Grateful Dead

Nitecat, Clementine, is from 1/26/69, Avalon Ballroom, on the Aoxomoxoa 50th anniversary release. What an incredible release!

... Just retrieved my copy of # 53 from the mailbox - delivered yesterday pm, apparently.

This - with certain 'enhancements - will be a kind way to ease the synapses this evening.

#4014 has just dropped through my letterbox. By far the quickest delivery I’ve had. Well done DHL and Evri.

72 disc 500 Beans. ;-}

Wouldn't be too hard to put together?

'81 and '82 from Cassette
'83 through '87 from PCM
'88 and '89 from DAT

Have any of the early recipients given the show a listen? I’m headed out of town on Friday, so that’ll be my first time. I’ve never listened to this show so I’ll be coming in fresh. Just wondering what others think.

Shipping okay, cover okay, sound okay, setlist okay, playing okay. Nothing to whine about. Best wishes to Gratefulgerd!

I only got into it a little bit. The sound improves rather quickly, I can here Bob pretty good which is nice. The New Minglewood stood out to me for being pretty mellow which is interesting, it's really good actually.
I need to get into the whole thing a couple more times.

Edit: I just listened to the filler and thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the Looks Like Rain :)

a big pile of BS

"a whole lotta BS" - Funkadelic

or is it Parliament?

I predict Wednesday

Thanks, we will play Clementine today to re-acquaint ourselves with this rare outtake.

There's also a Clementine (from 2/2/68) in the So Many Roads box.

The first disc of that box is a hoot: Can't Come Down, Cream Puff War, stand alone China Cat, Mason's Children. Sure wouldn't mind seeing more of that early stuff.

My copy of #53 has arrived at the local post office, if the tracking data is to be believed, which means it'll probably be in my mailbox around noon and in my CD player about two minutes later. Will post some initial impressions if the stars align correctly.

PFunk

Since RonMarley mentioned it ...
Overall - Very good 1st set w/usual pretty laid back start, and good momentum build up as they go. The sound on Promised Land is just OK (also fairly standard) and gets sorted out by the end. The vocals are well recorded, and Bob's guitar can be clearly heard on this one - which isn't always the case.

Besides the excellent closing 3 numbers, what will likely keep me coming back to this full disc is the fairly differentiated versions of a few songs or arrangements that are not always my faves:
They Love Each Other (I prefer the faster ones) has a brighter and more complex solo from Keith than would follow in many '77 & '78 versions.
Minglewood Blues, as mentioned elsewhere, is slower and has a bit more 'groove' to it - that allows Phil to make more runs - I like it.
Tenn Jed is kind of a combination of the last two comments, in that while it is not 'snappy' like the '72 versions, all the players are making interesting fills and combinations.
Gotta say, I prefer this version of All over Now, usually a throw away tune for me, to almost all others I've heard (perhaps except the roaring one on 6.8.77 which fits that raging show) ... Like the other tunes mentioned, it's more 'delineated' and the vocals have better 'feel' to them.

Last 3 songs: BEW starts to show that 'snap' that would ramp up over the next couple of years. The Let it Grow is pretty Spectacular, both in the details throughout and how they draw it out/jam it at the end. Might as Well is a top version for me (others up there being 10.29.77 and 10.10.76 opener a week and a day after this show). If the 2nd set follows suit performance-wise, I will be one very happy Head.

Last quip: The back cover indicates Let it Grow + Might as Well were previously released on the 'Spirit of 76' Live at the Cow Palace bonus disc ... This is an example, which I hope they will occasionally follow - of getting some great bits (like the Kezar SNAC Benefit) that were tucked away on early bonus discs back out there. Most welcome (!)

Cheers

#19322 delivered to my cave up in the hills.

for the thoughtful review of the first set. Now I’m revved up for the plane ride Friday!
I appreciate it.

… #974 has landed on the East Coast today with
What a Grateful version of’They Love Each Other’ love the guitar playing! Audio quality is Primo! This release has amazing separation of the instruments through out the entire performance! Also , gotta love the singing on this release! The vocals Shine like bright Roman candles,If you listen closely you’ll notice the boys each taking their turn playing with the muse. making this show a night to remember, a real piece of musical history in my honest opinion! Loving the first set so far! Bob & Jerrys singing is excellent!!! This show is new to me but I’m totally feeling it! Lots of love in this pick! PS: the filler from 5/4/77 is the Bomb! ❤️💀🌹

Arrived in Nottingham today. Really quick this time.

Set 2 opener Music Never Stopped has that same Mind Left Body chord progression / mini jam inserted after the lyrics end - slightly less great than from the Cobo Hall Detroit show though (next night).
Love that!

