Shakedown Street. Is there video of that show anywhere?

  • Deadheadbrewer
    Joined:
    Great stories, people!

    You really made my coffee break Grate! (of course, if I've done no work yet today, is it really a "break"?)

    I haven't really listened to much June '85, other than the TTATS show (the 24th), but it sounds like I need to . . .

  • DeadVikes
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    Dave's 31

    Dave's 31 it is!

    Thanks Otis.

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Bolo24 says: An Idea, Perhaps? Since we're all going to have a fair amount of spare time on our hands for the foreseeable future, what about starting another thread where we all listen to the same show/release on a given day and then share impressions afterward? Folks can submit suggestions and one person (not me) picks what we'll all listen to - call it Deadnet Picks or something. Anyway, if this idea is deemed to have merit, I'd suggest one of the loyal regular posters take the lead and do the picking - y'all can decide who. Might be fun. If it does go forward, I nominate Dick's Picks 18 for the first listen. Been talked about here lately, and, had it been a single show rather than a compilation, we'd probably be talking about it in the same conversation as Cornell, Veneta, etc. Or perhaps even Gainesville?? Stay safe and healthy, friends - this planet needs as many Deadheads as possible.

If we are going to do 11/8/69, I am going to have to carve out the requisite amount of time like we did Saturday.. no distractions, no cell phones, no texts, no questions, no one tapping me on my shoulder.. and not the dreaded words, "one more thing" .. and of course get in the proper frame of mind beforehand.

Honestly.. these two shows, add in 2/14/68, 2/13&14/70, sprinkle in FW 69 for good measure and I have taken a liking to 1/2/70 + Bonus disc and an honorable mention for what I think of when I want to get in the transportation business.

Boy does listening to these shows take a lot out of you.. perhaps that's why they wrote AB & WMD.. to slow things down just before we careened off that cliff and into mental oblivion.

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GMLSG sounds as smooth as butter,,,

re, Well... I just hit play but, I paused it. Jim, when is a good time for you I'll wait??

The planets seem perfectly aligned this Thursday. That seems enough time to plan.

That will give us some time to switch things up too.. play around the calendar, pick shows from different periods too.

Does that give us enough time to plan?

That's a pretty nifty number ya got there!

I am all for Dick's 16, but if we need to pause on it to soak up Jai-Alai, I get that too. Let's keep this thing going! I am all for GD from any era!

Today was a good day for 74 Dead around here. Shortly after my early morning Dave's 34 was delivered (at 6:30 am!) I got another package from Real Gone containing Dick's 31, which I looked into after all of the discussion around these parts.

I hope I don't over do the 74 stuff - wait, I don't think that will ever happen.

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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....and the sound is already impeccable. And to quote Bobby "Its the real thing".
Just like Billy Sunday in a shotgun ragtime band. This pick came at the right time.

We can pause while the WOS gently peels the plaster from our ceilings.

Whatever works.

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In reply to by JimInMD

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Okay on the pause for the Picks. I will keep my own going tomorrow as my #34 is still in CA.. Okay, no whining here, that gets old.

Oh yah I might have chased a couple women around..., the waiting is the hardest part.

Week eight of this crap, be well people.

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No problem all good. Those who have received the 34 happy listening!

"New ones coming as the old ones go"

Alright, sounds like the Pick of The Day is in hold pattern as we wait for & listen to the Pick of The Dave.

#34 to be exact - 6/23/74 & 6/22/74 Bonus Disc

Roger that.

I'll proceed accordingly...

Sherman set the Wayback machine to June 1974, we're going to listen to the Wall of Sound.

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I love the overlap of old ( psychedelic ) & new ( country/workingmans ) . It’s the palindrome 69 major phase shifting. The sound of small venues compared to larger halls or outdoor concerts all have different ambience . Same goes for instruments ( Jerry’s guitars) . Gibson SG in 1969-70. A whole slew of different axes in 1971. Wall of Sound 1974, with Doug Irwin Wolf Guitar.
Suggesting different eras of GD has been educational, even heard / seen fresh, and in 2020. Who would have known fifty years ago.

RE: STRIDER 88

Interesting observation and I believe you've tapped into something.

