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Grateful DeadGrateful Dead Live at Winterland Arena on 1971-12-31 (December 31, 1971)

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Collection: : GratefulDead
Band/Artist: Grateful Dead
Date: December 31, 1971 (check for other copies)
Venue: Winterland Arena
Location: San Francisco, CA

Source: Soundboard - FM
Lineage: FM > Reel > Dat > CDR
Keywords: Live concert

Description

Dancin' In The Streets, Mr. Charlie, Brown Eyed Women, Beat It On Down The Line, You Win Again, Jack Straw, Sugaree, El Paso, Chinatown Shuffle, Tennessee Jed, Mexicali Blues, China Cat Sunflower-> I Know You Rider, Next Time You See Me, Playin' In The Band, Loser, One More Saturday Night* Truckin'-> Drums-> The Other One-> Me & My Uncle-> The Other One, Jam-> Black Peter, Big River, The Same Thing, Ramble On Rose, Sugar Magnolia, Not Fade Away-> Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad-> Not Fade Away, E: Casey Jones

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Reviewer: FijiLane - - September 13, 2008
Subject: I was there too
Messed up on my year counting... it was '70 and '71 that found me at Winterland New Years Eve not '72. Really impressed me, I was 14 and 15 then. Went to Mt Tamapias before dawn each time. I hold dear the values obtained then, even though major aspects of society wants to poopoo them.

Reviewer: demigodband - - May 18, 2008
Subject: Incredible New Years
What great energy at the onset of this show, I could actually feel it. All the songs are groovin'. definately a download. 71 is a great year. If you were lucky enough to see the dead durring this period...I envy you. I saw showsfrom 84 to the end.nothing like the 70's.5 stars for this one

Reviewer: Darrylizer - - November 8, 2007
Subject: Stellar show, one of the best
I love this show and I love the archive for letting me replace my god awful sounding bootleg cd with some lovely soundboard shns. I was lucky enough to download this before the hammer came down. Pigpen and Keith, yes! This show is both firey and beautifully played. It marks the final transition from the earlier more raucous (and raw) days of '71 to the fantastic turn on a dime psychedelic cowboys of '72. This is one of my favorite shows on the archive, it's just full of joy and flat out rocks. Pure gold folks and a show to turn a newbie onto the wonders of the Grateful Dead. As far as the show being sped up is concerned I don't think it was. Jerry is clearly heard after BIODTL remarking on how fast they played it and Bill K. is drumming at his most furious throughout the show, doing rolls and fills I'd never heard him play before. He played his ass off and then some. Why hasn't this show been released as a Dick's Picks is a mystery to me.

Reviewer: gruUbic - - October 5, 2007
Subject: new years 1972
Radio Feed
Tremendous quality
great set

What is not to luv bout this one, amigos?

Really fast
Really crisp
some reel to reel problemas that'r easily overcome by the beauty and energy of our band...

WOW...

See, you gotta luv archive.org: Findin this one now --- on 10/5/07??? how is that possible...

Oh, the Jer Bear Jams...and the side comments...

CLASSIC

Reviewer: tballz - - September 6, 2007
Subject: Good end to a great year
I'll preface by saying that I love '71 shows. That being said this is a good offering from that year. Pretty standard fair in terms of song selection, nothing too jammy, but the Other One has its moments. Good cowboy dead, the NFA>GDTRFB is pretty kicking.

It seems like the tape has been sped up just slightly, at least at moments. Could just be my imagination though. Bottom line, if you like the '71 dead like me, then you will definately enjoy this show.

Reviewer: 3puttdouble - - August 28, 2007
Subject: Viva Archive.org!!
Thanks for that account of your trip on the bus, Elvis. This show rocks.

Reviewer: Monsterkid - - July 15, 2007
Subject: Oops! It is a tad fast!
Well I have to apologize to the others on the comments re: sped up recording. My guitar did indeed go out of tune by a tiny hair before I checked it against "Dancin". This tape is a microtone fast. In guitar terms, a tiny movement of the tuning peg. Not quite enough to really speed it up a lot though. They really did play just about as fast as you hear on this tape.Billy was on fire in '71-'72!

Reviewer: Bananafish Park - - July 13, 2007
Subject: Just fast enough!
One of the best Dancin's of all time, and my personal fave. As far as it being "sped up", well, that gave me a real chuckle. I am a guitarist. "Dancin", at least in '70-'71, was played in the key of A. So I streamed this show, plucked my recently tuned A string on my acoustic to the opening keynotes of the tune,and lo and behold, a perfect "A". Explanation? Well sorry all you young Heads, this is the pre-nod youthful energy Dead, when the acid vibe in the crowd poured through the band like electricity and put a real fire under their butts.I was at a lot of '71-'72 shows, so I can attest that they regularly played like this back in the day,the gods permitting.

