Grateful DeadGrateful Dead Live at Avalon Ballroom on 1968-10-12 (October 12, 1968)

This audio is available in streaming format

Collection: GratefulDead
Band/Artist: Grateful Dead
Date: October 12, 1968 (check for other copies)
Venue: Avalon Ballroom
Location: San Francisco, CA

Source: Soundboard
Lineage: SBD > MR > DAT > Sonic Solutions > EAC > CoolEdit > CD
Transferred by: David Gans and Frisco
Keywords: Live concert

Description

Dark Star > St Stephen > The Eleven > Death Don't Have No Mercy Cryptical Envelopment > Drums > Other One > Cryptical Envelopment > New Potato Caboose > Jam > Drums > Jam > Feedback

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Reviewer: SpecialPurpose - - July 10, 2008
Subject: This is the show I've been looking for!!!

Been searching for one like this for awhile. Lack of Pigpen aside, this is one of the cleanest early era recordings I have heard. Right from the get-go the band winds into some mind-bending melodic patterns Jerry's playing and singing are beautiful. This show is fantastic, very glad to have stumbled upon it.

Reviewer: Darrylizer - - May 23, 2008
Subject: Thank you Mr. Garcia

I'm a big Pigpen fan, yet despite his absence I think this is one of the best shows on the archive. Every song is played with soul and a fire the Dead rarely matched or surpassed and the jamming is extraterrestrial. The show starts with Darkstar which isn't as explorative as it would later become but it has a marvelous wistful soulfullness that makes for a trancendent listening experience. Follow that with my favorite version of The Eleven. I mean it's the best I've heard. The interplay between Bill K., Phil and Mickey is amazing but it's Jerry's guitar playing that makes this just so goddamn good. This is an Eleven for the ages. Death Don't is wonderful. The following Cryptical, Other One, New Potato Caboose, jam, drums, Feedback is a stunning seamless flow. The emphasis in this show is not the songs but the jamming and transitions. If that's your cup of tea (it's mine) you will love this show. The vocals are a little weak in places, but the instrumental interplay is outstanding. The icing on the cake, and what a cake, is the sound quality: crystal clear and despite some variations in volume and mix it's really really good. As another reviewer pointed out it sounds as though Warner Brothers taped this show for a potential live album? In any case as one audience member yells out during a lull between songs "Thankyou Mr. Garcia!" I have this show on old crusty cassette and Jerry says before Darkstar "It's time to leave your bodies everyone!" or something to that effect. That's missing from this show, maybe my cassette was labeled wrong? Oh well, thanks Archive.

Reviewer: funklord84 - - March 30, 2008
Subject: Technical note

There is a version avaliable, retouched by one "Charlie Miller," as I understand it, with much fuller sound. This will be my prefered version.

http://www.archive.org/details/gd1968-10-12.sbd.miller.86759.sbeok.flac16

Consider comparing and posting a review over there to get some attention to that one; I just happened upon this show sorting by number of ratings. Is a very good show.

Reviewer: LarryK - - January 1, 2008
Subject: Cruel and Unusually AWSOME

I've been a huge fan for (only) 20 years, yet I have never heard anything this rippin in some time, if ever, particularly the St. Steven. I just stumbled upon this show, and I'm only on the second song, yet I felt compelled to write my first post ever! There's loads of great shows from this "era" (my fav); all must agree that its phenomenal to have the archive to hear the subtle transformations over time. Eleven going on right now, building nicely, super tight, might just be up there with the best of them. Cheers!

Reviewer: gratefulcheese - - July 5, 2007
Subject: WOWWWWWWWWWWWwww

IF I COULD ONLY GET THIS ON DISC, MAN THAT SUCKS, IF ANYONE CAN FIND THIS ON DISC I WILL APPRECIATE IT MUCH, THANKS, bsimmons93@gmail.com

Reviewer: Vit J. - - May 2, 2007
Subject: dead dont have no...