Hypothesis:
Does inspiration then lead to a love of learning?

I would venture to guess.. Yes!

Prediction:
Being inspired by Grateful Dead music, if I listen to the Grateful Dead from many eras over and over and over, through the course of many days and years, I'll want to learn more and will be loving it!

Test Prediction:
Continue listening to lots and lots of Grateful Dead from many different eras and discuss with friends.. ad infinitum

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Perfect timing. I got an amp and speakers on the way. Had to take advantage of the 30% offer. I got the speak's for half price and ac line filter for free. I'll be putting off listening to 34 till I get set up.

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In reply to by fourwindsblow

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Carson, CA 5.5.90. 30th anniversary.My final Brent shows.
https://archive.org/details/gd1990-05-05.141262.sbd.miller.flac2496/05S…
Rumors were rampant these shows that Timothy Leary was backstage dosing everyone. The band does sound "fat and juicy", so I can see where it could be true. Phil was turned WAY up.
I remember hanging out with some hare krishnas after the show eating free rice.

Strider...I think Jerry started playing a strat at some gigs in 1969, and on through 1970, as well as the mighty SG. This always seemed to me to be a signifier of the bands gradual shift to a more country based sound. As you indicate, they could still turn on the psychedelic power in 1969 and 1970 - but the times they were a changing .

Whew.. saved from an 11/8/69 induced nervous breakdown.

Edit: Saved for now. It's always the bats that start these things. Well, a melty PITB, then the bats. Look out for Dark Star>The Other One>Dark Star's too. A sure sign that society is in collapse.

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Bats have got themselves a bad reputation lately. Hunter knew it long ago.

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DaveRock , I can only go on photographs before 1970. I believe you’re correct, Jerry would use a strat for some late 69-70 songs. Of the ten times I saw them in 1970 I only remember the Gibson SG. 1971 was all over the map. Starting with seeing the SG my last time same night as Mickeys last show 2/18/71. The next few nights was the peanut Alembic experimental . By April Jerry was playing a Les Paul and then the peanut some nights. First time I saw Jerry play a Fender Stratocaster was at the Felt Forum 12/4/71. Then 2-3 strats through 72/ 73. The Wolf was a real game changer.
This is a fresh way of listening the good ole Grateful Dead.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Strider...I am only going off photographs of course-I have nothing like the first hand experiences you are talking about. It must have been amazing to see them in 1970-1971-truly a mythical time. The photos I remember of him with a strat in 1969-70 are mainly in the Taping Compendium. Jerry is holding a sunburst strat in the picture accompanying the Feb 70 shows.
Its always interested me which guitars he played at shows-and Bob too, to a lesser extent. I watched the Festival Express dvd a few weeks ago, and Jerry is jamming with...a band who's name escapes me...but he is playing a tele. I don't think he played one of those very often.

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In reply to by daverock

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Good call Daverock, I need to watch that this weekend

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Thanks for joining in on this one Vguy and Jim. Loved the cover last night Vguy. Recording is Multi Track excellence as all these shows are. Have not listened to this show in maybe three years. Of the three Omni shows, I usually pull 4/3/1990, maybe because of that glorious Shakedown opener.
Anyway, Vguy, agree with you on this show. Great first set, with a great Althea, to Lay me Down, Music Never Stopped. Even the Victim is good. China Rider, what did that guy say last night about Ship of Fools??
Great Truckin, Stella, Sugar Magnolia and one of favorite encores, It's All Over Now Baby Blue. Great show.

Check it out if you have not listened in a while.

Be well all!

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In reply to by DeadVikes

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....Victim -> Lay Me Down -> MNS is solid. Raucous Sugar Mags. And who doesn't like a Baby Blue? I know this guy does!

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*

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I'm half way through 4/1/90. Althea was playing on our boombox at a motel room at an airport at the giants show in '89 with my friends. Like anyone would care.

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He called us fools talking about potholders and other normal things. Strange.

I didn't make it through the whole show.. but made it beyond the Victim/Lay Me Down. Let it be known I LOVE To Lay Me Down, but the Victim was so much better ( a song I don't normally adhere to).

