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"We left with our minds sufficiently blown and still peaking..."
We're headed back to that peak with the newly returned tapes from Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, Binghamton, 11/6/77. The Grateful Dead's last touring show of 1977 finds them going for broke, taking chances on fan favorites like "Jack Straw," "Friend Of The Devil," and "The Music Never Stopped," carving out righteous grooves on a one-of-kind "Scarlet>Fire" and a tremendous "Truckin'." An ultra high energy show, with a first set that rivals the second? Not unheard of, but definitely rare. Hear for yourself...
DAVE'S PICKS VOLUME 25 features liner notes by Rob Bleetstein, photos by Bob Minkin, and original art by our 2018 Dave's Picks Artist-In-Residence Tim McDonagh. As always, it has been mastered to HDCD specs by Jeffrey Norman and it is limited to 18,000 individually numbered copies*.
*Limited to 2 per order. Very limited quantity available.
Get one before they are gone, gone, gone.
Dave's 11 - "Uncle"
Just went back and blasted the "Me and My Uncle" from Dave's 11 on that recommendation. Great version. I love that goddamn song, second best thing John Phillips ever wrote (California Dreamin').
Of all things Dead, one of the gems (and there are many) was when Jer was a bona-fide American guitar hero. He smoked, but he had soul and groove and was very vocal in many of his phrasings. He knew how to lay back and leave a space, like a horn player taking a breath.
I guess we all get something uniquely tailored to what we are looking for with the Grateful Dead.
\m/
best of days, worst of days
first day of Springextinction of white rhinos
Grateful Dead
work
growth
desire to retire NOW
helping kids
wishing kids would STFU
seeing the good in America
seeing the slime in America
being an adult
being childish
fearlessly, the idiot faced the crowd
Uncles
MAMU isn't one of my songs.. I guess I heard too many similar sounding versions in my day.
That being said, I am drawn to the early versions if I had to pick..
Like the 8/6/71 Hollywood Palladium version (Dicks Picks 35, the Houseboat Tapes) or even earlier.. 69ish.
There was a striking version I recall from 69, but I'll be damned if I can find it now. I did find this, which I like but I know it's not the one as it only exists as an audience tape.. but it does have that sound, a primordial soupy resonance I find appealing.. give it a spin if your bored..
https://archive.org/details/gd1969-09-27.early.aud.warner-jupillej.1206…
Anyway.. it's clear I like the earlier ones. Perhaps Doc was right, that high and lonesome '71 country era might be where this song fits quite nicely, and it sounds so good with Bob's wide body Gibson.
again, three certainties in life
death, taxes, and MAMU
the MAMU on S&R is primo (comes out of Cumberland Blues, but they didn't include the CB on the album)
MAMU is MAMU
check out the one from 11/29/66
and the one from 6/25/85 ("HAD TO!")
Having Crabs
...represent that remark.
My mom taught me how to pick crabs while I was still in diapers. Two to three times each summer.. we would get a bushel of crabs, a keg of beer and invite all the neighbors over. It was one of the few times when my folks would lets us have beer before we turned legal age.
I know Otis, probably Across the Rio and a few others will know exactly what I am talking about.
In MD, saying I have crabs is as good a pickup line as any.
Drinking beer in diapers?
You lucky bastard!
Everyone! Crab boil at Jim’s house. He lives by the river in MD, just look for some kayaks leaned up against a modified John Deere, or follow the GOGD blaring through the valley.
mamu
I love Phil's bass on 8/14/71 at the Berkeley Community Theater.
https://archive.org/details/gd1971-08-14.sbd.130871.MrBill.flac16
New Orleans
Is a magical place. I won't go into details about standing with Timothy Hutton at the House of Blues on Fat Tuesday, taking in the Neville Brothers with my entire lower face numb from primo cocaine, freaking out and going into the bathroom to do more... or watching porn scenes being filmed on the balcony across the hall from our hotel room, leaving our door open (natch), and some blonde in a black leather jacket squirting me all across the face and neck with a squirt gun.
I wish I'd opened my mouth. It was liquid acid, and it lasted. Nothing like watching the sun come up over the Mississippi river and going for cafe au lait and beignets the next morning.
Even without the decadence, the French Quarter is the heaviest vibed place I have ever inhabited. Took a beautiful carriage ride around once with my wife. Best food ever. Go if you haven't been, and if you have, go again.
seminole mamu
Jerry's guitar is oh so psychedelicized on this version at Pow Wow. The Dark Star following it ain't too shabby, either.
https://archive.org/details/gd1969-05-23.141038.sbd.pcm.dalton.miller.c…
Exactly...
I like the early years of MAMU the best. By the time I came around, they just weren't as good as these 69's (or thereabout). If I got stuck on a desert island and could pick only one Uncle, this would do just fine.
