orchiddoctor

That's it? With so much gold in the vault, this doesn't seem to be the one I'd trot out to unveil the new partnership. Still, not a bad concert. And at least they are starting it back up.

Some not too news from Phil: http://phillesh.net/philzonepages/friends_stuff/hotline.html Basically, he has prostate cancer; but it appears to be nipped in the bud. I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery from the surgery.

Let's see if I can really wreck Lon's life" Download Mozilla Firefox. Go thence to add ons (under tools). Type in "Down them all." Download same. Thence to, say, GDLive.com. Left click the whole column of files. Then, having highlighted the files, right click Down Them All. Thence, take a nap--or better--do something productive like attend to your job

I haven't listened to enough Phil and Friends stuff, but he seems to be the one who is carrying the torch right now. He does so not only through the excellent playing, but by the rotation of the friends--keeping it fresh. I'm amazed that he didn't have a group on the side during his G.D. tenure as did Jerry, Bobby, and Mickey. Renews the mind and allows all sorts of new ideas and possibilities to emerge--just as so many of the great jazz musicians have done over the years. I'll keep my ears open.

I don't believe I've heard this one. Guess that's in store for later. Meantime, it will be up against the Harpur College version. Jerry soars so high at the end! That lick with which he usually ended the jam and eased into the second verse--so intense that he kept on going anyway.

You are my hero

Geeze, you'd think we liked the guy or something. Me, I'm just in awe of his 13942 posts. Here's a man who knows how to goof off Something to aspire to.

And oh so easy to get drunk!

You scoundrel.

Of course it's insane to download every fart and burp the Grateful Dead created over the years. And, worse than too many Lovelights are too many Me and My Uncles! But we all need a hobby. Mine used to be going to the local traffic light and reading the license plates. But the cops thought that was a but squirrely and asked me to stop. There is something to be said for listening to the evolution of a group such as the Dead. As with Lon, my interests are in the early years. And I'm no completest or elitist when it comes to what I download. I don't care much for chopped up partials or weak shows or (sorry)) audience (except those capital theater shows from fall 1970). Beats waiting for the light to turn green. Besides. I'm already divorced.

Well, I get up 'round five a.m. and put on the first disc. I sing along in the shower and head down for breakfast--disc 2. Drive to work (okay, I walk)--disc 3. On a good day, one without pesky customers, I can nail about three or four more shows. Then, night comes, and I hit some of the heavier stuff. 3,000 shows? Nothing to it. Actually, I only download stuff between 66-72; and having done so for around four years, that's not totally insane. Now Lon on the other hand . . . .

That pretty much sums up my take on it. I'm still grabbing shn/flacs when I can. Most of my archive downloads were shns. Mind you, my ears are so shot from loud music that I can't tell the difference. Besides, I listen mostly in my car. AND--I grew up on nth generation copies of tapes with hissssss and speed issues and cuts and so on. But it is wrong to pass off mp3s as lossless. And I think it's important to bear in mind that these tapes have been lovingly worked on by serious enthusiasts to make them as clean as possible. Since many of the uploads on dime and elsewhere contain the express wish not to have the files disseminated on mp3, it is important to respect those wishes. BUT--for personal use which excludes trading or posting, go for it. After all, all those shns on archive have become lossy streams only. And yes, a great mp3 concert is better than no concert! It's just that it's so addictive . . . . . .

Just remember one thing--everyone who downloads from speeding arrow--the intent of those who obtained, cleaned, and digitized these tapes into SHN and/or FLAC files that they did not wish to have the material copied into MP3 format for distribution. It's aa bit grey, I think, for them to convert to MP3 for distribution, but as long as it's for personal use, especially walkman/ipod, I don't see it as being all that evil. Chalupa might disagree--any thoughts, Tony?

I remember reading somewhere, I think, or maybe I am mistaken, that Lon used to have a life. I blame myself.

