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Poster: grendelschoice Date: Aug 16, 2008 6:42pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Less Dark, More Star!

In the never-ending topic that is the search for great Dark Stars, i want to happily announce I've found my favorite, and from a most UN-expected era (for me). For those, like me, who prefer their Dark Stars jazzier, and less "goo-ey" than the spaced-out, send-your-dog-howling-into-the-next-room cacophony that marked so many DS's from basically 1970-'74, I submit this gorgeous piece of work from 1969: http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-10-25.sbd.jagla.81.sbefail.shnf This basically starts out with Jerry and company saying "this is what we think jazz should sound like played in outer space"...utterly relaxed and beautiful lines intertwining into a pefect 1st verse vocal by Jerry...then, a bit after that verse, just when you think they're about to head into that land of noise and feedback, it's as if the band collectively decides "no, let's not jump headlong into a mad wormhole here...let's draw it back and go further into jazz--then rock and roll, and finally, hints of "beautiful jam" territory before nailing a perfect 2nd verse and finishing in fine jamming form." This, after MUCH searching, is now my all time favorite DARKSTAR...moreso even than later incarnations like 12/31/78, 7/13/84 and 1/10/79, which all are excellent examples of the jazz side of "the star"...but THIS ONE... from an era William Tell and others who love the late 60's know well...is one I rarely go to. Now, I think I'll be visiting more. please take 20 minutes when you get it, and revel in this most wonderous DARK STAR. I promise you'll be glad you did.
This post was modified by grendelschoice on 2008-08-17 01:42:41

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Poster: CompSurfahV2 Date: Aug 17, 2008 4:04am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

Sunday morning Dark Star with your coffee... I like it!

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Poster: secret8476 Date: Aug 17, 2008 7:32am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

yeah, really- sunday morning - coffee - a great Dark Star recommendation.... thanks guys=)
Does anyone know if there is a copy of the rest of this set anywhere? Earlier in this show there is a china/rider i would love to hear - one of the first times pairing-up those two tunes (they had done it 3 times previously). It would also be nice to hear that high time before this blazin' hawt DS. But no worries if there are no other sources - what does remain of this show is The Stuff. great sound - great playing - and great vibes. 15 minutes into that Dark Star - my ears were smiling. Its such a good jam. Thanks again guys.

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Poster: Arbuthnot Date: Aug 16, 2008 7:53pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

good call; this is a fantastic Dark Star, and in fact, the shortened 4 song set is one of the best one-diskers to have; i am one of those fools who actually prefer the earlier, less-spacey Stars, anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes is just perfect, but that's my preference and others have theirs and it all comes together somewhere in the middle; it's just too bad the rest of the 10/25 show does not circulate, if it even exists ...

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Poster: light into ashes Date: Aug 16, 2008 5:51pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

Congratulations on finding your favorite Star!

It's interesting to me that you're not so much into the 'space, silence, feedback & strange noises' section that characterized it around this time....does this mean even 9/19/70 is too scary?

This is a list of some of my favorite '69 Stars, pardon me for reposting it but I think these are especially worth a listen:
2/22/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-02-22.sbd.owen.7860.sbeok.shnf
3/1/69 (Fillmore box)
4/22/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-04-22.sbd.clugston.68.sbeok.shnf
4/27/69 (Dick's Pick)
5/23/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-05-23.sbd.kaplan.12223.sbeok.shnf
5/31/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-05-31.sbd.oleynick.76.sbeok.shnf
6/27/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-06-27.sbd.samaritano.20547.sbeok.shnf
7/7/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-07-07.sbd.clugston.3116.sbeok.shnf
8/23/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-08-23.sbd.stonebear.6639.sbeok.shnf
8/30/69
http://www.archive.org/iathreads/post-view.php?id=150305
11/2/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-11-02.sbd.goodbear.1125.sbefail.shnf
11/7+8/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-11-07.sbd.kaplan.19783.sbefail.shnf
12/4/69
http://www.archive.org/details/gd69-12-04.sbd.wizard.23975.sbeok.shnf (muffled, unfortunately)

Granted, a lot of these are full of weird noises, but not as "gooey" as '72/73....come to think of it, if you like the more straightforward 'mid-period' Stars, perhaps late 1968 is where you should head, short & sweet Stars like 10/12/68, 11/1/68, 12/7/68...

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Poster: grendelschoice Date: Aug 16, 2008 6:43pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

Hey Light

Thanks for the great list...much listening to do...but I think i'll star with those less atonal '68 suggestions. What's great is that no matter how you like your Dark Stars there are plenty of variations to choose from.

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Poster: elbow1126 Date: Aug 16, 2008 7:30pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

GC,

I second Light's nomination for 10-12-68, the whole first set is unbelievable. Go with the Charlie Miller transfer:

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

Also if you have a copy of Live Dead check out the Dark Star from 2-27-69. Unfortunately you can't stream that show any longer because the MOTM and prelude that lead to the DS are beautiful. The 2-22-69 that Light linked is also very nice as is the DS.

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Poster: billydlions Date: Aug 16, 2008 5:44pm
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

Very nice indeed Grendel. I agree with all of your points. Since 7/13/84 has always been my favorite Darkstar I decided to give your recommendation a listen and I'm pleasantly surprised. I am the opposite of William Tell in that I've been stuck in the early 80's and have a hard time venturing to different eras. For some reason I cant get into the early Keith years so perhaps I need to go back a little further to 68-69.

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Poster: William Tell Date: Aug 17, 2008 9:30am
Forum: GratefulDead Subject: Re: Less Dark, More Star!

Glad to see you aboard the "right" (har) era...