• https://www.dead.net/features/release-info/terrapin-hartford-may-28-1977
    To Terrapin: Hartford, May 28, 1977

    And the whistle is screaming...
    ...Terrapin

    3 Disc Set


    Whether or not the fabled spring tour of 1977 was, as many Dead Heads believe, the strongest Grateful Dead tour ever, it was unquestionably a magical time stuffed-to-overflowing with amazing shows. Say the word “Cornell” to any hardcore Head and it means one thing—the 5/8/77 show at Barton Hall on the august school’s campus. But there were numerous other stops on the tour that produced monster shows, as well, from the five-night run at the Palladium in New York, to the incredible Fox Theatre in Atlanta (5/19 was part of the two-show Dick’s Picks #29), to the two Florida shows—Lakeland and Pembroke Pines (Dick’s Picks #29 and Dick’s Picks #1, respectively)—Tuscaloosa, Richmond… the tour was a scorcher from beginning to end.

    What was up? Well, by the spring of ’77, the Dead had been back on the road for nearly a year following their famous performing hiatus, so Mickey Hart was thoroughly re-integrated into the band, and the septet was hitting a new stride. There was a handful of great new songs being integrated into the repertoire, including Garcia and Hunter’s complex, epic “Terrapin Station” suite, Weir and John Barlow’s cool, off-kilter reggae tune “Estimated Prophet,” and Phil and Peter Monk’s rollicking “Passenger.” Those songs would form the core of the album that the Dead were recording in the winter of ’77 with producer Keith Olsen down in Los Angeles. Olsen was a sharp guy with good ears (as they say in the biz), and he worked the Dead hard in the studio, forcing them to play perhaps a bit more precisely than they were accustomed to. Now, one can endlessly debate whether the result of Olsen’s approach was ultimately an album that was a tad too precise—a criticism even the band leveled at Terrapin Station—but all the laboring over parts and arrangements in the studio seemed to have an extremely positive impact on how the band played live that spring.

    Which brings us to Hartford, Connecticut on the night of May 28, 1977—the final night of this Tour for the Ages, and the source of our latest release, To Terrapin. You’d never know from listening to this show that the band had been on the road for more than a month and 25 previous concerts, because it has that sparkle and intensity the band only had when it was fresh, feelin’ good and in full exploration mode. From the rippin’ “Bertha” > “Good Lovin’” > “Sugaree” trifecta opening, through the spectacular second set sequence comprised of “Playing in the Band,” a brisk and buoyant “Terrapin,” a fantastic one-of-a-kind “Not Fade Away,” “Wharf Rat,” and the “Playing reprise.” Definitely the band at its best!

    So, why put this out now? Why the hell not? And what’s with all the questions? Just enjoy it. OK, aside from it being a classic show worthy of release, we thought it might be fun to revisit a concert played in one of the venues The Dead are hitting this spring on their tour—that would be the Hartford Civic (now the XL Center) on 4/26/09… why, that’s the 31-year, 11-month, 2-day anniversary show of this epic ’77 show! Anyway, this three-disc complete show release has been lovingly mastered to HDCD specs from the original reel-to-reel tapes by Jeffrey Norman utilizing the usual array of mysterious black boxes and sonic tools unavailable to us mere mortals. Artist Scott McDougal, who’s done such a bang-up job for us on the Road Trips series, has designed a beautiful package, and the always erudite Gary Lambert has contributed a fine essay which is accompanied by glorious photos of the band in Hartford in 1977. And because we know that in these tough economic times everyone could use a bargain, we’re offering To Terrapin at the very low price of $17.98 for all pre-orders placed on dead.net before the April 7th release date. That’s $2 under the suggested retail price. For the complete track listing and ordering info, click here.

