Grateful Dead

Sunday night.. the second night of a three night run. I am pretty sure, almost positive I was there and for the next night too. I think it was spring break that year, and a bunch of us drove down. I don't think I missed a Hampton run from 83 through 89, the question is... was I there for one, two or all three nights.

So I think for this twofer, I was in attendance both nights.
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Ok.. I am bullshitting too much. Time to hit play.

Thanks to those who suggested these shows.. I surely caught the Merriweather show and I am 99% sure I caught the Hampton one. Such a great memory exercise.. Perhaps I need to seek the peace pipe to further my recall.

If I remember correctly, Blair Jackson selected this show as one of his "desert island shows" for his Golden Road Blog. Man that blog was great fun. I miss it. Gone 7 years now, but it's nice to see it is still archived here.

Miss Blair.. the best liner note person... ever. I was shocked and saddened when The Golden Road ended. A great writer and a great fan.

Thanks Gollum. And I agree we miss Blair. Still unsure what happened there.

1988 has a lot to offer as other unrepresented years do in the archival releases.
This show has been the best I have heard so far, but there are many more. The summer 1988 tour was sizzling.

Love the two versions of Ballad of a Thin Man, they should have kept this one going. Cumberland is so good, To Lay me Down, love it. Let it Grow is really good.

The second set is outstanding. You get a Sugar Magnolia, Scarlet Fire, Estimated Eyes! Come on. And then the finish! Wow, and Jim you were there. Pretty sweet!

I went to five shows in 1988, Alpine and the Old Met. 1988 has a lot to offer!

Be well.

I always liked the 88 Greeks. Decent recordings and perhaps the apex of the dylan cover era. I began to start missing shows in 88.. the beginning of a problematic era which led to grad school. The bginning of the end.. of sorts.

I always thought I was meant to be a trust fund kid. Surely a mix up at the hospital...

How fitting that we got a twofer of US Blues encores on our twofer today.

Definitely feeling them.

Great picks today!

Hampton usually goes off, and this one is no exception, that place had the energy vortex going on, things usually lined up at Hampton Coliseum from the shows I hear and the 3 I saw, that place was awesome.

Whole time during Ballad of A Thin Man all I could think was why wasn't this in the rotation more. Definitely could of rotated this in place of Masterpiece more. Alas, we got.. what 2 you say Deadvikes, glad we got em.
More More More (where's Bill Graham when you need him?). Dug that pick, nice one!

I was finishing up my '88 collection last year and there's definitely some diamonds in that mine. And yeah some cubic zirconia too.

DeadVikes Alpine '88, Holla!

And Summer '85 continues to deliver even after all these years. These tapes were our gold standard from which we would measure all other 80s boards, these and the Greek '84 boards. Do they sound like '85 boards? Seemed like the boards from this tour circulated right away. Actually it didn't just seem like it, they did, I was just reading about that.

I would've been so stoked had I only known what the future would bring, at least as far as the future of Dead music, not so much the plague.

Ah but I digress. Fun to think about.

So many things I love about summer '85, but one is definitely the spicey covers and rare tunes.
Keep On Growin', Cryptical, Daytripper, Comes A Time, Smokestack Lightning, Dancing In The Streets, Midnight Hour, Stagger Lee, Supplication, High Time, I Ain't Superstitious > Down In The Bottom, Tom Thumb, She Belongs To Me, Dupree's, Satisfaction, Revolution

I got a bunch of thoughts on all that... but we'll just leave it with them there songs listed and look forward to the next one.

2 more Summer '85 to go before they boys return home and take an 11 day break.

Alright, Good Times Be Well.

What's the haps for tomorrow?

Epic.... huge..... don't like to throw out best ever, but Mississippi Half Step, think it might be.... Dick's Picks something..... "Is it not written in the stars"....... bob t.....

Seems weird for high summer, which we are in.

How about 7/1/85? How about 7/1/73 or 8/1/73? How about 7/15/84? How about 7/28/82? I could go on.