Great!!! but I think the part of Dead dont have no mercy is dropped out at beginning.
Some one can explain whay?
thanks
vit

Reviewer: JamminJerome - - May 1, 2007
Subject: WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

If you listen to this show and do not enjoy it, then you are probably deaf. Or you listen to entirely too much Kelly Clarkson. Because this show is HOT!

I usually put a list of highlights, but that is impossible for this show. EVERY song is a highlight!!!

top 10 for 68, top 20 ALL TIME for me (if not top 10)!

Reviewer: Ugyatag - - April 13, 2007
Subject: Wow

Dark Star is absolutely mindblowing.

Reviewer: latefordinner - - April 9, 2007
Subject: Not enough stars

Somebody certainly was eating their Wheaties. What planet was this recorded on? Thank you Mr. Garcia, indeed.

Reviewer: Matthew L. B. - - December 16, 2006
Subject: I can't do that

First show I ever heard - not live but on tape. It totally hooked me. I'd never heard he like. One of Jerry's best Dark Star solos in my opinion. But, hey, where's Jerry saying," What do you want me to do, say everybody has to dance or else? I can't do that."?

Reviewer: Let It Be Known - - September 9, 2006
Subject: Higher Still

This set is full of vim & vigor.
They must have been having a good day.
You can practically see them dancing in the smoke.
The Other One is radically definitive.
The Avalon seems like a proper venue at this apex of a show for the age.
What a great fucking show that's all I have to say.

Reviewer: Mithos - - July 30, 2006
Subject: nice

title

Reviewer: philphanatic - - July 30, 2006
Subject: nice showq

i searched for all the fillmore shows from the 60's and this is hte oldest soundboard i could find, and i listened to it because it happens to be my birthday (but 17 years earlier)....,my unbiased opinion, is dark star was sensational as were all the jams and feedback to end it all. definitely worth a listen.

five stars nto because the sound quality is goood for a sixties show and no matter what i think the dead as a band sounded awesome. yay!

Reviewer: 52yr - - July 23, 2006
Subject: New to downloads

I first saw the Dead at the Fillmore East in 1969 and even then I couldn't run a computer . Now I can and Im seeing shows all around when I grew up in NY. Death dont have no Mercy DONT get no better .I think pp really meant it . how do I copy this one and so many more . I FEEL REJUVINATED ROYTHOMPSON@ADELPHIA.NET

Reviewer: jonnynra - - July 13, 2006
Subject: mindblowingly good.... TRADE?

amazing, simply amazing. does anyone have this show for trade? andrewbruss@gmail.com THANKS GUYS

Reviewer: 23 - - July 11, 2006
Subject: Best memories

When I was in high school (mid eighties) this was the tape that me and my friends put in the boom box, and walked the streets of Boston (at 3:00 am)and let the music take control. There is no finer Darkstar, period. This show was broadcast live via San Francisco radio, and in the version I had, the DJ opened with "hello San Francisco," I still get that undescribable feeling whenever I hear it.
Thanks Jerry

Reviewer: capn doubledose - - June 23, 2006
Subject: metallic taste

close your eyes and watch the eyelid movies to this one. irresistable.

Reviewer: sammyguy420 - - June 9, 2006
Subject: yummy

I have loved this show for years. I used to have it on DAT. About 10 years ago, they lost my luggage on the way to Jamaica and my possesions consisted of just my carry-on's. This show was one of them. I listened for a week to these increadable licks. It changed me.

Reviewer: grateful red - - May 6, 2006
Subject: epic and primal!

This was the first Dark Star I ever heard, even before Live Dead, so it's the reference I used when I first started trading tapes. Funny, I loved it when I was 14, but I took it for granted. Listening to it now, 20 years later, it's jaw-droppingly good. Download this. One of my personal top 20 shows for sure!