Yeah, that 1971. Of course it was one of the first sbds I got. That, and Cincinatti 1971 which a friend did for me, and the Felt Forum Radio cast. When you've got only a few tapes, you get very familair with them. On the last instrumental break in Goin' Down the Road, Jerry cuts loose into the stratosphere--just rips it. And the final wailing on NFA--Pig and Bobby--well, just seemed like they saved something up for it. So many New Year's concerts seem to find the boys playing like the just want to finish off the year and go party. Check out some of the shows right before New Year's. Kind of like a runner who peaks before the last fifty yards.

Cow Palace was 1976--a decent show at that. There are 22 possibilities! But there are only so many shows that run into 3 disc space, and that are classic. 1966 unavailable. 1967 no show. 1968, too short. 1969 is decent, 1970 is sloppy.1971--opening with Dancing in the Streets, The Same Thing, the whole show a culmination of that great Fall 1971 vibe--with Keith newly in the band? Classic Other One and NFA--Going Down the Road---NFA sequence? Show only available as an FM source? Or 1972? Classic jamming, though set one is a tad lackluster. 1973-4-5 don't exist. 1976, 77 relatively short and uneventful, 1978 already released. Must confess I haven't heard 1981 Hmm 1982 with Etta James? After that? The yawns deepen. Oh--and 1987 is already on video. Do we get a vote? 1971.

John: The sound quality of the gd downloads is rather good considering the age of the masters. The argument continues as to the relative quality of mp3, shn, flac. If you are into the best available sound, spring for the FLAC files. But for ipod or computer type listening, the mp3 is still fine. Lon: I am truly sorry that you found the right link. There goes your week.

One note: it is http://www.speedingarrow.net/zephyr/ or http://www.speedingarrow.net/zephyr/mp3. The simple .net will get you a green page and nothing more. Playing the Lille--sounds great to me.

David and the Dorks at the Matrix, I assume? Yes, nice stuff. Don't know if this got posted or not, but for all you mp3 folks, http://www.speedingarrow.net is another source. It has almost all of 1972--all of the Europe stuff. If you are listening on ipods, walkmans, computer speakers and/or if you are older than 45, or just don't care, these files (all taken from the archive) may be the thing for you. I'm downloading the Lille, France show to check it out. Cd cover: http://www.gdcdcovers.com There are some very nice covers and some that are functional. Go, Lon, go!!!!! (I know this is your cover site of choice!!)

Of course, Like Dimeadozen, it all depends on what is currently being seeded by various members. If you go back every few days, different shows will suddenly pop up. Just be sure to realize that they probably have an enforced upload to download ratio. Swiped a few myself. And I swore I was going to behave.

great. thanks for directing my attention again to that site. As if I don't have enough shows already. I take it you need a password for that site. Just sign up and get your user id. They are trying to get the thing going by year--working on 1973 now.

www.shnflac.net looks like a replacement for the archives. Lots of bit torrents and shns of the sbds that were up on etree, especially a lot of 1972-73---including a very clean copy of 8-27-72. Seems someone has been industrious. You know anything about the new hosts Chalupa? Damn, just when I thought I'd kicked the downloading habit.

David Gans has indicated on a recent blog entry that the Winterland set will not be Rhino's first release. Any wild guesses? Any wishes? I'd love to see a huge set from Europe 72. Obviously, a lot of it has been released, either in truncated form (the British Box) or shortened from (Hundred Year Hall) or even complete. BUT there are the two Paris concerts, Luxembourg, Copenhagen and others. Since Rhino has so far produced two major boxes--the early stuff on Warner's and the later stuff--it would not be out of the question to see them do something special with the remaining tapes. OR might it be the infamous 8-27 Creamery benefit with the DVD? Or?

Yes, they are good too. They were "fresh" in 1972 though. . . I like everything in 1972 better than everything in 1977 I must admit that bias! Both styles are righteous. The younger version has such sweet harmonies and a great intro; but the later versions have them power chords before the last verse that punctuate the final "JACK STRAW from Wichitaw." Makes you want to jump up. In short, a great Weir--Hunter tune. Too bad they didn't get along. Probably my favorite Bobby tune--other than "Walk in the Sunshine."