when looking on archive.org and other sites for shows I usually stay away from anything between 84-most of 86. If there hadnt been that surge of great songwriting from 92-95 I probably wouldnt touch those years either.
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What!?!?! I know all this is subjective but personally I LOVE 84-85! The two night run from richmond in 85 are up there as my favirotes ever. Anyway back to the topic at hand. I listen to just about every year. imo 1995 and fall-winter 1993 is probably the worst but I love the versions of "visions of Johanna" from 1995 so i still give them a listen from time to time. I don't listen to a lot of 77-78 shows even though the band was real solid at this point (except keith and phil), I find myself dozin off during 77-78 shows (first sets) and that doesn't happen any other years for me.
Yes, 86-95. 80-85 is poorly represented as well in my collection.
Don't really have the sparkle to me that other years do.
I'm a big fan of the late 60s R&B/Bluesy/Rockin' Psychedlia as well as 73-74 and 77-79.
But that's just me.
Don't really have the sparkle to me that other years do.
I'm a big fan of the late 60s R&B/Bluesy/Rockin' Psychedlia as well as 73-74 and 77-79.
But that's just me.
I think it really depends on when you got on the bus.
The magic of the live shows really blossomed early on in my experience. The first 10 shows or so were just so amazing on a personal level that I can't even describe them from a musical perspective.
I can think of a lot of shows from the mid 80's that were stellar. I really don't listen to the recordings but I was there so I know off the top of my head which ones really stand out.
After being on the bus for years, 91-95 were very disappointing for me. Watching Jerry's decline in the Dead was almost too much to take. On the other hand, Jerry seemed to thrive in his side projects.
When the Dead broke out Unbroken Chain, I turned to my friends and told them it was all over. Low and behold, it was...
The magic of the live shows really blossomed early on in my experience. The first 10 shows or so were just so amazing on a personal level that I can't even describe them from a musical perspective.
I can think of a lot of shows from the mid 80's that were stellar. I really don't listen to the recordings but I was there so I know off the top of my head which ones really stand out.
After being on the bus for years, 91-95 were very disappointing for me. Watching Jerry's decline in the Dead was almost too much to take. On the other hand, Jerry seemed to thrive in his side projects.
When the Dead broke out Unbroken Chain, I turned to my friends and told them it was all over. Low and behold, it was...
Almost everything I listen to tends to be 68-74, 79-83 and 87-90. That's right, I pretty much only listen to the much-vaunted 77 when my girlfriend wants to hear "Sunrise" 
I'm a huge fan of just about everything late-79 through mid-1983, one hugely underrated, maligned era. Especially the delicious musical milk and honey of 1981. I think the heroin just pisses some people off too much to listen to what is arguably some of their greatest music. Even into 84 there are some truly astounding shows, like 6/30 or... 11/17!! But that is around the time JG starts becoming kinda hit-or-miss, imho until 87's I Will Survive tour (nothing on the order of 94-95's "miss-or-miss" but still)
I'm a huge fan of just about everything late-79 through mid-1983, one hugely underrated, maligned era. Especially the delicious musical milk and honey of 1981. I think the heroin just pisses some people off too much to listen to what is arguably some of their greatest music. Even into 84 there are some truly astounding shows, like 6/30 or... 11/17!! But that is around the time JG starts becoming kinda hit-or-miss, imho until 87's I Will Survive tour (nothing on the order of 94-95's "miss-or-miss" but still)
dont get me wrong, I love the early 80s and late 80s. 89 is one of my favorite years ever. they were so hot from 87-89. and from 80-82, I agree with you guys on that one. But in 84 and 85 its actually kinda hard to listen to. Garcia missing lyrics in half the songs, his soft withered voice, etc.
mutant_dan wrote:how was bringing out Unbroken Chain a sign of the decline? Phil wanted to start doing that song because his son liked it
When the Dead broke out Unbroken Chain, I turned to my friends and told them it was all over. Low and behold, it was...
As far as I know, the Dead never played Unbroken chain untill 95, they never "brought it back". That song was indeed different, but I didnt really think it was bad enough to make someone stop listening.
I usually avoid some of that 80's stuff, mostly because Jerry and the band were hard into the drugs (heroin, coke) and you could hear it on the stage. still amazing music, no doubt, I love all dead.
but 90-95 was pretty good. "So many roads" got me into that era, and when I started listening, I found it wasnt half bad. not bad at all.
I usually avoid some of that 80's stuff, mostly because Jerry and the band were hard into the drugs (heroin, coke) and you could hear it on the stage. still amazing music, no doubt, I love all dead.
but 90-95 was pretty good. "So many roads" got me into that era, and when I started listening, I found it wasnt half bad. not bad at all.
My bad, I read it wrong. I thought you said "when they brought back unbroken"
but still, my point doesnt change much
but still, my point doesnt change much
proof themid 80's rocked....9/7/85 fellers....now that was a good show, and don't forget about '91, another killer year