Reviewer: eman039 - - May 3, 2006
Subject: oh shit

im a young dead listener but the only words i can use to describe the dead are consistent, evolution, and perfection. What a great early reach back to touch on some of the roots of this legendary American rock and roll band. One of the best dark stars these ears have heard but im up for suggestions. AMAZING ENERGY ON THIS SHOW. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME THIS SHOW TO DOWNLOAD, EMAN039@YAHOO.COM. IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED BY A YOUNG MAN WITH AN OLD SOUL

Reviewer: gphishmon - - March 7, 2006
Subject: A question ...

Is this really 10-12-68, or 10-13? The only version of DeadBase I have is 5. In the introduction, the editors make a point of saying that many tapes labeled with various dates from 68-69 are actually 10-13-68. The music and talking identifies this show as the same one I have on an old, hissy tape (although I suspect the Caboose may be from a different show). Since 10-13-68 must have been a widely circulating tape, I suspected this show is 10-13. Can anyone answer this?

Having said that, this is an awesome recording of a mind-melding show. The Eleven is certainly one of the best, but check out the jam out of drums after Caboose. It rips with hints of TOO and a definite Caution riff from Phil before dissolving into crazy feedback (which by the way, has absolutely nothing to do with the later Phil and Ned noise. Feedback in 68-69 MOVED and dissolved brains.)

Reviewer: familiarfan - - February 10, 2006
Subject: goin ' on and on

This is one of those shows it can become easy to imagine why it was they toured well after their peak, which is this thru to 1971.

Fun!!

This has musical timing no other band was able to
approach. Cream had a different blues timing.

The energy they exherted; it's amazing they all didn't have heart attacks.

Reviewer: caeserdog - - January 3, 2006
Subject: good eleven

I am in search of the perfect Eleven and so far have not come across a better one than the 08-68 show on Two from the Vault...this one is pretty damn good but not as good as that one.

If you know the perfect Eleven email Old_Motherhubbard@hotmail.com

Other than that Dark Star is unreal (for the nth time), this is a great show.

Reviewer: hotshakedown - - December 30, 2005
Subject: Dark Star CRANKS

great sound

Reviewer: billtmcdee - - November 19, 2005
Subject: you left out the best part...

hey David,
where is the "please let go of your bodies everybody" before Dark Star?

Reviewer: hitmeister - - October 28, 2005
Subject: Pretty much essential

Whoever said the Grateful Dead were a mellow band certainly wasn't listening to this show! These guys are just on fire. "The Other One" is especially sizzling and ballsy. It doesn't get a whole lot better.

The only downside of this one is the shakers sound on Dark Star, which is mixed too loud for my taste, and which persists throughout the entire song in a way that becomes somewhat distracting.

Reviewer: williscat2000 - - October 23, 2005
Subject: possibly the best of 1968

great show, great playing, great sound quality. along with 2/14/68, one of the best of this killer year. Definitely 5 stars

Reviewer: hyperboy - - September 29, 2005
Subject: Oh yeah!!!

This show is SMOKIN'!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From beginning to end, this show is HOT! The boys are on and the crowd is into it. Damn, I'm really deep into 1968 right now! This show sounds so f-ing amazing for 1968! Thank you archives.

Reviewer: eyezoftheworld - - August 26, 2005
Subject: DARK STAR

this dark star is killer... NOT TO MENTION THE STEPHEN ELEVEN.. cmon, if you cant hear how killer this show is.. even though the keys are hard to hear... you need to turn off the television

Reviewer: flat7 - - August 16, 2005
Subject: Epic Early Dark Star

This would be a definitive Dark Star for Garcia's work in the first five minutes alone. Beautifully uptempo, Jerry floats with dynamic mastery over some fine Weir rhythm guitar and a stellar Lesh foundation. Really good percussion here as well; the cool wish-wash effect was mentioned below, I believe. The absence of a keyboard presence gives Jerry a bit more space, in my opinion. It also gives keyboardists a chance to improvise over this tune, something I have taken the liberty to do a few times. While not as spacey or exploratory as later versions, people (particularly guitarists and other musicians, though it is not limited to them) will be attracted to Garcia's unique stream of musical thought, which really shines through on this particular show. The quick pace forces him to be more melodic, as he can no longer rely on a triplet run to serve as a buffer between ideas. Remarkable stuff.

