I'm kidding of course, do what you want. It took me about a year to do all of 69, there are a lot of shows, and though there are some great ones, the setlist variation is probably at an all-time low. So I took a lot of days off and/or mixed in other stuff, including this: When I first heard this back in 2016 or so the AUD was the only source available, but since then there's a complete Charlie Miller SBD that's made the rounds, maybe I will listen to the matrix next time around.
It's for sure worth your time...one of the best matrixes (matrices?) I've ever heard. The crowd and room are there, but not in a heavy-handed way or overly intrusive way.
I listened to the second set of 11/14/73 again last night, and the sequence really clicked with me. One thing I noticed is how the Wharf Rat is a little faster and more energetic than normal, rather than being the coda to an apocalyptic long jam.
So I'm guessing the Playing in the Band reprise on 10/12/84 picks up from a performance of the "song" portion on 10/11? That's kinda fun. I was listening to the post-Drums bit from 10/12 last night, and that protracted intro to the Playing reprise was great. Really enjoyed that whole second set, actually. First set wasn't bad, either, even if it was pretty short. Not sure I've heard an electric On the Road Again from the 80s before, and apparently this was their last performance of this song. Another fine 30 Trips show! I continue to be impressed with the picks for this box.
Random question that I figured some folks around here might be able to help with... when you search for "grateful dead shirts" on the ol' interweb, you get a lot of hits... but it's hard to distinguish the quality ones from the fly-by-night, cheap t-shirt makers. Are there any Dead shirt makers you recommend?
Was it the whole thing? I wonder why it wasn't available on the Archive, I just checked again and except for the AUD, all the sources now on the archive were added in 2017 or later.
Yeah, the main problem is how obsessive I get with it. Last summer was the peak of that, I put a lot of other stuff aside. Mainly I realized that as great as last summer was, I was not enjoying that approach this year. It isn't that I wasn't enjoying the shows, more just the whole trip. True though that 1969 might require a more measured approach...I just don't know if I have such an approach in me...
I always jump between years...I have a hard time listening to more than 3 or 4 shows in a row from the same year, especially if I'm in a Dead-only phase. It all starts to sound a bit same-y to me after that. That is objectively untrue, of course, but that is my subjective experience. Fortunately the GD are the perfect band for era-hopping.
Finally reached 5/26/72 on this time (7th? I dunno) through the Europe '72 box. No big Pigpen tune; just Charlie, The Stranger, and Chinatown (and I guess that one must've been his last vocals with the band). It seems like the audience-prompted NFA>road>NFA took the place of a big Pigpen song since the show is still 3:45 long. I listened for 2 hours this morning and didn't even get to the second set--that's a long show.
Hold up. The Eyes from 3/28/73 is incredible. I know people like the Dark Star. So do I. But this Eyes....geezus. Underrated, I say. Positively underrated. Listen to the WRS>Dark Star>Eyes>PITB, because it's incredible, but do not sleep on this Eyes. It's as good as anything Sir Jerry and the boys had ever done.
Yup, that was my second ever Dave's Pick and the one that cemented me as a huge fan of the series. That third disc still stands up as one of the best single discs of the entire run so far.
The end of Set 1 is totally epic. Not quite on the same level as 2-26-77, but close. This was one of the last times (as far as I can recall) the Dead would stretch out that much in the first set.
If you're looking for tie-dyes, my old friend Nick makes great ones: Nick's Pick's Artisan Tie-dyes by NicksPicksDyes
3/28/73 Civic Center, Springfield, cont'd The Cumberland opener is straight fire. It's no my favorite Dead song, but Jerry just torches this one. I can't take my brain off his virtuoso-guitar soloing, on this one. Box of Rain: Nothing beats the studio version of this song and the live versions seem to get worse and worse as the years go by. But this one is on point. You Ain't Woman Enough- Rare Donna country cover, which is actually a little funny, but I like it. I'm not a huge country fan, but Donna pulls this one off, nicely. I kept envisioning Beyonce telling some ho trying to hit on Jay-Z, "Don't touch my man!" when listening to this while running in my neighborhood, I have no idea why . I think she could have shined more on some rock leads, if ever given the chance. China>Rider: Once again, a scorching version from the bands peak years. Jerry's guitar phrasing seems a little weird here (planned or mistakes?) which makes it unique for me. A little quirky, but I like this one. Want a hard job? Find a China>Rider I won't like. Playin' In The Band- Oh, yes. PITB. This version is badass and this WRS>DS>Eyes>Playin' is a classic. I'm probably telling you something you don't already know. But if I am, listen to this sh!t! Honorable mention: Stella Blue. I don't think this song has yet had it's due. Timeless song. Solid version. The Tobin Matrix has a nice balance. The Charlie Miller SBD is also good, as usual. No doubt about it, this is a good show (WRS>DS>Eyes>PITB!)