The earlier ones are bursting with creativity and spontaneity.. and yes, the tone on Jerry's guitar captivates.
"today was a good day" -ice cube
A good day: getting $150 for a holiday present.
A better day: when it's your turn to watch the kid, and your wife says, "I'll do it, you go off to the record store and spend some money."
The best day: when you get to the record store and they have a box set that you've always wanted but knew you
could never afford because it goes for like 1 to 2 grand on Ebay, and it's a lot cheaper; it's actually exactly $150.
(Comic epilogue: the box set is called Spring 1990. It's the first day of Spring).
...all true!!! And if that doesn't make you believe we're not tapping in to some primal cosmic forces of the universe here in Deadheadland, I don't know what will.
Happy Nooruz (aka Persian new Year aka First Day of Spring) Heads.
Peace and love to ALL.
NRPS Veneta
I recommend Bullmoose
http://www.bullmoose.com/p/861114/new-riders-of-the-purple-sage-live-ve…
NRPS
Awesome, what a morning! Thanks for the heads up and under 9$! I wore out my original copy of this and lost the blotter cover art long ago out west. So thank you for the link to a new used copy!! This has long been outta print on Nelson's site and the second market copies are outrageous prices now.
EDIT: Sorry...its unavailable now, I think I bought the last copy...cue exit stage left...
Spring forward
What a great day. The weather here in England is beautiful-cold and clear-the view out of my window is dominated by blue sea and skies. A good day to open DP8 and listen to the first acoustic set. And what a great sound-this box cost the earth, with duty and customs and what have you, but already I can tell it has been worth it-I can't remember the guitars sounding this good before-or presence of the band and audience sounding more pronounced. It almost felt like I was sitting at the actual gig. It will be great listening to the rest of the set as the day unfolds.
For background music, and with some trepidation, I put on 21st March 1990 it being the day in question. This also seems like a good show. It definitely starts really well, with great versions of Mississippi Half Step, and New Minglewood. The Loose Lucy sounded bang on, too. So far, Jerry has avoided making his guitar sound like a French horn-its all been good !
Wow PB Man!
Spring 1990? Lucky find indeed!!! Hope you checked to make sure the discs were in there....The box and goodies alone go for 100+ on eBay without the discs! Never understood that?
Happy Listening!
@Jim RE: Crab Pickin'
Two questions - Which beer do you prefer with your crabs (it's Miller High Life for me,) and do you mustard?
Peace
The Grateful Dead
Weather I'm listening to the most excellent show or the worst and everything in between when I think about being good or being kind to others the Earth and the animals it always brings a tear to my eyes.
Smilin' Miracles
Great story Pearly! Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile... And thanks David D for letting us listen over your shoulder as you flit from great recording to great recording! Spring's definitely in the air. Onward.
NRPS
A few of their live recordings (including Veneta) can be purchased as a digital download here: http://www.nrps.net/musicandvid.html
You can also stream them free of charge (!) That's how I've listened to most of these recordings
McNally Article
A new article from Dennis McNally, there are some funny Jerry quotes in there and it's an interesting perspective
https://www.relix.com/articles/detail/dennis_mcnally_reflects_on_his_li…
Sixtus
3/21/75 - Blues For Allah studio sessions
March 21, 1975http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-21-1975
Ace's Studio
Mill Valley, California
The Dead had billed their October 20, 1974 show as the last Grateful Dead show ever, believing that they had explored all the space they could as the Grateful Dead. However, wiser minds soon prevailed, and they were in the studio again starting in January of ’75 to work on a new album. For the first time, the band actually wrote and fine-tuned the music for an album in the studio setting. What emerged, of course, was Blues for Allah, probably the band’s most experimental album. The studio sessions, which extended into the early summer, also allowed the boys to develop a new sound, partly encapsulated on the album but encompassing so much more than a single recording could capture. As Jerry explained, they were “creating styles” as opposed to what they had done before, which was “synthesizing other styles.” This new sound - and especially the jamming they did under its spell - was darker and more melancholy, attempting to comprehend and manipulate time itself. The Dead seem to be plumbing the essence of it here as they prepare for the SNACK benefit two days later. Of special interest are the middle three middle tracks where the band jams Stronger than Dirt into and out of Blues for Allah. The interplay between Jerry and Phil stand outs, particularly, as they create some intricately intertwined jams.
