Glancing at Robert Christgau's site (since I remember him mentioning being a Dead fan in the late 60's while disliking the Jeff Beck Group) I didn't find any comment about the Dead's sets in 1968, but I did find this about 6/20/69 (late show), also published in the New York Times, July 1969: "That may have been the best set the Dead had ever played in New York." Apparently no tape circulates of that set. Robert Christgau: The Grateful Dead Are Rising Again
You might be the only folks in the universe who would appreciate this video I put together. I compiled a video of China Cat jams from 1974. Just the jams....
I just got this in the mail 5 minutes ago! ***EDIT I THINK that will be about if for GD vinyl for now. I have this one and the Fillmore West 4-LP and the new Chris Bellman Anthem of the Sun. But, digitally... BRING IT ON!!!
Oh man, just looking at that makes me want to spin my copy right at this moment. I was going to spin some holiday records, but those might have to wait.
Man, I can not WAIT to hear this! This is gonna be so DAMN Psychedelic!!! Between this and the 1969 Fillmore West and the nice original mix remastered Anthem, this is probably gonna be my VERY favourite GD period! BUT... thanks to you guys, I am also learning appreciation for their later work. Of course as I have mentioned before, I just Cosmically fell into Terrapin Station nearly 40 years ago and it blew me away. Unique, for sure for them. But lovely! I sure dug those couple of songs from the PNW set last night. I REALLY liked Bird Song & China Cat Sunflower a LOT from Coliseum Vancouver, British Columbia, 1973-06-22! Just frigg'n LOVELY! ***EDIT Thank you kindly Archtop for nudging me that way...!
The New Potato Caboose from this show is utterly mind-melting. Say goodbye to the illusion of solidity, and say hello to the underlying energetic matrix of reality itself.
15 December 1971- Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Go Big Blue!) Just started in on this classic show. 18 song first set. Back when I got this tape (late '79/early '80) an entire show with 18 tunes was on the endangered species list. A delightful late afternoon meltdown is commencing along with the China > Rider transition jam...
Successful visit to ‘75 in the books. I have surpassed the strength of dirt and milked the meleagris gallopavo. Now jumping ahead to 3/21/90 Copps. A different world but a good one, and a hot show taboot.
I had the thought to listen to 1968-02-14 today, but it turns out I don't have it on an ipod for some reason so I listened to 1968-12-29 and then 1968-10-12. Both of these are as good as anything else. But regarding 02-14, since I have to load it up again, would people recommend the release, or the Charlie Miller version? I suspect the latter, as there are pitch problems with RT 2.2, are there not?
If by "pitch problems" you mean it runs at the wrong speed- that is correct. CM's version will be proper.
I was just listening to Dark Star on Disc 2 of the PNW set (Portland Memorial Coliseum , Portland OR, 1973-06-24) And, right about 6:55 or so when the bass line really gets going, it's a pretty damn good groove. Kind of laid back, but between the 2 guitars and that frigg'n AMAZING bass, you have a pretty sweet thing going on there Basically, this is free-form Jazz. I never knew all these years that I've been collecting vinyl that they sounded like this. I have TONS of Jazz like this. If I had known, I woulda been onto them a LOT sooner. Where the HELL was I the last 40 years for Goodness sake!!!?
15 Dec 1978- Birmingham. Recently circulated, the Terrapin > Playing... got a listen tonight. Jerry was burrowing hard on the PITB jam. 13 Dec 1978- Tampa. Another PITB jam, just because.
So I have been listening to Daves 17 lately and when I initially got it I dont think I understood how great of a show it is all around! Pretty tight playing and even vocals! The Scarlet is really good! And the spanish jam is somethin’ else!