Reviewer: birdsgosouth - - June 28, 2005
Subject: .....

Absolutely positively fricking stunning. If there was ever a justified five star review in the archive, this is it.

The Hendrix story someone mentioned in the earlier reviews is so awesome, any more on that story out there?? Wow. Thinking that this show is going on while Hendrix is waiting in the wings for a stage call that ain't coming.

Wow.

WOW!

Reviewer: skwimite - - June 27, 2005
Subject: Whew!

I've had bits and pieces of this damn show for years, with no dates, and now finally have it all together. Never had the Drums > Jam > Feeback portion. Thanks. What's even more amazing than this show, is the fact that Weir and Pigpen were almost out of the band at this point. Hard to imagine. Nothing more I can add. Get this gem right away. Hail and farewell Mr. Helms!

Reviewer: phleshy - - May 29, 2005
Subject: Review revision 5/29/05

This show is just one of those that never gets old on you, no matter how many times you listen to it. The 15-minute Dark Star is possibly the finest circulating pre-Live Dead version, and though it lacks the adventurism of later versions, it nevertheless establishes a trippy musical landscape that always characterizes the best of Dead jams, segueing into an early St. Stephen.

Of course, the That's It suite is a beast, but of special mention here is The Eleven, which is the best version ever, bar none. The band, particularly Jerry, is so tight and intense that they might as well have been driving over a cliff when they played it. Every nook and cranny of this Eleven is flawless, and it hasn't been matched before or since. The only other Eleven (this is IMO, of course) that comes close is the fragmentary 2/2/69 version.

In Potato, the singing is lackluster as usual, but as soon as Phil's bass solo and the 13/8 jam starts, you will forgive the vocal shortcomings so fast you won't even remember that they sang. The jamming around the bass solo is just so gorgeous. Then out of nowhere comes a drums>jam>feedback segment. The Jam has strong Caution and Alligator teases, but is never really based upon a single theme; the Dead have to come up with one one their own and that's what they do best; with the exception of the following night, this transition was never made again. Why? It was a spur of the moment thing, something that characterizes the best Dead jams.

Now as for sound quality, this is the best damn sounding live recording I have ever heard of a Dead show and I have been collecting tapes for 10 years. Hyperbole, you wonder? It's not. I have SBDs from the (ill-fated) year of '95 that don't sound as good as this one. Along with Greek Theatre 10/20/68, the sound on these two shows is so good that I have wondered if they were secretly recorded by their label for a possible live release. They would have made a classic live album, no doubt. This is one of the best-ever Dead shows, and the finest of '68 (apologies to 6/14). This gets five stars easy.

Reviewer: phishphreak81686 - - April 26, 2005
Subject: .

darkstar need i say more...great recording for 68

Reviewer: gemsing777 - - April 21, 2005
Subject: What soothsayer techy genius was recording these shows?

Listen to the cymbals on Potato Cabby. They sound like they're in your living room with good speakers. Amazing. Thank you everying who contributes and maintains this site.

Reviewer: gonzoc - - April 9, 2005
Subject: 20 years and counting....

Had this tape for 20 years and counting. Even though it was much hissier and higher-gen than this source, I kept going back to it. If you like the energy and jamming of 68, then look no further.

Reviewer: crypticalother1 - - March 30, 2005
Subject: Avalon 68'

Dark Star is really great. The Eleven is my highlight. Set Two is non-stop energy. Classic and Crisp!

Reviewer: grease - - March 28, 2005
Subject: WOW!