But, 9/3/77 exudes end of summer to me and I don't want to think about that yet! :-P

Maybe/ maybe not.

I know it's one of Jim's favorite shows. It's on the shorter side so we'd probably need another brief show or set to bring us home.

-edit- Greek '88's good, too. I listened a lot to 7/17/88 and don't know too much about 7/15 or 16.

Didn’t we just do 7/1/78? GOGD will know....if not, then that would be perfect...if so, then
How bouts 7/2/88, since its high summer and 88, or 7/2/87? or, or, or??
Followed by 7/1/85 fir extra credit,

I was just reading about 7/8/87 Roanoke being a great '87. Ventura '87 I hear was pretty good, too. I'm already dipping my toe in 7/17/88 but don't mind peeling away to something else high summer.

Yes, we already did 7/1/78 a while back.

So many other good suggestions.

Roanoke, my buddies went, not sure why I didn’t. Said the scene was awesome, frolicking in the pool etc, and said the shows were great! Always wanted, but have not checked those out yet. I’d be down with that for sure, or 7/17/88,: Izz allll good! Deadvikes, what say you? And where’s GOGD? Or while we’re at it, where the hells Four Winds Blow?

Let's do it Oroborous.

It is...boo-yah!

Ambiance comes in different sizes.
We like a small hall, and so do you, and an outdoor gig in the sun, and a large hall when it can be made to sound good.
Urobourous is hungry. How do we control him?

Greek '88 you say? with a Pre-Show Broadcast on KPFA (It rhymed)

Sure!

BTW it's a few days out but can I pick 7/6/87 for it's Anniversary?

It was a really fun show to see and I'd like to hear your all's opinion on that there show and if you haven't heard it, I'd like for you too.

Alrighty... Looks like we're heading back to '88 and I think that's great.

I'm a poet but didn't know it.

Yep we listened to 1978-07-01 on May 22nd.

And it's a twofer for you who dare! 7/1/85 with some Dancing In The Streets and double up on your Playing > Uncle John's

Hot Damn!

Four Winds Blow where are yooooouuuuuu?!?!

...that they didn't play "Believe it or Not" more often. Sure, the main riff is the same as "Gomorrah," but man, what a lovely song. No one seemed to complain when they took "Samson" and turned it into the jam portion of "Throwing Stones."

Another great 88 show. Thanks to this group for showing me light :)

Peace

I like how someone in the band starts cracking up when Bobby tunes up his acoustic to Blackbird.. and says Oh God.. and I think makes Bobby screw up the opening verse. Brent?? Nice little show, I like all three, 7/15 is a gem as well.

I'd have to think Billy the Kid and Bolo were in attendance?? I would have loved to have been there....

Believe it or not, great tune and great version.

This is a great pick Oroborous!

Source on Relisten is solid. I bet the official copy mixed and mastered would be even better. 88 in MN today! I love it.
Hot weather and the Dead. Just brings back the memories. Longer show for the era as well. Believe it or not, yes, this is a great song, love it. I think Jerry retired it in 1990, maybe March 18?? Can't remember for sure. Good call everyone and as always looking forward to tomorrow.

Or Not

Dug that show yesterday and then... DROP!

The Angel's Share

Hot Damn, Hot Damn

That's some amazing shit! I went there.
I immersed myself in the studio in Feb / Mar 1970 with Betty & the Boys.
(pic of tape log says 3/3/70 based on shows around that time they'd of recorded rough tracks between Fillmore West show 2/8/70 & Fillmore East shows 2/11 - 14, practice those rough tracks for a few weeks and tour in Feb, come back play Family Dog 2/27 - 3/1 and then lay down Workingman's between 3/2-3/6 before heading to Phoenix on 3/7. Possibly some more in Feb tween 2/14 - 2/20 or 2/23 - 2/27. Hmmm wonder what else that find tells us about this timing.)