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    Papadoc
    14 years 11 months ago
    And lets not forget two
    And lets not forget two ignored emails to customer (dis)service. Maybe I can wear my Boston Green SYF shirt NEXT St Patricks Day. Maybe.
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    Papadoc
    14 years 11 months ago
    Pre ordered 3-9-09, billed
    Pre ordered 3-9-09, billed 4-13-09, notified not yet, recieved someday I hope.Liquid Blue got me a summers worth of shirts and hats within a week of placing my order, and Sunshine Daydream filled my cupboards with mugs in 5 days. Amazon looks better and better. But the bonus disc with 2-68 was pretty cool.
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    Nick1234
    14 years 11 months ago
    easter egg
    anyone know what the current pop up displayed by clicking the saturn is? looks familiar but I can't place it.
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And the whistle is screaming...
...Terrapin

3 Disc Set


Whether or not the fabled spring tour of 1977 was, as many Dead Heads believe, the strongest Grateful Dead tour ever, it was unquestionably a magical time stuffed-to-overflowing with amazing shows. Say the word “Cornell” to any hardcore Head and it means one thing—the 5/8/77 show at Barton Hall on the august school’s campus. But there were numerous other stops on the tour that produced monster shows, as well, from the five-night run at the Palladium in New York, to the incredible Fox Theatre in Atlanta (5/19 was part of the two-show Dick’s Picks #29), to the two Florida shows—Lakeland and Pembroke Pines (Dick’s Picks #29 and Dick’s Picks #1, respectively)—Tuscaloosa, Richmond… the tour was a scorcher from beginning to end.

What was up? Well, by the spring of ’77, the Dead had been back on the road for nearly a year following their famous performing hiatus, so Mickey Hart was thoroughly re-integrated into the band, and the septet was hitting a new stride. There was a handful of great new songs being integrated into the repertoire, including Garcia and Hunter’s complex, epic “Terrapin Station” suite, Weir and John Barlow’s cool, off-kilter reggae tune “Estimated Prophet,” and Phil and Peter Monk’s rollicking “Passenger.” Those songs would form the core of the album that the Dead were recording in the winter of ’77 with producer Keith Olsen down in Los Angeles. Olsen was a sharp guy with good ears (as they say in the biz), and he worked the Dead hard in the studio, forcing them to play perhaps a bit more precisely than they were accustomed to. Now, one can endlessly debate whether the result of Olsen’s approach was ultimately an album that was a tad too precise—a criticism even the band leveled at Terrapin Station—but all the laboring over parts and arrangements in the studio seemed to have an extremely positive impact on how the band played live that spring.

Which brings us to Hartford, Connecticut on the night of May 28, 1977—the final night of this Tour for the Ages, and the source of our latest release, To Terrapin. You’d never know from listening to this show that the band had been on the road for more than a month and 25 previous concerts, because it has that sparkle and intensity the band only had when it was fresh, feelin’ good and in full exploration mode. From the rippin’ “Bertha” > “Good Lovin’” > “Sugaree” trifecta opening, through the spectacular second set sequence comprised of “Playing in the Band,” a brisk and buoyant “Terrapin,” a fantastic one-of-a-kind “Not Fade Away,” “Wharf Rat,” and the “Playing reprise.” Definitely the band at its best!

So, why put this out now? Why the hell not? And what’s with all the questions? Just enjoy it. OK, aside from it being a classic show worthy of release, we thought it might be fun to revisit a concert played in one of the venues The Dead are hitting this spring on their tour—that would be the Hartford Civic (now the XL Center) on 4/26/09… why, that’s the 31-year, 11-month, 2-day anniversary show of this epic ’77 show! Anyway, this three-disc complete show release has been lovingly mastered to HDCD specs from the original reel-to-reel tapes by Jeffrey Norman utilizing the usual array of mysterious black boxes and sonic tools unavailable to us mere mortals. Artist Scott McDougal, who’s done such a bang-up job for us on the Road Trips series, has designed a beautiful package, and the always erudite Gary Lambert has contributed a fine essay which is accompanied by glorious photos of the band in Hartford in 1977. And because we know that in these tough economic times everyone could use a bargain, we’re offering To Terrapin at the very low price of $17.98 for all pre-orders placed on dead.net before the April 7th release date. That’s $2 under the suggested retail price. For the complete track listing and ordering info, click here.