This show is freakin amasing. The best of the best. It will have your mind and soul screamin down a rollercoaster from star to finish. Download it now. Dont be afraid to blow yer speakers with this one. God knows i did. WOW!

Reviewer: MorninDew - - March 26, 2005
Subject: This nest number's lady's choice...

Primal dead, man! How can you go wrong with that? Dark Star is FANTASTIC! it wasn't yet as powerful as it would be in feb-march 69, but it was getting there. Jerry does some interesting vocal stuff during Death Don't. The Eleven and St. Stephen JUST SMOKE! Damn, man, they were on FIRE! A very nice Other One Suite. And a (actually) decent version of New potato caboose! Good job boys!
Great quality and great set. What are you waiting for? Download this monster!

Reviewer: Zensea - - March 16, 2005
Subject: Yes!

My tape collection is a bit jumbled up and disorganized so I couldn't check the date, but the date sounded familiar so I started the stream. All I had to hear was Weir saying "this is a foxtrot" regarding Dark Star and I downloaded this beauty because I Knew it contained an incredible St. Stephen >Eleven and that Garcia tears up his vocal cords on one of my all time favorite Death Don't Have No Mercys with these incredibly haunting leads. This show has always been one of my favorites since I heard it 15 years ago, even if I have trouble remembering dates. I'd give it six stars if I could.

Reviewer: brainbeat - - March 15, 2005
Subject: oh wow

...umm im not even sure what track im on anymore.
this is very buttery
i suggest you download this now.
sound quality is superb!
this will ruin whatever conception of reality you may still have.
thanks uploaders
and thanks archive.org
good work!

Reviewer: MushroomEagle - - January 15, 2005
Subject: s-o-l-i-d.

Wow. I just happened upon this show yesterday and spent my entire evening replaying it over and over. It is the most solid dead show from start finish that i've yet downloaded. I think the sound quality is warm and beautifully fuzzy. The Dark Star is more than decent! It is a great Dark Star...and the earlier St. Stephen is especially tonic - just one clearly more beautiufl note after the other into the Eleven. One of my favorite Eleven's yet. Death Don't Have No Mercy makes it obvious that Jerry was no southern blues singer :) BUT beyond that his blues guitar is right on the money - like something you would hear out of Duane Allman. Great stuff and the rest of the cd is especially chill..just a great ending of the show that forces you to start it over again. But again i must say this Dark Star is exceptional. Listen to the guiros lol - and i hear a couple playin' in the band teases. Five star recording and show.

Reviewer: rodzu - - December 20, 2004
Subject: Great show !

Fantastic Dark Star opens this recording, and it only gets better from there. I'm really enjoying exploring these earlier shows -- very different energy than the mid-late seventies.

Reviewer: Confusion's Prince - - November 8, 2004
Subject: HO BABAY!!!!!

great show, definitly one of my favorites!!!! St. stephen
-->the eleven is crazy!!! The guys are bringin the house down tonight baby. The Cryptical --> The Other One is exquisite. Couldn't ask for a better show.
peace

Reviewer: OuttaTime - - October 31, 2004
Subject: Groovy Early Dead, Tops for '68

This certainly isn't the cleanest show as far as perfect renditions of every song played, but the energy the band displays will make you forget they miss a change or two. Decent "Dark Star", nothing to write home about but nice nonetheless. "St. Stephen" is played at the perfect pace, and "The Eleven" cooks like I haven't heard before. Jerry really goes after it on "Death Don't Have No Mercy," you rarely get vocals like this anywhere else. Nice "That's It For The Other One" with early Phil singing along during the chorus, probably my favorite version - like others have said, it hits hard. The jam that finishes the show brings to a close what must have been a fun night. Great sound quality on this one, especially for '68 - definitely my favorite single-disc show. Get it now.

Reviewer: TimePilot - - October 12, 2004
Subject: Top 68 I've heard

I agree, it's definitely the best 68 show I've heard to date. The Jam after drums is enough to download this one. I usually stream shows and listen until one strikes me and then I'll download and burn. Let me tell you, I WILL be burning this one...5 stars.

