Grateful Dead Dave’s Picks 2019 Subscription

I made it through DaP 31. 1979 is not a favorite GD for me, and vocals are too high in the mix. But I'll return to this show and let it soak.

I did not get interested in the GD until late in my 30's. The timing was good, because CD burners were cheap, and I was lucky to get into some Bay Area trading circles. In 12 months, I had traded for literally 250 shows, almost all soundboard. Quickly I learned that my preference was '68-'78. But good to have a few '79-'91 shows to cleanse the palate.

Two comments I've heard over the years have helped me enjoy collecting GD shows.

The first was by a major figure in GD trading circles (I won't name him for privacy reasons), who once commented that he learned the best way to enjoy GD shows (and he saw hundreds) was to always go to the show with zero expectations...thus avoiding being disappointed.

The second comes from an audience recording of an acoustic Neil Young show circa early 2000's. At one point, a person in the audience yells out a comment reference the songs Neil is playing, "They All Sound the Same". Neil replies "Its all One Song".

 

Along those lines, I once had the pleasure of spending a little time with Jorma backstage before a solo show in Boulder back in the 80's. One thing he said has stayed with me all these years:

"All music is folk music, because all music is made by folks."

 

This is good advice for any band, any movie, any book, any trip, life itself.

Expect nothing.

Experience what is happening for what it is, participate fully, don't distract yourself with irrelevant memories, comparisons, judgements.

Until Lost Sailor starts up, then you can fire up the disappointment synapses...

 

You are telling us that they should only release stuff that you like.

 

Of course they should. That's what all obsessive compulsive picky Deadheads think! (j/k!)

 

So much misguided "Lost Sailor" hate on this forum! That song rules.

 

Lost sailor, Brent, Vince, Donna, MIDI and pretty much anything that isn’t 1977... the list goes on and on

 

You can hear him say that on Year Of the Horse, also. Of course, the great quote on that release is his intro to Sedan Deliveries: "Smell the Horse on this one"

 

My 3rd, 4th, and 5th shows were at MSG on 4 - 6 September 1979. They played Lost Sailor the first and last shows. Twice in a 3 night run is too much!

 

Hey! That’s not true!

If it’s not 1972-74 it probably catches holy hell too.

 

That's nothing!

Try Corrina twice in a three night run (Philly '92)............

 

I hear ya, brother. I’m the guy that loves “Slewfoot”!

 

Even music made by robots? Why not, they’re “folks” too, right?

 

Slewfoot is a great tune.

 

You had me up until MIDI. Now go wash your mouth out with that fish.

 

I like "Lost Sailor". They should never have played "Saint" without it.

I like "France" too. Too bad they never played it live.

 

No that is what you are telling me.

 

It seems to me that the biggest sin Dave and his pals can commit is releasing a show that is boring, hence why I scratch my head at people being up in arms about Dave's 20 and 27. I think there are several moments of each that are exciting. It's Dave's 28 that I think is a stinker - utterly dull and uninspired.

Second in line, the sound quality doesn't bug me in the slightest as long as the music runs at the correct speed. As above, Dave's 28 sounds exquisite but if the music isn't average, so what?

So, in short, give me a show that is reproduced at the correct speed that contains something of substance that is exciting - either a particular jam vehicle, even just a few outstanding performances of some of the longer songs (say, your Wharf Rats, Tennessee Jeds, Jack Straws, what have yous) and I'm keen.

Of course, I haven't actually listened to the latest Dave's yet...

 

For those of you playing along at home:

#20 = 9 Dec 1981- Boulder
#27 = 2 September 1983- Boise
#28 = 17 June 1976- Joisey

 

“Saint” without “Sailor” never sounded right to me. I agree they needed to stay together.

“France” is eminently skippable, but it’s OK.

 

You are the first person (other than myself) I have heard make this argument, and I agree 100%. If there's a single DaP that's inessential, it's #28.

 

What???