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To Terrapin: Hartford, May 28, 1977


Whether or not the fabled spring tour of 1977 was, as many Dead Heads believe, the strongest Grateful Dead tour ever, it was unquestionably a magical time stuffed-to-overflowing with amazing shows. Say the word “Cornell” to any hardcore Head and it means one thing—the 5/8/77 show at Barton Hall on the august school’s campus. But there were numerous other stops on the tour that produced monster shows, as well, from… >>more

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To Terrapin: Hartford, May 28, 1977


Whether or not the fabled spring tour of 1977 was, as many Dead Heads believe, the strongest Grateful Dead tour ever, it was unquestionably a magical time stuffed-to-overflowing with amazing shows. Say the word “Cornell” to any hardcore Head and it means one thing—the 5/8/77 show at Barton Hall on the august school’s campus. But there were numerous other stops on the tour that produced monster shows, as well, from… >>more

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I checked with my intrepid dead.net colleagues and they confirm that this is the case!
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I've seen many shows in hartford,for some reason the boys allways played amazing shows there. except for 1983,but that whole tour blew.just one mans opinion.check out 5-10-80 that was my 1st show,7 songs going into drums, hot shit for sure.ive seen close to 200 since then.they closed the place down for a while.SNOWED SO HARD THAT THE ROOF CAVED IN.my friend is convinced that phils sub sonic bass lines affected the strctural integratey of the place.he went RPI for engineering,who knows,but the roof caved in a few weeks after that show,due to the weight of the snow on it.anyway 5-28-77 is another great show from hartford
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IMO, the oft-maligned Hartford October '83 shows are good shows from an underappreciated tour. The DP's show, 10/14, features one of my favorite Scarlet > Fires.
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All the Dick's Picks from 15 on are HDCD as well as all the Road Trips multi track releases and all the reissues with bonus songs. I agree abourt Hartford '83 being good shows. In fact, both shows are high on my list for '83.
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Rhino has been less than stellar with these releases,IE: bad disc's and poor customer support.Here is Rhino's chance to shine.with all the mistakes you have made since your first GDP release,You can hopefully get this one right.It is an awesome show,and i'm glad to see you are releasing more "Complete Shows".Although I have over 4,000 Sources of shows,I am always interested to see what you can do with your releases,Please Impress Me With This One. (Cause There's An Easywind..Blowin' Cross The Bayou Today.)
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A Grateful thank you to all those who worked on getting this show out of the vault and released, you know who you are. And, of course, the Grateful Dead who produced this hot and wonderful music. It's a welcome addition to my collection. Yeah, I have a bootleg soundboard and an audience recordings of this show, but to show my gratitude, I must buy it. I pre-ordered it, so I can't wait until it arrives in my mail. I just wish I had been able to attend this show, way back in the day ...
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I'll wait for my copy to arrive, I know its going to be some solid jam. Please keep it coming, i'm ready for a big box set full of dynamic music. Coconut Phil, living Free.
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But does anyone have any real knowledge/info on the Jerry Garcia website (it's been down for quite some time now), or the status on the "Pure Jerry" vault releases? If so, I'd surely be interested in any info anyone can pass on, since the website (jerrygarcia.com) has had the exact same message on it for many months now. Also, in regards to pre-ordering this official Grateful Dead release (To Terrapin: Hartford '77), do you get charged when you place your order or when your order ships in early April? If you get charged when you place your order initially wouldn't that mean that they (Rhino) is using pre-order funds to help pay for printing/manufacturing costs? Also, probably the only reason there is a $2 discount for pre-ordering is because there is no bonus disc this time around and no way of enticing potential customers of forking over their hard earned money early. Just my opinion. I definitely plan on ordering this release, just not until the first week of April.
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unless something has changed drastically, your card won't be charged till your order ships. Heads up to those ordering with debit cards on this point, and also heads up to our non-U.S. friends in particular, as currency conversion fluctuations have caused trouble in the past for people who had plenty of money on the card when they ordered but lo, their local currency lost value with regard to the dollar by shipping time. So you might want to be aware of this and build in a little flexibility.
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addendum/correction to the foregoing: "yes, HDCD will play on all CD players, but the more important aspect (to me) is that in fact all Dick's Picks from #15 onward and all Road Trips are mastered in HDCD." So there you have it.
