The Grateful Dead Dark Star

[jazzbo]

Bill, a very savy post. My headband is unwound and off to you. . . .

[orchiddoctor]

Bill, a very savy post. My headband is unwound and off to you. . . .

Thanks, Lon. I wish that someone in a strong position would take up the banner for this type of illness as Phil has for Hep C. The problem is that it is an invisible, unmeasurable, unprovable illness about which so little is known. The stigma attached to those who are ill above the neck combined with fear and misunderstanding keeps it in the dark and those who suffer behind dark doors. Something like one in ten of us have one of these illnesses (depression, bipolar, schitzophreia, etc.), but only 1 tenth of those are diagnosed and even less get adequate treatment. There is no cure. There is no wonder drug. Treatment is hit or miss and often temporary. The illness hides, especially when the patient is on an upswing. Then, in the dark where noone may notice, comes the crash. And if/when that crash is too hard or severe, thoats are slit.

You may know or be a member of this club and not know it.

Noone could save Vince other than himself, but those who are informed can at least help.

____________________________________________________________________________

A pistol shot, at five oclock, the bells of heaven ring,

Tell me what you done it for, no I wont tell you a thing.

Yesterday I begged you before I hit the ground,

All I leave behind me is only what I found.

If you can abide it, let the hurdy-gurdy play,

Stranger ones have come by here before they flew away.

I will not condemn you nor yet would I deny,

I would ask the same of you, but failing, will not die.

Take up your china doll, take up your china doll,

Its only fractured and just a little nervous from the fall.

La-la-la-la-la-la-la.

Edited July 12, 2006 by orchiddoctor

[jazzbo]

Yes, it's an insidious illness and has shaped humanity in dark ways, and caused much collective and individual suffering. SLOWLY recognition and acceptance ARE happening, I must say, way way too slowly, as are medical advances.

I've had the reality of mental illness as a part of my daily life for more than a decade (not sure that I suffer from it myself, but my wife does). I've learned more than I ever expected to about the disease(s), but fortunately much of what I've learned and experienced brings hope. . . slowly . . . but perhaps surely.

[jazzbo]

Just downloaded Dick's Picks 28, which is pretty darned good. . . . I can't stop, I have only about six or so to go to have the full official releases of GD from the beginning to the departure (in several ways) of the Godchauxs.

Really enjoying Dick's Pick's 35, the "Houseboat Tapes." Cool to hear the band with no keys, and occasionally Pigpen on harp and voice.

On 28: "Loose Lucy!" Okay, it's not the best version ever, but is it one of the earliest?

I've started downloading the audience recordings from the archive available. . . I've gotten all from '67 through '69 so far. I have great fun making artwork for these . . . using handbills, posters, photos, etc.

Edited July 12, 2006 by jazzbo

[Swinger]

Just downloaded Dick's Picks 28, which is pretty darned good. . . . I can't stop, I have only about six or so to go to have the full official releases of GD from the beginning to the departure (in several ways) of the Godchauxs.

Really enjoying Dick's Pick's 35, the "Houseboat Tapes." Cool to hear the band with no keys, and occasionally Pigpen on harp and voice.

On 28: "Loose Lucy!" Okay, it's not the best version ever, but is it one of the earliest?

I've started downloading the audience recordings from the archive available. . . I've gotten all from '67 through '69 so far.

If you know how to use bittorent check out http://bt.etree.org http://shnflac.net and http://jeromesplace.net/ for LOT'S of GD shows. Most of the shows posted on those sites have excellent sound quality.

Edited July 12, 2006 by Swinger

[jazzbo]

shn and flac and bittorrentin' hasn't work for me with my Mac machines. It's either me or the machines or both, but I can't take the frustration at this time.

Edited July 12, 2006 by jazzbo

[orchiddoctor]

shn and flac and bittorrentin' hasn't work for me with my Mac machines. It's either me or the machines or both, but I can't take the frustration at this time.

I think I posted this before, but you can download several of these programs in mac friendly form. Also, there are several recorders--like total recorder--that will allow you to download all those streaming files on archive. Just DON'T do anything else on your computer while recording. It's just like recording from disk to cassette, only any interference will give you snap, crackle and pop.

Of course, my good friend, I keep tantalizing you into personal ruin by downloading and downloading and downloading and downloading.

There is currently no cure for this!!

Right now, I'm living on dimeadozen downloading art ensemble of chicago gigs. The only question is how one can listen to so much good music and still absorb it all?

[Chalupa]

A Resurrection, of Sorts, for the Grateful Dead

By ALAN LIGHT

Published: July 10, 2006

The Grateful Dead, one of rock 'n' roll's longest-lasting institutions, has announced a licensing agreement with Rhino Entertainment to manage exclusively all of the band's intellectual property.

Rhino, a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group that is best known as a premier reissue label, will oversee everything from the band's vast archive of live recordings and its Web site to its merchandise and use of its likeness. Grateful Dead Productions will retain creative control, and the deal does not include the band's music publishing.

"In the last couple of years, it became apparent that the business was just too much trouble," said Bob Weir, a guitarist and vocalist for the band. "The Grateful Dead of yore was built around being a touring band, and when we stopped touring, the structure wasn't there."