3/21/73 - 45 years ago today
March 21, 1973http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-21-1973
Utica Memorial Auditorium
Utica, New York
Set 1:
Bertha
Me And My Uncle
Wave That Flag
Looks Like Rain
Tennessee Jed
Box Of Rain
Jack Straw
You Ain't Woman Enough
Row Jimmy
Beat It On Down The Line
Here Comes Sunshine
The Race Is On
Loser
El Paso
China Cat Sunflower
I Know You Rider
Playin' In The Band
Set 2:
Greatest Story Ever Told
They Love Each Other
Mexicali Blues
Brown-Eyed Women
Big River
Brokedown Palace
Me And Bobby McGee
WRS Prelude
Dark Star
Eyes Of The World
Wharf Rat
Sugar Magnolia
Encore:
Casey Jones
3/21/72 - 1st of 7 nights at the Academy of Music
Dead of the Day: March 21, 1972http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-21-1972
Academy of Music
New York, New York
With a wealth of shows to pick from on March 21, we head to 1972 for our Dead of the Day. The show is a writhing monster of music, marking the first of a seven-night run at New York’s Academy of Music during which the Dead would perfect the sound that would characterize the Europe ’72 tour, which began just days later. Though there are some problems with the mix at the start, the band is on from the very beginning with a fiery Bertha getting things going. But we start to hear a new level and style of playing with the Greatest Story Ever Told as Jerry provides quick and elevated guitar licks that add a new depth to the short Bobby tune. Right afterwards, the Mr. Charlie does not break any new ground, but is fun, funky, and well played. Next up, the band crafts an interesting, powerfully melancholy sound on LL Rain while still jamming the hell out of the tune and providing some nice vocal harmonies. A little later, the Playing will blow your mind as the boys head off in search of new territory, taking that song completely off the hook, pushing it in ways it had never gone before. The Cumberland is also spectacular, easily one of the best the Dead ever played. The second set gets off to a smoking start with a revelatory Truckin’ that segues to a speedy, strong Drums that morphs into a smoking, mind-altering, nearly eighteen minute Other One. The rest of the set – and there is lots of it – continues to explode with song after song redefining what the Dead were capable of doing with each tune.
3/21/70 Port Chester!
March 21, 1970http://gratefuldeadoftheday.com/03-21-1970
Capitol Theater
Port Chester, New York
Two shows - an early and a late - from the Capitol Theater, both excellent.
Early Show
Walkin' The Dog, Me & My Uncle, Death Don't Have No Mercy, Good Lovin'-> Drums-> Good Lovin', Dire Wolf, Big Boss Man, He Was A Friend Of Mine-> Viola Lee Blues-> The Seven-> Cumberland Blues
Late Show
Set 1
Electric-1: Casey Jones, Dancin' In The Streets, Easy Wind
Set 2
Acoustic: Friend Of The Devil, Deep Elem, Don't Ease Me In > Black Peter, Wake Up Little Susie > Uncle John's Band, Katie Mae
Set 3
Electric-2:Cosmic Charlie, St. Stephen > Not Fade Away > St. Stephen jam > China Cat Sunflower jam > jam> Not Fade Away, Has Anybody Seen My Gal tuning, Midnight Hour > Turn On Your Lovelight, And We Bid You Goodnight
3/21/70 Port Chester
In my humble opinion, a possible contender for a future Dave's Pick.
DaP 28?
DaP 29?
DaP 31?
DaP 11
It's been a great snow day- got in a full vinyl listen to DP 8 with the boys (my wife was in and out)- that show is perfect and vinyl makes it even better- like you're sitting on stage.
Now shoveling to DaP 11- my new favorite Cumberland. That pick is top 5 Dave's for sure.
I'm feeling DaP 19 for a late night fireside listen- Hawaii state of mind in a snowstorm. I love that pick. 1970 bookends for me today.
I hope everyone out here is enjoying the first day of spring!!!!!
Still waiting....
....for next box set or shipping news on DaP26. While I wait, I just noticed that Dave Lemieux's birthdate is 11/8/70. Release your birthdate show Dave, in whatever best quality available!! Thanks all for your previous comments as to good '68 shows and good versions of New Potato Caboose. Been listening to 2/14/68 to fill the lull. No need for me to sing its praises - it speaks for itself.
11/18/72 Hofheinz RSD Vinyl
Arrived today and I wasted no time. For the vinyl Heads out there, this is a must listen if you can find at a decent price. 16 minute He’s Gone on side 2, and a long jammy Playin In The Band on all of side 3 make it worth the price of vinyl! Sound quality is excellent!! Highly recommend!!!
Re: Otis
I don't overdue it on the mustard.. but there are those in my family that love it.
As for beer.. hard shell crabs are best enjoyed outside in August.. so as long as the beer is ice cold and decent, I don't complain.
Love reading all the refreshed hype on Dicks Picks 8.. it is truly one of the great ones and has been in my top ten hall of fame since the first listen.
Here's to another high quality release from 1970 with great acoustic as well electric sets..
..and I love the Playing in the Band from Holfheinz. The mix is Phil-centric.. which is just fine with me. I love the injection of energy Billy gives to the song just after the 18 minute mark.
Add the Holfheinz PITB to the list of songs with terrific Phil leads.