Reviewer: moe.DeadStringPhishplease - - June 28, 2007
Subject: I just gotta say..
Elvis's review is awesome and to keep my story short I never got to see Jerry, I was 10 when he died. I have seen Bobby and the bunch numerous times. The Grateful Dead is the music I love I try to spread it everywhere from hanging steel your face flags to stickers on my car just to maybe get a smile from a fellow head. Enjoy everyone, embrace the archive and jam on.

Reviewer: jackstraw80 - - May 18, 2006
Subject: Elvis
Elvis, right on man, great story and one of the best archive posts ever. The Dead are about History, thanks again!

Reviewer: deadlyhead - - May 7, 2006
Subject: Where were you on new years eve 71?
I was at this show! A vetran of many Dead shows.
Nothing!! I repeat nothing. has ever come close to this particular performance. This is the best quality version of this show I have ever listened to. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH Jonothan Azien. You have made a long time search complete!
Simply a fine capture of the Time and SPAAAAACE:)
A Must Have! for the true connisures. It brings out the flavor/electricity of the first Donna Jean performance with the boys. The banishment of Mickey heart was never a great loss in most of our eyes. Also Pig was very I'll at this time
and it was his last new years show as you know.
His vocals were good quality here and this is a
masterpeice from all concerned. The finest Black Peter, Not Fade Away/goin Down the road I ever wittnessed, and the bands favorite New Years performance!
Get it now!
Terry L. Roberts Esq.

Reviewer: fredg - - March 7, 2006
Subject: I'm Sick Of It!
Elvis why don't you just write a book of your life stories with the Grateful Dead and call it "My Archive Writtings"? Lets stick to the reviews and skip the life stories. Thanks.

Reviewer: batcaver - - January 4, 2006
Subject: China Rider Balancing Act
The China - Rider especially the part with Phil dropping chords is interesting. It appears to flumox Jerry who is still threading the needle between Bobby's growing role in the segue and Phil's propensity for playing Mickey's part in addition to his own. Is that Pigpen playing the guiro during Playing in the Band?
"Only" a 4 because it's missing some of the Pigpen jems one might expect from this era.

Reviewer: Elvis The King - - October 25, 2005
Subject: Started on this date for me
This is not a review of the music but a review of the start of my relationship with the Grateful Dead that has lasted from age 18 to current age 52. If that is not interesting please move on. Eighteen to 52 is amazing to me. I live in San Jose, 50 miles south of SF, now known as the capital of Silicon Valley. It is called a valley because we are in the Santa Clara Valley (Santa Clara County). The Dead started in Palo Alto which is at the northern edge of Santa Clara County. A large number of the famous companies you hear about started in Palo Alto and I was born there. I distinctly remember in High School as a Junior thinking who are the Grateful Dead? At that time, for my group of buddies, Crosby, Stills, and Nash were getting big and of course The Beatles were always Number 1 and to me are still the number one band of all time. Due to their longevity I have enjoyed the GD more than The Beatles but I bet even the Dead would agree that The Beatles were the best. If you didnÃÂt live through it you really canÃÂt appreciate the impact that The Beatles had not only on music but on life. Led Zeppelin was starting to become huge. I remember hearing Neil YoungÃÂs Down By The River for the first time at lunch during school and thinking who is that? It is still one of my favorite songs. The Rolling Stones, The Who, Credence Clearwater, Cream, were all big. I graduated from High School in 1971 and the GD were still a mystery to me. Who are they? Then we all went off to college. One of my friends, probably the smartest person I have ever known even to this day, went to University of Santa Cruz. Well, they knew who the GD were there. For New YearÃÂs Eve he gathered us up and said letÃÂs go see the Grateful Dead. I had actually never been to a concert. My friends had gone to see Credence Clearwater Revival but that was it for them. We were the fairly cool but more the studious types.