The deal also reflects a shift in the music industry as labels look beyond declining CD sales for new sources of revenue. The Rhino-Dead arrangement is similar to a multiple-rights venture that the band Korn signed last year with EMI Music. The deal makes EMI a partner in the band's overall business, including its publishing, touring, merchandising and multimedia activities.

"The music industry has to change," said Jimmy Edwards, a vice president at Rhino. "We can't just put CD's out to retail. We need to be more involved with protecting the legacy of the artists."

What's more unusual in this deal is that the Grateful Dead officially disbanded after the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995. The surviving members toured under the name the Other Ones in 2002, and then as the Dead in 2003 and 2004. Mostly, though, the band has lived on through various official releases of their concerts.

Rhino has overseen the band's catalog in recent years, including two box sets that collected expanded versions of all of its studio albums. The label approached the band with the idea for the licensing deal.

"The Dead all started individual endeavors," said Mr. Edwards of Rhino, "and they needed a partner to provide infrastructure."

Rhino seemed the right partner for the band. The drummer, Mickey Hart, noted that the Grateful Dead started its recording career with Warner Brothers in 1966, and remained on the label through the mid-1970's. "It's kind of funny," he said. "We tortured them so much in the early days, so maybe now we're making up for it."

Last year, the Grateful Dead came under fire from its passionate fan base when the band took down the free recordings of its concerts posted at archive.org and announced plans to charge for downloading the music. Deadheads petitioned in protest, and the files were made available again.

"That was a perfect example of why we got a bellyful of being a record label," said Mr. Weir. "It's always been too expensive, too labor-intensive, to digitize our vaults, and maybe that's possible now."

Mr. Hart said that his hope was that the arrangement would free the band to make music together. "To us, the Grateful Dead was always about the music, not just going to board meetings. The business got so big, and that's not what we signed up for.

"When we don't have to do business together, maybe we can become friends again. Maybe we can even play together again."

[orchiddoctor]

This has been rumored for quite some time. I'm glad Phil got on board. Wonder if it will be download or if Rhino will produce cds? Download would probably be more cost effective, since it's easier, cheaper, and there would be no leftover copies to dump.

Hope they can clean them up and fill in the gaps.

[jazzbo]

shn and flac and bittorrentin' hasn't work for me with my Mac machines. It's either me or the machines or both, but I can't take the frustration at this time.

I think I posted this before, but you can download several of these programs in mac friendly form. Also, there are several recorders--like total recorder--that will allow you to download all those streaming files on archive. Just DON'T do anything else on your computer while recording. It's just like recording from disk to cassette, only any interference will give you snap, crackle and pop.

Of course, my good friend, I keep tantalizing you into personal ruin by downloading and downloading and downloading and downloading.

There is currently no cure for this!!

Right now, I'm living on dimeadozen downloading art ensemble of chicago gigs. The only question is how one can listen to so much good music and still absorb it all?

Well, it just seems beyond me, whenever I've tried I just get a knot in my stomach and a big ball of confused frustration. So I'm staying away til I maybe wake up one day smarter and more qualified.

Maybe Rhino will solve my problem. I don't mind paying for downloads the quality of those the Dead have been offering on their site and iTunes.

[Newk]

I am going to use my Borders coupon to fatten' up my Dead collection this week. Here is what I am considering.

Dick's Picks 19 or 23

Rockin' at the Rhein

Dead Set

Nightfall of Diamonds or Without a Net

I have several of the recently remastered vault recordings and a few Dick's Picks 29, 33, and 36.

I'm not interested in shows with inferior sound quality.

I've been to about 30 shows and some of them were about the most fun I have ever had.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

[Spontooneous]

A little promo here for DP 19.

This one starts out as a fairly average '73 show (that's better than faint praise, since the average in '73 was especially good). Then, at the end of Set 1, the "Playin' in the Band" monster almost slips out of the band's hands and heads for frightening territory. You can hear the whole band get scared and retrench, as one, to the out chorus.

Set 2 gets off to an almost routine start. And then in the "Dark Star," they go back to that scary place that "Playin" touched. They explore it, tame it -- conquer it. The beauty of "Morning Dew" is hard-earned after this one.

In short, Disc 1 and Disc 2 good, Disc 3 off the hook, off the meter.

Also my favorite DP front cover art.

[jazzbo]

I agree, DP 19 is excellent! DP 23 is pretty darned good too, but pales a bit in comparison. Both I think are better than the others on the list (ducking my head for cover!) Maybe I just like the Dick's Picks series a lot, I like the two track sound better generally than the 16 track.

From your list I'll also pitch a nod to 19.

[orchiddoctor]

19 is exceptional, but anything from europe '72 is well worth a listen. Then again, any of the dps from 1968-74 are mighty fine. Mostly, it depends on which dead you like the most. There's the raw, emergent dead from 67-68; the full blown psychedellic machine from 1969-70; the bar band of 1971; the reenergized keith band of 1971-72; the post pig jazzed out band of late 1972-74. Different song selections, obviously, with a greater array of tighly performed tunes later on. That's the thing about the dead: they certainly evolved as they grew. It's the part of the chain you like the most that matters.