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I have never been real lucky but I was fortunate enough to catch a few of these '77 spring shows. I came into this whole Dead thing in late '74...just as the hiatus was starting. Live and studio albums were all we had and those were some great times but at the time...no one knew if it was the end or if there would ever be a return to the road for the band.It didn't look promising for quite a while. Finally they did return and it was ecstatic frenzy. Saw a show in Boston in '76 and had a blast...the dream came true...and then '77 came along and The band set up shop in the area...Springfield, Boston and Hartford were all played within weeks of each other and all on Saturday Nights! It was indeed "One More Saturday Night". These shows were all energetic barn burners and the band played with a telepathic fire moving effortlessly together jammin' tightly with the Grateful Heads. The brightest fire for me was Springfield...which I think is overlooked but Boston and Hartford kept pace and I can't wait to bre transported in time. Had to hitchike back to Boston after the show. Parks car was full and his steering column was sketchy at best. Took him a while to get around the rotary. Anyway, the state cops picked us up on the interstate. It was pouring. The guy actually took us to a toll booth (covered) and dropped us off there. We got a ride to the door within 5 minutes. I guess I did have some luck from time to time. "One more Saturday, one more Saturday...one more Saturday night!" "Hey another Saturday night!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Walk into splintered sunlight Inch your way through dead dreams to another land" Robert Hunter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Ray, a drop of golden sun"
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Thanks for the info! Looking forward to getting my copy.
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I think I echo many of the comments regarding this release. I can't flippin wait! Finally Rhino has gotten it right. I didn't order the last Road Trips as I decided I have so much music that I have a hard enough time to listen to what I already have. I am not going to spend money on something I don't feel is that special. This I spent money on.
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BookahNice disc. However, I always ordered these releases thru dead.net since you always had ad-ons such as bonus discs or t-shirts. Not this time? Plus, the last few Rhino releases arrived after street date so with no incentive to purchase online I'll probably wait until April 7th & go to the local record store. Bonus discs paleeze!!
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is this a two track feed from the board, or a multi-track recording?
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This is most definitely a 2-track recording, not multi-track. I'm sure we'd hear about it in the information above if it were multi-track. It's probably not completely accurate to say it's a feed from the board - this is surely a Betty Board and so won't be just the PA feed but rather a mix made on the fly for recording to a 2-track tape. I guess the very beginning of it might so sound so flash but the sound will be phenomenal if it's even just half as good as other Betty Boards.
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I don't how reliable the comments for shows on the archive sites are, and the couple of lists I have found of Betty Boards don't include this show. Also, anybody else notice the easter egg has changed? ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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I was talking about Betty boards already in circulation in my previous post, not whatever may be in the Vault. ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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Stay tuned for more surprises... Hmmm, another Road Trips release? Something to do with the tour? Who knows?
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Having just passed the anniversary of the first Terrapin 02-26-77 (San Bernardino) and the coming anniversary of the only "Alhambra" 03-18-77 (Winterland), this is a wonderful release. I only wonder if the Dead ever considered doing the whole suite. I am always on the look out for when Ratdog does the "At A Siding." Can't wait for my show at the IZOD on 04-28-09!!!
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I like how it says "surprises," plural, as in more than one. A new download? It's been a while. For some reason I think there will be a May '77 download. No real evidence for saying this, just a gut feeling. A new "Road Trips" release for sure; it's about that time. I can't imagine that they would release a new box set so close to a single show release. I gotta ask: Mark, what are you referring to when you say "Easter Egg"?
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are things like that Saturn icon that do unexpected things when you discover and click on them.
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Hi! The Wikipedia article discusses the history of Easter Eggs, and has some listed. They don't have one of the Firefox ones, though - type "about:robots" in the address bar. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg_(media) Cheers! ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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Maybe in time we should check the other planets. I think this is a great release. Any guesses for RT Vol. 2 No. 2? I reckon something from 1988.
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My guess for RTs 2.2 is something form the 90s. It seems they are going with the decade motif. It would be cool to see a compilation from the '91 Boston Garden run.
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The next Road Trips release should be from the long overdue Europe '81 or the Southern Run in late '78. And we need the July Red Rocks 1978. I don't care if it's not 'in the vault'. Somebody has it somewhere.
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Now it doesn't seem to be linking to anything. Was that the surprise? I reckon the next Road Trips will be out of left field. WAY out of left field. Let's see. Someone mentioned downloads - that's probably a good bet too. Something from the Egypt shows? Or one or both of the unreleased Sep 1990 shows? October 1977? How about a Summer 71?
