c. 94-98 or so when I stopped taping, Morning Dew was on from either 9PM-12 or 10-12. It was followed by an African-focused program that opened with Hendrix's "Machine Gun" which I know because i have it on so many tapes. It's moved around since, it could have been the later show earlier on, when I started listening was when the GD was at their highest popularity, so it'd make sense if it moved to prime time around that time.
I’m unsure what the exact nomenclature is for that little tease/jam, but I don’t remember hearing it much and I have listened to quite a few China Cat>Riders. I’ve never gotten good (or paid enough attention) at recognizing the the repeating instrumental themes.
The Feelin’ Groovy Jam started appearing in the China>Rider transition on 3/17/73 and showed up until the last China>Rider before the hiatus played during the 5 night Winterland “Retirement” shows in October 74.
Did it show up any earlier in a different context, like a "Dark Star" or something? I could swear I heard it recently in something from '71, '72, or '73 when I really wasn't expecting it. Was I smart enough to make a physical or digital note of it? NOPE. I WAS NOT.
Thank you! I wish I could remember what I was listening to, but I was very sure that's what I was hearing, and only slightly worried it was some ever-so-subtle variation that goes by a different name.
Springing a surprise test on us? The GD did not perform on 17 March 1973, they were at the St. Patty's Day parade in Nu Yawk.
It's rare for it not to be in Dark Star in late 1969-1970. I think it shows up a few times in 72. It's also in that Other One>I Know You Rider from 3-31-73 in Buffalo, which is listed as 10-12-68 on this youtube clip from 30 days of Dead:
Listening to one I don't think I have ever heard before, 9/2/85 Zoo Amphitheater, Oklahoma City. They always seemed to play well at that venue, and so far this show is no exception. Hot West L.A. Fadeway, which as far as I've gotten yet.
Listened to 6/24/73 set 2. Suffice it to say a huge improvement on set 1 in both sound quality and performance. Before the "Dark Star" some notable bits include a surprisingly strong "You Ain't Woman Enough," one of the best early "Stella Blue"s I've heard and an unusually placed mid-set 2 "Greatest Story"/"Bertha" medley. After "Dark Star" there is an "Eyes" where Garcia gets lost in the post-first verse jam but the band turns in a fun outro jam, leading to "China Doll" and then the typical "Sugar Mag" set closer "Saturday Night" encore.
DaP 20 is a very middling show for the year, probably not even in the top half. Still kind of mystified about why it was picked, although I should probably give it another listen (have only spun it once) to give it a fair shake.
That may be, but I still say that Denver '81 is good show. It doesn't "suck" and is is not "horrible" as quite a few have stated. It's certainly one of the least essential Dave's Picks so far - that's true.
Going after another '73 show. I've had this for a fairly long time and have always enjoyed it, matter of fact the fall into November period, I consider to be a magical run for the Dead. It's not a Betty Board, but the sound on this DP is all the things I like about her other recordings: good separation, clear and present mix, with some nice steady air under those instruments, the deep end in particular. The Sugaree-Mexicali-Tennessee Jed run sets the tone. So clear, in fact, I can hear the sticks on the cymbals during the mid short jam on TJ, something my old ears don't always pick up on Dead recordings... a sweet subdued clang that sounds like stoned cowbells. Jer's guitar is crying a rainstorm on Looks Like Rain, beautiful stuff. Disc one...
Hopefully I’m not the only person out there in Grateful Threadland begging for the next Dave’s to have a Dark Star.