The rabbit hole opened and I dropped in and have forgotten some of the things I had to say about 7/17/88.

Mind Blowin', Unknown Recordings Never-Before-Heard = Super Nice Surprise / Super Geek Out

What'd you all think?

Love that stuff.

7/17/88.. You know you're a Head when you listen to the Pre-Show KPFA fund raiser stuff. But I found it fascinating. Discussions with McNally, Gans, Lambert and Healy. And it's an inside view at what a great band we're following around (yes still, only in cyberspace now). Helping support solid causes for our futures and giving joy to people while they're here on earth.

Good show, I had to relisten to the Blackbird from 4/26/88 with Jerry, Bob & Brent.. they nail that one, give it a go! But just can't seem to get it together as the band here or at Alpine. (Does a SBD circulate of 4/26/88? I thought I had one back in the day).

Man those Workingman's sessions got me high.

Threw me off my twofer.
Lucy you got some listening to do!

7/1/85 is delivering a strong Set 1 now as I type this stuff.. Day Job (ironic?)

What's the haps for today.. I got a lot of Dead to listen too :)

EDIT: JimInMD I need to check out 7/15/88 again soon. Favorite of the 3?

Put this 30 Trips show on for the morning workout. 5/14/78 Providence RI. This is such a stellar 78 show and the sound quality to my ears is one of top 78 show released to date.

Be well people and don't climb the barb wired fence idiot.

9/3/77 Englishtown..... bob t

Englishtown Synchronicity Bob T, Didya win?

DeadVikes 5/14/78 you say? I'll try and check it out.

Heading into some Drums > Space 7/2/85 style but will see where the day takes us.

Be Well All.

DEADVIKES: Nice Pick man!

5/14/78 show was way off my radar, and I'm not sure I've even listened to it before, if so it was in a fever dream of excitement caused by the 30 Trips Box Set.

If you too are unfamiliar, I would recommend you all check it out as DEADVIKES knows of what he speaks.. Show rips.

It's one of those shows that makes you think, is there more stuff like this in '78 that I should go back and look for?

Admittedly when I looked at the song list, I was not excited. It looks really plain on paper (or wherever you look at things like song lists), almost skipped it, but DEADVIKES said check it out, so I grabbed it, along with 5/13/78 Set 2 and loaded it up on my device and headed out to mow the yard.

Since I like to have some grass while cutting grass I tend to want a Playing In The Band so I put on 5/13/78 Set 2 first (no Set 1 SBD in circulation, but more on that) and fired it all up!

From the get go of the Bertha > Good Lovin' opener I could tell this show had that certain special something. You all gotta check it out, it smokes the boys are just ripping. Jerry's got that amazing '78 sound to his voice.. something about '78 Jerry, he has such a great quality to his voice, maybe it was the laryngitis he got earlier in the year, or all the cigs, or age, or all of those things, but his voice just takes on a certain sound in '78 that is... well, Great!

Again if you look at the set list for 5/13 nothing stands out, but man if you listen to it, the bands on fire. I finished the lawn and the show and popped on 5/14 to get a little taste as my interest was now totally peaked.

CRACK! Right off the bat... the band is ripping.

Great Half-Step, Cassidy opener to get things started and you can just tell it's on tonight.
I grabbed my bike and took off on a ride to further explore the music and the plague ridden earth.
I was a little skeptical that I had the right show for my ride when Looks Like Rain began.
Honestly, I kind of put up with that song. It's never been a favorite of mine, sometimes it will impress me, but the big slice of Cheddar that it has for lyrics has always made me a bit dismissive of that tune. Not to mention the whole "street cats making love" line always makes me think of Janice & Pigpen goin' at it, thanks Phil!