Should have released 8/4 Jersey City or 9/23 Duke.

60th, I don't feel we'll get another Boxzilla I'm thinking we'll see miniZILLA say 3 shows from each era, 3 from the 60's, 3 from the 70's, 3 from the 80's & 3 from the 90's totaling about 12-15 CD's. I know my wallet couldn't afford another Boxzilla this year.

Seems that most of us are getting quicker delivery, especially our Euro friends.

On TN Jed currently.

Will give all the discs a spin to make sure there are no errors, then will make ALAC files for my music player, including reassembling 5-4-77.

....going in.

And electric blues

Cliff Radel has a stick up his ass

I bet his writing career didn't last another 19 years

Thank you, Dave and Pals

...of 25,000 has arrived just a bit outside PdxS, Oregonia!

Yeah, in regards to a comment about the technical aspects & credits on what has been officially released. Tracks 9 & 10 were also featured on the 30 Days of Dead November 2023, from the 9th to be exact. I thought I recall some posting many moons ago about another 30 Dead Days release from that album, maybe it was "Music Never Stopped" from like 2018? ...... Anyways, thanks as always Dave!

It's blue or blue-gray if the spines of Dave's vols. 4, 28, and 53 are any indication (although Vol 18 is bright green).

My copy did indeed arrive a day early - quite quick this go-around, as others have pointed out. The boffins who fill orders seem to think I am very middle-of-the-road, because this is number 12###/25000 for me, joining at least 6 others in that same range (and a seventh is Vol. 5, but I guess that's near the end of the 13000 run back then). At this rate I might eventually receive an exact numerical duplicate... (I know probability doesn't work that way. Don't tell the boffins)

Anyway, I've really enjoyed this release! Came home, reheated some leek 'n potato soup from Saturday, then put on the headphones to dig into this. I've just finished, and am listening to the back half of Set II again as I type this. Phil's just on fire! And not just on Samson (as Dave mentioned, both in the liner notes and in the seaside chat). Stella Blue is also lovely - Garcia seems in just a bit of a rush at the start, but once he gets to the first solo, it's blissful. And Keith's great on this version. Drummers, too - I know we don't usually notice them on the ballads, and that's part of their job, but man do they do it well on this particular number. Cliff Radel, you owe these men an apology.

Speaking of Radel, I see from online sources that he was inducted into the Univ of Cincinnati's Journalism Hall of Fame after 38 years at The Enquirer. His first year (and what may have been his first real job after grad school) was as a "pop music critic", starting in 1976. Hopefully he developed a better ear with time - though it also says that he moved over to become "a news columnist" in 1995. Humph.

Wowza! Is it me or is there a spot during the song where it seems the band looses each other & is not on the same page so Jerry improvises a lil bit of the "Loose Lucy" coda right at the crescendo of "Music Never Stopped" before the lively jam at the end?
Trippiest version of this song that I own now!

RyXs - I think that shift is deliberate and lead by Jerry. I read on SHF that they also do it the next night in Detroit (30 Trips), so I just spun that version and sure enough, no doubt Jerry takes it there. To my ear that little detour has a real Mind Left Body jam feel to it. Pretty cool! Still on my first full listen to "fiddy tree." Really liking what I'm hearing - the Let It Grow is killer.

Ready to fight the guy that dissed Jerry in 1976

Lol :)

are talentless hacks who rip on true artists out of envy and jealousy

... Are we going to do that now? (approximate words).
Yes, I think Phil does not follow them for a bar or two - then he jumps in. They are all much more on the same page at the Cobo show. And if memory serves, that version has several more bars to it.

Left early Saturday morning for a 100 mile drive, now it says tomorrow. Might as Well, oh Well.

BTW, always make my funk the PFunk.

Saw PFunk live in '76 & '77.

One reason huge Shakedown Street Freak.

Bobby won the coin toss and opens with a perfunctory Promised Land, which (like a Bertha opener) can herald either a smokin' rockin' show or take its place as the sacrificial lamb as the crew dials in the sound.

My strong hunch, based on the evidence, is that in 1976 Jerry insisted on more grooves, better harmonies, and more craftsmanship as they relaunched the band. (I caught shows in Boston, NYC and Passaic in June; Colt Park in August that year.)

That seems evident from June to October, based on the slower tempos and careful deliveries. In fact, it seems as if Jer is taking the Jerry band ethos into the GD: first get the groove going and relax into it, THEN crank it up. Regardless of whether fans came to scream and shake booty, Jer wants to make good music.