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Saw the band eight times in 1977, my first year of really seeing some shows. Winterland 3/18,19,20 (a plane trip from New Orleans), and I've always wanted to hear a release from these shows -- 18th: first Scarlet/Fire, first SF Estimated, first SF Terrapin; 19th: Estimated in the first set followed by Terrapin>Playin'>Samson>Playin' (and then a much needed break); 20th: Estimated for the third night in a row, etc. etc. Double encores the second and third nights (with a Terrapin run-closer, the third Terrapin in three nights). And don't forget that only-ever Alhambra on the first Terrapin. Then it was to Tuscaloosa and back in one night, driving from NOLA, on 5/17 -- Scarlet/Fire to close a 14-song first set and Terrapin>Playin'>Drums>Wharf Rat> Playin' to end a 10-song second set. It was Bobby's birthday on 10/16 in the LSU Assembly Center (aka Pete's Palace [was there ever a more fun basketball player to watch than Pete Maravich?] with a 16:49 Sugaree in the first set and Scarlet/Fire to start the second. Second song from the end was Black Peter with maybe the all-time best outtro. The year ended (literally) with a plane trip from BRLA for 12/29, 30, 31 at Winterland -- 'nuf sed. After buying all of Dick's Picks, a lot of other releases including the first two Road Trips, and accumlating quite a few bootlegs, I decided I would spend my money only on releases that just couldn't be passed up and anything from 1977. Needles to say, I've got my order in for this one. Sometimes I just get out everything I already have from '77 and listen to it all again. Never a disappointment -- keep it coming.
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""unless something has changed drastically, your card won't be charged till your order ships."" My Card status is 'card verified' but in April my credit card 'll be unvalidated! Need I to do something ? Merci
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ah yes, this does seem like a possible trouble vector. Send me a PM with your particulars and I'll check with the Store folks.
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Damn, it's sexy when you talk techy. So, why did they disappear the easter egg? ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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I have no idea! Maybe something new is coming up...
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Come on you people (you cant say guys these days) tell your best Dead tales too us . I saw the Dead in Egypt,Edinburgh.London and at The Warfeild I think! Tell me your tales
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Thank you for releasing a full show. Please do more of this in the future.
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It would be really great if some music from the EUROPE '81 tour was released officially.Howabout a "Road Trips" or a VAULT release ???? There are the great shows from the RAINBOW THEATRE in London, from the Spring and Fall, and don't forget the amazing MELKWEG show from Amsterdam to consider. It would make a great new release.....I was there and it was GRATE !!!! :o)
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A great RT release could be cobbled together from the Berkeley Greek shows from June 1985. All three shows were excellent, and they were billed semi-officially as the band's 20th Anniversary.
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I always thought Greek '84 was better, plus it had the magical Dark Star encore from 7-13. Jerry's voice was so battered during Greek '85 (& '84 for that matter) that something from '81 or '78-'79 would be better (IMHO of course).
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Yeah, the Greek would be cool -- (some have even suggested a box set for the '84 run). Although I thought every Road Trips volume was supposed to be dedicated to a specific decade. Volume One, Numbers 1-4 were all from the '70s, so it stands to reason that Volume Two will all be '90s releases (Number One was from '90). Anyway, I guess we'll find out soon. I'm certainly waiting for the "More surprises to come" -- WHAT ARE THEY???!!!
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waiting too, the same for a new couple of downloads! and for the missing box set 1989 - 1995!!!!!!! sooner or later, I think ... some from Red Rocks would be fine ....
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...looks like somebody's been sitting on a scanner. ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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NOW what are they trying to do to us? What on earth is that? This just isn't right...
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I keep opening it thinking that it's suddenly going to make some sense, or something. Actually, it's beginning to creep me out. What's next?
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a figure standing on a spotlit stage if you turn the image sideways (tilt your head to the left), that's really out of focus?
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All I know is that it gives me a wicked headache if I look at it too long :-) "When the smoke has cleared she said, that's what she said to me. You're gonna want a bed to lay your head and a little sympathy"
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...on a photo from a friend of mine's colonoscopy report once. He had a polyp. ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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16 years 4 months
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Just wanted to say thanks for what looks like a great release.A complete show, in sequence, uninterupted from a great year.....perfect. If anyone's listening, thanks for throwing us 'completists' a bone. I will buy this and continue to buy complete shows. Wonderful!
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Now if they'll just let us know what the Road Trip's gonna be. ************************************** *The white zone is for loading and unloading only* **************************************
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So behind the Easter Egg we have...two parked cars. Yay!!!!