Off we went. New YearÃÂs Eve 1971. Winterland, San Francisco. Until the Archive came out I have been wondering for years if it was New Years Eve 1971 or 1972. We got there and only because of the archive, listening to the concert, I remember that at the start of the concert two guys came out with diapers and then pranced around naked. There was actually a middle walkway on the floor that they tried to keep clear. I think that was the only time I saw that in Winterland. It was sold out but not overwhelmingly like later years. After about five songs I was hooked. I had to get to the front. I made my way to around five rows deep right in front of Jerry. I knew his name and I think Pigpen but that was it. I did not know any of their songs. I remember Jerry signing some song about Tennessee. There I stood mesmerized from the middle of the first set to the end of the concert. About five songs before the end of the concert I was just standing there grooving and the girl in front of me, who had her arms around a guy, reaches back and grabs my crotch. I was pretty stunned. What is going on here? I let her hand stay there for a minute or two but was a little concerned about her arm being around the other guy so I removed it. I guess she was spreading love. I look back and think about how I left my friends all night but it was just too fascinating to leave the front. I remember them introducing Keith as their new piano player and Donna as their new singer. And yes, in my first concert I saw Pigpen perform. It turns out that became my only concert that I saw Pigpen. To me, those are big bragging rights for a DeadHead. I saw Pigpen perform with the Dead. Also fascinating to me is that 12/31/71 was just before one of their greatest periods, Europe 72. After 12/31/71 the Dead became a big part of my life. I bought all of their albums and Bob WeirÃÂs Ace album has become my favorite of all time. I want to be buried with that album (cassette/whatever form it is in). After 70 ÃÂ 80 concerts and two years of downloading from GDLive and the Internet Archive I even appreciate them more. Will it ever stop? I donÃÂt know, hasnÃÂt yet.

Reviewer: whirlwinddreamer65-95 - - September 24, 2005
Subject: this china rider rocks
the stars were spinning dizzy on this night!!!!this sounds great to me even if its fast. to each his own,it was new years.i'd download this cause they just might release a new years box set 65-94 someday. mmmmmmm!!!!!

Reviewer: hyperboy - - September 22, 2005
Subject: speed problems?
I have also experienced some of the "chipmonk" sound from Sugaree - Saturday Night. But I think I can get past it b/c the show is so freakin' great! I just try to go along with it that they may have really played this fast and sang this high. Gosh, this is such a great show...top notch playing and sound quality. Too bad about the speed issue. Ahhhh, Winterland!

Reviewer: sekander - - September 1, 2005
Subject: speed problems
Listening to a few cuts here and something's off. I've had some of this on tape for over 30 years and it isn't this fast. I'm getting that chipmunk-ey feeling. Anyone else sense this? Too bad, too, because its a great show.

Reviewer: direwolf600 - - August 2, 2005
Subject: I WAN-CHA TO ROCK ON OUT NOW
This show smokes from the first notes. An amaizing dancing to kick it off. I mean amaizing. Shorter then some of the late 70s famous versions, it just has an extra kick to it. Great vocals backing up as well. If you are not the biggest fan of pig's vocal styling this show might change your mind. Jer forgets some lyrics in B.E.Woman. I'd like to know if the break/extra beat on the intro to BIODTL was intentional or not...well it worked just fine. Billy is really beating the crap out of his kit by this point and he does not let up. Great solo for BIODTL. Not much to say about You Win Again, I like it. Bob is so excited he can't seem to keep quiet. I love it. This J. Straw is interesting. In another year they would slow it down considerably before slowly building it to a throw-down in the late 80s. A short lived first year where they didn't really know what to do with it, just that it was a great tune. If you listen closely at the 2:10 mark or so there is a quick lovelight tease from Jer. Billy is just killing on this night, he really brings this J. Straw up a level or 5. Jerry's voice is heavenly on this Sugaree, really something incredible to hear. The song is still in its infancy but is already a powerful non-ballad ballad. The China>Rider gets going with high hats popping left and right. Phil is really reaching high on the Rider. Even then he could still get it out. The playin' and loser here aren't much to talk about but Billy comes flying in again to kick of Saturday night...one of my favorite versions ever. Great Great first set. Funny intro to set II with the voice overs...Bill Graham gives a nice intro which slips right into a kickin truckin, things are really moving now...smoothness into a short drums...Shaft level smoothness into TOO Jam. At this point the 10 minute truckin is the longest tune of the night. The transition from TOO Jam to Uncle is seamless...daydream for more than 1 second and your lost, 3:00 later the same goes for the seque back into TOO. And as big and powerful the first 70 seconds is, within another 10 there is a calm flow happening, and suddenly, virtually nothing. I love the pig years alot, but with them even doing this in 71 it was obvious to everyone that Pig's place from there on would be as a front man now and again. Keith fills the spaces beautifully during this stretch of the show. They really seem to be flowing effortlessly through the gaps by the 5 minutes mark. This jam has 74 written all over it. The re-entry to TOO is nailed, this song can be so frightening sometimes...demonic even. But then lightened...just right, with a Black Peter. The remainder of the night is nice... the NFA>GDTRFB>NFA is quality for sure. Just one hell of a performance for a band not really sure of where its going or for that matter what the hell is going on. I am a very reluctant 5 star giver. 7.5/10 for sound, 8/10 for playing

Reviewer: verylazylightning - - June 21, 2005
Subject: The start of something big
I knew nothing about the Grateful Dead.One day during my first semester at college (September 1974), some-one put a tape of this show into a
cheap, mono cassette player. Within 30 seconds
I was a confirmed Deadhead - nearly a third of
a century later, I still listen to several hours
of Dead daily.
What was so earth-shaking was that the music sounded extremely familiar to me - in fact,
the overwhelming sensation was a shock of recognition the instant it started. I basically
instantaneously entered the culture - it was
like coming home after being away for years. Very strange.
What's really annoying is not connecting to theDead at an earlier time. I lived in the Northeast in the early Seventies and could have
easily seen every Boston show, Watkins Gen, etc.
Anyhow,a great show. Cosmic Cowboy Dead, one of
their best phases.