So, on this night, his opening numbers are They Love Each Other (typically I'm not a fan of that one) and Row Jimmy and the craftsmanship makes Bobby's It's All Over Now a tad subdued. But Jer's approach is measured and sustainable as he builds Tennessee Jed. Just as you perceive his carefulness as flirting with plodding, he turns on a dime and starts rockin' that number just as hard as you please. He's got a plan. Same dynamic in Brown-Eyed Women.

Having properly gotten a groove going and taking his time to enjoy singing a few of his favorites, Jer and the boys gel big time on Weather Report and then he unleashes on Might as Well. This is a performance in phases.

Bobby's El Paso, to my ears, has always served to allow Jer to focus on Spanish-inflected leads and he is magnificent on this one.

I've heard some folks say this show is "meh," but based on the first set, I perceive a very well crafted opening set that made me want to listen carefully. My perennial thesis is that there is no jammy second set without a well-played foundational first set and everyone, including tape aficionados, should relax and let the band sing their songs; they'll get to the fireworks eventually. I think Jer was the hippest of the group in understanding how to build a crescendo over the course of 3 hours. Though, yes, there are first sets that just come out screaming and don't let up. I love those, too.

As for SQ, I didn't hear the crispness in the drums or the color in the bass of a Betty Board (this is Healy) and Bobby's vocals are up too high. But still, when Jer built his slow tempo groove in They Love Each Other, he pulled me in. I sat down and listened to how well he can build a slow tempo song, which in my book is a real challenge.

On to the rest of the show tonight. I see from the setlist that, again, Bobby comes out blasting, Jer takes it down with one of my favorites, Candyman, Bobby blasts with Samson, Jer takes it down with Roses, Bobby goes cowboy, Jer takes it easy on Friend. Later, with TOO fireworks, Jer injects the soul with Stella. It all seems so thoughtful, at least with a little of this and a little of that for listening pleasure. That to me is '76 GD, as opposed to the more raucous, balls-to-the-walls of '77. (Now I gotta go back to the early June shows when vehicles like Playing in the Band were so psychedelic but kinda in slow motion. Fascinating.)

I appreciate an opportunity to spew my view publicly. 'And this coffee is mighty strong!

HF

Hit the PO Box yesterday, picked up this morning, will spin it up late tonight or tomorrow. Headed off to hear Bill Frisell this evening in western MA. Heard Greg Abate wail on jazz reeds Sunday in NH, Harry Manx plays a local church Saturday. Can't get enough live music in cabin fever daze.

A gorgeous version : )
Note: 10.10.76 is also really good

Perhaps they got up against the time limit for the hall, or there weren't quite enough party favors around - as the Other One reprise could have used more juice, the Sugar Magnolia kinda fizzles late on, and there does not appear to have been an encore.

Still, I'm Very Thankful to now have the full show in fine, upgraded quality.

....I finally hit the Phish lottery. Hollywood Bowl is a go! (I needed some good news).

but

I remember a 76 show being stated as not being in circulation.

Is this Cincinnati that one?

Just curious...

(I am curious...mellow)

For a long time, the only circulating copies of this show were partial Auds of 'modest' quality.

Compendium doesn't list the Oct 2 show.

DMCVT -- go bro, don't let cabin fever getcha low...

Man, I'm a sucker for Candyman (until Bobby started (perpetually) with the slide). Real solid Disc 2. I see (hear) what folks are saying about the so-slightly muffled SQ.

Very solid opening pic for the year. The Year of the Minkey.

And got me some TTB tics for the Rocks this year.

HF

This 50th Anniversary jobbie looks worth a punt. I never bought this back when I was a grasshopper, so it will be like getting a new album for me. If nothing else, it's got a great cover.

So, over weekend it said delivery tuesday by 7. Then today gets pushed back till tomorrow by 5.

I just double checked to make sure on tracking updates on my slow poke. Updated about 10 minutes ago, delivered. All right. Check mailbox, Nothing!

Watched postman drive away.

So unfortunately fellas, might be another reship. Hate to have to go down there. Surely, there tracking number matches to a delivery employee.

Agree with prior comments regarding this TMNS, that the band takes a slight detour after the first part of the jam following the vocals. What I hear is them going back to the bridge part of the song, "There's a band out on the highway, high steppin' into town...." and they're playing that progression but without the singing. It does also resemble the MLB chords to my ear but it almost seems like they were trying to road test adding that bridge part sans lyrics back in, cause it also sounds like they do it the next night in Detroit. Curious if it occurred anytime after that or if it was dropped. They did that stuff and tinkered with things from time to time, which I find fascinating and really does inform their approach to most things. TMNS was also still in it's infancy and hadn't quite solidified yet - like the '76 Samson's;
Although I do rather enjoy those too even without the signature Jerry blazing line, cause the rapid fire runs with the Travis Bean are just gooey blitzing fun to my ears.
I digress.