So yeah, I begin to roll my eyes as the road rolls by, but.. I have to say this is a killer version of LLR, I mean shit it's really good. And I can say the same for the rest of this show, they slay it. It's a blast.
BTW special mention to 1978 Ship Of Fools. Jerry just sings that song so well this year! I remember pouring over the Red Rocks '78 version as a kid and thinking it was a one off, and now when I go through this year and hear these great versions of Ship Of Fools that Jerry delivers it just impresses me how he would go after different songs.. differently. Based on where he was at and where he was going and what that song was feeling like to him.
Cool stuff!

So all that said, go check it out, it's worth the trip.

Big Hat Tip to DEADVIKES for the turn on.

I would not of gone there on my own, I really enjoyed hearing that show, and also realized I didn't have Set 1 of 5/13/78 in my collection (Audience Only, but nice recording by Steve Rolfe once they get the PA sorted out & TMNS which totally rips was on 2017 30 Days).
So thanks man!

Now it makes me wonder what else is hiding in May '78 that I'm overlooking.. 5/10 & 5/11 I'm looking at you.
Oh but the set lists just don't look that interesting ;)

.....the month of the guttural growls.

5/13/78 was my first show

Check out the space going into Other One. Almost a Spanish Jam in there. DP 25 Springfield-New Haven 4 Disc wonder. It's one I check into often and always satisfies. As for today, I decided to check into 7/6/87 Pittsburgh a little early. I'm looking forward to set II pretty soon. Stagger Lee just finished up, and now Desolation Row right on it's heels...Have a Grateful Day everyone! :-)

VGUY - You gotta check out the 5/13/78 OMSN Encore… ripping!

DELHEAD - You got any stories from your first show? It’s a freakin’ good show.. dug listening to it again.

WILFREDTJONES - Listen carefully friend, You’re messing with powers that can not be contained once they are released!

So.. yeah is there an official pick today?

Not sure I’m up for more ’78, I think I might need some ’72 - 73 goodness.

What about 9/21/72 DiP V36?

It’s Friday…

That things here always get busy just as life gets too busy, lol.
So I’ve been trying to keep up, but haven’t had enough time to properly reply, especially with my Summer 85 “Signing in the rain” ...
First, thank WTJ not me for that great 88 pick! Though I was at work listening on sub par equipment so didn’t get the full Vulcan mind meld, I did thoroughly enjoy it, and remember it drew me out of my focused work mind several times.
And yes, you can totally hear them giving Bob shit before Blackbird. And yes, why the hell didn’t they play Believe it or Not and She belongs to me more often!
Don’t really have time yet, and more importantly I feel I need to relisten to 6/30/85 because in a word, I was disappointed, while 7/1/85 which I only really remember as having that smoking Scarlet/Fire, was actually amazing.
I always thought 6/30/85 was THE show, meaning the cleanest/tightest, but still with some fire in the nutz, and a sexy set list.
But upon listening, it seemed like there were many ruff starts, clams, at least, and JG especially. But eventually, the songs would often get right and get going, and did seem to progress overall as the show moved on, somewhat like some of the other shows from this tour, and often like the dead in general. There’s that Bode Miller analogy again.
Even some of the sexy stuff: Keep on Growing, Cryptical etc, we’re ruff. Personally, I’m ok with that as I would rather see em go for and miss than play it safe and just dial it in.
So yeah, was a little disappointed but that’s why expectations suck, and why we have to listen eh! I also was exhausted, and kind of bummed and depressed that evening, so that probably affected my mood while listening etc. So need to go back and give this one another run.
Meanwhile, 7/1/85 blew me away. I’ve never heard the first, and the tape I had of the second was too hot so didn’t sound so good. So it was awesome to sit down and really listen to this show, really enjoyed it. Perhaps the tightest of the tour? Definitely one of JGs better nights of the tour as far as miscues and vocal issues.
Have to wonder how listening to different formats may have effected perspective? Listened to awesome SB for 6/30, while back to a HS matrix for 7/1. Been digging these HS matrixes for the most part.
So going to have to replay these 2 and get better handle...
Really want to try that 5/14/78 30 trips that I don’t think I’ve got round to yet? 78 not a big go to year for me which is precisely why I need to be exposed to more. Seems like the more time I spend with MY lesser years, the more I’m pleasantly enlightened! As I keep beating the drum: ITS ALL GOOD! just have to poke around! Oh, and yeah, that 6/30 Shakedown has to be my favorite @ version...
And DP 36, right on, haven’t heard that beast in a while, so prolly save that one for when I can be one with it....but love that pick! Thanks guys for all the good picks!
Ok, gotta go, but hopefully I’ll finish the whole 85 saga later, though of course Big Steve on pre-game and then VV 2, so phew, so much to catch up on, so better get going!
Schlater!