Reviewer: sheikyerbouti - - October 2, 2004
Subject: If you are ready to cry uncle...

I have been mining this seam pretty hard for some unbelievably incredible music and powerful vibes and this show takes the cake. Of their entire career I am not sure I have heard more powerful balls to the wall, eye poppin, jammin... not sure what was in the air that night but if there was one show to take to the afterlife this is it.... It is virtually impossible to not tap into the grand coulee dam worth of energy that is released in slow dissolving little needles with Billy punching and driving from behind....You can taste the sounds and hear the smells of this.... This is an awesome show and great quality @>@

Reviewer: summerski - - August 18, 2004
Subject: Dark Star -Missing Banter

Wow this is my favorite all time Dark Star. However, this version is missing some pretty funny banter. On my old tape, the crowd is getting a bit wild and you can hear Jerry telling everone to "cool it" "We're gonna play here till we drop". This version rips despite the missing banter. Thanks

Reviewer: Susep - - June 30, 2004
Subject: folklore

I read where on this night Jimi Hendrix was playing shows at nearby Winterland and asked Chet Helms or someone in the Dead camp if they could set up a jam so Hendrix could jam with the Dead. The previous night the Dead arranged for a ferry boat so they could jam all night. Hendrix never showed up, later explaining that he had met a woman, dropped acid and fucked all night. So on this night, Hendrix showed up at the Avalon looking for another chance to play with the Dead. Ungrateful of Jimi's previous nights mischevious no show, the Dead granted Jimi a stage jam but never motioned him to come on, essentially playing through their set without welcoming Jimi onstage to jam. I'm sure his presence backstage lit up the Dead in more ways then one.

Reviewer: UrsaMajor - - June 29, 2004
Subject: Dark Star

This was one of my first tapes (back when that's all we had to trade), mislabeled as 10-31-68. The clarity is wonderful and the performance is a panic. I was taken by the clarity of the 'scratching', probably on a wood block (sorry I am not a musician) - it is trance-inducing during Jerry's lyrics. I don't remember anything close to that on my cassette - Gotta love the Digital Age!

Thank You for putting this up!!!

Reviewer: lpenoza - - June 28, 2004
Subject: THE Other One

This is the one I have been waiting for. I got a snippet of this Cryptical->Other One->Cryptical years ago from a GDead Hour Broadcast, and all I knew was that it was Avalon '68. This is it! The most mind-bending, psychedelic music ever made. The audience makes stunned groans inbetween furious volleys of lightning. I'd bet God was paying attention. The Eleven smokes as well. Now this amazing music is here in crystal clean sound, revealing all of the blazing glory within.

Reviewer: musicinmysoul - - June 25, 2004
Subject: THE OTHER ONE

This show is a must have for the "Other One" suite. It is RAW, fluid, HEAVY, TRIBAL- some of the most powerfully transformative music EVER played on planet Earth!!!!!
Seriously this one is so intensely focused that it is literally dizzying to listen to this. Listen to this one LOUD and involuntary headbanging will have your neck stiff in the morning.
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!

Notes

seeded by David Gans on GDH-Trading
de-glitched at the Frisco Refinery, 6/02: (the following glitches were
removed)
t01: 14:55
t02: :10, :20
t04: 1:10, 6:08, 8:23
t.11: 7:12

no portion of the wave was deleted in fixing these flaws.
individual sectors were repositioned to eliminate glitch.

the following (minor) glitches couldn't be removed
t01: 8:00 - 8:20
t04: 1:02 - 1:07

flaws were too small to locate.

tracks 1-3 re-tracked

Conversion Notes:

DAE (EAC: High, Secure, Offset Corrected) all track quality > 99.8%
All sector boundaries verified using SHNTOOL
SHN(seekable) using shortn32 via eD(efojr) - 07/20/02