There aren't many genuine clunkers in the DP series.

[Newk]

I just noticed that my local Borders also has DP 20. Nice set list and, based on the sound clips, not bad sound.

Any comments?

Thanks!

[Chalupa]

19 is exceptional, but anything from europe '72 is well worth a listen. Then again, any of the dps from 1968-74 are mighty fine. Mostly, it depends on which dead you like the most. There's the raw, emergent dead from 67-68; the full blown psychedellic machine from 1969-70; the bar band of 1971; the reenergized keith band of 1971-72; the post pig jazzed out band of late 1972-74. Different song selections, obviously, with a greater array of tighly performed tunes later on. That's the thing about the dead: they certainly evolved as they grew. It's the part of the chain you like the most that matters.

There aren't many genuine clunkers in the DP series.

Right on.

That said, out of the choices listed by Newk I would try (in order of preference) DP19, RTR, DP23, Dead Set, NOD, WAN.

[Chalupa]

I just noticed that my local Borders also has DP 20. Nice set list and, based on the sound clips, not bad sound.

Any comments?

Thanks!

Those shows never did anything for me. I think they were still trying to figure out how to integrate Mickey back into the band and the music suffers as a result. I'm not a big fan of '76 in general, though I do think they started to turn it up a notch in October.

Edited July 13, 2006 by Chalupa

[jazzbo]

I'm looking at Vol. 20 right now, and was listening to that set last week.

A lot of what Chalupa says I agree with. . . it's not as good as 19 or 23. . . but it's good in its own way. I have to say I like the way Billy and Mickey played in '76 and '77 and '78 BETTER than what I've heard of them afterwards. The two drumming scenario really helps to turn me off to a lot of the post-Godchaux Dead; I just don't get any groove off the combined, whereas I do before then. Still, I prefer just Billy all the time.

Edited July 13, 2006 by jazzbo

[WD45]

With the Fillmore Box selling out before its street date, I think they should definitely continue making CDs.

[orchiddoctor]

With the Fillmore Box selling out before its street date, I think they should definitely continue making CDs.

How many of you who saw the inadvertent link to the proposed Winterland Box would have jumped on it? I would have. I think if they do cds, it should be in a limited format so they don't keep getting stuck with product. They appear to have tons of DPS left on cd, and Rhino is releasing the first box set in single cd format. THe idea should be to sell out the runs and keep the mother rolling.

But there is something nice about holding a product over downloading it.

[orchiddoctor]

Along with some of those 73 discs, my picks are:

8 (Harpur college!!!! The Other One!!! Man's World!!! Dancin--and a great acoustic set)

11 (Fillmore East 2-13-14-70 the best of the bunch)

16 (Fillmore West-----humongous!!)

36 (I'm biased, having been at that one, but what a Dark Star---Dew!!!!!!!!!)

30 (Biased again--got to catch the whole run. shows just before the left for Europe--with Bo Diddly!

36 another good '72 effort

22--c'mon--Anthem of the Sun material!!!

Okay, fine, like you didn't know my favorite period was '67--'72!

[jazzbo]

Those are all great ones, have all but 36 and don't doubt that it is spectacular (that will be my next order from GD Store!)

[Swinger]

shn and flac and bittorrentin' hasn't work for me with my Mac machines. It's either me or the machines or both, but I can't take the frustration at this time.

I think I posted this before, but you can download several of these programs in mac friendly form. Also, there are several recorders--like total recorder--that will allow you to download all those streaming files on archive. Just DON'T do anything else on your computer while recording. It's just like recording from disk to cassette, only any interference will give you snap, crackle and pop.

Of course, my good friend, I keep tantalizing you into personal ruin by downloading and downloading and downloading and downloading.

There is currently no cure for this!!

Right now, I'm living on dimeadozen downloading art ensemble of chicago gigs. The only question is how one can listen to so much good music and still absorb it all?

I CURSE dimeadozen . Every time when I finish some downloads I check if there are any other shows I'd like to download and there are ALWAYS some goodies available.

I also keep wondering how in hell I'm able to find enough time to listen to all of them.

Right now I have around 30 GD shows ranging from 1967 to 1971.Along with my other goodies my only 160Gb HD is filling up really fast.I should definitely buy some 500Gb HD really soon

And I'm glad there is no cure for this!

Edited July 13, 2006 by Swinger

[orchiddoctor]

shn and flac and bittorrentin' hasn't work for me with my Mac machines. It's either me or the machines or both, but I can't take the frustration at this time.

Lon: Buy yerself a cheap used Windows operated computer! Think of the money you'll save. Oh, wait, all that downloading--we'll never hear from you again!

[jazzbo]

In the interest of keeping in touch with my chosen online community, I'll NOT buy a PC!

I think my wife might divorce me if I did. . . she's a Mac person for many years, and she's making me comfortable with Macs. . . we have three Apple computers (iMac, iBook and MacBook), and she's about to buy me an iPod for my birthday.