Be Well People!
Seventy-Sixtus

I don't know where ya live Gary or what your postal situation is, and whether or not you've got theft issues, but I can tell you this. I had a similar situation a few times in the past (not lately though) while eagerly awaiting a cd and having issues with the strange changes on the web based package trackers. Many are third party, {so I always try to get the shipper's direct tracking info} and one even said it was delivered when not, strangely to be delivered the next day. Sometimes it comes a day late and all a sudden all that erroneous on-line Fugazi bogus bit about it being anywhere but my house is gone. Suspiciously all info regarding the package is correct and updated. This is the bad side of all this digital tech when one computer doesn't know what the other computer is doing, like the old timey adage about government hands.
Anyways,...... I truly wish you the best with the situation. The show is `76 bliss!

As TMNS is based around the same chord progression as MLB - yes the TMNS bridge sounds like the main part of of MLB.

Whatever particular label one ends up putting on it, it's pretty cool (to me also) to have that get conceptualized and rolled out for what would seem to be just two shows.
The one from Cobo is just 'bliss' to my ears ... Cheers!

Howdy Gary.,long time, no see…

Our 53 was scheduled to be delivered by 7 30last night.
TOO stopped on way home around 5-5 30 to get normal mail,
plus tracking said “delivered”…but it wasn’t in the box…when she asked a postal worker working late about it, he repeated what we’ve been told before in the recent past “we scan it upon arrival but sometimes don’t have time to put it in the box”. So probably started doing this so it looks like it was delivered on time in case they fall behind…No biggie, just funny that they used to use “out for delivery” in this situation, and wouldn’t update to “delivered” until it actually was, which was nice because you wouldn’t make a trip into town and wait forever in the Covid lobby, just to get told the above.
Again, no biggie, just so they arrive which tonight it was in the box!

And Thanks for getting it here, and in record time! Wasn’t sure with all the misinformation on the net (image that ; ) if it was going to get sent back due to contract issues, but someway, somehow…so yippee fuggin skippy it’s here!

Now I just need to finish up my 1970 dive so as not to mess up my aural pallet by cross pollination lol This will make a great pallet cleanse before going 85!

Edit got hey nowed for colons again? Hmmm, sometimes you eat the baaarr, sometimes the Baarrr eats you…

Damn! I love this version, Jerry is almost perfect. Though it's Keith who is blowing me away with the finger fluttering of notes up and down the keyboard, perfectly backing up Jerry's vibe. Donna is also a shining gem of angelic harmonic supporting vocals.
I dig what Hendrixfreak was saying about Jerry's influence in musical sonic groove of post hiatus Dead. From all official releases of JGB stuff early in that year {1976} I have heard and own, {"Don't Let Go" & "GarciaLive#21"} the new mellow & soulful vibe is supreme transcendence sonically to my ears.
Thanks to all those who helped clarify that TMNS & MLB jam complexity. Still a trip!

Yall be cool

....he destroys this version.

RYXS - thanks. I forgot about what you discussed as I posted same info a few years back but forgot about it in my own situation. Deep south here, had this happen once before and it was delivered. I will give them a day's grace period. Thing is, it has always, after the one incident, tracked very well. Detailed tracking worked Grate; and, out for delivery and delivered worked Grate. Hopeful today is the day. Thanks for helping me remember, my brain is getting fuzzy. Still no plans to go postal, in that since of things. But plan to go down to make a physical request to check their system. It is odd that original 52 got lost and dead.net gracefully sent a replacement. Very thankful for that. Makes me wonder what happened to it, and what was the original # on production.

Oro - It has been a couple of months. Read most things, sometimes get behind. As some might remember I had my appendix explode 8+ years ago. In December, I told the head nurse at the Doc that I could tell the amount of poison they filled me with, she cocked her head and raised an eyebrow, in order to kill the poison within was starting to have an effect. I told her I think I have hit peak recovery and now about to start the downhill slide. Just really starting to feel my age and have several surgeries needed. Just stuck a bit.

Sixtus! My man. Always great to see your thoughts. As well as all others on here. To me, you are our fruitful bough. Hope you and the family are well.

Wish that for all others here also. Think about this group often.

G

Hey! Great to see you up here lately, I too hope all is well and you are getting through These Times and keeping healthy! Things on this end are good, no complaints other than those of the Entire Globe.
Always comforting to hear from you and get your take and just letting this family know you're good.

Be Well and let's all keep this community on the positive and in moving the right direction.
Play More Dead.

Sixtus