Reviewer: drmikie - - May 27, 2005
Subject: I was at this show
This show has some wonderful memories for me - some are a little hazy though!
It will always be at the top of my list.
take care

Reviewer: DeadtotheHead - - March 29, 2005
Subject: Sound
Ridiculous Sound Quality. A must have.

Reviewer: DeadtotheHead - - March 29, 2005
Subject: Sound
Ridiculous Sound Quality. A must have.

Reviewer: japhyryder - - March 27, 2005
Subject: ths same thing
i have ot object to the review that cites the same thing as the low point of the show. this song is what attracted me to this show in the first point - it slinks, a very good version - not transportive like the 1967 version on the boxed set, but better than any single song performed post-Brent. really, a 1971 same thing? get outta town

Reviewer: skwimite - - January 16, 2005
Subject: best NYE show
This was the best, tightest NYE show they ever did, period! I defy anyone to find a more "locomotive" Casey Jones. I'm only sorry they didn't include the J. Edgar Hoover rap. Get this one for sure.

Reviewer: Spacebot - - January 3, 2005
Subject: its no 1972!
alright, i really did dig this show and there are a couple highlights. firstly, the NFA>GDTRFB>NFA sandwhich is absolutely cosmic and bobby is really quite charming on dancing in the street. killer tennesse jed, big river and ramble on rose. however, if your looking for some MIND BLOWING new years action then head on over to 1972 man! '71 pales in comparison.

Reviewer: phleshy - - November 1, 2004
Subject: That's It For the Other One!!!!!
The setlist on this one is very good, if a little long-winded. The 2nd set is awesome, though, a thoroughly delicious performance. The Dead sandwiched Me&My Uncle in the Other One several times, but this is the best performance they ever did with these songs linked together. Lots of spaced-out jamming in both Other Ones, as well as a one-of-a-kind transition from a completely out-of-nowhere Space into Black Peter. The only other time they did this kind of transition (that I know of) was 6/14/68, in which a spontaneous Space went right into The Eleven. Awesome. The NFA>GDTRFB>NFA is stunningly energetic and well-played, one of the best performances of these three tunes. Worth it for the
Other One>Uncle>Other One alone. Get it!

Reviewer: samson - - October 31, 2004
Subject: New Years 71...
Very hot and energetic show from start to finish. The Other One > Me and My Uncle > Other One is definately the high light of the show. Heck, the whole second set is the highlight. Only bad song in the batch is Same Thing (Sorry, I love Pig but I'm so used to Bobby doing this one years later). According to Dead List this ultra-hot Big River is the first they ever played.
Only thing is that there is some chatter from the station DJ's through the show. Not too much but they do chat it up a bit during some songs and in between others. Oh well, it certainly doesn't take away from the recording. Judging by how fun this show sounds, they were probably having the time of their lives too. This is definately one to crank up for New Years. Play it loud! Oh yea- nice Dancin' opener too!

Reviewer: hippieman556 - - August 23, 2004
Subject: this show smokes
man could a new years show get any better i think not

Reviewer: dr. flashback - - July 9, 2004
Subject: Top 5!!
I don't know where to start with this show. After a shaky year in 1971 - Mickey's father embezzling money (hence He's Gone), the loss of Mickey, the illness and return of Pigpen and the addition of Keith and a whole new sound - the Dead pull it all together and deliver an awe-inspiring performance. This is without question my favorite show of the year. Bobby storms out of the gate and amid popping balloons gives us a great Dancin- the last until 1976! Jerry shines on Tenn Jed and Loser. And the rare jam into Black Peter is a thing to behold. There are a few great Other Ones in 1971, 4/28, 8/6 and 11/7 come to mind. But this one is in a category by itself. After a thundering Truckin and starting off 1968 style (listen to Phil's playing!) the Other One settles into a long dreamy space scape that is quite unlike anything else up to this point. This version takes you to the outer planets and back again, with or without refreshments! The rest is almost anti-climatic, but they manage to bring the house down with NFA>GDTRFB. A show to reach for on special occasions, like New Year's Eve! A must have.
Dr. Flashback ;-)

Notes

FM > Reel > Dat > CDR; via G. Lanum