4/2/95 The Pyramid
pretty much everything from estimated prophet to the end was gold for me. I say it contains a great wharf rat. might not be the best shakedown street opener.
11/18/72 vinyl
This could be the next one I go for-vinyl having recently caught my eye again. I notice that there is one L.P., a RSD release from 2012, featuring just the Dark Star from Paris 1972. Its going for an incredible price, so I think I'll leave that one. Another one I really fancy hearing is the One From The Vault from 1975.
hooray for BCE's call for 3/21/70
great stuff.
3/20/70 and 3/21/70 would make a nice lil' box set.
but i won't hold my breath.
Just exactly perfect
They did four test pressings of Dick's Picks 8 trying to get the sound just exactly perfect. I like that kind of commitment to the sound reproduction so I bought one for myself.
1981 audience recordings
Over the past six months there were some pretty nice '81 audience recordings released if any one would be interested in checking some of them out.
https://archive.org/details/GratefulDead?and%5B%5D=year%3A%221981%22&an…
Dave's birthdate show (Port Chester!)
11/08/70Capitol Theater - Port Chester, NY
https://archive.org/details/gd1970-11-08.aud.weiner.28609.sbeok.shnf/gd…
Set 1:
Dire Wolf
I Know You Rider
Dark Hollow
Rosalie McFall
El Paso
Operator
Ripple
Friend Of The Devil
Wake Up Little Susie
Uncle John's Band
Set 2:
Morning Dew
Me And My Uncle
Mystery Train
My Babe
Around And Around
New Orleans
Searchin'
It's All Over Now Baby Blue
Casey Jones
Truckin'
Dark Star
The Main Ten
Dancin' In The Streets
Not Fade Away
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
Not Fade Away
Good Lovin'
Drums
Good Lovin'
with an 11/5/70 chaser
11/05/70Capitol Theater - Port Chester, NY
https://archive.org/details/gd1970-11-05.aud.harlan.9356.sbeok.shnf/gd7…
Set 1:
Sitting On Top Of The World
Hard To Handle
Mama Tried
Truckin'
Drums
The Other One
Dark Star
St. Stephen
Not Fade Away
Goin' Down The Road Feeling Bad
Not Fade Away
Turn On Your Love Light
Hofheinz ‘72 and Phil
Forgot to mention in my earlier post that Phil’s pumpin bass is the first thing that I noticed when the needle touched this one on Bertha, track 1. He shines throughout...Happy Belated Birthday Phil!
Daverock...go for it man (on 11/18/72) I’m looking forward to RSD coming up 02/27/69. Also Dylan and The Dead.
Dicks Picks 8 Vinyl: can’t express how good this really is, compared to the original disc. Best example ever of why vinyl “can be” so much better than any other medium if done the right way.
Jerry and Merle Saunders Keystone Companions Box Set Vinyl: gonna wave this flag some more for the “perfect” vinyl, especially if you like DiP 8 Vinyl. Disc 3 will blow your mind, especially if you have something to blow it with! Check it out!!
If anybody wants a copy of 11/19/72, to go with your newly purchased vinyl of 11/18/72, feel free to PM me. Happy to give my man Doc a reprieve and help out the community if needed!
Peace - Love - Dead
LONG BEACH 8/28 FOB streeter miller noel
Levels were a little low. but with a little EQ-ing and some volume we have a winner.
Blues For Allah
I believe Blues For Allah is the finest studio creation, as a whole, of the Grateful Dead, ever. Yes. American and Workingman's maybe defined their catalogue more and helped chart the map, but Blues is unlike anything else really, giving them something like the Doors or Pink Floyd had in sounding like no other band. No other band could sound just like that.
I have friends into metal, "Friends into metal, Friends of the devil, they're all Friends of mine," who have a copy of Blues For Allah in their collection, but it's always the only one.
It's the cool Pink Floyd stoner vibe, I think, I mean, it's undeniable. Like when Rob Halford of Judas Priest came out as gay, no one gave a shit and that music never rocked harder. I was as proud of the metal community as I am of Deadland about that. As a middle-aged straight white male. Saving the world one kind thought at a time.
The Jane's Addiction cover on "Deadicated" is really something. I'm sure all of you have heard it, even the band was freaking on how good it was. If you haven't,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRtDImn9fLc
Instead of going over to the muslim world and shitting on it, maybe we could kill them with love.
Like, hey Allah, dig this groove. Maybe let your girl go to school and drive. And vote.
Let's get Perry and Jane's Addiction to learn the whole "Blues For Allah" album and go play it live all across the middle east.
\m/
Say good or ill about early '80's Dead....
....they ended 1st sets with China->Riders quite often. And that's good. And on a side note, the news of Halford coming out as gay wasn't earth shattering, that's why no one gave a second look. The man can sing and screech with the best. And yes, Priest does rock.... Screaming! Screaming For Vengeance!!
product sku
081227931742