Anyway.. just had to comment. Not coherent enough to add much more than that.

Who's fucking idea was it to watch Festival Express anyway.. a great yet terrible idea all at the same time. Thank god nobody drives cars anymore. My liver and my lungs both suddenly hurt both at once.

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Man, it was HOT down there!

Anyway, just catching up. I did dabble with disc 2 of Dick's 16 the other night... that is some mind-altering stuff. It looks like yesterday was 4/1/90 - just started "Touch" now.

Today is Three from the Vault? Sounds good to me :)

Peace

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In reply to by Thats_Otis

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Sounds grate, and it’s not even Plangentized.

Smokestack Lightning! Grease it up.

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I’m there. And was there.

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I loved that Omni show! I didn't get either of the Spring 90 boxes, so this show was new to me (at least for a good, quality sit-down and listen.) I LOVED it! The band is so hot, Brent in particular was on fire, the Bobby tunes rocked, and there were so many high-quality Jerry ballads. I mean, a show that has a "Candyman" "To Lay Me Down" "Ship of Fools" "Stella Blue" AND "Baby Blue" - c'mon... all played very well too!

Just started on 2/19/71 - the first Billy-solo show. Was this chosen to celebrate Billy's b-day? Good choice! I haven't listened to this one in a while!

Peace

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I remember from 2/19/71 was, “where’s Mickey?”. Was disappointed at the beginning of the show. The level of musicianship had greatly evolved since 1967 or last time as five piece. They blew the roof off the Capitol Theater that night. Jerry played his Alembec experimental “peanut” guitar for the first time on 2/19 and continued to play it the next several nights.I went Thursday through Sunday nights. I vaguely remember Weir commenting on Sunday as it being slow. As I remember it was sold out all nights. Unlike November 1970 shows in Port Chester when I could buy tickets night of the shows at the box office. Fillmore East was harder to get Dead tickets and February 71 shows sold out in hours . I bought tickets by getting in line at 5 am on a December (1970) Saturday morning. “What’s become of the baby that cold December morn”. Blair Jackson was in that same ticket line. 70/71 was quite the phase shift. Keep em guessing.

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In reply to by Strider 808808

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Strider...do you remember much about the ESP experiments at these shows?

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In reply to by daverock

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Nice pick Conekid!.
Always thought it was odd this came out in 2007 and with no real explanation why it took so long to get it out.

Great recording with A+ sound quality. Really good Truckin, Dark Hollow, China Rider. Really liked the Greatest Story, early Bird Song. Did somebody say, Easy Wind? This was great and I wish this got more play as well as New Speedway Boogie.
Great finish!

Strider, you were there, really cool.

Good to see you here Oroborous, I thought a Spring 1990 pick might peek your interest.

Otis, as a huge Brent fan, you should consider the Spring 1990 box sets. Highly recommend.

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I think this is the thread where Jim mention Victim -> Lay Me Down (1990-04-01). I'm a huge fan of Victim, this is a great one. I think this is the depths that, Just a Little LIght, Blow Away, Foolish Heart (if Jerry could remember words when he came out of jam :-) ) could have reached. Picasso Moon probably didn't have much too go! :-) But I really like a good Corinna.

Great Victim though, thanks for pointing it out.

Is there a better "Just a Little Light", than Dozin' at the Knick? Come on? Is there? Just took it off , best.

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Only that it was a random image , not all the time. I do remember Bob and Betty being set up on a side balcony booth. Saturday night was the major rave up night. NRPS finishing their set w Honkey Tonk Woman and the crowd going bonkers, balcony shaking. Weir, Pigpen and Pigs girl friend Veronica watched the end of the NRPS set from back stage right, Bobby shaking his head as if to say”tonight’s the night”. Highlights from 2/19 for me are Smokestack Lightning. Jerry’s use of the Alembec experimental peanut guitar looked amazing after he used his Gibson SG the night before. The peanut guitar was very small in its size but belted out a sweet big sound that was especially evident during Johnny B Goode, that had most of the audience up dancing. A few people at my high school would go one night only , but I was completely consumed.
Too bad there are not many (any)more 1970 tapes. Anything from either 1970 or 1971 is no less than spectacular .