@GOGD My memory is not great but here goes. I had Blues for Allah and Mars Hotel on record but no tapes. I lived next to a girl in college who had hundreds (literally) of tapes. She was my first introduction to live Dead, not the album. But I wasn't sure what to expect at my first show. There were songs I wanted to see, like China > Rider and FOTM and Crazy Fingers.

I remember liking the first set, Jack Straw and Candyman were favorites. Believe it or not I was disappointed when they ended with Truckin and Sugar Mag. I didn't know at the time that every show was different and some songs got played way more than others. I thought they were a "normal" band that played some album cuts in concert then ended with their "hits". When I mentioned my disappointment to my friend after the show she just laughed. I think she knew that I was hooked.

My next show was 9/2/1978 and then 45 others. Not a lot but saw some good ones, including 5/16/81 and 4/6/82 (released)

That’s Awesome! Funny the stuff we remember.
Wonder what happened to that Sister head and if she’s still collecting tapes.

Good times man, thanks for sharing.

That closing Truckin’ > Black Peter > Sugar Magnolia is pretty sick, and I bet your a lil less disappointed with it now days.

Great Show & Great story!

Sounds like you might have a few more.. 4/6/82 is a fave.. we might have to pull a couple these for a pick. Got any favorites?

Good stuff :)

I think I actually got the notion to listen to it from Jim.

7/6/87 and set II from 7/8/87 were nice for me today. Last night 7/2/71 was real nice.

Thanks man, I am glad that 5/14/78 hit the spot. And I agree it is a great show. Always like to be surprised by shows and this one did it. ..

What is on tap for today??

Hope we can consider 7/4/89 for tomorrow, but just a suggestion.

Be well all and everybody hang loose.

Good show. Not much Phil in the recording but tight performance with an interesting setlist.

That Deal f'ing rips. I was just listening to it yesterday by chance.

Have a safe and sane Fourth everyone... :-)

Happy 4th of July!

To me the Grateful Dead represent "American Values" that I cherish:
Independence
Intelligence
Innovating
Pioneering
Supportive
Kind

Helping to Move the entire Human Race Forward a few steps, outside of Mainstream America, with a certain amount of Outlaw bravado in order to provide Joy.

I won't pontificate on what is actually happening in America right now, but will focus on the Grateful Dead. Because to me they are the American Dream. Some guys from San Francisco that worked real hard at what they wanted to do because nobody else was doing it, and they knew it needed to be done and it was fun and it brought Joy to a whole lot of people who otherwise weren't getting any.

And now some 55 years later, and more than 25 years since the band stopped playing, they're still bringing joy to people who otherwise aren't getting any.

That's commendable, I wish there were more instances of that in our history, I can think of none.
(probably could, but this post is already longer than planned and I hadn't even meant to go here.. I was just gonna say Happy 4th.)

Anywho... Nice call WTJ on 7/4/81 that's some tight Jams. You had me at Stranger, Bird Song > PITB for Set 2 opener. FYI for the listener, parts of SBD are missing, but some of them there parts are floating around from Taper's Section: Minglewood, China > Rider from Set 1. That being said there's a real nice Audience recording as well.
EDIT: As Bobby says One More 4th Of July, So Everybody Can Get High!

DEADVIKES: 7/4/89 you say?
I'll try and watch that there show at some point this fine holiday.
You should def check out 5/13/78 some time, dug that as well as 5/14/78 which was killer diller.

I'ma gonna try and check out 7/4/87 today too and listen to Bob Dylan slur and slash his way through songs he doesn't remember how to play just cuz.. America!

And yesterday "We" (I?) was checking out 9/21/72 which is a must relisten and if nobody got to it, now is a great time. Epic (like 5 stars) Bird Song, China > Rider, PITB, Dark Star > Morning Dew. That shit is off the proverbial hook.

Makes for perfect bike riding tunes. Or grilling, drinking, smoking, whatever it is you do while listening.

But alas, it was buried in a long and drawn out post yesterday, not unlike this one.

Alrighty then.
Be Well, Be Safe, Use Your Head, Ignore Alien Orders.

It occurred to me I have never listened to this show before so I'm checking out the matrix on relisten right now. Jack Straw just starting up.

https://relisten.net/grateful-dead/1978/12/30/jack-straw?source=91391

It's a Real Goodie!

Up to Sugaree now and it's been a pretty tight 1st set. Jerry certainly has his chops together.

-edit- I made it through set 2 Scar>Fire. I'm doing some painting today. It will be on later if and when I come back for the 2nd coat. Painting has been made a little difficult by the burly ass hematoma I have on the inside of my left thigh. I acquired it from a minor bike mishap last Saturday. Everything was going great until I hit the concrete. I'm giving it some ice and rest now in hopes I can get a second wind later but damn this couch feels good.

-edit 2- PITB, I have a feeling I know where this is going next as Keith is teasing Shakedown Street. Nice. Time to try and get that 2nd beer, I mean, coat on. :-)

Can't Remember much about Set 1, but I know that 2nd Set is the bomb

Now you're making me wanna hear that bad boy.

Happy 4th all!

GOGD, I will check out that 5/13/78 show this week and Dick's 36, another solid Spectrum show. A lot of great shows from the Spectrum.

Right back at ya Deadvikes.

Happy belated 4th to all. I guess I got my day off today. :D

5/13/78 is in play right now. I am only seeing the second set on Relisten. Do you have the whole show GOGD? And yes, you are right this second set is cooking. Sounds awesome! Thanks man, great recommendation.

By the way, these guys are really good!

I do think we will see another 78 release soon, maybe one of the Fox Theatre shows from April?

Nice! Yeah I dig that show it was taking me places.

So no Set 1 SBD but the audience recording sounds pretty darn good once they get some PA issues fixed, evens out towards the end of Jack Straw.

TMNS closer was part of 30 Days 2017 btw and it cooks!

Check it out and glad you gave it a spin and are diggin’ it. I’ve been on a ‘78 kick since you mentioned 5/14, checked out 12/30 & watched 12/31 last night... them’s some good jams!

We did the 78 Spectrum show today, considering there is 24 minutes left in the day here, I am not sure I am going to catch up to that one... They were playing the 87 Spectrum show on SiriusXM either yesterday or today,

RIP Spectrum.. hosted some epic shows.

First crabs of the year today.. not bad for so early in the season. Crabs, beer and NRPS.

Hey y’all

Hoping to revisit 7/6/87 tomorrow

Rockin’ show and the boys bring the party to Pittsburg.
Just listen to Jerry on Shakedown and the crowd reaction throughout.

Hope you’ll check it out!

https://archive.org/details/gd1987-07-06.142086.sbd.miller.flac2496

Start your week off with a bang

It's interesting how few times they played Shakedown Street in 1980. I know there's the one from Lewiston, ME in Sept. and the one enshrined on RT 3.4 Penn State/Ithaca. There's one too in Chicago, but not many more that year.

7/6/87 is fun with the post-Space surprises. Enjoy if you tune into that! It would come with a recommendation from at least 2 of us, ;-)

Let's do it!

....that setlist looks tasty.